Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Helene exposed Appalachia’s flood risks; experts explain why
WLOS Asheville: As western North Carolina approaches two years since Helene, experts are examining why Appalachian communities are vulnerable to flooding.
ATLANTA
Former business executive to lead Georgia’s public colleges and universities
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Thomas A. Fanning will come out of retirement to be the next leader of Georgia’s 25 public colleges and universities. He comes to the job with a grounding in business, having led Southern Company for 13 years and chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta board.
BALTIMORE
Trump order repeals Chesapeake Bay restoration plan, sparking fears in Maryland
WBAL-TV Baltimore: A new executive order signed by Trump this week repeals a 2009 directive by President Obama aimed at restoring the Chesapeake Bay, sparking concerns among Marylanders and environmental advocates.
Customs officer guilty of using gun, badge to sexually assault women in Chicago suburbs
Chicago Sun-Times: Jurors concluded that U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Luis Uribe sexually assaultedfour sex workersin 2022, convicting him of a series of crimes that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.
CINCINNATI
Ohio AG: LPRs like Flock cameras important anti-crime tools and need regulations, not bans
Cincinnati Public Radio: Four bills have been introduced in the last week, all by Republicans, to regulate Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers, or LPRs. Some lawmakers are suggesting an outright ban on their use, which some cities are doing. Ohio’s attorney general says he’s worried these responses may be overreactions.
CLEVELAND
Cleveland dockworkers bearing the brunt of Trump tariffs
Cleveland.com: The roughly 120 registered longshoremen who work the port and pull down a minimum of $36 an hour plus benefits have seen their manhours cut by about 30% since April of this year, said John Baker, president of Local 1317 of the International Longshoremen’s Association.
COLUMBUS
Columbus proposals take aim at data centers impact on water and energy costs in lieu of a ban
Ohio State Public Media: Columbus City Council will consider even more regulations that aim to curtail the impact of data centers and other large developments on utility costs and pollution without pursuing a temporary pause, or moratorium.
DETROIT
Republican Mike Rogers gets big boost from business community with new slate of endorsements
Michigan Advance: The Detroit Regional Chamber PAC nod, in particular, is a big pickup for Rogers, but it was not a necessarily unexpected endorsement.
INDIANAPOLIS
State disaster cash now hitting bank accounts month after storms hit Indiana
Indiana Capital Chronicle: In all, $1.7 million for about 260 homes was approved by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. From there, the Indiana Comptroller’s Office processes the payment.
LOUISVILLE
Louisville police limiting officers’ access to Flock network
Louisville Public Media: The Louisville Metro Police Department is limiting access to automated license plate reader cameras after several high-profile incidents of local officers misusing the surveillance technology.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin’s Generac enters into $8B deal with Amazon to supply generators for data centers
Wisconsin Public Radio: Waukesha-based Generac has entered into a long-term agreement with Amazon to provide up to $8 billion worth of backup generators for the tech giant’s data centers.Generac enters into $8B deal with Amazon to supply generators for data centers
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia lawmaker raises concerns over Rural Health grant recipient
West Virginia Watch: As West Virginia continues to announce recipients of its federal Rural Health Transformation program funding, a state lawmaker this week raised concerns about one organization set to receive a grant of more than $1 million.
NASHVILLE
Nashville Banner: Data obtained by The Associated Press shows more than 40,000 people who crossed the southern border between 2018 and 2025 set their sights on Nashville — but since Trump took office, local resettlement resources have started to run dry and protections have been rescinded amid increased enforcement
PHILADELPHIA
Pro-Palestine groups announce protests outside of Ed Sheeran concert in Philly
Philadelphia Public Radio: Local organizations, the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, are teaming up for a protest outside of Lincoln Financial Field at 4:30 p.m. The announcement comes days after rapper Macklemore was removed from the opening lineup for chanting “Free Palestine” and displaying images of the war in Gaza at an earlier tour performance.
PITTSBURGH
Gov. Shapiro calls for government AI regulation — it’s not what some in the industry want to hear
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Shapiro called for the government to regulate artificial intelligence development — and criticized federal leaders and some AI companies — during a keynote address at an industry summit in Pittsburgh’s East End.
WHEELING
West Virginia ranks #2 in United States for increase in DUI driving deaths
WTRF.com: West Virginia recorded the nation’s second-largest percentage increase in alcohol-impaired driving deaths from 2023 to 2024, according to a new analysis.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown: a city on the rise
New York Times: Youngstown is becoming an easier place to call home. The cost of living is low, even for the Midwest. It’s also overwhelmingly friendly. Strangers smile at each other. People chat.
