Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
A swarm of solar “bees” is coming to Western North Carolina community hubs
Blue Ridge Public Radio: With the Appalachian Mountains repeatedly battered by extreme rain and flash flooding in recent years, small-scale energy resilience projects are catching on. Many recent developments are popping up along the path Helene tore through Western North Carolina.
ATLANTA
Defending champion Argentina rallies to beat England in Atlanta World Cup semifinal match
Atlanta News First: Argentina, which will play Spain in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is now one game away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
BALTIMORE
Cyclospora in Maryland: Health officials report 69 cases through July — more than double last week
Maryland Matters: Cyclosporiasis cases in Maryland have more than doubled since last week, state health officials said. The Maryland Department of Health has confirmed 69 cases of cyclosporiasis reported in the state, 65 of which occurred since May 1 through July 14.
CHICAGO
8 more Chicago police officers face firing over PPP loan fraud, City Hall watchdog says
Chicago Sun-Times: The officers falsified statements on government documents to obtain a total of $282,639 in federal funds intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, according to Inspector General David Glockner’s first quarterly report.
CINCINNATI
Here’s how much the cost of raising a child has climbed in Greater Cincinnati
Local 12 Cincinnati: Families in Greater Cincinnati are paying significantly more to raise a child than they were just a year ago, according to a new study from SmartAsset.
CLEVELAND
The Coast Guard says it’s getting hoax calls. Perpetrators risk prison time and big fines.
Cleveland.com: In the last six months, the Coast Guard’s Great Lakes District has received 187 false distress calls, three of which are confirmed hoaxes, according to the maritime agency.
COLUMBUS
Columbus police says it will stop using Flock technology if asked, but would solve “fewer crimes”
Ohio State Public Radio: The Columbus Division of Police says it is working to restrict agencies from having access to data from its Flock license plate readers, but that removing the cameras altogether would mean fewer crimes get solved.
DETROIT
Detroit City Football Club breaks ground on new stadium
Detroit News: Politicians, supporters, and club leadership perform a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Detroit City Football Club stadium.
INDIANAPOLIS
Gov. Braun ends race and gender based preferences in Indiana contracts
Indianapolis Public Media: Gov. Mike Braun announced he would end some contracting preferences for women and minority owned businesses. The move follows a determination by Attorney General Todd Rokita that the practice was unconstitutional.
LOUISVILLE
Can this Kentucky nonprofit create a new Guinness World Record?
Louisville Courier-Journal: The educational, potentially record-breaking livestream is set for Sept. 24 and 25, and it will feature 25 consecutive hours of live, expert-led digital skills training accessible to participants across Kentucky, the nation and around the globe. The broadcast will be live-streamed from Hatfield Media’s studio in Louisville.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin sees hazardous levels of pollution as fires burn in Canada and Minnesota
Wisconsin Public Radio: Wildfire smoke from fires blazing in Canada and Minnesota will blanket much of Wisconsin this week, bringing hazardous air quality to northern Wisconsin and statewide effects.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia University with University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon set to begin RETI work
WAJR Morgantown: West Virginia University will lead the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium with the skilled researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The R-1 research institutions, along with 60 regional partners, will tackle the task with $161 million in grants from industry, workforce, philanthropy, state government, and community partners and an $160 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
NASHVILLE
Tennessee GOP gubernatorial hopefuls split on private school vouchers
Tennessee Lookout: Tennessee’s three top Republican gubernatorial candidates are miles apart on expanding the state’s main private-school voucher program.
PHILADELPHIA
Summer construction camp introduces girls to careers in the trades
Philadelphia ABC 6: The two-week camp with the program Mentoring Young Women in Construction is organized by the nonprofit National Association of Women in Construction Philadelphia Foundation. The program is open to girls in grades 7-12 and exposes them to a variety of trades through practical learning experiences.
PITTSBURGH
Widow claims Trump’s assassination attempt at Butler rally was an “inside job”
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Helen Comperatore spoke out about the Butler assassination attempt on Trump that killed her husband, Corey Comperatore, in a News Nation video interview.
WHEELING
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra announces new season lineup
WTRF.com: With seven Capitol Series concerts planned—the continuation of their “Movie” series—there seems to be something for everyone. Maestro John Devlin says the theme for this upcoming season is all about “joy.”
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown’s Red Rican launches lime beer with local brewery
WKBN 27 Youngstown: The three brothers behind Red Rican welcome the whole family out for the day for live music and to taste their traditional Puerto Rican-style menu. The Mahoning Valley Latin Orchestra will be performing live this weekend.
