Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Woodfin plastics company commits to help with debris cleanup, floodplain mapping
Blue Ridge Public Radio: IPEX is giving environmental nonprofit MountainTrue $500,000 for debris cleanup. The company will also work with the town of Woodfin on an engineering study to address flood preparedness. In a separate study, the IPEX will also map the remaining plastic to the Tennessee border.
ATLANTA
Emory clinical trial to test potential ways to remove PFAS from humans’ bodies
Atlanta News First: Researchers from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health announced a new clinical trial Tuesday that will test if a commonly used medication can effectively remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” from the body.
BALTIMORE
Poll finds opposition to Maryland redistricting ballot question
Maryland Matters: Roughly 4 in 10 voters said they oppose Question 3 in a poll by Protect Maryland Votes, a group that is opposing the proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution. The poll comes just as mail-in ballots begin to go out to Maryland voters and one month before early voting begins.
Kanye West returns to South Shore for street renaming in honor of his late mother, Donda
Block Club Chicago: Before the world knew her son’s name, Donda West was a professor at Chicago State University for nearly three decades. She served as chair of the English department and founded Chicago State University’s Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing.
CINCINNATI
Ohio could have vibrant fall colors. Kentucky outlook less certain
Cincinnati Public Radio: Ohio’s Fall Color Forester is optimistic this season. David Parrott with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says last year’s leaf colors, overall, were disappointing because of a hot, dry summer. He says this year should be different.
CLEVELAND
Here are the 18 pitches federal prosecutors say Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase rigged for bettors
Cleveland.com: For the first time since Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was arrested on pitch-rigging charges, federal prosecutors have clearly laid out the list of pitches they say Clase intentionally threw to benefit bettors who paid him bribes and kickbacks.
COLUMBUS
International student enrollment at Ohio State University declines for second consecutive year
Ohio State Public Media: The decrease in international students at Ohio State is more than double the amount from last year. From 2022 to 2025, international students made up an average of around 9% of the student body, however that percentage stands at 7.7% this year.
DETROIT
Dana Nessel says she’ll vote for Abdul El-Sayed, ending potential Michigan Democratic Party rift
Michigan Advance: As Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed continues to court some of his biggest intraparty detractors, Attorney General Dana Nessel said that she is no longer one of them.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana’s private school voucher enrollment tops 80,500 students, costs half a billion dollars
Indiana Public Radio: A just released state report projects Indiana paid about $548 million for the Choice Scholarship Program in the 2025-26 school year. That’s an increase of around 10% from the previous year — or $50.8 million more. A final tally won’t be available until next year, the report said.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s new book is out!
Louisville Public Media: Beshear’s potential as a Democratic candidate for president in 2028 is far from a secret at this point — he frequently alludes to a potential run on the national stage and even told Newsweek that the next president should be a Democratic governor.
MILWAUKEE
This Milwaukee movie theatre will be showcased on Turner Classic Movies
Wisconsin Public Radio: After nearly a century of showing movies, Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre is getting its chance to be the star of the show. The much-loved movie palace will be featured on the Turner Classic Movies program showcasing historic theatres — “Still Now Showing.”
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Supreme Court considers lawmakers’ power over public education rules
West Virginia Watch: The West Virginia Board of Education filed a lawsuit after lawmakers’ gave themselves the ultimate authority over public school policies. West Virginia voters have already rejected the idea.
NASHVILLE
Man charged with February killing of correctional officer in East Tennessee dies in Nashville prison
Nashville Banner: The man charged with killing a correctional officer at an East Tennessee prison earlier this year died early Tuesday morning inside Nashville’s Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. The nature of that death remains unclear.
PHILADELPHIA
At this Philly karaoke night, the puppets steal the show
Billy Penn: Spiral Q mixed giant puppets and karaoke to raise money for its annual Peoplehood Parade in West Philadelphia. Spiral Q’s held their inaugural puppet karaoke event last year.
PITTSBURGH
Accused leader of suspected Penn State cocaine-trafficking ring wants a speedy trial
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Westbury, N.Y., was the leader of the drug-trafficking operation that was run out of two State College fraternity houses, authorities said. He is one of 13 current or former Penn State students that have been charged in connection to the case.
WHEELING
Gov. Morrisey announces $2 million grant for Ohio County water projects
WTRF.com: Gov. Patrick Morrisey returned to Ohio County for the second straight day, this time to announce a $2 million grant intended to improve and modernize water infrastructure in various parts of the county.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University State of the University: Initiatives, growth amid enrollment decline
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson delivered his state of the university speech, focusing on growth and new initiatives amid broad enrollment declines. Universities across the country are facing enrollment declines and Johnson addressed the drop in numbers.
