Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
An Asheville band’s reckoning with Hurricane Helene
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Two years ago, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, displacing families and reshaping communities across the region. Daniel Shearin, of the band River Whyless, was home in West Asheville when it hit. Now, on the storm’s second anniversary, River Whyless is releasing “One of a Thousand,” a song Shearin wrote about the storm and the hard questions it left behind.
ATLANTA
Gov. Kemp suspends state’s gas tax amid surging fuel prices
Atlanta News First: Georgia drivers will soon see relief at the pump after Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Monday, suspending the state’s motor fuel excise tax for the next 30 days.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore deputy police commissioner Brian Nadeau resigns amid investigation
CBS Baltimore: Nadeau has been suspended since Sept. 15. Maryland State Police, which is conducting the investigation, has not disclosed what Nadeau is being investigated for or who made the allegations.
Take a peek inside Hooligan, Chef Christian Hunter’s neo-midwestern bistro In Logan Square
Block Club Chicago: The rotating menu is inspired by food made by Black people during American colonial times, influenced by French cuisine at the time, chef Christian Hunter said.
CINCINNATI
How to tell Cincinnati officials your input on regulating data centers
Cincinnati Public Radio: The Planning Department is working on a zoning study to research how other cities are zoning for data centers. Eventually, the body will submit recommendations for how to define a data center and where they should be allowed within the city.
CLEVELAND
Trump to rally in Ohio this weekend as Senate, governor’s races heat up
Cleveland.com: Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is running against former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in a contest that could help decide which party controls the Senate. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the seat after JD Vance became vice president in 2025.
COLUMBUS
How are central Ohio school districts implementing the state’s AI policy requirement?
Ohio State Public Media: It has been almost two months since the school year started for districts across Ohio, and it’s the first year of Ohio’s AI policy requirement. Each school district is implementing the policy in its own way.
DETROIT
Detroit and Flint teens struggle with mental health – and worried adults around them feel “helpless”
Michigan Advance: Teens in southeast Michigan go to school carrying with them far more than backpacks, books and water bottles. Many are shouldering economic hardship, exposure to adversity and discrimination, family responsibilities, uncertainty about the future and social pressures.
INDIANAPOLIS
Five Indianapolis police officers charged for misusing Flock cameras
Indianapolis Public Media: Indianapolis charged five police officers after they allegedly used a license plate camera network to track ex-partners and others they were interested in. Now, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said it has tightened up access requirements for officers and is auditing for additional misuse.
LOUISVILLE
Gov. Beshear creates a Kentucky Governor’s Office of Music
Kentucky Lantern: Beshear created the Governor’s Office of Music last week by executive order, saying the new office will work to connect and support artists through the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
MILWAUKEE
An email about anti-data center signs could cost a Wisconsin Rapids politician his job
Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsin Rapids Alder Michael Timm will have to campaign to keep his job after residents forced a recall election over an email he sent a local business. It’s all tied to yard signs showing opposition to a local data center proposal.
MORGANTOWN
Mountain Party candidate running in House of Delegates District 79
WAJR Morgantown: The state party platform calls for “the abolition of all fossil fuel companies and their conversion into socially owned and democratically planned renewable energy industries.” The abolition of private land ownership and restoration of the commons. We seek ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable food production. We seek the abolition of private and profit-driven food and crop production.”
NASHVILLE
How Nashville celebrated “9 to 5” Day
Nashville Public Radio: Anita Travis, a Tennessee native living in Denver, returned to her home state after Parton’s death. She made the trip with her blonde golden doodle named “Dolly,” who she initially adopted from Tennessee. She pledged to continue Parton’s generous spirit.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: At 26, Bennett is not only one of the youngest mayoral candidates in city history, but she is also the first candidate to announce a bid to run against her former boss, incumbent Mayor Cherelle Parker, in the Democratic primary.
PITTSBURGH
E-books among budget challenges facing Pittsburgh libraries
WESA Pittsburgh: According to an open letter sent in May, by a coalition of library-advocacy groups, the cost of e-books is “a crisis for public libraries and patrons across North America.”
WHEELING
WTRF.com: The meeting included a community-based study where staff and students spoke directly to residents about their experience with current water conditions, along with other environmental concerns.
YOUNGSTOWN
Business owners call for Youngstown bars to close down after large crowds, fights
WKBN 27 Youngstown: The owners of a small downtown Youngstown business have issues with two nearby bars — so much so that they want them shut down. They say the people leaving the bars are often loud and violent. They fear for their safety — and the safety of others.
