Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Blue Ridge Public Radio: According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, about 16,000 people left the workforce in the 16 hardest-hit counties of Western North Carolina between April 2023 and April 2026.
ATLANTA
Judge dismisses Justice Department’s lawsuit over statewide voter registration list
Atlanta News First: A federal judge has dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger seeking access to Georgia’s statewide voter registration list.
BALTIMORE
Large upgrade planned at Calvert Cliffs after power deal signed with Amazon
Maryland Matters: Constellation, the owner of Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant, said it plans to move forward with massive upgrades at the facility after signing a 20-year power purchase deal with data center operator Amazon.
White Sox complete Wild Card series sweep over Astros, setting up ALDS matchup with Guardians
Chicago Sun-Times: Led by Chase Meidroth’s three-run blast in the sixth inning, the White Sox defeated the American League West champion Astros 7-3, sweeping their best-of-three Wild Card series and setting up a Division Series showdown with the rival Cleveland Guardians beginning this weekend.
CINCINNATI
Ohio lawmakers overwhelmingly approve three-month gas tax holiday
Cincinnati Public Radio: State lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a 90-day suspension of the state’s 38.5-cent tax on gasoline and 47-cent tax on diesel. It happened in an unexpected session during an election-year break, after calls for a gas tax holiday from both major-party candidates for governor.
CLEVELAND
Heat, flooding and a fall chill: Northeast Ohio’s September had plenty of twists
Cleveland.com: Along the way, Cleveland recorded its hottest September day since 2019 and its lowest September temperature since 2022.
COLUMBUS
Ohio will lose an estimated $38M to administer SNAP. Metro areas will be hardest hit
Ohio State Public Media: Historically, SNAP administrative costs have been shared by the federal government and the state. But, under the Trump administration’s HR1, or “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the portion the federal government covers will go down.
DETROIT
Michigan governor opposes constitution rewrite, says abortion rights jeopardized
Detroit News: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging Michigan voters to oppose a ballot proposal that would call a new constitutional convention to rewrite the state’s governing document.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis Zoo working to restore accreditation
Indianapolis Public Media: The Indianapolis Zoo is working to restore its accreditation. It announced on Sept. 28 that it lost national accreditation through the Association for Zoo and Aquariums, or AZA. That status renewal was set to start Oct. 1.
LOUISVILLE
Eastern Kentucky county gets biggest investment in its history, officials say
Kentucky Lantern: Speed Kentucky plans to open a $1.47 million facility in Owsley County and employ 60 people who will work on “final assembly and distribution” of the company’s utility task vehicles.
MILWAUKEE
Crowley narrowly leads Tiffany in latest Marquette poll
Wisconsin Public Radio: The latest poll of Wisconsin’s race for governor shows Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly leading Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia governor announces more than $8 million in Rural Health Transformation grants
West Virginia Watch: The state of West Virginia will allocate $1.1 million of its federal Rural Health Transformation program funds to Community Care of West Virginia, a federally qualified health center, and another $3.2 million for other investments to rural hospitals in the state, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced.
NASHVILLE
Nashville Democrat sues for GOP “retaliation” to redistricting protest
Nashville Public Radio: A Nashville state senator is suing the GOP leadership that sanctioned her for protesting redistricting. In May, state lawmakers met for a special session to redraw Tennessee’s congressional districts mid-cycle.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: Another person in Pennsylvania has died after testing positive for measles as an uncontrolled statewide outbreak of the viral disease infects hundreds of unvaccinated residents.
PITTSBURGH
Carnegie Mellon receives record $3 billion gift, will build campus in Miami
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Carnegie Mellon University has received a $3 billion gift — the largest-ever donation by an individual — to start a Miami campus and expand in Pittsburgh.
WHEELING
Wheeling Health Right wraps up community care drive
WTRF.com: Throughout the month of September, Wheeling Health Right has been holding a community care drive. They collected hygiene products, food and winter essentials, like hats and gloves, to help meet urgent needs.
YOUNGSTOWN
Holy Hell! “Devil worshipper” chases missionaries around South Side street with rusty shotgun
WKBN 27 Youngstown: Reports said a man told two missionaries who knocked on his door that he worships the devil, then chased them through several South Side streets with a rusty shotgun.
