Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Durham to receive North Carolina’s first gay pride march historical marker
Blue Ridge Public Radio: “Our Day Out” was the first LGBTQ+ pride march in North Carolina June 27, 1981. About two months earlier, on April 12, 1981, a violent homophobic attack at Little River in Durham County resulted in the death of Ronald Antonevitch, a 46-year-old father.
ATLANTA
Georgia Power targeted by hackers, company says
Atlanta News First: Georgia Power says an unauthorized third party accessed limited information tied to about 300,000 of its customer accounts as part of a broader security incident affecting roughly 400,000 accounts.
BALTIMORE
Trump scheduled to visit Baltimore County’s Tradepoint Atlantic
Baltimore Banner: Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 4 p.m. Tuesday at an event where Anduril Industries, a defense technology firm, will announce “the next chapter of our work to rebuild American defense manufacturing.”
Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol files lawsuit challenging feds’ narrative
Chicago Sun-Times: Marimar Martinez was labeled a “domestic terrorist” and criminally charged after she was shot by agent Charles Exum last year. Since her exoneration, she has fought the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati to host major youth soccer championship event; $30 million economic impact expected
LOCAL 12 Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission announced that the region was selected for the 2027 MLS NEXT Cup, scheduled for June 5-13. Matches will be played at TQL Stadium, Voice of America Park and Warren County Sports Park.
CLEVELAND
They argued about Trump at a Cleveland-area dog park. Then they pulled their guns.
New York Times: What happened between two dog owners one April afternoon in Ohio will soon be scrutinized by a judge and jury as both men grapple with the consequences.
COLUMBUS
“Do Something Democrat” Don Leonard hopes to flip the script in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District
Ohio State Public Media: Some election forecasters, such as the Cook Political Report, have the usually Republican-leaning district on its radar as “Likely Republican” in a midterm election where the Democratic Party expects to make large gains. Leonard, a former Ohio State University professor and west Columbus resident, believes he can unseat Carey, a German Village resident and former coal lobbyist.
DETROIT
Michigan Advance: Former students and organizers say arrests and disciplinary actions tied to demonstrations have continued to affect their ability to be present on campus, find work and move beyond accusations that were ultimately dismissed.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 “blackout” license plates in the year since the minimalist design launched — generating $12.9 million toward a five-year modernization plan for the agency, the governor’s office announced
LOUISVILLE
Roebling Bridge ICE protester now faced with felony charge, arrested
Kentucky Lantern: More than a year after a Northern Kentucky protest at Roebling Street Bridge over federal immigration officials’ arrest of an Ohio cleric, a protester was arrested on a felony charge.
MILWAUKEE
Rural areas reap economic benefits from wind and solar projects, new Midwest study finds
Wisconsin Public Radio: New research shows wind and solar farms can bring economic gains to rural communities. Simultaneously, in some Midwestern and Great Plains states, ordinances regulating renewable energy development are on the rise.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Supreme Court to hear arguments in school vaccine case
West Virginia Watch: Justices say they will set a date to hear the state school board’s appeal of Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble’s November 2025 ruling prohibiting schools from enforcing the school vaccination requirements on those seeking a religious or philosophical exemption
NASHVILLE
The Nashville Symphony’s season is back on after $10 million “lifeline” from Oracle
Nashville Public Radio: Last week, the symphony abruptly announced it was cancelling the rest of its shows and furloughing more than 100 employees, citing $10 million in debt. Nashville Symphony President and CEO Mark Tillinger called the gift a “lifeline” as the organization works to establish more stable financial footing.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: Philadelphia region university leaders and nonprofits that work with international students warn that new restrictive immigration policies could discourage future students from coming to the U.S. That could mean an economic hit to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
PITTSBURGH
How is this a thing?! Measles cases top 1,000 in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said that federal epidemiological assistance in the state’s ongoing measles outbreak is still on the table despite a previous rift between state and national health officials.
WHEELING
Wheeling to host annual Candlelight Vigil for mental health awareness
WTRF.com: In honor of National Mental Illness Awareness Week, NAMI Greater Wheeling is hosting its annual Candlelight Vigil Tuesday night at St. Michael’s Parish. Executive Director of NAMI West Virginia, Julie Gomez, says that the vigil helps motivate people to reach out for help by showing them that they are not alone.
YOUNGSTOWN
Fire damages Youngstown vintage clothing store weeks before planned opening
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: A fire broke out inside the a building near the Market Street Bridge on the evening of Oct. 3, damaging the space and destroying much of the inventory for On the Level, a vintage clothing and Y2K-inspired store owned by Harrison Reinhart.
