Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Asheville mayoral candidates debate public safety, affordability
WLOS Asheville: Mayor Esther Manheimer, the incumbent, was first elected to Asheville City Council in 2009 and elected mayor in 2013. She won reelection in 2017 and 2022. Challenger Kim Roney has been a member of Asheville City Council since 2020 and serves on multiple committees and advisory boards.
ATLANTA
Gov. Kemp extends Georgia gas tax suspension to November
Atlanta News First: Along with the extension, Kemp also waived “penalties for the use of off-road ‘dyed’ diesel, providing further relief to Georgia’s truckers and farmers,” as part of the state of emergency he declared when he suspended the gas tax, his office said.
BALTIMORE
Six years ago, Maryland changed how some electric rates are set. It went poorly, officials say.
Maryland Matters: Maryland regulators say they’re concerned about a rate-setting practice that electric utilities have been using in the state since 2020. But they aren’t ready to abandon it altogether.
Amazon taking over long-vacant West Town warehouse for same-day deliveries
Chicago Sun-Times: “Doing this allows us to effectively … make a delivery in a matter of a couple of hours instead of a couple of days and really shortens that distance that any vehicle — whether it be truck, van, or car — needs to travel to reach customers,” said Kyle DeGiulio, Amazon’s senior manager of economic development policy for the Midwest. “We’re really excited to expand our footprint in Chicago.”
CINCINNATI
Federal disaster recovery help for Hamilton, Clermont counties
Cincinnati Public Radio: Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Nick Crossley says the center will be open for two to four weeks for residents of Hamilton and Clermont counties seeking assistance with a number of flood-related expenses.
CLEVELAND
Ohio generates a lot of electricity. So why does it still import power?
Cleveland.com: Ohio is part of a regional electric grid where power moves across state lines throughout the day. Which plants are running depends on demand, cost, plant availability and what the transmission system can handle — not whether a generator and the customer using its electricity are in the same state.
COLUMBUS
As Ohio property values rise, some homeowners worry about a spike in property taxes
Ohio State Public Media: Many Ohioans saw their home values increase this year, as people in more than 40 Ohio counties got an update to their property values.
DETROIT
Northern Michigan landowners still waiting for federal dollars to restore ice-damaged forests
Michigan Advance: Congress appropriated $357 million for the program last year, some of the only federal funds available for private landowners after the ice storm.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis Public Schools warn of more budget cuts regardless of tax vote outcome
WISH-TV Indianapolis: Indianapolis voters will decide in November whether to approve a property tax increase to support teacher pay and student services, but school officials warn that budget cuts will happen regardless of the outcome.
LOUISVILLE
Judge grants release for Louisville woman detained by ICE
Louisville Public Media: Judge Tanya Walton Pratt granted a writ of habeas corpus Tuesday for Armelle Bondonga, and ordered she be released immediately. Government officials named in the case have 48 hours to file documentation that she’s out.
MILWAUKEE
Oracle reaches deal with We Energies that’s slated to save utility customers $300 million
Wisconsin Public Radio: Oracle is planning to buy power that We Energies is purchasing from Wisconsin’s only active nuclear plant in a deal the two say will save utility customers $300 million in fuel costs.
MORGANTOWN
Annual free healthcare day returns to Charleston clinic; increased demand expected
West Virginia Watch: A free and charitable clinic in Charleston, West Virginia, will offer a full day of medical, dental and vision care to the public this month at no cost and with no income restrictions.
NASHVILLE
Legal Weed Watch: Tennessee lawmakers began hearings on medical marijuana program
Tennessee Lookout: Representatives from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, TBI, emerged as the strongest opponents, stating there were no circumstances in which they thought medical marijuana should be allowed in Tennessee.
PHILADELPHIA
What’s the latest with SNAP for Philadelphians?
Billy Penn: This change would go into effect beginning October 1, 2027. According to the latest available data from 2025, Pennsylvania had around a 9% error rate for SNAP benefits – meaning that under the new guidance, the state would be responsible for paying for 10% of its SNAP benefit expenditures. :
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: A Republican state lawmaker from Western Pennsylvania has resigned from his committee assignments in Harrisburg in the wake of accusations that he made homophobic comments about an openly gay colleague in a barroom rant.
WHEELING
Experts discuss current financial trends at Wheeling Chamber’s 2026 economic outlook conference
WTRF.com: The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Economic Outlook Conference Tuesday morning, bringing together experts to discuss trends and forecasts at the global, national, state, and regional levels.
YOUNGSTOWN
Mahoning Valley residents struggle to get tickets for upcoming Trump rally
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Mahoning County Republican Party Chair Tom McCabe explained that the website is overwhelmed with ticket requests, but he knows that several people were able to secure their tickets.
