Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
You OK, Yogi? Black bear cub with head stuck in jar for days rescued by N.C. wildlife officials
WLOS Asheville: A black bear cub with its head stuck inside a plastic jar for a few days was recently rescued by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff.
ATLANTA
Trump to attend campaign rally in Georgia this week
Atlanta News First: Trump is returning to Georgia ahead of the state’s nationally watched November midterms. The nation’s 47th president will be making an appearance in Dalton at the end of the week.
BALTIMORE
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias dump up to 5 inches of rain across parts of Maryland
WBAL-TV Baltimore: The remnants of Hurricane Isaias overspread Maryland over the weekend, leaving as much as 4-5 inches of rainfall in areas from Frederick County to Annapolis.
Illinois cannabis consumption rises as state tax revenues dip
Chicago Sun-Times: A new state report shows Illinois’ cannabis industry reported around $500 million less in sales the past year as a result of lower prices, but demand remains robust. Meanwhile, state tax revenues topped $456 million, down by about $18 million.
CINCINNATI
Cincy-based Kroger plans to cut thousands of corporate jobs
Cincinnati Public Radio: Cincinnati-based Kroger intends to get rid of around 3,000 corporate jobs over the coming three years. The company announced the cuts in a meeting and memo to staff.
CLEVELND
Cleveland mulls illegal dumping crackdown with new civil fines
Ideastream Public Media: New legislation would give Cleveland’s trash collectors the power to write civil fines for illegal dumping and littering they witness while on the job.
COLUMBUS
What issues are Muslim voters in Columbus concerned about in the 2026 midterm election?
Ohio State Public Media: “We have a lot of anti-genocide candidates on the ballot, and I think that that’s encouraging for Muslims to come out and vote, as well as candidates who have taken steps to engage with the Muslim community and see us as a valuable electorate,” said Victoria Hickcox, lead organizer with the Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action.
DETROIT
JD Vance to keynote GOP campaign rally in Monroe, Michigan
CBS Detroit: Vice President JD Vance is headed to Monroe, Michigan, later this week for a midterm rally, the same day he sits down with “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil for a town hall with Michigan voters.
INDIANAPOLIS
125 Hoosier National Guard members deploying to Texas for immigration enforcement support
Indiana Capital Chronicle: About 125 Indiana National Guard members from Plymouth will deploy to southern Texas for a nearly yearlong immigration enforcement boost, relieving another mobilization from Monticello.
LOUISVILLE
Changes to international student visas could leave Kentucky, nation behind on cutting-edge research
Louisville Public Media: Kentucky’s international college students will only have four years to complete their studies without additional effort under new federal visa regulations. The new rules, which took effect Sep. 14, limit stays to four years. Previously, student visas covered the entire term to complete a degree.
MILWAUKEE
Madison police chief wants officers to think critically about use of force
Wisconsin Public Radio: Madison Police Chief John Patterson says his city is long overdue for adopting police body cameras. “It’s such a relief, I have to say, to finally be moving towards this technology,” Patterson said.
MORGANTOWN
You covered? Last day to register to vote in West Virginia for the general election is upon us!
West Virginia Watch: West Virginians have through Oct. 13 to register to vote in November’s general election. A person can register by mailing an application to their county clerk. The application is accessible online at the Secretary of State’s Office.
NASHVILLE
Voices: Debates have changed the course of U.S. history. They could change Tennessee’s.
J. Holly McCall writes for Tennessee Lookout: “I may be screaming into a void, but I firmly believe debates, or forums, are one of America’s noble political traditions. Without the 1858 Illinois U.S. Senate debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, would Lincoln have risen to prominence and ultimately become president?”
PHILADELPHIA
Càphê Roasters is opening a new location in South Philadelphia
Philadelphia Inquirer: Càphê Roasters, the Vietnamese coffee shop whose weekend crowds have outgrown its Kensington café, is expanding to South Philadelphia.
PITTSBURGH
Is Pittsburgh using Flock cameras? City now fining red light violations
USA TODAY: If you need another reason to not run red lights, Pittsburgh has one: Starting this week, you can be fined if traffic cameras catch you failing to follow traffic signals.
WHEELING
Study ranks West Virginia’s best colleges and universities
WTRF.com: Personal-finance company WalletHub released its report on 2027’s Best College & University Rankings to help college-bound seniors make the most informed school decisions, choosing West Virginia University Institute of Technology the state’s top school.
YOUNGSTOWN
Trumbull County farm stand crawl showcases a unique way to serve community
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: During the Trumbull County Farm Stand Crawl, those behind the stand got to showcase their goods. From flowers and eggs to homemade foods and crafts, these local businesses are finding ways to serve their neighbors.
