Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Blue Ridge Public Radio: After more than a decade, Western North Carolina will soon have a Democratic voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jamie Ager, a Democrat from Fairview, won his NC-11 election bid, marking yet another victory for Democrats nationwide as they seem set to flip control of Congress.
ATLANTA
Georgia Democrats look ahead after flipping state House and constitutional offices
Georgia Public Broadcasting: The first Democratic majority in the house in over 20 years will make it easier for Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms to realize her policy priorities.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore honors Lindsey Vonn with street dedication as Under Armour celebrates 20-year partnership
WBAL-TV Baltimore: The City of Baltimore and Under Armour celebrated a street dedication in honor of alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, who is the company’s longest-tenured athlete partner. During the celebration, Mayor Brandon Scott unveiled a sign dedicating West Peninsula Drive as “Lindsey Vonn Way.”
Blue tsunami raises Democrats’ already massive advantages in the Illinois General Assembly
Chicago Sun-Times: While facing criticism from within his own caucus for his handling of sexual harassment allegations by a former member, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s political operation flexed its muscle to flip at least four districts on Election Day.
CINCINNATI
Here’s how to recycle your election yard signs
Cincinnati Public Radio: Now that the votes are in, it’s time to recycle those plastic election yard signs. Signs — both the bag style and the rigid plastic — can be recycled in the Hefty ReNew program.
CLEVELAND
Sherrod Brown’s biggest critic, Bernie Moreno, abruptly changes tune, is willing to work together
Cleveland.com: Among other insults, he’s denounced the longtime Democratic officeholder as an “abject disaster,” “empty suit,” “uniquely unlikeable,” and a “political cicada.”
COLUMBUS
What Ohio Gov.-elect Amy Acton plans to tackle on day one
NBC4 Columbus: Acton pledged to sign three executive orders on her first day. She said all three will combat corruption in the state, with a particular look at the relationship between state agencies and the private businesses they work with.
DETROIT
Muslim-American community reacts to Abdul El-Sayed’s historic Senate win
CBS Detroit: Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud posted to social media that more than 45,000 votes were cast in Dearborn during this midterm election. That’s the highest voter turnout in the city’s history; 82% of the vote went to El-Sayed.
INDIANAPOLIS
Gov. Braun extends fuel tax suspensions through Dec. 4
Indiana Capital Chronicle: The orders suspend the state excise and usage tax on gasoline — worth a combined 64 cents per gallon in the month of November — and lift restrictions on untaxed diesel fuel for farmers and timber harvesters through Dec. 4.
LOUISVILLE
Dems expanded the map across the nation and in Kentucky for future elections, Gov. Beshear says
Kentucky Lantern: Leading up to midterm elections, Beshear had a spotlight trained on him as the Democratic Governors Association chair, campaigning across the country in races that ultimately led to Democrats flipping five seats, and so now controlling at least 28 governorships.
MILWAUKEE
Did Trump cause blue wave? Not all Wisconsin Republicans agree.
Wisconsin Public Radio: Given the nature of midterms — with inflation, the war in Iran, and gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon infuriating many voters — Wisconsin Republicans knew things would be tough going into election night.
MORGANTOWN
Gov. Morrisey announces water filtration program for Southern West Virginia coalfields
West Virginia Watch: The initiative will cover 5,000 homes that rely on well-water or have no running water at all and consist of distributions of “countertop water purification systems,” testing for bacteria and other hygiene measures.
NASHVILLE
What’s the most haunted place in Nashville?
Nashville Public Radio: We took this question seriously. There is a whole cottage industry around the haunted parts of Nashville, so we asked several paranormal experts to tell us their thoughts on the most haunted place in Nashville. These are some top candidates.
PHILADELPHIA
CBS Philadelphia: Drexel University is putting a pause on student organizations’ events that involve alcohol or inducting new members after allegations of hazing and sexual misconduct shut down two fraternity chapters this week.
PITTSBURGH
Serial killer was active in the Pittsburgh area in the late ’70s, police say
KDKA Pittsburgh: For about five decades, two Washington County families have been without answers as their loved one’s killer was still out there. Now state police have given them some closure and believe the suspect may have been a serial killer behind more deaths.
Homecoming planned for West Virginia World War II hero after 81 years of being unidentified
WTRF.com: The remains of Technical Sergeant Raymond Carl Richmond were recently identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Now after more than 80 years, he will finally be laid to rest.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown discusses potential water rate hikes for residents
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: The city has not finalized a percentage for the rate hike, but city officials are considering a possible 14% increase over the next five years for residents.
