Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Man-Made Disaster: How Trump’s administration slowed Hurricane Helene recovery
Blue Ridge Public Radio: A new investigation from BPR with support from FRONTLINE’s (PBS) Local Journalism Initiative reveals the policy decisions that have delayed — and in some cases denied — help to thousands of North Carolinians struggling to rebuild after Helene.
ATLANTA
In Georgia, data centers may be getting a new outlook
Georgia Public Broadcasting: With the shift in political power in Georgia, data centers may be getting a new outlook. During her campaign, Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms proposed a moratorium on new data center construction to help the state decide how to best move forward and address people’s concerns.
BALTIMORE
Open enrollment for ACA health plans again brings a sharp price hike for Marylanders
Maryland Matters: Thousands of Marylanders face another round of sticker shock while shopping for individual healthcare plans after state officials approved a second year of steep premium increases in response to the expiration of federal tax credits that made those plans more affordable.
University of Chicago rarely expels students found responsible for sexual assault, records show
Chicago Sun-Times: The presence of their attackers on campus can make it even harder for survivors to stay in school. UChicago students are calling for tougher discipline following two recent reports of sexual assault tied to their campus.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati proposes 9.5% rate increase for drinking water utility
Cincinnati Public Radio: The water utility presented to City Council’s Budget Committee, proposing a 9.5% rate hike each year for five years, from 2027 to 2031. The average Cincinnati residential bill would increase by about $45 per year.
CLEVELAND
Ohio’s laws make it more difficult to right a wrongful conviction
Ideastream Public Media: A task force convened by the Ohio Supreme Court studied the state’s drawn-out process for addressing wrongful conviction claims. At the top of its 2022 list of recommendations were changes to state law and procedure that would have sped up new trial requests. But no one has enacted those reforms.
COLUMBUS
Honda to build new $3 billion hybrid plant near Marysville
Ohio State Public Media: The new plant in Union County will be built between existing Honda facilities in Marysville and East Liberty. Nelson said it will create more than 2,000 new jobs.
DETROIT
5 things we learned from Michigan’s historic voter turnout in 2026 midterm election
Michigan Public: There were a lot of “firsts” and broken records in the 2026 election. Turnout data is incomplete, but the numbers definitely show that a larger portion of Michiganders cast votes in the midterm than they usually do.
INDIANAPOLIS
A look inside how Democrats made big gains in the Indiana Legislature
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Their strategy — more candidate recruitment, better fundraising and strategic spending — paid off as the national Democratic wave helped the party gain 16 Indiana House seats, which included a reelection loss for Republican House Speaker Todd Huston.
LOUISVILLE
New Louisville museum aims to exemplify inclusivity
Louisville Public Media: Louisville’s newest museum invites visitors to reach out and touch exhibits. The Dot Experience, a new 28,000-square-foot facility from the American Printing House for the Blind opened Oct. 30.
MILWAUKEE
Record-breaking lake sturgeon caught in northern Wisconsin this fall
Wisconsin Public Radio: Jake Huntington’s fish set the state record for a lake sturgeon caught and released at 89.5 inches in length, which is a foot longer than the previous record set in 2022.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Watch: Almost half of that dollar amount would be put toward growing special education costs in classrooms. Schools are legally required to provide those services.
NASHVILLE
This Tennessee Democrat ousted an eight-term congressman with less than $100,000
Nashville Public Radio: Tennessee Republicans spent $3 million in taxpayer money on redistricting the state’s lone Democratic congressional seat to favor their party. But while the 9th Congressional District did flip red, the GOP goal of sending an all-Republican delegation to Washington has been upended by a Democrat who raised less than $100,000.
Pennsylvania wants ads to disclose AI use, but what exactly does that mean?
Philadelphia Public Radio: Amid widespread “AI slop,” a new state law aims to protect consumers from deceptive ads. But questions remain about what must be disclosed — and who’s responsible.
PITTSBURGH
YOUNGSTOWN
