Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library reopens enrollment to more North Carolina children
North Carolina Public Radio: A popular program that sends free books to young children is reopening to many North Carolina counties. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails children a free, age-appropriate book every month from birth to age 5.
ATLANTA
Not replacing corroded sprinklers to blame for massive 2024 BioLab fire, final report finds
Atlanta News First: The massive chemical fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers could have been prevented if the plant had stopped sprinkler system leaks, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said in the final report on the fire.
BALTIMORE
Maryland mother mourning son killed in Venezuela earthquake determined to share his story
WBAL-TV: A deadly earthquake 27 days ago and more than 2,000 miles away is hitting home in Baltimore. While a Maryland mother mourns her son, she’s determined to share his story.
CHICAGO
Former Chicago Daily News building now a city landmark
Chicago Sun-Times: The 26-story Art Deco building on the Chicago River’s South Branch was the first office building in the city built above railroad tracks and the first with a public plaza.
CINCINNATI
Former Ohio governor and mayor urge local leaders to team up with experts on public health
Cincinnati Public Radio: Two politicians who were combatants when they were in office have teamed up on an issue that has sometimes become controversial. Republican former governor John Kasich and Democratic former Cincinnati mayor John Cranley are on a commission urging local officials and experts to work together to get prepared for a public health crisis.
CLEVELAND
Years without answers: Family seeks justice for deaths of Cleveland firefighter, son
Cleveland.com: On July 21, 2020, retired Cleveland firefighter Wilbert McCormick was shot and killed by a stray bullet while taking an evening walk with his wife in Forest Hills Park. The case remains unsolved.
COLUMBUS
Columbus City Council considers data center regulations, including water usage requirements
Ohio State Public Radio: Of the three proposed laws being considered in Columbus, none are temporary bans. One would require plans to be created if a data center site is closed and needs to be decommissioned, while the other two deal with regulating water use and connecting to sewer lines.
DETROIT
No cross-border ceremony for Gordie Howe bridge in light of U.S. trade threats
Detroit News: Canadian leaders told Michigan officials they plan to cancel a joint U.S.-Canada event celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge after Trump imposed new tariffs on America’s northern neighbor, according to three sources briefed on the decision.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana AG Todd Rokita calls out high school for “woke ideology” hung on classroom walls
WTHR Indianapolis: Rokita shared two photos of flags and decorations hung up inside of a Perry Meridian High School classroom. The flags are shown featuring the following language:
- Love WINS
- SCIENCE IS REAL, BLACK LIVES MATTER, NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL, LOVE IS LOVE, WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS, KINDNESS IS EVERYTHING
- BLACK LIVES MATTER
LOUISVILLE
Democrat Rocky Adkins officially enters Kentucky governor race
Kentucky Lantern: Rocky Adkins, a former Democratic leader in the Kentucky House and senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear from Eastern Kentucky, is officially running for governor.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin governor calls on Trump administration to stop extending life of coal plants
Wisconsin Public Radio: “Wisconsinites should not and cannot continue to pay for the Trump Administration’s reckless decisions,” the letter reads. “Instead of forcing old, expensive coal power plants to stay online past their scheduled retirement dates, U.S. DOE should be working to lower energy costs for Americans.”
MORGANTOWN
Voices: West Virginians don’t want Big Brother Flock watching 24/7
Leann Ray writes for West Virginia Watch: Localities in West Virginia need to look into what’s going on in other states with Flock. And if they’re not going to listen to residents’ disapproval, then they at least need to spend more time working on safeguards to make sure the technology won’t be abused.
NASHVILLE
An unhoused Nashville man was charged with a felony for camping. He’s one of the first
Nashville Public Radio: Eleven states have passed homeless camping bans over the last four years, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban people from sleeping and camping in public, more than 300 municipalities have joined them.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: A coalition of consumer and environmental advocacy groups is launching a “six-figure” digital ad campaign in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race to focus attention on reforming the utility ratemaking process and to promote clean energy.
PITTSBURGH
“Pro-weed” Sen. Fetterman backs proposal to legalize marijuana
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. John Fetterman joined more than a dozen Democrats in reintroducing a bill that would legalize marijuana and pave the way for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses to be expunged from criminal records.
WHEELING
Wheeling native celebrates debut of children’s book with signing
WTRF.com: The Garden Inside Me is an all-new children’s book written and illustrated by Wheeling native Jayden Burge. The book is available for purchase on Amazon in paperback or eBook format, and an audio book is in the works.
YOUNGSTOWN
Receiver will take over Schwebel’s Youngstown property, assets and money
WKBN 27 Youngstown: The motion asking for the receivership was filed by Spectrum Financial, which says Schwebel owes them a total of $5.3 million. Spectrum filed a lawsuit earlier this month against Schwebel for $3.5 million in already defaulted loans.
