Local news and analysis from The Conversation

Highlighting emerging research and expert analysis on issues important to five communities in the U.S. Funded by the Knight Foundation and R.K. Mellon Foundation.

Latest stories

A ski hill with visible dirt and rocks.

A ski hill with visible dirt and rocks.

Colorado ski resorts got some welcome snowfall from Winter Storm Fern, but not enough to turn a dry and warm winter around

Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University and Michael Childers, Colorado State University

Oversalting your sidewalk or driveway harms local streams and potentially even your drinking water – 3 tips to deice responsibly

Steven Goldsmith, Villanova University

A person puts snow melt down on a snow-covered sidewalk

A person puts snow melt down on a snow-covered sidewalk

Political polarization in Pittsburgh communities is rooted in economic neglect − not extremism

Ilia Murtazashvili, University of Pittsburgh

Poll worker talking with Pittsburgh firefighter

Poll worker talking with Pittsburgh firefighter

Some hard-earned lessons from Detroit on how to protect the safety net for community partners in research

Carrie Leach, Wayne State University

Two people are facing a bright computer screen. On the right is an African American man wearing glasses. On the left is a woman with red hair, and she is pointing at the screen.

Two people are facing a bright computer screen. On the right is an African American man wearing glasses. On the left is a woman with red hair, and she is pointing at the screen.

What air pollution does to the human body

Jenni Shearston, University of Colorado Boulder

Only the tops of the buildings are visible through the layer of smog in this view of the skyline from a distance.

Only the tops of the buildings are visible through the layer of smog in this view of the skyline from a distance.

Detroit

Three neat homes are lined up on a snowy street.

Three neat homes are lined up on a snowy street.

Nearly half of Detroit seniors spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs − even as real estate values fall

Amanda Nothaft, University of Michigan

Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows

Stephanie Leiser, University of Michigan

A man wearing glasses and a blue sports jacket kneels to remove ballots from a green box reading "BALLOT DROP BOX"

A man wearing glasses and a blue sports jacket kneels to remove ballots from a green box reading "BALLOT DROP BOX"

How museums can help rebuild trust in a divided America

Devon Akmon, Michigan State University

A couple speaks to a young man wearing a T-shirt that reads "MuSeUm" in bright green type. They are standing in front of a round table set for a meal. A plant sits in one of the chairs.

A couple speaks to a young man wearing a T-shirt that reads "MuSeUm" in bright green type. They are standing in front of a round table set for a meal. A plant sits in one of the chairs.

The White Stripes join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame − their primal sound reflects Detroit’s industrial roots

Nathan Fleshner, University of Tennessee

Jack White and Meg White of White Stripes perform.

Jack White and Meg White of White Stripes perform.

Detroit parents face fines if their children break curfew − research shows the policy could do more harm than good

Caitlin Cavanagh, Michigan State University

Detroit police car parked near sports venue

Detroit police car parked near sports venue

Read more Detroit news

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Philadelphia

Sinkhole in parking lot

Sinkhole in parking lot

Why Philly has so many sinkholes

Laura Toran, Temple University

Philly’s walkable streets and public parks offer older residents chances to stay active – but public transit and accessibility pose challenges

Laura Baehr, Drexel University

Two senior women smile while raising small pink and purple dumbbells in the air

Two senior women smile while raising small pink and purple dumbbells in the air

I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists

Alexandria Mitchem Hansen, Columbia University

Brown rat on the ground outdoors holds red berry-like fruit in its hands

Brown rat on the ground outdoors holds red berry-like fruit in its hands

Sabrina Carpenter’s and Chappell Roan’s sexy pop hits have roots in the bedroom ballads of Teddy Pendergrass and Philly soul

Jared Bahir Browsh, University of Colorado Boulder

Black-and-white photo of couple singing while seated at a round dining table with a rose in a vase in the center

Black-and-white photo of couple singing while seated at a round dining table with a rose in a vase in the center

A culinary educator and local dining expert breaks down Michelin’s debut Philly list − and gives zero stars to the inspectors

Jonathan Deutsch, Drexel University

Person wearing black suit holds a white chef's jacket draped over their left arm

Person wearing black suit holds a white chef's jacket draped over their left arm

Read more Philadelphia news

Pittsburgh

Exterior of building with sign that says 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'

Exterior of building with sign that says 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'

Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure exposes a growing threat to democracy

Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania

The world risks forgetting one of humanity’s greatest triumphs as polio nears global eradication − 70 years after Jonas Salk developed the vaccine in a Pittsburgh lab

Carl Kurlander, University of Pittsburgh

Man in white lab coat holds up two large glass bottles containing a dark liquid

Man in white lab coat holds up two large glass bottles containing a dark liquid

CPR on TV is often inaccurate – but watching characters jump to the rescue can still save real lives

Beth Hoffman, University of Pittsburgh

Person in suit kneeling with hands on a CPR mannequin, other people looking on

Person in suit kneeling with hands on a CPR mannequin, other people looking on

The US used to be really dirty – environmental cleanup laws have made a huge difference

James Salzman, University of California, Santa Barbara; University of California, Los Angeles

Metal and plastic barrels with various labels on them sit in a pile.

Metal and plastic barrels with various labels on them sit in a pile.

‘Night of the Living Dead’ helped me process the Tree of Life massacre and other real-world horrors

Adam Lowenstein, University of Pittsburgh

Scene from black and white film showing group of zombie-like characters

Scene from black and white film showing group of zombie-like characters

South Florida

Eileen Higgins smiles while standing behind a podium that says 'Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins.'

Eileen Higgins smiles while standing behind a podium that says 'Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins.'

Miami’s new mayor faces a housing affordability crisis, city charter reform and a shrinking budget

Sean Foreman, Barry University

Sharks and rays get a major win with new international trade limits for over 70 species

Gareth J. Fraser, University of Florida

People in silhouette line a large tank with fish and a whale shark.

People in silhouette line a large tank with fish and a whale shark.

Data centers need electricity fast, but utilities need years to build power plants – who should pay?

Theodore J. Kury, University of Florida

A person walks through a large area filled with metal containers of electronics.

A person walks through a large area filled with metal containers of electronics.

How one Florida program reduced preterm births – and how it could serve as a model for other communities

Loveline Chizobam Phillips, George Mason University and Faye Taxman, George Mason University

Woman in hospital bed cuddles newborn

Woman in hospital bed cuddles newborn

Florida’s new reporting system is shining a light on human trafficking in the Sunshine State

Shelly M. Wagers, University of South Florida and Joan A. Reid, University of South Florida

busy shopping center in Miami

busy shopping center in Miami

Read more South Florida news

Colorado

A child in a cowboy hat, plaid shirt and jeans looks out over a grassy field full of cows.

A child in a cowboy hat, plaid shirt and jeans looks out over a grassy field full of cows.

Colorado ranchers and consumers can team up to make beef supply chains more sustainable

Jordan Kraft Lambert, Colorado State University; Jennifer Martin, Colorado State University; Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Colorado State University, and Sara Place, Colorado State University

Broncos say their new stadium will be ‘privately financed,’ but ‘private’ often still means hundreds of millions in public resources

Geoffrey Propheter, University of Colorado Denver

People walk toward a large building with a sign that says "Empower Field at Mile High."

People walk toward a large building with a sign that says "Empower Field at Mile High."

Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for flu – an emergency room physician describes why the 2025-26 flu season is hitting hard

Jean Hoffman, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Woman in a blue scrub top coughs in a hospital bed while a person in the background in a doctor's coat rub their hands together.

Woman in a blue scrub top coughs in a hospital bed while a person in the background in a doctor's coat rub their hands together.

Colorado faces a funding crisis for child care − local communities hope to fill the gaps

Jenn Finders, Colorado State University

A woman sits on a colorful rug with four small children.

A woman sits on a colorful rug with four small children.

What are gas stove manufacturers trying to hide? Warning labels

Alan K. Chen, University of Denver

A woman with a black and white striped shirt looks under a pan on a stove top.

A woman with a black and white striped shirt looks under a pan on a stove top.

Read more Colorado news

Most read stories

People walk toward a large building with a sign that says "Empower Field at Mile High."

People walk toward a large building with a sign that says "Empower Field at Mile High."

Broncos say their new stadium will be ‘privately financed,’ but ‘private’ often still means hundreds of millions in public resources

Geoffrey Propheter, University of Colorado Denver

I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists

Alexandria Mitchem Hansen, Columbia University

Brown rat on the ground outdoors holds red berry-like fruit in its hands

Brown rat on the ground outdoors holds red berry-like fruit in its hands

Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for flu – an emergency room physician describes why the 2025-26 flu season is hitting hard

Jean Hoffman, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Woman in a blue scrub top coughs in a hospital bed while a person in the background in a doctor's coat rub their hands together.

Woman in a blue scrub top coughs in a hospital bed while a person in the background in a doctor's coat rub their hands together.

What are gas stove manufacturers trying to hide? Warning labels

Alan K. Chen, University of Denver

A woman with a black and white striped shirt looks under a pan on a stove top.

A woman with a black and white striped shirt looks under a pan on a stove top.

Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure exposes a growing threat to democracy

Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania

Exterior of building with sign that says 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'

Exterior of building with sign that says 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'

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Headshots for Beth Daley, Priyanka Sharma-Sindhar, Emily Costello, Kate Kilpatrick, Eleanore Catolico, Claire Cleveland, Eleanore Catolico and Katie Flood.