Local news and analysis from The Conversation

Highlighting emerging research and expert analysis on issues important to four communities in the U.S. Part of a pilot project funded by the Knight Foundation.

Latest 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

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.

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

Three neat homes are lined up on a snowy street.

Three neat homes are lined up on a snowy street.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Automated systems decide which homeless Philadelphians get housing and who stays on the street – often in ways that feel arbitrary to those waiting

Pelle G. Tracey, University of Washington

Two men in shadow speak in dimly lit area

Two men in shadow speak in dimly lit area

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

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

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.

Exposure to neighborhood violence leads some Denver teens to use tobacco and alcohol earlier, new study shows

Anna Maria Santiago, Michigan State University and Iris Margetis, Michigan State University

Several people hold glass bottles up for a cheers.

Several people hold glass bottles up for a cheers.

Measuring Colorado’s mountains one hike at a time

Eric Gilbertson, Seattle University

A man squats next to a tripod on the top of a mountain.

A man squats next to a tripod on the top of a mountain.

Read more Colorado news

Most read stories

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

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

Alexandria Mitchem Hansen, Columbia University

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'

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.

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