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If you ignore national politics, some Americans feel pretty good about the future

May 10, 2018
What one couple found after a 100,000-mile multiyear trip crisscrossing America's small towns.
Row houses on Seventh Street in downtown Allentown are now mostly home to first- and second-generation immigrants.
Tommy Andres/Marketplace

Economic hardship in Columbus, Mississippi

Nov 18, 2015
A look at how Columbus' economy is faring as part of our 'American Futures' series.

American Futures from Detroit to Fresno

The Fallows have been on a road trip across the country to learn what it's like in small towns.
 A view of downtown Detroit. 
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Allentown bets big to shed its former image

Sep 11, 2014
Pennsylvania's third largest city has been dying for decades. Can it build itself back to life?
More than 700 construction workers toil away around the clock in the last two weeks before downtown Allentown’s new hockey arena, the PPL Center, opens. This view is from developer J.B. Reilly’s office.
Tommy Andres/Marketplace

A Columbus, Miss. QUIZ! How well do you know this Southern city?

May 30, 2014
We’re continuing our American Futures series with The Atlantic’s James Fallows this week. Kai and James have been traveling across the U.S. looking at how small towns are living and working in a new economy. Next stop: Mississippi to the city of Columbus — A town with a long history in the South. How much do you know […]

The death of manufacturing is greatly exaggerated

May 30, 2014
A look at how one Mississippi town is bringing factory jobs back from overseas.

The loaded meaning behind 'What do you do?'

Apr 9, 2014
The Atlantic's Deb Fallows talks regional differences in how we say hello.

For public good, not for profit.

CSI High: Preparing students for the job market

Mar 27, 2014
A town in Georgia has a unique problem. Too many skilled high school graduates and not enough jobs.

In upstate S.C., BMW jobs replace textile mills

Jan 17, 2014
The cities of Greenville, Greer, and Spartanburg, S.C., traditionally rose and fell with the textile industry.

In Redlands, Calif., when life gives you oranges...

Dec 20, 2013
The city of Redlands, Calif., boomed with the orange business. And even though many of the groves are gone, some hope oranges will still play a big role in the city's future.