In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

FAYETTE CITY, Pennsylvania — “I grew up here,” says Don, a 57-year-old man at the bar after a Tuesday of digging ditches and mowing lawns. “It’s the black hole of Pennsylvania.”