Julie Carr Smyth, an Associated Press reporter based in Columbus, Ohio, sheds light on the turmoil in Springfield, where a false accusation about migrant pets sparked chaos. Residents face bomb threats, while Haitian migrants experience fear and intimidation. The emotional fallout includes a father's outcry against politicized exploitation following his son's tragic death. Despite the challenges, the Haitian community continues to fight for safety and revitalization in a city struggling with misinformation and heightened tensions.
