Newtown-Based Doscher’s Candy Co. Has Been Handcrafting Candy Canes for Over 150 Years
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019, but gift shop hours have been updated at the bottom. You can smell it before you see it. Outside the entrance to the oldest continuously operating candy company in the United States, the air is thick sweet scent of sugar. Founded by Claus Doscher, a young…
The Top 10 Most Checked-Out Books of 2020 from the Cincinnati Public Library
The Cincinnati Public Library has put together a list of the top 10 most checked-out books by adults in 2020. So if you're looking for something new to read, or missed one of these hits, here's what to borrow (or download) next: Where the Crawdads Sing This debut by author Delia Owens is described as…
Kentucky Lawmakers Push for Statewide Ban on No-Knock Search Warrants
After the killing of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police, some states have moved to ban no-knock search warrants, and Kentucky could soon do the same. This month, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed Breonna's Law into effect. Pennsylvania and Tennessee are considering similar moves. Florida and Oregon have already banned no-knock search warrants. Keturah Herron, policy…
60% of Ohio Nursing Home Workers Refuse Vaccine
As the coronavirus vaccine dribbles out far more slowly than promised, many of the people who can get it are refusing to do so. Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday said that a whopping 60% of nursing home workers who have been offered the vaccine have refused it. The news comes amid disappointing vaccination numbers across…
Northern Row Brewery & Distillery Hosts ‘Toasting Through the Time Zones’ Ticketed New Year’s Eve Party
Over-the-Rhine's Northern Row brewery and distillery is "toasting thru the time zones" this New Year's Eve. Guests can enjoy a four-course dinner with globally inspired drinks and live music. Table reservations are open from 3:30-7:30 p.m. and celebrate a new New Year's in a European city each hour. Each $90 ticket includes two drinks and…
Downtown’s Arnold’s Bar and Grill to Host ‘New Years Eve Around the World’ Dinner
Downtown's historic Arnold's Bar and Grill is hosting a globetrotting New Year's Eve celebration this year, offering a taste of travel without leaving their cozy covered patio. In order to adapt to the COVID-related restrictions, the establishment is welcoming guests to their New Year's Eve Around the World dinner, featuring dinner specials from talented chef Kayla…
The Best New Music That Got Us Through the Worst Freaking Year
The year is 2020. It's February and all eyes are on two dazzling, age-defying, and very bendy Latina women at a football game. Of course, we're referring to Shakira and J.Lo's Super Bowl LIV performance, in which the "Hips Don't Lie" singer and Jenny from the block appeared in shimmering, barely-there costuming as they tapped each…
Fairfax’s Karrikin Spirits Closing Restaurant Indefinitely After Hosting New Year’s Day Brunch
Fairfax-based distillery Karrikin Spirits Company is celebrating the end to a rather wearisome year with a New Year's Day brunch. But following the hearty feast, they will be closing the doors to the distillery's restaurant operation indefinitely. "This isn't a 'goodbye.' It's a 'see you later,'" a statement from Karrikin reads. "It's no secret how…
Alleged Neo-Nazi Who Carried Anti-Semitic Sign at Ohio COVID-19 Protest Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison on Gun Charge
Matthew Slatzer, an alleged neo-Nazi with an extensive history of hate speech who was most recently in the news for carrying an anti-Semitic sign at an Ohio coronavirus protest, was sentenced by a federal judge to 27 months in prison on a gun charge. Slatzer, who resides near Canton, had pleaded guilty to possession of a…
Ohio’s Most Vulnerable Prisoners Start to Get COVID Vaccines This Week
Three Ohio prisons, including two that have seen the most COVID-19 deaths in the state, received vaccine shipments today, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. The bulk of Ohio’s prisoners are fairly low on the state’s list of priorities, falling just above the low-risk 18 to 30 age group. But…
Kentucky Health Officials Brace for Flu Cases Alongside COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's likely flu viruses will complicate the coronavirus outbreak this winter and recommends getting a flu vaccine. Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, but it can last as late as May. Dr. Dale Toney, president of the Kentucky Medical Association, said hospitals already struggling with…
Ohio’s Minimum Wage to Rise by 10 Cents Per Hour in 2021
The Ohio minimum wage will rise by 10 cents to $8.80 per hour in 2021. That will be the wage for non-tipped employees. Tipped workers will earn $4.35 per hour plus tips in 2021. Ohio workers under the age of 16 will make the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. Ohio’s minimum wage…
Cincinnati Listed as One of the Top Cities to Visit in 2021 by Travel + Leisure Magazine
Travel + Leisure magazine puts out an annual list of the best places to travel in the coming year — generally beautiful and exotic locales from across the globe. But this year's list, named the "50 Best Places to Travel in 2021," does something a little different as a result of COVID-19: It lists the top…
Buttigieg to Inherit Crumbling Network of Roads, Subways and Rails at DOT as Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg as the incoming pick for U.S. transportation secretary would take office at a time when both state and local officials are deeply frustrated that not enough is being done to maintain and improve the country’s transportation networks. But nobody seems to be able to solve the problem. For example, two presidents have vowed…
The Bengals Beat the Houston Texans, So You Get a Free 3-Way from Gold Star
Wow. What? The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Houston Texans 37-31 on Sunday — their first road win since 2018. Heading home with the W ✈ WHO DEY! pic.twitter.com/M7VzHa8Ggt — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020 So what's that mean other than an inflated sense of pride for Bengals fans? Free Who-Dey Ways at Gold Star…
Recycle Your Old, Dead Christmas Tree in Covington
O' Christmas tree: Great until Christmas, kind of superfluous after. So once your tannenbaum's branches get slightly less lovely, you don't need to throw it out — you can bring it to the City of Covington for its Christmas Tree Recycling Program. Aimed at residents, the eighth annual event will turn old, dead trees into…
New ‘Polished-Casual’ Mariemont Restaurant the Emery Sets Opening Date
Looking Glass Hospitality Group — the team behind TAHONA Kitchen+Bar, S.W. Clyborne Provision & Spirits, Fretboard Brewing & Public House and Toast — has set an opening date for its latest restaurant. The Emery is slated to open in the heart of Mariemont Square on Dec. 29. Described as a "polished-casual" restaurant, "the menu is…
Historic Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey Releases Limited-Edition Whiskies in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Historic Kentucky-produced whiskey brand Old Overholt has undergone some recent upgrades and updates over the past year, and for the first time in its over two centuries of existence, they're releasing two new limited-edition varieties, available only in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The straight rye whiskey brand, which was founded in 1810 in West Overton, Pennsylvania…
Poop Samples in Oxford, Ohio Indicate a Community Increase in COVID-19
"What's your poo telling you?" is not only the name of a popular book, it's also a relevant question when it comes to your health. And in this case, fecal samples from the Oxford Wastewater Treatment Plant tell us that COVID is likely on the rise in the community. Per a release from the Butler County General…
Athletic Documentary ‘Like Harvey Like Son’ Featuring Cincinnati Ultramarathon Runner Available Online
Many Cincinnatians may know Harvey Lewis as a social studies teacher at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Over-the-Rhine. But outside the classroom, Lewis’ true talents shine. The 44-year-old, who runs to school every day, has had a 24-year-long career of competing in ultramarathons — races that are between two and 10 times…
Dave Chappelle to Open Comedy Club in Old Fire Station in Yellow Springs
A company owned by comedian Dave Chappelle has purchased an old fire station in Yellow Springs, where Chappelle lives, with plans to convert the building into a comedy club. Dayton-area media are reporting that the Yellow Springs Development Corporation agreed to sell the building to Chapelle's Iron Table Holdings LLC after a competitive bidding process. Iron…
A Holiday Playlist: Music of the Season with a (Peppermint) Twist
I love Christmas music. And I hate Christmas music. I love the hymns and carols of my childhood, and I hate when self-indulgent divas and bedroom-eyed Pop waifs wrangle and squawk and Autotune those classics into incomprehensible holiday balloon animal shapes. I love hearing the Christmas songs of my youth when it's cold enough to…
What the Closure of Christian Moerlein’s Historic OTR Taproom Means with Local Beer Historian Mike Morgan
Pour one out for Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. They recently announced the closure of their historic Moore Street brewery in Over-the-Rhine, which means the company's founder, Greg Hardman, has been let go along with 20 employees. Cincinnati Beverage Company took ownership of Moerlein, Little Kings, Hudepohl and Burger Beer back in March. And the company…
Essential Workers in Rural Ohio Continue to Struggle for Money and Recognition as the Pandemic Wears On
I met Steve and his wife on a blustery December afternoon in Van Wert, Ohio. Steve works at a plant that produces parts used by medical personnel for ventilators and life support. When he stepped out of his pickup, I put on my mask and approached to say hello. I clumsily realized that he couldn’t…
Report: One in 10 Kentucky Children Has Had at Least One Parent Incarcerated
A new report says the number of Kentucky women, including mothers, who are incarcerated has skyrocketed. Kentucky Youth Advocates found between 1988 and 2016, the number of women in prison increased by more than 1,000%. And the number in jail was up more than 700% from 1985 to 2018 — both outpacing national rates. Stephanie Hoskins,…
Ohio Using ‘Healthy Masculinity’ Message to Curb Gender-Based Violence
"Know better. Do better. Be better." That's the message violence-prevention advocates are hoping catches on among young men and boys in Ohio. A new social-media campaign from the Ohio Men's Action Network is working toward establishing healthier definitions of masculinity and norms surrounding gender-based violence. Glenn Harris, assistant director of prevention for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said…
COVID-19 Becomes No. 2 Leading Killer of Ohioans in December
Since early December, COVID-19 has been killing more Ohioans per week than cancer, making it the second leading killer of Ohioans behind only heart disease, according to an analysis of state data. Health Policy Institute of Ohio, a nonpartisan health policy and research group, gathered state data on Ohioans’ deaths from COVID-19 by week and…
COVID-19 Cases in Ohio Schools Still Grow Leading Up to Holiday Break
A Butler County school tops the reported student cases in schools as the state’s districts head into their holiday breaks. Some schools have seen significant case increases in the last month, even with breaks for Thanksgiving and various hybrid online and in-person learning models. Lakota Local Schools reported 357 total cases in the most recent statewide school…
Radical Christian Cultists Clash with American Indian Movement at Ohio’s Serpent Mound Burial Site
A ragtag brigade of Christian cultists overseen by a former youth football coach traveled to Southern Ohio's Serpent Mount Native American burial site in Peebles on Sunday, hoping their prayer might prevent unspecified dark energy from being unleashed upon the world. A typical Ohio Sunday, in other words. The cult or prayer group, known as the "Salt…
Doritos Is Channeling 1999 and Releasing a New Version of Its 3D Chips
Millennials and Gen Z-ers may remember the 1998 Doritos 3D Super Bowl spot in which actress and late-'90s it-girl Ali Landry did her best to give the crunchy snack some steamy appeal. Now, Frito Lay is introducing Doritos 3D to a new generation. The corn snack's hollow, puffed-up shape will return — along with Landry as…
The Brent Spence Bridge Opens Today — One Day Ahead of Schedule
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray says that the Brent Spence Bridge is slated to open one day early…today. Starting today, Dec. 22 — "this afternoon," said Gray — instead of Dec. 23, the bridge will reopen to traffic. "It's been 41 days since the fire on the bridge itself and in that time, this…
What’s in the $900 Billion Emergency Relief Bill — and What’s Out
Here is a look at the specifics in Congress’ bipartisan emergency relief bill intended to aid Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Summaries from House Democratic appropriators say it includes: DIRECT CHECKS —$166 billion in another round of economic impact payments that will go directly to Americans. —$600 stimulus checks for individuals that begin phasing…
Listermann Brewing Co. and Cincinnati Art Museum Release Limited-Edition Beer for ‘Frank Duveneck: American Master’ Exhibit
In honor of the Cincinnati Art Museum's Frank Duveneck: American Master exhibit, the institution has collaborated with local Listermann Brewing Co. to release a novel beer. Inspired by the art of influential local 19th-century portrait artist and painter Frank Duveneck, the limited-edition brew features four different bottle designs donning the artist's work: "The Whistling Boy;" a self-portrait; "Water…
The Bengals Beat the Steelers, Which Means You Get a Free Who-Dey Way from Gold Star
In a surprising turn of events, the Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 yesterday. So what's that mean other than an inflated sense of pride for Bengals fans? Free Who-Dey Ways at Gold Star today, Dec. 22. As the "Official Chili of the Cincinnati Bengals," Gold Star is offering a special deal every time the…
Here’s the Fourth Scavenger Hunt Clue for Cincinnati’s City-Wide FOUND Holiday Event
The Queen City is getting in the festive spirit this season with the inaugural FOUND holiday celebration. The month-long event (from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24) will span from The Banks all the way to Findlay Market, transforming the city with ArtWorks-decorated store windows, dazzling Christmas trees to represent each Cincy neighborhood and weekly scavenger hunts. FOUND'S city-wide…
Cincinnati Coffee Festival’s Fill the Cup Fundraiser Helps the Freestore Foodbank — and Your Drinking Water
You have a few days left to donate to the Cincinnati Coffee Festival’s “Fill the Cup” fundraiser, which, per a release, "lets participants help combat food insecurity, protect drinking water and support local coffee shops." Throughout December, the event has been raising money at cincinnaticoffeefestival.com to split between the Ohio River Foundation and the Freestore Foodbank. (The…
Today in Scams: This Absolutely Brazen Cash Grab for a Bus Trip to Trump’s 2021 Inauguration
After seeing this in the Bulwark newsletter yesterday, we were pretty sure it would be dead on Eventbrite by the time we clicked. But nope, these hucksters are still taking money. For a bus trip to Donald Trump's inauguration. On Jan. 20, 2021. *screaky-screaky noise as you grind your fists into your eye sockets in disbelief*…
March First Brewing Acquires East Walnut Hills’ Woodburn Brewery and Taproom
Sycamore Township's March First Manufacturing — the company that oversees March First Brewing, Cincinnati Distilling and the recently added FigLeaf Brewing — has acquired the Woodburn Brewery and Taproom in East Walnut Hills. A release from the brewery says the deal includes the building, brewing equipment and intellectual assets. “The addition of ‘Woodburn Brewing’ to…
Council Member Chris Seelbach Announces Plans to Run for Mayor of Cincinnati
In a Facebook post Sunday night, Cincinnati City Council member Chris Seelbach announced his intentions to run for mayor. Seelbach wrote in his post, "Two weeks ago, I began exploring a run for Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. Our City needs bold leadership that grows our communities through equitable engagement and investment, provides more…
U.S. Not Using Emergency Powers to Speed Production of Covid Vaccine
It appears that the federal government is leaving it to drugmakers to figure out how to speed production of coronavirus vaccines. U.S. Surgeon Jerome Adams on Saturday said that the federal government has invoked the Defense Production Act hundreds of times in the fight against coronavirus. But it is not using it to speed production of two…
Congress Reaches Deal on Coronavirus Relief Package, Americans Expected to Get $600 Direct Payments
A deal on a coronavirus relief package finally emerged on Sunday night, after members of Congress resolved a days-long impasse over a provision sought by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania to ensure that several temporary Federal Reserve lending programs will end this year. Working through that disagreement over the Fed was a key final piece to…
A List of the 272 Restaurants and Bars That Got Funding from Taste of Cincinnati All Winter Long Grants
Taste of Cincinnati All Winter Long is a new program facilitated through the city and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Foundation that has provided $4 million in grants to Cincinnati bars and restaurants to help them through the winter months of the pandemic. Specifically geared to those food and drink establishments within city limits, the…
Cincinnati Public Library Giving Out Free Meals Over Holiday Break in Partnership with La Soupe
The Cincinnati Public Library has partnered with local La Soupe — which rescues perishable produce to make meals for those in need — to distribute free food at several branch locations during the winter holiday and beyond. "The holidays are stressful during the best of times, but the stresses of the pandemic make this season…
Pandemic Compounds Holiday Stress for Ohio Parents Working on Sobriety
The pandemic is compounding the regular stresses of the holiday season, and it's an especially challenging time for Ohioans living with substance use disorder. The Ohio START Program connects people who've experienced substance use disorder, recovery and the children services system with families who are currently struggling with similar issues. Ashley Durst, an Ohio START caseworker in…
Coney Island Opening Challenge Zone Pool Obstacle Course in 2021
Coney Island is opening an anticipated attraction for the 2021 season: Challenge Zone. Slated to open May 2021, Challenge Zone will feature "the largest Aquaglide pool obstacle course in the United States," says the park. This floating obstacle course will be located in Sunlite Pool and includes more than 150 feet of "climbing obstacles, slides,…
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Tries to Bolster Its Own Workforce by Posting Jobs With No Medical Benefits in Pandemic
This article is from Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Please join their free mailing list, as this helps provide more public service reporting. Amid a raging pandemic, Ohio’s agency responsible for looking out for workers’ welfare has started posting full-time temporary jobs with no benefits for its own workforce. For…
Covington Passes New Rules to Regulate Airbnbs and Other Short-Term Rentals
The City of Covington has instituted a series of new rules to try to bring some order and organization to the short-term and Airbnb rental business in the city. According to a release, there were 246 listings and 205 "dwelling units" available for rent in Covington, although no one knows the exact number. The Covington…
Ohio’s Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Residents Start Receiving COVID Vaccine
Ohio's long-term care facilities and nursing homes started receiving COVID-19 vaccines today (Dec. 18), Walgreens said in a press release. The pharmacy store chain began their project in which they plan to administer the vaccines to roughly 3 million residents and staff members working in long-term care facilities throughout the nation. The vaccine roll-out is…
These Greater Cincinnati Breweries Will Deliver Beer to Your Door
Lazy and thirsty? Don't feel like leaving your house to venture into the cold weather during a pandemic? Greater Cincinnati breweries have the perfect solution. While many are offering low-contact or contactless carry-out, some are going a step further and bringing the beer right to your door. Yes, these local breweries offer beer delivery. Fibonacci…
Greater Cincinnati-Based Burger Chain Flipdaddy’s Teases “Epic Comeback” in Tweet
About a decade ago, locally-based burger chain Flipdaddy's opened their first restaurant in Mariemont. Over the years, the brand opened up three additional locations in Symmes Township, Union and Newport. In early 2020, Flipdaddy's Union location closed its doors. And, after a challenging, pandemic-riddled several months, the chained closed all of their existing area locations. …
Legendary Holistic Farmer and ‘Carbon Cowboy’ Teaches Ohioans: ‘In Nature, There Is No Waste’
He's been called a "carbon cowboy" and an inspiration. Ohioans have an opportunity to hear from a legendary cattleman about how holistic practices can benefit the environment and create a self-sufficient farm. Will Harris owns his family's 154-year-old farm, White Oak Pastures in Georgia. The 10 species of livestock there are pasture-raised and hand-butchered on the farm.…
An Ohio Family Court Judge Threatened a Mother with Contempt of Court for Getting Her Child a COVID-19 Test
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This story was co-published with Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Sign up to receive its newsletter. Ohio juvenile court Judge Timothy Grendell has been outspoken about his belief that the COVID-19…
Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights Once Again Named No. 1 Best Zoo Lights in the Nation
For the third year in a row, the Cincinnati Zoo has been named No. 1 in USA Today's 10Best poll in the Best Zoo Lights category. “We had to make a lot of adjustments this year, for the safety of guests, staff, and animals, so being recognized for still being the best is especially meaningful,”…
Vote for Kings Island’s Orion Giga-Coaster to Win Best New Amusement Park Attraction in the U.S.
Kings Island's new giga coaster Orion — one of only seven giga coasters in the world — made its anticipated debut this season. And now Kings Island is asking the public to help them get the recognition they deserve for this modern amusement marvel: They want your help voting for Orion in USA Today's 10Best poll for…
Best Ways to View the Super Rare Winter Solstice “Christmas” Star in Hamilton County
Every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn align in our night sky for an especially bright conjunction of the planets referred to as the "Christmas star." They will be at their closest, and brightest, on Monday Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice. But this year's alignment will be particularly special and rare, and not just because of…
Pendleton’s Pendalo Wingery Serves Buffalo Wings inside Braxton Brewing Co.
The bird is back in Cincinnati's Pendleton neighborhood. Last fall, fast-casual eatery CHX (located next door to 3 Points Urban Brewery) closed to the public, converting into a special events kitchen. And over the course of the pandemic, both the brewery and fried chicken spot have changed hands. The former 3 Points space has been…
Ohio House Passes ‘Stand Your Ground’ Expanding Right to Shoot to Kill in Self-Defense
The Ohio House passed legislation late Thursday evening that removes a legal requirement that people try to retreat from a confrontation before shooting to kill in perceived self-defense. The legislation, commonly referred to as “stand your ground,” passed in a 52-31 vote around 11:30 p.m. If passed into law, it rescinds what’s known as the…
Strained Ohio Hospital Capacity is Not Keeping COVID Patients from Being Admitted, Officials Say
Ohio Hospitals have been strained for months by the coronavirus. But unlike in some other parts of the country, that hasn’t prompted them to tell people who would have been admitted earlier in the pandemic to stay home, officials said Thursday. Daily numbers of new coronavirus cases have appeared to be levelling off over the past week,…
Ohio AG Dave Yost Joins 37 State Attorneys General in Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Thursday joined a bipartisan group of state attorneys general who filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging the search giant illegally maintains a monopoly that hurts consumers and advertisers. At least 38 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico have joined the suit, which claims Google sought to suppress…
Art on Vine Takes Over Washington Park This Weekend for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping
Art on Vine is heading to Washington Park this weekend to take over their pop-up Winter Market. From noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20, the local art and maker market will be helping curate the vendors inside the whimsical European-style Christmas market booths and tents on the park's grounds. Vendors will…
PETA Puts Cincinnati Grocery Giant Kroger on Their ‘Naughty List’ for Monkey Labor Scandal
PETA has just put Kroger on its Naughty List, a collection of the "11 top animal-offending companies" in the U.S. The reason? Kroger has yet to stop selling coconut milk from Chaokoh, a Thai company that uses forced and captive monkey labor to pick its coconuts. “All PETA wants for Christmas is for Kroger to…
City of Covington Calls for Enforcement of 2013 Hazardous Materials Ban on the Brent Spence Bridge
After a fiery crash in November between a jackknifed semi and another truck carrying a load of caustic potassium hydroxide (aka lye) resulted in major damage and the subsequent more-than-month-long closure of the Brent Spence Bridge — the City of Covington said the collision created an "instantaneous fireball" between the chemicals and the truck's diesel…
Fifty West Collaborates with The Brew Kettle Brewery on Beer Inspired by Ohio University’s Tony’s Tavern
This one's for the Ohio University alums. Cincinnati's Fifty West Brewing Company has collaborated with Northeast Ohio-based brewery The Brew Kettle brewery on a special beer release in honor of an "Athens tradition." The 11.5% ABV hazelnut coffee stout, "Oh You Oh Yeah," is inspired by the infamous coffee shot the "Hot Nut" from Athens' Tony's…
Graeter’s Now Serving Seasonal Noel Sundae with Peppermint Stick Ice Cream
Graeter's Ice Cream is getting into the holiday spirit with a special seasonal offering: the Noel Sundae. "We add this special sundae to our holiday menu every year. Always, but this year especially, we think it’s important to bring holiday cheer and comfort to our customers," says Graeter's via email. "This is the time of…
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops Welcome Audiences Back to Music Hall for Live Performances
Starting this January, audiences can once again enjoy live music from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops inside of Music Hall. Audience capacity will be limited to less than 15% due to state and federal COVID health and safety protocols, and the orchestra will feature fewer members. Performances will last between 60 and 80 minutes…
Hyde Park’s Keystone Bar & Grill to Host Grinchmas Brunch This Weekend
Your favorite holiday film is getting some love this weekend in the form of a Saturday feast. Hyde Park's Keystone Bar & Grill is hosting a Grinchmas brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 19, featuring themed dishes and drinks for the ultimate "holiday who-be-what-ee." The eatery will feature their special "How the…
Cincinnati Nonprofits Receive $39 Million in Donation Spree by MacKenzie Scott, Philanthropist and Ex-Wife to Amazon Overlord
She may not have taken part in the panned and totally tone-deaf mid-pandemic star-studded cover of John Lennon's “Imagine” (thank god), but MacKenzie Scott — a billionaire philanthropist, novelist, and the 18th wealthiest person in the world — is making real change by moving quickly to fulfill a generous donation pledge she made last year…
Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society Has Concerns After County Takes Back Shelter Operations
In what has become an emotionally charged story, for obvious reasons, the public — and a local humane society — have major concerns about the future of animal welfare in Clermont County. Starting Jan. 1, the county will take back operations of its animal shelter after commissioners rejected a bid to renew a contract with…
Give the Gift of a Holiday Staple: Frisch’s Pie is Now Shippable Across the U.S.
Cincinnati's Frisch's is well-known for many things, like their burgers, breakfast buffets and their charming (or creepy, depending on your view) "Big Boy" mascot. But one particular thing reigns supreme during the holiday season: their delectable pies. The eatery has been in the freshly-made pie game since 1947, and over the decades has become a tried-and-true…
Brent Spence Bridge On Track to Reopen Next Week
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray says that the Brent Spence Bridge is on schedule to reopen by Dec. 23. This week, the last of the new concrete has been poured on the upper southbound deck — that includes the deck itself and the barrier walls. Crews also replaced the rebar reinforcement material on the…
West Side Brewing Hosts Cincinnati-Style Chili Pop-Up with Wagyu Beef
Two Queen City favorites collide at this tasty winter pop-up: frosty brews and cheese coneys. From 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, West Side Brewing is collaborating with Westwood's Ivory House restaurant to offer a delicious spin on a local classic: wagyu beef Cincinnati-style chili coneys and chili, washed down beers on tap from the…
Federal Court Strikes Down Ohio Prohibition on Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People
Until today, Ohio had the ignominious distinction of being one of only two states that prohibited transgender people from changing their genders on their birth certificates. (Tennessee is the other.) But with a ruling by the U.S. District Court in Southern Ohio, that prohibition is no more. The ruling in the Ray v. McCloud lawsuit, originally filed…
Cincinnati Marketing Agency Curiosity Releases Family-Friendly “Just Curious” Card Game
The holidays are right around the corner, and Cincinnati-based creative marketing agency Curiosity has developed a special gift to connect and reflect with your loved ones and friends this season. Curiosity launched their "Just Curious" card game this week, which offers an opportunity "to connect, laugh, cry, and make memories, in a year when we've…
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum Unveils Limited-Edition Joe Burrow Bengals Bobblehead
Milwaukee's National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has just unveiled a limited-edition bobblehead of one very special Cincinnati Bengal: Joe Burrow. The new bobblehead design features quarterback Burrow riding a Bengal tiger. (The "bobbleheads riding stuff" is apparently a fun series and features the likes of Al Kaline riding a Detroit Tiger, Carson Wentz riding a…
ArtWorks Moving Headquarters from Over-the-Rhine to Walnut Hills
Greater Cincinnati arts nonprofit ArtWorks is moving its headquarters from Over-the-Rhine to Walnut Hills after having been at its current location in the Hale Justis building on Central Parkway for 11 years. The group will be taking over the first floor of the Paramount Square II development at 2450 Gilbert Ave. in April 2021. The space encompasses…
Gold Star Express Features Home Holiday Light Tours Across Greater Cincinnati — and Discounted Coneys
Sometimes the best light displays are ones you can explore while inside your cozy car. And Gold Star Chili, Cincinnati Xmas Lights and Captain of the Kids blog have teamed up to offer just that. The three organizations are providing a streamlined approach to traveling to the most decked-out houses in your area, while scarfing…
Uber-Style Snow Removal App Coming to Cincinnati
Just in time for this week's snowfall, a Nashville-based lawn care app is launching in Cincinnati to connect homeowners with "snow removal professionals." GreenPal calls itself an "Uber-like" snow removal service because it allows homeowners to search pre-screened professionals based on their individual snow removal needs and a specific date. Pros bid on the job…
Ban on Use of Telemedicine in Medication Abortions Passes Ohio House Committee, Moves to Full Vote
A ban on the use of telemedicine in medication abortions passed through an Ohio House committee on Tuesday. There was no discussion of Senate Bill 260 before the vote, with many who would have testified in person avoiding the Statehouse due to recent COVID-19 diagnoses among legislators. This was also the case when the House passed a bill requiring…
New KY Coalition Aims to Promote Trauma-Informed Education in Schools
A new statewide coalition wants schools and communities to focus on trauma-informed education and care for students. The Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children, formed by more than two dozen organizations during the pandemic, wants to promote policies and programs that recognize how adverse childhood events affect children's social and emotional health, as well as other…
Cincinnati Restaurant Group Debuts Two Delivery-Only Concepts: The Pub Fish and Chips and Nick’s Southern Kitchen
This has been the year of adaptation, as many businesses have had to reconsider their long-standing operations in order to better cater to folks staying home during the pandemic. "Ghost" or "cloud" kitchens — essentially a delivery-only food model operating out of existing restaurant facilities — aren't necessarily a new concept, but one we have…
Adopt a Mussel This Holiday Season and Support Ohio River Restoration
Need a novel gift idea? How about adopting a mussel? The Ohio River Foundation is asking the public to symbolically adopt a mollusk this season to help support its mission of protecting and restoring the Ohio River and its watershed. There are 10 famous mussels in need (similar to the equally renowned Kardashian Klan, their…
Ohio Attorney General Warns of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
As COVID-19 vaccinations ramp up in the state of Ohio, so too are scams related to the virus. Attorney General Dave Yost is warning Ohioans about new scams that involve the pandemic response. Scammers may impersonate vaccine distributors, or might pretend to be a local health department official in order to solicit a Social Security…
Over-the-Rhine’s Homemakers Bar to Host Holiday Pop-Up Shop Featuring Female-Owned Businesses
Over-the-Rhine's HomeMakers Bar knows a thing or two about entertaining guests the old fashioned way. The retro-inspired bar offers a sort of "home away from home" vibe served alongside domestic cocktails and bites from the 1950s through the 1970s. And this season, they're celebrating by publishing a mini-book dedicated to all things holiday entertaining and by…
Know Theatre Stages New ‘Krampus Claus’ Radio Play — Where St. Nicholas is the Bad Guy
Know Theatre is bringing a special holiday performance straight to your radio. The new Krampus Claus is an "audio drama about famous figures from holiday folklore," ranging from Germanic and Celtic to Icelandic and Slavic traditions. Written by Fringe Fest favorite Sean P. Mette, the full-cast radio play is described as such: "Many years ago,…
Northside’s Urban Artifact Closes Taproom After Employee Tests Positive for COVID
Northside brewery Urban Artifact is closing its taproom after one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19. "This is not something that we take lightly," reads an email from the brewery. "We will remain closed until our staff receives negative test results." They expect it could be seven days or more before they are able…
Mayor Cranley Announces Plans to Turn The Banks into a DORA District
Today, Mayor John Cranley announced several plans to support the bars and restaurants at The Banks downtown — the first of which is creating a special DORA district. A DORA, or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, means you can walk around a specific space with a drink in hand. The DORA the city is planning for…
Two Ohio House Democrats Hospitalized with COVID-19
Two Ohio House Democrats, both in their waning days as state lawmakers, have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Reps. John Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, and John Patterson, D-Jefferson, both said in interviews they’ve been hospitalized with the disease caused by the new coronavirus. They both attended a Dec. 2 House Finance committee meeting in which at least two other…
Amid Pandemic and Slow-Moving Relief Legislation, Theft of Hygiene and Food Items Skyrockets
The Washington Post has reported that retailers, police departments and loss prevention researchers are seeing a nationwide spike in theft of food and hygiene products — data that starkly illustrates the ever-increasing need for federal relief. The Post reports that shoplifting is up markedly since the pandemic began — at much higher levels than in past economic…
Covington Grants $367,720 to Welcome House of Northern Kentucky for Temporary Winter Homeless Shelter
The City of Covington has granted $367,720 to Welcome House of Northern Kentucky to help it manage a temporary shelter for those experiencing homeless. The agency, formed in 1982, aims to "provide a continuum of services that will end homelessness and promote stability" for each client they serve. Named The Garden Center Winter Shelter, the…
Fans Allowed to Attend University of Cincinnati’s AAC Football Championship Game against Tulsa
Fans will be allowed in the stands as the UC Bearcats take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane for the American Athletic Conference Football Championship on Dec. 19. A limited number of tickets will be available to students and UCATS donors, with capacity at 1,500 fans — that includes player guests for both UC and Tulsa, as…
60% of Ohio Restaurants Believe They Will Have to Permanently Close within 6 Months If They Don’t Get More Federal Support
According to a recent survey by the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA), 60% of restaurant owners "feel they will be forced to permanently close within six months if they do not receive additional government support." The ORA has been conducting weekly or bi-weekly surveys of restaurants across the stateto measure the impact of COVID on the hospitality…
Cincinnati Ranks Top 20 Best City in America to Celebrate Christmas
The holidays are here, and despite a rather challenging year, the spirit of the season has not wavered. Sure, "things might be a little different" — a phrase we're all quite familiar with these days — as families and businesses across the country adapt their plans to harness some festive joy and normalcy. But our…
Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Offering Holiday at Home Meal Kits
As with most of things this year, the holidays look a little different than years past. And these local restaurants are offering holiday meals to enjoy at home so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a chef-prepared feast from the comfort (and safety) of your own home. From dinners and breakfast to sides and…
Third Scavenger Hunt Clue for Cincinnati’s City-Wide FOUND Holiday Event
The Queen City is getting in the festive spirit this season with the inaugural FOUND holiday celebration. The month-long event (from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24) will span from The Banks all the way to Findlay Market, transforming the city with ArtWorks-decorated store windows, dazzling Christmas trees to represent each Cincy neighborhood and weekly scavenger hunts. FOUND'S city-wide…
Cincinnati Art Museum Reopens for Four Days in December
The Cincinnati Art Museum made the choice to temporarily shut its doors to the public on Nov. 21. The goal was to reopen Dec. 14, but the institution has decided to remain closed through the rest of 2020 — except for four days in December. The Contemporary Arts Center and Taft Museum of Art have…
Pandemic Exacerbates Food and Housing Struggles for Ohio Families
New data reveals what many policy experts have feared for months: The pandemic has taken a serious toll on the well-being of Ohio's children. Using data from weekly U.S. census surveys, a report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation demonstrates how families across the country are challenged to meet basic needs while managing school, work and mental…
Findlay Market’s New Elm Street Social Club Pop-Up is Not Your Average Neighborhood Deli
Over-the-Rhine's Findlay Market neighborhood welcomed a new take-out-centric eatery this fall in the space formerly inhabited by Social OTR. Elm St. Social Club aims to offer a "neighborhood sandwich shop" vibe, and surpasses all expectations along the way. Owner and chef Jordan Anthony-Brown is the brains behind the nostalgia-inducing deli, which officially opened its doors on…
Montgomery Inn Boathouse Opens Year-Round Outdoor Dining
As COVID has adjusted how the public engages with restaurants, the Montgomery Inn Boathouse has opted to turn its riverside patio into a year-round outdoor dining option. The restaurant has enclosed the space with "blinds that withstand rain, snow, wind and cold," making the patio "unaffected and at a comfortable temperature, 365 days-a-year," says a…
‘Light Up Oakley’ Let’s You Vote for Your Favorite Storefront and Residential Holiday Light Displays
Light Up Oakley is a holiday display challenge that transforms Oakley businesses and residences into their own mini light shows. Hosted by the Oakley Community Council, this competition awards businesses with the Best Outdoor Display and Best Window Display; residences with the Best Traditional, Best Themed and the "Griswold" award; and also gives a nod…
Cincinnati’s Dad Skate Squad Distributing Skateboarding Gear to Make ‘Christmas a Tad More Rad’ for Kids in Need
Greater Cincinnati's Dad Skate Squad is trying to make "Christmas a tad more rad for area kids" this year. The group of 40-plus skateboarding dads (and sometimes their kids) started riding together each week during COVID with the goal of "spreading positivity and good vibes in our communities and putting smiles on peoples’ faces." This holiday…
With Covid Vaccine On the Way, Will Ohio Legislature Still Insist on Our ‘Freedom’ to Kill Others?
Vaccines are on their way. Ohio, with 7,400 dead and counting, may soon see respite. If only the Legislature doesn’t decide we have the right to go on killing each other. As you may know, this august body is a hotbed of anti-vaxxers. Much like the anti-mask brigade, they’re insta-experts, the kind of people who see…
4EG Launches Two New Carry-Out/Delivery Restaurants in Cincinnati: Leaf + Ladle and Danny Boy Burger
Four Entertainment Group — the minds behind Keystone Bar & Grill, The Stretch, Igby’s, The Sandbar, The Righteous Room, Rosedale OTR, The Lackman, et al — are launching two new dining options in Greater Cincinnati, available for carry-out and delivery only. Leaf + Ladle offers "creative salads and made-from-scratch gourmet soups that emphasize locally-sourced ingredients," says 4EG,…
FC Cincinnati Re-Signs Gordon “Fiddle” Thornsberry for 2021 eMLS Season
Across the globe, esports — aka electronic sports — have been on the rise. In 2019, Comcast announced plans to build a $50 million gaming arena in Philadelphia; prize pools for tournaments break records year after year (in 2019, a single-event prize pool for multiplayer battle game Dota 2 was $34.3 million); and, according to gaming research…
UC Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare Get First Doses of COVID Vaccine
The first doses of the COVID vaccine are arriving in Ohio and Kentucky, with a portion being allocated to frontline workers at both UC Health in Cincinnati and St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky. UC Health will be one of the first to receive a shipment of the Pfizer COVID vaccine in the state. They…
Cleveland Indians to Officially Change Team Name
The New York Times reported Sunday evening that the Cleveland Indians will indeed drop their team name, parting ways with a moniker they've had since 1915. The decision could be officially announced as early as this week, three anonymous sources told the Times. The path forward may include at least one season without a team name as owners consult with fans and…
COVID Becomes 4th Leading Killer of Ohioans
COVID-19 is the fourth leading killer of Ohioans this year when compared to 2019 mortality data. It could quickly become the third, depending on what happens in the three final weeks remaining in 2020. As of Sunday, 7,492 Ohioans have died from COVID-19, the first having died March 1, according to data from the Ohio…
Here’s the Third Scavenger Hunt Clue for Cincinnati’s City-Wide FOUND Holiday Event
The Queen City is getting in the festive spirit this season with the inaugural FOUND holiday celebration. The month-long event (from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24) will span from The Banks all the way to Findlay Market, transforming the city with ArtWorks-decorated store windows, dazzling Christmas trees to represent each Cincy neighborhood and weekly scavenger hunts. FOUND'S city-wide…
This Ohio-Wide Drivable Light Trail is the Ultimate Socially Distant Holiday Road Trip
It's the "most wonderful time of the year," and your typical holiday traditions may look a little bit different this year due to the pandemic. But that just means organizations and attractions have had the opportunity to get creative. This year, Ohio. Find it Here. has introduced their 2020 Drivable Holiday Lights Trail, a 16-stop…
Ohio Senate Approves Bill Prohibiting Death Penalty for the Mentally Ill
Ohio Senators approved a bill Wednesday that would prohibit a convicted murderer from being sentenced to death if they suffered from a serious mental illness at the time of the killing. The near-unanimous, bipartisan vote marks the next step in a years-long legislative effort to exempt those with certain mental illnesses from death row. The…
A New Alliance Motivates Ohio Farmers to Tackle Climate Change
More than half of Ohio's land is used for agriculture, and there's a new effort to keep those lands resilient to the effects of climate change. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance is promoting tools and incentives that can help farmers tackle the warming climate head-on. And Jessica D'Ambrosio, agriculture director for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio,…
‘Diseases of Despair’ Taking Lives of Appalachian Women
A new report says women ages 35 to 44 in Appalachia are dying of drug overdose, suicide and alcoholic liver disease at rates 69% higher than women in the rest of the nation. For those ages 25 to 34, the rate is almost that high. The Appalachian Regional Commission report on so-called "diseases of despair" is…
Cincinnati Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Will Air on WLWT Channel 5
The Cincinnati Ballet's annual performance of holiday classic The Nutcracker — now dubbed "The Nutcracker at Home" after in-person attendance at Music Hall was canceled due to COVID — will air on WLWT this year. This is the first time the ballet will air on local television, premiering at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22. “Everyone has…
Catch-a-Fire Pizza in Blue Ash Adds Outdoor Igloo Dining
Blue Ash's Catch-a-Fire Pizza has added outdoor igloos for private, enclosed dining. The igloos, which can seat up to eight people, come in three themes: Fireglow, Northern Lights, or Snowglobe. Each is heated and comes with bluetooth speakers for a custom music mix. And after each party leaves, the igloos are cleaned and sanitized during a 30-minute…
Downtown’s Lytle Park Hotel Celebrates the Holidays with ’12 Days of Christmas’ Menu at In-House Eatery Subito
The holidays are here, and downtown's Lytle Park Hotel is getting in the festive spirit by decking the halls and rolling out some fun new specials and menus. Beginning Dec. 13 and running through Christmas Eve, the boutique hotel's Italian restaurant Subito is running a "12 Days of Christmas" menu, where each day they will…
Contemporary Arts Center and Taft Museum of Art to Temporarily Close to the Public
Downtown Cincinnati art institutions the Contemporary Arts Center and Taft Museum of Art have decided to close their doors to the public starting Saturday, Dec. 12. The joint decision comes after Gov. Mike DeWine's new Stay Safe Ohio protocols, announced Dec. 10. "As Ohio continues to reach an exceedingly high number of COVID-19 cases, DeWine has…
Cincinnati Reds 2021 Opening Day Parade Postponed
The Findlay Market Parade Committee has once again made the decision to postpone the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day Parade. Per a letter from Parade Chairman Neil Luken, the 2021 festivities will be postponed until "the Cincinnati Reds are permitted to fill the stadium to full capacity and there are no restrictions on group events." Read…
10 Made-for-TV Holiday Movies You Should Stream This Week, from Hulu to Hallmark
Roasted chestnuts, toasty fireplaces, twinkly lights, freshly fallen snow, hot cocoa snug in clasped hands — all are images synonymous with the holiday season and, following suit, staples of festive flicks that warm our TV sets every year. Such cozy and predictable made-for-TV movies are more welcome than ever in a year that has been…
Kentucky Bars and Restaurants Can Reopen Indoor Dining on Monday — With Some Restrictions
After more than three weeks of heavy COVID-related restrictions across the state of Kentucky, most of Gov. Beshear's "significant and surgical steps" to fight the pandemic will be lifted on Monday, Dec. 14. On Nov. 20, Gov. Beshear implemented six new restrictions, which included limiting indoor gatherings to a maximum of eight; closing bars and restaurants…
Top Ohio CEOs Make More Than 300 Times Their Average Employees
Many of Ohio's top CEOs make more than 300 times what their average employees are paid, a new report by Policy Matters Ohio has found. Data reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that the median salary for CEOs at the 54 Ohio corporations that filed reports was $14.6 million. Most of these corporations paid their CEO more than 200…
DeWine Extends Ohio’s Statewide Curfew into January
Today, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine extended the statewide nightly curfew until Jan. 2 and issued a series of "Stay Safe Ohio" protocols to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 over the next three weeks. "The next three weeks will really be the most important three weeks for all of us in this pandemic," he said…
Ohio Renters Face Some of the Highest Risk of Eviction in the Nation, Study Says
A recent study conducted by AdvisorSmith (a business insurance site) shows that Ohio is one of the top 10 states in America facing the highest rates of eviction. "In the wake of the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, many households are struggling to make their rent payments. The economic impact has been unevenly distributed…
Taylor Swift’s New Album ‘evermore’ Features Song with Cincinnati-Bred Indie Rockers The National
The pandemic has been nothing if not prolific for superstar Singer/Songwriter Taylor Swift. Over the summer, Swift dropped surprise album folklore, which featured 16 tracks — one with Bon Iver, and 11 of which were co-written by Aaron Dessner of Cincinnati-bred Indie Rockers The National. People absolutely lost their minds over the mystifying collaboration, which became…
Groups to Rally at Butler County Jail to Support Two Men Suing for Abuse Suffered While in ICE Detention
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, groups — "immigrant youth, community leaders and other advocates," according to a release from the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center — will gather outside of the Butler County Jail to show solidarity with those detained there. Those attending the rally are required to wear masks and follow COVID protocols. It will…
Covington’s Eishaus Creates “Elf Spaghetti” Ice Cream Inspired by Buddy the Elf’s Favorite Breakfast
Covington's new German-style ice cream shop Eishaus brings a little something different to the dessert table: The establishment specializes in something called "spaghetti eis" — it looks like spaghetti, but it's ice cream. And, while ice cream isn't always thought of as a winter-time treat, the noodle-shaped frosty delicacy is perfect to emulate the iconic…
Hotel Covington Has Cozied Up Their String-Lit Patio with Heaters and Fur Blankets
As the pandemic continues to surge, local restaurants have adapted their typical offerings to cater to their guests, providing places for safe, outdoor dining and shifting menus to feature more ways to enjoy their food. Coppin's at Hotel Covington has followed suit, transforming their patio into a cozy escape with string lights, heaters, a fireplace…
University of Cincinnati’s CCM Launches a New Livestreaming Performance Series, CCMONSTAGE Online
On Friday, Dec. 11, the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music debuts CCMONSTAGE Online, a series of free, digital concerts featuring students and faculty both onstage and behind the scenes. CCM students returned to the Clifton campus for the fall semester, but COVID-19 forced the cancellation of all live performances. Plans for livestreaming CCM's stage…
The Northside Yacht Club is Slinging Coneys and CBD-Infused Daiquiris via Roller Skate Curbside Delivery
The Northside Yacht Club crew is back at it again with another restaurant chain spin-off pop-up. This time, they're putting fast food eatery Sonic Drive-In to utter shame. For one day only — on Monday, Dec. 14 — the Northside eatery and bar will transform into "Chronic" and will be slinging CBD-infused tiki drinks and…
Behind the Making of Hamilton’s Journey BOREALIS Immersive Drive-Thru Light Display at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Hamilton’s Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is lighting up the holiday season with a brand new drive-thru show: Journey BOREALIS. For the last 20 years, Pyramid Hill has offered a drive-thru experience that is often ranked among the region’s best holiday light displays. But this year, Holiday Lights on the Hill has done a glow-up into…
Clifton’s Classic Breakfast Diner Proud Rooster Closes Indefinitely Due to Pandemic
Clifton Gaslight staple Proud Rooster has been in business for over half-a-century, offering classic diner fare for breakfast and lunch, and specializing in fried chicken. The restaurant announced in early December via a Facebook post that they have decided to close indefinitely due to the pandemic. "Due to how bad covid-19 is now, we will…
Ohio Might Have Performed its Last Execution
Gov. Mike Dewine’s latest statement on lethal injections could mean the Ohio death house has seen its last execution. The state hasn’t executed anybody since July 2018, when convicted killer Robert Van Hook wheezed and gasped as he died on a gurney at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility outside Lucasville. DeWine, who took office the following January,…
Agencies Move Fast to Help Ohioans with Housing Costs
Agencies are moving fast to get struggling Ohioans the CARES Act funding that can help them stay in their homes. In November, Ohio's Community Action Agencies received a total of $50 million through the Home Relief Grant to help those who are behind on their mortgage, rent or other housing-related bills due to the pandemic. At IMPACT Community…
Armed Teachers Bill Enters Ohio House, GOP Committee Members Express Support
In the first hearing before a House committee for a bill authorizing local school districts to create firearms policies for personnel, some committee members made it very clear where they stood on the issue. “The absolute ignorance and absurdity from people who oppose this amazes me,” said state Rep. J. Todd Smith, R-Farmersville, during the…
National Restaurant Association Urges Congress to Provide Foodservice Businesses Crucial Financial Relief
Pointing out that one in five U.S. restaurants has closed amid the pandemic, the National Restaurant Association is urging Congress to pass relief for foodservice businesses before it breaks for the holidays. In a letter to Congressional leaders, the association shared new survey data it says shows an “economic free fall” has harmed 500,000 restaurants of…
Where to Find Free COVID-19 Testing in Hamilton County This Week
As the pandemic continues to surge across the nation, Hamilton County is working hard to make tests more accessible. The county is teaming up with The Health Collaborative, five regional health systems and a regional university for their mission Test and Protect, which "aims to mitigate COVID-19 through rapid, efficient testing in those areas and organizations…
O’Bryonville’s BonBonerie Opens Special Outdoor Bakery Marketplace for the Holidays
O'Bryonville's BonBonerie has opened a special outdoor and COVID-safe bakery Marketplace for the holidays. With a focus on festive creations and delicious treats — from Opera Cream Tortes and gourmet cupcakes to decorated cut-out cookies and yule log cakes — the outdoor space is a tented operation taking over the Grandin parking lot at the intersection…
Braxton Brewing Co. Founder Evan Rouse Named a Forbes Magazine ’30 Under 30′
Forbes magazine recently released its "30 Under 30" list for 2021 and there's a familiar name in the rankings: Braxton Brewing Co. founder and chief innovation officer Evan Rouse. The 30 Under 30 list features 600 of the world's "brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders and stars" — 30 of them in 30 different categories, ranging from…
Here Are Answers to Six Burning Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
The recent success of some coronavirus vaccines in late-stage clinical trials has inched us closer to the end of the pandemic — a glimmer of hope in a long year of living with the virus. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is gearing up to consider emergency use authorization for Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19…
Cincinnati Public Schools Hosting Toy Drive for Students Experiencing Homelessness
According to Cincinnati Public Schools, they have about 1,900 students whose families are experiencing homelessness. And to support them through the holidays, CPS' Project Connect will be hosting a toy drive. They will be accepting new, unwrapped toys, books and clothing from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Woodward High School (7005 Reading Road). CPS…
Which Ohio Mayor Had a Sexual Encounter with an Alleged Chinese Spy in a Car That Was Under FBI Surveillance?
Which Ohio mayor had a sexual encounter with an alleged Chinese spy in a car under FBI surveillance? That's the question that has Ohio politicos and political journalists positively aflutter today, with conjecture flying wildly via texts and DMs. Axios reported last night on the tale of Christine Fang, a Chinese national who, according to a…
Airbnb Launches Nonprofit to Connect Those in Need with a Place to Stay
Global rental agency Airbnb has announced a new nonprofit initiative: airbnb.org. Airbnb.org will help connect those in need of housing with places to stay "in times of crisis," says a release. "The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy,"…
This is Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Treat, According to Google Searches
The holiday season is upon us, which essentially means an entire month of decorating, movie-watching, shopping and, of course, a significant amount of baking. Which also means, a significant amount of recipe-Googling. And even though things might look a little different this year, a sweet tooth for festive treats is one thing that COVID cannot…
Automagik Guitarist/Vocalist Zach Evans Debuts Solo Alter Ego, Sunfiend, with Trio of Pandemic-Year Albums
This spring, local Indie Rock stalwarts Automagik released Fluorescent Nights, a danceably logical extension of their magnificent 2018 album, Goldmine. In conversation prior to Fluorescent Nights’ release, guitarist/vocalist Zach Evans mentioned his work on two projects under the musical identity Sunfiend while quarantined in his newly purchased home. Evans was vague about the projects, saying…
The Cincinnati Type & Print Museum Offers Employment Training and Entrepreneurship Opportunities to Women in Recovery
Several times a week, the artifacts housed in Lower Price Hill’s Cincinnati Type & Print Museum are put to work. Metal pieces of moveable type — stored alphabetically and organized by font in vintage letterpress cabinets — are ready to be set and inked. Dense and sharply defined, each block of type holds infinite possibilities…
Michigan Pizzeria Buddy’s Will Now Deliver its Detroit-Style Pizza Anywhere in the U.S.
Buddy’s original Detroit-style pizza is now available… everywhere. The creators of the beloved Detroit pie have launched a new partnership with online marketplace Goldbelly that will ship anywhere in the U.S. You can order Buddy's frozen classic eight-square pizzas in three- or six-packs. “At Buddy’s Pizza, we’re always striving to help families and friends create…
Court Hands Journalists a Big Freedom of Information Act Win: Gun Data Access
This article is from Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Please join their free mailing list, as this helps provide more public service reporting. On Thursday, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said authorities must hand over database records just as if they were paper records in a file cabinet. Judge Kim…
300,000 Ohioans Could Lose Their Unemployment Assistance without Federal Action
An Ohio think tank says unless Congress acts, a grim holiday season awaits hundreds of thousands of Ohioans. According to an analysis from Policy Matters Ohio, without federal action 300,000 people could lose their unemployment benefits the day after Christmas. Policy Director Zach Schiller said new federal supports that have cushioned the economic blow of the…
Cincinnati Favorite Folk Duo Over the Rhine to Stream Christmas Special from Their Nowhere Else Farm
Cincinnati favorite Folk duo Over the Rhine had to cancel their annual and much-anticipated Christmas tour this year due to COVID. But instead of a dark, music-less holiday, Over the Rhine is bringing things home and offering a special streaming Christmas concert and "tour" from Nowhere Else, their 20-acre Clinton County farm. Reserve your link…
Kings Island to Open Luxury Outdoor Resort ‘Camp Cedar’ in Warren County This Spring
Cincinnati's Kings Island amusement park is expanding its entertainment offerings with a new endeavor. The park announced plans to open $27 million luxury outdoor resort and camping destination called Camp Cedar this coming spring. The camp will be located on 50 acres of land less than 1 mile from the park. The acreage will be transformed…
Ohio Education Association Urges Statewide Suspension of In-Person Classes
The state’s largest public schools union is asking that all public schools suspend in-person instruction until mid-January “in light of the alarming explosion in community spread of the coronavirus in recent weeks.” The Ohio Education Association said in a statement that they plan on calling “state leaders and school districts” to discuss a new plan…
DeWine: COVID Infection Rate “Not Sustainable” for Ohio Hospitals
After weeks of rocketing upward, the daily number of coronavirus infections in Ohio just might be leveling off. But Gov. Mike DeWine and some of the state’s top health officials on Monday said that’s not good enough. If Ohioans keep getting infected at the rate they are, hospitals will have to take increasingly dire steps…
Greater Cincinnati Theaters Stage In-Person and Streaming Holiday Performances This Year
’Tis the season when Cincinnati theaters usually present their holiday shows. This summer, plans were announced to stage a one-man performance of A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse in the Park, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company was expected to mount a safely-presented production of the zany send-up Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!). Alas,…
As COVID Continues, Greater Cincinnati Nonprofits Need Your Help More Than Ever This Holiday Season
COVID hasn’t been easy on anyone. From literal illness and financial strain to unemployment and isolation, the virus has wreaked havoc on all parts of our everyday lives, including our relationships and sense of stability. As infection rates continue to hit an all-time high in America, nonprofits and social services are doing their best to…
Covington’s rose&mary Bakery Pop-Up to Open New Cafe for Small-Batch, Scratch-Made Pastries and Savories
Covington's culinary scene is growing, welcoming rose&mary Bakery on Dec. 12 at 39 W. Pike St., located right around the corner from Braxton Brewing Co. The bakery and cafe, with a name that honors co-owner and lead baker Chase Maus' late grandmother and aunt (Mary and Rose, respectively) who helped to raise him, will offer an inclusive destination…
9 Cincinnati Holiday Shopping Pop-Ups and Virtual Markets
Looking to shop local this season? (If you missed our Gift Guide, check out the digital issue; or this starter slideshow listing some local boutiques to shop this holiday.) These in-person pop-ups and virtual markets are offering a plethora of artisans and makers in one location, so you can check everyone off your list while…
One-Third of Cincinnati’s City Council is Facing Bribery Charges. The Rest are Figuring Out How to Move On.
UPDATE: P.G. Sittenfeld has accepted a temporary, voluntary suspension. Betsy Sundermann knew Cincinnati City Council had a troubled reputation when she was sworn-in on March 4. But she’d barely made it through the first week at her new office at City Hall when quarantine orders sent everyone home amid the coronavirus shutdown. “What a crazy…
Frisch’s Adds Frozen Hot Chocolate to Its Menu
Frozen hot chocolate is a hot new cold trend — but what exactly is it? Ice cream? A milkshake? Does anyone really care? No, because it is delicious. And Frisch's Big Boy is jumping on this beverage bandwagon with their own Frozen Hot Chocolate Frappes. The drinks are made with Ghirardelli Chocolate, sprinkled with peppermint and topped…
Food Service Workers Enduring “Maskual Harassment” from Pandemic Diners, Study Finds
You would think that, during a pandemic that's wiping out thousands of Americans each day, people would treat others with compassion and do everything in their power to ensure the safety of not only themselves, but also their neighbors, right? As it turns out, that's total bullshit, at least when it comes to those choosing…
The Cincinnati Cyclones Cancel Their 2020-21 Hockey Season
You're going to have to find your dollar beers somewhere else this winter, because the Cincinnati Cyclones have opted out of the 2020-21 hockey season. The team says they have signed onto the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension policy for the safety of their players, staff and fans. “This decision was not taken lightly but we feel…
O’Bryonville’s BonBonerie Bakery Shares Their Gingerbread Recipe, So You Can Make it at Home
O’Bryonville’s BonBonerie bakery is a Cincinnati institution. The female-owned sweeterie — renowned for its cult-favorite Opera Cream cake — has been in operation since 1983, handcrafting everything from tea cookies and fine pastries to elaborate wedding cakes and decorative Buche de Noel with fresh and indulgent ingredients. (They also offer a tearoom and cafe with…
Cincinnati City Council Member P.G. Sittenfeld Temporarily Steps Down to “Pursue Clearing Name”
On Nov. 19, FBI agents arrested Cincinnati City Council member P.G. Sittenfeld at his home on a six-count federal indictment for bribery and extortion. He’s accused of accepting $40,000 in campaign contributions — still considered a bribe — for votes on a development deal. In a video posted later to social media, Sittenfeld proclaimed his innocence and…
Equal Pay, Gender Equity Back in Ohio Statehouse via New Bill
The issue of gender pay equity has come up yet again in the Ohio Statehouse, after multiple previous attempts to bring the measure to a vote. State Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, introduced a bill called the Equal Pay Act and one that creates a gender pay equity task force this week, marking the sixth time the topic…
Pandemic’s Temporary Outdoor Dining Sites to Turn Permanent in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown
The outdoor, pandemic-friendly dining pop-ups in Over-the-Rhine and downtown are to become a permanent fixture of the streetscape, says the city and 3CDC. The temporary solution to allow restaurants and bars more COVID-friendly seating on select sidewalks and in select streets launched in May to help businesses stay open while following indoor dining capacity restrictions…
U.S. House Makes Historic Vote to Federally Decriminalize Marijuana
We are now one step closer to the federal decriminalization of cannabis. Members of the House of Representatives voted on Friday to approve the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, HR 3884 — the first legalization bill to ever make it to the floor of Congress. The 228-164 vote fell largely along party lines,…
Here’s the Second Scavenger Hunt Clue for Cincinnati’s City-Wide FOUND Holiday Event
The Queen City is getting in the festive spirit this season with the inaugural FOUND holiday celebration. The month-long event (from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24) will span from The Banks all the way to Findlay Market, transforming the city with ArtWorks-decorated store windows, dazzling Christmas trees to represent each Cincy neighborhood and weekly scavenger hunts. FOUND'S city-wide…
10 Seasonal Brews to Fight the Winter Blues from Greater Cincinnati Breweries
There’s no wrong beer to drink in the winter — all beer is good — but there are certain styles that people tend to want when the temperature drops. The general consensus seems to be this: When it’s warm out, the average beer drinker wants something light-bodied, with a lower alcohol by volume (ABV), that…
Petite Cocktail Bar Saeso is an Otherworldly Escape Tucked Away in Pendleton
If you’re looking for an otherworldly escape without leaving the city, or a cocktail menu that takes the work out of ordering, Saeso might just be your new neighborhood bar. “When you walk through the door, your experience starts. You don’t have to figure it out,” says Christy Wulfson. She’s one half of Guilfoil &…
Cincinnati Skateboarding Initiative Keep Her Wild Helps Women Pursue Their Passions and Buck Expectation
Last year at TEDxCincinnatiWomen, Megs Gelfgot rode her skateboard onto the stage with gusto. She wore black leather pants, platform sneakers and her long, wavy hair was effortlessly tousled to the side. Her presence alone commanded attention, but it was her story that resonated with many in the audience. At 29, Gelfgot had recently moved…
Greater Cincinnati Bars Offering Warm Cocktails for Cold Nights
Need some spirits to put you in the holiday spirit, or help warm you from the inside out? These local bars are offering seasonally themed heated cocktails to keep you cozy while you sip — whether that’s at home, at the bar or on one of their heated patios. HomeMaker’s Bar HomeMakers offers a handful of…
Findlay Market Offering Christmas Trees for Curbside Pickup
As with most things this year, even shopping for a Christmas tree looks a bit different. And Findlay Market is giving its Christmas tree customers a chance to pick up their tree with little-to-no contact by offering curbside pickup. Yes. You can order a tree online — you'll have to trust the market to pick the…
Queen City Hemp Giving Away Free CBD Seltzer for a Year for Fifth Anniversary
Cincinnati-based CBD seltzer brand Queen City Hemp is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a fresh new design — and a pretty generous giveaway. From now until Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., thirsty folks can enter for a chance to win free CBD seltzer for a year from Queen City Hemp, in the form of…
Ohio Announces Initial COVID Vaccine Plan
If approvals go according to plan, Ohio will get more than a half-million doses of coronavirus vaccine between Dec. 15 and the end of the month, Gov. Mike DeWine said on Friday. While more than expected, the amount is far from adequate in a state with a population approaching 12 million. “The race has started…
11 Drive-Thru — and Walk-Thru — Greater Cincinnati Holiday Light Displays
Here’s some festive fun you can enjoy from the warmth of your car, or while you’re all bundled up outside. Pro tip: Some displays may be closed Christmas Eve or Christmas Day; check their websites. Journey BOREALIS at Pyramid Hill Hamilton’s Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is lighting up the holiday season with a brand new…
Cincinnati ReUse Center Giving Away 75+ Free Christmas Trees to Families in Need
Local nonprofit Cincinnati ReUse Center is spreading some holiday cheer this season by donating live Christmas trees to families in need. "In a year that's been down for many, we want to do what we can to brighten some spirits," a Facebook post from Cincinnati ReUse Center reads. "We reached out to our AWESOME donors…
Ohio’s Coronavirus Pandemic is Quickly Worsening — Even Before The Impact of Holiday Travel Is Factored In
By many measures, the Ohio coronavirus pandemic is quickly worsening — and that’s before any of the effects of holiday travel and visiting are factored in. Thursday saw almost 9,000 new cases in the state, with almost 400 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and 82 more dead, bringing the toll throughout the pandemic to 6,753. Also, with…
Airbnb Bans One-Night New Year’s Eve Reservations in Ohio
In its latest continued attempt to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and stop rampant house parties, Airbnb has announced it is "prohibiting" all one-night reservations for entire-home listings on New Year's Eve in Ohio — and across the rest of U.S. (and Western Europe and Australia). They'll also "be deploying more stringent restrictions on…
Tom & Chee Adds Chili Cheese Tots, Other New Menu Items at One Greater Cincinnati Location
Cincinnati-spawned grilled cheese chain Tom & Chee was purchased by Gold Star's parent company in 2017, so it only makes sense that the brand would eventually add some chili to its menu. New, and only at the Anderson Township location, Tom & Chee has unveiled an "&Crafted" restaurant design — they added sandwich ovens and…
Lawmakers Seek Ohio Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures
Ohioans struggling to pay their rents or mortgages may head into 2021 without the housing protections and public assistance that have carried them through much of the pandemic this year. A federal moratorium on evictions is about to expire. Two other relief programs helping unemployed Americans are set to run out. There are believed to…
Ohio House Passes Bill Requiring Abortion Providers to Bury Fetal Remains, Now Moves to Governor for Signature
The House passed a bill on Thursday to require abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal remains, despite arguments from religious groups and health clinics in the state. State representatives passed the bill on a 60 to 35 vote along party lines. The bill passed out of the House Civil Justice Committee the same day…
Ohio Could Lose a Key Part of its COVID Response Support
Ohio soon could lose a key source of support in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through an emergency authorization, the federal government is funding 75% of the Ohio National Guard's COVID-19 response work through the end of the year. Roughly 1,800 National Guard members are serving in logistical and public health roles. Julie Chase-Morefied, president and…
DeWine Vetoes Bill to Undercut Ohio Department of Health’s Legal Authority; Lawmakers Double Down
For the second time during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed legislation from fellow Republicans seeking to undercut the Ohio Department of Health’s legal authority to stymie the virus’ spread. The nixed proposal, Senate Bill 311, would give the state legislature the ability to vote down any public health orders. It would also forbid…
City of Covington and Be Concerned Giving Away “Combatting COVID” Boxes with Cleaning, Hygiene Supplies
The City of Covington and Be Concerned: The People's Pantry have teamed up once again to give away free "Combatting COVID in Covington" boxes. They gave away their first round in November. They'll be handing out 160 free packages — full of cleaning and hygiene products — from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the…
Taste of Belgium Opens “Well-Ventilated Heated Tents” for Outdoor Dining at Most Greater Cincinnati Locations
Cincinnati-based restaurant chain Taste of Belgium is now offering covered outdoor dining spaces at most of their Greater Cincinnati locations. The brand has opened "well-ventilated heated tents" at their Rookwood, Over-the-Rhine, The Banks and new Kenwood and Crestview Hills locations. “We have made significant investments to weatherize our outdoor seating at most of our restaurants.…
Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Hit Low-Income Black Households the Hardest, Says Study
Low-income Black households were hit disproportionately hard by the coronavirus, experiencing more job losses, debt, and food and housing insecurities during the first few months of the pandemic, according to a new study by Princeton University. While numerous studies of COVID-19 have focused on the racial disparities in the U.S. health care system, the Princeton University…
Cincinnati Synth Pop Band Moonbeau Celebrates New Album “Up All Night” with Virtual Concert at Woodward Theater
Cincinnati Synth Pop band Moonbeau is hosting a virtual album release show for their new album, Up All Night, this Friday at Over-the-Rhine's historic Woodward Theater. The musical duo released the album on Nov. 21 via Soul Step Records and, due to the pandemic, they are holding a celebratory live debut online. Tickets cost $8 presale and…
Covington’s Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ Municipal Equality Index Score Rises Two Points
The City of Covington has once again moved up on the Human Rights Campaign's LGBTQ Municipal Equality Index. Last year, the city scored a 94 out of 100 — jumping 20 points from a score of 74 in 2018. This year, they've moved up two points to a 96 out of 100, making them second in the…
The Garage in Dayton, Kentucky Will Transform a Former Gas Station into a Rentable Event, Pop-Up and Work Space
Cincinnati-based urban growth firm YARD & Company is breathing new live into a historic Dayton, Kentucky landmark this winter, offering a space for the community and beyond to "work, gather and create." Co-founders of YARD & Company, Kevin Wright and Joe Nickol, purchased The Garage (many years ago it was Bud's Service Station, and historically functioned…
Emaciated Weimaraner Who Went Viral Finds New Home Through Cincinnati Animal CARE
Found as a stray in Anderson Township, Hemingway the weimaraner was taken to the Cincinnati Animal CARE Humane Society on Oct. 28. At the time, he was extremely emaciated and barely able to stand on his own. After the nonprofit posted a photo of the pooch on their social media — asking for information about…
Cincinnati Public Schools to Extend Remote Learning into January
The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education has decided to extend remote learning for all students until at least Jan. 16. Students returned to a full-time distance learning model Nov. 23, which was originally slated to end Jan. 4. At that time, CPS had originally planned to enact a blended learning model — with students attending…
Former Cincinnati Jail Becomes Day Center for Homeless
More than a decade after the closing of the Queensgate Jail, part of the eight-story former correctional facility will be transformed into a day center for those experiencing homelessness, the nonprofit Maslow’s Army announced. The lease for the property was signed Dec. 2. The homeless center’s planned opening, set for Dec. 15, comes at a…
Greater Cincinnati’s Blood Bank is Using a Promising Tool to Fight COVID — But There Are Limits
Christine Wilson’s first clue that something wasn’t right came when she couldn’t taste the birthday cake she baked for her son one day in mid-July. A week later she was in the hospital battling pneumonia from COVID-19. The 47-year-old communications professional would spend 11 days at Good Samaritan Hospital in “surreal” isolation battling the novel…
OTR’s Pepp & Dolores Has Transformed Their Outdoor Dining Tent Into Cozy Winter Escape ‘The Lodge’
Local restaurants are cozying up their outdoor dining spaces as the pandemic continues, offering a safe(r) space to escape and indulge as the weather chills. For the winter, Over-the-Rhine Italian eatery Pepp & Dolores has transformed their outdoor tent into an apres ski-inspired dining experience called "The Lodge." “When we first began offering outdoor dining, our goal…
Esquire and Mariemont Theaters Host Annual Interactive ‘White Christmas’ Screening — with Some COVID Updates
If you’ve been dreaming of singing about a white Christmas, the Esquire and Mariemont theaters are transforming into an interactive White Christmas event, where crowd participation is highly encouraged. While the typical campy holiday experience has had to undergo some changes due to COVID-19 — including no singing and socially distant seating — the theaters say themed…
Owners of Newport’s Pompilios Italian Restaurant Purchase Historic Sweet Tooth Candy & Ice Cream
A Newport establishment nearly a half-a-century in the making will continue its legacy after community business owners have taken over so the current owners may retire. Sweet Tooth Candy & Ice Cream, located at 125 W. 11th St., has been in the dessert biz since 1972. But after former owner Bob Schneider and his wife…
Rapid Testing Is Less Accurate Than the Government Wants to Admit
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. The promise of antigen tests emerged like a miracle this summer. With repeated use, the theory went, these rapid and cheap coronavirus tests would identify highly infectious people while giving healthy Americans…
Cincinnati Is One of the Worst Cities in America for Stolen Packages and ‘Porch Pirates’ During COVID-19
Online shopping has become quite prevalent since the pandemic began — especially during the holidays — as it offers a way to avoid going to stores in-person while ordering goods from the comfort (and safety) of your couch. But with convenience comes the potential for disruption, according to a study by an Illinois-based bidding company.…
Where to Recycle Broken or Unwanted Christmas Lights in Greater Cincinnati
Stringing up your holiday decor and discovering that messy tangle of lights is impossible to unravel? Or just plain dead? If you want to avoid Santa's naughty list, you'll recycle those old Christmas lights instead of tossing them in the trash. First off, some lights contain mercury, which will leech into the ground if the…
Bruce Cromer and the Cincinnati Playhouse Bring ‘A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play’ to WVXU
Earlier this year, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park made the decision to cancel its annual production of A Christmas Carol — a fact that saddened even the most miserly of holiday Scrooges. The staging of the Charles Dickens classic (adapted for theater by Howard Dallin) is a three-decade-old local tradition and was already slated to see some changes…
Kentucky Reports Its Deadliest Day of the Pandemic on Tuesday
"No way to sugarcoat it: Today is the very worst day we have had for reporting on the spread of the coronavirus and it is the deadliest day that we have had,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear during Tuesday's COVID briefing. “This is exponential growth." As of 4 p.m. Dec. 1, Kentucky had 4,151 new cases of…
Covington Adopts New Rules for Feral Cats and Those Who Care for Them
The City of Covington and its Board of Commissioners has adopted a new slate of rules when it comes to the care of feral, or community, cats. The recent additions to its animal control ordinance mirror those within greater Kenton County and its Animal Services office. Kenton County's "Community Cat Program" is a trap-neuter-return and vaccination program,…
Bills to Repeal or Change House Bill 6 Resurface in Ohio’s Lame-Duck Session
Ohio's controversial energy-bailout legislation at the center of a bribery scandal is getting some new attention in Columbus this week. Lawmakers in both chambers are discussing bills that would either repeal or alter House Bill 6 — which would fund $1.6 billion in utility subsidies through a new customer surcharge. The 2019 legislation is at…
ArtsWave Celebrates Women in the Arts with ‘Power of Her’ Holiday Shop
Inspired by the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, ArtsWave has been honoring women in the arts with the movement Power of Her. This movement was designed to celebrate and bring to light the importance of female artists and leaders in the Cincinnati area and their impact on the community. "At its core, POWER OF HER underscores…
Frisch’s Giving Away Free Coffee to First Responders All December Long
Frisch’s Big Boy and local Rooted Grounds Coffee want to thank first responders by handing out free coffee. Starting Dec. 1 and running through the entire month of December at all participating Big Boy locations, just show off your valid badge or ID card indicating you are any sort of first responder to get a…
UC Health Implements New Surgery Restrictions, Expands ICU Capacity In Response to COVID Hospital Surge
Due to the current wave of COVID cases in the area — and resulting increase in hospitalizations — UC Health has implemented "an enhanced level of surge operations" to attempt to mitigate the stress on both facility capacity and frontline health care workers. As of Monday, UC Health will only be performing "medically-necessary, time-sensitive surgeries…
Barbeque Babies Rejoice: Chipotle is Testing Smoked Brisket in Cincinnati for a Limited Time
If you love barbecue, and you also love Tex-Mex-inspired casual cuisine, then what I'm about to tell you might excite your taste buds. Popular restaurant chain Chipotle is testing a new protein in Cincinnati (and a portion of Sacramento, California): smoked brisket. The brisket is available for a limited time, and features the smoked meat,…
Cincy Winter Beerfest Postponed Until 2022
Yes, another one bites the dust. And by "one" we mean downtown's annual Cincy Winter Beerfest — a weekend-long festival devoted to beer… and eating homemade pretzel necklaces. Organizers behind the event made the decision to postpone the festival (which was scheduled for March 6-7 at the Duke Energy Convention Center, aka where The Simpsons' Principal…
COVID Shutdowns Don’t Need to Be All or Nothing
We were warned this might happen. While millions stayed home last spring, looking to summer for respite from the virus, experts worried that an even larger fall surge was around the corner. We’ve rounded that corner. As cases and hospitalizations reach record levels across Europe and the United States, leaders are being forced to make…
Watch: Greg Dulli’s New ‘Lockless’ Music Video, Shot in New Orleans During COVID Lockdown
Singer/songwriter Greg Dulli — a Hamilton, Ohio native and co-founder of The Afghan Whigs, one of Cincinnati's all-time greatest musical exports — released his first official solo album, Random Desire, earlier this year. Dulli had to cancel his Woodward Theater tour stop in support of the album due to COVID — after it was rescheduled from…
‘An Explosion.’ Ohio’s New COVID-19 Cases Doubled in November from Prior Month
A whopping 186,000 Ohioans — about 1.5% of the state’s population — tested positive for COVID-19 in November compared to about 72,000 in the prior month, according to state data. The data is preliminary and likely an undercount given the prevalence of asymptomatic cases, the holiday week slowing down reporting from labs and local health…
Applications Now Open for Kentucky’s Restaurant and Bar Relief Fund
In November, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear implemented six new statewide restrictions to help control the spread of COVID across the Commonwealth. The restrictions went into effect Nov. 20 and will last until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 13. They include further limiting the amount of people at gatherings (the max is now eight), limiting venue attendance, reducing…
Beshear: First Dose of December Vaccine to Go to Long-Term Care Residents and Healthcare Workers
During his COVID press briefing on Monday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the Commonwealth is expected to get 38,000 doses of the novel coronavirus vaccine as early as mid-December. "At least the two that we know a lot about right now — as long as the data holds — are miracles," said Beshear, referencing the…
State Rep. Becker Files Articles of Impeachment Against DeWine for COVID Response
When state Rep. John Becker’s summer plan to impeach Gov. Mike DeWine received quick endorsements from three legislative colleagues, he hoped the momentum would snowball throughout the end of 2020. That did not happen. In social media posts and Statehouse speeches, Republican lawmakers have criticized the governor’s handling of COVID-19. They’ve complained about a lack…
