Cover Story
Shitstorm: Can Steve Raleigh Outrun the Storm of Scandal?
A dark cloud with damaging effects has moved overhead of a beloved local weatherman, Steve Raleigh. No, this front is not hocking hail or twisting up wind tunnels, but a flood of scrutiny not even FEMA can fix. Steve Raleigh, chief meteorologist for WCPO 9 News, has been off air for over a month since…
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Joe Deters Says Ohio Constitution Should be Harder to Amend
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Joe Deters thinks it’s too easy to change the Ohio Constitution, he said recently on a Buckeye Firearms Association podcast. Deters, an incumbent Republican justice, is on the ballot for the state’s high court this November, but not for the seat he’s currently occupying. Deters chose instead to challenge incumbent Democratic…
Swing States Prepare for Vote Certification Showdown in November
Clairene Jorella was furious. In the northern stretches of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the Crawford County Board of Canvassers had just opened its meeting to certify the August primary when Jorella, 83 years old and one of two Democrats on the panel, laid into her Republican counterparts. Glaring, she said she was gobsmacked by the partisan…
River Circus ‘Flotsam’ to Dock at Sawyer Point This Weekend
A ragtag troupe of circus performers is coming to Cincinnati this weekend, but they won’t be arriving by plane, train or automobile. Like a storybook come to life, Flotsam River Circus will arrive in the Queen City on a handmade raft that will float them down the Ohio River. The troupe, made up of musicians,…
Citizens Caught in Ohio Noncitizen Voting Audit Say Latest Letter Offers Incomplete Information
Since initially flagging hundreds of alleged noncitizens on Ohio’s voter rolls, Sec. of State Frank LaRose has begun sending letters to those who are, in fact, citizens. The letter congratulates them “on being an active participant in our democracy!” and encourages them to make sure their records are up to date. And to two recently…
Fairfield to Host Beatles Rooftop Tribute Band and Festival
Come Together, a touring Beatles tribute band, is making their Cincinnati debut Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Community Arts Center in Fairfield with over two hours of Beatles jams and a balcony view. The group, composed of six members each with individual experience with live music and event production, worked to create Come Together as…
concertnova Announces New Leadership, 2024-25 Season
concertnova, the innovative collective known for pushing the boundaries of classical music, is stepping into a new era with the announcement of its 18th season. This milestone year brings not only a fresh season of immersive collaboration, but also significant changes in their leadership. After 17 seasons of remarkable direction, co-founders Ixi Chen and Ted…
Hamilton County Dems Condemn Latest Efforts to Tamp Down ‘Voter Fraud’
Hamilton County Democrats have delivered a resounding condemnation of voting restrictions proposed by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. In a letter to Senate President Matt Huffman and House Speaker Jason Stephens from Aug. 29 – first obtained by the Toledo Blade – LaRose recommends numerous changes to how Ohio’s elections are conducted. The alterations…
Greater Cincinnati Fashion Show to Celebrate Future of Sustainable Outdoor Clothing
A fashion show celebrating the future of sustainable and outdoor apparel returns to Greater Cincinnati this month. Roads Rivers and Trails (RRT), an outdoor store in Milford, and Adventure Crew, a nonprofit that connects local city teens with nature and each other through outdoor adventures, are hosting their fifth-annual Outdoor Fashion Show & Fundraiser at…
‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Revisited: Breathitt County, J.D. and Me
Sigmund Freud says we embrace mythical origin stories of leaders, warriors and saints to disguise their true identity and to give them mystical powers or political agency. Freud gives the example of Moses in the Bible, who grew up as a young man of wealth and privilege in Pharaoh’s palace. However, we do not think…
Ohio Family Moves to New York Because of Anti-Transgender Legislation
Shannon Gallagher and her family saw the writing on the wall as bills targeting transgender youth were being introduced in the Ohio Statehouse last year. Their youngest child Alex, now 17, is transgender non-binary and their family no longer felt welcome in Ohio, so they moved to New York City last fall. “It was not…
Cincinnati’s Talk Low Music Festival Wants to Change the Way We Listen to Experimental Music
The Talk Low Music Festival is bringing five days of experimental music to Cincinnati this month, spanning three local venues and featuring artists from all over the world. The festival’s objective is to create a unique context for deep listening. “Deep listening has an academic context, which means a way of listening to music that…
Mini Golf, Restaurant and Bar Concept Opens at Newport on the Levee
A new miniature golf concept is now open at Newport on the Levee. Par 3, located on the Promenade level next to The Galley food hall, calls itself an innovative and modern approach to traditional mini golf that focuses on “competitive socializing” through interactive gameplay. The venue is open to guests of all ages and…
Techie Eats: How Cincinnati Restaurants Are Thriving Online
Like many others worldwide, Cincinnati’s restaurant industry has faced significant challenges over recent years. It took a while for many food establishments to get their feet off the ground, especially after the pandemic. However, through the innovative use of technology, many Cincinnati eateries have not only survived but thrived. Last year, many Cincinnati restaurants experienced…
BBQ Joint Sweets & Meats to Open Dine-In Restaurant in Avondale
Popular Cincinnati BBQ joint Sweets & Meats is opening a new dine-in restaurant this September. The new brick-and-mortar space will be located in Avondale at 3440 Burnet Ave. inside the Herald Building at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The official opening will be Wednesday, Sept. 11, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony following on Thursday, Sept. 12. “We are…
Cincinnati Zoo Helps Re-establish Extinct-in-the-Wild Bird Species
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is helping save the world, one animal at a time. The zoo recently played a major role in a program that would help re-establish a bird species that’s been extinct in the wild since the ‘80s. In a press release, the zoo says nine sihek, or Guam kingfisher, chicks…
Anti-Gerrymandering Advocates Say Ohio Supreme Court Should Tell Ballot Board to ‘Start Over’
Advocates pushing an anti-gerrymandering amendment in Ohio to remove politicians from mapmaking in favor of a citizen commission said the state’s ballot board should be forced to start over on summary language for the November proposal. Attorneys said the proposed amendment would ban partisan gerrymandering “by setting forth robust redistricting criteria to ensure fair maps,…
Ohio Republicans Introduce a Bill to Update the State’s College Athlete NIL Law
College football season kicks off this weekend in Ohio and a pair of Republican lawmakers are trying to get rid of gray areas in the state’s name, image and likeness (NIL) law. State Reps. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, and Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, announced Wednesday they will introduce a bill that would update Ohio’s NIL law. “This…
Newport and Covington Adopt a Bicycle Transportation Plan
Northern Kentucky cities Covington and Newport recently adopted a plan to connect and expand their bicycle infrastructure. Local transportation advocacy nonprofit Tri-State Trails spearheaded the Covington + Newport Bicycle Transportation Plan. After over a year of collaboration between the cities and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the City of Newport Commission adopted the plan on Aug.…
Local, State Agencies Given Millions in Grants to Combat Drug Addiction
Nearly $5.5 million in grant funding has been awarded to reduce the impact of opioids, stimulants and other illegal substances in Ohio’s communities, according to a press release shared by the Office of Criminal Justice Services on Aug. 28. The funding for these grants comes from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP),…
How Project 2025’s Education Policies Mirror Ohio Bills and Universal Private School Vouchers
From universal private school vouchers to stripping away diversity and inclusion requirements, censoring classrooms, and targeting LGBTQ students — some of Ohio’s education laws and bills mirror the goals outlined for a second Trump administration in Project 2025. Project 2025 is a Presidential Transition Project written by the Heritage Foundation that spells out the first…
Prison Populations Impact Rural, Urban Power in Ohio’s Census and Redistricting
Anti-gerrymandering groups in Ohio and nationally are looking to correct what they say is a representational flaw in redistricting regarding prison populations. As it stands now, those incarcerated in the country’s state and federal prisons are counted in the U.S. Census every 10 years as residents of the county in which their facility sits. Groups…
UPDATE: Abortion Patients Already Benefiting from Ohio’s 24-Hour Rule Pause
Ohio’s 24-hour waiting period law for abortion patients has been put on pause by a Franklin County judge since Aug. 23, effective immediately. The 24-hour law, which required patients seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after a consultation appointment to think about their decision, is being challenged by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyers…
Bofa Barter Night Brings Live Music and Art Supply Swap to Northside
Bofa Barter Night, an event celebrating the visual and sonic arts is coming to Northside on Friday, Aug. 30 from 6-11 p.m. Northside, though just a two-mile stretch along Hamilton Avenue and its cross streets, is a buzzing hub for all things arts. With a variety of local businesses, restaurants, cafes and music venues, the…
Rhinegeist to Host Inaugural Oktoberfest Celebration
Rhinegeist is giving us a reason to raise our steins as it launches a new Oktoberfest celebration in its Over-the-Rhine taproom. OTRberfest is a unique, community-focused Oktoberfest event bringing together several local businesses and celebrating all things beer in the heart of Cincinnati’s historic German brewing district. The event starts at noon Friday, Sept. 6…
New Bronze Marker Outside City Hall Memorializes Black Lives Matter Mural
Despite the scorching heat, about one hundred people gathered outside City Hall on Wednesday to celebrate the unveiling of a new bronze marker commemorating the “Black Lives Matter!” mural on Plum Street. “This stands as a testament to Cincinnati’s willingness to confront difficult truths and fight for justice,” said Alandes Powell, the Executive Director of…
ArtWorks’ New Gathering Space to be Named the Hannan ArtPark
ArtWorks’ newest gathering space in Walnut Hills, set to open in early November, will be named the Hannan ArtPark presented by Fifth Third Foundation. The space will accompany the organization’s newest permanent location in Walnut Hills. ArtWorks is a local nonprofit organization that works to bring community-based art to the Greater Cincinnati area, as well…
Sherrod Brown Campaign Launches ‘AAPI for Sherrod’ Coalition with Cincinnati Mayor
The Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign launched “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) for Sherrod” coalition. Brown is running for re-election for his U.S. Senate seat against Republican challenger Bernie Moreno, a hard-line immigration reform Republican. Moreno, an immigrant from Colombia, supports former President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan. Axios reported in early August, if…
As College Football Season Starts, Ohio Lawmakers Push for Streaming Restrictions
This Saturday, Ohio State kicks off its college football season against the University of Akron. And whether you’re rooting for the Buckeyes or the Zips, you’ll be able to watch the game on CBS. To the average football fan, that’s really all that’s important. But in an increasingly fractured media landscape, that’s looking less and…
Economic Issues, Climate Change, Gun Violence and Abortion Are Top of Mind for Young Ohio Voters
Forty-one million members of Gen Z can vote in this year’s election and money is on their minds. Economic issues — including inflation, cost of living and jobs that pay a living wage — are top of mind for young people when it comes to the 2024 Presidential Election, according to the Center for Information and…
New Jungle Jim’s Display to Sell Findlay Market Kitchen Members’ Products
A new display at Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield will highlight some budding entrepreneurs in Cincinnati’s food industry. The display will highlight a wide array of consumer packaged goods from members of Findlay Kitchen, an incubator for food entrepreneurs looking to start, grow and scale their businesses. The space will also serve as a…
Cincinnati’s Underground Allure Lands it on Magazine’s ‘Must-See Fall Destinations’ List
You don’t have to travel far to get to one of the best fall destinations in the Midwest, according to magazine Midwest Living. In fact, it may even just be right outside your door. When summer fades, Cincinnati brims with the autumnal charms of pumpkin spice, colorful leaves and even a little bit of spookiness…
Louisville Bar Galaxie Expanding to Covington This Fall
A Louisville-based bar, restaurant and music venue is expanding to Covington. On Tuesday, local real estate agency Comey & Shepherd Realtors announced it brokered a deal with Louisville bar Galaxie and financer Blue Bridge Holdings, LLC to redevelop the former ACME Lock building at 815 Madison Ave. Renovations are underway, with the space expected to…
J.D. Vance Has Told Some Whoppers. Does it Stick When He Calls Someone Else a Liar?
Since Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 6 tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance has been attacking Walz’s credibility. Vance has questioned Walz’s honesty about his military service and the artificial insemination method Walz and his wife used. “Why lie about it?” Vance said to reporters last week…
November’s Ohio Supreme Court Races Will Have a Huge Impact in the Coming Years
Three Ohio Supreme Court seats will be up for grabs during the November election. The outcomes will decide the balance of the court and have major impacts on a wide variety of issues that affect the lives of Ohioans, from education and environmental issues to gerrymandering and elections to civil and reproductive rights. Partisan labels…
Review: Green Day’s Show in Cincinnati was an Exciting Journey into the Past
On the evening of Aug. 22, I was 15 again. Green Day performed for tens of thousands of excited fans at Great American Ball Park, and I was there to witness it. Every song on “The Saviors Tour” took me back to my high school days blasting Green Day’s Dookie album from my portable CD…
Review: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Dials up a Thriller for its Fall Season
“Contrast” might be the byword of the Cincinnati Playhouse’s production of Dial M for Murder. It’s a stylish noir murder mystery with numerous twists and turns. Inspired by (but evolved from) Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 cinematic thriller of the same name in terms of style — lots of abrupt dramatic shifts from angular darkness to brilliant…
Great Parks to Build New Network of Trails Along Little Miami River
Great Parks, Hamilton County’s park system, is building a new network of natural surface trails along the Little Miami River and its Scenic Trail, providing more diversified recreational options to the area for hikers, runners and mountain bikers. Construction is set to begin on the first of these trails: a 1.5-mile one at Avoca Trailhead…
Vance to Attend Fundraisers in Kentucky as Trump Travels to Swing States
As former Republican President Donald Trump makes his case to swing state voters, his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, is heading to the red state of Kentucky to raise money. Trump was scheduled to be in Michigan Monday to address the National Guard Association of the United States conference. Trump held rallies…
Kentucky Amendment 2 Would Send Tax Dollars to Church Schools
Many Kentucky churches are losing members and money, but they’re hoping taxpayers will vote to bail them out of their financial problems. Church lobbyists pushed Amendment 2 onto the November ballot, and if their scheme passes, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars will flow into questionable religious schools operated in church basements across the commonwealth. …
UPDATE: Ohio’s 24-Hour Waiting Period Abortion Law Paused by Judge
An Ohio law requiring a 24-hour waiting period before abortion services will not be enforced as a lawsuit seeking to eliminate the law entirely sees its way through court, a judge ruled on Friday. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge David C. Young not only put a temporary pause on the 24-hour waiting period,…
Cincinnati Advocates are Improving Medical Care for Female Veterans, Building Community
Lora Thompson, a Cincinnati veteran, served in the military for over 38 years. It wasn’t until 2018, a year before she retired, that she discovered the Greater Cincinnati Women’s American Legion Post 644, an all-female post dedicated to women veterans. “How in the world do you go 30-some years without knowing about an all-women’s post…
Step Back in Time at Cincinnati Museum Center’s 1940s Day
Take a step back in time this August and experience Union Terminal in its train station heyday during 1940s Day. 1940s Day is Cincinnati Museum Center’s annual celebration of the decade that featured pin curls, roaring warbirds and a pivotal era in United States history — one that the museum’s building played a role in.…
EssayPro As a Solution to the Negative Effects of AI in Education
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how students approach their studies. Tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular as a way to tackle assignments. While these tools offer convenience, they also pose serious risks. Plagiarism, compromised academic integrity, and severe disciplinary action are real concerns. Schools are working hard to find a balance between embracing ChatGPT in…
Fan-Favorite Asianati Night Market to Return for BLINK 2024
A fan favorite is returning for this year’s BLINK. This year, Asianati Night Market promises to once again bring tons of delicious food vendors, art installations, experiences and games to downtown Cincinnati for the immersive art and light festival. BLINK returns Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20, and Asianati Night Market will set up on Court Street Plaza…
Hamilton County Warns About Increased Spread of Crypto (No, it’s Not Money)
Hamilton County Public Health is warning people to swim with caution and bathe frequently in light of a recent increase in a diarrheal disease called Cryptosporidiosis. The gastrointestinal illness is a result of Cryptosporidium, also known as Crypto. Not to be mistaken with digital currency, this Crypto is a microscopic parasite that spreads via the…
Too Many Kids Can’t Afford Pay-to-Play in Ohio School Athletics
At my high school, detention is free. But if you want to make a game-winning catch that will cost you. High school athletics are a cherished part of communities across Ohio. Including one of the nation’s most storied high school rivalries, which pits Massillon against Canton McKinley. Their football matchups have been called the OSU-Michigan…
Ohio School-to-Prison Pipeline Bolstered by ‘Exclusionary Discipline’ and Absenteeism
“Student disconnection” spurred on by mental health factors, disproportionate discipline and a lack of in-school supports plays its part in driving Ohio’s absenteeism rate, according to a new report from an Ohio think tank. That absenteeism, and the contributing factors of it, can create “an entry point in the school-to-prison pipeline,” according to Policy Matters…
Hamilton County Approves $16.2M for New Cincinnati Animal Shelter and Facility Upgrades
Cincinnati’s animal welfare scene is getting a significant upgrade. Hamilton County Commissioners have authorized a $10 million investment to purchase land for a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter for Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), Hamilton County’s only open-intake animal shelter. The project also includes an additional $6.2 million for renovating Cincinnati Animal CARE’s existing overflow facility on…
Eastern European Restaurant Sudova Announces Grand Opening
Sudova, a highly anticipated Eastern European restaurant from Sarah Dworak, who also owns Babushka Piergois at Findlay Market and founded Wodka Bar in Over-the-Rhine, has set a grand opening date. The restaurant, located at 22 W. Court St. in downtown Cincinnati, is set to open Thursday, Aug. 29, with hours from 5-10 p.m. on that…
Heritage Village Museum’s Columbia Settlement 1788 Explores Early Cincinnati History
You can take a step back in time to the early days of Cincinnati history at the Heritage Village Museum this weekend. The museum, located in Sharon Woods in Sharonville, will host the Columbia Settlement 1788 event on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can learn more about the first Anglo-American…
Cincinnati’s Summerfair Named One of the Best Art Shows in the Country
A Cincinnati arts festival is getting national attention after once again being named one of the best shows for artists in the country. Sunshine Artist magazine recently released its “200 Best” list, which ranks the most profitable art and craft festivals in the United States based on artists’ reported sales. Cincinnati’s premier art show, Summerfair,…
Ohio Gun Safety Advocates Settle Court Case Over State’s Background Check System
The cities of Dayton and Columbus as well as Everytown For Gun Safety settled a four years-long court battle this week with the state of Ohio over the criminal background check system. The program is a well-known protection to ensure people with serious criminal convictions aren’t able to purchase a firearm, but it’s also used…
KY Housing Shortage Will Worsen Without Action, Low-Income Renters Most Vulnerable, Says Study
A leader of a national real estate research firm says if no action is taken over the next five years on Kentucky’s housing shortage, more Kentuckians could be forced to live in substandard housing, live with family or friends in crowded spaces, deal with severe housing costs or become homeless. Patrick Bowen, the president of…
Two Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Make Yelp List of Top 100 Midwest Pizza Spots
Two Greater Cincinnati restaurants have some of the best pizza, according to a new report from Yelp. The report, published Wednesday, ranked the top 100 pizza joints in the Midwest, with both Il Gusto Pizza & Pasta in Deer Park and Two Cities Pizza Company in Mason making the list. The top spot went to…
City will Unveil New Black Lives Matter Installation Outside City Hall
The City of Cincinnati will unveil a new installation honoring the Black Lives Matter movement outside City Hall on Aug. 28. The “BLM! Bronze Marker” will be installed to the right of City Hall’s entrance, according to a new release about the project. The marker will serve as “a permanent tribute to the ongoing struggle…
Cincinnati Art Museum Unveils Mobile Art Studio
Van Go[gh], indeed! The Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) is on the move as it rolls out its new art studio on wheels. The “CAM Cruiser” aims to bring art-making and engagement to people of all ages throughout Greater Cincinnati, offering a variety of staff-guided, educational and fun activities from a specially designed van. While CAM…
Cincinnati Zoo Offers Half-Price Admission to Hamilton County Residents This Weekend
Hamilton County, Ohio, residents can get half-price admission to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden this weekend. The zoo says it’s hosting Hamilton County Appreciation Days Friday-Sunday, Aug. 23-25 as a thank-you to the county, its residents and their continued support. The discount also aims to make the zoo more accessible to everyone this weekend.…
3CDC to Host Launch Party to Celebrate Downtown Cincinnati’s New Fountain District
The area around Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati has a new name and image, and the public is invited to come celebrate those with a special launch party Labor Day weekend. In July, 3CDC unveiled new branding for the heart of downtown Cincinnati. “The Fountain District” helps identify the area around Fountain Square that features…
Ohio School Districts Use Surveillance Software to Monitor Student Devices
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs support now call, text or chat the 988 Lifeline. Ohio’s largest school district recently started using surveillance software on students’ devices. Columbus City Schools partnered with Gaggle — a Texas-based student safety technology company that provides constant surveillance — at the end of last…
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tests Positive for COVID As Cases Rise
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced he was positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, noting the rising levels of the virus throughout the state. DeWine’s office announced the governor had tested positive Tuesday morning, after experiencing “mild, cold-like symptoms … including sneezing and a runny nose.” Under the advice of his doctor, DeWine’s office said he has…
