Review: ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ is a Roadtrip Comedy that Puts Lesbians in the Driver’s Seat
One of the many pleasures — and occasional frustrations — of the Coen Brothers is their predictable unpredictability. From the outset of their career — which began with the markedly dissimilar (and remarkably accomplished) quartet of Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink — Joel and Ethan Coen have refused to conform to…
Confessions of a Twenty-Something in Cincinnati: Greek Life Beyond Bama
I didn’t have a gender growing up. While I was born female and raised as a good Christian girl, my gender didn’t align with that, not really. Before I was diagnosed as autistic, I was “developmentally delayed.” Post-diagnosis, I was just autistic. Any other aspects of my identity were secondary, if not isolated, and my…
The Cincinnati Observatory is Selling Glasses for April’s Total Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse will take over the sky in Greater Cincinnati this spring, and the Cincinnati Observatory has the item you’ll need to view it safely. On April 8, the sun will be fully obscured by the moon, causing a visible solar corona to the naked eye for a few precious minutes. In full…
Coroner ID’s Human Remains Discovered in February from 2022 Missing Person Case
Skeletal remains discovered near a park in the Fairmount neighborhood have been linked to a 2022 missing persons case. The Hamilton County Coroner announced on Feb. 20 that the skeletal remains recovered near St. Clair Heights Park on Iroquois Street on Feb. 14 belong to Ronald King. King was reported missing in April 2022. While the…
Revolution Dance Theatre’s BLACKOUT Fuses Hip-Hop, Ballet and Spoken Word
Revolution Dance Theatre (RDT), Cincinnati’s first African American professional ballet, is hosting a unique performance this weekend that will fuse hip-hop, ballet and spoken word in a celebration of Black culture. “BLACKOUT” will be held in the Aronoff Center for the Arts’ Jarson-Kaplan Theater and will feature Siri Imani, a lauded singer, songwriter, poet, emcee…
National Arts Organization Offers New Grant for Underrepresented Artists in Cincinnati and Beyond
A national arts organization that prides itself on spotlighting underrepresented artists is offering a brand new grant to those artists in Cincinnati and beyond. Bader+Simon, which is scheduled to open a gallery in Over-the-Rhine in 2025, is offering its first-ever Empowerment Grant. The organization calls it a groundbreaking initiative that will provide a platform for…
Human, Financial Costs of Gun Violence are Growing Dramatically, Health Care Group Says
Last week’s mass shooting amid a Kansas City Super Bowl parade was another reminder that despite claims that more guns make us safer, actual experience shows the opposite to be the case. Two juveniles are charged in that incident, which killed two and injured 22 others — more than half of whom were children. In…
Key Takeaways From Monday’s U.S. Senate Ohio Republican Primary Debate
Ohio’s Republican U.S. Senate primary candidates met for their second of three debates at the University of Findlay Monday evening. Secretary of State Frank LaRose, state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, and entrepreneur Bernie Moreno sat side-by-side on stage. The winner of the March 19 primary will face Democratic Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in…
Rep. Greg Landsman Heading to Middle East for ‘Strategic Discussions’ with Israeli, Egyptian Leaders
Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) will travel to the Middle East on Feb. 18 as a part of a House delegation for “strategic discussions on the Israel-Hamas war.” In a Feb. 16 press release, Landsman said he will travel to Egypt and Israel in the coming days, listing three main objectives for the trip: 1. Bringing…
New App Helps You Keep Track of All of Greater Cincinnati’s Fish Frys During Lent
It’s the Lenten season in Cincinnati, which can only mean one thing: fish fry Fridays are back (that, and someone you know has given up chocolate for the next 40 days). So many churches — plus assorted savvy eateries — in Greater Cincinnati are offering some type of special fried fish dish on Fridays, but…
Annual Stealing of the Statue Kicks Off Cincinnati’s St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
While we count down the days until the 56th annual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the first of the festivities celebrating the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland will happen this weekend with some all-in-good-fun statue-napping. The “Stealing of the Statue” is an annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Mt. Adams. It kicks…
Fresh Bailout and Bribery Indictments Raise Questions About What Ohio Gov. DeWine Knew and When
The announcement Monday of new felony indictments against players in Ohio’s massive bribery scandal is again raising questions about what Gov. Mike DeWine knew before and after he nominated Sam Randazzo to be the top utility regulator in the state. The indictment contained new allegations of a long, nefarious relationship between Randazzo, one of the…
Cincinnati City Council Declines to Introduce Israel/Hamas Ceasefire Resolution
Cincinnati City Council declined Wednesday to draft a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, deciding no language proposed would be enough to please the city’s Arab, Palestinian and Jewish communities. “At this time, I do not believe council should take up this issue,” Mayor Aftab Pureval said, also discussing the work he and council…
Wenzel Whiskey Bourbon Named ‘Best American Blended Limited Release’ at World Whiskies Awards
Covington distillery Wenzel Whiskey is celebrating after a win at the annual World Whiskies Awards. Put on by Whisky Magazine, the World Whiskies Awards were held Feb. 8 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville and featured whiskies from around the world. Each entry into the awards is evaluated blind by independent spirits experts. Wenzel Whiskey’s…
Japanese Convenience Store Daruma to Open in Downtown Cincinnati Friday
A new Japanese convenience store, called a konbini, is opening in downtown Cincinnati’s Court Street Plaza. Local chef Hideki Harada, who owns Japanese restaurant Kiki in College Hill and Sen, a fish and seafood butcher shop in Findlay Market, will hold a grand opening for Daruma Friday, Feb. 16 starting at 11 a.m. “I’m really…
New Skeletal Remains Found in North Fairmount Not Believed to be Linked to Jane Doe Case
The Cincinnati Police Department is conducting a death investigation in the Fairmount neighborhood after skeletal remains were found on Feb. 14. CPD said the remains were found near the 1700 block of Fairmount Avenue, but did not specify how the remains were discovered. Lt. Jonathan Cunningham said the remains are believed to be associated with…
Bipartisan Ohio House Bill Seeks to Lower Insulin Costs
A bipartisan bill filed last week by two Ohio House lawmakers would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin and devices used in the treatment of diabetes. The move comes after the Biden administration in 2022 capped costs for Medicare patients and after the big manufacturers themselves have begun taking steps to bring down prices. The bill,…
Ohio Democrats Introduce Education Bills for Universal School Meals, Teacher Pay Raises
Two new education bills have been introduced by Democrats in the Ohio House: One to establish universal school meals for any students who request it, and another to increase base teacher salaries to $50,000 per year. The future of the proposed laws is uncertain with Republican supermajorities controlling both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate.…
Cincinnati Author’s LGBTQ+ Novella Offers Important Perspective for all Audiences
With his debut novella, local author Seth Walker set out to tell a story that he thinks wasn’t represented enough in the literary world for how often it occurs in real life. Walker grew up in Greater Cincinnati, where he spent a lot of time in his local library and discovered a passion for storytelling.…
On Party Lines, Kentucky Senate OKs Bill to Curb Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Higher Education
Kentucky Senate Republicans passed a bill aimed at curbing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public universities and colleges Tuesday. Senate Bill 6 was sent to the House on a party line vote with 26 Republicans voting in favor and seven Democrats voting against it. The sponsor, Senate Republican Whip Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, said…
How are GOP Candidates Campaigning on Abortion in a Post-Issue 1 Ohio?
Last year, Ohioans voted resoundingly in favor of the abortion rights amendment, Issue 1, with 57% support. They also soundly rejected a bid to raise the threshold for passing amendments broadly understood as a proxy for abortion rights, also with a vote of 57%. The state Democratic party has made no secret of its plans to…
Councilmember Reggie Harris, Human Rights Campaign to Hold Town Hall on HB 68 Rollout
Cincinnati city councilmember Reggie Harris has organized a town hall event about anti-transgender legislation, House Bill 68. Harris told CityBeat he’ll be co-hosting the event with representatives from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “I think it’s really important for HRC, that they show up in a real sort of grassroots way with the community. They…
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Cincinnati by Throwing Your Ex’s Things in a Dump Truck
It’s time to dump your ex all over again — or it’s your turn to do the dumping — at a special anti-Valentine’s Day fundraiser in Springdale. “For those who need a clean slate this Valentine’s Day, Junk King Cincinnati — the region’s leading eco-friendly junk removal company— is bringing all those with a broken…
City Leaders Reveal Plan to Curb Youth Violence in Cincinnati Following Downtown Attacks
Cincinnati city leaders have unveiled a new partnership with local hospitals they hope will reduce violent crime among the city’s youth. During a Feb. 13 press conference, City Manager Sheryl Long said violent crime is actually down in the city, but a more concerning trend has prompted action from City Hall. “Overall, violent crime is down…
Gold Star Chili to Celebrate Cincinnati Chili Week by Giving Out Free Chili For a Year
The inaugural Cincinnati Chili Week kicks off Monday, Feb. 19, and to celebrate, one of its participating restaurants is doing it up big. During Chili Week, Gold Star Chili will have three special meal deals ranging from $5-$7. You can get two cheese coneys for $5; a 3-, 4- or 5-way for $6 or a…
Guest Commentary: In Ohio and at the U.S. Supreme Court, Judges Who Refuse to Recuse are Undermining Public Confidence
It’s the tale of two courts with ethically challenged Supremes adjudicating cases they have no business adjudicating. Obviously compromised justices on the Ohio Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court — with glaring conflicts of interest on issues before the courts that scream for recusal — playact as neutral arbiters of the law they place…
Ex-First Energy Executives, Ohio Utility Regulator Charged by State in Bailout and Bribery Scandal
Ohio law enforcement authorities on Monday filed numerous felony charges against two former FirstEnergy executives and a former top utility regulator in what has been called the biggest bribery and money-laundering scandal in Ohio history. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced scores of felony charges against a former regulator who also has been charged federally,…
Preservation Group Wants You to Show Your Love for Coney Island This Valentine’s Day
A group leading an effort to save Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool is offering others the chance to show their love for the historic amusement park. Many were devastated after it was announced in December that Music and Events Management Inc. (MEMI), a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), purchased Coney Island and has plans…
Come a Little Closer, Because Dierks Bentley is Bringing His New Tour to Cincinnati
Country music star Dierks Bentley is bringing a “full-on party” to Cincinnati this summer. The “Drunk on a Plane” singer announced more than 30 new dates for his Gravel & Gold tour, in support of his latest album of the same name. Cincinnati will host Bentley at Riverbend Music Center on Saturday, June 15. Fellow…
Cincinnati NAACP Unveils Civic Engagement Bus to Drive Voter Turnout
The Cincinnati NAACP is mobilizing to drive up voter registration and turnout in marginalized communities. Unveiled on Feb. 12, the NAACP Mobile Civic Engagement Unit is a bus retrofitted with computer stations, printers and WI-FI that will travel to historically marginalized neighborhoods that tend to see low voter turnout. During the monthly and special outreach…
Ohio Lawmaker Wants to Require Encryption, Other Standards for Texting
Ohio lawmakers have some new ideas for how you use your phone. No, it doesn’t have anything to do with TikTok, and it doesn’t change new texting-while-driving laws. Instead, Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, wants to mandate heightened security measures for text messaging. The problem is it might run afoul of federal law. Safe texting At…
Ohio House Passes Bill That Would Add Capitalism-Friendly Concepts to High School Curriculum
An Ohio bill adding capitalism to a high school financial literacy credit is one step closer to becoming law. The Ohio House passed Senate Bill 17 with a 66-26 vote during Wednesday’s session. Four democrats voted for SB 17 — Bride Rose Sweeney, Dani Isaacsohn, Elliot Forhan and Richard Dell’Aquila. Every senator voted for SB…
