Photo: Aidan Mahoney
Paycor Stadium is a scary jungle for people trying to breastfeed, Cincinnati Bengals players say.
If it's not a tornado blowing through town, it's baffling legislation from the Ohio Statehouse. This week saw a slew of revelations, from how much Ohio politicians have received in donations from Norfolk Southern, to how the wives of Bengals players are breastfeeding their cubs at Paycor Stadium. While these depressing tidbits aren't the vibe one wants to take into their weekend, at least we got a reminder that Cincinnati's fine food scene is, in fact, the shit. Catch up on the week's headlines below.
Tornado Sweeps Through Middletown, Leveling an Entire Barn
Gusty winds and clashing fronts brought severe weather to southwestern and central Ohio on Feb. 27, and after an investigation of the damage, the National Weather Service confirmed that Middletown was hit by a tornado. The EF1 touched down at Jacksonburg and Oxford Middletown roads. Over the course of six minutes and 4.2 miles, it snapped trees, blew a roof off a house and even flattened a barn. Read CityBeat's story about the latest tornado to hit Greater Cincinnati.
Report: Bengals Players Say Women Sit on Restroom Floor to Nurse Babies in Dismal Paycor Stadium
The Cincinnati Bengals may not be doing right by their players at Paycor Stadium. That's the takeaway from the NFL Players Association's first-ever team report card, issued March 1. In response to a survey conducted by the NFLPA, Bengals players said the Jungle wasn't up to snuff, noting that many showers and toilets don't work, the team cafeteria isn't open during workouts and the facility lacks rooms for breastfeeding mothers. Read CityBeat's story about the other issues players say Paycor Stadium has.
In New Study, Doctors Share Horrifying Post-Roe Stories, Including in Ohio
Through a limited qualitative study out of the University of California San Francisco, researchers are learning how clinical care deviated from “the usual standard” since last June when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Providers told researchers about cases of premature rupture of membranes in the second trimester, noting that the standard of care in these cases is to offer termination, given the high risk of infection and low probability of live birth. Providers have also described having to jump through hoops to treat patients with ectopic pregnancies. Read CityBeat's story about the study's findings and how Ohio is connected.
Here's How Ohio Enacted the Most Restrictive Voter Photo ID Law in America
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 in January, enacting what’s been called one of the most restrictive voter-ID laws in the country. House Bill 458 instituted sweeping changes to how elections are administered in Ohio, including mandating the use of photo IDs, passports, or driver’s licenses to vote, and limiting counties to one ballot drop box. The law also mandated citizenship status on IDs and excludes county-issued veterans’ identification and college IDs from the list one can use to vote. Read CityBeat's story about the backlash to the bill.
Will Norfolk Southern’s Political Spending Help Shield it From Consequences?
Norfolk Southern (the rail company responsible for the disastrous toxic train derailment in East Palestine) has a history of lobbying and campaign spending in Ohio, pouring about $98,000 into state races since 2018. Norfolk has cut sizable checks to Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and more. As politicians on both sides stand in agreement that the rail mega-company is responsible for the toxic blast felt in East Palestine, but in the months to come, those political relationships may help insulate Norfolk from stiff penalties and regulations. Read CityBeat's story about which Cincinnati-area representatives also received big donations from Norfolk Southern.
According to Bengals Brass, Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins Are Staying Put
Bengals fans and reporters have been doing napkin math on possible contract extensions and player cuts, which has led to tons of speculation about wide receiver Tee Higgins and quarterback Joe Burrow. Could the team lose two big pieces of the successful 2022 and 2021 seasons? No way, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor said. Read CityBeat's story about why Tobin and Taylor say such rumors are "ridiculous" and "nonsense."
Joey Votto: Aliens Will Help the Reds Become World Series Champs
The Cincinnati Reds haven't won the division or the World Series since 1990. but first baseman Joey Votto thinks that this could finally be the year for it. Well, with a little help. In response to a question MLB had posted to social media, Votto laid out exactly how the Reds might win the ring, and it's as wonderful as fans would hope. Read CityBeat's story about Votto's amazing theory for the 2023 season.
Cincinnati Restaurants and Hotels Awarded Four Diamond Status on AAA List
Two Cincinnati restaurants continue to be nationally recognized for their culinary talents. AAA recently unveiled its 5- and 4-Diamond restaurants and hotels for 2022, with Downtown's Boca and Over-the-Rhine's Nicola's maintaining their spots on the prestigious restaurant list. According to AAA, 4-Diamond restaurants offer "distinctive fine dining." And Diamonds operate under the "4Cs:" Cleanliness, comfort, cuisine and consistency. The list of hotels to receive honors includes seven hotels from both sides of the river. Read CityBeat's story to find out which hotels made the Diamond cut.
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