Projects Set to Create 200+ New Jobs

Ohio approved five projects expected to create 218 jobs, retain more than 1,000 positions, and generate $14 million in new payroll alongside $2.1 billion in total investment statewide.

Ohio’s five approved projects include Axium Packaging in New Albany, Vantage Data Centers in Millersport, Becker Mining in Mount Vernon, Ohio Bridge in Cambridge, and VILPE USA in Mason.

Gov. Mike DeWine said the approved projects highlight Ohio’s expanding leadership in advanced manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure, creating economic opportunities for communities statewide, including Fairfield County.

Ohioans Spend More on Groceries

Cleveland residents spend 3.77% of their monthly household income on groceries, trailing only Detroit among the nation’s 100 largest cities, according to a new study.

The analysis compared the cost of 26 common grocery items across 100 major U.S. cities to median household incomes to reveal where residents spend the highest share of their earnings on food. Cleveland ranked No. 2 in the country. 

Toledo and Cincinnati also ranked among the top 10 most expensive cities, at Nos. 5 and 8, respectively. Columbus ranked No. 26 nationwide, with residents spending about 2.28% of their income on groceries.  You can see the full report here.

Rivalry Games on Tap

Top-ranked Ohio State visits No. 17 Illinois on Saturday for the 100th anniversary of the Illibuck, a wooden turtle trophy that began as a live turtle in 1925.

Ohio State has won nine straight over the Fighting Illini, and 18 of the last 19. Saturday’s game kicks off at noon on Fox, and the Buckeyes are 14.5-point favorites.

In another rivalry game, Toledo and Bowling Green will meet for the 90th time Saturday at noon on ESPNU. Toledo leads the Battle of I-75 43-42-4 all-time, and the Rockets are 10.5-point road favorites this weekend.

Toledo and Bowling Green have traded wins each of the last four seasons, with the Falcons winning last year’s matchup 41-26.

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➤ Kent: Former Kent police officer and Ohio native Max Arnett was killed in combat in Ukraine on Aug. 23, months after leaving the department and volunteering with Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade. A Celebration of Life will be held later. (More)

➤ Columbus: Eastbound Interstate 270 on the city’s north side was shut down for several hours on Wednesday after a shooting in which bullets struck several cars, shattering glass and injuring one person. (More)

➤ Brook Park: City officials and Haslam Sports Group officials met with state leaders Wednesday in Tuscarawas County, seeking $70.3 million for roads, ramps, and infrastructure supporting a proposed suburban Browns stadium. (More)

➤ Toledo: The University of Toledo will offer scholarships covering nearly $5,000 in out-of-state tuition per semester for Michigan undergraduates, attempting to attract more students and boost enrollment. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Great Parks is expanding discounts on golfing, boating, camping, and fishing for active-duty and reserve military members and veterans. (More)

➤ Athens: Thomas Hayes, a film professor at Ohio University, was detained by the Israel Defense Forces after the flotilla he joined was intercepted en route to Gaza. (More)

➤ The Columbus Blue Jackets will sign former forward Cam Atkinson to a one-day contract so he can retire as a Blue Jacket. Atkinson played his first 10 seasons with Columbus, from 2011 to 2021. (More)

➤ Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor named Joe Flacco the starting quarterback after acquiring him from the Cleveland Browns. (More)

➤ The Cleveland Browns traded Greg Newsome II and a sixth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for cornerback Tyson Campbell and a seventh-round pick. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | NBA | NCAAF | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order halting sales of intoxicating hemp products and declaring an adulterated consumer product emergency. (More)

➤ MAHLE Thermal and Fluid Systems, a central Ohio company founded in 1920, will lay off more than 100 workers as it closes its Mt. Sterling plant between Dec. 1 and Aug. 31 to restructure operations. (More)

➤ OhioHealth and Nationwide Children’s Hospital will open a 42,000-square-foot facility in Ontario, offering comprehensive outpatient care for adults, women, and children, including primary care, OB-GYN, pediatrics, and imaging services. (More)

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This Technology Makes Every City a Potential Surf Destination

Topgolf revolutionized golf by transforming it into a social, tech-driven experience for everyone. And they’ve made billions in annual revenue doing it. Surf Lakes is applying that same model to surfing. Their patented tech creates 2,000 ocean-quality rides per hour, anywhere in the world, across all skill levels.

Surf tourism is a $65B global industry, yet fewer than 1% of people live near real waves. They’ve already sold licenses across the U.S. and Australia, with plans for a first commercial park in the works.

Three-time world champ Tom Curren and surf icon Mark Occhilupo have joined as ambassadors and shareholders. Even actor Chris Hemsworth has praised Surf Lakes.

You have until Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT to invest in Surf Lakes.

➤ Sydney Reeves became the first Ohio State University Marching Band member to dot the “i” in the band’s iconic Script Ohio, whose parents had both done so, honoring a cherished Buckeye tradition. (Watch Video Report)

➤ More than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released at 41 public hunting areas beginning Oct. 25, ahead of the hunting season running Nov. 7 through Jan. 11, 2026. (More)

➤ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo placed the final beam for its Primate Forest, featuring an interactive hub that simulates rainforest sights and sounds, with the exhibit set to open in 2026. (See Renderings)

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Who do you think will win the Battle of I-75?

1. Toledo
2. Bowling Green

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite performance-based reality TV show?

1. Not interested: 17%
2. The Voice: 14%
3. America’s Got Talent: 14%
4. The Masked Singer: 14%
5. American Idol: 14%
6. Other: 14%
7. Dancing With The Stars: 13%

Which Ohio newspaper was the first ever to be published online?

Show me the answer