Companies Pledge 2,300+ Jobs

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the approval of tax credits for 17 projects expected to create 2,347 jobs and generate $148 million in payroll statewide.

Additionally, more than 8,500 jobs will be retained through the projects, which are expected to spur $1.1 billion in investment.

Among them, Whirlpool Corp.’s planned expansion in Clyde and Marion is expected to create 448 full-time jobs. Also in Clyde, Revere Plastics Systems plans to add 378 full-time jobs.

You can see the complete list of projects here.

Store Closing Due to ‘Riffraff’

The Cheesecakery bakery in Madisonville will close on Dec. 28, partly because of “a lot of harassment and riffraff” affecting employees and customers, owner Liz Field said.

The bakery’s Anderson location will remain open.

Field said that harassment from homeless people and teenagers has driven employees to quit and kept customers away.

“They don’t feel safe at work, you know, when they’re coming in here, and people are coming right in your face and screaming at you and trying to reach for you and grab you,” Field said.

Police Call Center Adds AI

The Akron Police Department flipped the switch on an artificial intelligence-aided system to handle non-emergency calls.

The AI system, called Ava, is a virtual assistant designed to gather information from callers and connect them with the appropriate contact person.

If the system determines a caller needs immediate help, or if it cannot resolve a situation, the caller is connected to a human operator.

The Summit Emergency Communications Center began using the system over the summer and reported positive results.

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➤ Statewide: Tiffin automotive entrepreneur Casey Putsch entered the Republican primary for Ohio governor, casting himself as an “America First” candidate. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Nearly 100 firefighters responded to a fire at a three-story apartment building in the Oakley neighborhood on Monday night. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Teachers called for stepped-up security at school parking lots following reports of at least 100 car break-ins in recent weeks. (More)

➤ Columbus: The Columbus Downtown Commission plans to review several project proposals, including a mixed-use apartment complex near the state Capitol. (More)

➤ Columbus: The new Linden branch library will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 31 at 2223 Cleveland Ave. (More)

➤ Youngstown: The city council will vote today on filing a grant application seeking $3.2 million in federal block grant funding to renovate Oak Hill Avenue. (More)

➤ Youngstown native Bob Stoops announced his retirement from coaching football. He led Oklahoma to a national title in 2000, and later coached in the XFL and UFL. (More)

➤ FC Cincinnati’s loan deal for Brenner Souza da Silva from Italian Serie A club Udinese is set to expire. He scored six goals in 10 matches for Cincinnati in 2025. (More)

➤ University of Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Bearcats. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ State Attorney General Dave Yost joined a multistate lawsuit alleging Uber misleads customers by automatically converting free trials into paid subscriptions. (More)

➤ Marty McGreevy will retire after 36 years as owner of Market Blooms at North Market in Columbus. The flower shop will continue under new ownership. (More)

➤ National coffee chain 7 Brew plans to open a location in Delaware, featuring a three-lane drive-thru. (More)

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The $4B Deal Everyday Investors Missed

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion—one of the most profitable entertainment deals ever made. 

But everyday investors never had the chance to participate, missing the upside.

Elf Labs spent a decade securing over 500 trademarks and copyrights featuring Cinderella, Snow White, and other iconic characters to ensure that these dynamic changes.

The company is building a tech-powered character universe, using AI, immersive technology, and 12 patents to activate these globally recognized characters across entertainment, gaming, and consumer products—a market estimated to be worth over $2 trillion.

Analyst interest increased even before any national rollout, following multiple unsolicited offers exceeding $70 million.

And unlike the Lucasfilm deal, investors can get in while the company is still private.

Timing matters here—a limited allocation remains, and up to 25% bonus shares expire tonight.

Invest Now

➤ A camera caught a Columbus motorist avoiding a State Route 315 backup by driving onto nearby grass and then driving the wrong way. (Watch Video)

➤ Cleveland was named the fourth-neediest city in America by WalletHub in a study focusing on child poverty, food insecurity, uninsured rates, and other economic factors. Toledo and Cincinnati ranked in the top 50. (See Rankings)

➤ Abandoned barn owl chicks were rescued from a grain silo by state Division of Wildlife staff. The staff later built a nest box on the silo. (See Photo)

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➤ This breakthrough discovery has shocked skincare experts everywhere…The tests done on 2,335 women who struggled to clear their “freckles” and get rid of wrinkles showed they had this ONE thing in common: The shape of their dark spots. Check the chart here to see if your dark spots are reversible or not.

Have you ever seen an owl in the wild?

1. Yes
   
2. Heard one
3. No

Yesterday’s Results:

How much snow did you get over the weekend?

1. 4-6 inches: 18%
2. 2-4 inches: 18%
3. Don’t live in Ohio: 17%
4. 6-8 inches: 16%
5. 0-2 inches: 16%
6. 8+ inches: 15%

What led to the grounding of the 1903 Wright Flyer used at Kitty Hawk?

Show me the answer