Ohio House Advances Ranked-Choice Voting Ban

The Ohio House passed legislation banning ranked-choice voting in local elections, sending the measure back to the Senate for final approval before it heads to Gov. Mike DeWine.

If enacted, Ohio would become the 17th state to ban ranked-choice voting. Supporters of the bill argue ranked-choice voting can create “confusion, delays, and distrust,” while opponents say local governments—not the state—should decide how to run their elections.

 The bipartisan Senate Bill 63 was introduced in January 2025 and cleared the Senate in May.

Feds Warn Laser Pointers Endanger Pilots

Federal authorities warned that aiming laser pointers at aircraft in northern Ohio endangers pilots and can result in criminal charges following a string of reported incidents.

Officials said the beams can distract or temporarily blind pilots. A 2-centimeter laser can spread into a 6-foot-wide glare by the time it reaches aviation altitudes, making it harder for pilots to see.

In northern Ohio, laser pointers have targeted commercial planes, medical flights, military aircraft, helicopters, and student pilots.

Last June, a blue laser struck an Ohio State Highway Patrol pilot, prompting an immediate arrest. The case was among the more than 260 laser incidents reported statewide last year.

Kroger Lands No. 12 in ACSI Survey

Cincinnati-based Kroger ranked No. 12 out of 20 grocery options, according to an analysis of survey data from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

Trader Joe’s led the list. The ACSI survey weighed shoppers’ views on meat and produce quality, store layout and cleanliness, and checkout speed, among other measures.

In the Midwest, Aldi, Hy-Vee, and Meijer earned the strongest scores. Overall, Sam’s Club ranked No. 4, Costco No. 6, Whole Foods No. 7, Target No. 10, and Giant Eagle No. 20.

Walmart, Albertsons Companies, and Giant Eagle all scored below the survey’s consumer satisfaction average, while small grocery stores ranked No. 8 overall. You can see the full data here.

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➤ Columbus: Health officials warned that people at John Glenn International Airport between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 may have been exposed to measles, urging unvaccinated individuals to monitor symptoms through March 11. (Details)

➤ Cincinnati: The city council passed three measures to limit how federal agencies can use city resources for immigration enforcement, including barring the use of city property and surveillance footage. (More)

➤ Madison County: Authorities are investigating a barn fire at a Madison County hog complex on Wednesday that killed more than 6,000 pigs, destroyed four buildings, and drew 15 mutual aid departments. (More)

➤ Akron: The Akron Zoo is planning a $21 million expansion of its Pride of Africa exhibit that would add giraffes, wildebeests, and ostriches—one of the largest expansions in the zoo’s history. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: A $5.3 million resurfacing project on a 7-mile stretch of State Route 7 from Brilliant to Steubenville is expected to start in April and finish by the end of October. (More)

➤ Newton Falls: Newton Falls High School will add four new varsity sports: girls flag football this spring, and bowling, wrestling, and esports next winter. (More)

➤ Wright State men’s basketball clinched the Horizon League regular-season title with a 74-70 win at Purdue Fort Wayne. It’s the Raiders’ first outright regular-season championship since 2020. (More)

➤ FC Cincinnati advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 after a 9-0 rout of O&M FC in the second leg, finishing the series with a 13-0 aggregate score. (More)

➤ Akron RubberDucks President and General Manager Jim Pfander is leaving after 26 years in minor league baseball to join the Tampa Bay Rays’ front office, ending a 15-year run leading the team. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Duke Energy Ohio will replace its gas cost recovery charge with a standard service offer on April 1, using a  Public Utilities Commission of Ohio-supervised auction to set a monthly variable rate through March 2027. (More)

➤ Evergreen Recycling in Clyde closed unexpectedly, laying off 165 workers, with most cuts taking effect this week and remaining layoffs expected by the end of April. (More)

➤ The nation’s oldest Harley-Davidson dealership, Farrow Harley-Davidson, will close its Sunbury store after 20 years, with customer orders shifting to its Farrow East location in Columbus. (More)

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RAD Intel’s Reg A+ round remains open at $0.85 per share, though the company has indicated the tier will change. 

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➤ Gas station and convenience store giant Buc-ee’s sued Ohio-based Mickey Mart in federal court, alleging trademark infringement over its smiling moose logo and planned shift to “Mickey’s,” which it says resembles its beaver brand. (More)

➤ Bexley’s Richard Kiley went viral during the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, earning the nickname “official dad” of the Games after recording videos as an unofficial correspondent on social media. (More)

➤ Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group plan a 6,200-seat riverfront amphitheater in downtown Cleveland, operated by Live Nation, projected to generate $59 million annually and anchor a 35-acre redevelopment. (See Plans)

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Which is your favorite grocery option?

1. Kroger
   
2. Giant Eagle
   
3. Aldi
   
4. Meijer
   
5. Trader Joe’s
   
6. Costco
   
7. Small stores
   
8. Other
   

Yesterday’s Results:

Which 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee would you be most likely to vote to induct?

1. Phil Collins: 18%
2. Billy Idol: 13%
3. None of them: 13%
4. Mariah Carey: 12%
5. Shakira: 11%
6. Iron Maiden: 11%
7. INXS: 11%
8. Other: 11%

What is the largest employer in Ohio?

Show me the answer