Anduril Wins Air Force Drone Deal

The U.S. Air Force awarded Anduril Industries a production contract for its FQ-44 Fury combat drone, which is being built at the company’s Arsenal 1 plant in Pickaway County.

The decision moves the semi-autonomous fighter from competition to full-scale manufacturing, four months ahead of schedule. A rival aircraft from General Atomics was cleared alongside Anduril’s drone.

Air Force leaders said the awards reaffirm a plan to field more than 150 combat-capable Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones by the end of the decade. The craft is built to deploy worldwide, take off from short fields, and fly a combat radius that outreaches today’s crewed fighters.

EF-2 Tornado Confirmed in Pike County

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado struck Pike County before dawn Thursday, producing peak winds near 115 mph.

The twister touched down around 4:05 a.m. near Kincaid Springs and remained on the ground for about 15 minutes, cutting a nearly nine-mile path before lifting. At its widest, it measured about 250 yards.

The most severe damage was reported in Elm Grove, where barns collapsed, a home lost about 70% of its roof, and large power transmission lines were snapped. Emergency officials reported no injuries or deaths.

Thunderbirds Headline Air Show’s Final Day

The Columbus Air Show heads into its final day today at Rickenbacker International Airport, wrapping up a multiday showcase of military and civilian aviation.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds close out today’s program, with Canada’s Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds scheduled to fly earlier in the afternoon. Gates open at 9 a.m., and flying begins at 12:30 p.m.

Ohio State football safety Ryan Rudzinski was chosen by the Thunderbirds as their Hometown Hero guest, and Rudzinski said the experience was a “bit different than a Southwest flight takeoff.”

The show’s full schedule is available here.

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➤ Shaker Heights: The city approved a restructured contract for Flock license plate reader cameras, with an amendment barring federal agencies from using data collected by the cameras. (More)

➤ Columbus: Wayfair opened its first brick-and-mortar Ohio store, a 70,000-square-foot location at 1551 Gemini Place near Polaris Fashion Place. A larger grand-opening event is scheduled for June 26-28. (More)

➤ Licking County: A black bear was spotted roaming in Licking County by a father and son—a sighting that comes as Ohio’s bear population continues to grow. (Watch Video Report)

➤ Germantown: The Hillcrest tornado siren has been repaired after failing to activate during severe storms Wednesday, despite passing a scheduled test earlier this month. (More)

➤ Butler County: The sheriff’s office said residents who heard loud booms Saturday should not be concerned, as planned controlled explosives demonstrations were held between 3 and 4 p.m. (More)

➤ Vermilion: The city wraps up its 60th annual Festival of the Fish today, honoring the town’s fishing heritage with food, music, and family activities. (More)

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➤ Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins took to the diamond Friday night at Great American Ball Park, entering a Savannah Bananas game as a pinch runner before scoring. (Watch Video)

➤ Calvert Catholic Schools broke ground on the Dysard Athletic Complex in Tiffin, an indoor athletic facility designed to host baseball, football, softball, track and field, and marching band activities. It’s expected to be completed by Thanksgiving. (More)

➤ Major League Baseball has proposed eliminating draft eligibility for high school players, reducing the MLB draft from 20 rounds to 12, cutting draft bonuses by more than 50%, and allowing teams to trade draft picks. The MLBPA called the proposal “flat out bad for baseball.” (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | U.S. Open | WNBA

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➤ Barrett-Jackson, a car auction company, will visit Columbus for the first time June 25-27, hosting bidding at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds on classics such as a 1989 Mercedes-Benz roadster and a 1950 Chevrolet custom pickup. (Details)

➤ Grocery Outlet, a discount grocery chain, is Ohio’s fastest-growing brand, according to a Yelp study, followed by 7 Brew and Wingstop. (See List)

➤ Instacart order data showed strawberries, limes, lemons, and watermelons lead shoppers’ preferred summer fruits, while cucumbers, sweet corn, tomatoes, and red onions top the summer vegetable list. (See Data)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A strong market helped retirement savers reach a major milestone. (Hear More)

➤ Washington launched a new UFO task force and promised more answers. (Listen Now)

➤  JD Vance revealed the wardrobe expectations inside President Trump’s White House. (Podcast Available)

Watch Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle fly along with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels!

video via Cincinnati Bengals – YouTube

What’s your favorite fruit?

1. Apples
   
2. Strawberries
   
3. Watermelon
   
4. Peaches
   
5. Cherries
   
6. Blueberries
   
7. Pawpaws
   
8. Other (hit reply!)

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite aquatic animal?

1. Dolphins: 22%
2. Otters: 15%
3. Sea turtles: 13%
4. Octopuses: 11%
5. Orcas: 10%
6. Seals: 10%
7. Other: 10%
8. Sharks: 9%

What highway does the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge carry across the Ohio River?

Show me the answer