Guardians, Reds Land Five All-Stars

Five players from Ohio’s two MLB clubs, all first-time selections, were named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game rosters: three from the Cleveland Guardians and two from the Cincinnati Reds.

Guardians rookies Travis Bazzana and Parker Messick made the American League roster alongside closer Cade Smith, who leads MLB with 26 saves. Bazzana and Messick are the fourth and fifth rookies in Cleveland franchise history to earn All-Star honors, and the Guardians are just the fifth team to send multiple rookies to the Midsummer Classic.

For the Reds, right-hander Chase Burns, who is 10-1 with a 2.40 ERA, and 22-year-old Sal Stewart, Cincinnati’s team leader with 17 home runs, were selected to the National League roster. Stewart said his first call went to his father, Salvatore, who started crying.

Across the league, this year’s rosters include 26 first-time All-Stars and four rookies. The 96th All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park and will air on Fox at 8 p.m.

Thousands Lose Power in Northeast Ohio

Tens of thousands of northeast Ohio customers remained without power throughout the weekend after Friday storms swept through a region already strained by a dangerous heat wave.

Cuyahoga County saw the heaviest outages, with Geauga and Lorain counties also hit hard. The storm damage followed several days of heat-related equipment failures that had already left customers without power in Lakewood, Olmsted Falls, and nearby communities.

Lakewood Mayor Meghan George put the blame squarely on FirstEnergy, saying the utility’s “apathy and neglect” had left the grid failing when residents needed it most. She said she contacted Gov. Mike DeWine’s office and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to demand accountability.

FirstEnergy said the heat wave drove extraordinary electricity demand and strained its infrastructure, while crews, engineers, and system operators had been “working around the clock to restore service.” The company said it is investing millions of dollars in upgrades to strengthen service in and around Lakewood.

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➤ Columbus: The Columbus Crew will host a free watch party tonight at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field as the U.S. men’s national team plays Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. ahead of the 8 p.m. kickoff, and fans must reserve free tickets. (More)

➤ Middletown: Cleveland-Cliffs, one of the city’s largest employers, has applied to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for an air permit to modernize its Middletown Works steel mill with blast furnace upgrades and a new cogeneration plant that would supply electricity to the mill. (See Details)

➤ Cincinnati: Former Cincinnati Bearcats guard Kerr Kriisa was arrested by the FBI in connection with an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme tied to his 2023-24 season at West Virginia. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Ohio Division of Wildlife is accepting applications through July 31 for public-land controlled hunts, with lottery permits available for deer, waterfowl, doves, small game, and access to waterfowl blinds. (See Details)

➤ Mentor: The city unveiled a statue of President James A. Garfield outside City Hall, with the 20th president’s great-great-grandson attending the ceremony. (Watch Video Report)

➤ Sharonville: Maurice Coffey, a former Procter & Gamble marketing director who retired after 29 years, bought and renovated Target World Academy on East Kemper Road. (More)

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Do you plan to watch the MLB All-Star Game?

1. Always
   
2. Yes
   
3. Maybe
   
4. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever flown a plane?

1. No: 30%
2. Yes, as a pilot: 19%
3. Only briefly: 18%
4. Yes, during a lesson: 17%
5. In a simulator: 16%

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 banned Chinese underground church’s founder is suddenly free and on American soil, thanks in part to President Trump. (Hear Story)

➤ Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, struck a parked car in California wine country and drove away, and now the 86-year-old could be facing charges. (Listen Now)

➤ A lavish party for a baby’s very first tooth has the internet asking whether modern parents have finally gone too far. (Podcast Available)

Which Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame inductee from Newark coached in both college basketball and the NBA?

Show me the answer