Saturday, September 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1774, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. He famously went on to plant apple nurseries across Ohio.

🍂 Ohio’s leaves are set for a vibrant show this fall, thanks to a year without drought. See when colors are expected to peak in today’s Around Ohio section.

The age at which Americans can start collecting full Social Security checks could drop for millions of workers. A new bill in Congress would move retirement up years early for some, just as Social Security speeds toward insolvency, and not everyone thinks it’s a good idea. So who would qualify, and who gets left out? Amy has the full story on today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

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AEP Ohio Rebrands, Redesigns Bills

AEP Ohio will begin operating as Ohio Power Company on Oct. 1 and roll out a redesigned monthly bill meant to show customers what they’re paying for.

The new name, which has been the company’s legal name for years, will appear on bills, the website, and other communications for its 1.5 million customers.

The new bill format, approved by state regulators earlier this year, breaks down distribution, transmission, and generation costs. It also lists each customer’s electricity supplier and shows which charges the company controls and which customers can manage themselves.

Rates and service won’t change, and customers don’t need to take any action.

State Approves Ohio’s Largest Solar Farm

Over the objections of local officials, the state board that regulates energy projects has given final approval to Oak Run Solar, set to become Ohio’s largest solar farm.

The 800-megawatt project will span about 6,000 acres north of London, paired with 300 megawatts of battery storage.

Developers say it could power up to 170,000 homes, while providing grazing space for about 1,000 sheep grazing among the panels.

Previously, Madison County and three townships appealed the board’s initial 2024 approval, citing an incomplete application and concerns about wildlife, soil, and battery storage. The Ohio Supreme Court rejected all but one objection this spring, ordering a closer look at the visual impact of the project’s substations.

Buckeyes Battle for Illibuck

Ohio State opens Big Ten play against Illinois at noon today at Ohio Stadium, where the Buckeyes will defend the Illibuck, one of college football’s most unusual trophies.

While the series dates to 1902, the teams first played for the Illibuck in 1925, when the trophy was a live turtle. A wooden version replaced it in 1926 after the original Illibucks died at an Illinois fraternity house.

Both teams are 2-1, and Ohio State is a 27.5-point favorite. Earlier this week, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day challenged his running backs to “run angry” after a lack of explosive runs against Kent State.

Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, an upcoming College Football Hall of Fame inductee, will ring the Victory Bell before kickoff.

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➤ Statewide: Unlike recent years, Ohio is entering fall without drought conditions, setting the stage for vibrant colors. Leaves should peak in far northern Ohio in mid-October and reach southern Ohio by late October and November. (See Forecast)

➤ Xenia: Sunday’s historic downpour caused the worst flooding in parts of the city since 1886, damaging neighborhoods along Shawnee Creek. (More)

➤ Chillicothe: The city’s shuttered paper mill plans to restart a machine nicknamed “The Chief” by December under new owner U.S. Paper Mill, which says it could add up to 350 workers within a year. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Interstate 75 through downtown is closed in both directions this weekend as crews set nine steel girders for the new Linn Street Bridge. It’s scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. (See Details)

➤ Columbus: The All American Quarter Horse Congress, known as the world’s largest horse show, opens a nearly monthlong run at the Ohio Expo Center today. About 500,000 visitors are expected. (See Details)

➤ Central Ohio: Olentangy Schools is looking to hire about 35 bus drivers to cover roughly 20 open routes. Shortages have prompted CDL-certified office staff to get behind the wheel. (More)

➤ Barnesville: The 62nd annual Pumpkin Festival runs downtown through Sunday evening, honoring the area’s agricultural roots and late former festival president Tim Rockwell. (See Details)

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➤ The Cleveland Guardians clinched their third straight playoff berth Thursday, beating the Boston Red Sox 1-0 on Angel Martínez’s solo homer around Fenway’s Pesky Pole. (Watch Video)

➤ Nick Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, will retire as a Cleveland Brown after signing a one-day contract with the team that drafted him in 2018. (More)

➤ Miami University reportedly offered upward of $40 million for membership in the American Conference. The RedHawks currently compete in the Mid-American Conference. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | NHL | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Chuck Norris spent years researching what he believed were hidden threats inside the body that contribute to “rapid aging.” He identified three “internal enemies” that may affect energy, digestion, muscles, and joints. Before his passing, Chuck recorded a short video explaining what he discovered and the approach he believed could help. Watch the video here >>

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➤ Ohio Heritage Days returns to Malabar Farm State Park near Lucas this weekend with blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations, living history camps, and horse-drawn wagon rides. (See Details)

➤ Thumb arthritis patients have a new option for treatment, as OhioHealth surgeon Dr. Stephen Berling became the first in Ohio to perform an implant procedure he likens to a mini hip replacement. (More)

➤ Taylor Swift released Cleveland!, a tribute to her husband and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce, on the deluxe edition of The Life of a Showgirl. (More)

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➤ Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy… But according to Stanford researchers, there’s one delicious “dessert” food that Costa Ricans in the famous “blue zone” there eat each morning that… So, what’s the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

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.

➤ Some American workers could start collecting full Social Security years early, but critics warn of fallout. (Hear Details)

➤ Coastal flood alerts cover 33 million people as a rare multiday nor’easter threatens the East Coast through the weekend. (Listen Now)

➤ The robotic spacecraft launched to save a failing NASA telescope has itself plunged back to Earth. (Podcast Available)