Broken Pump Raises Toxic Plume Concerns

A broken pump at Chillicothe’s U.S. Paper Mill could allow a toxic underground plume to spread toward nearby homes, farmland, and the Scioto River, the company warned.

The mill notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency that the decades-old, 90-foot pump had fractured and needs to be replaced, at a cost of thousands of dollars.

The contamination originated at the WearEver Aluminum factory, which operated from 1948 until the late 1990s and left trichloroethylene, lead, and cadmium in the soil and groundwater.

A mill official called the failure a “potentially urgent situation” but said that residents didn’t need to worry about their water at this moment. The replacement timeline remains unclear.

Family Dollar Settles Overcharge Claims

Ohio would receive more than $300,000 under a proposed $63 million settlement over allegations that Family Dollar charged shoppers more at checkout than advertised.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson joined the Federal Trade Commission and 16 other states in the case, alleging thousands of stores continued overcharging customers despite earlier enforcement.

The deal, which requires a judge’s approval, would establish a $40 million customer refund fund and a $20 million discount program.

Ohio previously sued the retailer in 2022.

Ohio Sends Christmas Trees to Troops

About 50 Ohio-grown Christmas trees will be shipped to American troops in Jordan through Operation Evergreen, marking the holiday tradition’s 31st year.

The trees came from 14 Ohio farms with help from veterans, students, and Scouts.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Ohio Christmas Tree Association will also send homemade decorations from schools, churches, and veterans’ groups, along with handwritten cards.

“Our nation’s bravest deserve the very best, and Ohio Christmas trees provide exactly that,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge.

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➤ Statewide: The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop Friday after a communications problem affected air traffic control centers, halting departing flights at Ohio airports and across the country. (More)

➤ Toledo: About 100 city employees, including more than 20 firefighters, face layoffs Jan. 4 after voters rejected an income tax increase and collections fell short. Pool closures and curbside recycling cuts are also under consideration. (More)

➤ Also Toledo: The 39th Blade Holiday Parade will bring giant balloons, marching bands, floats, and Santa downtown this morning, with grand marshal Bay View Yacht Club planning to distribute children’s books. (More)

➤ Columbus: After building collapses in New York and Illinois, city officials outlined how inspections, code reviews, and emergency orders to vacate unsafe buildings help prevent similar disasters locally. (More)

➤ Cleveland: I-90 is scheduled to remain closed in both directions between Central and Carnegie avenues through this afternoon for bridge demolition, with another closure planned Nov. 20-23. (See Detours)

➤ Youngstown: Boardman Local Schools placed a bus aide on leave after a student altercation on a bus carrying Mahoning Valley Community School students. The district apologized for delayed parent notification. (More)

➤ Stark County: Plain Township opened a 47-acre wetlands preserve purchased with $900,000 in state and watershed grants. Officials hope to protect another 70 acres across the street. (More)

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➤ Mauricio Pochettino will coach his final U.S. men’s national team match Tuesday against Haiti at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium before joining Manchester United. (More)

➤ Chuck Martin criticized Miami’s penalty for displaying extra uprights on its videoboard during Ohio’s field-goal attempt in Tuesday’s 34-17 RedHawks win, comparing the ruling with basketball fans wearing “really tiny Speedos.” (More)

➤ Cincinnati men’s basketball will visit Dayton’s UD Arena today for the first time since 2004, renewing a rivalry that began in 1907. (More)

➤ FC Cincinnati’s Evander was named a finalist for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award alongside Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, while teammate Nick Hagglund is a Comeback Player of the Year finalist. (More)

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

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An 8,000X Oversubscription Could Reset Robotics Stocks

Hold onto your nuts… and bolts: Robotics stocks are having a moment in the market spotlight.

A recent robotics IPO was oversubscribed 8,000X. Plus, robotics funding in the private sector is setting new records, up 185% through Q3.

Experts say the frenzy could reprice robot company stocks industry-wide. 

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➤ The University of Toledo ranked No. 1 in Ohio for military-connected students in the 2026 Military Times Best for Vets survey, up from second last year, and placed third in the Midwest and 41st nationally. (More)

➤ Ohio gas prices fell about 34 cents in a week to a statewide average of roughly $3.63 ahead of Thanksgiving travel. The state’s gasoline tax reduction will continue through early January. (More)

➤ The Columbus Clippers will open their new Holiday Lights display at Huntington Park tonight, featuring more than 1 million lights, curling, and train rides over 43 nights through New Year’s Eve. (See Photos)

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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. 

➤ Seven veteran benefits go unclaimed by many military families, including one that scammers are eager to exploit. (Listen Now)

➤ Federal investigators have recovered part of the $6.3 billion stolen from Binance in the largest crypto heist in history. (Hear Details)

➤ The Coast Guard has launched a criminal investigation into an MSC cruise ship accused of illegally discharging oil at sea. (Hear Story)

Do you prefer a real or artificial Christmas tree?

1. Real
   
2. Artificial
   
3. I like both
   
4. No tree for me

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you still have a landline at home?

1. No, cellphone only: 65%
2. Yes, and I use it: 14%
3. Yes, but rarely use it: 12%
4. No, but I miss it: 9%

Fort Laurens, Ohio’s only Continental Army fort of the Revolutionary War, was built as a base for a planned attack on which British-held city?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now)