Freight Railroads Stall on Safety Program

The nation’s largest freight railroads still have not joined a federal “close call” reporting program, despite promises to do so following the 2023 East Palestine train derailment.

BNSF and Norfolk Southern have run limited trials but stopped short of full participation. Amtrak and other passenger or smaller freight railroads that use the program have seen about 20% fewer accidents.

A federal working group created to negotiate the freight carriers’ participation in the program was recently disbanded.

On Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, releasing hazardous chemicals and prompting evacuations. In April, an Ohio jury found the railroad fully liable in a $600 million class-action settlement.

Ohio 11-Year-Old Wins National Art Contest

An 11-year-old Pataskala artist, Eva Haylett, won first place in the third-through fifth-grade category for America250’s America’s Field Trip contest, a national competition marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Her drawing answered, “What does America mean to you?” with a U.S. map adorned with state symbols and national landmarks. She also won a separate America 250-Ohio and Ohio Department of Natural Resources contest with a different submission.

Haylett’s prize was a private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park, a bucket list choice for her and her father. More about the contest can be found here.

List: Festivals Coming to Appalachian Ohio

A variety of festivals celebrating gigantic pumpkins, the days of yore, covered bridges, and local culture are scheduled for this fall in Ohio’s Appalachian Region.

Starting in September, Sugarcreek will host the Ohio Swiss Festival. It’s the 71st year for the annual event that pairs folk music and the world’s largest cuckoo clock with beer, cheese tastings, and stone-throwing. 

October in Rio Grande brings the Bob Evans Farm Festival, saluting the restaurant chain’s roots with live music, camping, and fall-themed food such as apple dumplings and cider slushies.

Also in October, Ashtabula County welcomes the Covered Bridge Festival, showcasing the nation’s longest and shortest covered bridges, plus a parade, live entertainment, and a Lego mini-bridge contest. A complete list of festivals can be found here.

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➤ Statewide: An Ohio Department of Transportation employee submitted false information on a federal grant application for a project that ultimately received $2 million, according to the Ohio Inspector General’s Office. (More)

➤ Also statewide: A new survey shows Republican Sen. Jon Husted leading former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown by six points in Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, days after Brown launched his campaign. (See Poll)

➤ Hamilton County: Gov. Mike DeWine appointed former city of Wyoming and the village of Newtown prosecutor Christopher McDowell to the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. (More)

➤ Dayton: Officials are evaluating the structural integrity of the historic Wright Brothers factory site following a recent wall collapse. (More)

➤ Cleveland: The insurance company for St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral has filed a lawsuit against Forest Roofing, alleging the company is responsible for the May 2024 fire, which damaged the church. (More)

➤ Newark: Neighbors used a ladder to rescue a family from the second story of a burning home on Saturday. Four people were injured, and firefighters saved 10 dogs. (See Photos)

➤ Glenville knocked off Massillon Washington 33-27 in overtime, while St. Xavier beat Lakota West 14-7 in Ohio high school football’s opening week. (See Scores)

➤ Sorana Cirstea defeated Ann Li 6-2, 6-4 to win Cleveland’s Tennis in the Land—her first hard-court singles title since 2008. (More)

➤ The Cincinnati Bengals partnered with Good Sports to donate $25,000 worth of new helmets, pads, and cleats to the Cincinnati United Youth Football & Cheer League. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA | U.S. Open

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➤ American Electric Power is considering moving out of its downtown Columbus building, citing the need for significant renovations. (More)

➤ The New Albany Mayor congratulated Intel on its reported federal investment agreement, calling it encouraging for the two planned chip plants in the city, which have faced repeated delays. (More)

➤ Regina Bakery, a Cincinnati west side staple since 1964, will permanently close sometime in September after its owners of the past 45 years announced their retirement. (More)

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➤ A Groveport resident near Rickenbacker International Airport painted a giant American flag on his lawn to welcome the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the Columbus Air Show. (See Flag)

➤ Gnadenhutten, pronounced “ji-NAY-dun-huh-tehn,” earned the title as Ohio’s most difficult town name to pronounce, according to a new list of hardest-to-pronounce town names in each state. (See List)

➤ Cincinnati musician Joe Riley will open Riley’s ROCK’N RETRO, a collectibles shop featuring guitars, movie memorabilia, artwork, and more, next month. (See Store)

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Which of these festivals mentioned above sounds the most interesting?

1. Ohio Swiss
2. Barnesville Pumpkin
3. Cambridge Fall
4. Rio Renaissance Faire
5. Holmes County Antique
6. Bob Evans Farm
7. Ashtabula Covered Bridge
   

Friday’s Results:

Should buckeyes become the official state candy?

1. Yes: 72%
2. No: 28%

Which U.S. state’s capital, other than Ohio’s, is named after Christopher Columbus?

Show me the answer