Ohio Stands Out in NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft kicked off Thursday, with Cleveland and Cincinnati selecting defensive players, and four Ohio State players going in the first round. See the draft results here.

Cleveland picked at No. 5 after trading the No. 2 position to Jacksonville, and the Browns chose defensive tackle Mason Graham, who led all Michigan defensive linemen with 45 tackles in 2024.

Cincinnati picked at No. 17, taking defensive end Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. Stewart ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, the third fastest at his position.

The Ohio State players drafted were wide receiver Emeka Egbuka by Tampa Bay, offensive guard Donovan Jackson by Minnesota, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams by Detroit, and offensive tackle Josh Simmons by Kansas City.

Railroad Found Solely Liable for Derailment

An Ohio jury ruled that Norfolk Southern is solely responsible for the $600 million settlement with East Palestine residents following a 2023 train derailment, rejecting the railroad’s attempt to pass on part of the cost to railcar company GATX.

GATX, which owned the railcar that triggered the crash, argued Norfolk Southern was responsible for operating and inspecting the train.  Last year, Norfolk Southern lost a lawsuit seeking cleanup payments from GATX and vinyl chloride manufacturer OxyVinyls.

This week, Norfolk Southern reported $750 million in first-quarter earnings, aided by $141 million in insurance payments for the East Palestine derailment, which caused fires that burned for days and forced the evacuation of residents within 2 miles.

Wildlife Officers Honored

State wildlife officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts received a national award for their investigation into a high-profile deer poaching case.

It is the first time Ohio officers received the Pope and Young Club’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Award, which recognizes outstanding enforcement in big-game wildlife cases.

The pair’s investigation resulted in the conviction of Christopher J. Alexander, who shot an 18-point trophy buck in 2023. Alexander was ordered to pay about $35,000 in restitution.

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➤ Cincinnati: FBI agents arrested a suspected illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang member wanted for homicide in his undisclosed home country. (More)

➤ Columbus: Central Ohio Transit Authority warned of major delays and reroutes Saturday for the Capital City Half Marathon. More than a dozen transit lines will be affected through early afternoon. (Details)

➤ Toledo: University of Toledo campus parking lots and roads will close Saturday and Sunday to accommodate more than 6,000 runners for the Glass City Marathon and other races. (Details)

➤ Conneaut: Police Chief Michael Colby was placed on administrative leave pending an undisclosed investigation. Lt. Michael Bertolasio was named acting chief. (More)

➤ Akron: Mayor Shammas Malik announced the city will spend more than $7 million to resurface 48 miles of roads this year. (See List)

➤ Xenia: Fire Chief Ken Riggsby will retire May 2 after four decades of service. A public reception will take place May 5 at Nick’s Restaurant. (Details)

➤ The Cleveland Cavaliers set an NBA playoff record by hitting 11 3-pointers in a quarter during their 121-112 victory over Miami. (More)

➤ The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game will kick off the 2025 NFL preseason on July 31 in Canton, featuring the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. (More)

➤ Country star Tim McGraw will headline a pregame concert when the Cincinnati Reds play Atlanta in the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic on Aug. 2 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble says tariffs will add up to $1.5 billion in annual costs, prompting possible 1% to 2% price increases on diapers, detergent, paper towels, and other products. (More)

➤ Walmart announced plans to remodel 23 stores in Ohio this year as part of a nationwide effort to expand departments, better serve online customers, and reimagine its pharmacies. (See List)

➤ General Motors’ Toledo Propulsion Systems will move away from electric vehicle manufacturing and focus instead on gasoline vehicle parts production. (More)

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➤ Six students from Cleveland Saint Ignatius High School are traveling to Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral. The students previously planned the trip to Rome to witness the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. (More)

➤ Ohio officials reported a rise in psychedelic mushroom products disguised as candy, with 65 pounds seized in 2024, triple 2023’s total. State Attorney General Dave Yost warned that the products are being marketed to children. (More)

➤ New Albany will celebrate its 230-year history and the 50th anniversary of its historical society with History Day events on Saturday, featuring tours, exhibits, and other activities at the local library. (More)

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Are you a fan of either of Ohio’s two NFL teams?

1. Cleveland
2. Cincinnati
3. Both
4. Neither

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to a gender reveal party?

1. Yes: 28%
2. No: 42%
3. I’ve hosted one: 30%

Cleveland native Anthony Doerr wrote which The New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy who meet during World War II?

Show me the answer