Senators Target Drive-Only Licenses

Ohio’s two U.S. senators introduced a bill this week that would strip federal highway funding from states that hand out driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

The Red Light Act, from Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both R-Ohio, would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to withhold a noncompliant state’s share of federal highway dollars and redistribute those funds to states that don’t issue the licenses.

Drive-only licenses let people who can’t prove lawful immigration status or produce a Social Security number get behind the wheel legally. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., issue them. Ohio doesn’t.

The bill follows the deaths of multiple Ohioans in crashes involving illegal immigrant drivers between Aug. 29 and Sept. 6.

Wayne Forest Leased for Fracking

The federal government auctioned off nearly 3,000 acres of Ohio’s only national forest to oil and gas companies on Tuesday, drawing more than $11 million in bids.

Five out-of-state drillers won rights to drill under Wayne National Forest, which sits in Washington and Monroe counties near Marietta. Bids ranged from roughly $250 an acre to about $10,000.

Environmental groups have asked a judge to enforce a previous injunction that halted drilling until a fuller review was finished, while federal regulators have concluded that the leasing would carry no significant environmental impact.

Crew Reach U.S. Open Cup Final

The Columbus Crew beat Orlando City SC 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the U.S. Open Cup final for the first time since 2010.

Josef Martínez opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Martín Ojeda pulled Orlando level just before halftime.

Brais Méndez, the club’s marquee summer signing from Spain, restored the lead in the 52nd minute, ultimately sending Columbus onto the final.

Columbus hosts St. Louis City SC on Oct. 21, the first time the Crew have hosted the final since 2002.

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➤ Cleveland: Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam gave $10 million toward the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s expansion project, which will feature the Haslam Atrium as the museum’s new front door. (See Plans)

➤ Also Cleveland: Newly released bodycam video shows Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson being ticketed for driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone last month. He’s due back in court Sept. 23. (Watch Video)

➤ Columbus: Columbus City Schools joined federal litigation against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, saying student overuse has driven up its counseling, mental health, and staff training costs. (More)

➤ Mason: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to break ground Nov. 7 on Ohio’s third Mormon temple, expected to serve 20,000 members across southwest Ohio. (See Rendering)

➤ Mariemont: The Mariemont Theatre reopened Wednesday night with a gala after a $1 million community-funded renovation. (See Photos)

➤ Hilliard: The city withdrew its 10-month appeal of a plan to power an Amazon data center with 228 fuel cells. (More)

➤ Lucas County: Federal investigators concluded a 2024 Ohio Turnpike crash that killed four people would have been avoided under all-electronic tolling. (More)

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➤ The Cleveland Guardians moved into first place in the American League Central with a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, ending Chicago’s 74-day run atop the division. (More)

➤ Mike Priest plans to retire Sept. 30 as Columbus Blue Jackets president and alternate governor, roles he’s held since 2007. John H. McConnell II will assume those duties. (More)

➤ This week’s marquee high school football matchups include Lakota West at Princeton, Massillon Washington at St. Edward, Archbishop Moeller at St. Xavier, and Coldwater at Minster. (See Schedule)

➤ Ohio State is asking fans to adhere to a Helmet Stripe theme at Ohio Stadium on Saturday by wearing gray in the north, west, and east stands, while fans in the south stands wear black, white, or scarlet to replicate the striping on the football team’s helmet. (See Pattern)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | WNBA | Golf | Soccer

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➤ Cincinnati-based Kroger has pulled Red Bull from its shelves nationwide and thinned Boar’s Head deli offerings at some stores. (More)

➤ The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth, accusing the company of walking away from its contract to run the Chamber’s health plan, then using inside information to trick employers. (More)

➤ Nationwide Children’s landed on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll for a 13th straight year, while tying Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for the best pediatric hospital in the Midwest. (More)

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➤ Courthouse video shows a newly sentenced Columbiana County inmate slipping out of his handcuffs, punching a bailiff, and sliding down the stairs toward the exit before deputies stopped him with a Taser. (Watch Video)

➤ Hand-blown glass pumpkins have filled Jack Pine’s 11-acre Laurelville studio through Sunday for the seventh annual Glass Pumpkin Festival. (See Details)

➤ Ohio ranks No. 7 among states carrying the most student debt—lower than neighboring states Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but above Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. (See Rankings)

➤ Cleveland has redrawn its St. Patrick’s Day parade route for 2027, with the march stepping off at Playhouse Square, cutting through the Gateway district and Public Square, and ending near East 6th Street and Rockwell Avenue. (See Route)

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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. 

➤ New research revealed just how many Americans are carrying medical debt despite having health insurance. (Listen Now)

➤ Princess Diana’s brother took aim at King Charles in a new memoir that has drawn a rare rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. (Hear Story)

➤ Uber was ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a woman killed after her driver abandoned her on a freeway. (Hear Details)

What’s your favorite way to spend a fall weekend in Ohio?

1. Festivals
   
2. Viewing foliage
   
3. Football
   
4. Orchards
   
5. Pumpkin patches
   
6. Staying home
   
7. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s the worst part of flying?

1. Cramped seats: 39%
2. Delays: 26%
3. Security lines: 12%
4. Pricing: 10%
5. Other: 8%
6. Boarding scrum: 5%

Which Civil War battle began on this day in 1863, with Union forces commanded by Ohio native William Rosecrans?

Show me the answer