Elections Board Placed under Oversight

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose placed the Lucas County Board of Elections under the state’s highest level of oversight Friday, days after the county was among the last in Ohio to report results, leaving voters waiting into early Wednesday.

In a letter to the board, state elections director Chris Burnett cited “significant” problems processing absentee ballots and reporting results. He also faulted local leaders for making excuses instead of owning their mistakes.

The state blamed absentee ballots printed with cheap or off-brand ink that scanners couldn’t read, along with staff who didn’t know Ohio’s reporting rules. The board now faces weekly meetings with state officials.

Board members apologized early Wednesday, saying about 900 absentee ballots arrived as polls closed Tuesday.

Pickerington Suspends School Activities

Pickerington Local Schools suspended every athletic team below the varsity level, along with other extracurricular activities, after voters rejected an income tax levy by fewer than 300 votes.

The 10-year, 0.75% tax would have raised about $21 million a year, costing someone earning $80,000 roughly $600 more annually.

Varsity teams will remain to protect students with scholarship offers, while musicals and theater continue only through Dec. 31.

Early projections call for cutting 24 high school teachers and 17 middle school teachers, with decisions coming this summer.

Buckeyes Collapse, Bearcats Lose Late

No. 12 Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes took a major hit as No. 23 Oregon pulled away for a 41-28 win at Ohio Stadium, handing the Buckeyes back-to-back regular-season losses for the first time since 2011.

The Buckeyes jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind two Bo Jackson touchdown runs before Oregon scored 38 unanswered points—the first team to do so against OSU since 1999. Luke Fahey threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns but became the first Ohio State quarterback since at least 1959 to lose his first two starts.

Jeremiah Smith caught seven passes for 133 yards, breaking a program record with his 16th career 100-yard receiving game.

Cincinnati fell 31-24 at No. 17 Houston, as Re’Shaun Sanford II broke a fourth-quarter tie with a 51-yard touchdown run. Bearcats receiver JV Gibson was carted off after a hit that drew a targeting penalty with 6:59 left in the fourth quarter.

UC needs one more win to become bowl-eligible.

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➤ Statewide: An H1N1 flu strain has driven a rise in respiratory illnesses across Ohio, sometimes with high fevers, health officials said. (More)

➤ Chillicothe: Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday marked the completion of more than $35 million in Yoctangee Park upgrades, including a new amphitheater, skatepark, and renovated historic Armory. (See Projects)

➤ Oxford: Miami University landed a pledge of up to $100 million from the family foundation of late Cintas founder Dick Farmer, the largest gift in the school’s 217-year history. It will fund career preparation at the Farmer School of Business. (More)

➤ Medina: State school safety officials warned parents about “Beat the Sign,” a reported game in which drivers run stop signs trying to top previous records, citing a serious crash in Medina. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport unveiled a new logo and the tagline “Where the Land Meets the Sky,” complete with popcorn and a red carpet. (See Logo)

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➤ The Columbus Crew rallied for a 4-3 Decision Day win at the Chicago Fire on Brais Méndez’s stoppage-time goal, avoiding the wild-card round and setting up a first-round series against No. 2 seed Inter Miami. (Watch Goal)

➤ FC Cincinnati fell 2-0 to Nashville SC on Decision Day, finishing as the East’s No. 9 seed and setting up a wild-card match against No. 8 Orlando City SC. Nashville’s 77 points set an MLS record. (More)

➤ The Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid this morning, where Joe Burrow can join Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, and Tom Brady as the only players with at least four touchdown passes in four straight regular-season games. (See Preview)

➤ Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season when the Cleveland Browns visit the New Orleans Saints, with Deshaun Watson still in concussion protocol. (More)

➤ University School won its first playoff game since 2016 Friday, rallying past Salem 14-10 with a fourth-and-goal stop in the final minute after a week of legal limbo over Glenville’s playoff ban. (More)

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

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➤ Cincinnati’s Elder Panthers beat Springboro 37-20 in a Division I playoff game Friday behind four touchdowns from quarterback Kaden Estep, who went viral for a stellar 53-yard pass. (Watch Throw)

➤ First responders are rallying behind Clermont County firefighter and paramedic Danielle Vonder Meulen, who is battling an aggressive blood cancer. A fundraiser is scheduled for today at Cincinnati’s Dead Low Brewing. (See Details)

➤ A new fund honoring the late wife of former Ohio University trustee Cary Cooper awarded its first two scholarships to Appalachian students researching environmental issues. (More)

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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. 

➤ A 36-year-old tennis star went from beating the world’s best to calling it quits after a crushing loss. (Hear More)

➤ The latest home design trends revealed which exterior colors were making a comeback and which were falling out of favor. (Listen Now)

➤  Macy’s unveiled its newest Thanksgiving balloons, and one beloved character was returning after more than 40 years away. (Podcast Available)

Check out the Cincinnati Zoo’s Tippi the crow solving a puzzle to get a treat!

video via Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Facebook

Have you gotten your flu shot this year?

1. Yes
   
2. Not yet
   
3. Don’t plan to

Yesterday’s Results:

When do you usually start holiday shopping?

1. November: 32%
2. Early December: 30%
3. Before November: 28%
4. Last minute: 10%

What did Ohio designate as its official state pet to raise awareness of animals awaiting adoption?

Show me the answer