Ohio’s Buc-ee’s Sets Opening Day Records

Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s location brought in more than $1 million on its April 6 opening day, which company officials said was the strongest grand opening in the company’s history.

The new travel center and convenience store is located along State Route 235 near Interstate 70 in Huber Heights. Customers began lining up the night before the grand opening, drawing visitors from across the U.S. and Canada.

Mayor Jeff Gore said hotels from Huber Heights to the Miller Lane corridor sold out over opening weekend, adding there is “no doubt” the chain’s economic impact will be “huge.”

On Tuesday, the Mansfield Planning Commission recommended rezoning that would clear the way for a planned second Buc-ee’s in Ohio near the Interstate 71 and State Route 39 interchange.

Vance Speaks at TPUSA Event

Ohio native Vice President JD Vance addressed a crowd of University of Georgia students on Tuesday at an event for Turning Point USA—the organization co-founded by the late conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk.

Vance touched on several issues, including the war with Iran, immigration, the Catholic Church, and housing affordability. The vice president also said Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and TPUSA’s CEO, was unable to attend after receiving “very serious threats.”

Amid tense rhetoric between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, Vance, who is Catholic, criticized clergy who attacked the administration’s immigration policies, questioning how it could be “humane” to allow drug and sex traffickers to cross the southern border.

On Iran, Vance told young voters not to “disengage” over a single disagreement with the administration’s foreign policy. Instead, he urged them to “get more involved” and demand more from people in power.

You can watch the complete event here.

State Officials Target Kalshi, Sports Betting

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is seeking to fine Kalshi $5 million, alleging the online prediction market operates unlicensed sports gambling tied to event-based contracts in Ohio.

Last fall, Kalshi sued the Ohio Casino Control Commission, arguing that regulation of exchange trading falls solely under federal authority. A federal judge ultimately denied its request for a preliminary injunction.

In another move targeting sports gambling, a group of Republican state lawmakers introduced legislation earlier this month that would ban online betting, bar certain types of wagers, and cap individual bets at $100.

Separately, state Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, proposed a bill that would impose a 2% fee on sports wagers, with the revenue directed to public sports stadiums and K-12 education.

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➤ Southwest Ohio: President Trump endorsed Air Force veteran and former CIA officer Eric Conroy in the Republican primary for Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat. (More)

➤ Statewide: Officials will expand Ohio 211 statewide by July 2026 through a partnership unifying regional providers, aiming to connect all 88 counties with 24/7 access to essential social services. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman filed a petition to limit city manager’s hiring and firing authority following City Manager Sheryl Long’s handling of a probe into Police Chief Teresa Theetge. (More)

➤ Whitehall: A special election on May 28 will decide whether to recall a mayor and two council members as a state Supreme Court lawsuit challenges the city’s requirement to proceed. (More)

➤ Columbus: Police arrested two people protesting an Ohio State University event where two Israel Defense Forces soldiers shared accounts of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. (More)

➤ Warren County: A fire destroyed a cart barn and golf carts at Armco Park Golf Course in Lebanon on Tuesday, but reopened on Wednesday for walking play while crews worked to restore full operations. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness, who took over in January, harshly criticized his players after the team missed the playoffs, saying, “These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them.” (More)

➤ The Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, set a franchise record with seven home runs in an 18-4 win over Toledo on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Two proposals for sports venue upgrades in Toledo have been submitted: one to build an $83.6 million professional soccer stadium, and another for a $17.6 million renovation at Fifth Third Field. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion to block the closing of its 150-year-old rabbinical program, arguing the move violates state laws protecting donor intent. (More)

➤ The National Hockey League announced a multiyear partnership with Procter & Gamble Canada, the Canadian arm of the Cincinnati-based consumer goods company. (More)

➤ The State Library of Ohio closed its Italian Village location in Columbus as it prepares to move downtown to 35 E. Chestnut St. (More)

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➤ Flag City Honor Flight’s 34th mission took 79 Ohio veterans to Washington, D.C., where Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) greeted them as they honored fallen friends and reflected on increased public respect. (More)

➤ The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, stretching along the shoreline through Cleveland and Sandusky, is a finalist for USA Today’s 10Best award for Best Scenic Drive. (Vote Here)

➤ Great Parks will host eagle-viewing sessions at Winton Woods, where visitors can use binoculars to spot two newly hatched bald eaglets nesting above Winton Lake during scheduled April and May events. (Details)

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Have you ever traded on a prediction market such as Kalshi or Polymarket?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Who was the biggest snub from this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class?

1. Mariah Carey: 16%
2. The Black Crowes: 15%
3. Melissa Etheridge: 15%
4. INXS: 15%
5. Other: 14%
6. New Edition: 13%
7. Shakira: 12%

Which Cincinnati Reds outfielder began the tradition of wearing No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day?

Show me the answer