FirstEnergy Seeks $480M Ohio Rate Hike

Three FirstEnergy subsidiaries have asked Ohio regulators for $480 million in revenue that could add up to $180 per year to residential electric bills by 2029.

The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison filed the utility’s first Three-Year Rate Plan with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) this week, citing the need to improve a grid that regulators have flagged for subpar reliability. The plan would raise the distribution portion of bills, which is the share covering poles, wires, and equipment, starting in 2027.

FirstEnergy says the money would fund grid modernization and $83 million annually in tree-trimming programs aimed at cutting outages. Typical residential customers would see bills rise by roughly $100 in the first year, approaching $180 annually in subsequent years.

The PUCO must hold public hearings and complete its review before issuing a decision. Consumer advocates are expected to challenge the request, and a ruling could take months.

Ohio’s Ninth Flood: Four Dams Activated

Southwest Ohio is managing its ninth high-water event of 2026, with the Miami Conservancy District activating four major dams Thursday to temporarily hold back floodwaters.

Days of steady rainfall hit Clark County especially hard, forcing at least one family to evacuate their home and prompting road closures across Springfield. Two children were rescued by boat from a flooded residence as rainfall totals broke records.

The four retarding basins—Englewood, Huffman, Germantown, and Taylorsville—were built after the catastrophic 1913 Dayton flood that killed more than 360 people.

Unlike standard dams, they hold water temporarily and drain once rivers recede, protecting the Miami Valley without creating permanent reservoirs.

Final Curtain for 18 Cleveland Schools

This spring, 18 Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools are closing their doors for good. 

The closures are part of CMSD’s Building Brighter Futures initiative, a consolidation plan that will shrink the district by 23 buildings this fall.

Collinwood High School, which has been open for more than a century, will merge with longtime rival Glenville. 

Meanwhile, the city has launched a developer search to repurpose 12 of the closed school properties, comprising nearly 1.1 million square feet of space.

➤ Youngstown: Downtown’s steam heat provider, SOBE Thermal Energy Systems, could shut down by fall if emergency funding isn’t secured. The receiver managing the company warned a court it will exhaust gift funds before winter. (More)

➤ Columbus: A new state committee dug into Ohio’s $1.5 billion data center tax exemption Thursday, amid mounting bipartisan concern and Gov. DeWine pausing new exemption requests this week. (More)

➤ Columbus: Ohio lawmakers are tightening oversight of publicly funded daycares after investigators found Columbus-area facilities received taxpayer dollars while closed or well below capacity. New auditing requirements are under discussion. (More)

➤ Statewide: Ohio unemployment filings dropped to 4,754 initial claims last week, down 900 from the prior week and among the lowest weekly totals in recent months, suggesting the state’s labor market is holding steady. (More)

➤ Statewide: An annual survey of sitting lawmakers reveals how insiders predict the November 2026 midterms will break, with deep uncertainty flagged in several swing districts across the state. (More)

➤ Marysville: Einride’s cab-less autonomous electric trucks will operate on Ohio public roads this summer, moving freight between EASE Logistics warehouses in a first for the state. (More)

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➤ The Ohio State University is installing upgraded Wi-Fi at Ohio Stadium ahead of the 2026 football season, promising fans the ability to upload photos and videos during events at the Horseshoe. (More)

➤ Bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would impose new limits on college athletics—primarily football and basketball—including capping the number of free transfers athletes may take and barring coaches from leaving for another job midseason. (More)

➤ Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at Cuyahoga Community College, marking the opening of the team’s new training center. (See Photo)

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

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China’s 60% Grip on Lithium Is Breaking

A domestic lithium producer backed by General Motors just announced plans for its second U.S. facility. This Utah project will sit atop approximately 2.4 million tons of lithium. Now, investors can claim an early-stage stake. 

Here’s the bigger picture.

China controls 60% of the world’s lithium. But as demand for high-tech innovations like AI and EVs continues to grow, America needs its own reliable supply fast. The window to profit from what comes next is open.

America holds the world’s 5th-largest lithium reserves, and they’ve barely been touched. EnergyX is changing that with patented technology that recovers up to 3X more lithium than conventional methods.

In a world reliant on lithium for batteries, electric vehicles, and grid storage, a domestic lithium supply is critical. Invest in EnergyX today.

➤ Greater Cleveland bars are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off June 11, with watch parties organized across the region. Venues could see a 40–60% sales spike during the month-long tournament. (More)

➤ The FromOhio Music Festival, formerly IndieCraft, takes over two Springfield venues this weekend with Ohio bands, craft beer, and a whiskey tasting. Admission is free. (More)

➤ Megan Moroney headlines a busy Columbus weekend that also includes a regional pickleball tournament and a breakdancing showcase, all running through Sunday, May 31. (More)

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Is an electric bill hike worth it for more reliable energy?

1. Absolutely
2. Absolutely not
3. Only if energy really is more reliable

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you encounter flooding during this week’s storms?

1. No: 74%
2. Yes: 26%

Professional baseball got its start in Ohio. Which Ohio team is recognized as the first openly all-professional baseball team?

Show me the answer