Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1925, actor Hal Holbrook—best known for Mark Twain Tonight! and roles in Sandburg’s Lincoln and North and South—was born in Cleveland.

Fat Tuesday is here, and as the last day before Lent, it also marks Paczki Day in Ohio. Discover more about these popular Polish pastries in Top Stories.

On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown reports on the latest developments in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case. What have authorities released so far, and what questions still remain? Plus, President Trump is now weighing in on the Guthrie case with a big announcement. Tune in here for the latest news.

Today’s sponsor, Viriflow, is sharing a natural method designed to help flush out buildup linked to prostate discomfort and support stronger flow and better bladder control.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Groups Sue to Block Voting Law

The League of Women Voters, CAIR-Northern Ohio, and other groups filed a lawsuit seeking to block Ohio’s new voting law from taking effect.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 293 into law in December. The measure ends the four-day grace period for mail-in ballots and requires the secretary of state to compare voter registration data with citizenship records.

Thirty-four other states require ballots to be received by Election Day and counted that day, with Ohio’s law providing exceptions for uniformed service members and overseas voters. The law is set to take effect next month.

Buckeyes Headline Olympic Semifinalists

Former Ohio State player Cayla Barnes scored the opening goal in the U.S. women’s hockey team’s 5-0 victory over Sweden, clinching a berth in Thursday’s Olympic gold-medal game. You can watch Barnes’ goal here.

Ohio State is the only NCAA program with players on each of the Olympic semifinalist teams: the U.S., Sweden, Canada, and Switzerland.

The U.S. has held opponents scoreless for more than 331 consecutive minutes, setting an Olympic women’s hockey record.

The streak includes two shutouts by Athens native goaltender Gwyneth Philips.

Ohioans Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Paczki

Stores across Ohio are selling paczki—a traditional Polish pastry—for today’s celebration of Fat Tuesday, also known as Paczki Day.

Fat Tuesday falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. In Polish tradition, it was a time to use up butter, eggs, and other rich ingredients ahead of the Lenten fasting season.

Northeast Ohio’s Polish community brought the tradition to the Buckeye State, and bakeries have kept it going for decades.

Shops across the region plan to sell paczki, with Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma kicking off its annual early morning party at 5 a.m. Paczki will also be available elsewhere in Ohio, including at Resch’s Bakery and Buckeye Donuts in central Ohio.

Flying together with our sponsor

Many men are told prostate changes are simply part of aging. But emerging research suggests multiple factors may influence prostate health beyond just age or testosterone levels.

Over time, inflammation, diet, and circulation can all play a role in urinary symptoms like frequent nighttime trips, weak flow, or difficulty starting and stopping.

In this short video, you’ll learn about a doctor-developed approach designed to support healthy prostate function naturally. It focuses on ingredients that have been studied for their potential role in urinary health and overall male wellness.

If you’re looking for a science-based way to support better comfort and confidence, this is worth watching.

➤ Fairfield: The body of a missing food plant worker was recovered at Koch Foods following Sunday morning’s fire that prompted a four-hour shelter-in-place order. (More)

➤ Boardman: Saint James Episcopal Church, the first Episcopal church established outside the original 13 colonies, held its final service after more than 200 years. (More)

➤ Nelsonville: The Mine Tavern restaurant will be demolished after a partial wall collapse on Sunday. The collapse also temporarily closed part of downtown’s public square and prompted the evacuation of the nearby Dew House. (More)

➤ Dayton: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will set aside 16 acres for a $38 million STEM Talent Development Complex to train scientists, engineers, and technical professionals. (More)

➤ Northeast Ohio: The Cleveland Clinic is developing artificial intelligence technology to analyze brain waves in epilepsy and stroke patients to predict seizures. (More)

➤ Former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer joined President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Alabama coach Nick Saban for golf Sunday at Trump’s West Palm Beach course. (More)

➤ The United Football League’s Columbus Aviators unveiled their inaugural uniforms ahead of the 2026 season, which begins March 29. (See Photos)

➤ The Columbus Blue Jackets’ Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Kings, which was postponed because of Winter Storm Fern, will be played at 4 p.m. March 9. (More)

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➤ GuardX keeps your cards and ID safe from digital theft with powerful RFID-blocking protection you can trust. Its ultra-slim, wallet-friendly design works 24/7 with no charging or setup — just slip it in and forget it. Enjoy peace of mind wherever you go. Protect your data today!

➤ The average gas price across Ohio remained stable over the past week at $2.77 per gallon, with prices highest in Lawrence County and lowest in Springfield. (See Prices)

➤ Defense contractor Astrion will lay off 61 employees working on the F-15 contract at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, effective May 31. (More)

➤ Award-winning chef Makoto Okuwa plans to open Japanese restaurant Suzu at Madison Square in Cincinnati in May, featuring a private dining space, a cocktail bar, and an omakase counter. (More)

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➤ 7 Hidden Signs Your Body Is Crying Out for Magnesium. Think your anxiety, muscle tension, and irregular heartbeat are just part of getting older? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals how a single mineral deficiency could be behind dozens of common complaints after 50. Even more intriguing? Many of the medications commonly prescribed to older adults might be making this deficiency worse. Before you accept another prescription, there’s something crucial you need to know about magnesium. (Learn more)

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Prostate changes aren’t always just about aging. Research shows inflammation and lifestyle factors may play a role in urinary symptoms many men experience.

This short video explains a doctor-developed method designed to support healthy prostate function naturally. Watch here to learn more.

➤ Shipwreck hunters located the steamer Lac La Belle, which was built in Cleveland in 1864 and sank in Lake Michigan on Oct. 14, 1872. (More)

➤ A fourth grader at West Mound Elementary in Columbus started a cursive writing club to help spread the skill to classmates. (More)

➤ The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden welcomed a serval kitten named Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt through its Cat Ambassador Program. Servals are known for their jumping ability and keen hearing. (See Photo)

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➤ “Impossible” Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Doctors are doing double-takes at recent DEXA scans showing unprecedented bone density improvements in women over 60 after adding this protein in their diet. The stunning results have doctors questioning if their equipment is malfunctioning—but the explanation lies in a revolutionary protein compound that provides what calcium supplements alone cannot. (Learn More)