Fifth Third To Buy Comerica

Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp will acquire Dallas-based Comerica for $10.9 billion in an all-stock deal.

The purchase will make Fifth Third the ninth-largest U.S. bank with about $288 billion in assets. The banks expect the deal to close by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Comerica shareholders will receive 1.8663 Fifth Third shares for each Comerica share they own.

Fifth Third CEO Tim Spence said the bank’s long-term plans include building 150 branches in Texas.

Groups Offer Fire Prevention Week Tips 

The American Red Cross of Northern Ohio suggested several home safety measures in observance of Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Saturday.

The state Fire Marshal’s office joined in the observance with safety advice for lithium-ion batteries used in cellphones and laptops, recommending certified batteries and manufacturer-approved charging practices.

Among the Red Cross tips for property owners: They should check their smoke alarms once a month, change batteries once a year, and create a fire evacuation plan.

Other recommendations include ensuring two ways to escape every room, choosing a meeting spot outside, and staying low to the ground when smoke is present.

Highway Crews Prep for Winter 

With October here, the state Department of Transportation began preparing for this year’s winter weather.

The first measurable snowfall usually comes in early November, according to ODOT. In preparation, the agency started inspecting snow equipment and checking in with the nearly 3,000 drivers who work 12-hour shifts to clear snow and ice.

The state aims to clear primary routes within two hours and secondary roads within four hours, a goal it met 99.3% of the time last year.

This winter, Ohio can expect colder-than-normal temperatures, with a mixed outlook for snow, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

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➤ Toledo: City Council President Carrie Hartman will resign on Oct. 17 and withdraw from the city council election, citing her acceptance of a job with the University of Toledo. (More)

➤ Defiance: The state Supreme Court will meet in session at Defiance High School on Wednesday, continuing a 19th-century tradition of justices traveling around the state to hear cases. (More)

➤ Westerville: Westerville City Schools students rallied outside City Hall in support of the school district’s tax measure on the November ballot. (Watch Video Report)

➤ Peebles: The town was designated the 22nd “trail town” on the Buckeye Trail and is noted on hiking maps as a place where hikers can get food and supplies. Peebles’ section of the trail follows Portsmouth Road to the east and Old State Route 32 to the west, leading to Serpent Mound. (More)

➤ Cleveland: The city opened the 2.6-acre Thurgood Marshall Green park next to the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center in the Hough neighborhood. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital opened a redesigned outdoor green space for patients receiving inpatient and residential mental health treatment. (More)

➤ Montgomery County: The county plans to revitalize Memorial Hall in Dayton, which was built 115 years ago by Civil War veterans. A new boiler, fire panel, and roof have already been installed. (More)

➤ Former Ohio State wide receivers excelled in the NFL on Sunday, including in the Seattle-Tampa Bay game, where Emeka Egbuka caught seven passes for 163 yards and a touchdown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 132 yards and a score. (More)

➤ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will host five major events during the 2026 season, including the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race over Fourth of July weekend. (See Events)

➤ The state collected more than $72 million in tax revenue from sports gambling in August, up from $48.6 million in August 2024. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Warped Wing, Dunkin’, and several other new restaurants are set to open at Dayton International Airport as part of an agreement that runs through 2030. (Details)

➤ Acendion Collective broke ground on a $73.5 million hilltop apartment complex with downtown views of Cincinnati. (See Drawing)

➤ Gahanna approved the construction of a Biggby Coffee location at a vacant site at 348 Granville St., next to Dairy Queen. (See Drawing)

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➤ The All American Quarter Horse Congress, billed as the world’s largest horse show, and the state Department of Agriculture are partnering to promote Ohio-made wines on Wednesdays through Oct. 22. (Details)

➤ PolishYoungstown Inc.’s 11th Annual National Pierogi Day-Youngstown celebration will take place on Wednesday at Kravitz Deli, offering various pierogi flavors, beer, Polish music, and more. (Details)

➤ Trees in parts of Northeast Ohio have already reached near-peak color change because much of the state is still experiencing drought conditions. (See Map)

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Do you have a fire escape plan for your home?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever caught a sturgeon?

1. No: 27%
2. I don’t fish: 26%
3. Not in Ohio: 24%
4. Yes: 23%

The 1807 Ohio Supreme Court Case Rutherford v. M’Faddon established what judicial branch power?

Show me the answer