Thursday, March 26, 2026

On this day in 1913, the Great Dayton Flood of the Great Miami River killed over 360 people, displaced 65,000, and caused damage equivalent to more than $2 billion today.

⚾️ Happy Opening Day! The Major League Baseball season kicks off today for both of Ohio's professional teams. The Cincinnati Reds host the Boston Red Sox, while the Cleveland Guardians head west to play the Seattle Mariners. Read what to expect from both clubs in today's Top Stories.

Planning a summer getaway just got more complicated. In today’s Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess shares details from a new report on how changing conditions are rewriting the rules for booking flights. Should you book now or hold off? Tune in to hear what industry insiders are saying. Watch Now!

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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.

Ohio's MLB Teams Launch 2026 Seasons

Opening Day has arrived, and both the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians are set to throw the first pitch of their 2026 Major League Baseball seasons today. The Reds open at home against the Boston Red Sox at 4:10 p.m., while the Guardians travel to Seattle for a 10:10 p.m. start.

Both of Ohio's Major League Baseball teams will broadcast on their own streaming services for the 2026 season. Cleveland fans can once again watch Guardians games on CLEGUARDIANS.TV, while Cincinnati fans can tune in to Reds games on REDS.TV.

The Reds will begin the year with two of their aces on the injured list. Nick Lodolo is battling blisters on his pitching hand, and Hunter Greene is sidelined until July after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Cincinnati will welcome back power hitter Eugenio Suárez to its lineup for the first time since 2021, and left-hander Andrew Abbott will take the mound in today's opener.

Cleveland ace Tanner Bibee will start against Seattle as the Guardians seek to defend their American League Central title. Many eyes will be on 24-year-old outfielder Chase DeLauter, who made his MLB debut during last year's postseason and drew attention in spring training by batting over .400 and hitting a handful of home runs.

Illegal Immigrant Driving Ban Proposed

State Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, introduced legislation that would ban illegal immigrants from driving in Ohio, even if they possess driver's licenses issued by other states.

House Bill 722 would prohibit nonresidents unlawfully residing in the U.S. from operating motor vehicles on Ohio highways, establishing a first-degree misdemeanor penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Law enforcement officers would also be required to send a copy of the citation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, notifying the federal agency of the driver's unlawful status.

While the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is required to verify legal presence before issuing a driver's license, 19 other states permit illegal immigrants to obtain valid licenses.

Columbus Hotel Wins Hotel of the Year

The Junto Hotel, located at 77 Belle St. in Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood, was named Hotel of the Year in Midwest Living’s 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards.

Named for Benjamin Franklin's social club, the publication praises The Junto's effort to create a similar environment—a place for social gatherings, not merely a hotel.

“The Junto is a community hub first and a hotel second—and that's what makes it stand out most,” Julia Sayers Gokhale wrote.

The Junto is located across from the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and near the Scioto Mile. More information about the hotel is available on its website.

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➤ Cincinnati: The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade begins at noon in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, departing from Findlay Market on Race Street and concluding at Taft Theatre. (Details)

➤ Franklin County: Pleasant Township officials reported that about $191,000 in taxpayer funds was stolen during a cybersecurity breach spanning nine separate incidents over the weekend. (More)

➤ Fairborn: Giovanni's, a local Italian restaurant, provided more than 200 meals to U.S. military members preparing for deployment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in support of Operation Epic Fury. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Developers plan to convert the former Westinghouse factory complex on the city’s west side into 116 apartments and 23,000 square feet of office and retail space. (See Photo)

➤ Canton: City and state officials are seeking public input on a proposed peanut-shaped roundabout that would include two train crossings at the intersection of Fulton Road, 25th Street, and Harrison Avenue. (See Design)

➤ Toledo: Developers proposed a South Toledo community solar project expected to generate $100,000 annually for neighborhood home rehabilitation, with plans for a public meeting on April 6 and commission review on April 9. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko became the first player in franchise history to open his career with four straight 20-goal seasons after scoring in a 3-2 win on Tuesday. (More)

➤ A New Jersey morgue employee lost an appeal after being fired for allegedly sharing confidential details about the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. (More)

➤ The University of Akron expanded its partnership with Nike and Akron native LeBron James, supplying game uniforms for 18 Zips teams and additional gear featuring both Nike and James logos. (More)

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➤ OhioHealth plans a $65 million expansion of Pickerington Methodist Hospital, adding 57,000 square feet to enlarge its emergency department and build a new inpatient unit. (More)

➤ Cincinnati Children’s Hospital ranked No. 75 on Fortune’s 2026 list of the nation’s 300 most innovative companies, recognizing its leadership in advancing health care innovation across industries. (More)

➤ Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed lawsuits against four contractors, alleging $564,000 in consumer fraud across three counties, with complaints including unfinished work, missing services, and deceptive practices. (More)

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➤ Ohio state park lodges are accepting Easter Sunday brunch and dinner reservations, including an egg hunt at Salt Fork Lodge, with officials urging residents to book by April 5. (See Locations)

➤ State lawmakers have introduced House Bill 563 to crack down on deceptive ticketing practices by companies such as Ticketmaster and StubHub, requiring upfront pricing transparency and allowing officials to pursue ticket scalpers. (More)

➤ Ohio Department of Natural Resources resumed weekly wildflower bloom reports, tracking spring species across regions as blooms emerge from late March through mid-May in forests, parks, and wildlife areas. (More)

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