Sunday, July 12, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1960, the first Etch A Sketch toys came off the Ohio Art Company’s assembly line.

☀️ Another stretch of hot weather is on the way, with heat index values potentially topping 100 degrees this week. Read more in Et Cetera, and stay cool out there!

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Amy broke down the five retirement mistakes that quietly derail people after the paycheck stops. A new Nationwide study found more than half of recent retirees regret how they planned, and the culprits usually aren't the ones you'd expect. From the luck of when the market turns to the quiet discomfort of spending your own savings, Amy walked through what trips people up and how to sidestep it before it costs you. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, InvestorPlace, is sharing new research on emerging AI, robotics, and technology companies that analysts believe could represent some of the market’s next major investment opportunities.

Judge Halts Amazon Data Center

A federal judge has ordered Wilmington to redo key ordinances connected to a proposed $4 billion Amazon Web Services data center, putting the project on hold for now.

The ruling followed three days of testimony from residents who said the city rezoned a 471-acre farm site off U.S. 68 without providing proper notice required under state law.

The decision allows residents to present expert testimony, cross-examine witnesses, and retain their own attorneys during the new hearings.

One organizer who lives about 200 feet from the site said neighbors have already spent roughly $47,000 opposing the plan.

Big Boy Steams Back into Ohio

Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, rolls into downtown Struthers today for a whistle-stop visit from 11:30 a.m. to noon, amid an all-day celebration.

The 1.2 million-pound engine was built in 1941 to haul wartime freight through the western mountains. It is one of only 25 ever constructed and the sole Big Boy still operating. You can view the train’s daily schedule here.

The city is closing downtown streets to traffic and shuttling visitors from riverfront parking lots. Festivities include live music, food trucks, train memorabilia, and more.

The locomotive is traveling back through Ohio as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations. It will stop near Fostoria on Tuesday, where organizers hope nearly 1,000 people will gather to form a world-record outline of a train.

Fireflies Light Up Central Ohio

Central Ohio is glowing after sunset this summer as fireflies put on one of their best displays in years.

Experts credit the favorable weather. A wet spring followed by hot, humid nights produced what forecasters describe as ideal firefly conditions because warm, muggy evenings accelerate the chemical reactions that create the beetles' glow.

Ohio is home to roughly two dozen firefly species, and the variety most likely to be flashing above local yards is the common “Big Dipper,” named for the J-shaped yellow streak it traces through the air.

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Elon’s New Currency (BUY NOW)

It’s bigger than SpaceX… xAI… or anything Tesla is working on. And it could launch a $480 trillion disruption, thanks to a massive rollout that’s already begun all over America. Because Elon’s new move targets the biggest market of them all… He’s now launching a CURRENCY system. Here’s exactly what to buy to profit.

➤ Lakewood: State utility regulators responded to Mayor Meghan George’s formal complaint against FirstEnergy about recent power outages. The city has endured repeated outages since late 2024. (More)

➤ Southwest Ohio: The Ohio Department of Transportation has begun a three-year project to add a fourth lane in each direction along four miles of Interstate 75 in southern Montgomery and northern Warren counties. (See Details)

➤ Columbus: Michael Eicher, The Ohio State University’s longtime senior vice president for external affairs, will retire in January after helping lead the university foundation through the most successful fundraising campaign in its history. (More)

➤ Warren: Police Chief Eric Merkel will resign effective Aug. 24 after a public complaint accused him of theft in office, tampering with records, and sending a racially offensive message. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: One worker was seriously injured in a chemical explosion late Friday at Baerlocher USA, a plastics manufacturing plant. Hazmat crews contained the chemicals, and officials reported no environmental release or threat to the surrounding community. (More)

➤ Mason: The police union and a law enforcement advocacy group are backing fired officer Brandon Saylor, arguing that the city discarded due process by ending his career over a department-issued ball cap he wore during outdoor traffic duty. (More)

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➤ Kyle Schwarber, a Middletown native and MLB’s home run leader, will compete in tomorrow’s Home Run Derby in Philadelphia alongside Phillies teammate Bryce Harper. Schwarber entered the weekend with a league-leading 32 home runs. (More)

➤ The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians made back-to-back first-round selections in Saturday’s 2026 MLB Draft, with Cincinnati taking Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron at No. 18 and Cleveland selecting Florida right-hander Liam Peterson at No. 19. (See Picks)

➤ FC Cincinnati defeated English club Burnley 3-1 at TQL Stadium, with Ayoub Jabbari breaking the tie with a header and Kristian Fletcher converting a penalty kick in stoppage time. Cincinnati hosts Honduran club CD Olimpia on Wednesday. (See Recap)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon | Golf | WNBA

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➤ Still Brushing the Old-Fashioned Way? Sonic Glow cleans your entire mouth in just 30 seconds with thousands of sonic bristle movements, making it a great option for anyone who wants an easier, more effective routine, especially if dexterity is a challenge. See why so many people are making the switch today.(More)

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15X Bigger Than SpaceX: Elon’s New Launch

While the rest of the market goes crazy for “the mother of all IPOs,” a new Elon Musk innovation is quietly being rolled out nationwide. It’s been 27 years in the making, and it could have a radical impact on how millions of people manage their money… and even collect Social Security. Here’s everything you need to know.

➤ After a soggy stretch marked by storms and flooding, forecasters say a powerful heat dome will settle over Ohio this week, pushing temperatures into the 90s and heat index readings above 100 degrees. (See Forecast)

➤ Cleveland Clinic will begin delivering select prescriptions by drone later this summer, initially serving a limited group of patients near its Beachwood campus. (See Details)

➤ Southwest Airlines is adding seasonal nonstop service between Cleveland Hopkins and Dallas Love Field, operating from Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, 2027. (See Details)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ This tiny implant may change weight-loss treatment for months at a time. (Hear More)

➤ Humanoid robots successfully performed surgery and stunned medical researchers. (Listen Now)

➤ One child's kindness sparked an incredible neighborhood tradition. (Podcast Available)