Friday, September 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1918, Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker attacked seven German planes alone over France and shot down two of them. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

🏒 The Columbus Blue Jackets locked up their star center through the 2031-32 season. Read more about the contract extension in Ohio Sports.

Today’s sponsor is Curated Gift Guides, rounding up 37 of the most useful and ingenious gadgets of 2026 designed to solve everyday problems and make great gifts.

Court Reinstates Voter Citizenship Law

Ohio can require proof of U.S. citizenship from people registering to vote at Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices after a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the state’s 2025 law ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.

In a 2-1 decision, a 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel paused a lower court’s August injunction against the law, ruling that challengers likely lacked standing and that the injunction came too close to the election.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose, whose office says proof of citizenship had generally been standard BMV practice, hailed the ruling on X: “Huge legal victory for election integrity in Ohio tonight.”

Nine Arrested at Kroger Headquarters

Cincinnati police arrested nine out-of-state animal rights activists Wednesday after protesters chained themselves to Kroger’s headquarters downtown to pressure the grocer over a cage-free egg pledge it later scaled back.

Protesters arrived at the Court Street entrance and locked themselves to it with metal tubing. Police and firefighters used bolt cutters and saws to remove them.

Los Angeles-based Animal Equality has protested outside the building almost daily since June over Kroger’s 2016 pledge to source only cage-free eggs by 2025, drawing complaints from nearby businesses and residents.

In a company statement, Kroger said “extreme tactics that create safety concerns for our associates, visitors and neighbors cross a line.”

Audit Finds Ineligible Ohioans on Medicaid

Auditor of State Keith Faber found that thousands of ineligible Ohioans remain enrolled in Medicaid, with benefits paid on behalf of millionaires and more than 3,000 people who have died.

His office’s interim report reviewed Medicaid programs for aged, blind, and disabled residents. Of 1,500 enrollees sampled, 49 didn’t qualify, including three with more than $1 million at their disposal. Benefits totaling $356,541 were paid on behalf of the 49, roughly $7,000 apiece.

Among nearly 499,000 people in those programs, 3,172 had died but remained enrolled, with nearly $1.8 million in benefits paid on their behalf. The report blamed infrequent eligibility reviews and outdated applications.

Flying together with our sponsor

The 37 Best Gadgets of 2026 You Won’t Find in Stores

The best gadgets aren’t just cool... they solve real everyday problems. From clutter-busting tools to clever tech upgrades, these picks are making waves for their usefulness and ingenuity. We’ve rounded up the most talked-about items that people can’t stop adding to their carts.

Each one combines practical function with a touch of genius, making them perfect for your home, office, or even as gifts. But be warned... demand is skyrocketing, and these top gadgets are already selling out faster than expected.

Learn More

➤ Butler County: A judge tossed a lawsuit from Republican state Reps. Levi Dean and Jennifer Gross and a Lebanon council member, who argued that Ohio’s 2023 abortion amendment needed a constitutional convention, not a statewide vote. (More)

➤ Cleveland: The city launched an EMS bureau that will send unarmed health and behavioral health professionals to certain nonviolent mental health and substance use emergencies, which officials say will let police focus on law enforcement. (See Details)

➤ Also Cleveland: The Cleveland Orchestra musicians’ contract expired at midnight Wednesday with no deal as musicians seek pay that keeps up with inflation, safer work rules, and more say in hiring. (More)

➤ Hocking County: State records show the county’s state parks have Ohio’s longest average EMS response time, and the county’s EMS chief says reaching hikers on trails can take 24 minutes or more. (More)

➤ Englewood: A bomb threat emptied Miami Valley Career Technology Center on Thursday, sending students home for the day. Bomb-sniffing dogs cleared the building, and classes resume today. (More)

➤ Middletown: A new steeple was hoisted onto Grace Baptist Church on Wednesday, replacing one that high winds ripped from the roof in March 2025. (See Photo)

Enjoy reading The Ohio Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million extension that runs through the 2031-32 season. (More)

➤ Notable high school football games around the state of Ohio tonight include Columbus DeSales at unbeaten Bishop Watterson, St. Xavier at Elder, and St. Henry against Marion Local. (See Schedule)

➤ The Dayton Dragons led all of Minor League Baseball in average attendance this season with 7,863 fans per game, topping Class A for the 26th straight season. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stop cutting into your steak to guess if it's done. The MEATER Plus tracks internal and ambient temp from your phone, wirelessly, so you can walk away from the grill without walking away from a perfect cook. Find yours at Ace Hardware.

➤ Honda is reportedly finalizing plans for a new Ohio hybrid plant worth an estimated $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion that could build 250,000 vehicles a year starting in 2030. (More)

➤ Sheetz will cut the ribbon Tuesday on its $169 million food preparation and distribution center in Findlay. It’s expected to create 750 jobs over five years. (See Details)

➤ Dublin-based Wendy’s terminated its franchise agreements with Meritage Hospitality Group just before the Michigan company, which runs 13 restaurants in Ohio, filed for bankruptcy. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Investing Doesn’t Have to Feel Complicated. Building your financial future is easier when you have a plan. Stash combines an easy-to-use investing app with personalized guidance from a Money Coach, giving you clear next steps based on your goals and help staying on track. See how Stash can help you build wealth with more confidence.

Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. Stash's AI Money Coach provides general guidance based on your personal information available to Stash. It does not reflect your complete financial situation. Responses may be incomplete or inaccurate and should not be your sole source of financial guidance.

Flying together with our sponsor

Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

Smart shoppers know the secret: the best gadgets earn their keep. These 37 picks prove it. They aren't gimmicks or dust collectors, they're practical innovations that deliver real value every single day.

Whether you're organizing your space, upgrading your routine, or getting a head start on gifts, this list highlights what's genuinely worth buying right now. The catch? These popular items are selling faster than anticipated, so availability won't last.

Click Here

➤ Amazon Prime Air launched drone delivery in the Cleveland area Thursday, reaching customers within 7.5 miles of its North Randall fulfillment center in two hours or less. (See Details)

➤ Deeper Roots Coffee teamed up with Chicago architect Amanda Roelle on a line of mugs featuring her hand-drawn sketches of its Cincinnati cafés, each set within its surrounding neighborhood. She’s sketched four locations so far, with another on the way. (Watch Report)

➤ Roundabouts have eliminated fatal and injury crashes at multiple intersections statewide, according to Ohio Department of Transportation data released for National Roundabouts Week. (See Stats)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Swollen ankles and feet making everyday life uncomfortable? Researchers are highlighting a unique omega-3 compound from Antarctica that may help address factors linked to age-related fluid retention rather than simply masking discomfort. Discover what’s behind stubborn leg, foot, and ankle swelling—and the approach that could help. Learn more today.