Friday, July 31, 2026

International Motors Layoffs, the Ohio Cup, and Central Ohio Events

Friday, July 31, 2026

On this day in 1940, a Pennsylvania Railroad Doodlebug passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in Cuyahoga Falls, killing 43 of the 46 people aboard.

💨 Wildfire smoke may return to parts of Ohio today, bringing hazy skies and potentially reducing air quality. Find details in today’s Et Cetera section.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

International Motors Sale Eliminates 1,341 Jobs

International Motors will eliminate 1,341 jobs in Springfield as the company sells most of its local operating assets to Canadian armored-vehicle manufacturer Roshel. International's Springfield operations are expected to end when the transaction closes Oct. 2.

More than 1,100 of the affected employees are represented by the United Auto Workers. Company officials said pay and benefits for those employees have already been negotiated through the union.

The sale includes the Springfield Assembly Plant and the nearby Truck Specialty Center on Urbana Road. The facilities will remain open after the sale, with Roshel planning to establish a U.S. operations hub.

Canton Explosion Injures Two

A massive house explosion leveled a home in Canton about 4 a.m. Thursday, seriously injuring two people, damaging neighboring houses, and scattering debris across the area.

Surveillance video captured a fireball erupting as the blast tore apart the residence. Firefighters found one victim in the street, who suffered severe burns and traumatic injuries.

The injured man told crews another person had been inside, prompting an extensive search of the rubble. The second victim was found alive about four hours later, nearly 1,000 feet from the house, with severe burns.

Division Fire Chief Steve Henderson said the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak.

Central Ohio Weekend Packs Calendar

The Ohio State Fair and major festivals are packing central Ohio's weekend calendar, with the Dublin Irish Festival, Pelotonia Ride Weekend, concerts, baseball, and community events expected to draw crowds across the region.

The Ohio State Fair continues at the state fairgrounds through Aug. 9 with rides, food, competitions, and entertainment. Other offerings include Columbus Clippers games, an Ohio State marching band performance with the Columbus Symphony, movie showings, theater, and neighborhood festivals.

The 39th Dublin Irish Festival runs Friday through Sunday at Coffman Park. Seven stages will feature 60 acts, while visitors can explore Irish food, dance, history, Highland Games, children’s activities, and Catholic Mass. More details are available here.

Pelotonia expects 8,000 riders, 3,000 volunteers, more than 1,000 cancer survivors, and about 15,000 opening-ceremony spectators. Its new 17-mile route is the event's shortest, designed to expand access to the event after the organization raised a record $29.2 million in 2025.

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➤ Springfield: Gov. Mike DeWine said federal officials have no plans for a surge of immigration enforcement or raids in Springfield following the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. (More)

➤ Butler County: In an appearance at the Butler County Fair, Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy said data centers should pay their own energy costs and argued that stronger academic standards should take priority over additional school funding. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Zoo delayed its Thursday opening while police investigated a threat, then admitted visitors after officers determined there was no active danger. (More)

➤ Also Cincinnati: UC Health will close the Bridgeway Pointe assisted-living facility Oct. 31 after failing to find a sustainable operator or buyer. The facility houses about 50 residents and employs 70 people. (More)

➤ Columbus: City leaders scrapped plans for a new Franklin County Municipal Court building after projected costs rose from $200 million to more than $335 million. Renovating the existing facility is expected to free at least $75 million. (More)

➤ Eastern Ohio: The federal government will auction 41 parcels covering 2,840 acres in Wayne National Forest for oil and gas fracking. Members of the public may file comments through Aug. 17. (See Details)

➤ Madeira: The Madeira branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library will close Aug. 17 for about six weeks of HVAC improvements, with curbside service continuing during construction. (See Details)

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I read the same headlines you do, and there are mornings that the news industry looks like it's coming apart. But then I look at what The Ohio Flyover team builds every single day, publishing facts over the spin, and I've never been more sure that we're on the right side. The Ohio Flyover will always be free, but producing it isn't. If you rely on us for news without noise and believe fact-first journalism is worth fighting for, will you help The Flyover network hit our milestone of 6 million readers? I'd appreciate it very much.

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— Cole

➤ The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 to capture the Ohio Cup for the 11th time in 12 seasons, with Kyle Manzardo earning series MVP honors. (See Highlights)

➤ Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith said he expects 2026 to be his final college season before entering the 2027 NFL draft, saying, "Kind of sad, but I'm going to give it everything I've got.” (More)

➤ Novak Djokovic will return to the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2023. The three-time champion enters the August tournament riding a 10-match winning streak at the event. (See Details)

➤ The Columbus Blue Jackets will simulcast their television coverage on radio next season, ending Bob McElligott's 17-year run as the voice of the Blue Jackets after the team declined to renew his contract. (See Reactions)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The sale of Fallen Timbers has closed, clearing the way for an $89 million redevelopment in Maumee that could bring housing, hotels, offices, stores, restaurants, and entertainment. (See Plans)

➤ A New Albany microgrid will power an artificial intelligence data center with on-site generation and battery storage, operating independently of Ohio's power grid and creating 35 to 40 jobs. (See Details)

➤ A data center group launched nearly identical promotional campaigns in Ohio and seven other states as communities weigh the industry's energy, water, tax, and infrastructure costs. (See Campaign)

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➤ Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest could bring hazy skies to Ohio today, reducing visibility and potentially affecting air quality if particles descend closer to the ground. (More)

➤ Desmond Howard, a Cleveland native and Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Michigan, surprised his former teacher, Ruth Boyce, during her 102nd birthday celebration, arriving with flowers and sharing cake and memories. (See Photo)

➤ The Ohio Women's Monument could miss its mid-September unveiling because crews must reinforce the parking garage roof beneath Capitol Square, where the square’s first statues of women will stand. (See Monument)

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)

Which of these central Ohio events, if any, do you plan to attend this weekend?

Yesterday's Results:

Have you dealt with power outages this summer?

No: 38%
Yes, a few times: 24%
Yes, once: 23%
Yes, regularly: 15%

What was the name of Cleveland’s first newspaper, which published its inaugural edition on this day in 1818?

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The Ohio Flyover
1985 W Henderson Road
Box #2084
Columbus, OH 43220

Queen Pharma Mama, Duck Hunting Case, and Dating Show Casting

Friday, July 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1875, Andrew Johnson, the 17th president and the only U.S. senator from a seceding state to stay loyal to the Union, died of a stroke at his daughter's home near Elizabethton at 66.

The Putnam County Fair has kicked off its 100th year, marking a century of blue ribbons and delicious treats, which has us thinking about summer's simplest pleasures. What's your must-do activity at a county fair? Hit reply to tell us.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

Blackburn Wants Opioid Ad Pulled

Sen. Marsha Blackburn's legal team and gubernatorial campaign are demanding that a dark-money group, the American Exceptionalism Institute, pull a satirical ad accusing her of being paid to sponsor bills that fueled the opioid crisis.

The ad dubs her "Queen Pharma Mama" and urges viewers to call her office. Her attorneys call it defamatory, alleging it claims bribery and quid pro quo corruption "without a shred of factual support."

The ad appears to reference a 2016 law Blackburn co-sponsored that one investigation found weakened the DEA's ability to intercept large opioid shipments.

Blackburn has taken more than $500,000 from the pharmaceutical industry but has not been accused of any crime. Her team also argues the ad's undisclosed AI-generated images violate a new Tennessee law, a Class C misdemeanor.

Nursing Mother Detained by ICE

A nursing mother seeking asylum was detained by ICE outside her Antioch home and is now being held at a Louisiana facility nearly 700 miles from her two young kids, according to her attorneys.

Identified by the pseudonym "Maria Perez," she is the mother of a 10-month-old she had been breastfeeding and a 2-year-old son with Down syndrome. Her lawyers say she fled domestic violence in Guatemala and has no criminal history.

Her legal team argues the arrest violated the Constitution and ICE's 2021 policy, which says the agency generally should not detain pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals absent exceptional circumstances.

A judge denied bond Wednesday and declined to expedite her asylum case, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The Department of Homeland Security said it plans to provide a statement.

List: Notable Movies Filmed in Tennessee

Tennessee has served as a Hollywood backdrop for decades, and a new roundup spotlights eight films shot across the state.

Robert Altman's 1975 classic Nashville turned the city itself into a character, weaving Centennial Park, Belle Meade, and the Grand Ole Opry into its portrait of the country-music scene before the skyscrapers arrived.

Others lean on Tennessee's landscapes and landmarks: The Green Mile and Walk the Line both used the old Tennessee State Penitentiary, Hustle & Flow shot entirely in Memphis, and Hannah Montana: The Movie captured a Southern summer across Columbia, Nashville, and Franklin.

Even The Matrix made the cut, with Nashville's skyline featured in its opening rooftop chase.

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Fresh fruits and vegetables are a healthy choice, but recent headlines about parasites and contaminants have many families taking a closer look at how they clean their produce.

LEARN MORE

➤ Statewide: Six duck hunters cited for firing guns while legally hunting on private land have appealed their case, which could shape whether cities can restrict lawful hunting statewide. (More)

➤ Memphis: A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper tracked down a high-speed chase suspect within 24 hours using social media. He identified the suspect from Facebook and Instagram photos of his red Corvette. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The iconic Masonic temple on Locust Street, built from an 1828-born industrialist's Victorian mansion and home to lodges since 1914, could face demolition after a permit was opened July 13. (More)

➤ Also Knoxville: A local teen earned the Girl Scouts' Gold Award Scholarship for her donation drive that helped more than 100 people. The $5,000 honor is given to just 6% of scouts nationwide. (More)

➤ Robertson County: A family of five, including three young children, was rescued from the Red River on Wednesday after launching late and becoming disoriented in the dark. (More)

➤ Pigeon Forge: The city is warning residents and visitors of a foul smell after a fire damaged an aeration fan at its wastewater treatment plant. The fire is out, but the fan is offline pending repairs. (More)

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

I read the same headlines you do, and there are mornings that the news industry looks like it's coming apart. But then I look at what The Tennessee Flyover team builds every single day, publishing facts over the spin, and I've never been more sure that we're on the right side. The Tennessee Flyover will always be free, but producing it isn't. If you rely on us for news without noise and believe fact-first journalism is worth fighting for, will you help the Flyover network hit our milestone of 6 million readers? I'd appreciate it very much.

Thanks for reading every morning, and today. — Cole

➤ A second Tennessee student worker was flagged by the NCAA for using the Kalshi prediction market app, this time for placing a single Super Bowl trade as a favor for a friend's $25 referral bonus. The student wasn’t fired and said they didn’t know prediction markets counted as sports betting. (More)

➤ Three-star running back Asa Barnes committed to Tennessee this week, their second running back pledge in two weeks after five-star David Gabriel-Georges chose the Vols over Ohio State. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans opened training camp this week with an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of former running back Chris Johnson, who revealed his diagnosis in June. Johnson will be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor at the Sept. 13 home opener. (More)

➤ Tennessee and Duke will play a preseason basketball scrimmage at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Oct. 20, a rematch of last year's exhibition in Knoxville. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The owners of several popular Townsend destinations like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, River Rat Tubing & Rafting, and Burger Master are partnering with Nashville-based Streamside RV Resorts & Campgrounds. (More)

➤ Sam's Club held its grand opening yesterday in Lebanon, capping a two-year effort by city officials. Lebanon's council is weighing about $20 million in road and infrastructure spending tied to the project. (More)

➤ Blue Roo Vape and Smoke Shop in Knoxville has turned an unusual mascot into a draw. Customers travel over an hour to see Sophie, a nearly two-year-old kangaroo who greets shoppers on Tuesdays and Saturdays. (See Sophie)

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➤ Dollywood's long-delayed NightFlight Expedition, billed as the world's first indoor adventure coaster of its kind, will finally open to the public Aug. 19. The climate-controlled ride simulates soaring over the Smokies. (More)

➤ The 100th Putnam County Fair is now open in Cookeville, running through Aug. 8 with livestock shows, motorsports, pageants, and games. Admission is $5 for anyone over 5. (See Details)

➤ Netflix dating show Love is Blind is casting Nashville singles for an upcoming season. Producers want applicants 21 or older who are ready for commitment. (More)

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➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)