Editor’s picks: Some of our top stories of the year

OHIO — With the batches of stories Spectrum News 1 Ohio’s team pumps out every year, there are editors behind them that look at each one before they get published. 

It was hard to pick some of our favorites, but the digital team compiled this list of some stories that stood out to them the most. 

A storied rivalry: What makes Ohio State and Michigan embattled enemies?

A rivalry that seems as old as time heated up once again this year. But what makes the Ohio State and Michigan matchups mean so much to students, alumni and fans? 

Did you see them? Northern Lights dazzle across Ohio

For two years in a row, the Northern Lights danced across the sky, giving a beautiful sight to Ohioans. 

Experts encourage embracing boredom for mental reset

In a world filled with scrolling, swiping and stimulation, our attention is constantly being hijacked. A surprising trend is taking over social media — people recording themselves doing absolutely nothing for an hour. There’s no talking, no music and no multitasking. Just sitting

Bald eagle population soaring across Ohio, officials say

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources released data on Ohio’s bald eagle nests, which shows the population has grown substantially over the past five years. This year’s 2025 bald eagle nest census confirmed 964 active bald eagle nests across the state. That’s 36% more than the last census completed in 2020, which documented 707 eagle nests, according to ODNR.

‘It’s haunting’: Hundreds of animals rescued from horrible conditions at fur and urine farm

The Humane Society of the United States and local authorities completed an operation to rescue hundreds of animals that had been living in terrible conditions at a fur and urine farm. A total of 250 animals were rescued, but some had to be euthanized.

The miraculous return of Mentor Marsh

From one billion stems, to just a few thousand, this year represents a milestone for ecologists’ fight against an invasive plant at Mentor Marsh. Ecologists overseeing the marsh have been succesful in removing most of the once-dominate phragmites plant, restoring native wildlife.