COLUMBUS, Ohio — As much as the game itself, the food on Super Bowl Sunday is a key component of the experience.
What You Need To Know
Super Bowl Sunday is all about a good game and good food
Barley’s Brewing Company has three appetizers for Super Bowl Sunday
Nachos, wings and sauerkraut balls
Barley’s Brewing Company was ready to bring their A-game to Super Bowl Sunday weekend.
“We definitely see more business on Super Bowl Sunday than a normal Sunday,” said the assistant general manager of Barley’s Brewing Company, Ian Boyland.
Every big day has certain foods associated with it. Thanksgiving is about turkey and sides. Christmas seems to always feature a good ham. But for a Super Bowl party, it’s all about the appetizers.
“So all year round, but especially around Super Bowl time, our char-grilled wings are a huge hit. Also nachos are big here. We can get them with chicken or without and have chili on top of them if you want. It’s a heaping pile of tortillas that we fry up fresh, shredded cheese and the toppings.
But Boyland said sometimes bringing those traditional apps to your party is boring and you can be the hit of the party if you come up with something different.
“Something that’s a little off the beaten path that people that know Barley’s love the sauerkraut balls,” said Boyland.
Whether you enjoy the game alone or with a group, many say having some good food is a priority for your Super Bowl experience.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The officer in charge of the Coast Guard Station Toledo, Chief Petty Officer Robert Holm, was “permanently relieved of duties” Jan. 25, 2024, according to a press release from the Ninth Coast Guard District.
What You Need To Know
The officer in charge of the Coast Guard Station Toledo, Chief Petty Officer Robert Holm, was “permanently relieved of duties” Jan. 25, 2024
This was due to a “loss of confidence in Holm’s ability to command the station”
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Parker is in interim command of the station until a permanent command is chosen
Another military facility in Ohio saw a leader stripped of their command late last year
Following an investigation, Rear Admiral Jon Hickey, the Coast Guard’s Ninth District commander, “effected the permanent relief due to a loss of confidence in Holm’s ability to command the station,” the release reads.
The investigation, according to the release, concluded that Holm did not meet “personal qualification requirements” and did not “properly administrate unit programs.”
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Parker is in interim command of the station until a permanent command is chosen, the release notes. Meanwhile, Holm is now temporarily assigned to the Marine Safety Unit Toledo.
Another military facility in Ohio saw a leader stripped of their command late last year.
In December, Col. Christopher Meeker was relieved of command of the 88th Air Base Wing at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, also due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to lead.”
Welcome to Cincinnati, OH, a city with a rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and a vibrant cultural scene. From the iconic Fountain Square to the scenic parks along the Ohio River, Cincinnati offers residents a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. Whether you’re searching for a new home in Cincinnati or eager to explore what Cincinnati is known for, this Redfin article is your guide to uncovering the distinctive qualities that make Cincinnati a dynamic and welcoming community.
1. Queen City on the Ohio River
Cincinnati is known as the “Queen City on the Ohio River,” a nickname that reflects its historical significance and regal charm. The city’s rich heritage and vibrant culture make it a royal gem along the banks of the Ohio River.
2. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a beloved attraction that showcases a diverse array of wildlife and stunning botanical displays. As one of the oldest zoos in the United States, it has a long-standing reputation for conservation, education, and providing an immersive experience for visitors of all ages.
3. Over-the-Rhine Historic District
The Over-the-Rhine Historic District is a cultural hub known for its charming 19th-century architecture, trendy boutiques, and lively entertainment venues. This vibrant neighborhood is a testament to Cincinnati’s rich history and its ongoing revitalization efforts.
4. Cincinnati Art Museum
The Cincinnati Art Museum is a cultural treasure that houses an extensive collection of art spanning thousands of years and diverse cultures. From ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, the museum offers a captivating journey through the world of art and creativity.
5. Great American Ball Park
Great American Ball Park is a premier destination for baseball enthusiasts, offering an exhilarating atmosphere and top-notch facilities. Home to the Cincinnati Reds, the ballpark is a symbol of the city’s passion for America’s favorite pastime and the camaraderie it fosters.
6. Roebling Suspension Bridge
The Roebling Suspension Bridge is an iconic landmark that connects Cincinnati to neighboring Kentucky. Designed by the renowned engineer John A. Roebling, this architectural marvel is a testament to innovation and engineering prowess, offering breathtaking views of the Ohio River.
7. Fountain Square
Fountain Square is a bustling public space that serves as the heart of Cincinnati’s downtown district. With its iconic fountain, vibrant events, and diverse dining options, the square is a focal point for community gatherings, celebrations, and cultural experiences.
8. Cincinnati Music Hall
Cincinnati Music Hall is a historic venue renowned for its stunning architecture and world-class performances. As the home of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera, it stands as a testament to the city’s enduring love for music, art, and the performing arts.
9. Mount Adams Overlook
The Mount Adams Overlook offers panoramic views of Cincinnati’s skyline and the winding Ohio River, providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. This scenic vantage point is a popular destination for capturing the city’s natural beauty and urban charm.
10. Cultural and arts scene
Cincinnati is celebrated for its vibrant cultural and arts scene, encompassing theaters, galleries, and creative spaces that showcase the city’s diverse talents and artistic expressions. From avant-garde performances to traditional exhibitions, the city’s cultural landscape is a testament to its creative spirit and artistic vitality.
The top 10 hottest housing markets are expected to be spread across the South, Northeast and Midwest this year, according to an analysis by real estate marketplace Zillow. But a “hot” market isn’t always great for would-be buyers.
Buffalo, New York, made the top of the list, as the area is slated to see increased job growth compared with the number of approved construction permits for new homes.
“In markets where you’re going to have a ton more job creation than there is housing supply, you’re likely going to see homes move faster, stronger home value appreciation,” said Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow.
The list is based on an analysis of home value appreciation, how long it takes to sell a home and job growth relative to housing supply. That’s important information that can help you decide where you may want to look for a home — and places you may want to avoid.
Market growth in some areas may not correlate to newly created jobs.
Florida, for instance, is attracting baby boomer residents who are seeking warmer, tax-friendly places to retire, said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors.
The claim that “the biggest share of homebuyers are baby boomers looking into warmer climates is a trope, but it’s a trope that’s true,” she said. “They’re looking into warmer areas, favorable tax conditions and better housing affordability.”
Baby boomers are also the generation that holds most of the wealth and some of them are going to be cash buyers as they can tap into their home equity.
Meanwhile, home values are expected to decline this year in the “coolest markets,” or places that will be less competitive. These places are New Orleans; San Antonio; Denver; Houston; and Minneapolis.
“It’s a matter of affordability as well; if a market has gotten less affordable … you’re likely not going to see that type of heat in the market,” Divounguy said.
Denver, for instance, was a popular attraction for homebuyers during the pandemic, but it has turned into an area where affordability was constrained.
“Denver had a massive population flow,” Lautz said. “Finding the new Denver will be important to buyers.”
Millennials will also be major buyers; most are in their prime homebuying age and some have reached their peak earning potential.
Unlike baby boomers who are looking for favorable areas to retire, this cohort may be seeking employment opportunities or the ability to work remotely in new areas.
It is one of the most mysterious places on Earth, where only a handful of people have visited and an unspecified number of elves and reindeer may live.
It is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, but you won’t find much water here.
It is the home to only one sunrise and one sunset every year.
You may think you know about the North Pole, but there are a lot of interesting facts to share.
What You Need To Know
The North Pole has a multitude of meanings
The ice cover at the North Pole varies by season
The legend of Santa and the North Pole dates to 1866
Where is the North Pole?
Before we answer that question, we have to ask another: Which North Pole are you trying to find? The geographic North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth. It has no time zone, and no matter what direction you are pointing, it is south of where you are standing.
The geographic North Pole is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by ice up to 10 feet thick at times, but the exact location can change slightly, based on the Earth’s wobble on its axis.
The geographic North Pole is in a different location than the magnetic North Pole, which is the spot that guides our compasses and other navigation systems. The Earth’s iron core and magnetic field create the magnetic North Pole.
Discovered in the 1830s, the magnetic North Pole is near Ellesmere Island, Canada, about 500 miles from the geographic North Pole.
Weather at the North Pole
It doesn’t take a meteorologist to know the North Pole is cold pretty much all year round.
In the coldest part of the year, between the autumnal and vernal equinoxes (late September to late March), there is no sunlight, and temperatures average around 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.
When the North Pole sees nothing but sunlight between late March and late September, temperatures average right around the freezing mark.
These temperatures are warmer than temperatures at the South Pole because the North Pole sits over water.
(AP Photo/David Goldman)
Visitors to the North Pole
While the North Pole doesn’t get many visitors outside those elves we mentioned earlier and the occasional explorer (more on that in a minute), animals are sparsely seen.
You may see a rare polar bear sighting and a flock of migrating birds.
The Arctic tern is usually spotted there and has the longest migration of any bird, traveling round trip from the North and South Poles every year!
Exploration of the North Pole
The main reason for early explorers to seek out and travel through the North Pole was to find a northwest passage or a sea route from the north Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Many expeditions took on this task with no luck, with the earliest being in 1827 by British Admiral William Parry.
A Swedish explorer even tried to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon.
The main debate on who reached the North Pole first is between a pair of Americans, physician Frederick Albert Cook and explorer Robert Peary and their teams. Peary’s team included Matthew Henson, the first African American Arctic explorer.
Over the years, each man called the other a fraud or claimed their expedition was the first successful trip to the Pole. The men then published accounts of their trips in the booklet “At the Pole with Cook and Peary,” which was a best-seller. The debate about the veracity of both men’s claims is still up for debate.
The first verifiable expedition to the Pole was completed in 1926 by Norwegian Roald Amundsen, who was also the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911. Instead of taking a dog-sled, his preferred method to reach the South Pole, he took a dirigible and floated over the Pole with a team of others on board.
The USS Nautilus. (AP Photo)
More fun firsts for the North Pole
The Soviet Union landed the first planes at the North Pole on April 23, 1948, while the first naval vessel, the U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus, reached the Pole on Aug. 3, 1958.
One of our favorite facts about the Pole was that Ralph Plaisted of Minnesota was the first to reach the North Pole by snowmobile on April 19, 1968.
Also, Ann Bancroft was the first female to reach the Pole on May 1, 1986, part of the first expedition to reach the North Pole on foot without being resupplied.
Speaking of Santa
We couldn’t end a story about the North Pole without talking about the jolly elf himself.
Stories of St. Nick date back centuries, but no one ever knew where he lived. Many credit American illustrator Thomas Nast with popularizing the idea of Santa living at the North Pole in an issue of Harper’s Weekly in 1866.
The illustration includes the title “Santa Clausville, N.P.,” and at a time when the public had a keen interest in the North Pole, readers understood the abbreviation.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
So, you’re dreaming of a white Christmas? In some cities, a white Christmas is quite a treat!
In 2004, a freak storm delivered a white Christmas to the residents of Brownsville, TX. It was the first white Christmas for the community, which hasn’t seen measurable snow since 1899.
If you want to plan your travels next year to increase your odds of a white Christmas, your best bet is somewhere north and in the mountains.
Aspen, Colorado, for example, has a white Christmas nearly every single year! Why? Not only is it much colder at their elevation (8,000 ft), but the community is farther north and away from large bodies of water.
Watch the video above to learn more about the best places to have a white Christmas, and keep up with your forecast to see what Christmas looks like for you!
Located along the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati, OH is a city with a rich blend of history, culture, and urban vibrancy. But is Cincinnati, OH a good place to live? If you’re thinking about calling the Queen City home, weighing the pros and cons of living in Cincinnati is essential. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking at homes for sale in Cincinnati, apartments for rent, or are just curious about what it’s like to live here, this Redfin guide is for you.
Pros of living in Cincinnati, OH
1. Things to do
If you’re a fan of art, consider checking out the Taft Museum of Art. Visitors can enjoy special exhibitions, the beautiful outdoor garden, the Museum Shop and Lindner Family Café, events and programming for all ages—and so much more. The Taft Museum of Art is a one-of-a-kind, multi-sensory experience that puts you at the center of art and history right in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.
“This is where I think so many people miss out on visiting a city like ours,” says Mike Stokes, President of Cincy Brew Bus, a guided tour of the best breweries in Cincinnati. “There is so much to do every season all of the time. From the enchanting Festival of Lights at the Zoo to the thrill of Kings Island amusement park, catching games featuring the Reds, Bengals, Cyclones, and Bearcats, or immersing in events like the Cincy Beer Fest and Cincinnati Food Tours—the options are endless. Immerse yourself in history with the Brewing Heritage Trail or explore the artistic wonders at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Taft’s Museum of Art. Enjoy concerts at the Riverbend Music Center, and embrace leisurely strolls through Smale Riverfront Park and Washington Park, the list goes on.”
Lisa Andrews, a registered dietician at Sound Bites Nutrition loves how Cincinnati offers something for everyone. “I like to spend my free time going to live concerts or shows at Riverbend, the Taft Theater, Woodward Theater, and Aronoff Center. I also enjoy biking on the Loveland Bike Trail and playing pickleball at Lang Courts or Sawyer Point. I highly recommend checking out Findlay Market, the oldest continuously operated public market in Ohio and offers a great mix of indoor and outdoor local food and craft vendors. Findlay is also home to an incubator kitchen where new restaurants and vendors often get their start.”
MainStrasse Village in Covington, just across the river from Cincinnati, is a historic and charming neighborhood. The cobblestone streets are lined with unique boutiques, restaurants, and pubs offering a delightful blend of local and international cuisine. “It’s an enchanting locale where individuals come together to foster a community built on diversity, acceptance, and an overall cheerful atmosphere,” shares Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe. “Oh, and by the way, we have a touch of eccentricity that adds to the charm.”
Photo courtesy of Taft Museum of Art, photographed by Ryan Kurtz
2. The incredible food scene
“One of my favorite Italian restaurants is Via Vite located in the heart of the city on Fountain Square,” shares Murissa Shalapata, co-founder of Foodie Town, offering city guides, travel guides, restaurant reviews, and more. “It is perfect for special occasions, yet won’t break the bank. Another unique restaurant is Nicholson’s Scottish Pub. You feel you’ve left the country and entered Scotland. Finally, you need to try German lager beer. One of the best spots is along the river at Moerlein Lager House.”
“Tacos hold a special place in my heart, and Pata Roja Taqueria on Court Street downtown is my ultimate go-to spot,” says Gee Horton Art Studios, a self-taught artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. “This hidden gem not only captures the essence of authentic Mexican flavors but elevates the taco experience with an array of tantalizing options.”
“In the past few years, Cincinnati and surrounding areas have blown up with amazing food choices,” explains Soul Unique Consignment Boutique, featuring new and gently used clothing, accessories, designer handbags, and home decor. “From one of a kind taproom bars and outdoor balcony seating, to once in a lifetime experience at Jeff Ruby, there are options for every price range and even the most picky eaters.”
3. Events and festivals
Cincinnati provides its residents with a lively calendar of events and festivals that captivate both locals and visitors alike throughout the year. From the renowned Oktoberfest Zinzinnati to the Cincinnati Music Festival, the city hosts celebrations spanning music, culinary arts, and sports, attracting both locals and visitors. The Bunbury Music Festivaland the MidPoint Music Festival add to the dynamic calendar.
“Undoubtedly, the Blink Festival, held biennially, stands out as an unparalleled spectacle,” states Gee Horton Art Studios. “This arts-focused event showcases an impressive array of expansive projection mapping, murals, and interactive light sculptures contributed by artists from around the world. The Blink Festival is a captivating celebration that transcends traditional boundaries, offering a mesmerizing experience that reflects the global diversity and innovation within the realm of visual arts.”
4. Beautiful parks
“The Cincinnati area has some of the most beautiful parks and small town scenes that make living here feel like home,” shares lifestyle photographer Heather Ford of Two Blooms Photography. “I love being able to give my clients so many different options when it comes to planning their photo sessions in a place where we all feel comfortable and safe. The small business scene is incredible and I always enjoy recommending local dives for my clients to visit after our sessions together.”
Some notable parks include Eden Park, with its serene lakes and beautifully landscaped grounds, offering a tranquil escape within the urban landscape. Washington Park, located in Over-the-Rhine, provides a vibrant community space with a playground and regular events. For nature enthusiasts, Mt. Airy Forest stands out as one of the city’s largest parks, featuring hiking trails, a treehouse playground, and a disc golf course.
5. City Culture
Murissa Shalapata, co-founder of Foodie Town, a resource for travel guides, restaurant reviews, and more, states “The city takes pride in its rich German heritage and proudly hosts the world’s second-largest Oktoberfest, surpassed only by Munich. A genuine love for beer and brats permeates the cultural landscape. Adding to the charm is Over-the-Rhine, a historic 360-acre German neighborhood brimming with breweries, restaurants, and shops, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike.”
Mike Stokes of Cincy Brew Bus shares, “The art scene in Cincinnati is truly special, especially for a city this size. Cincinnati takes immense pride in the arts, boasting incredible galleries, museums, and a vibrant music culture. Our love for beer is deeply rooted in the city’s German cultural foundation. Throughout various neighborhoods, you’ll discover fantastic German festivals featuring exceptional food, beer, dancing, games, and music. Paired with our distinctive old-world Italianate Architecture, taking a stroll here feels like stepping back in time.”
“Having grown up in Eastern Kentucky and spent seven years in New York before settling in the Greater Cincinnati area, I have come to appreciate numerous aspects of this place,” says Miranda Schultz, writer behind lifestyle blog, The Plus Life. “First on my list is the vibrant culture. The people here exude warmth, kindness, and a welcoming spirit. My husband and I have forged many meaningful friendships, a sentiment shared by our children. Additionally, we delight in the plethora of enjoyable activities, with favorites including The Cincinnati Zoo, The Cincinnati Children’s Museum,Entertainment Junction, Silverlake The Family Place, and the abundance of fantastic playgrounds and parks.
Cincinnati has a rich cultural heritage that is a source of pride for its residents. The city’s historic architecture, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Music Hall, the exceptional world class restaurants and its unique art scene all come together to make Cincinnati an extraordinary place to live. One art gallery that stands out is the Joseph Clark Gallery which showcases a diverse collection of tribal artifacts from sub-Saharan west Africa, as well as original artwork from local artists and artisans. The Cincinnati close-knit communities celebrate their unique traditions through annual events like the Taste of Cincinnati highlighting the culinary delights from various cultures.”
6. Cincinnati neighborhoods
“Cincinnati is full of fun, eclectic neighborhoods,” explains Lisa Andrews of Sound Bites Nutrition. “One of my favorites is Northside, known for its diverse, LGTBQ-friendly shops and restaurants including Shake it Records, Tickle Pickle, and Melt Revival. Northside hosts an unforgettable Fourth of July Parade that people around the city attend annually. I’m also fond of Pleasant Ridge, where I live. It’s a diverse, friendly neighborhood with a tight-knit community of runners, pickleball players, and craft beer lovers. Some of my favorite spots include Coffee Exchange, Café Alma, and Nine Giant Brewery.”
“Cincinnati has many great neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and appeal,” states Rivertown Inkery & Apparel, vintage-inspired shirts, apparel, and other printed items. “Oakley is more of a traditional single-family home neighborhood with a main business district filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. It is also right next to other neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Walnut Hills, and Columbia Tusculum. All of these great areas complement each other and give residents a lot of options outside of just where they live.”
“In my opinion, Findlay Market is the most lively and active area of the city,” shares Rivertown Inkery & Apparel. “It has a wonderful mix of businesses and people that cannot be matched. Located in the northern end of Over-the-Rhine, this historic area has been undergoing renovation for the last 5-10 years and there is much more to come. On any given day, you’ll encounter folks who call this area home, people who live nearby but do their shopping here, and tourists from other cities. The historical architecture and brewery sites are my favorite, and you can even take a tour and see some of the underground prohibition era tunnels that are scattered throughout these sites.”
“The can’t-miss neighborhoods for me are Walnut Hills and the West End,” says Gee Horton Art Studios. “Walnut Hills, known for its historic charm, is a vibrant community undergoing revitalization, boasting eclectic shops, art spaces, and a diverse culinary scene. The West End, on the other hand, exudes a unique character with its mix of historic architecture and modern development. Its proximity to major cultural and sports venues adds an extra layer of allure. Exploring these neighborhoods unveils not just the city’s history but also its evolving cultural dynamism, making them essential stops for anyone looking to truly capture the essence of Cincinnati.”
7. Low cost of living
Cincinnati’s cost of living is favorable, making it an attractive destination for residents seeking economic stability. Housing costs in the city are notably reasonable, providing diverse options for both homeowners and renters. In fact, the median sale price in Cincinnati was $255,000, nearly $160,000 below the national median. Rent prices come in lower as well, with an average of $1,261 asking rent, versus a national average of $1,473. The overall affordability extends to everyday expenses, including groceries, transportation, and utilities.
Cons of living in Cincinnati, OH
1. Unpredictable weather
Cincinnati’s weather dances to its own rhythm, showcasing a capricious nature that keeps residents on their toes. With distinct seasons, the city experiences everything from sweltering summers to brisk winters, often within the same week. Spring and fall offer a brief respite, but sudden temperature swings and unexpected rain showers are the norm. The Ohio River’s influence adds another layer of unpredictability, influencing local weather patterns. Cincinnati residents have learned to embrace a versatile wardrobe and stay attuned to weather forecasts as Mother Nature’s whimsical temperament ensures that each day is a meteorological adventure in the Queen City.
2. Lack of public transportation
Cincinnati, unfortunately, grapples with a notable deficiency in public transportation infrastructure, which impacts the city’s accessibility and convenience. The absence of an extensive and efficient public transit system can pose challenges for residents and visitors alike, limiting options for commuting and making the reliance on personal vehicles more pronounced. While efforts have been made to enhance public transportation, the city still lacks the comprehensive network found in many metropolitan areas. As Cincinnati continues to evolve and grow, addressing the gaps in public transportation infrastructure remains a crucial consideration to foster a more sustainable and commuter-friendly urban environment.
3. Bad traffic congestion
Navigating Cincinnati’s roadways can often be a test of patience due to persistent traffic congestion plaguing the city. With a growing population and limited public transportation options, the reliance on personal vehicles contributes to congestion, especially during peak hours. The challenge is further compounded by ongoing construction projects aimed at improving infrastructure, adding temporary obstacles to the daily commute.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to live? Final thoughts
Cincinnati is a city with undeniable charm and complexity, offering a myriad of experiences for those who choose to call it home. The diverse neighborhoods, vibrant arts scene, and culinary delights underscore the city’s cultural richness. However, the challenges of unpredictable weather and traffic congestion serve as reminders of the urban dynamics residents navigate. As the Queen City continues to evolve, the blend of its positives and challenges forms a narrative that captures the essence of urban living in the heart of the Midwest.
In the end, whether you decide to make the move to Cincinnati, OH or not, it’s clear that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks when making this dynamic city your home.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Although Ohioans can now smoke marijuana recreationally, that doesn’t mean they can’t get in trouble at all for using it.
What You Need To Know
Employers are not required to revise their company drug policy
Ohioans can still get fired if they fail a drug test
It’s unlikely that corporations and organizations would change their drug policy until marijuana becomes legal on a federal level
Issue 2, which legalizes recreational marijuana, has officially become law, but it doesn’t mean it comes without obstacles. As a citizen-initiated statute, the legislature is free to make provisions on it. Aside from the legal fate of the legislation, there can also be complications with employer policies.
“An employer is still well within its rights to still have a workplace program and include marijuana in that, just as if it were still a completely illegal drug,” said Chris Lalak, who has his own firm as a labor attorney. “They are allowed to test for that. They don’t have to accommodate for it, even if there is a medicinal use for it.”
Ohio is the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana, but it is still illegal on the federal level. Many corporations and businesses operate on a national or even global scale, which is why many employers have no concern or push to change or modify their drug policies anytime soon.
“The next step, as far as requiring employers to accommodate it, as I see it, there’s going to need to be some sort…
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In the early 1950s, the Cincinnati Reds became the Cincinnati Redlegs after the team found their name entangled in the political tensions of the era.
As America’s fear of communism grew, particularly during the Korean War, the Reds decided to change their name to the Cincinnati Redlegs between 1953 and 1959. This decision wasn’t about sports; it was a move to distance the team from any communist associations, a concern amplified by the rise of McCarthyism.
Historical Roots and Political Pressures
The original name, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, dates back to 1869, becoming the Reds in 1881. However, the post-World War II era marked a period of heightened suspicion towards communism, often referred to as “The Red Scare.”
Senator Joseph McCarthy’s public witch hunts for communist sympathizers cast a shadow of fear across America. The term “Reds” became uncomfortably close to “Reds,” a common term for communists.
To avoid unwanted connections, the team opted for “Redlegs,” a nod to its historical roots and a safe distance from political controversy.
The Cincinnati Redlegs and Uniform Changes
During this period, some of the team’s most celebrated players, including Frank Robinson and Joe Nuxhall, played under the Redlegs banner. Despite the official name change, the team’s jerseys still sported the word “Reds,” and fans and media often continued to refer to them by their original name.
In 1956, an attempt to further avoid the “Reds” association led to jersey modifications, including a season featuring a Mr. Redlegs logo. However, these changes were short-lived.
Senator McCarthy’s influence dwindled following his senate censure in 1954 and his subsequent death in 1957. With the decline of McCarthyism, the climate of fear surrounding communism receded. By 1959, the team reclaimed its original name, the Cincinnati Reds.
The word “Reds” reappeared on their uniforms in 1961, a year marking their return to the postseason as National League pennant winners. Interestingly, the team experienced limited success as the Redlegs, with only two winning seasons during this period.
Reflections on the Reds’ Name Change
The story of the Reds becoming the Redlegs is a fascinating example of how sports can intersect with politics. It reflects a time when fear and suspicion influenced various aspects of American life, including the world of baseball. The Reds’ decision to change their name was a response to the prevailing political climate, a move to safeguard the team’s image amid national paranoia.
While the Redlegs name was relatively short-lived, it remains an interesting chapter in the team’s history. It signifies how external factors can impact sports teams and their identities. The era also reminds us of the power of names and symbols in representing and reflecting societal values and concerns.
Today, the Cincinnati Reds are firmly established with their original name, with the “Redlegs” period serving as a historical footnote. The team continues to build upon its rich history, contributing to the dynamic world of baseball while staying clear of political controversies that once led to a significant, if temporary, identity change.
One person was killed and five others wounded in a shooting in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday night, authorities said.
In a news briefing late Friday night, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the incident occurred a little before 9:30 p.m. local time on a street in the city’s West End neighborhood, located near downtown.
Theetge said officers arrived to find one person, a male, dead at the scene. Five others were rushed to local hospitals. Their conditions were not confirmed.
Some of the victims were juveniles, Theetge disclosed. The deceased victim was not immediately identified.
“This is absolutely unacceptable in our city, unacceptable, that on a Friday night, six people were shot in one incident,” the police chief said.
The circumstances that led up to the shooting were unclear, she added. There was no word of any arrests.
Theetge said there was “no indication” of an ongoing threat to the public.
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Robert Carter, 33, adopted three boys, Robert, Giovanni and Kiontae in 2020. After learning the boys had two sisters, Marionna and Makayla, he adopted them as well. All five siblings are now together. CBS News’ David Begnaud introduces us to Robert Carter, who as a child aged out of the foster care system without ever being adpoted.
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Jerry Springer, the TV talk show host and television personality who briefly served as mayor of Cincinnati, has died, his publicist confirmed to CBS News on Thursday morning. He was 79.
Springer died peacefully on Thursday morning at his home in Chicago after an illness, the Associated Press reported.
“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” said Jene Galvin, a family spokesperson and friend of Springer’s since 1970, in a statement after his death, according to the AP. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
A former attorney and politician, Springer was elected the 56th mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 and held the role until 1978. He is known best for his namesake talk series, “Jerry Springer,” a raucous show often featuring dysfunctional families which ran for nearly three decades. Springer later appeared on the popular competition show “America’s Got Talent” for a short stint between 2007 and 2008, before moving on to host the NBC courtroom reality series “Judge Jerry.”
Before rising to public prominence on television, Springer began his career in politics with a congressional campaign in 1970. Although unsuccessful, the race preceded his election the following year to the Cincinnati City Council, where he served for three years until his resignation in 1974 after a well-documented sex scandal. Springer launched a campaign in the early 1980s for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Ohio, but did not win.
In this April 15, 2010, file photo, talk show host Jerry Springer speaks in New York.
Richard Drew / AP
Springer reached global fame with his transition into daytime television, which came with the debut of his extraordinarily popular albeit culturally criticized talk show “Jerry Springer” in 1991. The series remembered for chair-throwing as well as other dramatic onscreen outbursts consistently pulled top ratings and went on to air more than 4,000 episodes until its eventual finale in 2018.
Throughout his ascent in the entertainment industry, Springer continued to generate some buzz in political arenas. In 2003, there was talk of whether he would file to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate, but his path to Congress was eventually thwarted by the show.
Born on February 13, 1944, in London, Springer and his family moved to the United States during his childhood and settled in Queens. He spent the earlier part of his political career as an adviser to Robert F. Kennedy and later moved into a role at a Cincinnati law firm following Kennedy’s death.
Springer married Micki Velton in 1973 and the pair remained together for almost 20 years until their divorce in 1994. They share one child, Katie Springer, who was born in 1976.
Forget about Treasury bills or certificates of deposit. Just look at the fat dividend yields now on offer among regional banks after the March meltdown triggered by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Capital. KeyCorp , an $11 billion market cap bank based in Cleveland, yielded 6.4% as of the Tuesday market close. Atlanta’s Truist Financial ($41 billion) now yields 6.2% while Minneapolis’s U.S. Bancorp ($53 billion) pays 5.1% on its common stock. The list goes on and on. Comerica of Dallas pays out the annual equivalent of 5.8%. Columbus, Ohio’s Huntington Bancshares wires to investors’ accounts or cuts checks equal to 5.5%. Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Bancorp pays 4.8%. Will the dividends be cut? Might some be omitted all together? After all, high dividend yields are often a sign of financial or business distress, or a red flag that the payments so many mom-and-pop investors depend on are unsustainable. That’s what happened during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009, when bank after bank either passed the dividend or cut it to a token penny a share. It was just last week that embattled First Republic Bank, facing the withdrawal of a reported $70 billion in deposits , suspended its 27 cents quarterly dividend. Not this time But not this time. Wall Street just doesn’t think most payouts will be cut — so long as any recession this year stays on the mild side. Why’s the Street so sanguine? Because earlier banking crises were mostly caused by credit events. In 2008, Bear Stearns was lost in towers of mortgage-backed securities, while Lehman Brothers went belly up thanks to large positions in subprime mortgages. Years before, more than 1,000 savings and loans went bust in the S & L crisis , thanks to lax regulation, bad investments in commercial real estate and junk bonds, and a helping of fraud. In the 1980s, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust loans to the oil patch went bad (creating the term “too big to fail”). So did Citigroup loans to Latin American sovereign governments. The challenge banks face today centers instead on the fastest rise in interest rates in two generations. Banks that hold Treasury bonds yielding 2% or mortgages at 4% suddenly find themselves in a higher-rate environment, and those bonds and mortgages held as capital have declined in price. “Unlike [2008-2009] or even 1990, those were credit debacles that crushed the banks, forced them to cut and eliminate dividends, pull back buybacks,” RBC Capital bank analyst Gerard Cassidy said on CNBC’s “Fast Money” on Monday. “This is an interest rate problem” and, in this environment, “banks know that if they maintain the dividends through the next cycle, which is maybe what we’re in right now, they will rerate coming out of the cycle. So dividend cuts I think [are] the last thing they need to do. Plus they’ve got strong capital levels today, unlike in 2007, plus they have plenty of liquidity, among the biggest banks.” As a reality check, CNBC ran a screen on the stocks in the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB), ranking them by the lowest dividend payout ratios , which measures dividends as a percentage of net income. We also looked at the yields themselves, plus the percentage of sell-side analysts rating the bank a buy and the potential upside if the stock hit the average analyst’s share price target. Looking outside that group of banks, New York Community Bancorp ‘s yield is more secure now after it bought most of the assets of Signature Bank earlier this week, according to Jenny Harrington, portfolio manager at Gilman Hill. Speaking on CNBC’s “Halftime Report” on Monday, Harrington argued that one bank’s loss is often another’s gain, saying that NYCB earnings will rise 20% as a result of the acquisition, and its book value expand by 15%. NYCB yielded 7.4% at Tuesday’s close. Little to no dividend growth The conventional wisdom today is that the pressure on bank profits makes the outlook for dividend growth in the sector more dicey, rather than jeopardizing the safety of current payouts. “Our dividend growth expectations have come down,” due to the fallout from Silicon Valley, Signature and First Republic, “as well as the economic impact of the Fed’s efforts to quell inflation via sharply higher rates over the past year,” Daniel Peris, head of the Strategic Value Dividend team at Federated Hermes, recently wrote. “Despite these lower dividend growth expectations, we believe these bank holdings still have attractive dividends,” Peris added. “Given a slowing economy we expect our banks to run their balance sheets more conservatively (and could be forced to via tougher regulation over the coming years); this would likely put a further damper on dividend growth.” A final straw in the wind: Wall Street has issued dozens of research reports since Silicon Valley Bank went under. Almost none of them so much as mention the word dividend. Take that as a sign most investors are confident the dividend checks will still roll.
Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed on field earlier this month, thanked his fans and the medical professionals responsible for his recovery in his first public video since suffering the cardiac arrest that left him in critical condition.
“I can’t tell you how appreciative I am for all the love, all the support,” Hamlin said in the video, which he posted on Saturday.
The official Twitter account for the team posted the heartwarming video with the caption, “A special message from our guy,” and the hashtags #LoveForDamar and #ForDamar. The video was also shared on Hamlin’s Instagram.
In the nearly six-minute long video, Hamlin starts by saying that it was important for him to “wait and speak publicly at the right time,” and goes on to thank his team, his family and friends, the medical professionals who “saved [his] life,” and his fans, the “Bills Mafia,” among others.
“It’s just been a lot to process,” Hamlin said.
Following a hit in an away game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 that resulted in cardiac arrest, Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on-field before he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He remained there for nine days before returning to Buffalo for further medical treatment.
“What happened to me on ‘Monday Night Football,’ I feel, is a direct example of God using me as a vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world,” he said, sporting a t-shirt with the name of his charitable foundation, “Chasing Millions.”
“And now I’m able to give to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most. And that’s always been my dream,” he added. “That’s always been what I stood for and what I will continue to stand for.”
Seattle Seahawks fans hold signs in honor of Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 8, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
Steph Chambers / Getty Images
A GoFundMe page for the Chasing M’s Foundation by Hamlin and his team has raised over $9 million in charitable donations from nearly 250,000 donors — and “received renewed support” after Hamlin’s hospitalization, read an update on the fundraising profile.
“Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community,” GoFundMe page says. “The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more. We’re hopeful about Damar’s future involvement in disbursing the incredibly generous contributions.”
“Thank you to anyone who donated — in any type of way — to the Chasing M’s Foundation,” Hamlin said in the video. “I don’t even have the words to express the gratitude.”
Hamlin declined to provide more specifics on the current state of his health in the video, instead saying, “This is just the beginning of the impact I wanted to have on the world.”
“And with God’s guidance, I can do wonderful and great things,” he added.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made his first public comments Saturday since suffering an on-field cardiac arrest during a football game Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 24-year-old Hamlin tweeted that “the love is felt, & extremely real,” while expressing gratitude for the widespread support he has received during his hospitalization and recovery.
“Putting love into the world comes back 3xs as much…thankful for everyone who has reached out and prayed. This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me!” Hamlin tweeted.
The love is felt, & extremely real. No matter race or religion everybody coming together in prayer! 🙏❤️
Following his collapse during the first quarter of Monday night’s game, Hamlin was administered CPR on the field by medical personnel before being loaded into an ambulance and rushed to the intensive care unit of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was sedated for several days. The Bills on Friday said he was showing significant improvement. A breathing tube was removed and he was able to breath on his own and talk.
Hamlin remained hospitalized Saturday, but the Bills shared that although he is still in critical condition, he continues to breath on his own, and his “neurological function is excellent.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also penned a message Saturday, describing Hamlin’s progress as “inspiring.”
“We are grateful for and humbled by all who played a role as he continues on his road to recovery,” Goodell wrote. “On behalf of the entire NFL, thank you.”
Players pray as the scoreboard displays a No. 3 in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin prior to a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field on Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
NEW YORK (AP) — The harrowing scenes of Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse after suffering cardiac arrest have forced some fans to confront yet again a truth they’ve always known but hated to think about: Football, a game with violence in its DNA, can go from exciting and joyous to dark and tragic in a flash.
Now, as the Buffalo Bills defensive back remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, fans like Max Cerone are reflecting on their relationship with the sport they love.
Cerone, age 24 like Hamlin and a high school guidance counselor in the Buffalo area, grew up minutes from the Bills stadium, attending games from childhood with his dad “in pre-season and 90 degrees, or negative degrees and snowing.”
Settling in at home with two buddies to watch Monday’s high-stakes matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cerone and his friends watched in horror when only minutes into the game, Hamlin completed what seemed a routine tackle, stood up quickly and then collapsed limply, frighteningly backward to the ground, legs splayed, motionless. They watched stricken teammates weeping, kneeling and praying as medical staff fought to revive the 6-foot, 200-pound player’s stopped heart.
“People sometimes look at players like they’re in a video game,” Cerone said — as avatars, and fodder for fans’ fantasy leagues. “We watch them for entertainment, and complain when they’re not playing well. But these people are putting their lives on the line every time they’re going out there and putting on the pads.”
It’s exceedingly rare for a player to go into cardiac arrest on the field, and the injury Hamlin suffered wasn’t necessarily specific to footbal l, or even sports.
Still, it came immediately after a hit, and was a stark reminder that human beings aren’t built to crash into other human beings repeatedly at high velocity, as football requires. And for some fans with kids, it sparked more thought about whether those kids should be allowed to play.
Like many fans interviewed in the days after the game, Cerone doesn’t see himself abandoning football anytime soon. But he definitely wants to see the NFL continue to do more about health and safety, especially as regards to head injuries.
Former fan Laurie Goldberg has made a different calculation.
Goldberg, a public relations professional who spent years working with a sports trading card company, says she soured on the sport over the last decade as she learned more about traumatic brain injury and the risks of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, her awareness sparked by the 2015 movie “Concussion,” in which Will Smith played the real-life doctor raising the CTE alarm, and the book on which it’s based.
“I loved football, and I miss it,” says Goldberg, 63, originally from Baltimore where she grew up as an avid Colts fan, and now of Marina del Rey, California. But, she says, “I couldn’t watch anymore. I felt like I was watching the gladiators, watching people sacrifice their lives. This isn’t ancient Rome … Watching it just seems like we’re adding to the problem.”
Mark Oldfield, a lifelong Bengals fan, prefers to focus on the hope that tragic incidents on the field will lead to lifesaving improvements.
“I feel like this is going to be one of those moments that will actually make football better,” says Oldfield, 59, a teacher at Springmyer Elementary School in Cincinnati and a Bengals season ticket holder for the last 36 years.
Oldfield was sitting in the stadium, three rows from the north end zone, when Hamlin took the hit. He was also at the recent game when Miami Dolphin quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a frightening concussion on a play that knocked him unconscious and had him stretchered off the field.
Oldfield hopes Tagaovailoa won’t play again this season. But he notes there’s been steady progress in dealing with the risk of brain injury, though not enough. “As long as you see growth, that’s a good thing,” he says.
Khalil Springs, also 24, a Bills fan who works in real estate in Buffalo, agrees the sport has been gradually improving in terms of safety. “The game has changed — you can see it in the tackling where they try to let up a bit. People are aware of it, and that’s maybe all you can do in a sport so violent. It’s only going to get better.”
In a broader sense, Springs is certain that “something good will come out of this.” Actually it already has, he notes; fans have joined to donate millions to Hamlin’s fundraiser for a children’s toy drive, which now tops $7 million.
Like many, Jason Fond feels the Hamlin episode will lead to some kind of positive change in player safety. One small change, he notes, has already happened: the youth team he coaches sent an email the morning after the NFL incident, requiring that coaches be certified to use a defibrillator.
“How do we digest this?” asks Fond, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Nanuet, New York. “People who are against violent sports are going to say, ‘I told you so, this is awful, why is football even allowed?’ Other people are going to say ‘It’s a one-off and we’re never going to see this in our lifetime again.’”
He himself tends more toward the latter category, as a fan, coach, father, and player in his youth. He says the huge increase in concussion awareness makes it feel safer for kids like his 11-year old son, who plays tackle football (his three kids play multiple sports). Fond says he told him: “You get one concussion and you’re done.”
If his son wanted to play in college, where “massive people” are running at you, “that conversation would be a tough one for me,” he adds.
In some parts of the country, reverence for the sport can allow for a permissive attitude toward tackle football for young children, says Joel Fields of Biloxi, Mississippi, who founded the Gulf Coast Sharks Youth Football Club in 2021.
“We’ll be playing teams from all over the country, but we play mostly southern teams, and we’ve seen … five and six-year-old tackle football teams,” said Fields. He doesn’t think children should play tackle football until they are eight, and hopes Hamlin’s injury reminds coaches to teach kids safer ways to play.
For every parent, the calculation is different. Kim Staley, a Kansas City mother and account manager for a pharmaceutical company, is herself a huge football fan — “youth, high school, college, NFL, Monday night, Thursday night, Saturday and Sunday,” she quips. “I’m THAT mom.” She was horrified by the Hamlin injury and is praying for his recovery, as is her son, Hunter, 17.
But, says Staley, 55, “I would not stop my child from playing because of it.” She says too little is known about what caused Hamlin’s collapse, and that friends’ children in other sports have experienced more injuries than her son in football. Hunter hopes to play in college. “I support him playing the sport he loves,” Staley says. “Until he tells me otherwise.”
Lisa Burtin has made a similar call for her son Deon, also 17, who’s been playing since he was five, and also wants to play in college.
“It was definitely jaw-dropping, horrific,” Burtin said of the Hamlin injury. “When it’s life and death, everything stops. Nothing else matters.” She was glad to see the game was canceled. But she says there are still questions to be answered: “Was it because of the tackle, because of football, or something underlying?”
Burtin, 55, a nurse in Kansas City, said a bigger worry is head injuries, which are much more common.
But either way, she says, “You just don’t live your life in fear. My son wants to play football.” And as a fan, she says, she remains loyal: “I know it’s a rough sport. But I think it brings people together.”
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AP journalist Michael Goldberg in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Had he not been traded to Buffalo two months ago, Bills running back Nyheim Hines knows exactly where he would have been on Monday night.
Hynes would be glued to his TV watching the first of what could be many-more-to-come duels between two of the NFL’s rising star quarterbacks in Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
“Absolutely,” Hines said. “Allen versus Burrow, two great quarterbacks, top five in my league and I could even say higher for either guy, it’s definitely something the world is watching and something that as a fan like myself is excited to see.”
Hynes will not only enjoy a ringside seat for a late-season showdown that will go far in determining who finishes first in the AFC, he also has some inside perspective on both quarterbacks.
“Probably how he was in high school is probably how he is now, very calm,” Hines said of Burrow, whom he played with in the All-American high school game in California in January 2015.
“He was kind of like my head coach, Frank Reich,” he added , referring to his former coach in Indianapolis, who was fired after Hines was dealt to Buffalo. “Very stoic. Cold-blooded. Never panics. I see Joe the same way.”
Hines’ respect for Allen has grown tremendously since joining the Bills.
“By any means necessary. If it’s third-and-10, he’s gonna jump in the air, put his body on the line to get that first down,” he said. “And then one thing that people don’t realize about him is how smart he is. … I knew of his playmaking ability, but his playmaking ability overshadows his brain.”
Allen has the Bills (12-3) holding the inside track to finishing first in the conference, and having already clinched their third straight AFC East title — their best run since a four-year stretch spanning 1988-91. The fifth-year player ranks fourth in the league with 4,029 yards passing and third with 32 TDs passing entering Week 17.
Burrow has the Bengals (11-4) a win or tie away from clinching their second consecutive AFC North title — something they’ve not done since winning consecutive AFC Central titles in 1981 and ’82. And the third-year player ranks second in the NFL in both yards passing (4,260) and TDs passing (34) entering Week 17.
Together, since the start of the 2021 season, they’re tied for second with 68 touchdown passes, trailing only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (’74) entering Week 17.
“I can’t wait to watch,” said Ryan Fitzpatrick, the ex-journeyman quarterback who played for both Buffalo and Cincinnati and now works as an analyst for Amazon Prime on “Thursday Night Football.”
“What gets me excited about the Bills is they have found ways to win without solely relying on Josh,” Fitzpatrick said. “But Josh has proven time and again he has broad enough shoulders to carry this team on his back.”
As for Burrow, Fitzpatrick believes the Bengals quarterback could work his way into the NFL MVP conversation should Cincinnati vault both Buffalo and Kansas City (12-3) to win the AFC’s top seed.
No matter the outcome, Fitzpatrick said he foresees “matchups between Burrow, Allen and Mahomes will be deciding the top seed in the AFC for many years to come.”
What’s captivating about Monday night’s game is it being the first between Burrow and Allen. The teams haven’t met since 2019, a year before the Bengals selected Burrow with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Burrow, meantime, is 3-0 against Mahomes, including a win in the AFC championship game last season. Allen is 2-3 in meetings against Mahomes, including playoff losses in each of the past two years.
Both quarterbacks played down the hype focused on their individual matchup, while acknowledging they’re friends and have a healthy respect for one another.
“Everybody watches Josh. There’s no secrets about why he’s so good,” Burrow said. “He makes throws nobody else can make.”
Allen returned the compliment.
“The dude’s all ball. He loves . Honestly, he’s a heckuva talent, a heckuva player,” Allen said. “It’s been super impressive to watch and see his whole story, too. Going to Ohio State, transferring out, spending two years at LSU and arguably having one of the greatest seasons in college history.”
Both hail from small towns, Burrow is from The Plains, Ohio, and Allen from Firebaugh, California. And their college trajectory is similar in the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
While Burrow was overlooked at Ohio State, leading to his move to LSU, Allen was ignored by most every Division I school before landing a scholarship at Wyoming.
“I think adversity hit them both,” said ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. “There’s humility there with both of these guys. And at the same time, there’s this uber confidence that is so infectious and contagious that your teammates are like, ‘Let me just be around you.’”
To Hasselbeck, it’s similar to what he saw during his years backing up Brett Favre. Not only did Favre’s competitiveness provide the Packers confidence, his mere presence influenced opposing teams especially in how they approached the final minutes of a close game.
“There’s something about that style of competitiveness that opposing defenses and opposing coaches say, ‘Ah, shoot, we left too much time on the clock,’” Hasselbeck said. “Both these guys have captured that, which is pretty special.”
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When Corrie Loeffler was in elementary school, she scribbled in a scrapbook her very unusual dream job: director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
That dream came true Wednesday for the 40-year-old Loeffler, a former speller and longtime bee staffer who was announced as the competition’s third executive director in the past two years.
“It’s not many people who can say they got to do the thing they wanted to do when they were a kid, especially a weird, unique position,” Loeffler told The Associated Press ahead of the announcement. “I feel very tickled by that.”
Loeffler replaces J. Michael Durnil, a veteran nonprofit leader who guided the world’s preeminent spelling competition during an eventful 20-month period and resigned last month because of family health issues.
The bee began in 1925 and was led from 1998 to 2020 by Paige Kimble, the 1981 champion. Loeffler, who competed in the bee from 1994 to 1996 and finished fifth in 1995, joined the staff in 2006 and served in several leadership roles.
Cincinnati-based Scripps conducted a national search for Kimble’s replacement — but not this time. Loeffler was elevated immediately to interim director, and her start date for the permanent job is Jan. 3.
Paul Loeffler, her older brother who competed in 1990 and is the bee’s longtime television analyst, called his sister the competition’s “ideal caretaker.”
“She has a firm grasp on the spirit that has propelled it for nearly a century,” he said. “Her understanding of the mind of a champion speller is balanced by her compassion for those who are dealt disappointment when the bell sounds.”
Durnil took over after the 2020 bee was canceled because of COVID-19. He shepherded a mostly virtual competition in 2021, with limited in-person finals at Walt Disney World, and brought the bee back this year to its regular venue, a convention center outside Washington.
The 2022 edition was still downsized, however, in part for financial reasons — the bee had a net loss of 47 regional sponsors during the pandemic — but largely because Durnil eliminated a wild-card program that essentially allowed spellers to buy a spot in the national finals.
Loeffler said there are no plans to bring back the wild cards. As for the financial backing, Scripps said it has about 200 regional sponsors for 2023, up from 198 this year.
Loeffler said maintaining and enhancing the in-person Bee Week experience for finalists who triumph at the school and regional levels is foremost among her priorities. It’s a perspective earned through disappointment after she lost in the second round in 1996, her last year of eligibility.
“No matter how you do in the competition, Bee Week will change your life,” Loeffler said. “I never won the competition. That’s not what it was about for me. It’s about everything else you learn from competing and the way it makes you see the world.”
Dr. Kavya Shivashankar, the 2009 champ who serves on the panel that selects words for the bee, praised her appointment.
“She’s a very warm person who just has so much joy when she sees all the spellers,” Shivashankar said. “It’s very apparent at all the Bee Weeks that she genuinely cares for them and has everybody’s best interest at heart.”
The bee introduced a lightning-round tiebreaker after it ended in ties four times in the 2010s, including an eight-way draw in 2019 when Scripps ran out of words difficult enough to challenge a deep field of spellers. Scripps also diversified its word panel after that debacle by adding more recent ex-spellers.
Loeffler said the tiebreaker would be tweaked but remain. She also said spellers would continue to be asked multiple-choice vocabulary questions onstage, a much-criticized new element that she called key to the bee’s educational mission.
“I love that the onstage version of word meaning testing leads to a spotlight on it in a way that just having it behind the scenes never could,” Loeffler said.
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Follow Ben Nuckols at https://twitter.com/APBenNuckols
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — More than a hundred people picked up a pickleball paddle to help families in need.
The Five Seasons Sports Club donated some of the proceeds from the sports club’s first-ever pickleball tournament.
“Part of what’s good about it is we’re able to donate 10% of our proceeds over to Kenton County Family Resources,” said Brandon Kwok, the pickleball director at the Five Seasons Family Sports Club. “It’s going to get them some new toys, shoes, clothes, anything they kind of need for the winter months coming up.”
Kwok has played in other pickleball tournaments and wanted to start one at the club. He also wanted to give back to the community in a meaningful way.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association 2022 report, pickleball is the country’s fastest growing sport. Currently, there are 4.8 million players.
The report stated that in the last five years, pickleball participation has grown by 53.9%. On average it has grown 11.5% per year.
Kwok loves the social aspect of the game and that anyone can play.
“What’s unique about pickleball is you don’t have to be this super muscular and fit player. I tell people all the time I’ve lost to 90-year-olds and you know they’re just better, and that’s what I love about it,” Kwok said. “It’s more about your skills and what you think versus how fit and bulky you are.”
He added that pickleball is an easy sport to learn.
“We do a beginners clinic on Monday nights called ‘Pickle in 5,’” he said.
Five Seasons Family Sports Club has four locations with a total of 56 pickleball courts. He said if you would like to learn how to play you can call any of the four locations.
