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Tag: Ohio Cincinnati Top Stories

  • Importance of exercise for heart disease patients

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    CLEVELAND — Exercise being good for your health is common knowledge, but for some, no amount of exercise can prevent heart disease.

    But doctors say that’s no reason to stop.

    What You Need To Know

    • Exercise cannot always prevent disease but it’s still beneficial for those with heart disease

    • People who exercised before heart surgery have much better recovery

    • Two years after heart surgery, man is competing in state swim championship

    Duane Grassell has been swimming competitively since he was a teenager.

    “I got top 10 for the 200 fly when the year I turned 64,” he said.

    But that stopped three years ago when he started having chest discomfort in the pool. Grassell was starting to slow down, and he didn’t know why.

    “I was a heart attack waiting to happen,” Grassell said.

    He had clogged arteries and needed open heart surgery. He was told to stop swimming until it was fixed.

    “There are some things that are outside of your control… family history, your genetics is very strong,’’ Dr. Joseph Lahorra, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.

    He performed a quintuple bypass on Grassell. He said for some, no amount of eating right, exercise or healthy lifestyle can prevent heart disease.

    He said even though exercise may not always prevent heart disease, it is still beneficial.

    “Patients who have a baseline of exercise, they bounce back much quicker. You do it to try to prevent these problems, but maybe as important, maybe more important is that when you do have this problem, you are fit and ready to go,” Lahorra said.

    Lahorra said exercise doesn’t have to be at a competitive level, even walking is sufficient. But that wasn’t enough for Grassell.

    “It was very depressing. Because I’m not a couch potato, but I had to become one for a few months,” Grassell said.

    It’s been two years since Grassell had heart surgery. He is now 68-years-old.

    “I don’t measure myself against other people. I measure against the clock,” said Grassell, who swims at least 40 laps every other day and will be competing in the U.S. masters state championship in March.

    His next goal is to compete at a national event at age 70.

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    Kimberly Perez

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  • Nearly 200 Ohio fire departments receive funding via grant

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    OHIO — One-hundred-and-ninety fire departments throughout Ohio are being awarded funding through the Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant.

    Nearly $8 million is being awarded to these departments, spread throughout 49 different counties in the state, for them to purchase necessary equipment, make upgrades to their facilities and improve their training, according to a press release from the Division of State Fire Marshal.

    “These small, volunteer fire departments, many of which serve rural areas of the state, are the backbone of Ohio’s fire service, and the vast majority of them are working with small budgets,” State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said in the release. “Thanks to the work of the legislature, this grant funding will better equip these departments to do a job that our communities rely on them to do, and that is to be there if and when an emergency strikes.”

    The release states that the grant was just one initiative of several meant to support volunteer fire departments, at a time when the number of volunteers has been declining even as calls have been increasing.

    You can view the full list of departments and award amounts, separated by county, below:

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  • Bowling Green survey highlights voters views

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    OHIO — President Donald Trump is set to make his State of the Union speech at 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.

    As the president prepares to speak to the joint session of Congress, there’s a lot on the minds of Americans just over a year into his second term.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bowling Green State University/YouGov’s February 2026 survey of 1,200 U.S. registered voters paints a picture of Americans’ thoughts on the current political environment

    • President Donald Trump will make his State of the Union speech at 9 p.m. Tuesday evening

    • Voters seemed to identify the economy as an important issue

    According to Bowling Green State University/YouGov’s February 2026 survey of 1,200 U.S. registered voters, 41% either somewhat or strongly approve of how Trump has handled the job as president. On the other hand, 51% strongly disapprove, and 7% somewhat disapprove.

    Here’s what else the survey found.

    Voters appeared to identify the economy as an important issue.

    Respondents identified the following issues as the most important to them: the economy in general (42%), health care (31%), threats to democracy (32%), immigration (31%) and inflation (29%).

    Only 28% of the respondents said the economic situation has improved (either somewhat or significantly) in the past year. That’s compared to 55% who said it has gotten much or somewhat worse. A total of 17% of people said it stayed about the same.

    As the 2026 Midterm draws nearer, 49% of respondents said they’d support the Democratic candidate in Congress if the vote were today, compared to 41% who said they’d support the Republican and 9% who said they’d support neither.

    A total of 59% of respondents feel the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction, compared to 34% who feel it on the right track.

    Operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have dominated recent media cycles, and it has seemingly not escaped the notice of voters. According to the survey, 58% of respondents said they’ve paid a great deal of attention to recent ICE raids, and 33% said they paid some attention. Only 9% of people said they paid little or no attention.

    Most respondents oppose what they’ve seen of these “ICE raids,” with 50% strongly opposed and 9% somewhat opposed. A total of 27% of the respondents said they strongly favor the raids, and 14% somewhat favor them.

    The majority of Americans agree with the statement “I am proud to be an American.” A little over half (52%) of the respondents strongly agreed with the state, and a quarter (25%) somewhat agree. A total of 23% of people either somewhat or strongly disagree.

    You can view the full survey here:

    Spectrum News reporter Susan Carpenter contributed to this report.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Ohio residents come together to show support for Ukraine

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    STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Gathering in the cold, residents came together on Saturday to reflect and pray for those in Ukraine.

    What You Need To Know

    • Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022
    • A protracted war has followed, with several Ukrainian cities currently occupied by Russian forces. 
    • Residents around Northeast Ohio came together on Saturday to rally to support Ukraine and pray for peace

    “It’s pretty tough in Ukraine right now. I think everybody is aware that not only are they, you know, the battles going on at the front line. Russia is targeting infrastructure. When I call, you know, Ukraine and talk to the doctors, I mean, they could be without electricity 18 hours out of the 24 hours,” said Dr. Taras Mahlay.

    Mahlay is the President of the Cleveland Maidan Association, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that has focused on providing medical aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in 2022. 

    Bohdan Danylo, the bishop at the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Parma, says the four-year anniversary is a good time to reflect. 

    “On one hand, it’s a bittersweet commemoration. On the other hand, it’s also hope that Ukraine, already for four years [has withstood] the Russian invasion,” Saqid Danylo. “In the last couple of years, they were able just to move a couple of miles from the initial invasion.”

    Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, but this comes as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine. Recently, talks between the two countries have made no progress. 

    “It’s not the land; it’s the people. Why would you give up people? I mean, you wouldn’t give up your cousin because they are on the wrong side of a border, or move that border over?” Mahlay said. 

    Northeast Ohio is home to a large population of Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants. Mayor of Parma Timothy DeGetter stranded the rally. 

     “We know that there is no quit in the Ukrainian people, and we welcome you to Parma, we welcome you to Strongsville, to Northeast Ohio. I am very, very proud of the connection that Parma has with Ukraine. I have always said Ukraine is Parma, Parma is Ukraine,” DeGetter said. 

     Those in attendance urged others to focus on the ongoing war. 

     “The most important is to ask, you know, our people in Northeast Ohio to still not give up on peace. Call your representative, call your senators, call the president.” Danylo said. 

     

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    Corey O’Leary

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  • NFL player meets students at his alma mater who designed his cleats

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    HAMILTON, Ohio — Every year during the NFL season, players have a chance to wear and design cleats to benefit an organization that is important to them.

    For one Atlanta Falcon from southwest Ohio, he took it a step further and allowed students from his alma mater to design his cleats.

    What You Need To Know

    • Malik Verdon graduated from Hamilton High School in 2021 and is now a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons

    • Verdon allowed students from Hamilton to design his cleats for My Cause My Cleats 

    • The cleats were designed for the cause Just A Pair of Shoes- an Ohio nonprofit that gives shoes to underprivileged youth 

    Malik Verdon is in the Big Leagues.

    “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was about 5, so it’s definitely a dream come true,” Verdon said of being in the NFL.

    But he’s never forgotten his roots.

    “It’s a long journey,” he said. “You can’t forget where you come from.”

    The Atlanta Falcon graduated from Hamilton High School in 2021 before playing at Iowa State. Now, the linebacker is back in his hometown, meeting with the students who helped design his cleats for My Cause My Cleats this season.

    The cleats help tell Verdon’s story, from Hamilton to Iowa State and now to the Atlanta Falcons. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “It’s a dream come true,” Verdon said. “I mean, not just for me but for them as well. Being able to show someone that we’re all from there, like just because we’re from Hamilton or Cincinnati, Ohio, it’s not something that can be take for granted.”

    Students like Hunter Burford, who dreams of going to the NFL one day.

    Burford poses with Verdon. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “It’s really awesome that he actually noticed mine,” Burfurd, an eighth grade student in the Hamilton School District, said. “That’s really cool that he got to wear it.”

    While allowing the students to design the cleats, the cause was important to Verdon too. Just a Pair of Shoes is an Ohio non-profit that gives shoes to underprivileged kids.

    Verdon picked several designs from nearly 10 students. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “To be able to partner with an NFL player and, you know, really bring the community together,” Matt Cline, the founder of Just a Pair of Shoes, said. “It’s just a win for everybody. So and it’s very inspiring to see these kids.”

    And at the end of the meet-up, these students got to take a pair home themselves.

    Verdon said he’s already looking forward to working with the students next year on a new pair of cleats. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    Verdon said he’s already looking forward to next season, where he hopes to allow more students to design his cleats as a small way of saying thank you to Big Blue Nation.

    “It’s amazing,” Verdon said. “You know, I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for here. So being able to come back and and get the love that I get and be able to return is it’s huge to me.”

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    Katie Kapusta

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  • Legislation could ban NIL for high school student-athletes

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    CINCINNATI — Recent legislation has been introduced to ban Name, Image and Likeness deals for high school and middle school students in Ohio. This comes just months after the OHSAA passed the bylaws to allow students to benefit from NIL. For one of the athletes who is making millions of dollars thanks to the new rules, he says his family relies on it.

    What You Need To Know

    • House Bill 661 would ban NIL for high school and middle school athletes in Ohio

    • Kam Mercer is one of 30 high school athletes in Ohio who has an NIL deal 

    • Mercer said he transferred back to Ohio once NIL was voted in by member schools of the OHSAA because his family relies on the money he makes 

    Kam Mercer is just 16 years old but stands tall at 6-foot-5-inches, and counting.

    “I get some growing pains here and there,” the sophomore said. 

    Kam Mercer practices at Princeton High School after transferring to the school in December. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    The fifth-ranked player in the country in his class calls southern Ohio home. But he left his family and friends his freshman year to play at Huntington Prep in West Virginia and started his sophomore season at Overtime League in Atlanta, both prep schools where he could benefit financially from his game.

    “More of like a family decision as far as, like, I had to help my family out financially,” Mercer said.

    But then, everything changed.

    “Ohio passed NIL, and it gave me the opportunity to come back home,” he said.

    Just a few weeks later, Mercer transferred back to Princeton and began raking in NIL deals, like with Panini trading cards.

    Mercer says he’s happy to be back home. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “It’s a multi-million dollar deal,” he confirmed.

    It’s life-changing money that is making a big difference for his family.

    “It is a decent amount of pressure,” he said. “But I know that if I wasn’t built for, I wouldn’t be here. So I’m just happy to be here with my family.”

    But now, that could all change. Earlier this month, two Ohio State Representatives announced legislation to ban NIL deals for high school and middle school students.

    “High school sports are an extension of the classroom,” State Rep. Adam Bird, R-District 63, said. “They teach character, discipline, leadership, work ethic and fitness. This bill is about protecting kids, keeping the focus on learning and development and ensuring students across Ohio compete on a level playing field.”

    “The OHSAA is aware of the introduction of House Bill 661 and looks forward to continuing to provide information on the process taken to develop the proposal and safeguards that went to our membership for a vote last fall,” OHSAA spokesperson Tim Stried said. “It is important to note that NIL at the high school level in Ohio is very different than what we see at the college level, and that Ohio is one of 45 states that allows some version of NIL for high school student-athletes.”

    Mercer listens to head coach Bryan Wyant in a huddle at practice. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    Mercer understands the controversy of NIL for student-athletes like him.

    “It does make you more mature than you are,” Mercer said. “At the end of day, I know I’m a 16-year-old kid, and I don’t try to act any more mature than I am. But just being in a situation I am now, I have to grow up a little bit more.”

    But he’s hopeful the new bill doesn’t go into effect, because that could mean leaving his family once again.

    “If it does, I don’t know what I’ll do,” he said. “I know I’ll be fine, but I’m just I’m not too worried about it, but, like, who knows what could happen?”

    The next hearing for House Bill 661 to ban NIL for high school and middle school athletes is set for Tuesday.

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    Katie Kapusta

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  • Brother’s Keeper working to help young men feel connected

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    Editor’s Note: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — There is a loneliness epidemic, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, and one group that’s been particularly affected is young men.

    What You Need To Know

    • The suicide rate is four times higher for men than for women

    • Students at John Carroll University meet monthly to build more intimate relationships and ward off loneliness

    • Young men are less likely to open up to family members because they don’t want to be a burden

    Between 2010 and 2023, the suicide rate for males ages 15–24 rose by 26% according to the American Institute for Boys and Men.

    One man is trying to change that.

    “From a very young age, boys are taught that certain feelings, they can’t express,” said Matt Wooters, therapist and a professor at John Carroll University.

    He said that’s enforced on social media and with their peers.

    “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, to feel any spectrum of emotion,” Wooters said.

    He started a group called Brother’s Keeper. It’s a safe space where young college men can share about more than just football scores. They meet monthly.

    “There’s a lot of talk about toxic masculinity in the modern discourse. And it’s interesting that there’s also a lot of talk about male loneliness and isolation,” Wooters said. “I think those two things are connected.”

    Men are more likely than women to feel socially isolated and not meaningfully part of any community, according to the AIBM, and their suicide rate is four times higher than women.

    “I think it really stems back to the phones and social media, even when we seem like we’re super connected with others, there’s a sense of loneliness, and that connection that it’s not really genuine,” said junior Casey LaForce.

    LaForce attends the monthly meetings. He plays lacrosse and considers himself close to his teammates, but he said the talks just aren’t the same.

    “You just see each other and you ask ‘Oh, how’s your day going? Oh, it’s good.’ And it doesn’t go much deeper than that,” he said.

    He said that the conversations in the group are much deeper.

    Wooters said he intentionally chooses athletes.

    “Even the most connected, successful, popular students on campus, especially male students, don’t have spaces to be authentic,” Wooters said.

    He said men don’t share with family because they don’t want to be a burden.

    “One single adult in their life that isn’t a family member, that they can call when they’re not doing well or when they’re doing well, changes everything,” Wooters said.

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    Kimberly Perez

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  • Ohio elementary student brings cursive back to class

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a skill many adults learned in school, but for some younger students today, it can feel almost foreign — because it isn’t as commonly taught in classrooms anymore.

    What You Need To Know

    • A fourth grader at West Mound Elementary started a cursive club to teach classmates a skill that’s become less common in schools

    • Educators say increased technology and computer-based testing have reduced time spent on handwritten skills like cursive

    • Teachers say cursive still plays an important role in everyday life, especially for tasks like signing documents

    That’s not the case for fourth grader E’lon Hamilton at West Mound Elementary School in Columbus. Cursive comes so naturally to him that he’s now teaching it to others.

    “I got it (cursive) from my parents. I used it on occasions when I needed to, like when I was writing something very important,” Hamilton said.

    Once a week during lunch at West Mound Elementary School in Columbus, Hamilton runs a cursive club he started himself. He gives tips, demonstrates letters, and watches closely as his classmates practice.

    “Because I wanted not just myself to know cursive. I want other people to know cursive as well. A lot of other people,” Hamilton said.

    For many of the kids in the club, cursive is a handwriting skill they might not have learned otherwise.

    “At the club, I think I’m a little bit good. Like, like connecting them is kind of, like, hard to not let go,” said club member Diana Oitiz.

    Educators say cursive has become less common as priorities in schools have shifted.

    “We have a lot of tests now that are on the computers that need to learn how to use the keyboards. So I can see that technology is probably taking over a lot of the handwritten things,” said Margaret Brown, principal of West Mound Elementary School.

    Still, educators say cursive can matter — not just for school, but for everyday life.

    “You have to sign a check. Right? You gotta pay your bills. You have to do this in your signature, in cursive. So at least being able to sign your name in cursive is important for us,” Brown said.

    When asked his favorite word to write in cursive, Hamilton didn’t just choose a word; he shared a message.

    “Happiness. I want everybody to be happy in this class. What I want, like, is the more we learn teamwork, the more we get along with each other, the more we make friends. Happiness is key. Teamwork is key,” Hamilton said.

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    Aliah Keller

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  • FC Cincinnati unveils ‘The Seven Hills’ kit ahead season opener

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    CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati’s newest kits pays ode to the city’s history. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The team unveiled “The Seven Hills” kit on Wednesday just before the Major League Soccer season starts in 10 days

    • The term “Seven Hills” goes far back in the city’s history, going all the way back to the 1800s

    • The kit replaces the Canvas Kit from the past two seasons

    The team unveiled “The Seven Hills” kit on Wednesday just before the Major League Soccer season starts in 10 days. 

    The term “Seven Hills” goes far back in the city’s history, going all the way back to the 1800s. At the time, the city recognized the seven hills as: 

    • Mount Adams
    • Walnut Hills
    • Mount Auburn
    • Vine Street hill
    • College Hill
    • Fairmount
    • Price Hill (formerly known as Mount Harrison)

    “The popular origin of Cincinnati’s ‘seven hills’ stems from the 1881 book “History of Cincinnati, Ohio” by Henry A. Ford, A.M. and Mrs. Kate B. Ford, who reflected that the hills of Cincinnati formed naturally beautiful amphitheaters and created a ‘splendid panorama of the city below,’ which nowhere else in the nation could rival in beauty,” wrote Carter Chapley for FC Cincinnati. “The official interpretation of the names of the seven hills have been debated over the years, but the sentiment remains the same – the communities that make up the city’s peaks and valleys are as much part of Cincinnati as the geology they are founded on.”

    The kit replaces the Canvas Kit from the past two seasons. It’ll be worn as the secondary uniform along with the primary Orange and Blue Legacy Kit, which was worn last season. 

    “The Seven Hills” kit is unique, as the white and orange combination is a first for the team.

    It’ll be worn during the season opener at TQL Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 21 against Atlanta United. “The Seven Hills” kit is also available to buy on FCCGo.com and at the FCC Team Stores.

    Fans can purchase their Seven Hills Kit online at FCCGo.com or by visiting the Over-The-Rhine Team Store (1433 Vine Street) and the TQL Stadium Team Store (NE corner of the stadium; 1501 Central Parkway) which will be open for special hours Wednesday through Saturday.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Wind and snow will slow down travel on Friday

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    OHIO — Friday will begin with a round of accumulating snowfall and end with a reinforcing shot of Arctic air.

    What You Need To Know

    • Accumulating snowfall will begin early Friday morning

    • Roads may be snowy and slushy during the daytime hours

    • Most areas can expect between 1 to 3 inches of snow, with pockets up to 4 inches
    • Snow squalls are possible Friday evening

    Snowfall amounts will be 1-3 inches for most but some pockets of heavier snow up to 4 inches are possible.

    Road conditions during the daytime hours may be snowy and slushy with afternoon highs mainly at or above freezing. Winter weather advisories are up for Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati.

    Winds will be gusty so we could see lower visibility from blowing and drifting snow. Intense snow bands are possible in the snowbelt, with the possibility of snow squals in Northeast Ohio. Snow squalls can reduce visibility down to zero and produce heavy snowfall and snow covered roads in a short amount of time.

    This system will be fast moving so many will see the snow come to an end Friday evening.

    Following the snow, a blast of Arctic air will come rushing in out of the northwest, dropping wind chills as low as -10 to -20 early Saturday.

    Cold weather advisories are up for Saturday.

     

    Temperatures will moderate on Sunday, with milder and more average temperatures for most of next week.

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    Meteorologist Erin Carroll

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  • Cleveland Heights native Laila Edwards making history with Olympic debut

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    CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Northeast Ohio native Laila Edwards is officially in the history books as the first Black woman to represent Team USA in ice hockey in the Olympics.

    What You Need To Know

    • Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to represent the United States in women’s hockey at the Winter Olympics on Thursday 

    • Edwards is a Cleveland Heights native and played her first hockey games at the Cleveland Heights Community Center 

    • Edwards’ parents say that Northeast Ohio should embrace her success because they played a part in it

    Edwards picked up an assist in the USA Women’s Hockey team’s 5-1 win over Czechia in their opening game of the Milano Cortina Olympics. Her journey to the world stage began in her hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 

    “I never would have imagined it,” Edwards said. “I think for it to be a reality is super cool.” 

    Her journey to the Olympics began at 3-years-old, when her parents say she first fell in love with figure skating and, soon after, hockey.

    “Mr. Edwards used to get ice in Cleveland Heights at 6 in the morning,” Laila’s mother Charone Gray-Edwards said. “I never heard her complain.” 

    “We actually went skating every day for a year, literally every day for a year,” Laila’s father, Robert Edwards, said. “She was a very good skater. We kind of knew then she was going to be good.”

    Good is an understatement.

    Edwards quickly excelled on the ice as the best player on the boys hockey teams she played on growing up. Edwards moved to Rochester, New York, in high school to attend Bishop Kearney and play for its elite hockey program. In college, she stars for the Wisconsin Badgers, she’s led the team to two national championships.

    Despite the success, Robert Edwards and Charone-Gray Edwards say their daughter never forgets where she came from.

    “I feel that the community should share in her success and should share in her involvement in hockey because it produced the expectations, produced the opportunity and nurtured it,” said Robert Edwards. 

    “Her foundation was at Cleveland Heights Rec Center,” said Charone Gray-Edwards. “That’s where everything began. So for her to come back and say, yes, everybody, this is where it started. Maybe she wouldn’t be where she is today. I thank Cleveland Heights.”

    Edwards is breaking barriers and changing the game as the first Black woman on the United States Women’s Olympic hockey team. It’s something her father Robert said she takes a lot of pride in. 

    “If she can be the person that comes out there and allows other women to see that they can play or anyone, regardless of who, but Black girls in particular,” Robert Edwards said. “If she can do that for hockey, like what Venus and Serena have done for tennis, I think she would be overwhelmed by that.”

    Edwards is already making a difference in Northeast Ohio.

    “It’s important for girls in this area to have that representation,” Cleveland Lady Barons coach Emily Busta said. 

    In November, Edwards surprised the Cleveland Lady Barons at one of their practices. Busta said Edwards is inspiring girls to lace up their skates. 

    “She’s like the Taylor Swift of Cleveland girls hockey because every single girl was blushing just looking at her,” said Busta. “They just want to be her. They want to play like her.”

    As Laila continues her first Olympics, she’ll have all of Cleveland Heights behind her while inspiring a lot more people. But Edwards isn’t feeling any extra pressure as she goes for the gold with Team USA. 

    “This is the highest level,” said Edwards. “It’s kind of a business, but it’s still fun. At the end of the day, it’s just hockey. I believe we can win this year. We have the ability to do so.”

    Laila and Team USA will hit the ice for their second Olympic contest against Finland on Saturday. 

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    Jack Berney

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  • Snow to fall in southern Ohio Tuesday

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    CINCINNATI — An area of low pressure will pass through the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and bring a round of accumulating snow to parts of the state. Many counties along the Ohio River and generally south of Interstate 70 are under a Winter Weather Advisory.

    What You Need To Know

    • Accumulating snow is likely mainly south of Interstate 70 Tuesday

    • Snow will be most impactful mid-morning through the afternoon

    • Totals of 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts are possible

    Snow will quickly overspread southern Ohio from west to east during the morning hours and will continue through the afternoon, tapering off in most locations before sunset on Tuesday evening.

    Road conditions are expected to deteriorate after the snow starts to fall. This may affect travel on city streets, country roads and area highways for several hours, including the afternoon commute.

    Accumulations will range between 1 and 3 inches in the advisory area. Isolated higher amounts of 4 or 5 inches will be possible in a few spots. Further north, snow totals will taper off to less than 1 inch.

    As temperatures approach the freezing mark by afternoon, road conditions may improve some. Regardless, use caution and give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and leave plenty of space for snowplows and road crews to get their work done.

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    Meteorologist Joe Astolfi

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  • Expert shares tips to keep our furry friends safe

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    CINCINNATI — Freezing temperatures can quickly become deadly for pets.

    What You Need To Know

    • Severe temperatures can harm everyone in a household, including your pet

    • Queen City Veterinary Clinic shares tips to keep animals safe in the winter

    • One suggestion is to outfit your dogs with boots and sweaters

    Knowing how to help our four-legged friends can be the difference between life and death. 

     “One really big key is if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them,” Owner of Queen City Veterinary Clinic, Larry Keller, said.

    Keller shared tips on ways you can keep your pet safe and signs you need to worry about.

    “The biggest things you worry about hypothermia, if they’re shaking, if they’re looking for a place to hide and get warm, that’s a sign you need to go ahead and bring them inside,” Keller explained.

    Similar to people, pets’ tolerance to the cold can vary based on their size, age and coat.

    The American Veterinary Medical Association said it’s important to look out for signs like whining, shivering, if your pet seems weak or starts seeking warm places to burrow.

    “If you have a dog that’s been inside the entire winter and you decide I want to take them for a walk, I wouldn’t stay more than five or ten minutes outside,” Keller warned.

    Another way to protect a pet during the winter is to outfit them with small boots, a sweater or a dog coat.

    If they’ve been outside, wipe them down. That’s not only to keep them dry but to remove any de-icing products they may collect.

    Keller said if travelling with a pet, make sure you don’t leave them in a car for a long period.

    “Leaving your dog in the car, people think about it during the summer because your car gets real hot, but think about it you drive to Kroger for 15 minutes, then you come outside and get in your car it’s cold, the same thing happens to your dog,” Keller continued.

    And lastly, be prepared by talking to a veterinarian about anything your pet may need during the cold weather.

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    Travis Hicks

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  • Ohio politicians propose increase in penalty for disrupting religious services

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    OHIO — Some Ohio lawmakers are looking to increase the punishment for interfering with religious services or lawful meetings, raising the penalty from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio politicians are looking to increase the penalty for disrupting religious services

    • Two Republican representatives introduced a bill that would make it a fifth-degree felony

    • This is in response to a recent anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church

    House Bill 662 was introduced into the Ohio House by Reps. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, and Johnathan Newman, R-Troy, on Jan. 29.

    A press release from Fischer’s office states the bill is in response to a recent anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. The situation gained national attention.

    One of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, leads the local field office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One of the leaders of the protest and prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong said she’s also an ordained reverend.

    Journalist Don Lemon was recently released from custody after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of the protest.

    “While every American has the right to peacefully protest ICE or any other government entity, they do not have a right to storm into a place of worship and disrupt another American’s right to freely practice their religion,” Fischer said in the release. “We cannot allow our country to be a place where families fear they may face harassment or see their religious services disrupted by activists attempting to score political points while attending church on a Sunday morning. Our state should not tolerate this behavior and must stand strong in protecting the rights of Ohioans of all faiths to freely practice their religion.”

    The release states this bill will not restrict the ability of Ohioans to peacefully protest.

    “I will do everything possible to ensure Ohioans’ God-given First Amendment right to free exercise of religion is protected along with houses of worship and worshippers,” Newman said in the release. “I am glad to join Rep. Fischer sponsoring this important legislation.”

    You can see the full bill here:

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Updates: Snow, frigid cold impact Ohio

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    BY

    Spectrum News Staff

    Ohio

    UPDATED 9:20 AM ET Jan. 26, 2026
    PUBLISHED 5:37 AM ET Jan. 25, 2026
    PUBLISHED 5:37 AM EST Jan. 25, 2026

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Check local emergency snow levels before hitting the road this weekend

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    OHIO — We’re getting closer to the start of the impending winter storm and, while officials have urged Ohioans to stay home if at all possible, some people will need to brave the roads even in unsafe conditions.

    If you do so, you’ll want to be sure you have the most relevant details on conditions for your area. Make sure you’re checking in with your local sheriff’s office to determine what snow emergency level your county is under before hitting the roads.

    What You Need To Know

    • Local sheriff’s issue snow emergency levels during winter weather events

    • Be sure to check your local level before hitting the roads this weekend

    • This winter storm is expected to bring a lot of snow to the Buckeye State

    Here’s a look at how some counties in the state differentiate between the three levels.

    Cuyahoga County

    The City of Cleveland describes the snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Use caution”
    • Level two — “Hazardous roads – necessary travel only”
    • Level three — “Emergency vehicles only – travel advisory strictly enforced”

    They recommend people working in the city know their workplace’s snow emergency policies.

    Hamilton County

    The County Sheriff describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously. Unnecessary travel is discouraged.”
    • Level two — “Roadways are hazardous and may be very icy. Only drive if it is necessary to do so. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.”
    • Level three — “Extremely hazardous road conditions. All of certain County roads are closed. No one should be on the roadways unless absolutely necessary. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.”

    Montgomery County

    The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy. Drive very cautiously.”
    • Level two — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.”
    • Level three — “All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. However, those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to prosecution.”

    Lucas County

    The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “A Level I Snow Advisory is due to conditions caused by ice, blowing and drifting snow, which can make county roadways hazardous. Residents should drive cautiously. This advisory can be upgraded or discontinued.”
    • Level two — “In addition to elements detailed in a Level 1 Advisory. A Level II Snow Advisory includes ice, blowing and drifting snow causing low visibility on county roadways.  Only persons with a real and important need to be out on roads and streets should do so. This advisory can be upgraded, downgraded, or discontinued.”
    • Level three — “A Level III Emergency is for all roads and streets in Lucas County. This declaration does not apply to traffic on the Ohio Turnpike but does apply to all other roads and streets in Lucas County. Travel on these roadways is limited to emergency and essential personnel only. No one should be on these roadways during the duration of this Snow Emergency unless absolutely necessary. All employees should contact their employer to determine if they should report for work.  All non-emergency and nonessential personnel traveling the roadways during this Snow Emergency may be subject to arrest and prosecution under section 2917.13 of the Ohio Revised Code for ‘misconduct at an emergency.’ The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office is without authority to arbitrarily determine what occupations, job descriptions or duties constitute essential or nonessential employees.”

    Before traveling on the roads during this winter storm, be sure to check the emergency snow level issued by your county sheriff. You can find their contact information and website here.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Major winter storm moves into Ohio tonight

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    OHIO — Arctic air has settled in across the Buckeye State but now our attention turns to a major winter storm that is approaching and will bring heavy snow to much of the state starting later today.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brutally cold temperatures are expected today through next week

    • Snow starts to fall in southern Ohio this evening, spreading north into the night

    • Heavy snow continues through early Monday morning

    This winter storm will bring heavy snow at times, which will make for some very dangerous travel conditions. Since the air is so cold, the snow that falls will be very light and fluffy, which will accumulate quickly.

    Timing of system

    Impacts from the storm will first be felt late this afternoon into the early evening when snow first starts to fall in southern Ohio. The latest models show snow will likely start between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for areas south and southwest of a line from Dayton to Chillicothe. As the evening progress, snow will continue to spread northward with areas like Columbus, Zanesville, Wheeling and Lima seeing snow after 7 p.m. We’re looking at a late night timeframe for snow starting in northern Ohio into the very early morning hours Sunday.

    Snowfall rates could be heavy at times, with heavier snowfall expected by mid-morning Sunday.

    We’ll continue to see snow accumulate through the remainder of the day Sunday. Snow will begin to taper off overnight into Monday as the system moves out of the region. By Monday mid-morning, most of the state will see drier conditions, but snow will still be possible across the northeast.

    Even though most of the state will see drier conditions Monday, roads may still be snow covered leading to another day of treacherous travel.  

    Snowfall totals

    Most of the state will see more than six inches of snow. Heavier amounts are possible, with a foot of snow expected in some areas. A heavier band of snowfall totals is setting up over an area extending from Cincinnati through Chillicothe to near Athens. Central Ohio and Northeast Ohio could see anywhere from 8-12″ of snow, with localized heavier amounts possible. Lesser amounts of snow will fall in Northwest Ohio, with 4-8″ expected in areas like Toledo and Sandusky.

    Areas in Southeast Ohio where sleet or ice may be an issue could see lesser amounts.

    Frigid cold

    Once the snow is done, it’s expected to hang around for a while because temperatures will continue to be cold. One of the coldest mornings will be Tuesday, with wind chills in many areas falling to -20 degrees. 

    Check back for updates throughout the weekend as the winter storm affects Ohio and much of the country.

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    Meteorologist April Loveland

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  • Illinois surgeon charged in Ohio couple’s killings due in court

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    OHIO — An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December slayings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home is due in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week

    • McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes

    • McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count

    Michael David McKee, 39, is scheduled to be arraigned in Franklin County on four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37.

    The mystery that first surrounded the case — which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive — drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.

    Who is Michael David McKee?

    McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (88.5 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005 — the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011 and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.

    Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.

    McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.

    What is McKee accused of?

    An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.

    McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes — whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom — and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.

    Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the murders. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicle’s movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

    A message seeking comment was left with McKee’s attorney.

    McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.

    How were the murders discovered?

    Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and “out of character” for Tepe, according to a 911 call.

    Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, “Oh, there’s a body. There’s a body. Oh my God.” He said he could see Spencer Tepe’s body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

    The Franklin County Coroner’s Office deemed the killings an “apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”

    Who were the Tepes?

    Family members said the Tepes were “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.”

    They have described Monique as a “joyful mother,” avid baker and “thoughtful planner.” According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.

    Spencer Tepe got his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

    They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Cincinnati VA Medical Center Hamilton Outpatient Clinic moving locations

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    CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati VA’s Medical Center announced its Hamilton Outpatient Clinic is moving to a new location.

    The new address will be 7215 Gateway Ave. in Hamilton. Its doors will open on Jan. 26

    “This new location will allow us to continue providing high-quality, convenient care in a modern and welcoming space for the Veterans we serve. We look forward to welcoming you to our new clinic soon!” the Cincinnati VA Medical Center wrote in a post on social media.

    For questions, people can all the Hamilton Outpatient clinic at 513-870-9444.

    More information about the Cincinnati VA Medical Center can be found on its website.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Theater group thrives amid arts funding strain

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — New federal arts funding approved in Congress this week could bring relief to organizations across the country.

    But many arts groups are still absorbing the fallout from last year’s grant cuts and cancellations, and for those that didn’t rely on federal grants, the impact looked very different.

    What You Need To Know

    • New federal arts funding is back this year, but many arts groups are still feeling the fallout from last year’s grant cuts and cancellations

    • Stage Right Theatrics built a model that doesn’t rely on federal grants, staying steady through the cuts and using ticket sales, donors and local support to fund shows

    • Even with funding restored, experts say instability lingers because canceled grants forced programming cuts that haven’t fully returned

    Before rehearsals even begin, Robert Cooperman is already at work.

    He founded Stage Right Theatrics, a theater company producing short plays by writers from across the country. Ten years in, Cooperman is still hands-on.

    “Well, I felt that there was something missing in the theater world, and that was the more traditional or conservative point of view,” Cooperman said. “And I decided, why shouldn’t that voice be heard in the arts?”

    That perspective shows up in a mix of classic American playwrights and short plays that take on modern social issues. But Cooperman said that point of view also comes with challenges.

    “The kind of theater that I’m putting on, the ideas and philosophy I’m putting forth, that’s a little tougher to get any kind of grant,” he said.

    From the start, Stage Right built a different model. The company doesn’t rely on federal grants, meaning last year’s cuts didn’t hit them the same way. Instead, they’re funded primarily through ticket sales, donors and local support. Cooperman said local arts grants still came through last year, even as federal funding fell away for others.

    “Oh, twenty thousand dollars,” Cooperman said. “It may not seem like a lot, but it was a very, very good year for us… enough to sustain a couple of big shows.”

    While many arts organizations are still recovering from the federal arts cuts, Stage Right isn’t just surviving. It’s also finding a way to give back.

    The company offers half-priced tickets to theater-goers who bring food donations, which are then given to the Dublin Food Pantry.

    “I’m very happy, very delighted, to bring hundreds of pounds of food to the Dublin Food Pantry every time I run this promotion,” Cooperman said.

    But while Stage Right stayed steady, experts say many groups that depended on federal arts grants did not.

    “Organizations assumed when they were notified of their grants last year, or at the end of 2024, that they had those dollars coming in either for sustainability support or for specific programs,” said Sarah Sisser, executive director and CEO of CreativeOhio. “And when those grants were canceled, of course, they had to cancel some of that programming and didn’t have that support.”

    Even with federal arts funding approved again this year, Sisser said the damage doesn’t disappear overnight — because some programs that were cut never returned.

    “Everybody’s on edge about the reliability of some of this public funding that has been secured,” she said.

    For Cooperman, the plan moving forward is simple.

    “I am going to keep this thing going until I’m six feet under,” he said.

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    Aliah Keller

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