Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Space Academy, Drive-Thru Escape Lanes, and Running of the Wieners

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1911, Ohio native Cy Young earned his 511th and final major league victory. He remains Major League Baseball’s career wins leader.

Storms moved in over the weekend, and flooding in the Hocking Hills area shut down the Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival early. Learn more and see photos in Et Cetera.

Have you picked your retirement date yet? A new study says that choice may shape how long you live, not just how much you save. What happens to your odds if you work one more year? And does it matter whether you leave the job healthy or already sick? Ayla walks through what the researchers found on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is hear.com, offering the sleek, AI-powered Horizon IX hearing aid designed to deliver clearer, more natural sound with personalized technology you won’t find at big-box stores.

Ohio AG Wants Flock Misuse Criminalized

Attorney General Andy Wilson asked lawmakers to make misusing Flock license plate camera data a felony.

Wilson, a Republican, noted that unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway is already a fifth-degree felony that costs convicted officers their badges. He wants the same standard for Flock, plus audits and data deletion within 10 to 30 days.

Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald backs guardrails but not a ban. "What we don't support is eliminating the ability to use these tools to solve crimes, especially violent crimes," he said.

Columbus paused its Flock use after an audit found more than 15,000 searches possibly tied to immigration enforcement. Reynoldsburg shut its cameras off entirely after two officers resigned over misuse.

State Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, has a bill requiring warrants for outside agencies and 10-day data deletion. Residents in several cities have pushed bans, citing Fourth Amendment concerns.

Ohio Pitches Dayton for Space Academy

Ohio is bidding to put the new U.S. Space Academy at Wright State University and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

President Trump ordered the academy created Aug. 28, and NASA requested site information Sept. 10. Officials made Ohio's case Monday at the Ohio Defense & Aerospace Forum at Wright State.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said the state would spend about $300 million on facilities, including a research hall the size of four football fields and a road of astronaut statues connecting the campus to the base.

The academy could eventually enroll about 5,000 students a year, starting much smaller. Ohio would build it, though running it requires federal authorization and funding.

Moreno said the bid isn't guaranteed. Ohio expects competition from Alabama, Florida and Texas, states with longer track records in space.

Storms Cut Power to 17,000

Sunday night's storms knocked out power to more than 17,000 AES Ohio customers across the Miami Valley.

Montgomery County took the worst of it, with 13,558 customers out as of 11:35 p.m. Greene County reported 2,078, and Clinton and Warren counties more than 800 each.

Flooded roads pushed Celina City Schools and Parkway Local Schools to two-hour delays Monday. Flooding also closed several streets in Xenia.

A tree fell on the roof of the Centerville Child Development Center during Sunday night's storms, closing the center Monday.

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➤ Statewide: Ohio's chronic absenteeism rate in schools fell to 23.9% in 2025-26 from 25.1% the year before, according to new state report cards. That's still well above the pre-pandemic mark of 16.7%, and the state's target is 12.8%. (See Report)

➤ Hartville: Hartville adopted a drive-thru escape lane requirement Sept. 14, becoming the fifth Ohio community with one after the 2024 shooting death of Megan Keleman, 25, in a Stow Taco Bell line. Senate Bill 264 would make it statewide but remains stuck in committee. (See Details)

➤ Washington County: Chazz Bates, a rig hand burned in the Aug. 25, 2025, orphan well explosion in Wayne National Forest, sued Monroe Drilling Operations and Formation Cementing in county common pleas court. (See Details)

➤ Cleveland: Nearly 2,000 people walked Wade Oval Park on Saturday for the annual Autism Speaks Walk and 5K, raising money for research and family support. Organizer Kelli Briggs, who attends each year with her 11-year-old son Nicholas, said the day is about awareness and kindness. (Read Story)

➤ Allen County: A 74-year-old Fremont pilot walked away from a crash at Allen County Regional Airport near Lima on Sunday afternoon. Troopers said John Shaffer's landing gear wasn't fully locked down, and the fuselage hit the ground. (More)

➤ Columbiana County: ODOT closed ramps at the U.S. Route 30 and State Route 11 interchange near West Point on Monday, the first phase of a five-phase pavement rehabilitation. The closure should last 45 days, with detours running from State Route 11 to State Route 154. (See Map)

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➤ Cincinnati Reds All-Star pitcher Chase Burns was placed on the injured list with a groin strain, ending a breakout season in which he went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA and 185 strikeouts. The 23-year-old signed a seven-year, $105 million extension in July. (More)

➤ Ohio lawmakers are weighing a bill that would legalize online casino games but require operators to drive customers into the state's 11 brick-and-mortar casinos rather than offering digital bonus credits. The proposal could generate up to $400 million a year in state revenue. (More)

➤ The Columbus Clippers topped 511,000 fans this season, finishing third in Minor League Baseball attendance despite five rainouts. Huntington Park has ranked in the top five nationally every year since it opened in 2009. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Ohio is spending $18 million to grow its supply of licensed mental health and addiction providers, a shortage that can leave rural patients waiting months for care. Scholarships cover graduate tuition at the University of Cincinnati and 17 other schools for students who commit to high-need settings. (More)

➤ Polling released by advocacy groups Groundwork Ohio and First Five Years Fund found 76% of Ohio voters call childcare a crisis or major problem, with agreement across party lines. Childcare averages $13,780 a year in Ohio, and prices rose 29% nationally between 2020 and 2024. (See Details)

➤ Scrubs & Beyond is closing both Central Ohio stores, on Morse Road and in Reynoldsburg, as part of a nationwide shutdown of more than 100 locations in 30 states. Parent company Kindthread hasn't given a closing date or a reason. (See Details)

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➤ Flooding closed the Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival early Saturday in the Hocking Hills, swamping the parking areas, artists' marketplace, music stage, and food truck court. Mud and water got into Jack Pine's glassblowing studio too. (See Photos)

➤ More than 70 dachshunds in hot dog costumes ran 10 heats down a 70-foot course Sunday at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, chasing the title of Cincinnati's fastest wiener dog. SPCA Cincinnati puts on the race to promote adoptions. (See Video)

➤ A couple who got married Saturday at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo skipped the registry, asking guests to give to the nonprofit The Littlest Heroes instead. It helped their family through a childhood cancer battle years ago, and it's where the couple met. (Read Story)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ Researchers found the timing of your retirement may matter far more than just to your savings account. (Listen Now)

➤ Insiders at major AI companies are openly mocking viral warnings that the technology could wipe out humanity. (Hear Episode)

➤ The New York Times writer behind the 1619 Project now says her decade-long public school experiment may have cheated her own daughter. (Hear Details)

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No: 91%
Yes: 6%
I used to: 3%

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

Online Threat Detection, Coastal Flooding Risk, and Toys R Us Nostalgia

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2006, the U.S. Navy officially retired the F-14 Tomcat with a ceremony at Naval Air Station Oceana. The versatile fighter jet was first deployed in 1974.

Some childhood nostalgia is returning to Northern Virginia: Toys R Us will open at Leesburg Premium Outlets ahead of the holiday season. If Geoffrey the Giraffe and those packed toy aisles take you back, head to today’s Poll and tell us whether you would visit a new store.

Today’s sponsor is hear.com, offering the sleek, AI-powered Horizon IX hearing aid designed to deliver clearer, more natural sound with personalized technology you won’t find at big-box stores.

Quantum Firm Selects Arlington for U.S. Headquarters

British quantum-algorithm company Phasecraft has selected Arlington for its U.S. headquarters, state officials announced Monday.

The company develops software intended to help quantum computers tackle practical problems in energy, advanced materials, and other industries. Phasecraft cited Virginia’s skilled workforce, research universities, access to federal agencies, and proximity to prospective customers among its reasons for choosing Ballston.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Arlington County helped secure the project. Phasecraft plans to invest $113,000 and create 19 jobs, with the state supporting recruitment and employee training through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Nor’easter Threatens Eastern Virginia

A nor’easter is expected to bring several days of rain, strong northeast winds, and coastal flooding to eastern Virginia beginning Tuesday night and continuing through Thursday.

The DMV forecast calls for periods of heavy rain and gusty winds that could disrupt commutes and cause flooding in low-lying areas. Conditions are expected to remain unsettled through much of the workweek.

Along the Eastern Shore, prolonged onshore winds could push water into bays, tidal creeks, and vulnerable coastal communities during multiple high-tide cycles. Forecasters expect widespread minor to moderate tidal flooding in Accomack and Northampton counties by midweek.

Marine conditions could become particularly dangerous, with gale-force winds and offshore waves reaching 10 to 13 feet. Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as the storm develops.

Henrico Police Add Online Threat Detection Tool

Henrico Police is using Liferaft, an online threat-detection platform that compiles publicly available content from social media, websites, and forums. County supervisors approved the $106,000 purchase in April as part of the department’s fiscal 2026-27 budget.

Police Chief Eric English said the system will help officers identify possible threats involving schools, public officials, religious facilities, and planned events. He said it cannot access private social media accounts and will not be used to monitor lawful speech or peaceful protests.

Supervisor Misty Roundtree questioned the lack of state-level restrictions governing the technology and raised concerns about artificial intelligence and deep- and dark-web searches. English said the department would not use those capabilities, although Liferaft says its platform includes AI tools and deep- and dark-web monitoring. Police and the company have not clarified whether Henrico’s package includes those features.

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➤ Northern Virginia: Fairfax County supervisors approved a planning amendment that could allow an existing 706-unit apartment complex near the Dunn Loring Metro station to be replaced with as many as 2,975 homes. A rezoning application with additional project details will require separate approval. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: Authorities made an arrest in connection with a social media threat involving Nandua Middle and Nandua High schools in Accomack County after additional officers were assigned to both campuses Monday. (More)

➤ Statewide: A statewide study found that a majority of Virginia households with children have experienced food insecurity, meaning family members have lacked consistent access to enough food. (More)

➤ Central Virginia: Richmond is reevaluating its contract with Flock Safety and reviewing oversight of the city’s license plate readers amid privacy concerns. The city also plans to reduce its data-retention period from 21 days to seven days. (More)

➤ Northern Virginia: Critics are questioning Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s handling of several defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity, arguing that his office did not sufficiently challenge their mental health claims. The cases include the 2019 fatal stabbing of a landlord in Vienna. (More)

➤ Hampton Roads: Federal civil rights officials reached an agreement with Virginia Beach schools after finding deficiencies in investigations and record-keeping involving sexual misconduct reports from 2017 through 2020. The division said it has since hired a Title IX coordinator and expanded staff training. (More)

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➤ No. 9 UVA field hockey held off a fourth-quarter surge from No. 11 North Carolina to win 2-1 on the road. Virginia goalkeeper Nilou Lempers made four late saves to seal the victory. (More)

➤ Richmond women's soccer extended its program-record unbeaten streak to nine games this season with a 1-1 draw at George Washington on Sunday. The Spiders are 5-0-4, but haven't lost in 12 matches dating back to last season. (More)

➤ 18-year-old Liberty tennis player Angel Veliz made his Davis Cup debut for Ecuador this weekend, the youngest player on his country's roster for the international team competition. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Richmond introduced a 25-year solar proposal Monday that would place privately owned panels on 39 municipal buildings. The city projects $12 million in net energy savings, although internal correspondence revealed concerns about legal exposure, termination fees, and other financial risks. (More)

➤ TECHnista will invest $15.1 million to expand into a 30,000-square-foot building at Danville’s Cyber Park, creating at least 22 jobs over three years. The education consulting firm develops K-12 curricula focused on advanced manufacturing and defense-related careers. (More)

➤ Jubilee Family Development Center broke ground on an expansion of its Astronaut Leland Melvin STEM Center in Lynchburg, funded by a $1 million capital campaign. The project will add five classrooms, a patio, a garden, and an accessible entrance for youth education and adult workforce training, with completion expected by summer 2027. (More)

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➤ Weird Brothers Coffee combines specialty coffee with pop culture-inspired products and a focus on building community. Owner Paul Olsen founded the Northern Virginia roaster with his late brother, Kenny. (More)

➤ Toys R Us will open a store at Leesburg Premium Outlets ahead of the holiday season. The store will be located next to Perfume Hut and across from Old Navy, near the shopping center’s outdoor play area. (More)

➤ Southern Living called Independence one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets, highlighting its bluegrass traditions, Appalachian heritage, local dining, and proximity to Mount Rogers, Grayson Highlands State Park, and the New River. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ Researchers found the timing of your retirement may matter far more than just to your savings account. (Listen Now)

➤ Insiders at major AI companies are openly mocking viral warnings that the technology could wipe out humanity. (Hear Episode)

➤ The New York Times writer behind the 1619 Project now says her decade-long public school experiment may have cheated her own daughter. (Hear Details)