Thursday, December 18, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1946, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, known for films such as Jaws and Saving Private Ryan, was born in Cincinnati.

During renovations, a Cincinnati brewery uncovered artwork that hadn’t been seen in more than 100 years. Read more in Top Stories!

Major Flyover Announcement! We’ve completely reimagined The Flyover Podcast—still delivering the same fact-based, unbiased coverage—but now in a faster, high-energy format with new features that make the news more engaging. If you are a podcast viewer, you are going to love it. If you haven't watched before, today is the day to do so! Watch today's new episode here, and reply to let us know what you think!

Are you worried about protecting what you’ve earned as markets grow more unstable? Today’s sponsor, Goldco, offers a free Gold & Silver Kit explaining why many Americans are turning to physical assets.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Colleges Fail Literacy Teaching Audit

A state audit found 10 of Ohio's 48 universities with teacher-training programs failed to meet state requirements for teaching the Science of Reading, while five schools were partially compliant.

The Science of Reading is a literacy approach rooted in phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Ohio banned other literacy methods that emphasized pictures and context clues rather than phonics.

The 10 schools that failed to align with the standards were Ohio State, Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo, Central State, Cleveland State, Defiance, Ohio Christian, Ohio Dominican, and Wright State.

The schools in partial compliance were Capital, God's Bible School & College, Ohio Wesleyan, Ursuline, and Western Governors.

Residents Report Foul-Smelling Water

Marion residents reported unusual odors and tastes in tap water after the utility detected organic compounds in the feed to the city's water treatment facility.

"I filled my bathtub up like normal, walked back in, and the water looked green," one Marion resident said.

Aqua Ohio said the water is safe to drink, but the utility changed its treatment process to draw more water from its wells to dilute the organic compounds.

The company said that freezing temperatures prevented crews from opening fire hydrants to purge the organic matter from the water.

Brewery Repairs Uncover Historic Mural

Repairs at Rhinegeist Brewery’s brick building in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine revealed a mural that hadn’t been seen in more than 100 years.

The tile mosaic by Herman Mueller reads, “Moerlein's Bottling Dept. 1896.” The building previously housed Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., which didn’t survive Prohibition. Hudepohl Brewing Co. now uses its name.

Rhinegeist said in a social media post that the artwork will remain visible and is "here for good!” You can see photos of the mural here.

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You can probably feel it. The markets are shaking. And the data confirms it…

The cracks in the system aren't just cracks anymore.

They're looking like fractures.

Debt levels are at historic highs.
Consumer savings are drained.
Corporate profits are softening.
Wall Street is on edge.
Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

One wrong move and the whole thing could snap.

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➤ Cincinnati: Nearly 300 airmen with the Ohio National Guard's 123rd Air Control Squadron returned from a six-month deployment and celebrated their homecoming with family at the University of Cincinnati. (More)

➤ Northeast Ohio: Flu cases are surging across Northeast Ohio as a more severe H3N2 subclade K variant spreads, prompting health officials to urge vaccinations ahead of the holiday season. (More)

➤ Youngstown: Programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown has resumed after a months-long, $1.5 million renovation that updated rooms and recreational spaces. (More)

➤ Dayton: Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley CEO Laura J. Roesch announced her resignation after 16 years and her transition to a role with Dayton nonprofit The Glen at St. Joseph. (More)

➤ Columbus: The Columbus Regional Airport Authority named Daren Griffin president and CEO, effective on Feb. 2, succeeding retiring Joe Nardone after eight years. (More)

➤ Franklin County: Municipal Court Judge James Green is retiring after 31 years on the bench, saying he plans to continue community outreach and education despite stepping away from the courtroom. (More)

➤ Seven Ohio State football players were named first-team All-Americans by multiple outlets, tying a program record set in 1974. (More)

➤ Columbus City Council approved two measures to help fund a $400 million renovation plan for Nationwide Arena, the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, featuring an outdoor terrace, a pedestrian bridge, and other upgrades. (More)

➤ Marietta College head football coach Tom Kaufman accepted the head coaching job at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He previously served as Kent State's defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. (More)

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➤ Federal safety officials proposed nearly $395,000 in penalties after citing New Horizons Baking Co. for repeat and serious violations that exposed workers to chemical and machinery hazards. (More)

➤ Salvagnini America began a $6 million expansion of its Hamilton headquarters, marking its second project in five years and adding at least 28 high-paying jobs with average salaries of $100,000. (More)

➤ The Downtown Commission approved Edwards Companies' plans for a 12-story mixed-use tower along Fourth Street in Columbus, featuring 218 apartments, parking, commercial space, and multiple amenities. (More)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: "This time, you're the collateral."

The cracks in the system aren't just cracks anymore.

Debt levels are at historic highs.
Consumer savings are drained.
Wall Street is on edge.
Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

One wrong move and the whole thing could snap. That's why thousands of Americans are turning to physical gold and silver. Your FREE Gold & Silver Kit from the top precious metals company, Goldco, reveals why gold is often a safe haven during recessions and the truth about inflation. Get your Free Guide today.

➤ Federal officials recalled 2,669 pounds of frozen tamales sold in four states, including Ohio, after products labeled as pork tamales may actually contain bean, cheese, and jalapeno fillings with undeclared milk. (More)

➤ The 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base buried a time capsule for opening in 2050, featuring a historic brick, a base newsletter, and Ohio State football predictions. (More)

➤ Surveys found that Lake Erie's walleye hatch was the sixth-largest in 38 years, and yellow perch had its seventh-largest spawning year in the lake's west zone. (More)

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