Saturday, May 9, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1902, Ohio officially adopted its iconic swallowtail flag, the only non-rectangular state flag in the nation.

A deadly virus just killed three people aboard a cruise ship, and passengers have now scattered to more than a dozen countries, including here in the United States. It's not COVID. It's not the flu. It's Hantavirus, and the way it spreads might already be hiding in your home. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess reveals the five things every American needs to know before this gets any closer. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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.

Data Center Debate Ongoing

A study estimates nearly 80 more data centers could be built in Ohio by 2030, adding to the debate about the industry's impact on the state and its communities.

Meanwhile, longtime Ohio political observers said this week that it’s unlikely that a statewide campaign to ban large data centers will gather enough signatures to make the November ballot.

A citizen group is pushing the ballot proposal to ban centers with more than 25 megawatts of peak power capacity, citing concerns over energy costs, water use, and land consumption.

Industry supporters point to the centers' economic and tax benefits, construction jobs, technological importance, and Ohio’s place as one of the nation's innovation leaders.

Company Earns Its Refs' Stripes

When you see a referee in black-and-white stripes, there’s a good chance those stripes came from a small family company in Canton.

Smitty Officials Apparel is one of the country’s biggest suppliers of sports officials’ uniforms, covering baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and more. Its iconic “S” logo also appears on many uniforms for college football teams.

Owner Joe DeRosa spent decades as an NBA referee, and that experience guides everything from the sweat-wicking fabric to the 30-plus styles of umpire pants in the company's catalog. DeRosa was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

The company uses a small in-house team that can build a referee shirt from scratch in about 20 minutes. For championships, they add personal thank-you tags for individual officials because, as co-owner Patti DeRosa puts it, refereeing is "a thankless job.”

Cedar Point Opens Today

Ohio’s roller coaster capital Cedar Point swings the gates open today for its 157th season, leaning into new activities and guest amenities.

There’s also a milestone worth celebrating: the Corkscrew roller coaster marks its 50th season. However, the Magnum XL-200 will not be running yet as its winter rehab finishes.

Getting into the Sandusky amusement park should be smoother than ever: new roundabouts were built specifically to tame the infamous opening-weekend traffic backup.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. daily.

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➤ Darke County: A local farmer said this year's wheat crop is running nearly three weeks ahead of schedule, the earliest he's ever seen and leaving him optimistic going into summer. (More)

➤ Columbus: Thirty former Buckeyes—including NFL players—plan to join a lawsuit against Ohio State, alleging sexual abuse by late team physician Dr. Richard Strauss. (More)

➤ Trotwood: Construction began on two new manufacturing spec buildings, part of a broader push to expand industrial capacity in the Miami Valley region. (More)

➤ Statewide: Layoff warning notices filed with the state in April show more than 1,800 Ohio workers at 11 companies face job losses. (More)

➤ Columbus: A Franklin County jury convicted former sheriff's deputy Jason Meade of reckless homicide in the 2020 fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr., who was carrying sandwiches home to his grandmother. (More)

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➤ The Cleveland Cavaliers lost 107-97 to the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 on Thursday night, falling to 0-2 in the conference semifinals. Game 3 is today at Rocket Arena. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top defenseman. (More)

➤ Former Ohio University football coach Brian Smith sued the school over his December firing, alleging he was wrongfully terminated and that the university damaged his reputation. (More)

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➤ State health officials offered tips to prevent tick bites, seeking to curb the sharp increase in cases over recent years. (More)

➤ Cleveland will host a parade and a badge case ceremony during its 41st commemoration of National Police Memorial Week that runs through next week. (More)

➤ Central Ohio will be buzzing this weekend with festivals, live music, sports, and Mother’s Day celebrations. (More)

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