Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Helping Kids Eat Vegetables, Pope Urges Reconciliation, Americans Top Investment

Six science-backed ways to get picky kids eating vegetables, the pope urges a traditionalist group to reunite, and experts’ top long-term investment may surprise you.

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Record July 4 Travel, Teachers Carrying Guns, and Fracking Bids Approved

A record 3.48 million Ohioans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the July 4 holiday week, most of them by car.                
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Top Stories

Article Icon 1Supreme Court Allows Late Mail Ballots

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that states can count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they're postmarked beforehand.

The decision lands months after Ohio Republicans repealed the state's four-day grace period, expecting the court would require all ballots by election night. Gov. Mike DeWine reluctantly signed that repeal, Senate Bill 293, which took effect in March.

The ruling doesn't revive Ohio's grace period; it only lets states keep theirs. About 6,000 ballots arrived after polls closed in Ohio in 2025 and nearly 12,000 in 2024, votes that no longer count.

Jen Miller of the League of Women Voters of Ohio called it proof that the Ohio legislature needs to stop rushing legislative changes to elections. Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, who wrote the bill, stood by it as an election-integrity measure, though state audits have found no evidence of widespread fraud.

Article Icon 1Record July 4 Travel for Ohio

A record 3.48 million Ohioans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the July 4 holiday week, most of them by car.

The Ohio Department of Transportation released city-by-city traffic forecasts for Akron-Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. AAA expects the worst congestion to be on Thursday and advises drivers to leave in the morning rather than mid-afternoon.

Gas is the wrinkle: pump prices are near a four-year high, with the holiday-week average around $3.75 a gallon. Even so, 85% of holiday travelers nationwide are driving, since a tank still beats airfare for most families.

Nationally, AAA projects a record 72.2 million travelers, edging past last year's 71.8 million. Ohio air travel is expected to dip about 2% to 117,000 flyers, while ODOT points drivers to its OHGO site for real-time road conditions.

Article Icon 1Cleveland Factory to Build Modular Homes

Cleveland has tapped manufacturer MMY U.S. to convert a historic East Side factory into a plant that mass-produces houses.

Mayor Justin Bibb and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund announced the pick Tuesday for the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan plant, which once built the Hulett unloaders that hoisted iron ore off Lake Erie freighters. The $26 million restoration aims to create up to 150 jobs.

Cleveland is turning to modular construction to chip away at its 18,000 vacant lots, designating the Hough, Central, and St. Clair-Superior neighborhoods a housing innovation district. MMY builds with American-made steel rather than timber and says a house takes about eight weeks.

Restoration could begin this fall, with the first production line running next summer and the plant eventually turning out three homes a day. CEO Robin Bartram Brown said Cleveland's size and its port, a gateway to Canada, made the deal too good to pass up.

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Around Ohio

Statewide: More than 70 Ohio school districts and 15 Christian schools have authorized staff to carry firearms on campus under a 2022 law that allows local school boards to decide whether employees may be armed. (More)

Cincinnati: Residents at the Gateway Plaza apartment complex say their air conditioning has been out for weeks, leaving them sweltering as a heat warning pushed temperatures to 90 degrees Monday. (More)

Akron: A water main break sent water spraying over West Market Street on Monday evening, swallowing one car in a hole and cutting service to the LeBron James I Promise School, a McDonald's, and a Circle K. (See Video)

Sylvania: After voters rejected a 7.9-mill operating levy in May, the school board voted Monday to advance a 1% earned-income tax toward the November ballot, paired with a 1-mill property tax cut. (Details)

Mahoning County: County commissioners approved an owner-occupancy tax exemption, meaning homeowners will have a 2.5% decrease in property taxes. (Details)

Warren: A federal judge lifted the pause on a lawsuit by four women who say former officer Michael Edwards sexually assaulted them on duty, letting it proceed against Edwards, the city, and Chief Erik Merkel. (More)


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Ohio Sports

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Dane Myers was removed from the field on a cart and taken to a hospital after crashing into the outfield wall to make a catch against Milwaukee earlier this week. (More)

Ohio's online sports betting market is on pace to generate a record $1.2 billion in revenue in 2026, a 17% increase over last year, even as state lawmakers push legislation that would ban mobile wagering and restrict bet types. (More)

NBA Free Agency kicked off last night, meaning a frenzy of signings have already taken place for the Cavaliers and other teams around the league. Contract negotiations and trades will continue throughout today. (See Deals

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | Wimbledon | MLB | WNBA

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Ohio Business

Convenience chain Sheetz opened its 26th store in the Franklin County area on Tuesday, at 1535 Georgesville Road. The company, known for made-to-order food alongside fuel, is closing in on 30 area locations. (More)

The state's Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved more than 20 bids Monday to frack under state wildlife areas and Salt Fork State Park. (Details)

Officials broke ground on a parking lot at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the first step in a $1.6 billion modernization slated to run through 2032. Funded by the airport's airlines, the plan will eventually replace the aging terminal. (More)

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Et Cetera

➤ An Ohio food reviewer known online as "mullet reviews" has gone viral with a tongue-in-cheek series eating his way through the state's Chinese and Asian buffets, from Middletown to Columbus, saying he won't stop until he gets food poisoning. (See Photo)

➤ Extreme heat forced the Cleveland Orchestra to postpone its free community concert at Cain Park, originally set for today. The orchestra has rescheduled the outdoor program for Sept. 2. (Details)

The Vermillion Institute, an 1845 Greek Revival landmark in Ashland County that once ranked among Ohio's larger private colleges before sitting vacant for decades, is on the market for nearly $1 million. (See Photos)

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The Flyover Podcast

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

These six science-backed tricks are supposed to help fussy children finally eat their vegetables. (Hear Details)

The pope is pleading with a breakaway traditionalist group to abandon what he calls a sin of extreme gravity. (Hear Story)

Experts have a clear pick for the best long-term investment, but Americans keep choosing something else entirely. (Listen Now)

The Poll

Are you planning to travel for the Fourth of July?

  1. Yes, flying
  2. Yes, driving
  3. No, staying close to home
  4. Other

Yesterday's Results:

How do you do most of your grocery shopping?

  1. Mostly in-store: 53%
  2. Curbside pickup: 13%
  3. Delivery: 12%
  4. A mix of everything: 12%
  5. Other: 10%
Ohio Trivia

What job did Cpl. Maxwell Klinger, Jamie Farr’s character on M*A*S*H, hold at the fictional 4077th MASH unit?

Show me the answer

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Grid Prepares for Heat, Stolen Beehives, and Accessible Waterfall

As triple-digit heat builds across Middle Tennessee ahead of America's 250th, the Tennessee Valley Authority says its power grid is ready for the surge in air conditioning demand.                
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Top Stories

Article Icon 1GOP Senators Want Botched Execution Review

Eight Tennessee Republican senators sent Gov. Bill Lee a letter Monday demanding an independent review of the state's failed lethal injection of Tony Von Carruthers.

During the botched procedure on May 21, medical personnel spent over an hour unable to find usable veins before the execution was called off entirely. Defense attorneys say staff cut into Carruthers' chest twice and considered using his jugular after failed attempts elsewhere on his body.

A new investigation revealed the state's 2025 protocol reduced required IV training compared to earlier guidelines and that the contracted physician hadn't placed a central line since 2013.

The senators, led by Majority Leader Jack Johnson, want a full accounting of how medical staff were selected and credentialed, along with independent testing of the lethal drugs for potency and contamination before any future execution proceeds.

Article Icon 1TVA Says the Grid Can Handle the Heat

As triple-digit heat builds across Middle Tennessee ahead of America's 250th, the Tennessee Valley Authority says its power grid is ready for the surge in air conditioning demand.

TVA projects peak loads of 32,000 to 33,000 megawatts this week, well below the 35,000-plus megawatt peaks seen in the winters of 2024 and 2025.

TVA says crews inspected generators and the broader system this spring to prepare for summer heat like this, and a spokesperson called the grid "stable" heading into the holiday week.

To help manage costs, the utility recommends running major appliances at night, while the U.S. Department of Energy adds that fans should be turned off when leaving a room, since they cool people rather than spaces.

Article Icon 1Tennessee Extends Fireworks Season

Tennessee lawmakers extended the state's fireworks selling season for 2026 and early 2027, a one-year law passed to help residents celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

Sales are now permitted June 10-July 10, Sept. 1-10, and Dec. 10-Jan. 3. Retail sales within Tennessee remain limited to June 20-July 5 and Dec. 10-Jan. 2 each year, and the extended selling window will be repealed automatically on Feb. 1, 2027.

State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence urged Tennesseans to follow safety precautions and local ordinances while celebrating, noting firefighters often risk their lives responding to fires sparked by stray fireworks.

Some Tennessee cities, however, still maintain their bans on citizens firing off their own fireworks displays. See a rundown here.

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The Flyover

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Around Tennessee

➤ Knox County: University of Tennessee trustees approved a $1.9 million settlement for a former professor fired over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk's assassination. (More)

➤ Henry County: Deputies used a drone to locate a barricaded suspect inside a home on Saturday. They monitored him in real time until he surrendered without anyone entering the residence. (More)

➤ Nashville: Nolensville Pike is getting a major overhaul, adding high-frequency bus lanes, new sidewalks, and pedestrian safety upgrades along the 9-mile corridor. (More)

➤ Sevierville: A man pleaded guilty to stealing two beehives from a senior center in February. He was sentenced to six months' probation and a restraining order, with the bees already returned. (More)

➤ Spencer: Fall Creek Falls State Park unveiled a new wheelchair-friendly overlook above Cane Creek Cascades, marking the park's third accessible viewing platform. (More)

➤ Donelson: Thieves broke into McGavock High School's fieldhouse and stole a $9,000 John Deere Gator used for baseball field maintenance, stalling summer prep work for the school's team. (More)


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Tennessee Carolina Sports

➤ The Nashville Predators acquired forward Nils Höglander from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2029 third-round draft pick. The 25-year-old Swede scored a career-high 24 goals two seasons ago but was limited to five points in 38 games last season due to injury. (More)

➤ Former Memphis basketball coach John Calipari will be inducted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame in September. He coached the Tigers from 2000 to 2009, winning 214 games and leading the program to the 2008 national championship game. (More)

➤ NBA free agency kicked off last night, meaning a frenzy of signings has already taken place for the Grizzlies and other teams around the league. Contract negotiations and trades will continue throughout today. (See Deals

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | Wimbledon | MLB | WNBA

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Give your smile the care it deserves with this innovative toothbrush by Great Gums designed to clean along the gumline where plaque loves to hide. Featuring gentle yet effective bristles, it helps support healthier gums, fresher breath, and a cleaner-feeling mouth—making every brushing session more effective and comfortable.  (LEARN MORE)

Tennessee Business

➤ Tennessee's employment dropped to its lowest level since late 2024. Economists are pointing to declining labor force participation among workers over 55, even as the state's unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Stanley Black & Decker is closing its Gallatin facility Aug. 28, laying off 116 workers. It's the latest in a string of closures that have affected more than 5,000 workers this year. (More)

➤ The 160-acre Alcoa South Plant site is nearing a $20 million sale to Alcoa, Maryville, and Blount County, ending 15-20 years of discussions over the former aluminum smelting facility's future. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ These cooling, bacteria-fighting sheets might be the last ones you ever buy. Say goodbye to stale, sweaty sheets. These silver-infused Miracle Made sheets stay cooler, fresher, and prevent up to 99.7% of bacteria growth—like a fresh hotel bed every night. Learn More

Flying together with our sponsor

If you spend a good amount on Amazon, this card could easily put $100s back in your pocket every year.

Even better, you could get approved extremely fast — and if you are, you’ll receive an insanely valuable welcome bonus deposited straight into your Amazon account for immediate use. No hoops or extra spending. Get approved, and the bonus is yours. If you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, this card could help you earn meaningful cash back from purchases you’re already making. This offer won’t last forever, and for Prime members, it’s basically a no-brainer.

Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached

Et Cetera

➤ Knoxville nonprofit Beloved Roots Ranch released a song to fund a planned veterans retreat using equine therapy. Proceeds will support a permanent East Tennessee location. (More)

➤ A snake caused a power outage for more than 7,000 Nashville customers Monday night after interfering with substation equipment. Crews have since fully restored service. (More)

➤ A Powerball ticket sold at a Clarksville Publix is worth $2 million after Saturday's drawing, while a Knoxville KENO To Go player won $45,000 at Ian's Market. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Kills Mosquitoes fast, so you can finally sit outside. NovaVolt Solar covers up to 1 Acre. and continues to zap flying pests while you relax. No sprays, no refills, no reapplying, no going inside early. Learn More

The Flyover Podcast

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

These six science-backed tricks are supposed to help fussy children finally eat their vegetables. (Hear Details)

➤ The pope is pleading with a breakaway traditionalist group to abandon what he calls a sin of extreme gravity. (Hear Story)

Experts have a clear pick for the best long-term investment, but Americans keep choosing something else entirely. (Listen Now)

  

The Poll

What's your favorite way to escape a Tennessee heat wave?

  1. Staying in the A/C
  2. Enjoying the pool
  3. Icy cold watermelon
  4. There's no escape
  5. Other (reply to tell us!)

 

Previous Results:

Have you ever been snorkeling?

  1. Yes, many times: 31%
  2. No, not interested: 29%
  3. Yes, once: 24%
  4. No, I want to: 16%
North Carolina Trivia

What Tennessee county was named after the first president of Texas?

Show me the answer

The Tennessee Flyover

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Helping Kids Eat Vegetables, Pope Urges Reconciliation, Americans Top Investment

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