Friday, July 31, 2026

On this day in 1940, a Pennsylvania Railroad Doodlebug passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in Cuyahoga Falls, killing 43 of the 46 people aboard.

💨 Wildfire smoke may return to parts of Ohio today, bringing hazy skies and potentially reducing air quality. Find details in today’s Et Cetera section.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

International Motors Sale Eliminates 1,341 Jobs

International Motors will eliminate 1,341 jobs in Springfield as the company sells most of its local operating assets to Canadian armored-vehicle manufacturer Roshel. International's Springfield operations are expected to end when the transaction closes Oct. 2.

More than 1,100 of the affected employees are represented by the United Auto Workers. Company officials said pay and benefits for those employees have already been negotiated through the union.

The sale includes the Springfield Assembly Plant and the nearby Truck Specialty Center on Urbana Road. The facilities will remain open after the sale, with Roshel planning to establish a U.S. operations hub.

Canton Explosion Injures Two

A massive house explosion leveled a home in Canton about 4 a.m. Thursday, seriously injuring two people, damaging neighboring houses, and scattering debris across the area.

Surveillance video captured a fireball erupting as the blast tore apart the residence. Firefighters found one victim in the street, who suffered severe burns and traumatic injuries.

The injured man told crews another person had been inside, prompting an extensive search of the rubble. The second victim was found alive about four hours later, nearly 1,000 feet from the house, with severe burns.

Division Fire Chief Steve Henderson said the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak.

Central Ohio Weekend Packs Calendar

The Ohio State Fair and major festivals are packing central Ohio's weekend calendar, with the Dublin Irish Festival, Pelotonia Ride Weekend, concerts, baseball, and community events expected to draw crowds across the region.

The Ohio State Fair continues at the state fairgrounds through Aug. 9 with rides, food, competitions, and entertainment. Other offerings include Columbus Clippers games, an Ohio State marching band performance with the Columbus Symphony, movie showings, theater, and neighborhood festivals.

The 39th Dublin Irish Festival runs Friday through Sunday at Coffman Park. Seven stages will feature 60 acts, while visitors can explore Irish food, dance, history, Highland Games, children’s activities, and Catholic Mass. More details are available here.

Pelotonia expects 8,000 riders, 3,000 volunteers, more than 1,000 cancer survivors, and about 15,000 opening-ceremony spectators. Its new 17-mile route is the event's shortest, designed to expand access to the event after the organization raised a record $29.2 million in 2025.

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➤ Springfield: Gov. Mike DeWine said federal officials have no plans for a surge of immigration enforcement or raids in Springfield following the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. (More)

➤ Butler County: In an appearance at the Butler County Fair, Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy said data centers should pay their own energy costs and argued that stronger academic standards should take priority over additional school funding. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Zoo delayed its Thursday opening while police investigated a threat, then admitted visitors after officers determined there was no active danger. (More)

➤ Also Cincinnati: UC Health will close the Bridgeway Pointe assisted-living facility Oct. 31 after failing to find a sustainable operator or buyer. The facility houses about 50 residents and employs 70 people. (More)

➤ Columbus: City leaders scrapped plans for a new Franklin County Municipal Court building after projected costs rose from $200 million to more than $335 million. Renovating the existing facility is expected to free at least $75 million. (More)

➤ Eastern Ohio: The federal government will auction 41 parcels covering 2,840 acres in Wayne National Forest for oil and gas fracking. Members of the public may file comments through Aug. 17. (See Details)

➤ Madeira: The Madeira branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library will close Aug. 17 for about six weeks of HVAC improvements, with curbside service continuing during construction. (See Details)

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➤ The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 to capture the Ohio Cup for the 11th time in 12 seasons, with Kyle Manzardo earning series MVP honors. (See Highlights)

➤ Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith said he expects 2026 to be his final college season before entering the 2027 NFL draft, saying, "Kind of sad, but I'm going to give it everything I've got.” (More)

➤ Novak Djokovic will return to the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2023. The three-time champion enters the August tournament riding a 10-match winning streak at the event. (See Details)

➤ The Columbus Blue Jackets will simulcast their television coverage on radio next season, ending Bob McElligott's 17-year run as the voice of the Blue Jackets after the team declined to renew his contract. (See Reactions)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The sale of Fallen Timbers has closed, clearing the way for an $89 million redevelopment in Maumee that could bring housing, hotels, offices, stores, restaurants, and entertainment. (See Plans)

➤ A New Albany microgrid will power an artificial intelligence data center with on-site generation and battery storage, operating independently of Ohio's power grid and creating 35 to 40 jobs. (See Details)

➤ A data center group launched nearly identical promotional campaigns in Ohio and seven other states as communities weigh the industry's energy, water, tax, and infrastructure costs. (See Campaign)

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➤ Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest could bring hazy skies to Ohio today, reducing visibility and potentially affecting air quality if particles descend closer to the ground. (More)

➤ Desmond Howard, a Cleveland native and Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Michigan, surprised his former teacher, Ruth Boyce, during her 102nd birthday celebration, arriving with flowers and sharing cake and memories. (See Photo)

➤ The Ohio Women's Monument could miss its mid-September unveiling because crews must reinforce the parking garage roof beneath Capitol Square, where the square’s first statues of women will stand. (See Monument)

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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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)