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Ohio emerges as a surprisingly affordable state for families where one parent stays home, requiring just $72,966 annually to cover living expenses — less than the $91,270 needed if both parents work and pay for childcare. A new SmartAsset report reveals stark national disparities, with Hawaii topping the list at over $106,000 needed for a single-income family, while Arkansas sits at the bottom wit...

A 21-year-old man, Hunter Dalton, has been sentenced to 6-9 years for felonious assault and domestic violence after seriously injuring his infant son in a terrifying home incident. The baby was found barely breathing, suffering a brain bleed, following an argument over a lost vape that spiraled into threats against the child and mother — including a chilling text message vowing to kill the baby. D...

Ohio’s latest school report cards for the 2025-26 school year reveal how districts stack up on a new 1-to-5-star scale, with half-star increments — three stars means meeting state targets, five stars means exceeding them. After a pandemic pause and temporary removal of ratings in 2022, the system returned in 2023 with six key metrics: student achievement on state tests, academic progress over time...

Ohio’s luck is hot—two big winners cashed in after the September 14th Powerball draw: one in Powell hit $2 million by matching all five white balls plus the Power Play, while another in Medina scored $100K with the same multiplier magic. The jackpot? Still growing—now at $271 million for the next drawing on the 16th. Odds are slim, but hey, someone’s gotta win… and maybe it’s you. Listen in comfor...

Ohio State’s stunning collapse in the Texas game — blowing a 20-point lead to lose 24-23 — marks their biggest meltdown under Ryan Day and drops them out of the top five for the first time since 2024. Facing Kent State this Saturday, they’re heavy favorites and aiming to extend their historic in-state win streak. Coach Day, QB Julian Sayin, and LB Payton Pierce will address the loss today at noon....

Ohio celebrates Dolly Parton with a statewide honor—September 25th is now officially Dolly Parton Day, recognizing her life-changing Imagination Library program that’s gifted free books to kids from birth to age five across every county. To amplify the love of reading, Ohio teamed up with the program to launch Storybook Trails in parks and rest areas, turning nature walks into literary adventures....

Mezze, the beloved Mediterranean spot on North Hamilton Road since 2011, shut down after owner Stephen Warwick sold it due to health issues — and longtime fans noticed the quality slipped. But don’t worry, the neighborhood’s got a speedy replacement: Cedar Mediterranean Grill, now serving up customizable bowls and pita wraps with rice, salad, or fries as bases, plus proteins like chicken, falafel,...

Bexley’s longtime mayor, Ben Kessler, is stepping down after 14 years to take a new job, officially leaving on September 30. The City Council is now seeking an appointed successor to serve out the remainder of his term — until the November 2027 election — with applications due this Friday. The chosen candidate must be a Bexley resident and registered voter, and the council will review submissions...

Kroger’s towering Tally robots are quietly revolutionizing grocery aisles in central Ohio, scanning shelves for out-of-stocks, pricing errors, and misplaced items—freeing human staff to focus on customer service. Though rollout timing remains vague, pilot programs in Indianapolis and Cincinnati began late 2024, with 35 stores testing the tech since 2015. Other retailers like BJ’s and Giant Eagle a...

Columbus police are investigating a devastating murder-suicide on the Southeast Side, where officers responded to a chilling call from a child reporting a dead body and possible suicide attempt. At the scene on Bannon Court, two adults—identified as Monu Rijal, 33, and Bhim Mishra, 41—were found dead; authorities now believe Mishra killed Rijal before taking his own life. The child caller is safe...

Columbus City Schools is climbing the ladder of success, projected to earn a two-and-a-half-star rating — a half-star leap from last year — signaling steady progress toward meeting all state standards. Superintendent Angela Chapman celebrates the gains but stresses they’re not done yet; the goal is to help every student reach their full potential and lead the future. Seventy-seven schools now meet...

Chillicothe’s old paper mill is getting a tech makeover — a data center project is moving forward after a pivot from failed PPE manufacturing. The company, U.S. Paper Mill Company, faced crushing losses without federal contracts and now plans to build a tech hub with R&D, aerospace design, and a data center. Though residents protested with over 3K signatures, city leaders see it as a shot at econo...

A mother battling aggressive brain cancer is racing against time to join a groundbreaking clinical trial in Ohio—just 4,000 miles from home—hoping it will give her more precious moments with her young son. With a crowdfunding campaign already raising over £210,000 and her medical team scrambling to meet strict deadlines, Jaimee-Louise’s fight is fueled by hope, grit, and the unwavering love of her...

Ohio University Dorm Death Under Investigation | Columbus News

Moritz College of Law at Ohio State is eyeing a downtown move, with mayor Ginther backing the plan — a major shift that could reshape campus life and the city’s core. Meanwhile, officials scramble to solve dangerous crashes on Roberts Road, aiming to boost safety and prevent future accidents as both big moves and urgent fixes collide in Columbus. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow:...

Big wins and big jackpots shook the Ohio Lottery scene on September 14, 2026 — with Powerball hitting $271 million (unclaimed), Classic Lotto climbing to $3 million, and Rolling Cash Five offering $170K. Midday and evening draws across Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 delivered fresh combos, while scratch-offs still hold prizes for those who prefer the tactile thrill. Don’t forget: Mega Millions is heat...

Delaware is set to unveil its first downtown hotel in decades, transforming a parking lot on Spring Street into Hotel Wesleyan — a $50M project with roots in local pride and university ties. Developed by Andy Warnock, a Delaware native and Ohio Wesleyan alum, the 100-room hotel will include a two-story garage and serve as a community hub, potentially branded by Marriott or Hilton. With funding fro...

Ohio’s sexual assault kit backlog crisis is resurfacing, with just 61 of over 900 law enforcement agencies reporting data in 2025—making it nearly impossible to track whether the problem is worsening. Governor DeWine and Attorney General Wilson are launching a task force to fix broken reporting laws and propose reforms by December, before they leave office. The current system lacks accountability...

Dublin City School District approves a 2.25% pay raise for teachers, staff, and admins for the 2027-28 school year — a modest step down from recent 3% hikes, but one unions support as fiscally responsible amid tightening budgets. The district’s cash reserves are projected to run dry by 2030, prompting careful planning. Plus, union contracts are extended through 2028, signaling long-term stability...

Northern Pike County braced for a flood unlike any in 51 years, with water surging up to four feet into homes and forcing dramatic rescues — including a boat swept into a tree that nearly claimed two divers. Though no one was hurt, the damage is massive, cleanup is underway, and communities from Ross County to Waverly are reeling from the storm’s sudden, violent force — a sobering reminder that ev...

A chilling discovery on Columbus’ Southeast Side: a child called 911 reporting a dead person and a possible suicide attempt, leading officers to find two deceased adults in a home on Bannon Court. The victims, believed to be in a domestic partnership, were confirmed dead by medics. The child, now safe with family, remains a mystery — authorities haven’t disclosed their relationship to the victims...

Ohio’s Senate race is heating up as Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown clash in a high-stakes, two-year showdown that could reshape national politics. With millions spent on ads and rallies, both candidates are painting vivid visions for the state — Husted touting healthcare wins, Brown defending his record while facing immigration criticism. As Election Day nears, voters are choosin...

Ohio lawmakers are pushing a bold new bill to protect power customers hit by long outages—automatic $50 credits for each extended blackout, plus $50 per full outage day, plus up to $250 for spoiled food and $600 for lost meds—all funded by fines utilities already pay. With aging grids and worsening weather, the proposal aims to shift the financial burden from households to the utilities’ own penal...

Ohio just made September 25th Dolly Parton Day, honoring her legendary song “Nine to Five” and her life-changing impact on the state. Governor Mike DeWine signed the proclamation, celebrating not just her music but her Imagination Library program — which has gifted millions of Ohio kids free books, boosting literacy across all 88 counties. Inspired by her own rags-to-riches story, Dolly’s generosi...

Two bodies, a man and a woman, were found dead inside a Columbus home after a child called 911 — police are now investigating whether they knew each other, with no suspects in custody and no public threat. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public report...