The provisional U.S. death rate fell 4.6% in 2025, continuing a decline from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The age-adjusted rate dropped to 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, down from 722.1 in 2024. Heart disease, cancer and Read more
Ohio is awarding more than $110 million in state support for 13 mixed-use development projects expected to generate about $1.3 billion in new investment across the state. Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development Director announced the funding through the fifth round of the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program. Read more
Kroger has agreed to acquire Giant Eagle in a deal valued at $1.65 billion. The agreement includes $1.25 billion in cash and about $400 million in assumed liabilities. Giant Eagle operates 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. Kroger says the acquisition would Read more
Nearly 300 young racers from across the United States, Canada and Japan are heading to Akron for the 88th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby. The week of events begins Sunday, July 12, with activities leading up to the world championship race at Derby Downs on Saturday, July 18. Racers between Read more
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states may prohibit transgender girls and women from competing on female school sports teams. The decision, issued Tuesday and reported by Reuters, upheld laws in Idaho and West Virginia that base eligibility for girls’ and women’s teams on biological sex. The ruling overturned Read more
The University of Akron will receive $1 million to expand its Center for Structured Literacy and provide more training for current and future Ohio teachers. Governor Mike DeWine announced a total of $2.5 million for literacy centers at the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University and Miami University. Bowling Read more
People planning to kayak, canoe or recreate along the Cuyahoga River now have a new way to check conditions before entering the water. Cuyahoga River Water Trail partners have launched the Cuyahoga River Conditions Tool, known as CUYAC (pronounced “kayak”). The online, map-based system provides near real-time information about river Read more
A 3-year-old child suffered a broken collarbone after being struck by a small electric stunt vehicle during Wadsworth’s Blue Tip Parade. Police say the crash happened around 6:40 p.m. June 23 on Broad Street near Auble Street. The modified ride-on minicar left the roadway after its operator lost control while Read more
Three northeast Ohio projects are expected to create nearly 200 new jobs after receiving state tax incentives. Gerber Poultry plans to add 76 jobs while modernizing and expanding its processing plant in Wayne County. In Cuyahoga County, Monteferro USA expects to create 40 jobs at a new Euclid facility, while Read more
Governor Mike DeWine has signed Ohio’s new capital budget into law. Senate Bill 450 includes $3.7 billion in funding for projects across the state over fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The money will support improvements to state parks, schools, college campuses, behavioral health facilities, correctional institutions, county fairgrounds, museums, trails Read more
