Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

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On this day in 1949, the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb, ending the United States' postwar monopoly on nuclear weapons and igniting the Cold War arms race.

A new report finds Ohio Kroger stores overcharging shoppers, and Canton eyes redevelopment of an old factory site — both stories in today's Top of the Fold.

And a central Ohio school district reaches a last-chance deal with an employee over student safety allegations, while at least 138 Ohio communities have paused data center construction amid growing local pushback.

CINCINNATI — A new report from the Center for Responsible Food Business found Kroger stores in Ohio regularly charged customers more than the advertised shelf price, with overcharges outnumbering undercharges nearly three to one. 

Analyzing 389 price inspections at 101 Ohio Kroger stores from 2022-2026, the group found 15% failed, disproportionately affecting minority and elderly shoppers. 

Kroger disputed the findings, calling the report "misleading" and saying it takes pricing accuracy seriously.

CANTON — City leaders want to give new life to the old Ohio Cast Products site, a nine-acre lot that once made iron parts for trucks and cars. 

The company closed in 2004, and a fire in 2008 made things worse. Crews have spent years cleaning up pollution there, helped by $467,158 in state money in 2024. 

Now the city hopes to finish the cleanup and work with a builder to put up a large new industrial building — something city officials say Canton badly needs.

COLUMBUS — Election Day is weeks away, but Ohio's voting calendar is already moving: military and overseas voting began Sept. 18, and Ohioans have several key dates to track before Nov. 3. 

Voters must register by Oct. 5, with offices open until 9 p.m. Early in-person and absentee voting follow, each on its own timeline. 

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Ryan Day met with media today to preview Saturday's Big Ten opener against Illinois, with the century-old Illibuck trophy — a carved wooden turtle — on the line. The Buckeyes enter at 2-1, while No. 12 Illinois is also 2-1. 

Day's press conference is on the Buckeye Insiders YouTube channel starting at noon.

The Upper Arlington City School District has entered a "last chance agreement" with a district employee after an investigation found she engaged in unprofessional conduct and failed to appropriately respond to student safety and well-being concerns, according to documents obtained by Sean M. Brooks, Ph.D., of the Substack The American Classroom.

The employee, Montana Frey, who serves as the district's sole attendance secretary, was placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigated. An Aug. 4 notice of pre-disciplinary conference, signed by Chief Talent Officer Pete Scully, laid out five allegations against Frey: an unprofessional and inappropriate relationship with a district student; inappropriate use of confidential student information; failure to respond to and report on student health, welfare and safety concerns; interference with parental rights and decision-making; and insubordination and misrepresentation during the investigation.

The district said the alleged conduct, if true, violated board policies on staff ethics, student safety and welfare, student health and well-being, and the district's parents' bill of rights, and would have warranted termination.

Rather than fire Frey, the district and her union, OAPSE Local 4/AFSCME, negotiated a last-chance agreement, signed Aug. 10 by Frey, union president David Thompson, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt. According to the agreement, Frey does not admit to or agree with the investigation's conclusions.

Read the full article here.

As of Sept. 17, at least 138 Ohio municipalities and townships had active moratoriums on data centers, and 23 communities have effectively banned them outright, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. At least 23 more proposals are pending across seven counties, and the outlet reported the true number is likely higher since many villages and small townships don't publish ordinances or minutes online.

A Bowling Green State University poll found that 78% of Ohioans support pausing data center construction until more is known about the effects, and 75% oppose construction in their own communities. The industry has responded with ad campaigns touting the benefits and donations to help Ohioans cover utility bills, as a leaked Republican campaign memo warned data centers could hurt U.S. Sen. Jon Husted's reelection chances if developers don't better explain who benefits and who pays.

Continue reading the article here.

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