Report. Reflect. Respond.
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Pennant. To listen to this newsletter, click the “Listen Online” link in the top right corner of this email.
On this day, 1964, Ohioan Jerrie Mock made history by landing at Port Columbus International Airport, completing the first around-the-world solo airplane flight by a woman.
Ohio governor candidate Dr. Amy Acton has addressed the 2019 domestic dispute involving her. Find the details at the Top of The Fold.
Also, stay tuned — The Pennant has a big story in the works! Click here to find out more, or scroll down to Page One.
Top of The Fold
Police Called to Amy Acton's Home in 2019 After Domestic Dispute Involving Drinking, Medication
Police were called to Ohio governor candidate Dr. Amy Acton's home in 2019 after she and her husband got into a verbal argument, during which she pulled a mirror off the wall and shattered the glass.
A police report noted that both Acton and her husband had been drinking.
In addition, Acton said she had taken an unknown amount of prescription medication, and her campaign has stated that the prescription was migraine medication.
She had only one glass of wine. Read more on this story here.
Ohio's May 5 Primary Takes Shape with Governor, Senate Races in Focus
Ohio's May 5 primary election is taking shape with Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton poised to win the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial nominations, while incumbent Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown gear up for a U.S. Senate showdown in November.
Voters will also weigh in on several local school levies and bond issues across the state.
Ohio's voter registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, so if you didn’t register, you will need to wait until the next election cycle to cast a ballot.
To register to vote in the November election, click here.
Another Ohio State Resignation Following Ted Carter Scandal
Ohio State senior vice president Chris Kabourek, a close adviser to former President Ted Carter, resigned from the university following Carter's departure after admitting to an inappropriate relationship.
Page One
National
DC - White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated the Trump administration may investigate a series of mysterious deaths and disappearances of U.S. experts tied to advanced research, elevating the issue from online speculation to a matter of potential federal review.
The Pennant has been working on this story with freelance journalists and will be publishing a series on the topic in the coming weeks.
More on the story here, and from The Pennant here.
Iran - The US military has expanded its blockade of Iran, now targeting Iranian ships and vessels supporting Iran anywhere in the world, not just near Iranian ports. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Iran's leaders to "choose wisely" and make a deal, while saying the US military is ready to act. (More)
Connecticut - Hasan Piker, a popular left-wing Twitch streamer with millions of followers who has become an influential voice in progressive and Democratic political circles, spoke at a Yale Political Union debate, arguing in favor of the resolution "End the American Empire." His appearance drew significant controversy before it even began, with Republican Sen. Rick Scott calling on the Trump administration to revoke Yale's federal funding over the invitation. (More)
Statewide
Statewide - Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin have created a new Statewide Attendance Dashboard that will allow users to track attendance trends across the state, as well as absenteeism rates by school building and grade level. (More)
Columbus - Ohio State University has reached a $1.8 million settlement with additional survivors of former wrestling team physician Dr. Richard Strauss. Strauss, who was employed by the university from 1978 to 1998, is reported to have sexually abused at least 177 former students. (More)
Ansonia - A volunteer firefighter, 22-year-old Peyton Beam, has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing 50-year-old Ericka Kramer and then setting her house on fire. He later arrived at the scene to help put out the fire alongside his fellow volunteers. (More)
Central Ohio - Northwest Ohio businessman and Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio, Casey Putsh, moved a recent campaign rally to a "secret location" after La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro said it would no longer host him over remarks critics have called pro-Nazi. (More)
Eastern Ohio -As the weather warms, the Ohio Department of Health has issued a warning urging residents to be vigilant about the increased risk of contact with ticks. According to the department's data, cases of Lyme disease across the state have skyrocketed over the past 15 years. (More)
Toledo's Greatest Export Isn't Glass or Joey Potter — It's a Hot Dog
By Edward W
If you've never had a Tony Packo's hot dog, you're missing out on one of Ohio's greatest secrets. These legendary sausages from Toledo have been calling people across the state since 1932, and once you bite into one, you'll understand why they make the drive.
You might have heard of Tony Packo's from the classic TV show M*A*S*H, where Corporal Max Klinger (played by Toledo native and Woodward High School graduate Jamie Farr) talked about them constantly while stuck in Korea. If a guy whose sole purpose in life is to get kicked out of the Army can't stop thinking about a hot dog, you know it has to be good.
And there's a real story behind what Klinger was pining for.
Tony Packo's was founded by Tony Packo Sr., the son of Hungarian immigrants, and his wife, Rose, who used a $100 loan from relatives to open a small sandwich and ice cream shop on Toledo's east side during the Great Depression.
Tony created his signature dish — a Hungarian sausage called Kolbasz, cut in half to resemble an American hot dog and topped with a spicy chili sauce — and sold it for just five cents. The rest, as they say, is Toledo history.
What makes them so special today? It's the Hungarian-style sausage, snapped into a soft bun and topped with a sweet and spicy meat sauce unlike anything else on the planet. You don't have to be from Northwest Ohio to recognize there's nothing else quite like it.
The best part? You don't have to GPS your way to 1902 Front Street in Toledo anymore. You can find Tony’s dogs in grocery stores across Ohio, so there's no excuse not to try them on the grill this summer.
Move over, Katie Holmes, Toledo Scale, Inverness, and Mud Hens — Tony Packo's might just be the best thing Toledo has ever given the world.
Spielberg's New Alien Movie 'Disclosure Day' Shows Creatures at CinemaCon
Steven Spielberg released footage from his upcoming sci-fi thriller "Disclosure Day" at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, giving audiences their first real look at what appears to be extraterrestrial beings.
The film stars Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor as two strangers who share a mysterious connection to aliens, including a scene in which small humanoid creatures are escorted under umbrellas at night. Spielberg said that none of the footage shown in trailers or at CinemaCon comes from the movie's third act because he wants to protect younger fans from spoilers, since kids tend to remember every single scene they see.
“Disclosure Day” comes about seven months after "The Age of Disclosure," a November 2025 UFO/UAP documentary that was directed and produced by Dan Farah. Less than 48 hours after the documentary was available on Amazon Prime Video, it broke the platform's record for highest-grossing documentary. Needless to say, there is a high level of interest in this subject.
The film "Disclosure Day" hits theaters on June 12.
The Back Page
Do you believe in aliens?
Previous Poll Results
What are your thoughts on Amy Acton's Past Domestic Dispute?
- She should drop out of the Governor's race - 65%
- It's being blown out of proportion - 10%
- Other - 25%
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