Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1913, floodwaters in Dayton reached 20 feet as the Great Miami River crested at a record 44 feet. The flood killed more than 400 people from Dayton to Hamilton.

If you're looking for some local ice cream as the weather warms up, Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs hosts its annual pint sale this weekend. Get the details in today's Et Cetera section.

Today we're sponsored by New Sapience, offering an investment opportunity in AI technology, be sure to get in on this while you still can.

Kroger Countersues Albertsons

Cincinnati-based grocery chain Kroger countersued Albertsons as part of a legal battle over their failed $25 billion merger.

In December, a federal court blocked the deal after the Federal Trade Commission argued it would reduce competition and drive up prices for consumers.

Albertsons subsequently terminated the merger and sued Kroger, alleging the company failed to secure regulatory approval.

Kroger's countersuit claims that Albertsons engaged in a "secret and misguided campaign" to pursue its own regulatory strategy. Kroger contends that Albertsons is not entitled to the $600 million termination fee outlined in the merger agreement.

State Braces for Allergy Season

With the arrival of spring comes the return of seasonal allergies—and forecasts suggest that this year could be a long one for allergy sufferers.

In Ohio, tree pollen will arrive first, peaking from mid-May through early June. Grass allergens will be most intense from June into July, while weed pollen is expected to peak between mid-July and mid-August. You can view maps of peak allergen times here.

Fortunately, no Ohio cities appeared on this year's list of the top 20 "allergy capitals," according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

More Farms Eligible for Water Quality Support

Farmers in more Northwest Ohio counties are now eligible to enroll in a state incentive program that promotes water quality and soil health.

So far, more than 3,200 farms across the state have signed up for H2Ohio, including about 43% of the cropland in the Western Lake Erie Basin.

"We are asking farmers to step up once more and continue their commitment to reducing nutrients and protecting Ohio's waterways for future generations," state Agriculture Director Brian Balridge said.

The incentive program provides cost-saving benefits for producers who adopt water and soil conservation practices. You can learn more about the initiative here.

Flying together with our sponsor

Final 2 Days: Back a Team of Founders with $350M in Exits Combined

The clock is ticking on this opportunity to join a rocket scientist, an astronaut, and the co-inventor of the personal computer as they pioneer the next evolution in AI.

It's far from the first time this team has successfully grown a business—with $350M in previous exits and 100 patents combined. But this latest innovation could be their most groundbreaking yet, and you have just 2 days left to invest in New Sapience while they're private.

It's called Synthetic Intelligence, which lets machines learn and reason cognitively, like humans.

While ChatGPT and other Large Language Models just rearrange words and "hallucinate", this is an opportunity to blaze the trail for a machine that truly understands and never makes things up. Bill Gates said that a company that builds a true AI could be "worth 10 Microsofts."

New Sapience's potential market is also huge—anyone with a smartphone and almost every business in every industry.

They're changing the share price soon. However, you can still invest at the $4 share price if you get in before the deadline.

Lock in the $4 share price while you still can!

Become a New Sapience shareholder by tomorrow at midnight PST.

➤ Byesville: A Meadowbrook Elementary teacher was honored for saving a choking student by performing the Heimlich maneuver and dislodging a gummy bear. (More)

➤ Dayton: The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission approved more than $28 million in federal transportation funds for roads, bike paths, transit upgrades, and more. (More)

➤ Columbus: The Board of Health received authorization to use a new electronic medical record system in partnership with Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. (More)

➤ Canfield Township: A bridge replacement project on Route 224 is set to begin April 7 and continue until August 2026. (Details)

➤ Allen County: Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel will give the keynote address at the Allen County Republicans' annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner next month. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Police officers will receive a pay raise next month under a new union contract approved by the city council. (More)

➤ Columbus forward Adam Fantilli scored the game-winning shootout goal against the New York Islanders, putting the Blue Jackets within two points of a playoff spot. (Watch Video)

➤ Gov. Mike DeWine pushed back against a budget amendment that would provide $600 million in bonds to help the Cleveland Browns build a new stadium. (More)

➤ Archbishop Hoban offensive tackle Sam Greer, the No. 4-rated high school football player in Ohio, committed to Ohio State. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Relieve sore muscles fast with Glokore Recovery Wraps! These soothing wraps use targeted compression and heat therapy to ease tension, reduce inflammation, and speed up muscle recovery. Perfect after workouts or long days, they help your body heal naturally so you feel refreshed, recharged, and ready to move again. (Shop Now)

➤ Mercy Health announced that patients covered by Cigna Insurance may be out of network beginning April 1 due to stalled negotiations. (More)

➤ Roots Natural Kitchen, a Virginia-based restaurant chain specializing in salad and grain bowls, plans to open a second Columbus location. (Details)

➤ Nicola's, a longtime Italian restaurant in Over-the-Rhine, will relocate to a downtown Cincinnati space near the riverfront. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Soothe joint discomfort naturally with Hempified CBD Gummies! Our premium hemp-based formulas are designed to reduce inflammation, ease stiffness, and support long-term joint health. Whether you're active or just want better mobility, Hempified helps you move freely and feel your best—without harsh chemicals or side effects. Relief starts here, naturally.

Flying together with our sponsor

2 Days Left: Solving the Biggest Problem with AI

Today's artificial intelligence makes mistakes. That's because it doesn't truly know anything and can't learn or think the way humans do. This is about to change thanks to New Sapience—and you have 2 days left to invest in the company.

New Sapience is creating what they call "Synthetic Intelligence" that truly comprehends language and explains its reasoning. And the potential here is staggering. Bill Gates says a company that can build a true AI would be "worth 10 Microsofts."

What's even better is that you can still invest at $4 per share if you get in before the current deadline. The price is changing soon, so there's no time to waste: Become a New Sapience shareholder by tomorrow at midnight PST.

This is a paid advertisement for New Sapience's Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.newsapience.com/

➤ Young's Jersey Dairy expects to sell 12,000 pints of ice cream during its annual sale that starts Thursday. The pints sell for $3.69 each. (Details)

➤ The Columbus Zoo is keeping certain high-risk birds, such as flamingoes and swans, indoors due to the threat of bird flu. (More)

➤ The robotics team from Olentangy Local School District earned a spot in a world robotics tournament for the third time in four years. (See Robot)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect yourself on the road with CamHandy Dash Cam! This compact, easy-to-install camera records every drive in crisp HD, capturing accidents, near-misses, and more. With loop recording and motion detection, you'll always have proof when it matters most. Stay safe, stay covered—drive with confidence using CamHandy!