All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information. The Athens County Independent believes the cited sources of information are reliable; however, these sources are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting.
Submit news and information to info@athensindependent.com by noon on Mondays for inclusion in Tuesday’s issue of The Scoop.
Local
Ohio University’s football team defeated West Virginia 17–10 during a Saturday match at Peden Stadium in Athens. A record crowd of 26,740 fans attended the game. (WOUB)
Athens High School held a groundbreaking ceremony at Joe Burrow Stadium Aug. 29 to celebrate the creation of a new three-story high school, an event attended by students, teachers, school officials, and Gov. Mike DeWine. Estimated to cost $69 million, the new school is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The existing building will be demolished. (WSAZ)
Rock blasting will soon begin along U.S. 33 in Athens and Meigs counties as part of the widening project from two to four lanes. A public meeting is scheduled this week at the Meigs County ODOT Garage in Pomeroy to discuss the changes. (Marietta Times)
My Sister’s Place in Athens has been awarded $75,222 –– a year’s worth of funding –– from Ohio’s Office of Criminal Justice Services. Overall, the state will disperse $3.6 million to organizations that support domestic violence victims and their dependents. (Office of Criminal Justice Services)
Regional
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus will halt all gender-affirming care for transgender patients, including adults, starting Sept. 26. The hospital said it will still provide behavioral health care and support services. (NBC4i)
State
Ohioans are invited by lawmakers to submit proposed congressional maps ahead of the 2026 redistricting process. The state’s General Assembly must approve a new map by Sept. 30. (Statehouse News Bureau)
More than 30 National Institutes of Health grants in Ohio have been impacted by recent federal cuts, totaling an estimated loss of $16.75 million. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A proposed new bill in Ohio aimed to prevent rolling blackouts amid growing electricity demand would allow utilities to adjust thermostats and water heaters for residential and small commercial customers during peak demand periods. (Ohio Capital Journal)
LifeWise Academy, a Hilliard-based religious instruction program, will operate in nearly half of Ohio schooldistricts this school year, marking a nearly 90% increase since January. The expansion comes after a new state law requires school districts to have a religious-release time policy. (Ohio Capital Journal)
