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
Monica Leigh Perani, 27, of Corning, died Sunday in Athens Township from injuries sustained when her vehicle was struck in a head-on collision on State Route 682. The other driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. (Marietta Times)
Ohio University has cut a significant number of IT jobs to address a growing funding gap caused by rising software, service and staffing costs. While some positions were eliminated, the university says it will restructure remaining roles and post over a dozen new jobs, many open only to current employees. (WOUB)
A quarter of the incoming Ohio University class at the Athens campus are first-generation students and more than 18% from Appalachian Ohio. The campus welcomed 4,550 freshmen this fall, and saw its highest first-to-second year retention rate in over two decades at 84.7%. (WOUB)
The Southern Ohio Chestnut Company in Albany, co-founded by Badger Johnson and Chris Smyth, is testing whether chestnut orchards can also grow profitable porcini mushrooms, supported by a nearly $30,000 USDA grant. The project, running through 2027, aims to revive chestnut culture while creating new income opportunities for farmers. (The Athens Messenger)
Regional
Peebles, home to the Great Serpent Mound –– a National Historic Landmark and the largest serpent effigy known globally –– has been named a Buckeye Trail Town, the 22nd community supporting Ohio’s longest scenic hiking trail. Buckeye Trail spans approximately 1,444 miles throughout the state. (Logan Daily News)
State
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the state will continue to promote and support vaccinations, in contrast to Florida’s efforts to ban vaccine requirements. The state’s approach is grounded in decades of scientific evidence affirming the safety and efficacy of vaccines, DeWine said. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Six Ohio universities received failing free speech rankings from a Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression report. According to the report, students at these schools often feel uncomfortable expressing their ideas or sharing political views. Ohio’s average speech climate grade is an F, aligning with the national average. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Ohio Democrats unveiled a new congressional map ahead of the redistricting deadline, saying it keeps most counties intact and follows state and federal laws. The proposal would give Republicans eight likely seats and Democrats seven, though it faces steep odds in the GOP-controlled legislature. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Gov. Mike DeWine has agreed to extend the deployment of 150 members of the Ohio National Guard in Washington, D.C., keeping them there until November 30. (Statehouse News Bureau)
A bipartisan bill in the Ohio Legislature would create a “Tithing Protection Act,” giving tax credits to people who donate to their churches. Supporters say the measure would help older Ohioans and others continue giving despite rising taxes. (Statehouse News Bureau)
The State Library of Ohio is awaiting court rulings and congressional votes that will determine future federal funding levels. The library has already faced years of declining state financial support, as well as a decrease in staff positions over that same time. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Gov. Mike DeWine announced an initiative he says will address violent crime in Cincinnati by providing additional resources for parole violations and firearm prosecutions and directing the Ohio State Highway Patrol to bolster the Cincinnati Police Department. (Ohio Capital Journal)
