Local
A suspected electrical fire displaced five Athens residents over the weekend. (The Athens Messenger)
With SB 29 now law, Nelsonville-York High School teachers and administrators expressed uncertainty as to what counts as a violation of the new privacy rules, which limit oversight of student’s technology devices. Federal Hocking High School said it will not implement SB 29 requirements until August 2025. (WOUB)
A judge dismissed three cases from Athens High School students, ruling that courts have no jurisdiction to review disciplinary actions schools make in regard to extracurricular activities. The students argued that being disciplined for out-of-school offenses would hinder future college athletic careers and money-making opportunities. (WOUB)
Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine received an $8 million grant to build a new Heritage Translational Research Center, which will cost approximately $66.9 million total. The center aims to enhance biomedical research infrastructure and foster community health improvements. (The Post)
A team of Ohio University researchers studied how self-driving cars perform in rural communities. Though the technology still has shortcomings in rural environments, the researchers say it also holds particular promise for such communities. (Ohio University)
Ohio University alumnus Dan Dry, longtime director of photography for the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup, has donated a collection of his work to the university. Selections from the collection — which is valued at $4.1 million — are on display in the VisCom Focus gallery through Nov. 29. (Ohio University)
Regional
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action celebrated the grand opening of its new market and training hub in Logan, designed to provide food and workforce development opportunities to the community while offering nutritious food pantry options to locals. (WOUB)
State
Ohio’s water supply rushes through more than 745,000 lead pipes. Removal will require comprehensive legislation and significant funding. (WOSU)
Nearly a third of Ohio’s registered voters cast their ballots early in the 2024 election, with over 1.5 million voting in person and nearly 1 million by mail. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Ohio’s recreational marijuana sales exceeded $131 million in less than three months, even with a 10% tax applied to all non-medical transactions. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder plans to ask incoming president Donald Trump for clemency – and maybe a pardon – for his conviction over a $61 million state bribery scandal. (Statehouse News Bureau)
