Wake Up, Cincinnati!

Friday, March 27: Cincinnati Population + Graffiti Responsibility + Canned Tap Water

Today's Cincinnati newscast includes these stories: * Population growth trends around Cincinnati counties and comparison with Columbus area [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2026/03/26/census-estimates-show-these-counties-drive-growth-around-cincinnati/89319338007/] * Cincinnati residents may be forced to pay thousands to clean up graffiti or face city lien on their property [https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/cincinnati-residents-may-be-forced-to-pay-thousands-to-clean-up-graffiti-or-face-city-lien-on-their-property] * Northern Kentucky Catholic school to shut down amid rising costs, falling enrollment [https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2026/03/26/st-catherine-of-siena-fort-thomas.html] * Cincinnati establishes LGBTQIA+ Commission to enhance community support and advocacy [https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2026-03-25/cincinnati-new-lgbtqia-commission] * Cincinnati introduces canned tap water to support local artists and businesses [https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2026-03-24/love-cincinnati-tap-water-now-you-can-drink-it-from-a-can] This is our last newscast before we put Wake Up on the shelf (at least for now). Thank you for tuning in!

Thursday, March 26: Day Cares Overpaid + Overdose Deaths Drop + Law Relaxed for Opening Day

Today's Cincinnati newscast includes these stories: * Ohio day cares face scrutiny after $1.1 million in overpayments discovered [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/2026/03/25/12-cincinnati-day-cares-collected-over-90k-in-overpayments-by-state/89244728007/] * Boone County Republican primary pits traditional GOP against MAGA-style challenger [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/23/longtime-boone-county-republican-faces-gop-challenger/88045730007/] * Hamilton County marks lowest overdose death total since 2012 [https://www.citybeat.com/news/hamilton-county-overdose-deaths-decline-2025/] * The Banks won't enforce 21+ policy on Opening Day [https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/no-curfew-at-the-banks-on-opening-day-cpds-interim-police-chief-to-discuss-safety-plans-today] * Cincinnati OK’d $455,000 for new West End restaurant. The landlord locked it out [https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2026/03/24/west-end-sports-bar-open-lease-rent-city-funding.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_6&cx_artPos=4%23cxrecs_s]

Wednesday, March 25: Ex-Venezuelan Mayor + Violent Crime Prevention + Students' Mental Health

Today's Cincinnati newscast includes these stories: * Ex-Venezuelan mayor detained by ICE seeks return to Venezuela [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2026/03/24/ex-venezuelan-mayor-carlos-garcia-odn-in-ice-custody-in-butler-county/89193565007/] * New partnership targets violent crime in Cincinnati and improves public safety efforts [https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2026-03-23/ohio-federal-partnership-violent-crime-cincinnati] * Construction begins on $125 million biomedical facility in Covington [https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2026/03/24/university-kentucky-covington-pepper-msa-design.html] * New Brighton Approach Bridge to improve access and connectivity in Cincinnati [https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2026/03/23/brighton-bridge-reopen-soon-uptown-otr-west-end.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_6&cx_artPos=0%23cxrecs_s] * New data offers insight into Tri-State students' mental health and behavior [https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/news/2026/03/23/preventionfirst---nicole-schiesler--prevention--sarah-sawmiller--beth-race--student-survey--substance-use--mental-health--]

Tuesday, March 24: Violent Crime Arrests + Bank Manager Charged + Teen Missing Two Years Killed

Today's Cincinnati newscast includes these stories: * Nine arrested on federal firearm charges in Cincinnati's violent crime initiative [https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/local-state-and-federal-officials-give-update-on-violent-crime-reduction-initiative-in-cincinnati] * Former NKY bank manager accused of stealing from customer accounts [https://local12.com/news/local/exclusive-former-bank-manager-accused-stealing-from-customers-northern-kentucky-ludlow-banking-banks-money-cash-funds-funding-mortgages-forged-forgery-unauthorized-deposits-accounts-home-savings-bank-businesses-business-theft-prison-time] * 15-year-old killed in shooting had been missing two years [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/2026/03/23/15-year-old-killed-in-north-avondale-was-considered-a-missing-child/89289086007/] * Pedestrian deaths decline in Cincinnati with new safety measures implemented [https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2026-03-23/pedestrian-deaths-serious-injuries-down-cincinnati] * Forest Hills School Board sued over ICE response plan redactions [https://www.wvxu.org/education/2026-03-23/forest-hills-school-board-sued-redactions-ice-response-plan]

Monday, March 23: Landsman Town Hall + Sidewalk Repairs + Fishbowl Live to Close

Today's Cincinnati newscast includes these stories: * Rep. Landsman discusses Iran vote and hawkish stance at town hall [https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/22/rep-greg-landsman-explains-iran-vote-at-greater-cincinnati-town-hall/89198604007/] * City pilot program aids sidewalk repairs for 60 homeowners in Cincinnati [https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/2026-03-20/sidewalk-repair-cost-pilot-cincinnati] * Hamilton County levies: What ‘mills’ mean for voters [https://www.citybeat.com/news/what-is-a-mill-understanding-the-hamilton-county-levies-on-the-may-ballot/] * Trial reveals financial downfall of Reston Construction amid management changes [https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/trial-sheds-new-light-on-the-collapse-of-reston-construction] * Fishbowl Live music venue in Cincinnati to close, future shows canceled [https://www.newsrecord.org/news/fishbowl-live-music-venue-set-to-close-future-shows-canceled/article_30cbc205-2863-4c92-974b-fd78f16ffb35.html]