News

Animal Charity halts investigations, intakes

Local News August 22, 2026

Staff report BOARDMAN — A crisis in capacity and funding has forced Animal Charity of Ohio to suspend all humane investigations and stop intakes of animals in Mahoning County. Officials said the suspensions should be temporary. “We know how important this work is to the animals and to our community,” said Rachel Hammond, secretary of the organization’s board of directors. “Being forced to suspend humane investigations is heartbreaking, particularly because there are animals in our community who need this service. We want to resume this work as soon as possible, but we ...

Benders’ reunion benefits NOAS

Local News August 22, 2026

The Benders are coming back to the Robins Theatre for an encore, this time to support Northeast Ohio Adoption Services. “They’re fighting on the side of the angels,” said Jeff Draime, who plays guitar and sings in the band. “The need for foster parents and good role models for the ...

Ciccone denies charges in suit alleging racial discrimination

Local News August 22, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — An attorney for Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone denied the charges in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the officeholder contending he had “legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons” for firing a black employee. In response to Thais Scott’s July 21 lawsuit against Ciccone and the clerk of courts’ office, attorney David Smith of the Cleveland law firm of Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis — hired to represent them —wrote that the defendants “deny that plaintiff is entitled to any of the relief sought and denies liability related to this ...

Judge: Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is mentally fit for sex trafficking trial

National News August 22, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is mentally competent to stand trial as he faces sex trafficking charges after being hospitalized for months for dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury, in her Thursday decision, concluded that Michael Jeffries “clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings” and is a “reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator” following his stay at a federal prison hospital in Butner, North Carolina. The federal judge on Long Island, ...

ODOT announces new road adjustments for I-76/80

Local News August 22, 2026

In addition to previously announced road closures for the Interstate 80/76 pavement rehabilitation project in Austintown and Jackson townships, I-80 westbound between Salt Springs Road and state Route 46 will be reduced to one lane through the end of the month. Also, the ramp from I-80 west to Route 46 will be closed through late August. The detour will be I-80 westbound to I-76 westbound to Bailey Road to I-76 eastbound to I-80 eastbound to Route 46.

Philanthropist Nancy Kissinger dies at 92 at home

National News August 22, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Philanthropist Nancy Kissinger, onetime foreign policy researcher and wife of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has died. She was 92. She died Thursday at her home in Kent, Connecticut, Robert Johnson, manager of the property, told The Associated Press. The cause of her death was not disclosed. Johnson said she will be buried next to her late husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The daughter of a New York City lawyer, she met Henry Kissinger while working for New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. The couple wed in 1974. She was described by ...