News

Kennedy Center will close for renovations after judge blocks returning Trump’s name to building

National News September 16, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board voted on Tuesday to close most of the iconic performing arts venue just hours after a federal judge blocked the institution from returning President Donald Trump’s name to the building. In a social media post, Trump said the closure was needed for safety repairs. But he said the repairs, which Congress has allocated $257 million to cover, would only happen if the board was allowed to move forward with plans to add his name to the building. A federal judge has twice said that can’t happen without the approval of ...

New law creates state defense and space commission

Local News September 16, 2026

Gov. Mike DeWine had a bill signing ceremony for a new law to create the Ohio Defense and Space Commission — legislation sponsored by state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles. The Monday ceremony follows DeWine officially signing the bill into law on July 7. Santucci said: “Ohio is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of American defense and aerospace innovation. This commission will bring together the right partners to compete for investment, grow advanced manufacturing, support our military installations and create good-paying jobs across our state.” The bill passed 86-7 ...

Ex-Boardman bowling coach nets prison term

Local News September 16, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — A former Boardman High School bowling coach was sentenced Tuesday to two to three years in prison for felonious assault and sexual battery involving a minor. Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony Donofrio handed down the sentence to Kevin C. Randolph, 70, of Stadium Drive in Boardman. As a Tier II sex offender, he will have to register his address every six months in the county where he lives for 25 years. Randolph was indicted Feb. 13, 2025, on felony counts of assault, sexual battery and two charges of endangering children. As part of a deal, Randolph on ...

Valley gets election ready with voter registration drive

Local News September 16, 2026

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation partnered with the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown to host a voter registration drive Tuesday at the Jewish Community Center as part of National Voter Registration Day. The four-hour event gave community members an opportunity to register to vote, verify their registration status, obtain absentee ballot request forms and locate their polling places. Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day was created to focus national attention on helping eligible Americans register and participate in ...

New witness may delay start of murder trial

Local News September 16, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County prosecutors succeeded in convincing Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge R. Scott Krichbaum this week to hold one trial for Vincent Marbley, 61, and Eddie Winphrie, 43, instead of two trials, in the Oct. 17, 2024, murder of Reynaldo Hernandez, 24, at a home on Bott Street on Youngstown’s East Side. The aggravated murder trial is set to begin Monday. But a new issue arose in the case at the same time: Prosecutors learned that a Mahoning County jail inmate contacted law enforcement Aug. 29 to say that he had information relevant to the guilt or ...