Federal agents disperse protesters at the Broadview ICE facility during Operation Midway Blitz, resulting in multiple arrests and controversy over enforcement tactics.
Federal Agents Disperse Protesters at Broadview ICE Facility During Operation Midway Blitz
Federal agents from ICE, Border Patrol, and the ATF used tear gas, pepper balls, and physical force to disperse protesters blocking access to the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on September 27 and 28, 2025. The enforcement action took place as part of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal initiative targeting undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area.
Since mid-September, the operation has resulted in over 100 arrests. Protests against the facility began on September 22, with demonstrators demanding changes to immigration enforcement policies.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges against individuals involved in obstructing federal operations. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the tactics, calling them unlawful and un-American, and emphasized the need for lawful and humane treatment of protesters.
Two men killed in a fiery Madison Township SUV crash have been identified as Columbus residents Elhadji Amadou Sow, 27, and Abdoulaye Ly, 30.
Two Men Killed in Fiery SUV Crash in Madison Township Identified
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has officially identified the two men who tragically died in a fiery SUV crash in Madison Township, Ohio, on September 22. The victims, 27-year-old Elhadji Amadou Sow and 30-year-old Abdoulaye Ly, were both residents of Columbus.
Sow and Ly were traveling north on Green Pointe Drive South in a 2004 Honda CR-V when their vehicle struck the rear of a stationary 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The trailer had stopped to enter a warehouse driveway. Emergency crews had to extricate both men from the SUV, but unfortunately, they were pronounced dead at the scene around 3:30 p.m.
Investigators reported that Sow, who was driving, was traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. The exact speed is still under investigation, though the posted speed limit on Green Pointe Drive South is 35 mph. The tractor-trailer driver was unharmed. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit 2025 Comes to Columbus: Biggest Event
Columbus, Ohio – Columbus, Ohio, will take center stage this fall as it hosts the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, which organizers are calling their largest summit to date. The high-profile event, presented in partnership with JobsOhio, runs from September 28 to October 1, 2025.
The summit, a gathering of the world’s top young entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators, will feature a star-studded lineup of speakers and performers. Attendees can expect appearances from Olympic champions Suni Lee and Massai Russell, actors including Lili Reinhart, a Cleveland native, and Anna Cathcart, as well as global music stars like Rosé of BLACKPINK and Alex Warren.
Notable Ohio figures such as Jeni Britton, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are also set to participate. The complete list of speakers and performers is available on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit website.
Tickets for the in-person experience start at $500, with a premium “General Plus” option at $1,500. Attendees must be 21 or older. For those unable to join in person, virtual tickets are available for $50.
This marks the third consecutive year the summit has been held in Ohio, following Cleveland in 2023 and Cincinnati in 2024. JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef praised the momentum:
“The Under 30 Summits in Cleveland and Cincinnati showed why top companies and entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing Ohio. Columbus will now showcase its thriving culture, business opportunities, and innovation ecosystem.”
To highlight Columbus as a hub of culture and entrepreneurship, the summit will include local industry tours, city-wide experiences, community service activities, and locally-sourced culinary showcases.
“Forbes is proud to bring this global community of leaders to Columbus,” said Leann Bonanno, Forbes Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “This summit will spotlight the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and growing influence on the national stage.”
Shawnee Hills in Delaware County, Ohio, faces a $54,000 recovery order after a paving project payment was diverted in a scam.
Shawnee Hills Loses $54K in Paving Payment Scam, Ohio Auditor Issues Recovery Order
Shawnee Hills, a small village in Delaware County, Ohio, with fewer than 1,000 residents, became the victim of a payment scam involving a local road project. The village was supposed to pay more than $54,000 to Strawser Paving Company in Columbus for a 2024 asphalt repair project.
Instead, the funds were mistakenly wired to a woman in California after the village’s fiscal officer, Shirley Roskoski, received fraudulent banking details via email. The Ohio Auditor of State’s office investigated the matter and released an audit report on September 25, 2024, identifying a finding for recovery of $54,388.20. According to the report, Roskoski, the California recipient, and Roskoski’s bonding company are “jointly and severally liable” for the misdirected funds.
The audit noted that Shawnee Hills officials did not respond before the report’s release. Roskoski declined to comment when approached by media on September 26.
Clay Strawser, vice president of Strawser Paving Company, confirmed that the village eventually paid the company for its work, which included minor asphalt road repairs. He also mentioned that fraud attempts like this happen several times a year, with scammers posing as legitimate contractors to divert payments.
The Shawnee Hills Village Council had approved the paving project contract with Strawser Paving Company on September 9, 2024. The following day, Roskoski received an email request for electronic payment information, which she believed to be legitimate. On October 16, she authorized the transfer to the fraudulent California account.
The state auditor’s report advised stricter safeguards, urging fiscal officers to confirm vendor bank account details directly with verified employees before making any electronic payments.
Centrus Energy expansion in Pike County to create 300 jobs and strengthen U.S. nuclear energy leadership.
Centrus Energy Expansion to Create 300 Jobs in Pike County, Ohio
Pike County, Ohio – Centrus Energy has announced a $1.58 billion expansion project at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, marking one of the largest clean energy investments in the region’s history. The development is expected to create 300 permanent jobs and employ nearly 1,000 construction workers at its peak.
The expansion will boost Centrus Energy’s uranium enrichment capacity to support the growing demand for nuclear fuel in the U.S., reducing dependence on imports from Russia and China. With America’s energy needs driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers, the project positions Ohio as a national leader in nuclear energy production.
A Historic Investment in Ohio’s Energy Future
Governor Mike DeWine praised the project, emphasizing its role in strengthening Ohio’s economy and workforce:
“This is great news for Ohio. Centrus is expanding right here in Piketon. At least 299 new jobs will be created, alongside retaining 127 existing ones.”
The Piketon site once powered U.S. nuclear weapons and later commercial reactors until its closure in the early 2000s. Cleanup and redevelopment have been ongoing, with new plans including hydrogen power plants and nuclear reactors.
High-Wage Jobs and Economic Growth
Centrus Energy will partner with JobsOhio to hire for a range of roles, including engineers, operators, electricians, and accountants. These positions will offer an average wage of $50 per hour, generating more than $31 million in payroll for the state annually.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted highlighted the project’s significance for both energy independence and national security:
“Our adversaries on the battlefield are our uranium suppliers today. This project changes that. If America wants zero-carbon energy to power AI and beyond, nuclear is the way forward.”
Boosting U.S. Nuclear Leadership
Using advanced centrifuge technology manufactured in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Centrus will produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), essential for the next generation of nuclear reactors. The company also plans to supply low-enriched uranium for nearly all of the 94 nuclear reactors currently operating in the United States.
With a nationwide supply chain spanning 13 states, the expansion will not only impact Pike County but also bring growth opportunities to surrounding areas like Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and Waverly.
Gary Arnett, Pike County’s economic development director, noted:
“This expansion will be a shot in the arm for Pike County and every county touching it.”
“Unions demand boycott of Sutphen Corp. as Columbus cancels $2.5M fire truck contract.
Teamsters and Firefighters Unions Urge Columbus and Other Cities to Boycott Sutphen Corp.
Two powerful labor unions are calling on North American cities, including Columbus, to boycott Dublin-based fire truck manufacturer Sutphen Corp. as a worker strike extends beyond four months.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 284, representing 85 Sutphen workers on strike, and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) are urging city governments to cancel fire truck and fire safety equipment orders until the company reaches a fair labor agreement.
In July, the Columbus City Council voted to cancel a $2.5 million Sutphen ladder truck contract, citing the ongoing labor dispute. The council then approved a replacement contract with Pierce Manufacturing.
According to Teamsters Local 284 President Mark Vandak, Sutphen has violated federal labor laws and used “union busters” to resist fair bargaining. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has already found merit in several bad-faith bargaining charges against the company.
While Sutphen maintains it is negotiating in good faith and continues to produce “the safest fire apparatus in the world,” union leaders argue the company’s tactics have harmed its reputation.
Columbus firefighters say the strike is worsening an already critical issue: the city’s aging fleet of fire trucks. Local 67 IAFF President Steven Stein stressed the urgency of securing new trucks, whether from Sutphen or another reliable manufacturer, to ensure public safety.
Both Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and IAFF President Ed Kelly have pledged their support for the boycott until Sutphen reaches a fair labor agreement with its workers.
The former Ranco industrial site in Plain City is being redeveloped into a community park.
Former Ranco Site in Plain City Transforms into 66-Acre Community Park
A former industrial site in Plain City is set to be transformed into a sprawling 66-acre recreational park after decades of environmental cleanup. The site, previously home to Ranco, a manufacturer of thermostat, vehicle, and HVAC components for over 50 years, closed in 2004.
Village officials confirmed that the redevelopment is a result of collaboration between Ranco, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ohio EPA, which worked together to decontaminate the property and ensure it is safe for public use.
The upcoming park will feature athletic fields, walking trails, and dedicated spaces for festivals, outdoor events, and community gatherings. Local leaders emphasized that the master plan for the park will be shaped by thorough research and input from residents to best meet community needs.
This initiative marks a significant step in revitalizing Plain City, turning a former industrial landmark into a vibrant space for recreation and community engagement.
Black Owned Businesses Drive Ohio’s Economic Growth, New Report Reveals
Black Owned Businesses Drive Ohio’s Economic Growth, New Report Reveals
Nearly 130,000 workers in Ohio are employed by Black-owned businesses, creating a substantial economic impact across the state, according to a recent report. The findings were highlighted during the ‘State of Ohio Black Business’ event held on Wednesday.
The report emphasized two major points: Black-owned businesses are playing a significant role in Ohio’s economic growth, and there is untapped potential for expansion beyond the state’s major cities.
Eric Kearney of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce noted, “Many people assume that Black-owned businesses are concentrated only in metropolitan areas like Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. However, the study demonstrates growth opportunities across Ohio, with thriving pockets of Black-owned enterprises statewide.”
Ohio is home to three of the nation’s top 10 largest Black-owned businesses. Collectively, these companies, along with hundreds more in the state, generate nearly $12 billion annually, as reported by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Stephen L. Hightower, President and CEO of Hightower’s Petroleum Co., shared his perspective on business growth: “Success is possible when you start from zero and learn to scale, partner, and network effectively. Scalability is crucial to remain competitive.”
The report also revealed that Black-owned businesses contribute over $500 million in state taxes each year. This impact is inspiring for young entrepreneurs seeking guidance and mentorship in Ohio’s business community.
The event fostered collaboration among business owners to address challenges and explore opportunities. Organizers expressed their commitment to making the ‘State of Ohio Black Business’ an annual event to continue promoting growth and networking.
Columbus community mourns after 3-year-old dies in accidental shooting on the southeast side.
Columbus Community Mourns Death of 3-Year-Old Boy in Accidental Shooting on Southeast Side
Columbus , Ohio – Heartbreak continues to ripple through the community after the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who police say accidentally shot himself on the city’s southeast side.
The incident occurred in the 6600 block of Kodiak Drive, where the child, identified as Cartier Smith, was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead.
Community leaders expressed grief and disbelief. “They were devastated and questioning why this happened to such a young child,” said Arnetta Davis, who works with families in Canal Winchester coping with tragedy.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also shared his sorrow, saying, “I am not just the mayor, I am a dad. Anytime we lose a child in this community, it really hits home. It reminds us we must double down on efforts to improve safety.”
Police have charged Sean Perrin, 31, with having a weapon under disability, accusing him of bringing the firearm into the apartment. The boy’s mother, Carley Dials, faces an involuntary manslaughter charge. Prosecutors say she placed the gun between her mattress and the wall after finding it on the floor, before falling back asleep. The child later found the firearm.
The neighborhood has faced tragedy before. In 2021, three people — Londynn Wall-Neal, 6; her brother Demetrius, 9; and Charles Wade, 22 — were fatally shot on the same block. No arrests have been made in that case.
“This community is heartbroken. People were still trying to heal from the last tragedy, and now we are facing another loss of a child,” Davis said.
The Columbus Division of Police continues to investigate the incident.
Mansfield police respond to a fatal crash where an 18-year-old driver lost his life on Bowman Street.
18-Year-Old Man Dies in Mansfield Car Crash on Bowman Street
MANSFIELD, Ohio – An 18-year-old man has died after a serious car crash in Mansfield on Monday, according to local police.
Authorities reported that officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Bowman Street and Poth Road, just outside of the Roseland area.
When officers arrived, they discovered a Chevrolet Cobalt that had veered into the tree line east of Poth Road. The driver, identified as Tyson Adkins, had been ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators with the Mansfield Police Department believe that both speed and poor weather conditions played a role in the fatal crash. The incident is still under investigation.
