Today From The Ohio Newsroom

'The Copperhead Conspiracy' explores a forgotten Civil War story set in the Midwest

The role Ohio played in the Civil War can seem, at first glance, to be simple: the state was part of the Union fighting to abolish slavery.

But the situation on the ground was a little more complicated.

This Zanesville boxing gym shows kids how to take a punch

On a cold winter day, Train Robinson's breath clouded in the dim light in the Zanesville Police Athletic League gym as he dealt out a bit of "tough love" during drills.

"Now we're gonna double back. Double back," Robinson instructed one of his boxers. "Garfield, I'm about to put a glove on and punch you in your forehead, boy. Get back up there where you're supposed to be."

Ohio celebrates 'Beloved' Toni Morrison for year starting on her 95th birthday

She's been called "America's Shakespeare" and one of Ohio's "Black queens." Wednesday kicks off a yearlong celebration of one of the most revered authors of the past century: Toni Morrison. The life, literature and legacy of the Lorain native are being honored statewide, starting on what would have been her 95th birthday.

Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm?

This story was originally published by Canary Media, a nonprofit newsroom covering clean energy and climate solutions.

Ohio refugee community from 'happiest country' featured in new film

The Kingdom of Bhutan is considered by some to be the "happiest country on Earth."

In a new film, "The World's Happiest Man," the main character, a Bhutanese man living in Akron, Ohio, asks his doctor if she knows how many people with PTSD are in Bhutan. When she replies she doesn't know, he responds, "Not a single one. Because Bhutan is the world's only happiest place…"

How an Ohio fire department used AI to improve emergency care

The Malta and McConnelsville Fire Department in southeast Ohio serves an area so rural, the closest trauma center is at least an hour's drive from their coverage area.

That makes the work of paramedics and first responders there all the more important.

Ohio professors weigh how to adapt curriculum as student AI use soars

Youngstown State University philosophy professor Mark Vopat bans use of generative AI in his classroom. But that doesn't mean students don't try to use it.

"A bunch of students actually plagiarized their paper by having an AI write their data ethics paper, which, that one right there, I didn't even know what to say," Vopat said.

Ohio Medicare patients now need approval for certain procedures – from artificial intelligence

Ohio is one of six states in a new federal pilot program that's using artificial intelligence to help decide whether certain medical procedures should be approved for Medicare patients.

Could artificial intelligence save endangered archives? A Kenyon College cohort aims to find out

The New Orleans Jazz Museum archives trace the history of the genre all the way back to the first jazz song ever recorded for commercial release: "The Livery Stable Blues."

Ohio Olympic hockey player hopes to bring home gold to Athens

The 2026 winter Olympics begin on Friday in Milan. Ohio athletes will compete in everything from freestyle skiing to snowboarding to hockey.