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Before Tinder and Hinge, There Were Personal Ads — and CityBeat is Bringing Them Back
The search for love is an eternal struggle and each era of mass media has played a part in finding it. Before smartphones and dating apps, newspapers and print publications played the part of matchmaker. The personal ad was a way to write in anonymously and place an ad in a paper’s “classifieds” section, and,…
Bridget Battle of Cincinnati Band Tweens Moves in Her Own Way
Bridget Battle didn’t always want to be a singer. “I never thought that I would do it like I was,” she said. “I didn’t think that I was gonna be in a band.” Growing up in Cincinnati’s Mount Washington neighborhood, Battle began going to DIY music shows around town by herself when she was a…
How Ohio Families of Transgender Kids are Navigating Trump’s Return to Power
A lot has changed for Mikey since CityBeat first sat down with her in May 2024. “We got kittens!” said Mikey, now 9, as her legs swung back and forth on a restaurant stool — still too short to reach the footrest. “[Mikey’s] become a cat lady,” added Kate, Mikey’s mom. Kate and Mikey, who…
![[OPINION] How Trump’s Hiring Freeze Upended My Life](https://i0.wp.com/www.citybeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/untitled_design.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
[OPINION] How Trump’s Hiring Freeze Upended My Life
One of the most significant moments of my personal and working life was when I received my official job offer from the U.S. Department of Transportation. After years of studying public policy — and months of not having a job — I was finally getting my foot in the door of public service. I packed…
Watch ‘Peter Pan’ Silent Film Accompanied by Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
On Friday, April 24, a special treat for the young at heart will be premiering at Cincinnati Music Hall. Step into a world where no one gets older and cunning pirates are out to get you: The spirited story of Peter Pan will be accompanied by a captivating performance on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ during…
Students Say They Will Leave Ohio if Lawmakers Go Forward With Massive Higher Education Overhaul
Where 16-year-old Michelle Huang goes to college hinges largely on what happens with a massive, controversial higher education bill that the Ohio Senate recently passed. Huang, a junior at Olentangy Liberty High School in Delaware County, said she always imagined herself going to Ohio State University to study political science, but is not so sure…
How Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Would Affect Ohio School Districts
As President Donald Trump continues to talk about dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, Ohio educators worry what that could mean for federal funding that school districts across the state rely on. Trump could issue an executive order targeting the department and he recently told his pick for education secretary, Linda McMahon, “to put herself out of…
Valentine’s Day Sales 2025 | Your Sign to Get a Psychic Reading
It’s Valentine’s Day again. That means you’re scrambling around for what to get that special someone, or you’re wondering if you’ll be hit this year by anything coming from Cupid. Either way, a psychic reading is the exact type of intel you need to make the most of the day. To help, Kasamba, Purple Garden,…
Best Dab Pens & Wax Pens of 2025 to Elevate Vaping Sessions
Dabbing has become a rather popular way to enjoy wax concentrates, offering a smooth, potent experience that is unbeatable. But with so many dab pens available on the market, finding the right fit can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, we have got you covered! For the purpose of this article,…
Best CBD Cream for Pain: Top Picks for Inflammation & Chronic Pain
When arthritis pain flares up or you experience ongoing backaches, it’s easy to reach for over-the-counter painkillers that promise quick relief. However, these can sometimes have harmful side effects. If you’re looking for a natural and effective solution, CBD cream for pain might be your answer. These creams combine the therapeutic benefits of CBD with…
Best THCa Vapes of 2025 for All Types of Vapers for Incredible Highs
If you’re tired of the usual toke that promises a mighty good time but only gives you that dreaded skunky smell and a cough-attack aftermath, THCa vapes might satisfy your cravings for smooth and tasty hits. When heated, THCa converts into a potent blend that acts as an energy booster on a busy day, a…
Best Delta 8 Brands of 2025 Ranked Based on Product Quality
Finding high-quality Delta 8 can be challenging, with issues like inconsistent potency, lack of lab testing, and poor product variety frustrating many users. That’s why we’ve made a list of the best Delta 8 brands to help simplify your search. At the top is TRĒ House, known for its potent, flavorful Delta-8 products and rigorous…
Best THCa Gummies: Highly Potent THCa Edibles of 2025
If you want to enjoy cannabis without puffing it away, THCa gummies might be the perfect way to add some sweetness to your daily routine. These edibles will help boost creativity, soothe those annoying aches, and even brighten up your day just a little bit. Unlike other cannabis products, THCa doesn’t switch to THC unless…
Ohio Lags in Sex Ed, BLK Frequency Aims to Close the Knowledge Gap With Upcoming Event
Ohio is the only state in the nation without mandated health education standards for students. For two years, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio (PPSO) has held a community health series aimed at improving equity in health, and the next one is in Over-the-Rhine. BLK Frequency Happy Hour will take place at Revel Bar and Winery in…
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Tackles Love, Loss and Hoarding in ‘I Need That’
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to clean up your home and toss some of the clutter? If you haven’t succeeded, you will find a kindred spirit onstage at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati this month in the character of Sam, whose story is told in Theresa Rebeck’s new play, I Need That. A Cincinnati native…
Festival Celebrating the Loveland Frogman Returns in March
The well-documented cryptid story of the Frogman will be once again be celebrated this March in Loveland. Event organizer Jeff Craig has brought the festival back this year, building on past success and growing excitement around the event to expand the fest to two full days of activities. On March 1 and 2, cryptid enthusiasts…
Celebrate Cincinnati Musician Chris Robinson’s Birthday with Young Heirlooms and Friends
Cincinnati band Young Heirlooms will celebrate founder Chris Robinson’s upcoming 40th birthday with a show on Feb. 20 at Northside Tavern. Robinson has a rich history in the Cincinnati music scene, contributing to bands The Winners Circle and Walk the Moon, as well as writing and performing material with his own band, Young Heirlooms. Kelly…
Cincinnati Indie Rock Band New Moons to Release New Single ‘The Well’
Local indie rock band New Moons will release a new single titled “The Well” on Friday, Feb. 21. After working on writing and self-producing new music during the pandemic, “The Well” is the first single released by New Moons since 2021’s The Hole. “The song asks the listener to reflect on how they treat other…
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[REVIEW] Wallows Elevate Their Live Show — And Cincinnati Felt It
Wallows returned to the Greater Cincinnati area for their “Model and More Tour” Wednesday night to a nearly sold-out Andrew J Brady Music Center. The band had previously visited the area during their 2022 “Tell Me That It’s Over Tour,” performing just across the river at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport. But this show was a…
Controversial ‘Private Corporation’ JobsOhio Gets Billions More Without Paying More to State
The Ohio Controlling Board on Wednesday awarded JobsOhio billions more in what used to be public money without demanding that the “private” corporation pay more for the privilege. Attorney General Dave Yost had questioned the arrangement, but his office wasn’t present at the hearing, nor did it answer questions on Thursday. JobsOhio was created in…
Republicans Consider Forced Work Requirements for Disabled Ohioans to Access Medicaid
More than 400 people submitted comments opposing Ohio’s proposed Medicaid work requirements, according to records obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal. The Ohio Department of Medicaid received more than 450 comments on the proposed Medicaid work requirements. About 5% of the comments supported the requirements and a handful of people said they neither support or…
The Love Hangover Returns to The Loon this Weekend
Over 20 years ago, a friend of local Cincinnati musician Dan Phillips (commonly known as Zapruder Point) happened to have a show the day after Valentine’s Day. Dubbed “The Love Hangover,” the event had several solo musicians perform in pairs, each singing songs about the power of love, or how it has no power at…
Ohio Senate Passes Higher Ed Overhaul Bill Less Than a Day After Eight Hours of Opponent Testimony
The Ohio Senate passed a controversial higher education bill that would overhaul the state’s public universities during Wednesday’s session. This came one day after more than 800 Ohioans submitted testimony against it. Fourteen people provided supporter testimony. The sponsor of the bill called those numbers “irrelevant.” Ohio Senate Bill 1 was passed by a 21-11…
Ohio Senate Bill Seeks Tax Credits for Donors to Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers
An Ohio Republican state senator has reintroduced legislation to provide tax credits for donations to anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers. State Sen. Sandra O’Brien, R-Ashtabula, introduced Senate Bill 40 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee this week, a similar measure to one she championed in the previous General Assembly, but which failed to pass. The…
The Pope Called Out JD Vance for Weaponizing Theology to Deport Migrants
When JD Vance became a confirmed Catholic in 2019, he probably didn’t think the Pope would one day call him out for his social media activity. But, on Feb. 11, Pope Francis issued a strongly worded letter to U.S. Catholic bishops, calling the Trump administration’s plan of mass deportations a “major crisis.” “I have followed…
Breaking Down Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance
The half-time performance at Super Bowl LIX has been a major topic of discussion since Kendrick Lamar claimed the 13-minute musical slot back in September. The rap star remains trending after putting on a halftime performance filled with so much symbolism about the state of our nation. Lamar’s performance quickly became a direct message to…
Condoms, IUDs Removed from Indiana Bill Seeking to Expand Birth Control Access
Republican lawmakers on Tuesday removed condoms and long-acting contraceptives from a proposed Indiana program that seeks to increase access to birth control, instead replacing those options with “fertility awareness-based methods” like menstrual cycle tracking — also known as the rhythm method. The underlying legislation, House Bill 1169, would establish a statewide, taxpayer-funded “Access to Birth…
More than 800 People Submit Testimony Against Ohio’s Massive Higher Education Overhaul Bill
Hundreds of college students, university faculty and concerned citizens submitted testimony against a controversial bill that would overhaul higher education for Ohio’s public universities, saying it will degrade higher ed in Ohio and make people leave the state. More than 200 people came to the Ohio Statehouse to testify during Tuesday’s Ohio Senate Higher Education…
Kiki is Closing Its College Hill Location
A College Hill Japanese restaurant that once appeared on the Food Networks’ Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is closing in March. On Wednesday, James Beard-nominated chefs Hideki and Yuko Harada announced they would be transitioning their restaurant, Kiki, from the Hamilton Avenue location. The last day of service will be Friday, March 21. “From the start…
When Can Police Arrest Nazis for Being Nazis?
Evendale Police have responded to criticism following an obvious display of neo-Nazis near Lincoln Heights on Feb. 7. Highway traffic cameras pointed at the Vision Way overpass over I-75 showed masked neo-Nazi demonstrators lining the overpass sidewalk waving large swastika-emblazoned flags. Photos shared online also showed a banner that said “America is for the White…
Ohio University’s Diversity and Inclusion Centers Could Close if Higher Ed Overhaul Bill Passes
Audrey Ansel is afraid Ohio University’s Pride Center might shut down if a controversial bill that would ban diversity and inclusion efforts from Ohio’s public universities passes. State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, introduced Senate Bill 1, which touches on many aspects of higher education. In addition to the diversity and inclusion ban, the bill would prevent faculty…
Real People: Two Deported from Ohio in 2018 Still Trying to Pick up the Pieces
Deportations are being politicized, but each involves an actual human being. Seven years after being deported from Ohio, two such people are still trying to pick up the pieces. President Donald Trump is making a big show of deporting the migrants, supposedly in big numbers and acting as if most of those being sent back…
Beyond VPNs: Why Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Is the Future of Cybersecurity
Cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication and frequency as technology evolves. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which once protected businesses against various cyber threats, are not strong enough against more advanced threats. As more cloud networks are used and cyber threats become increasingly difficult to fight, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is the future of…
Publix Announces Grand Opening for First Northern Kentucky Store
This spring, Northern Kentucky will get its first-ever Publix store as the supermarket chain announces the grand opening of its location in Walton. The store, located in the Triple Crown Shopping Center on Richwood Road, will hold a grand opening on Wednesday, March 26 at 7 a.m. “We are excited to open our first location…
West Side Restaurant Closes ‘Indefinitely’ After 40 Years
A West Side family-owned restaurant says it is closing “indefinitely.” Mom-and-pop restaurant Diane’s has been in the East family for over 40 years, first opening on Court Street in 1984 before moving to its current location on Anderson Ferry Road in Green Township in the ’90s. It was best known for its welcoming atmosphere, affordable prices…
Kyle Raleigh Sentenced to Probation for Assaulting Elderly Couple at Montgomery Inn
Kyle Raleigh, 34, has been sentenced to probation for assaulting three people outside the Montgomery Inn Boathouse last summer. In September, Kyle Raleigh, the son of WCPO 9 News Chief Meteorologist Steve Raleigh, was indicted on one count of felonious assault and two counts of aggravated assault, all felonies, for the June 22 incident in…
REVIEW: Nessa Barrett’s Cincinnati Show Was All Style and Substance
Friday night’s sold-out show of Nessa Barrett’s AFTERCARE World Tour at Bogart’s was nothing short of orgasmic. Pop-rock singer Ari Abdul, in a pair of baggy jeans and a graphic baby tee that read “EAT ME,” took the stage as the electric opening act. Accompanied by a guitar player in a similar outfit, the duo…
Ohio Reproductive Rights Advocates Say They’re Time-Tested for the Coming Battles and Attacks
Reproductive rights have been enshrined in the Ohio Constitution since 2023. Those who support those rights are readying themselves as rumblings of more ban attempts and disappearing federal government websites indicate times of struggle to come. “It is bleak and I think in a lot of ways these are fights we’ve already fought, but we…
Ohio Democrats Propose Bill to Gradually Increase Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour by 2030
Ohio lawmakers are once again trying to increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. State Reps. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, and Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, recently introduced House Bill 34, which would increase the minimum wage by a dollar per hour each year for workers until reaching $15 per hour in 2030. The bill is…
Pig Candy BBQ to Open New Location Near Loveland Bike Trail
A beloved Greater Cincinnati barbecue joint is expanding to a second location, this one just steps away from the Loveland Bike Trail. Pig Candy BBQ announced Monday that it will convert the former Branch Hill United Methodist Church in Loveland into a restaurant. The Loveland Pig Candy BBQ will be located at 370 Bridge St.…
Wenzel Whiskey and Becker & Bird Added to Northern Kentucky’s The B-Line
A Northern Kentucky program that celebrates the region’s bourbon-forward establishments has two new members. Wenzel Whiskey, a whiskey-blending experience and event space in Covington, and Becker & Bird Distillery in Augusta are now officially part of The B-Line, a group of bourbon-centric distilleries, bars and restaurants that offer a self-guided bourbon experience in Northern Kentucky.…
Northside Yacht Club to Unveil 75-Foot Mural by Cincinnati Artist This Weekend
One of the most well-renowned culinary joints in the city is looking to add to its overall sensory experience, debuting a new multimedia art piece this weekend. Northside Yacht Club is unveiling an impressively crafted 75-foot mixed-media mural, curated by a Cincinnati artist. Alex Frank is the man behind the project and is well known…
Commission Launches Driving Trail Celebrating Ohio’s Creative Spirit
There’s a new driving trail celebrating Ohio’s creative spirit, with at least 14 stops in Greater Cincinnati. In honor of the United States’ 250th birthday, the America 250-Ohio Commission is launching a series of experiential driving trails called Trails & Tales. On Friday, the commission officially launched the second of those: the Ohio Creativity Trail.…
The Big Mac Bridge to Reopen This Weekend
Rejoice, Cincinnati. The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (better known as the Big Mac Bridge) is reopening this weekend — exactly 100 days after a fire damaged the structure and weeks ahead of its predicted repair schedule. The Big Mac Bridge on I-471 shut down on Nov. 1 after a fire spread from a wooden playground…
Indiana Senate OKs Anti-DEI Bill that Takes Aim at State Agencies, Schools
Indiana senators advanced a hotly debated bill Thursday that cracks down on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in schools and state government. Senate Bill 289 advanced from the chamber in a 34-13 vote after more than three hours of floor debate — and following a contentious, unprecedented challenge to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s Senate presidency. While presiding over the bill’s…
This Might Be the Last Sane, Reasonable, Compassionate Budget from an Ohio Governor for Some Time
If Ohio politics continue on their current trajectory, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s final proposed budget might be the last sane, reasonable, compassionate state budget we see proposed from an Ohio governor for quite some time. DeWine’s brand of conservative rational Republicanism is exhaling its last in America, as the radical reactionary Republicanism of the MAGA…
Cincinnatians Weigh in on Chiefs and Eagles Super Bowl Rematch
Super Bowl LIX is live Sunday at 6:30 p.m. for a rematch two years in the making. Just like they did in 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will go head to head for a Super Bowl win, and people have mixed feelings about it. Some people want the Chiefs to do what…
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-26 Season Celebrates the Orchestra and Its Audiences
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has announced CSO Music Director Designate Cristian Mǎcelaru’s first season as music director. The 2025-26 season celebrates the CSO and America’s multi-cultural history with revered classics, new and commissioned works, including new poetry from former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove and world-class soloists, including CSO principal players. “This is a celebration…
MadTree Brewing Opens Parks & Rec Location in Summit Park
A popular Cincinnati brewery is celebrating the opening of its third location. MadTree Brewing’s Parks & Rec taproom and restaurant opened in a former airplane hangar at Summit Park in Blue Ash Thursday. The restaurant offers MadTree’s award-winning craft beers, handcrafted cocktails and a menu of pizzas, sandwiches, salads and even all-day brunch dishes like…
Ohio Republican Proposes Unconstitutional Push for Public Schools to Display the Ten Commandments
Ohio’s lawmakers might decide whether to join Louisiana and Kentucky in passing laws that push public school classrooms to post the Ten Commandments. Such laws have repeatedly been struck down as unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment’s prohibition of governments’ “establishment of religion.” Republican state Sen. Terry Johnson of McDermott thinks he can maneuver around…
‘There’s a Lot of Fear out There.’ Transgender Ohioans Respond to Trump’s Two Sex Executive Order
Transgender Ohioans are grappling with confusion, chaos and fear in the weeks following President Donald Trump’s executive order saying there are only two sexes. “Trans folks have always been here, and transgender communities cannot be erased by the flick of a pen,” said Dwayne Steward, executive director of Equality Ohio. “However, the chaos that’s been…
Exploring Online Casinos: Embracing VPN for an Enhanced Gaming Experience
The online casino industry has seen remarkable growth over the past decade, driven by technological advancements and an increasing global appetite for digital entertainment. As millions of players around the world seek access to diverse gaming platforms, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as a popular solution to ensure privacy, accessibility, and an optimized gaming…
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[REVIEW] ‘Life of Pi’ at the Aronoff Center is Captivating and Memorable
Lolita Chakrabarti’s play Life of Pi, based on a 2001 novel by Yann Martel (that was also made into a 2012 movie), is a remarkable piece of stagecraft using remarkable puppetry to portray an astonishing array of animals, most particularly a Royal Bengal tiger, but including butterflies, a giraffe, a goat, a hyena, a zebra,…
Sound Advice: Guitar Virtuoso Mdou Moctar to Perform in Cincinnati
“I want to make everyone happy,” Nigerian guitarist, singer and songwriter Mdou Moctar (whose given name is Mahamadou Souleymane) said in a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone about the reason he makes music. “I want to give a smile for the world.” If the success (creatively and in terms of increased attention) of Moctar’s most…
Sound Advice: Wallows Bring ‘Model & More Tour’ to Cincinnati This Month
The Andrew J Brady Music Center will be stop number six on Wallows’ “Model & More Tour” this month. Kicking off at The Astro in Omaha, Nebraska, the band will make their way through North American cities, joined by Porches and special guest Deb Never for the February run. They will then go on to…
Couples at the Helm of Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Discuss Their Unique Work-Life Balance
It’s common wisdom not to take your work home with you, but that can be difficult when you are married to your business partner. For two couples, the Jackmans and the Siteks, who own several local restaurants, the balancing act between the professional and the personal can be difficult at times, but it can also…
Cincinnati Open Announces Big Changes For 2025 Tournament
Big changes are coming to the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament this year. Organizers say 2025’s Cincinnati Open will be the biggest in the tournament’s history, with more players, matches, days of competition and entertainment. For one, the tournament, traditionally nine days long, will now be 14 days — Tuesday, Aug. 5 through Monday, Aug. 18…
The Lumineers and Noah Kahan to Headline Bourbon & Beyond Festival
Louisville music festival Bourbon & Beyond has just announced their star-studded lineup for the 2025 festival. The four-day festival takes place Sept. 11-14, and features artists on five different stages including Cage the Elephant, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, Third Eye Blind and Pat Benatar. Breakout stars Benson Boone and Megan Moroney are also…
State, Local Officials Plan for Potential Immigration Enforcement at Schools
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents fan out across the country to conduct high-profile migrant arrests that President Donald Trump has called for, local and state officials are developing their own directives to support — or possibly thwart — potential ICE visits to public schools. The Trump administration announced last month that it would reverse guidance in…
Child Care Cost-Sharing Model Brought Back to the Ohio General Assembly
Ohio lawmakers are trying again with measures to attack the child care crisis that advocates are warning continue to hurt the state’s families and economy, including with a bill that spreads the cost of child care out among employers, employees, and the state. State Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe, reintroduced a bill he said came “late…
Carnegie and CCM’s ‘Seussical’ is Set to Be a Match Made in Heaven
The Carnegie in Covington, with its sweeping, historic proscenium, has long been a venue where musical magic comes to life. From classic hits like Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Hello, Dolly! and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the theater has earned a reputation as a destination for both timeless musicals and high-energy jukebox productions. These…
Contemporary Arts Center Exhibit Shines Light on Artist Vivian Browne’s Work
Artist and activist Vivian Browne’s name might not ring a bell with a lot of people, but she was and still is important to the Black arts movement. Beginning in the 1960s and ending in her death, in 1993, Browne cultivated more than 100 works, including abstract paintings. She traveled to China, Africa and California,…
