Feature Story
Former Cincinnati-area mega mall being demolished
Photo Credit: Journal-News
Demolition work is continuing at the former Forest Fair Mall, a once-massive shopping complex that closed in 2022 after years of declining tenants. The site is being cleared to make way for a large industrial redevelopment that could bring distribution and logistics jobs to the area.
The mall opened in 1988 and was once one of the largest in Ohio, but struggled for decades with bankrupt anchor stores, renovations, and multiple ownership changes before finally closing.
Bottom line: One of the region’s most infamous “dead malls” is disappearing — and the land will soon be reused for industrial development.
Feature Story
Man fatally struck on Northern Kentucky highway
Photo Credit: Yahdi Yasya
Authorities are investigating after a man was struck and killed along a Northern Kentucky highway earlier this week. Police say the crash happened Thursday evening and remains under investigation as officials determine what led to the incident.
Officials have not yet released full details about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Bottom line: Investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened in the fatal highway incident.
Feature Story
University of Cincinnati student cut off from family abroad
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com
A student at the University of Cincinnati says they have been unable to contact family members in Iran after government restrictions blocked internet and phone communication in the country. The student said the blackout began after major geopolitical tensions escalated in the region.
The situation highlights how international conflicts can directly affect students studying far from home.
Bottom line: Global events are impacting students locally, leaving some unable to reach family members overseas.
⚡ Quick Hits
Cincinnati will see another mild day before stronger storms return later in the week.
Local TV stations continue adjusting talent and staffing amid shifting media trends in the region.
Police are investigating a shooting reported near North 13th Street Saturday night, according to social media reports from local sources.
📅 Things To Do Today
Visit the galleries at Cincinnati Art Museum — admission is free and new exhibits rotate frequently.
Walk or bike the riverfront at Smale Riverfront Park. The weather should be warm and sunny so get out and enjoy it!
Photo Credit: Visit Cincy
🍔 Local Spotlight
Sotto: If you’re looking for one of Cincinnati’s most beloved date-night spots, Sotto is a must-visit. Tucked beneath street level in the downtown business district, the candlelit Italian restaurant offers an intimate, rustic atmosphere that feels more like a hidden trattoria in Italy than a restaurant in the Midwest.
The menu focuses on classic Italian cooking built around “fire, meat, and wheat,” with handmade pastas and wood-fired dishes at the center of the experience. Favorites include short-rib cappellacci, cacio e pepe, and house-made limoncello paired with ricotta doughnuts for dessert.
Why it’s worth a visit:
An intimate underground setting, handmade pasta, and some of the best Italian food in Cincinnati.
Address: 118 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Photo Credit: Alberto Scharffenorth, Yelp
One Interesting Thing…
Before suburban malls took over, downtown Cincinnati had one of the largest shopping districts in the Midwest, anchored by department stores like Shillito’s and Pogue’s.
That’s it for today.
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See you tomorrow.
