news from other places

Indiana opens South Korea business office to attract foreign investment

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said the state has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, to attract foreign investment to the state’s energy, electric vehicle and semiconductor sectors.

Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers said on July 11 that the new office “underscores the importance of the state’s deepening relationships with Korean companies and their increased interest in a dynamic Hoosier workforce and economy.”

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the office opened on July 1. Fourteen South Korea-based companies have operations in Indiana, while six Indiana-based businesses operate in the Asian nation. The Seoul office is the eighth overseas for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Threats of strike even before UAW began negotiations with automakers

set its sights on a more consequential goal: It’s determined to secure a foothold in the plants that will manufacture electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the years ahead.

As the industry undergoes a historic transition from internal combustion engines to EVs, the automakers will likely need many thousands of workers to staff electric-battery plants. The UAW sees this year’s contract as an opportunity to ensure representation in the industry’s jobs of the future.

Railroad industry sues to block limit on crew sizes imposed by Ohio after derailment

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The railroad industry has sued to block a new minimum crew-size requirement that Ohio imposed after a fiery train derailment in East Palestine in February. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the new rule in March as part of the state’s nearly $13.5 billion state transportation budget. It mandated a two-person crew for freight trains.

The railroad industry said Ohio lacks the authority to impose such a rule. The Association of American Railroads filed the lawsuit on June 29. The association argued that federal law broadly gives federal agencies exclusive jurisdiction to regulate rail transportation.

Election on constitutional amendments in Ohio could impact abortion rights measure

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Early voting has begun in Ohio in a high-stakes Aug. 8 election on whether to make it tougher to amend the state constitution. Boards reported steady-to-robust first-day turnout on July 11.

Since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion was overturned last summer, amendments protecting access to abortion in other states have passed handily — but generally with less than 60% of the vote.

Ohio lawmaker accused of domestic violence, faces calls for resignation

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Rep. Bob Young has been arrested and charged with domestic violence, accused of assaulting a family member.

According to court records, police say Young struck the person in the face on July 6 and threw her phone into a pool to prevent her from calling 911. Young appeared in court on July 8. He is subject to several protection orders, meaning he cannot be near or make contact with the person he allegedly assaulted.

Young’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and he could not be reached by phone. No lawyer has yet been listed on court documents for him. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens has called for Young’s resignation.

Suspect arrested in Cleveland shooting that sent 9 to hospital, police say

CLEVELAND (AP) — Authorities say a suspect has been arrested in an early-morning shooting in a nightclub area of downtown Cleveland that sent nine people to the hospital.

Federal marshals and city police arrested the 25-year-old suspect in Lorain in the Cleveland suburbs just after 3:45 p.m. on July 11.

DETROIT (AP) — Whenever the United Auto Workers union begins negotiating a new contract with Detroit’s three automakers, threats of a strike are typically heard among union members. This year, the talk is a little louder.

Besides the usual haggling over wages, pensions and health care, the union has

If approved, Issue 1 would raise the threshold for passing constitutional changes from a simple majority, the standard in place since 1912, to a 60% supermajority. The higher bar would have immediate consequences for an abortion rights amendment in the works for fall.

Police are still searching for the weapon and investigating a motive. Police said the shooter opened fire on a group of people standing outside a bar in the Warehouse District shortly before 2:30 a.m. July 9, as the clubs were closing.

Seven men and two women between the ages of 23 and 38 were struck, but their injuries were non-life-threatening.

Learn more about nature with the Arboretum on Wheels

Enjoy ‘Art After Hours’ at Campbell County Library in Fort Thomas

Celebrate the end of summer reading with “Art After Hours” at the Carrico/Fort Thomas branch of the Campbell County Public Library from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, July 28.

Enjoy the fun, beauty of AJ Jolly Park? Snap it in a photo!

Tepe, also a member of the Ballyshannon faculty, teaches eighth-grade math.

Summer reading and summer learning continue on Wednesday, July 26, with The Book Bus on Tour: Arboretum on Wheels at the Alexandria Community Park. Yes, that’s right. Two opportunities at one stop. The Boone County Arboretum mobile environmental education lab brings nature-focused activities for families to enjoy. It will be at the park, along with the Campbell County Book Bus, from 10-11 a.m. Alexandria Community Park is located at 3965 Alexandria Drive in Alexandria. For more info, go to cc-pl.org (book bus) or bcarboretum.org (Arboretum on Wheels).

View the work of 16 regional artists while listening to music by the Ken Foltz Quintet. You can also sample macarons by Little Spoon Bakery & Café and enjoy floral arrangements by Fort Thomas Florist & Greenhouses. Selected works will be available for purchase. The event also offers opportunities to meet and connect with the artists.

While you’re there, don’t forget to cast your vote for the Tiny Art Show. Participants create artwork on 3-by-3-inch canvases, and attendees at Art After Hours can vote for the best overall work and the art with the best summer reading theme.

For more info, including ways you can contribute your own tiny art, visit cc-pl.org/ art-after-hours-2023. The branch is located at 1000 Highland Ave.

How do you spend time in AJ Jolly Park? The Campbell County Parks Department wants to know. It is on the lookout for photos from park-goers that show the many scenes and activities the park offers. Send in a photo of fun at the park for an opportunity to be featured on the park’s social media pages. Email photos and a brief description to parks@campbellcountyky.gov. AJ Jolly is located at 1501 Racetrack Road.

3 NKY educators win Teacher Achievement awards for 2024

The Kentucky Department of Education has announced its 2024 Teacher Achievement Award winners. Three Northern Kentucky teachers received the honors and are eligible for consideration for the 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year award to be announced in September.

Deanna Landrum is a K-8 library media specialist at Southgate Public School. Kevin Dailey teaches U.S. history at Ballyshannon Middle School in Boone County. Maegan

Got the acting bug? Falcon Theatre holding auditions for new season

Falcon Theatre has announced its upcoming season, with performances starting in August. The company also has announced that auditions for the upcoming season are open. Interested actors are invited to fill out an audition form and include a headshot and digital résumé to get started. In-person auditions follow, with cold readings from the script.

The theater officials note that the company practices open casting. In other words, “unless specified by the script, all actors of any race or gender are encouraged to audition for all roles.” With that said, each production has its own audition form. The site lists upcoming performances, open roles and the dates and times of in-person auditions and production dates.

For more on Falcon’s upcoming season, visit falcontheater.net. A link to audition information is found on the homepage. Falcon Theatre is located at 636 Monmouth St. in Newport.