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‘No Kings’ protest promotes early voting... pg. A5 Ohio steamrolls past Sacramento State to stay undefeated in MAC... pg. B1 The Gathering Place Celebrates 50th Anniversary... pg. B8

US Headlines The Nation’s top stories sourced from AP News

Trump ad ban, Musk campaign donations, political unrest in France IZZY MIDLAM-MOHLER FOR THE POST Monday, Oct. 12 _________ Judge orders Trump to end taxpayer-funded TV ads On Sunday night, a federal judge ruled President Donald Trump must cancel any remaining taxpayer-funded television commercials, despite the administration saying the campaign was ending, according to the Associated Press. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon sided with a coalition to issue a two-week temporary restraining order blocking the administration from creating or airing any more of the challenged advertisements. When asked for a comment, the White House referred to a social media post from Oct. 5 where Trump defended the ads but said he would pay for them through political fundraising. On Saturday, the Justice Department ruled the restraint was unnecessary, as the campaign was scheduled to end the following day, according to the AP.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 _______ Elon Musk becomes largest donor in midterm contests Elon Musk has donated more than $276 million in the upcoming midterm elections since July. He hopes to maintain the Republican majority in Congress, according to the AP. Last May, Musk said he intended to cut back on future political spending. However, his recent $158 million donation to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC that supports Senate Republicans, serves as one of the largest known political donations in American history. Republicans have a massive financial advantage over Democrats, which might serve as a sliver of hope for a party bracing for potential losses amid mass voter frustration, according to the AP.

Wednesday, Oct. 14 _____ Ukraine’s drone arsenal reliant on Chinese technology Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has become an innovator in the field of military drone technology. However, that comes with a vulnerability, as Ukrainian drone technology is highly dependent on electronics manufactured in

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VOLUME 117, ISSUE 10

Diesel, fertilizer prices pose challenges for farmers Both the federal and state governments have issued temporary orders to alleviate the issue, but many continue to struggle. JOSELYN DUFF | FOR THE POST Ohio’s 90-day gas tax holiday took effect Oct. 4 and will stretch until Jan. 2, 2027, lowering fuel costs during this year’s harvest season. Enacted under House Bill 519, the emergency legislation dropped both state motor fuel tax rates from 38.5 cents per gallon for gasoline and 47 cents per gallon for diesel down to one-hundredth of a cent per gallon. While the tax holiday provides farmers some

relief during harvest season, many continue to face growing diesel prices, increasing their production costs. As of Oct. 12, the Midwest diesel average was $6.259 per gallon, compared to $2.65 per gallon a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. According to the Associated Press, diesel prices have spiked due to the Iran war and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the primary transportation channels for diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. continued pg A3

SNAP changes implemented, funding redistributed

Athens Peace Vigil: 48 years of Court Street activism

LIV JACOBS FOR THE POST

BRIDGET THOMAS FOR THE POST

On Oct. 1, changes implemented from One Big Beautiful Bill Act that target government-funded programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid took effect. This is not the first wave of measures going into effect, and more measures are expected to take effect this year. SNAP is a federal program that assists low-income individuals and families in obtaining nutritious food. It is designed to supplement

grocery budgets, raise nutritional levels and ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals. Historically, the administrative cost of the program was evenly split between federal and state governments, while the costs of SNAP benefits were fully funded by the federal government. Under the new provisions, the federal government is now responsible for 25% of administrative costs, while states are expected to pay the other 75%. continued pg A3

Nearly every Monday since 1978, a group of activists has shown up at the corner of Court Street and Washington Street to protest for a variety of liberal causes. The group meets in front of the Athens County Courthouse every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for The Athens Peace Vigil, with signs advocating for causes related to “peace and justice.” During the vigil on Oct. 12, phrases on signs included “Black Lives Matter,” “Honor/ Respect Indigenous Peoples

and their Rights + Resources” and “Stop Wars.” Peggy Gish has gone to the vigil since its inception. She has been an activist her entire adult life. Gish grew up in Chicago, where she learned about pacifism, peace and justice from her family. Gish was also in high school during the Montgomery bus boycott and said the protest introduced her to racial injustice. In college, Gish traveled to Washington D.C. to join the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continued pg A4

Ohio crushes Stony Brook, Reeve breaks scoring record ANNABELLE CUSHMAN FOR THE POST Ohio (7-0) defeated Stony Brook University (1-2-1) 11-1 Friday. Heading into the weekend, the Bobcats retained their No. 1 ranking, while the Seawolves dropped from No. 23 to No. 24. One player stole the show: Luc Reeve, a graduate student and alternate captain. Reeve scored four goals. His first goal cemented his place in Ohio Hockey history as the all-time leading goal scorer. By the end of the night, his career total was 98 goals. “I honestly couldn’t get a smile off my face,” Reeve said. “It was one of the happiest moments I’ve had, other than winning last year.” In the first period, Ohio exemplified a strong offense and defense.

Forward Luc Reeve (8) during the Bobcats game against Stony Brook Oct. 16, 2026. The Bobcats beat Stony Brook 11-1 in Bird Arena in Athens. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

Although they only had three shots on goal, the Seawolves struck first. Sophomore forward Peter Labos scored with an assist from Paul DeSaro, senior forward. Ohio returned the favor. A B:10.25" Stony Brook player hooked T:10" Noah Holt, senior captain S:9.75" and forward, receiving a

call for it. Before referees blew the play dead, Breydan Zupsansky, sophomore forward, gathered the puck. He shoved it at the left post of the net. Senior forward Mathieu Ovaert finished it off. After Ohio dominated in offensive possession with 19-3 shots, the score was tied

1-1. The Bobcats were in control in the second period. Senior forward Barron Stibbe scored two minutes in. He took his shot left of the net, on the goal line. The puck trickled through off the LKasper, senior forward, continued pg B

S:2.75"

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Conestoga Hut Project graduates 2 residents, expansion plans AUDREY FUSILLO FOR THE POST The Gathering Place, located at 7 N. Congress St., hosted its first conestoga hut resident in May. The three pilot huts housed six women in six months, graduating two of them to stable housing. TGP hopes to transition another one or two people into stable housing by the end of this year. According to TGP’s website, conestoga huts are temporary micro-shelters that resemble conestoga wagons from the 19th century. They serve as a dry, warm and safe place to sleep at night for people who would otherwise be sleeping outside. Though they will not have more huts at TGP’s location, Ginger Schmalenberg, the executive director of TGP, hopes to purchase property to build eight additional huts. Sisters Health Foundation, a health fund based in Parkersburg, West Virginia, funded the pilot program. However, before receiving its grant, Schmalenberg said she applied for a grant for the expanded project and received it. “I got it from reinvestment funds, Medicaid reinvestment funds for Ohio, and it’s to purchase land and to build a larger Conestoga Hut community,” Schmalenberg said. Without disclosing identities, Schmalenberg said the first

resident was housed within one month of beginning her stay at the huts, the second within two months and a third person was almost housed after six months.

Conestoga Huts outside The Gathering Place on North Congress Street in Athens, Oct. 16, 2026. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

“Someone can actually have a place that they say, ‘I know where I’m going to be every night,’” Schmalenberg said. “‘I have a place to lay my head. It’s safe. It’s sanctioned. I’m allowed to be here. The door locks. I can store things here. Oh, I can get a job.’” Schmalenberg did not confirm a date for the expansion, but reassured the goal is in sight. TGP completed a prototype for the huts in 2022, but greater construction was not approved until 2025. Schmalenberg then postponed the program to minimize publicity, building two additional huts in April. “A lot of people on both sides have strong feelings,” Schmalenberg said. “And I also felt there had been so many articles, so much publicity, and people were coming around like news stations from Columbus, and I didn’t want to disrupt the dignity of the women that I wanted to serve there with that.” Several Athens residents opposed the huts when the idea was brought to Athens City Council, citing concerns regarding community safety and beautification, according to a previous report by The Post. Jessica Thomas, Athens city council member at large, said

the approval process was “controversial” and “intense” when debated. “We had one or two (people), mostly one that was just very apprehensive and against it,” Thomas said. “I personally did not because I’ve been uptown for almost 30 years now, and The Gathering Place has been up there longer, so I was very familiar with them and with just them being a part of the of the city and the town and the uptown area.” Since the program’s start in May, Nick Magruder, chief of police at the Athens County Police Department, said the huts have not caused any reports he is aware of. “I think they’ve been operating for some time, and I think a lot of people really haven’t paid much attention

to them because they have not been the problem a lot of people were concerned about,” Magruder said. Magruder said he listened to local concerns, but trusted TGP’s management, as he knows Schmalenberg personally. Schmalenberg said she took the worries of students and citizens as points of consideration, using them to better the program.

ensure the building looks well maintained. “I understand they want a better uptown, more beautiful uptown, but this is not distracting from that,” Schmalenberg said. “I’ve gone to deans to put a mesh covering so it’s a little bit more private for the residents and for the community.” Thomas said the huts are “out of sight, out of mind” after leaving the news cycle.

“Our why has not changed,” Schmalenberg said. “We do this for dignity, for hope, for marginalized people in the community, or just anyone experiencing something, and so because we’re that gap filler, right?”

“I’m really glad that it allowed them to kind of shine … but also just be in the background doing what they’ve done and not having any of the fearmongering really occur,” Thomas said.

According to Schmalenberg, TGP is intentional with their landscaping and fencing to

@AUDREY4EVERMORE AF587125@OHIO.EDU

Diesel prices /continued from pg 1 In addition to Ohio’s tax relief bill, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at relieving diesel, specifically for farmers, on Oct. 5. The order temporarily allows the use of tax-free red-dyed diesel on highways, deferring the federal tax on the fuel until the end of the year. The red-dyed diesel, which is the same as regular diesel, is dyed red to distinguish its off-highway use. The executive order will help truckers by allowing them to use cheaper diesel on their routes. It is also expected to help some farmers who have to transport their goods to market. The American Farm Bureau Federation applauded Trump’s executive order and thanked him for offering relief to farmers across the country.

Dr. Daniel Karney, Ohio University associate professor of economics, said the price of gas cannot drop lower than the removal of the 0.47 cent tax on diesel fuel. “If you give a tax holiday, essentially that 47 cents will temporarily go away, but the price can’t fall below that,” Karney said. “So the tax could at most decrease it from $6.47 to $6.” Karney said farmers are forced to pay the market price, and the prices came as an unexpected shock. “During harvest time, as I mentioned, there’s kind of inflexible demand for these fuels,” Karney said. “You have to run your combine to harvest the corn. And so you don’t have a choice, so you’re going to pay the market price, right. If you didn’t already have

a contract, and since this was an unexpected shock in prices, farmers had not locked in fuel prices that were lower.” Dean Stumpf owns a corn, soybean, hay and wheat farm in Germantown, and said he is paying at least 30% more on diesel and confirmed the price spikes have backed producers into a corner. “The changes to the cost of fuel have not changed harvest plans,” Stumpf said. “I don’t have any other alternatives.” Stumpf also said he is not able to pass the higher production costs onto the buyer, and will have to sell his goods at market price. Karney said this is because consumers can find a cheaper alternative. “Let’s say the farmer tried to pass along all of the costs of higher corn prices,” Karney said. “Someone might switch

over to another type of food product that wasn’t being harvested at this particular time that’s impacted by the higher prices. So the flexibility on the buyers’ side means that the buyers don’t have to incur all of those higher costs.” Karney said coupling lower revenue with the higher cost of fertilizer and diesel is squeezing the farm economy and making the increased diesel prices particularly painful. “Relative to previous prices, the price for crops is slightly lower,” Karney said. “This is due to a variety of factors, but includes things such as the tariffs, so we have lower revenues due to lower prices for the commodity.” To mitigate damage, Stumpf buys his fertilizer ahead of time, which protects him from

seasonal inflation. “I pre-buy my fertilizer and chemicals at the end of each year, which shields me from some of the increases for the crops next year,” Stumpf said. “Which the increase sees about 25% over the year, it would have been 60% if I waited till spring.” Fuel rates in Ohio will return to the standard level in January 2027, but Karney said there might be long-term solutions to provide relief to farmers. “Investing in more refining capacity and having more supply would be the other two mechanisms to decrease prices in the long run,” Karney said.

JD637225@OHIO.EDU

SNAP changes /continued from pg 1 According to calculations released by the federal government, the change decreases funding by $16.9 billion over fiscal year 2027 to fiscal year 2031, at an average of $3.4 billion a year. According to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Ohio is estimated to have an immediate loss of $67 million. Starting in October 2027, states are also required to provide some of the benefit funds for the SNAP program based on their payment error rate. A state’s error rate is determined by a random sampling of 1,020 SNAP cases. The rate does not measure fraud, but errors within the system itself. Common errors include recipients failing to report income, incorrectly reporting income and expenses and incorrectly reporting the makeup of a household. If an error rate is reported to be above 6%, states are required to provide a percentage of benefit funding in accordance with its error rate. If the error rate is between 6-7.99% it will cover 5% of the SNAP benefits, between 8-9.99% it will cover 10% and if it is 10% or higher it

will cover 15% of the benefits. Ohio had an error rate of 6.76% for the federal fiscal year 2025, an improvement from the previous year’s rate of 9.13%. The current national error rate is reported to be 10.62%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If the new cost structure had been in place for fiscal year 2025, Ohio would have needed to allocate $160 million to the program, according to the ODJFS. Brian O’Rourke, senior policy analyst for the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, said the new requirements impose additional burdens on the state and recipients. “Not only are those financial provisions difficult for states,” O’Rourke said. “But it can also make it so that our systems aren’t properly funded to process applications, to process the work reporting requirements in a timely manner, and make sure people who are eligible for SNAP are getting the benefits that help them afford them.” Earlier this year, changes to work requirements and eligibility went into effect, putting Ohioans at risk of losing SNAP benefits.

According to data from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities and ODJFS, about 80,000 Ohioans were impacted by the changes. Changes included increasing the upper age limit for work requirements from 54 to 64, as well as removing multiple groups from being automatically exempt from completing the work and time requirements. Those groups include people aging out of foster care, veterans and individuals facing homelessness. To fulfill the work requirements, individuals have to report working 80 hours a month, participating in a work program for 80 hours a month or a combination of the two. Failure to report that results in a loss of benefits after three months. O’Rourke said the changes made to both Medicaid and SNAP could have harsh impacts for Ohioans across the state. “Those things happening at the same time could be concerning for Ohio families,” O’Rourke said. “Many of whom need that support to be able to afford health care and afford access to healthy food.”

Cat’s Cupboard, a food pantry located on the fifth floor of Baker University Center in Athens, Oct. 15, 2026. (ALEX PASSERO | FOR THE POST) According to ODJFS data, Ohio currently has about 1.4 million recipients of SNAP benefits, with more than 8,000 residing in Athens County, which is 13.27% of the county population.

various federal programs, food security and accessibility to resources worsened. She said putting additional pressure on the states puts subsequent pressure on the individuals within the program.

Karin Bright serves as a board member for Rural Action and is the former director of the Athens County Food Pantry.

“I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for people to continue to feed their families,” Bright said. “And for families that don’t go through this, understanding how difficult that can be.”

“Food insecurity has been an issue long-term in southeast Ohio,” Bright said. “And nothing that is happening is doing anything to make that easier, or to help eliminate that.” Bright said due to cuts to

@LIVVJACOBSS LJ934424@OHIO.EDU

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Headlines Blotter: Stolen car, protection order violation, US continued from pg 1

hog in road

China, a Russian ally, according to the AP. Ukraine fears the Chinese government may move to restrict its access to these electronics and that Russian companies may get preferential treatment. Recently, Ukraine has tried to break free from dependence on China, but failed to fully remove ties, according to the AP.

KAITLIN HOGG CAMPUS AND LOCAL STAFF WRITER 9 Fri ___________________ Hog in the road Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Cameron Road in Athens after reports of a hog in the roadway. The hog moved out of the roadway toward a residence, where it was determined the animal lives there. The hog was returned to its pen. PETA complaint Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Vore Ridge Road after receiving an animal complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The complaint was investigated by deputies, who determined the animals were fine. Patrol resumed.

An Ohio University Police Department cruiser sits at the top of Morton Hill in Athens, Oct. 10, 2026. (ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

10 Sat __________________ Stolen car! Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call from an individual saying their car had been stolen. Deputies took a report of the incident and marked the car as stolen after speaking with the individual. Protection order violation Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a woman who said her protection order was violated. Deputies determined the violation took place in another county. The woman was referred to that county’s agency to file a charge.

11 Sun _________________ Disputing Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Lexington Avenue in Chauncey after a thirdparty report of a domestic dispute. Deputies on the scene spoke with all involved parties and determined the dispute was only verbal. There were no reported injuries. Gun theft Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an individual saying their gun had been stolen. Deputies documented the report. Patrol resumed.

12 Mon __________________ Trespassing

Athens County Sheriff’s Office

deputies responded to Johnson Road in The Plains following a trespassing and suspicious person complaint. Deputies told the individuals they could not be on the property, and the individuals agreed to leave. Warrants of the week The Athens County Sheriff’s Office posted warrants of arrest for Heather Hoy and Thomas Christman. Christman was wanted for failure to appear as required by recognizance, possession of drugs and receiving stolen property, but was arrested Oct. 13. Hoy is wanted for grand theft of motor vehicle and failure to appear as required by recognizance. If anyone has information on Hoy’s whereabouts, contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately.

13 Tue ____________________ Arrested Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Carbondale to attempt to locate Thomas Christman. Christman had an active warrant out for his arrest following possession of drugs and theft. Deputies contacted Christman, and he was taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. Oh, no, this is my house Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to The Plains after reports of an individual attempting to break into a trailer. On the scene, deputies learned the individual had locked themself out of the trailer and had to enter through a window.

14 Wed ___________________ Drunk at grandma’s house Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to The Plains after reports of a drunk man at his grandmother’s house. Deputies on the scene spoke with all involved individuals, and the parties agreed to separate. Patrol resumed. Negligence Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded with Glouster EMS to tend to a gunshot wound. It was determined that it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound as a result of negligent discharge. The individual was taken to the hospital via helicopter.

15 Thurs___________________ Deer accident Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded near U.S. Route 50 following reports of a deer accident. At the scene, it was determined that a deer had run onto the road and collided with a car. Will you just go? Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Glouster after a call from a man saying his ex-wife was on the property and would not leave. Deputies contacted the woman, and she left the property.

KH303123@OHIO.EDU

15 Thurs __________________ Trump press secretary faces criticism over claims she’s a lawyer Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, is facing criticism over her background and resume as she steps into the position, according to the AP. While Zacharia describes herself as a lawyer, neither she nor the White House presented evidence she passed the bar exam. President Trump defended her appointment, calling her an “attorney” and a loyal supporter. Zacharia issued a statement claiming she practiced international transactional law with appropriate credentials, according to the AP. 16 Fri __________________ Teenage shooter kills 4 in Oregon elementary school A 16-year-old shooter killed three children and one teacher in an Oregon elementary school on Thursday, according to the AP. The shooter was then shot and killed by a person at the scene. The three children killed were aged 5, 8 and 11. Two others, one child and one teacher, were wounded and taken to the hospital in critical condition. This shooting is the 28th mass killing in the U.S. this year, according to a database operated by the AP, USA Today and Northeastern University. 18 Sun __________________ French protests lead to arrest of thousands French police arrested at least 2,400 protestors during massive nationwide demonstrations protesting rising living costs and poor school conditions, according to the AP. Police in the capital used tear gas and water cannons to deter the hundreds of protesters who gathered at the Place de la République and were throwing fireworks and objects at law enforcement, according to the AP. Trump posted about the protests on Truth Social, linking the unrest in France to immigration and telling them to close their borders, despite French authorities denying a connection. IM362425@OHIO.EDU

Court Activism /continued from pg 1 “We were there with people of all races,” Gish said. “It was very uplifting and empowering. I knew, at that point, for the rest of my life, I would be working to support peace and justice efforts.”

The group does not have a website or social media page, but people are welcome to join the group’s demonstration as long as they bring a sign that promotes nonviolence, peace and justice, according to Gish.

Gish moved to Athens County in 1977 and sought out like-minded individuals with a passion for activism.

Robin Wilson, an 84-year old Athens resident, started attending the Monday vigils three years ago.

“We looked for people who were interested in doing more peace and justice work, and we found a nice community of people who wanted to do this on a regular basis,” Gish said.

Wilson grew up in California and has been involved with the peace movement for over 60 years. Wilson recalled how watching Stanford students returning from sit-ins in the south and the Vietnam War instilled a belief in nonviolence.

According to Gish, the group’s goal is to educate people through open dialogue. “We also engage with people,” Gish said. “And so sometimes it’s just that in that dialogue, we can break down barriers between us and somebody that disagrees with us, and hope to build community that way.” Gish said the group gets mixed responses from passersby, with some thanking the group and others publicly disagreeing. She recounted multiple instances of someone protesting against the group with signs denouncing the vigil. Gish said it is harder to deal with people who are unwilling to have a discussion than those who might disagree but are still willing to talk with the group. Gish feels much of the pushback her group has received is because of misinformation and the idea many hold that educated progressives are elitists. Her goal is to change that. “It’s really important for those of us who’ve been educated or have a more progressive view to really not talk above, but become friends with people of all classes, of all persuasions, become real people to them and try to break down those class barriers,” Gish said.

Wilson’s activism includes topics such as Black Lives Matter and celebrating Indigenous peoples. “I think that growing up in this society, I think there’s some wonderful traditions in this world, and I think there’s also some terrible history we have moved down,” Wilson said. “We need to change.”

A group of activists gather in front of the Athens County Courthouse on Court Street in Athens, Oct. 12, 2026. (John Fouss | Photo Editor)

Mara Giglio, the director of the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network and another attendee of the vigil, is deeply embedded with peace and nonviolence. In college, Giglio studied in India, Nepal and Tibet, where she learned about Buddhism, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and other nonviolent movements. Giglio’s activism is not tied to any one issue or cause. Instead, she acknowledged the intersection of many issues including how environmentalism is tied to women’s issues. “I just really care,” Giglio said. “Like when you care about people, then you want them to have freedom and peace … the superpower is empathy, it’s caring and wanting to change and come together and work together for a better world.” BT037924@OHIO.EDU

An activist hands out information in front of the Athens County Courthouse on Court Street in Athens, Oct. 12, 2026. (John Fouss | Photo Editor)

OCT. 20, 2026

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‘No Kings’ protest promotes early voting NOAH PEREZ-JOHNSON FOR THE POST

We’ve registered voters, and they’re like, ‘I don’t know where to vote.’”

On Saturday, a ”No Kings” rally was held outside the Athens Community Center, and was specifically focused on promoting early voting among citizens.

Absentee and voting by mail began Oct. 6 and will continue until Nov. 2, the day before the general election. Absentee ballots must be received by the local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The event focused on the defense of voting rights before election day and purposefully making voices heard through voting. The hosts make it clear they want to educate the public on their voting options, encouraging attendees to develop a plan for voting. The “No Kings: Vote Early” events are being held all across the country with the same intentions as the Athens event.

Top: A protester sits on the ledge of a fountain while others begin to arrive for the “No Kings” protest in front of the Athens Community Center in Athens, Oct. 17, 2026. (SOPHIA MATHIE | FOR THE POST) Middle: “No Kings” protesters hold signs next to East State Street in front of the Athens Community Center in Athens, Oct. 17, 2026. (SOPHIA MATHIE | FOR THE POST) Bottom: Community members set up tents and flags outside the Athens Community Center during a “No Kings” protest to urge their community to vote in Athens, Oct. 17, 2026. (HARRY MILLARD | FOR THE POST)

The “No Kings: Vote Early” event was not described as a protest, but as a way to bring the community together, ensuring people know their options for how to vote and have a plan to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The event drew supporters from the Ohio University campus and the local community alike.

The “No Kings” movement was formed to protest the policies of the current Trump administration through rallies only on specific tensions or political events.

Seth Langenkamp, a fifthyear student studying theater, said he attended the protest because it is a way to express complaints with the structure of the U.S. and because silence causes more harm than good.

Andrea Reik, a lead organizer for the event, said the “No Kings” organization is peaceful, nonviolent and nonpartisan. Their goal is not to promote candidates, but to encourage early voting. She said educating people is critical because not everyone knows how to vote.

“I think it creates more of an energy,” Langenkamp said. “It creates more of a awareness to other people, especially when people are honking their horns. And you know, like in good faith in terms of like ‘We’re aware and we support what you’re doing.’”

“I never was a teacher, but in a lot of school districts, they don’t have civics class,” Reik said. “So, for many people growing up, they don’t understand the importance of voting. They don’t know how to do it.

The No Kings organization provides training for hosts, educating them on how to run a lawful, peaceful protest. John Few, a volunteer for Indivisible, said he thinks peacefully protesting is

important and “the way to go.” “Peaceful protests are the way to go,” Few said. “Just keep up the pressure and civil disobedience, and we’ve been doing that since the days of Martin Luther King. With the sit-ins and the boycotts.” Siena Bright, the founder of the Meigs County Young Democrats said it is important to educate people on what authoritarianism is and how to notice the signs. “I think that anyone that doesn’t agree with No Kings is not really paying attention and doesn’t really understand the nuances of the things that are happening in our government,” Bright said. The No Kings protest had people lined up on East State Street, holding signs and chanting about the importance of voting rights. Many people in Athens have shown heart for the movement and the causes it supports. “We’re not going to give up on America. This is our home,” Bright said. “This is where we live, and we want to fight for it. And we will continue to fight for it, no matter what, no matter what we face. There will still be people here saying what they wish to say and what they want to be done in our government. And I think that’s important.” @NOAHHHPJ BP363725@OHIO.EDU

Top: Athens community members gather outside the Athens Community Center on East State Street for a “No Kings” protest and to urge their community to vote in the upcoming elections in Athens, Oct. 17, 2026. (HARRY MILLARD | FOR THE POST) Bottom: Athens community members line East State Street with homemade signs during the “No Kings” protest outside the Athens Community Center in Athens, Oct, 17, 2026. (HARRY MILLARD | FOR THE POST)

Speaker:

Jefferson Cowie, Vanderbilt University Jefferson Cowie is the John L. Seigenthaler Chair in American History at Vanderbilt University. He is the author of Freedom’s Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power.

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Shift the world’s weight off Editorial: transgender people’s shoulders THE POST EDITORIAL BOARD | FOR THE POST Despite political pandering and falsities, we must never mistake the goodness and existence of our transgender neighbors as a fault or weakness in our American society. Make no mistake: the joy, spirit and existence of trans Americans are not an affront to our values as a people but an ideal that makes this country richer. To better understand this idea, we must understand how rhetoric works in our society. Rhetoric is essentially a combination of word choice and stylistic factors we use in our daily lives. We use rhetoric every day; how we say hello or start up a conversation is an active choice, informing our interactions with other people. We sometimes use persuasive rhetoric to sway other people in their decisionmaking. Especially when we appeal to our logic, we use something called deductive reasoning, which takes a generalization about a concept and applies it to specific cases. This happens in political campaigns often. Specifically, this is happening now in the race for Ohio’s next United States Senator. For example, a recent political action committee sponsored an ad against former Sen. Sherrod Brown alleging he supports “sex changes for minors,” based on a 2023 interview when Brown expressed his support for medical choices made between families and their doctors. This pushes audiences to adopt the logic that trans people are challenging our medical systems and thus not worthy of our care as voters. By extension, such ads extend this to attack the validity of an opponent. In the political realm, politicians appropriate the identity of trans individuals to demean this validity. For example, an artificial intelligencegenerated video of Texas Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate

for U.S. Senate, aired showing Talarico wearing a dress and repeating certain phrases he made about gender identity in the past. In doing this, Talarico’s opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, takes the idea of gendered dressing to attack Talarico’s masculinity. But this does nothing to advance policy or create credible persuasive tactics. Instead, the attack centers trans identity as a problem. Both political campaign tactics fall flat when we consider the intent of persuasive rhetoric. This use of deductive reasoning distracts us from the real problems we all see: rising prices at the pump and beyond. This reasoning asks us to make big assumptions without questioning anything. This thinking operates outside of politics too. According to the Pew Research Center, 52% of U.S. adults 18 to 29 years old report knowing a trans person. Almost half of U.S. adults 30 to 49 years old report knowing a trans person. We are more likely to interact with trans people than we are not. Whether in professional or purely social spaces, we are tasked with treating our friends and colleagues with respect. When we make generalizations about other people, we implicitly make assumptions about ourselves. Studies show that when we assign certain words to describe a group’s differences, we overemphasize those differences, eliminating conversations about personal nuances and complexity among people. When we apply deductive rhetoric that makes big generalizations about a relatively small group of people, we ignore the very characteristics that make them human. We ignore their humanity. We struggle to define our country’s

identity because its definition is consistently being pulled in every direction. Attacks against trans people using dangerous deductive reasoning are coming from the right, left and center. However, what is an affront to our values as Americans is the attack on our neighbors for political purposes. There is nothing more anti-American than political puppets who wish to pervert our love for another human being to serve their petty interests. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the fundamentals of our country. Trans individuals are sacred staples of LGBTQIA+ groups, and after centuries of fighting, they deserve a sacred place in our society as well. Trans people were never the problem. They are the unfortunate scapegoats in a series of attacks that conflate their humanity with issues they did not start and have no responsibility to end. This is the true crossroads we face in this country, and we must decide now what path we will take. Appreciation or apathy. Love or loathing. Among our many American selfevident truths, let one be this: a rejection of trans humanity is a rejection of our values as a people. So as certain persuasive tactics are used against our better judgment this election season and after, The Post Editorial Board reminds its readers that we are better off because trans people occupy this world. When faced with loathing or love, we must choose the latter. The Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage. Have thoughts? The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens.com.

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David’s Thoughts | The power of language: Why AAVE must be protected distorted. People may reduce AAVE words to “internet or TikTok slang,” disregarding their deep linguistic origins.

DAVID ASAMOAH FOR THE POST Language is rooted in cultural history and tradition while being reflective of power in society. African American Vernacular English, commonly known as AAVE, is a variety or dialect of English spoken primarily by Black Americans. AAVE carries a rich history, with its origins being debated amongst scholars. Some scholars have hypothesized one of AAVE’s origins is from European American dialects of English. Others have hypothesized modern AAVE is derived from creole from English and West African languages. Because language is tied to culture, in our media age we must be aware of the nuances and contexts of AAVE words in order to respect their cultural origins. Despite its structured rules and rich history, AAVE has historically been stigmatized, treated as slang rather than a valid, textured form of communication. Users of AAVE may be subject to linguistic racism, where individuals are subject to discrimination based on their use of language. In the age of social media, AAVE is often appropriated by non-African American users, in a way that risks its original meaning becoming lost or

Because of the fast speed at which trends across social media come and go, cultural artifacts, phrases and sayings may soon be seen as simply trends by those outside of the culture. “Cultural appropriation” refers to when members of a majority group adopt elements of a minority group in a way that is “exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical.” This is important because of systemic racism. Minorities are discriminated against for embracing elements of their culture while a majority group will not receive similar repercussions for appropriating those same elements of the minority group. And because language is tied to power, words or phrases in AAVE may be co-opted in a way that distorts their original meaning. For example, the word “woke” has a rich history, stretching back as early as the 1920s. The word woke was originally used to refer to staying aware of racial injustice and oppression. Marcus Garvey, a Black Jamaican PanAfricanist, urged Black people to become more socially and politically aware as he wrote, “Wake up, Ethiopia! Wake up, Africa!” The word woke was used during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s to encourage Black Americans to stay aware of racial injustice and oppression. As language is reflective of society, the term woke sheds

light on how Black Americans and other minorities must navigate the world with an astute awareness of the social, political, economic and cultural landscape for survival. In recent times, “woke” can be seen throughout Black pop culture, from Erykah Badu’s song “Master Teacher” to Childish Gambino’s song “Redbone.” The phrases “woke” or “stay woke” became more widespread during the Black Lives Matter Movement in the 2010s, drawing attention to police brutality and systemic racism. In today’s political sphere, the word woke is often used as a pejorative label to describe something as too politically correct, despite its original meaning rooted in social justice and cultural awareness. This appropriation of the term, prevalent on social media and other platforms, strips the word woke of its rich and textured meaning and history. Like the word woke, other words of AAVE can easily be co-opted, appropriated and exploited for political or social gain, removing words altogether from their cultural context. This act of appropriation is an act of erasure because it removes the richness of language and views cultural language as something that is simply trendy, silly or trivial. Culture can be clearly seen in material things such as clothing, hairstyles and food. It is important to recognize language is also an integral part of culture. Language has historically been appropriated by members of a majority group, and in our contemporary age, can easily be

appropriated through social media. And because we live in a digital age, it is essential to be aware of the cultural origins of the language we interact with daily through social media. As Black music genres such as hip-hop trend on TikTok and other platforms, cultural awareness of linguistic origins brings cultural appreciation. Language does not exist outside of the culture it comes from, and removing the cultural context of the word distorts its meaning. Language, while being reflective of power in society, is also reflective of cultural stories of those marginalized. This includes stories of resilience, triumph and ingenuity. As we engage with AAVE and other dialects of people of color, we must recognize its impact in shaping language as we know it, while honoring the history of its speakers. Like all languages, AAVE tells a story that must be protected and remembered by those who come across it.

David Asamoah is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to David about his column? Email him at da602024@ohio.edu.

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Duff’s Had Enough | Political polarization leads to weak political efficacy sharp divide throughout the country into two opposing extremes, with a difference of opinions, beliefs or interests.

JOSELYN DUFF | FOR THE POST With midterm elections around the corner, some U.S. voters might have noticed a spike in political polarization. The Ohio governor’s race is perceived by many Ohioans as divisive, given candidates Dr. Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy hold such opposing views. Many believe this election is high stakes. With polarization increasing, many people question how they can meaningfully engage in society with a strong sense of political efficacy. In a two-party system, most believe politics can only be polarized; however, this does not necessarily hold true. In a well-functioning democracy, there must be an agreement on a core set of values and disagreement around specific policies. According to Britannica, political polarization occurs when there is a

Political efficacy is defined as a citizen’s personal belief they can make political change in public policy. When a person holds this belief, they are more compelled to vote. Citizens with low levels of political efficacy are less likely to participate in their democracy. One belief is that the stronger polarization is, the less effective debates are. People are less likely to listen and understand each other, and are more likely to take immutable positions and assume bad faith on the opposing side. This is a phenomenon that occurs with increased polarization called “affective polarization.” This can further the separation. If one side actively dislikes the other, both sides are much less likely to interact, increasing the divide and weakening democracy. Moreover, if one actively dislikes the other, they are less likely to work together on matters of shared interest. With less interaction, the political sides dehumanize each other and therefore lack empathy or an appreciation of viewpoints. This, in turn, causes a lack of understanding of their motives, and political identities become social identities.

However, some say this division increases political efficacy. When strong political identities are created, people feel an increased motivation to express them.

As political polarization increases, confidence in Congress and other institutions drops, leading to the idea that the government is not responding to citizens’ needs.

Studies show a correlation between rising polarization and higher voter turnout, with 2020 turnout in the U.S. reaching 65.3%, up 7.1 percentage points from 58.2% in 1992.

Frequent legislative stalemates can make citizens feel their political actions are futile, reducing their belief in the system to solve problems. Polarization often increases the behavioral, active side of political efficacy, turnout in the form of voting and protests, while decreasing the belief-based side of efficacy, eroding trust in the government’s ability to function.

With strong polarization, voters can easily identify the party closest to their views, and when voters perceive higher stakes, they believe their vote will have a strong impact. A recent analysis determines that participatory processes like referendum voting and other citizens’ initiatives not only increase our political knowledge, but they empower individuals to maintain active engagement in government.

It is important to understand policies and treat others with respect during election seasons. Furthering the political divide only increases the chances of corruption in politics. Working with each other instead of against can lead to a well-functioning democracy, benefiting everyone.

Participants feel an improved sense of reasoning and can understand political issues, which can lead to even more civic engagement. Others cite that an increase in political polarization results in a lack of external political efficacy. High polarization causes the public to feel the political systems are designed for conflict rather than effective governance, which erodes the belief that external political action can make a difference.

Joselyn Duff is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Joselyn Duff about their column? Email them at jd637225@ohio.edu or reach them at @joselynduff48.

Natalie Notes | Presidential endorsements carry risks for the midterms political risks for each campaign.

NATALIE SADLER | COPY CHIEF

On Oct. 13, former President Barack Obama announced his support for former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Action in their midterm campaigns. Obama will join their campaigns and help the Democratic Party attempt to take control of the U.S. Congress. While this support from Obama can help lead the Democratic Party to a win, it is important to note the consequences of presidential involvement in key midterm races. Recently, President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani came forward and discussed Election Day with reporters. Trump and Mamdani shared opposing interests in the races, with Trump focused on New York gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blackman and Mamdani highlighting New York’s current Gov. Kathy Hochul. According to Spectrum News 1, these endorsements carry possible

Due to Trump’s involvement with the war in Iran, expanding tariffs and his chaotic immigration crackdown, he is facing record-low approval rates. According to The Washington Post, Trump is sitting at a 33% approval rating among U.S. adults. 66% of them disapprove and 52% say they strongly disapprove. Even his own supporters are angry with the way his second term has been carried out. For Republican candidates, this support is hard to swallow; while it looks good on paper, Trump’s reputation precedes him. Democratic candidates are on the same slope, with Hochul facing the blow of Mamdani criticizing Israel during the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023. “The suffering did not begin nor end that day,” Mamdani said in a written statement reported by Politico. “It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza in which it has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children.” While Mamdani has been a longtime-critic of Israel, this made Hochul’s race for governor harder to win. His words are powerful and his perspective matters; however, this is costing Hochul and other New York Democratic candidates key voters. His reputation, words and support matter, even the slightest bit.

Politics is a messy business to be a part of. Controversies and hurtful commentary follow you everywhere because it is posted everywhere. These candidates need to show support, but be careful with how they voice it.

and change are what the country needs to focus on. It is important to note, through his success as a politician, he can outshine the faults and controversies that happened during his presidency. Both Trump and Mamdani are currently struggling with this, but their voice could sway others to vote in their direction. The midterms this year are important, and it is no wonder presidents and other forms of leaders have stepped up to help create more voter turnout. It is a matter of whether people will listen to their message or tune them out in favor of their past behaviors.

As for Obama, he has been in the game for decades. His support and strategies for winning a campaign go beyond the broader scope of today’s politics. In fact, back in 2010, Obama visited my hometown of Elyria, Ohio, to speak about health reform. He stopped by the famous Smitty’s Place for a burger and a quick chat with the locals. Due to the visit, he now has an official corner in the restaurant and a place on the menu for the exact burger he ordered.

This year, Election Day falls on Nov. 3. Find where your polling location is in Ohio or other states. Provide the right documents and walk into the voting booth proud of your vote. Whether you know the candidate from Trump, Obama, Mamdani or others, your voice matters. Make it known.

Obama’s charisma and care for the country were memorable. The pictures on Smitty’s website correspond with that attitude of smiles, laughs and good times with local citizens. The heart in his campaign created a wave of a healthy political environment we do not recognize anymore. Despite that, Obama had faults during his presidency. His efforts in the war in Afghanistan and sending over 30,000 troops there were controversial among Americans. However, his love for the country and Americans did not end after his presidency. His support for Acton and Brown goes beyond Trump and Mamdani’s endorsements. His legacy, attitude

Natalie Saddler is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Natalie about their column? Email them at ns505423@ohio.edu.

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David’s Thoughts |

‘James’ is a modern classic DAVID ASAMOAH FOR THE POST

On Oct. 12, author Percival Everett visited Ohio University as part of OhioUniversity Libraries’ visiting authors series. In 2024, Everett released “James,” a retelling of the American classic “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. Twain’s original 1885 novel chronicles the adventure of its titular character, Huck Finn, as he escapes his abusive father and travels down the Mississippi River with a runaway enslaved man named Jim, who seeks freedom. Unlike “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” which is told from the perspective of Huck, James is told from the perspective of an enslaved man, Jim. In “James,” Jim is a shrewd, intelligent man determined to free himself, his wife and daughter from the shackles of slavery. “James” chronicles Jim’s story, highlighting his wit, deep intellect and determination to be free. By centering the story through the eyes of James, Everett not only centers Black voices, but offers a relevant

and timely critique of society, centering the perspective of those marginalized rather than only showing the perspective of historically privileged people. Twain’s novel notably satirizes Southern society, shedding light on the hypocrisy of a religious society built on the institution of slavery. While “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” offers a sharp critique of Southern society, James succeeds by centering the voices of the most marginalized in its society: those enslaved. Twain’s original novel is subject to controversy due to its use of racial slurs, as well as its use of minstrel stereotypes for the character Jim. While some viewed the novel as offering a strong critique of racism and slavery, others felt its consistent use of racial slurs reinforces the system the novel is trying to critique. As a novel, “James” turns the caricatured Jim from “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” into a fully fleshedout character. A criticism of Twain’s original novel is that Jim is a racist stereotype, carrying an image of African Americans as “silly, superstitious, obedient, and passive.” Jim in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” uses a strong Missouri

dialect, one Twain aimed for realism and authenticity. Everett’s novel, on the other hand, rewrites Jim as a wise, calculated and thoughtful man willing to challenge the status quo. In “James,” Jim, as well as other characters, purposely switch their dialect when speaking to white overseers, from a caricature slave dialect to one of standard, “eloquent” English. This technique reverses the stereotypes present in Twain’s original book, as well as highlights how language, such as who code switches in order to survive, reflects systemic power dynamics. It highlights the power of language, a theme Everett continuously explores throughout the book. Like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “James” is a satirical work, highlighting the injustice of slavery by including absurd and ironic elements. Through dreams, Jim engages in deep philosophical dialogue with Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Voltaire, interrogating their prejudiced beliefs about race. Furthermore, James does not shy away from the horrors of slavery, thus making it a much more potent examination of American society. The human suffering and horrors of slavery are detailed

through the perspective of an intelligent, enslaved man, rather than the young, naive, adventure-hungry main character of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” This perspective shift gives Jim agency in his own narrative, centering the experiences of the oppressed rather than making their story a footnote within a larger American story.

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Everett’s novel, while being only two years old, has already become a modern American classic. Ironically, Mark Twain said, “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read.” “James,” however, is a novel with so much to offer, as Jim’s story gives agency to neglected voices by shedding light on the perspective of the marginalized, cementing it as a modern American classic. Everett is the author of several widely acclaimed book, including his novel “Erasure,” “I am Not Sidney Poitier” and “The Trees.” David Asamoah is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to David about his column? Email him at da602024@ohio.edu.

OHIO’S FUTURE IS ON THE BALLOT

DR. AMY ACTON is running to become Ohio Governor.

actonforgovernor.com

SHERROD BROWN is running to become Ohio Senator.

sherrodbrown.com The City of Athens invites residents and visitors to celebrate Halloween with a full day of activities for all ages, culminating in the annual Uptown Halloween Block Party. From family-friendly festivities and trick-or-treating to live music and entertainment, there's Scan to read the full something for everyone!

Sherrod lives in Columbus with his wife Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prizewinning columnist and author. Sherrod and Connie drive Jeeps made by union workers in Toledo, and are blessed with a growing family, including three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, and their beloved rescue dogs, Franklin and Walter.

MAKE THE RICH PAY THIER FAIR SHARE

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Amy Leigh Acton (born February 16, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio) is a USAmerican physician and researcher who is running to become Ohio governor. MAGA and many Republican politicians are anti-science, but scientists have done an enormous amount of good in the world. We need politicians who understand real science and reject pseudo-science.

Working people pay taxes out of every paycheck. There is no army of accountants smoothing it out. It comes out before they even see it. Meanwhile, some of the wealthiest individuals and corporations in this country use loopholes, offshore structures, and preferential treatment to lower their effective rates below what a schoolteacher pays each year in taxes. That is not a system built on fairness; it is a system built on access. Making the rich pay their fair share does not mean punishing success. It means applying the same rules consistently. Capital gains should not be taxed at a lower rate than wages. Billionaires should not be able to borrow against their assets indefinitely and avoid taxation while their wealth compounds. Large corporations should not report record profits to shareholders while reporting near-zero tax liability to the IRS. Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position onon this issue, but many centrist Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position this issue, but many and progressive politicians hold similar views. centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions.

CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION: www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration • CLICK “CAN I VOTE” and select “voter registration status.” • CHOOSE YOUR STATE. You will be taken to a page on your state’s election website. • Check to see if you are registered. **Confirm where you’re registered to vote!

Is it your campus address or your permanent home address? Don’t assume. Take a few minutes to check your registration, confirm your polling location and understand your voting options before heading to the polls. EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING IN OHIO CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 1

ELECTION DAY IS TUE, NOV. 3 David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

OCT. 20, 2026

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Ohio now leads the FBS in home game wins LONDON DEMARCO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR No. 5 Indiana University’s heartbreaking 19-15 loss to No. 4 Ohio State University in Bloomington, Indiana, broke the Hoosiers’ 19-game home winning streak. After Indiana’s loss, Ohio University now holds the record for the longest active home winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Bobcats just extended their home winning streak to 16 with their dominant victory over Central Michigan last weekend in their Homecoming game. The winning streak started in November 2023 against, coincidentally, Central Michigan, as Ohio beat the Chippewas 34-20. Just a week before that win, the Bobcats suffered a heartbreaking loss at Peden Stadium to their rivals, Miami (Ohio). Little did anyone know that Ohio would win 16 home games and counting after that loss. This win streak has included some historic wins for Ohio over the years. Week Two of last season might have been the most monumental win of the streak. In Ohio’s first home game of the 2025 season, West Virginia University of the Big 12 Conference came marching into Peden Stadium. The Mountaineers came in as favorites and were looking to break the Bobcats’ then seven-game home winning streak. Ohio did not back down, as a recordbreaking 26,740 fans packed into Peden Stadium to watch the Bobcats dominate over West Virginia. After the Mountaineers went up 7-0, Ohio outscored them 17-3 to pull off the enormous win and extend the winning streak to eight home games. A few weeks later, Miami University marched into Peden Stadium to attempt to end Ohio’s then 11-game home winning streak. The previous time the Battle of the Bricks came to Athens was the last time the Bobcats lost at home. The RedHawks, with a fourth-quarter lead, looked to end the streak. But the Peden Stadium magic stepped in.

While down by three points in the closing minutes of the game, quarterback Parker Navarro found Rodney Harris II for a 49-yard touchdown, giving the Bobcats the lead, and they went on to win 24-20. The last instance of Peden Stadium magic striking was in Week Two of this season against Jacksonville State. With graduate quarterback Nick Poulos falling injured early in the game and the Bobcats trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter, it looked like the then 13-game home winning streak was coming to an end. After a field goal to start the fourth quarter to make it a seven-point game, backup quarterback Matt Vezza led a touchdown drive with a minute and a half left to tie it. Even after that gametying touchdown, it seemed as though all hope was lost, as Jacksonville State was able to get the ball to Ohio’s 20yard line with three seconds left. The Peden Stadium magic stepped in once again as the Gamecocks’ kicker miraculously missed the field goal wide right to send the game to overtime. Four overtimes later, third-string freshman quarterback Levi Davis walked the ball into the end zone to win the game for the Bobcats and extend their winning streak to 14 home games. It will take a lot for Ohio to break the University of Miami’s 58-game home winning streak, set from 1985 to 1994. The Bobcats play three more games at Peden Stadium this season and welcome Eastern Michigan, 3-0 in MidAmerican Conference play, next week. Ohio closes out the season with its last two home games against Ball State and then Toledo the following week. Ohio’s fans have been one of the biggest parts of this home winning streak and the Peden magic, and they are going to have to show up if the Bobcats want to close out the season by winning their final three home games and improving the streak to 19 straight home wins.

LD004224@OHIO.EDU

Wide receiver Dom Dorwart (3) and offensive lineman Bryce Parson (76) celebrate a touchdown during the Bobcats homecoming game against Central Michigan, Oct. 10, 2026. The Bobcats beat Central Michigan 31-14 in Peden Stadium, in Athens. (JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

Ohio steamrolls past Sacramento State to stay undefeated in MAC Running back Duncan Brune (6) celebrates a first down during the Bobcats homecoming game against Central Michigan, Oct. 10, 2026. The Bobcats beat Central Michigan 31-14 in Peden Stadium, in Athens. (John Fouss | Photo Editor)

LONDON DEMARCO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Ohio (5-2 overall, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) steamrolled past Sacramento State (1-6 overall, 0-4 MAC) to win 48-7. With this dominant win, the Bobcats improved their winning streak to four straight wins and stayed undefeated in MAC play. There were questions about how Ohio would perform due to the massive amount of travel prior to the game, and kickoff was at 10 p.m. EST. The Bobcats shut the speculations down by getting the lead quickly and never letting go of it. Ohio’s defense got a quick stop to open up the game. Its offense mounted a long, 11-play drive stretching across 82 yards and about six minutes. This drive ended with junior captain running back Duncan Brune punching it in on a short run to go up 7-0. The first quarter ended, but Ohio blew the game open in the second quarter. The second quarter has been a big problem for the Hornets. So far this season against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, they have been

outscored 91-19, not including the game against Ohio.

Hornets were only able to muster 25 total yards on offense.

a good drive, stopping Ohio’s hope at a shutout.

The Bobcats started the second quarter with an impressive 50-yard field goal from graduate student kicker Will Hryszko. Ohio followed up with a quick stop on defense, followed by a four-play drive capped off by a 16-yard touchdown run from graduate student running back Victor Rosa, making the score 17-0.

Ohio struck quickly on the first drive of the second half. On the fourth play of the drive, graduate student and captain, quarterback Nick Poulos found redshirt freshman wide receiver Preston Bowman for a 67-yard passing touchdown. This touchdown put Ohio up 34-0 and ended the night for Poulos.

Ohio’s strong offensive performance came largely from its running game, as the Bobcats finished the game with 265 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, spanning seven different players.

On the very first play by Sacramento State on the next drive, quarterback Jackson Sharman threw an interception to Ohio’s sophomore cornerback Barry Dillon, who returned the ball deep into Hornets’ territory. Sacramento State’s defense came through with a big stop, forcing the Bobcats to call on Hryszko to make a 37-yard field goal, which he did to put Ohio up 20-0. Ohio forced another quick punt before stitching together another great drive offensively that was dominated by the run game. The 10-play drive saw nine runs, including a 14-yard touchdown run by Brune to make it 27-0 at the end of the first half. In the second quarter alone, the Bobcats scored 20 points, while the

Sacramento State’s first drive of the second half would go very similarly to its first-half drives, as it would end in a punt. Junior quarterback Matt Vezza came in for Ohio on the next drive, leading to the Bobcats’ first punt of the game. The Hornets put together their first decent drive of the game, leading them deep into Ohio territory and giving them a chance to get on the board with a field goal. However, kicker Grant Meadors missed the 47-yard field goal, keeping Sacramento State scoreless. Freshman quarterback Levi Davis came in for Ohio on the next drive as he closed out the game at quarterback. Davis ended up playing three drives and leading touchdown drives on two of them. Sacramento State finally scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter after

Meanwhile, Ohio’s defense was merciless, as it finished the game with three sacks, six tackles for loss, six pass breakups, an interception and only seven points allowed. Ohio is back at Peden Stadium next weekend against Eastern Michigan, as the Bobcats are trying to protect their now FBS-best 16-game home winning streak and extend their winning streak to five straight wins. Meanwhile, Sacramento State will have to wait another week to attempt to win its first game against an FBS opponent and its first win against a MAC team.

LD004224@OHIO.EDU

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Ohio’s pair of talented freshmen remain bright spots amidst bumps in the road

Hockey/continued from pg 1 scored his fourth goal of the season. He chipped in a backhand shot as he skated through the crease. Stibbe assisted. There were two penalties against each team in this period. Ohio’s penalty kill was strong, even creating a scoring chance. However, the power play was lackluster. Stony Brook cleared the puck multiple times. In the third period, the Bobcats came alive and netted eight goals. The Seawolves’ defense fell apart. One minute into the third period, Ovaert and Gavin Keller, junior defender, joined forces to get the puck to Reeve. “Mathieu made such a mine pass, and I kind of batted it out of midair,” Reeve said. “I don’t have very many of those.” Next, Stibbe passed the puck to a waiting freshman forward Gianni DiVita, who drilled it into the net. Sophomore forward Lance Mengel had the secondary assist. Reeve scored again off the following faceoff. Alternate captain and senior Will Cohen and Alex Thomas, freshman forward, assisted. Reeve earned his hat trick next, with assists from Cohen and Thomas. A Stony Brook defender dove to block the shot, but it was unsuccessful. “He is one of the best players in Ohio Hockey’s 69 years of history,” Head Coach Barry Schutte said. “So proud of him, and happy he could do it on home ice. It’s more special to be able to share that with your fans.”

The teams settled into a rhythm until a pair of fights sparked tension. Keller and Stony Brook’s Triston Sherwood received 10-minute misconducts, leaving the ice for the night. During the four-onfour play, the Bobcats put another point on the board. Zupsansky broke away from a defender and passed to Holt. Holt’s shot beat the goalie. The Seawolves changed goalies, but the substitution did not help. Reeve fought through traffic and scored one minute later. Thomas and Cohen assisted for the third time. Ohio scored two more goals before the buzzer sounded. Ovaert stretched out in front of the net to score his second of the night. Junior defender TJ Richey and Zupsansky had the assists. Stibbe also netted his second goal via assists from Mengel and Reeve. “We played slow (in the first),” Coach Schutte said. “Too much east-west play, not enough north-south. But I am super pleased with how we played in the third period.” Ohio and Stony Brook face off again Saturday at 3 p.m. at Bird Arena. Doors open at 2 p.m.

AC309223@OHIO.EDU

JACK MULDOWNEY FOR THE POST Despite Ohio’s disappointing 0-2 finish against Ball State in The Convo over the weekend, a pair of freshman stars continued to be a bright spot for the Bobcats in these matches. Setter Rowan Kelly and outside hitter Rose Mahin have played above their rank as freshmen all season long, and have become staples of Ohio’s attack every match. Mahin totaled 12 kills between the weekend’s matches, despite only cracking the starting lineup in one of the two. That took her season total to 158, a mark tied for second on the Bobcats’ roster. Mahin raises the bar far past the typical level of maturity and production expected from a freshman, and has established herself as a key factor for Ohio. Whether Mahin is starting in several consecutive matches, as she has on multiple occasions this year, or having to embrace a role coming off of the bench, her intensity and effort never waver. While change is often a hard pill to swallow for freshmen, Mahin’s maturity shows even when she’s not on the court, and in the way that she’s always prepared when her number is called. As a freshman, Kelly has arguably been the Bobcats’ most consistent player all season long. She holds the Bobcats’ top assist count by a wide margin, with 529 and counting on the season. On a similar note, her average

Ohio opposite hitter Bailey Blair (17) readies herself before a serve to Akron in The Convo in Athens, Oct. 3, 2026. (Jackson McCoy | For The Post)

of 8.82 assists per set ranks third in the Mid-American Conference. Just as Mahin has done, Kelly has put her fasttracked maturity and production on full display, giving coach Kenzie Brinkman no choice but to leave her on the court. Despite being just a freshman, Kelly has recently emerged as, essentially, Ohio’s only setter. Earlier in the season, Brinkman ran more of a committee-style rotation at the setter position with Kelly and Lillie Meinhart. However, beginning last weekend at Bowling Green, Kelly took the reins, and did so with no hesitation. Since becoming the lead setter, she recorded 73 assists in two matches against Bowling Green and 49 between both Ball State matches.

“We’re expecting a lot out of our freshmen, and Rowan was great today just like she has been. I don’t need her to be anything other than what she already is,” Brinkman said when asked about Kelly’s production and the new setter rotation style. As Ohio aims to make the necessary adjustments to dig itself out of what is now a four-game losing streak, Kelly and Mahin are sure to remain key factors in Ohio’s game plan. If these two are able to keep up the level of maturity and production they’ve displayed so far, the Bobcats could get back in the win column quickly and mend their recent bumps in the road.

@JACKMULDOWNEY1 JM760224@OHIO.EDU

Ohio loses falls into slump, losing both games to Ball State BRANDON GROSS FOR THE POST

Ohio (11-8, 4-4 MidAmerican Conference) lost both of its games against Ball State (14-5, 5-3 MAC) this weekend. Both of the losses were hard, as Ohio wasn’t able to manage a single set win and was close in doing so during the second game, with two out of the three sets being within three or less scores. Both teams came off shaky weekends prior, but Ball State made the quicker recovery, exploding with offensive firepower at the Convo. The first game was a struggle for the Bobcats. The team wasn’t able to counter what Ball State threw at them, and the result of that was the closest score being 25-18. Ball State had a near .300 hitting percentage, the actual number being .299, while Ohio couldn’t even hit the .100 mark, having a .082 hitting percentage. That was the biggest separation between the teams and it would shine throughout the game. “We were a very stagnant team now,” Ohio coach Kenzie Brinkman said. “It’s easy to play defense when you’re a one-dimensional team, and when you’re passing bad, we can always set our outside so it’s really easy to block in.” Ball State went up in the first set with three points. This was the boost that Ball State needed to flow for the rest of the set, as it only trailed Ohio at one point in the game with the score being 9-10 during that stint. Otherwise, it was a struggle for Ohio to maintain any

sort of momentum after a score. Ball State easily strung together points resulting in the final score of the set being 25-18.

Ohio opposite hitter Bailey Blair (17) readies herself before a serve to Akron in The Convo in Athens, Oct. 3, 2026. (Jackson McCoy | For The Post)

Ball State turned it up a notch after the first set and continued to pressure the Bobcats on offense and defense. This time, Ohio jumped to a 2-0 lead but it wouldn’t last long as Ball State quickly stepped in and scored four unanswered points. In similar fashion to the first set, Ohio was unable to take another lead after the 2-0 one, and couldn’t string together streaks of points easily. That resulted in another clean Ball State set victory with a score of 25-17. In the final set of the first game, Ball State opened with a six-point streak. This set the tone for how the set would be as Ball State scored in every way imaginable. The team was an unstoppable force, and Ohio couldn’t block any of it..Ball State’s dominance led to a 25-15 set, a double digit win that was an exclamation mark for the team. “I don’t think there was a single person that played well,” Coach Brinkman said. “They had a lot of people that played well for them. The best part about the MAC is that we get to play them again tomorrow and hope for a different outcome.” After a poor third set in the first game, the Bobcats came back to the Convo on Saturday, regrouped and rested to face off against Ball State once again. This time, Ohio was able to better adapt to the challenges that Ball State threw, but it still wasn’t enough as the Bobcats couldn’t snatch a single set away from Ball State. The

hitting percentage difference was once again a huge factor to note, as though Ohio improved from last game clocking in with a number of .128. Ball State more than doubled that with a .301 hitting percentage. Continuing the trend, Ball State opened up the set with a flurry of four points. But this time, Ohio was able to counter and crawl back consistently, trailing Ball State for the majority of the first set. The Bobcats finally managed to catch up to Ball State, where each team sat at 16 points. Ohio took the lead with a score of 18-16, but couldn’t hold onto it after some strong plays by Ball State. The Bobcats lost the set with a score of 25-22. The second set was the definition of a back and forth game with Ball State and Ohio almost taking turns scoring points. The largest lead of this game was when Ball State held a 13-9 lead

over Ohio, but that didn’t deter the Bobcats as they eventually evened the score at 21-21. Ball State had other plans though as it scored four points compared to Ohio’s two in the final plays of the game to take the 2-0 set lead. This put Ohio’s back against a wall, as it found itself once again in a scenario to get swept. Unfortunately, that would be the exact scenario that happened for the Bobcats, with the score being repeated from last game’s third set. Ohio and Ball State once again got into a dogfight with the score tied at 6-6. However, Ball State had other plans and quickly put up multiple different scoring streaks to pull away. The first volley of points only pushed away Ohio by a little bit but the Bobcats counter attacks weren’t useful at all, with the next barrage sealing the fate of

the set and the game. By the time Ball State scored the final points of the game, Ohio only managed to put up 15 points in the elimination set, having a negative hitting percentage of -.067 in the set. This was a stark contrast to the previous two sets where the Bobcats hit above .200 in both. “We did a better job, and I think it’s unfortunate because the way we ended was the way we started yesterday,” Coach Brinkman said. Losing those two games against Ball State put Ohio in a four game losing streak, dropping them to an even .500 conference record. The team still has a lot of time to bounce back after these losses though, as there are eight more games to play with the next two being on the road against Toledo.

OCT. 20, 2026

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Shane Gillis’s SNL monologue sparks conversation on sexism, rape culture SAM BAILEY FOR THE POST American comedian and actor Shane Gillis hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the third time on Oct. 10. After the episode aired, there was some anger online about the comments Gillis made during his monologue and some of the skits that were performed. Gillis is best known for his standup comedy career. He released a self-funded comedy special, “Shane Gillis: Live in Austin,” in 2021 and a Netflix special, “Beautiful Dogs,” in 2023. He also co-hosts a podcast, “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” with Matt McClusker. He also stars in the comedy series, “Tires” on Netflix in 2024, and created sketch-comedy project “Gilly and Keeves” in 2020. During his monologue, Gillis started by talking about how he has been working on losing weight. He tells a story about not liking hiking and how, when he walks by “a beautiful woman,” he had to “figure out what face to make to let her know ‘I’m not here.’” He also shared how going to the gym as a “fat guy in New York is a nightmare.” He then went on to say that he “didn’t know women just dressed like wh*res now” and called them “artificial-bait colored,” referring to spandex workout shorts. Later on in the monologue, he was talking about his sisters and referred to them as “two big, fat, b*tch sisters.” There was a lot of outrage online about the comments, saying that this just further added to the misogyny accusations “SNL” had already been receiving this season. That was not his only controversial skit of the night. The skit “Sneakers”

also caused discussion. It was set in a 1920s boardroom of investors, pitching a quiet canvas and rubbersoled footwear invented for the sole purpose of sneaking. Gillis’ character goes on to say, “With these gentlemen, she’ll never hear you, and she’ll never catch you.” While it is later stated that it was meant as his wife would not hear him cheating on her, some interpreted it as a rape joke at first. With the current climate and conversation around rape, the joke did not read well and led to more people taking their complaints to the internet, and while Gillis did not write the episode, it paired with his monologue is not a good look for him or “SNL.” During a Dr. Seuss-themed sketch of “Green Eggs and Ham,” Gillis accidentally cursed during the sketch. His character was supposed to say, “He doesn’t freaking like them,” but instead he said, “Bro, it’s a non-starter. He said he doesn’t f*cking – geez – like them.” While the profanity aired live on Peacock, “SNL” edited and muted it in online reruns on YouTube and other social media. Cast member Mikey Day improvised at the end of the sketch, telling Gillis’ character, “You’re a loser, and you said a bad word,” which did help with audience blowback, but after the first two issues, this one kind of flew under the radar. He was hired as a cast member on “SNL” in 2019, but was fired just five days after he started. He was dismissed due to backlash from past derogatory and offensive remarks on his podcast. Gillis and McClusker had clips resurface of them from 2018, using ethnic and gay slurs. They also ranked comedians by race, gender

and sexual orientation. Gillis went on to apologize in a nowdeleted tweet, “I’m a comedian who pushes boundaries,” and “If you go through my 10 years of comedy, most of it’s bad, you’re going to find a lot of bad misses. I’m happy to apologize to anyone who’s actually offended by anything I’ve said.” Since the episode aired, many fellow comedians, like Dan Levy, have criticized Gillis’ misogynistic comments, as well as former “SNL” cast members Ego Nwodim and Cecily Strong. Levy called out Gillis in an Instagram reel, saying, “More men need to be standing up in opposition to it because it’s complacency that has created the environment with which women are sexually assaulted and it’s a ‘conversation’ as opposed to a ‘crime’.” Nwodim posted on her Instagram story in a gym workout set with the caption “wh*re reporting for duty.” Strong did something similar, posting

a photo of her legs on her story with a long caption that says ”On my way to Pilates in my new sl--ty a-- orange shoes and rainbow socks. Might sell sex on the way, not sure.” There have been many posts from the public complaining about Gillis’ comments during the show, but “SNL” and NBC have yet to comment. This whole episode of “SNL” adds to the conversations around topics like the Cornell sexual assault cases and rape culture as a whole. The topic has been discussed on a global scale recently,, and many celebrities have sympathised with victims, while trying to make a positive impact on the issue. “SNL” is no stranger to threats of being misogynistic, homophobic and racist, but the show has yet to quell these accusations, and after Gillis’ performance, there is a question of whether it ever will. @Z.BAIL3Y_07 SB654225@OHIO.EDU

Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan come together in ‘Expectations’ remix LEANNE ABEL FOR THE POST

versions of Olivia competing with each other.

Olivia Rodrigo released her last album “You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” in June, but that is not the most recent release from the artist. Last Tuesday, Rodrigo posted a picture of herself alongside Chappell Roan confirming their collaboration on Rodrigo’s song “expectations.” Some fans were expecting the collaboration when Rodrigo posted a snippet of the song with Roan in the background, saying “Ooh, Olivia does remixes now.” They announced that the song and video would go live Thursday of the same week. They released a teaser video in full glam dressed for their collaboration. Speculation was that they were dressed for a “Heated Rivalry” video, but the teaser does not show that in great detail. As the music video came out, the theory was proven wrong. The collaboration song and video went live on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. EST. The video opened with Olivia Rodrigo as a guest on “The Big Expectations Show,” where she talked about a guy she met. There were three different

Roan can be heard adding great harmonies throughout the song, but after Rodrigo’s opener, Roan gets the second verse where she sings about a girl who ghosted her. Roan appears in the video during a “Family Feud”style show with Roan’s and Rodrigo’s families competing with each other. After they both get a verse, the girls sing together in crazy, colorful and fun outfits. Both the artists talked about how fun this video and song was to make. This is Roan’s first-ever feature with Rodrigo, so it was special for both of them. A fan account for Roan commented on their opinions through Twitter (X). “My opinion: How is it better than I ever thought it would be,” the account wrote. Rodrigo made a post when the song went live, and people have been commenting their love for the song sporadically. It feels safe to say that the collaboration was a big hit with fans of both artists and with the artists

themselves. The song is a fun twist on the original song that was already one of the best on Rodrigo’s album.

have never done a remix, but she has worked with other artists even on this specific album.

The collaboration is not surprising for the fans of the artists. Roan opened for Rodrigo on her Sour Tour in 2022. The two seemingly became friends and even ended up with the same producer, Dan Nigro. In the GUTS World Tour, Roan traveled with Rodrigo again. Roan has also done some background vocals for the artist over the years, and Rodrigo has stated that she listens to Roan’s music a lot.

Roan recently participated in her first DJ set in West Hollywood, getting glammed up to sing her heart out. It was exceptionally special for Roan as she sang her hit “Pink Pony Club” in the club that inspired it: The Abbey.

In August 2024, the duo sang Roan’s song “HOT TO GO!” “Well, I certainly didn’t have to learn ‘Hot to Go.’ I think that was actually one of my top five Spotify songs like two years ago, so I know that song like the back of my hand. I love it so much, and it was so fun to perform with her,” Rodrigo told Variety after the performance.

The singers’ longtime friendship made the remix and music video that much more fun for fans. Rodrigo and Roan looked like they were having an amazing time dancing and singing with each other, which is what music is all about. Given the remix’s success, there may be room for another collaboration with the two in the future.

Rodrigo had a guest artist on the original album “You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” where she and Robert Smith sang together on “What’s wrong with me.” She may

END ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE IN GAZA We need to end U.S. funding for what is happening in the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of civilians are dead. Entire neighborhoods are gone. Children are buried under rubble while our tax dollars continue to fund the weapons. I do not accept the idea that we are powerless observers. I’m not interested in partisan excuses or geopolitical gymnastics. The government of Israel has the right to security. That does not include collective punishment or the destruction of civilian life. If we claim to stand for human rights, that standard applies even when it is uncomfortable. We should immediately halt offensive military aid, demand a permanent ceasefire, and condition any future assistance on compliance with international law. American leadership should mean saving lives, not underwriting their destruction.

people need a place to live that does Sword of Damocles. Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position onnot this feel issue,like butthe many centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions.

@LEANNEABEL00 LA081422@OHIO.EDU

ARE YOU A VOTER IN OHIO DISTRICTS 2 OR 12? JENNIFER MAZZUCKELLI (mazz-uh-kelly) is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 2. jen4oh2.com

JERRAD CHRISTIAN is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 12. christianforohio.com

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 THE ELECTION IS TUE, NOV. 3 VOTE: GOOD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

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Lena Dunham announces surprise ‘Girls’ revival ABBY SHRIVER SLOT EDITOR On Oct. 13, writer and actress Lena Dunham announced a five-episode revival of her hit HBO show “Girls.” This comes as a complete surprise nearly 10 years after the finale aired in 2017. “Girls,” written and created by Dunham, is an HBO original that aired from 20122017. It is a fan-favorite time capsule of millennial culture, some even comparing it to a modern version of “Sex and the City.” “Girls” follows the highs and lows of being in your mid-20s in New York City of the four main girls, Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham), Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams), Jessa Johansson (Jemima Kirke) and Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet). The announcement was made on Instagram, where Dunham joined a FaceTime call with Williams, Mamet, Kirke and Andrew Rannells, who plays Hannah’s exboyfriend from college, Elijah Krantz. Fans are assuming this means all five main characters will be present for the revival. Judd Apatow will also return as executive producer, but other details are limited. Dunham has hinted at a “Girls” revival multiple times over the years, and in a 2025 interview with Variety, Dunham said she would gladly revisit “Girls*” with the original cast. “If we had something to say that was really specific and it was a moment in their lives

where we felt like revisiting it … I would always want to work with those people again,” Dunham said. “Girls” was critically acclaimed and awardwinning, taking home a Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical Television Series and earning multiple Emmy nominations; it was also greatly controversial. “Girls” is drenched in nepotism. Dunham’s parents were famous in the NYC art scene, and HBO simply picked up “Girls” without a plot or any characters because they wanted Dunham. Dunham also cast her friends and other “nepo babies.” Additionally, the cast provides a very simple look at life, love and struggle in your 20s, as the vast majority of the cast is “white, cisgender, able-bodied, thin and straight.” Since the “Girls” finale aired in 2017, the cast has been on separate journeys. Dunham stepped out of the acting spotlight due to body-shaming and her endometriosis diagnosis, but emerged in 2026 with a memoir, “Famesick,” as well as her Netflix series, “Too Much,” starring the up-andcoming Meg Stalter. Williams has appeared in a few films, including Jordan Peele’s 2017 horror film “Get Out,” as well as the 2025 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s romance novel “Regretting You.” Mamet is joining HBO’s “Industry” for the fifth season, while Kirke focused on her painting after “Girls*” concluded.

The only main cast member missing was Adam Driver, who played Hannah’s onand-off eccentric love interest Adam throughout all six seasons. This was not a huge shock, as Dunham revealed in her memoir “Famesick” that the two had a shaky relationship while filming and working creatively on “Girls.” In “Famesick,” Dunham describes it as an “intensity” that started day one. “He could be short-tempered and verbally aggressive, condescending and physically imposing. He could also be protective, loving even,” Dunham wrote. Other recurring side characters, like Marnie and Shoshanna’s exboyfriend Ray Ploshansky (Alex Karpovsky), are not confirmed to return, along with Hannah’s parents Tad Horvath (Peter Scolari) and

‘VisionQuest’ finds out who Vision really is ISABELLA ARDETTO FOR THE POST

Few people have ever had a worse roommate than Vision (Paul Bettany ), whose mind is now home to the robot who once tried to wipe out all of humanity. The android who died, came back, and forgot he ever loved Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen ) now shares his mind with Ultron, resulting in a Marvel series that is smaller, stranger and funnier than anything the Marvel Cinematic Universe has offered in a while. “VisionQuest” premiered Oct. 13 on Disney+ with a back-to-back double feature, “No Strings” and “Theseus,” with the remaining six episodes to follow the premiere’s two-episode release structure, excluding its finale through November. To appreciate where the story begins, it helps to remember how Vision got here. He was born in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” assembled from Ultron’s self-built synthetic body, Tony Stark’s AI J.A.R.V.I.S.’s code, the Mind Stone and a bolt of Thor’s lightning. Thanos killed the original in “Avengers: Infinity War,” and Wanda Maximoff later created a “false” version of Vision in her grief-ridden hex in “WandaVision.” Meanwhile, S.W.O.R.D., the intelligence and counterterrorism agency that showed up in episode four of “WandaVision,” had salvaged the original Vision’s remains and rebuilt him as a memory-wiped, allwhite-clad weapon. The blank machine survived the hex’s collapse, questioning the state of his existence: whether he is the real Vision or just a watered-down copy. VisionQuest picks up with him hiding in Edinburgh, working in a pub under a human alias and trying to pass as ordinary. Inside his head, a simulated attic houses a crowd of familiar AIs, including J.A.R.V.I.S. (James D’Arcy), F.R.I.D.A.Y.

(Orla Brady), E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire), and Stark’s old workshop bots D.U.M.-E and U (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer). Less welcome to have back is Ultron (James Spader), who has traded his robotic frame for a human body complete with a wild beard and a deliberately harmless, professional look. Elsewhere, Thomas Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica), the boy once known as Tommy Maximoff, scrapes by on small-time cons alongside his friend Lisa Molinari (Lauren Morais) while searching for the family he lost. Tommy Maximoff is, of course, one of the twins Wanda conjured in Westview, and his brother Billy Maximoff (Joe Locke) spent “Agatha All Along” chasing answers of his own alongside Agatha (Kathryn Hahn), a witch who understood Wanda’s power all too well. “VisionQuest” follows all the people Wanda left behind and it handles her absence gracefully. Where its predecessors centered on loss and the cost of power, this series asks what remains of a person once every part has been replaced, and it trades the earlier entries’ sitcom and musical gimmicks for a techno-thriller streak that suits a story about machines. The cast makes the premiere a success. Bettany anchors the show with a controlled, almost polite delivery that is more unsettling than any outburst, and the best moments come when feeling leaks through his insistence that he doesn’t have any. Meanwhile, Spader is a gleeful menace, able to turn a throwaway remark into a veiled threat, his position as a smug houseguest inside Vision’s mind the show’s best running joke so far. Another highlight has been Mollica, who plays Tommy with raw, wounded energy. The pacing overall is solid, though the two episodes aren’t equal. At roughly 50

Loreen Horvath (Becky Ann Baker). Dunham has experienced a whirlwind of a year in 2026 after releasing “Famesick,” not only because of her reveal of her and Driver’s volatile dynamic, but also because of Dunham’s relationship with singersongwriter Jack Antonoff, whom she dated from 20122018. “Famesick” hinted at something deeper happening with Antonoff and an unnamed “teen pop star,” who many speculate is singer Lorde. Antonoff worked closely with Lorde on her 2017 album “Melodrama,” helping produce and write it; Dunham and Antonoff broke up shortly after. When “Girls” ended, each of the four main girls was beginning an entirely different life path.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Space management game Star Trek: Outposts releases on PC and MacOS via Steam. Sci-fi anime series “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2” releases on Netflix. Mystery comedy series “Phony” premieres on Hulu.

minutes each, they move briskly, but “No Strings” leans on banter and exposition while it finds its footing. “Theseus” corrects course by giving Tommy’s story momentum and a clear emotional hook, which is why releasing both at once was the right call. Watched back-to-back, the second hour makes the first feel like a proper setup rather than a stumble into the story. Visually, the series is polished without overreaching. Edinburgh gives the real-world scenes a grounded, slightly gloomy texture, which makes the surreal, digital interior of Vision’s mind pop by contrast. The AI avatars are staged with a playful theatricality that fits the material. It’s no showcase for groundbreaking effects, but it’s confident and cohesive so far. “VisionQuest” isn’t flawless by any means, and a few early scenes talk when they should move. Still, it knows what it wants to say about selfhood even this early on, and it has the performers to drive that message home. Bettany and Spader make a great odd couple, and Mollica gives the story its heart. So far, “VisionQuest” is a must-watch! Rating: 4/5 @IARDETTO_08 IA369322@OHIO.EDU

Marnie and Hannah’s mother appeared to help Hannah embark on her next chapter, but Jessa and Shoshanna were not present. Production won’t begin for the revival until 2027, and details are limited. Similar to what Dunham told Variety in 2025, Dunham said in a recent statement, “We always said we would only return to ‘Girls’ if there was a specific story we were burning to tell.” Fans will have to wait a couple of years to see whether the revival lives up to the legacy of a show that defined a generation. AS064024@OHIO.EDU

Entertainment Look-AHead: New Games ISABELLA ARDETTO FOR THE POST

Poster accessed via Marvel

Only Hannah and Marnie appeared in the finale. Hannah had recently given birth to her son, Grover, from a one-night stand with a surf instructor.

Unscripted series “Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas” premieres on Bravo. NBA opening-night tripleheader airs on NBC. Wednesday, Oct. 21 Action thriller series “The Terminal List” season two releases on Prime Video. Series “Where’s Wanda?” season two releases on Apple TV. Docuseries “The New Stanford Prison Experiment” releases on Netflix. Historical epics “Gladiator”*and “Gladiator II” arrive on Netflix. The live-action version of “Moana” arrives on Disney+. Electronic album “Numbskull” by Ryan Hemsworth releases. Thursday, Oct. 22 HD-2D turn-based RPG Final Fantasy Resonance releases on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Sports game Nintendo Switch Sports Resort releases on Nintendo Switch 2.

Friday, Oct. 23 First-person shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 releases on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. Anime-inspired adventure game One Piece: Grand Gourmet releases on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. DCU horror-thriller “Clayface” releases in theaters. Comedy “Ali G: Who Iz I?” releases in theaters. Drama sci-fi “Klara and the Sun” releases in theaters. Heist series “Lupin” part four releases on Netflix. Spanish comedy series “Fading Grandeur” releases on Netflix. Documentary “Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story” releases on Netflix. Reality competition “Last One Laughing: Halloween” releases on Prime Video. 20th-anniversary editions of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” and My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” release. Sunday, Oct. 25 Docuseries “A Course Called Ireland” premieres on Paramount+. Docu-miniseries “The Wolves of Real Estate: The Alexander Brothers” premieres on Peacock. Romantic fantasy anime “My Happy Marriage” season three releases on Netflix.

Shoot-’em-up Cotton Reboot! releases on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Romantic comedy series “Nobody Wants This” season three releases on Netflix.

@IARDETTO_08 IA369322@OHIO.EDU

OCT. 20, 2026

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Morel was up at Fall Fungi Festival Left: Participants at the Fall Fungi Festival learn about new ways of cooking mushrooms during a cooking class at the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 17, 2026. (Andy McLean | For The Post)

Right: Donna George examines a plant shown during the foraging lecture at the Fall Fungi Festival at the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 17, 2026. (Andy McLean | For The Post) Left: Participants at the Fall Fungi Festival learn about new ways of cooking mushrooms during a cooking class at the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 17, 2026. (Andy McLean | For The Post)

A mushroom pokes out of a downed log on the forest floor on the property of the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 18, 2026. (Sophia Mathie | For The Post) Left: Participants at the Fall Fungi Festival take a guided mushroom hike at the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 17, 2026. (Andy McLean | For The Post) Right: Attendees and volunteers at the Fall Fungi Festival learn how to felt at the Tenderfoot Learning Lab in Athens County, Oct. 18, 2026. (Sophia Mathie | For The Post)

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Hocking Hills Artists, Craftsmen Association carve creations IZUMI HARADA FOR THE POST Athens is home to a wide variety of artists. The Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association provides exposure for local artists of many mediums. Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association held its 52nd Annual Fall Show in September, and members often display their art at the Logan Hocking County Library. Nick Delmatto, a glass artist, runs and operates his studio, Delmatto Glass, in Logan, Ohio. Delmatto was the Association’s vice president, but now he fills in where he’s needed within the association. “The Arts and Crafts Association is a nice group of folks that all do what they do for the love of it,” Delmatto said. “They don't do it for the money, but if they can do enough to pay the bills, then that makes it worthwhile.” Delmatto has taught glass blowing at Kent State University and Hocking College. Now,

his single-person operation works with blown and fused glass to create vases, night lights and paperweights for sale at his studio. Vases are $80 to $180, night lights are $50 to $150 and paperweights are available for $35 to $60. “It’s just a one-person operation; it’s me, myself and I,” Delmatto said. “I don’t have any employees or anything like that. It’s very low-key. I’ve been doing it for 56 years now.” He described the process of blown glass as gathering glass out of a furnace and decorating it, and fused glass as the process of fabricating cold glass and then putting it into a kiln before bringing the temperature back down. Delmatto said practicing this art medium throughout his career has “an evolutionary process.” “I don't consider myself any kind of avant-garde making dramatic changes,” Delmatto said. “I adjust a little bit at a time as I see new things happening.”

Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association member Jenny Kindinger works with indigo shibori, a textile art involving manipulating and dyeing fabric. She starts with a white article of fabric and uses techniques like folding, rubber banding and clamping to produce dye patterns. Kindinger has learned many different processes to create her pieces, and said her current favorite technique is pulling her threads tight to create resistance before dyeing the fabric. The process is time-intensive and often requires multiple rounds of dyeing to get a deep color. The piece is then washed in vinegar to preserve the color. Once the piece is fully dry, the vinegar washes out. “It's a labor of love,” Kindinger said. “It's a rare occasion when someone can make a living doing their art. I just enjoy the friendship of the other artists and learning about what they're doing, and it helps teach me things. We have guest speakers that come in

and show us how they create this or that.” Kindinger’s work is available through her Facebook and is sold at Gallery 22 in Delaware, Ohio, and at Gallery on Main in Logan. Josh Slone is an artist with the Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association, uses a chainsaw to create wooden animal sculptures. Slone has been carving since 2023 and runs a Youtube art account with the help of his wife. Their account is Bear and the Boss Lady, which they monetized two years ago. Slone’s dream is to be able to be a full-time artist. “I've been at the same job for 27 years,” Slone said. “I make almost $100,000 dollars a year working for somebody else, and I’m not happy with that. I want to work for myself, and I want to be an artist. And I’m finding that I have the potential to do it.”

at the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge in Sx-eptember. He also does curbside sales from his home in Fairfield County, and plans to build a storefront in their garage. “As a chainsaw carver, I find next to no competition,” Slone said. “It's something different than they're used to seeing at craft shows.” The Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Association meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. Members come together to learn about upcoming events and connect with fellow artists. “I've learned more from these people from being around them and getting their experiences,” Slone said.

Slone is self-taught, and primarily sells his work at craft shows. In September, Slone attended the Fall Show

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HOROSCOPE CASSIDY MCCLURG FOR THE POST If you thought Venus retrograde wasn’t enough, Mercury enters retrograde Oct. 24. When in retrograde, Mercury reminds us to slow down. This retrograde is ruled by Scorpio, so we are called to get in touch with our instincts and motivations. Try not to read between the lines this week. Aries (March 21 - April 19) Your plate is full with responsibilities, Aries. Uranus in Gemini this week allows you to listen to others who have different outlooks on life. You are about to experience a long journey, so tune into determination to fulfill your tasks and think through conflict. This week can be hectic, but it is preparing you. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) A truth will be revealed to you this week, and it might be revealed through forgiveness. Mercury in

Scorpio this weekend helps you see why that grudge might have stayed with you. Remember, you can forgive even when standing firm on your boundaries and beliefs. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Your ability to withstand conflict will be tested this week. Things are not always comfortable, so keep an eye on your health and finances this week to ease the discomfort. Change is good, so a new world of possibilities will open up. Outside our comfort zone is where we discover the most about ourselves, so take a step back and pivot. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Research and planning are important, Cancer. Venus is affecting your love life big time, but any difficulty is in the past. Do not forget: Love can also mean family and friends. Spend time with them. If you have a big decision in regard to love or finances, Mercury helps you see the validity in what you are jumping into.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) Jupiter in Leo will bring you good fortune this week. Perhaps you are waiting on a promotion or expecting a big check. The financial worry on your shoulders is lifted, so breathe. Go on a small trip with your friends, maybe a place you have dreamed of. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Your communication skills are stronger this week because of Mercury. You will be a great person to talk to this week, which adds to the fiery, romantic energy you are getting from the sun. The stars are aligning for love, Virgo. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) Venus retrograde compels you to beat a dead horse. This could bring shocking news, mostly in regards to family. With all the rehashing you’ll see things from a new angle. Perhaps a change in your routine by Thursday will have you looking back

CROSSWORD

fondly rather than holding a grudge. Rest and reflect. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

to stand up for yourself if someone is trying to stretch you thin. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)

Listen to what your gut is telling you, Scorpio. Don’t forget important dates this week, especially when it comes to love. The stars are aligning perfectly for you and your partner. So, have those deep emotional conversations.

Tighten your belt, Aquarius, now is not the time to spend money. This week is good to tap into what you need. If you put off things to tackle this week, you will discover what does not serve you. Do not be anxious about losing what you do not need.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20)

Your dreams will be vivid this week because of Mars. This is also a great week to find rest with family. Perhaps a family trip will bring more certainty to your situation.

On Oct. 22, the Moon is ruled by Pisces, making your imagination strong. Put this to good use so you can solve problems or uncover a secret talent. Someone will notice.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) It is not unusual for your life to be up and down right now. Get plenty of rest as it will allow you to balance your responsibilities and give you energy to expand on skills. Mars in Leo and the communicative Mercury will give you the confidence

Cassidy McClurg is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post.

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My Sister’s Place offers interpersonal violence support LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER

In Southeast Ohio, a domestic violence support organization provides advocacy and a safe space for those affected. My Sister’s Place, located in Athens, is a nonprofit organization offering a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter for families and pets, court advocacy and more. In 2025, Athens County had 366 reports of domestic violence, and the Athens County Sheriff's Office received a total of 276, according to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. My Sister’s Place’s vision is to be a trusted partner and leader in the area supporting all people affected by interpersonal violence. The mission of the organization is to provide a space meeting clients where they are, while striving to be dedicated to healing, safety and resilience. Kelly Madewell, executive director for My Sister’s Place, has worked with the organization for about 20 years. She oversees budgets and grants, and leads the team through strategic planning. “We are a domestic violence agency,” Madewell said. “We serve anyone experiencing any type of relationship abuse. We have a 24/7 hotline and an emergency shelter where we have 11 beds for adults and kids, and that’s in Athens, Hocking and Benton Counties. And we have a second house that we use for transitional housing.” Both inside and outside of the shelter, My Sister’s Place offers counseling, case management and court advocacy. Additionally, they have a pet program for animals at risk of abuse. Brittany Eckert, outreach case manager of My Sister’s Place, bridges emergency shelter services with long-term community stability. Eckert said there are two components of My Sister’s Place’s work: to ensure everyone has a safe space and access to emergency resources, and to bring awareness.

“Informing the community, other providers what that looks like and how they can get that person help or to the right organization becomes really critical,” Eckert said. “Also, getting society to acknowledge and accept that domestic violence is a public health crisis.” As a nonprofit organization, My Sister’s Place relies on support from the counties to support their shelters, resources and more. The organization is always open to taking donations and has a list of current needs for anyone who can donate. Jennifer Gonzalez, case manager, works in the shelter assessing safety and health plans for those who first arrive in the shelter. Gonzalez said it means a lot to the organization to receive donations, and they rely on the area’s contributions. “We rely on donations a lot for that kind of stuff, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies,” Gonzalez said. “Kelly always updates it, and then we have different needs. Sometimes around Christmas, we ask for different things so we can make sure people get stuff at Christmas or birthdays. We definitely try to keep it updated on the Facebook and our webpage.” My Sister’s Place is also accepting monetary donations; the link to give can be found on their website. On top of donations, the organization is always looking for landlords who are willing to be open-minded and include affordable and available housing through the program. Twice a year, there are volunteer orientations for those interested in getting involved. By managing donations, outreach and more, staff at My Sister’s Place invest in a long-term commitment and relationship with those they are helping. Gonzalez said it feels great to see those grow through their situation and become more independent. “It’s just a great feeling to be able to help people from start to finish, see how they grow in time and what goals they can reach,” Gonzalez said. “Being able to see them into independent housing and seeing them on that side of things and how they’re managing their household, connecting to resources on their own and then being able to discharge because they’re doing so well and safe. Great feeling.”

Amnesty International chapter dedicated to advocacy AUDREY FUSILLO FOR THE POST Amnesty International at Ohio University was created by T.J. Sweeney, a junior studying journalism and war and peace studies, and Kaiden Deck, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability. The two combined their passions to cover various topics as an extension of the global movement. During their Wednesday meetings, members examine human rights issues and plan advocacy events. Before bringing Amnesty to the college setting, Sweeney and Deck started a chapter at Gahanna Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio, with the goal of creating a space where students could make a difference. “In high school, we had a chapter in the ‘80s, and it went

away for a couple decades, and it came back,” Deck said. Although this was not Gahanna Lincoln’s first Amnesty organization, Deck said the resurgence of social advocacy clubs in educational environments makes sense as graduating classes change. Deck said OU’s chapter was founded within one day following the results of the 2024 Presidential Election. Deck is the current president of the organiczation, but both Sweeney and Deck have collaborated to create a space where discussion regarding current events was encouraged. “We just wanted to bring alarm to the stuff that we were seeing in the news and try to take action any way we could,” Deck said. Morgan Knight, a sophomore studying restaurant, hotel and tourism, is the vice president. Garrett Smith, a junior study-

ing environmental science, serves as treasurer and Sweeney as secretary.

gonna be, but we love when people get to talk about what they want to talk about.”

Despite these official titles, all four are considered co-presidents, dividing responsibilities amongst themselves, pitching slide ideas and projects.

Some topics officers have been focusing on include immigration rights, flock cameras, data centers and sexual assault awareness.

“As an environmental science major, you just kind of get overloaded with like bad information just in your courses, and then Kaiden, who was in my learning community, came to me about Amnesty, and it felt like a way to actually … make a difference,” Smith said.

The team is currently working on drafting survivor-first advocacy programs and fundraising for assault survivors.

Knight, who joined Amnesty last year, believes the club is catered to what their members want to discuss. “We are pretty democratic with the way we work,” Knight said. “People get to talk about what they want to talk about. We three pretty much handle what the main topics are

Fundraising for a cause is something the club has been able to pursue in the past through its Jamnesty event. Jamnesty, held in March, was an event celebrating music and connection. In total, officers estimated the sale of 300 tickets, and all proceeds went to the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. “With Jamnesty last year, we raised around $3,000,” Knight said. “It feels impactful to be a part of this. Even though we are pretty small, we are mak-

ing a bigger impact.” This semester, Deck estimates there are five consistent members, including the officers. “It's always tough to begin a semester,” Deck said. “There's always a pretty high turnover rate when you begin, and especially if you're a smaller club on campus.” Beyond campus, the officer team also connected with other Amnesty chapters across the country during the National Week of Student Action. “T.J. and I got to go to D.C., too, and we met with a bunch of other Amnesty chapters,” Deck said. “It was awesome meeting so many people that were so passionate about making a difference, and that was really impactful to see.” AF587125@OHIO.EDU

Weekender Free film, live music, drag show LORELEI KOEBERER FOR THE POST

Tuesday, Oct. 20 THRIVE is holding a Destressin’ Session for students to come together, take a break and create their own positive affirmation mirror. The event is from 2-3 p.m. at Baker University Center, located at 1 Park Place, in Room 330. Admission: Free Casa Nueva, located at 6 W. State St., is hosting its fifth annual Artists Project Fundraising event from 5-9 p.m. The event features music from a variety of local artists, words from speakers, business raffles, silent auctions and a special taco menu from 5-8 p.m., all to support local Athens artists. Admission: $10 suggested donation Wednesday, Oct. 21 Ping Recreation Center, located at 82 S. Green Drive, is hosting its weekly Bobcats ArtsCare activity from 4-6 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Ping in the Well-Being Wing. The event is designed to help students unwind by participating in a range of activities, including playing with slime, building LEGO sets and painting activities. Admission: Free The Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts’ Vibrancy Theatre is putting on a production of the musical adapted by Stephen Schwartz, “Working,” adapted from the book by

Studs Terkel. The show begins at 8 p.m. in the Elizabeth Evans Baker Theater in Kantner Hall, located at 19 S. College St. The show runs until Friday.

S. Green Drive, from 6-7 p.m. The theme of the final exhibition is bravery and features artwork of various creative mediums from student artists.

Admission: $10 general admission, $7 for non-OU students, $7 for seniors and $5 for OU students

Admission: Free

If tickets are available, Arts for Ohio will provide OU students free entrance with a student ID. Thursday, Oct. 22 The Athena Cinema is hosting “Cocaine Bear”at 7 p.m. The showing begins with a preshow presentation by Dr. Tiffany Arnold, an associate professor of instruction and coordinator of the Appalachian Studies Certificate program. Admission: Free; tickets required Big Run Kava Bar, located at 72 N. Court St., is holding a Paint a Pumpkin event from 7-9 p.m. Admission covers a pumpkin, paint supplies and a choice of a coffee or Kava drink. Admission: $30 Friday, Oct. 23 The Center for International Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences are hosting A Taste of the World event, open to all. The event is a way to explore food from around the globe and will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Yamada International House, Room 009, located at 56 E. Union St. There will be prizes for curiosity. Admission: Free The final Student Art Expo will be held in the Living Learning Center, located at 111

Ohio University Singers and the Festival Honor Choir will perform a live choral concert. The event is from 6-7 p.m. in the Athens First United Methodist Church sanctuary, located at 2 S. College St. Admission: Free Saturday, Oct. 24 Ohio football is set to play Eastern Michigan University at 4 p.m. at Peden Stadium, located at 200 Richland Ave. This will be the final Saturday home game for the Bobcats. Admission: Free for students, regular tickets range from $25 to $35 depending on section Kazma Knights and The Side Pieces will be performing in Kazma’s Spooktacular Drag Show beginning at 10 p.m. at The Side Bar, located at 24 ½ E. State St. Doors will open at 9 p.m. and is open to anyone over the age of 18. Admission: $10 Sunday, Oct. 25 The Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts is holding a Percussion Ensemble concert in the Recital Hall at Robert Glidden Hall, located at 3 Health Center Drive. The concert begins at 2 p.m.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AGAINST THE PARTY THAT BROUGHT YOU EXPLOSIVE-DIARRHEA LETTUCE. (Or for that party, if that’s what you’re into.)

By the way, my car insurance company (Auto-Owners Insurance) has changed its “policy terms [for] medical payments coverage.” One change is this: “Coverage is now excluded for civil war, rebellion, revolution, warlike act by military force or military personnel, destruction or seizure or use for a military purpose and the explosion of nuclear weapons and its consequences.”

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The Gathering Place celebrates 50th anniversary GRACE SIENER FOR THE POST The Gathering Place, located at 7 N. Congress St., is a place where adults facing mental hardships can take a breath, eat dinner and be creative. It’s not an organization curing physical ailments, rather a safe space hoping to heal the mind. The Gathering Place opened in 1976, around the time the deinstitutionalization of mental health hospitals occurred. The Gathering Place celebrated its 50th anniversary Friday at The Athens Armory. All were invited to enjoy an evening of food, mocktails, live music and photos from the last 50 years. Ginger Schmalenberg, an Ohio University alumna and executive director of The Gathering Place said the organization is a social program serving locals who may have a lived experience of mental illness, trauma or co-occurring substance use disorder. “It's kind of like a home away from home for many people,” Schmalenberg said. The Gathering Place provides linkage services and peer support. It has trips and will often volunteer for other institutions. Project co-create is a program the Gathering Place has participated in. Schmalenberg said The Gathering Place is the longest-running peer-run organization in the nation. She said it's important to break stigma because mental health, illness and substance use have no face or demographic. Schmalenberg's personal mission is social justice for individuals

needing support. The Gathering Place offers meals, group activities, wellness and a music therapy program, a partnership with OU for around 30 years. “The individuals that have maintained membership, they are the ones that are helping plan the meals, helping with the cooking,” Schmalenberg said. “They are the ones that are providing peer support.” The 50th anniversary included the organization’s band, The Gatherers, archives going back to the 1970s, a film of members, members’ art and a wooden replica of The Gathering Place building. Mayor Steve Patterson of Athens attended the event and handed out certificates recognizing longtime members of The Gathering Place. Part of the celebration was dedicated to the launch of a two-year, $500,000 anniversary campaign. In the last 15 years, The Gathering Place has expanded its services to address housing and food needs. “Recovery is for everyone,” Schmalenberg said. “And recovery means many things to different people.” The Gathering Place is in partnership with OU’s Department of Behavioral Health and is one of four statewide peer technical assistance centers. This partnership allows students interested in being peer recovery supporters to be certified through The Gathering Place. OU figures Charles Ping and Vernon Alden helped establish The Gathering Place, and their letters

were showcased at the 50th anniversary celebration. Kelly Madewell, an OU alumna and executive director of My Sisters Place, a domestic violence agency in Athens, attended the anniversary. Madewell said My Sister’s Place often partners with The Gathering Place, and often shares members between programs. Madewell said if My Sister’s Place can’t accommodate someone on the hotline, the agency refers those people to The Gathering Place. “It's a really wonderful resource for our community,” Madewell said. “And we feel really comfortable sending people that way.” Madewell said The Gathering Place’s celebration is a testament to the staff members’ hard work and leadership. She said My Sister’s Place will be having its 50th anniversary next year. “It takes a lot of hard work and consistency,” Madewell said. “But it also takes a lot of community support.” Jessica Barry attended the anniversary because of her sister-in-law, Kelly Brar, the president of The Gathering Place Board of Trustees. Barry said Brar informed her of the services The Gathering Place provided and wanted to come support the organization. “I think sometimes there can be so many negative connotations when you do this kind of work,” Barry said. “And so having something fun and light and celebratory just seems like a good place to spend some energy.”

Top: Attendees of the Gathering Place's 50th anniversary party, greet each other with a hug, at the Athens Armory in Athens, Oct 16. 2026. (Sophia Mathie | For The Post) Middle: A child looks at old photographs of The Gathering Place at its 50th anniversary at the Athens Armory in Athens, Oct. 16, 2026. (Sophia Mathie | For The Post) Bottom: A community member claps for the 50th anniversary of the Gathering Place at the Athens Armory in Athens, Oct. 16, 2026. (Sophia Mathie | For The Post)

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