September 8, 2026

HEART tackles substance abuse in Athens... pg. A5 Last-second score propels Ohio to second victory... pg. B2 Voter registration encourages student participation... pg. B7

US Headlines The Nations top stories sourced from AP News

Trump comments on post-presidency life, whistleblower claims mail-in

THEPOSTATHENS.COM

SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 4

Ohio hosts two of the nation’s most competitive midterm elections

Candadite photos provided by their campaigns.

(Graphic by Abby Doench Design Director)

BRIDGET THOMAS FOR THE POST Monday, Aug. 31 __________ Despite teasing a third term, Trump comments on life after presidency President Donald Trump talked about his life postpresidency recently, marking a departure from his usual comments about a potential third term. Trump claimed that the next president will praise him for all his successes, according to the Associated Press.

Brian Kalt, a Michigan State University constitutional law professor, said Trump’s contradictory statements allow him to back up either course of action by something he had said, according to the AP. Another interpretation of Trump’s recent comments may be that Trump is attempting to cement his legacy due to the approaching midterm elections.

That may be evident through many projects occurring in Washington, D.C., including restoring city fountains and adding a Rose Garden patio, according to the AP.

LAYNEE ESLICH REGIONAL & NATIONAL STAFF WRITER The midterm elections are quickly approaching, with election day Nov. 3. Multiple high-stakes elections are occurring across the country, two of which are in Ohio.

Eyes are focused on the Senate race between

incumbent Sen. Jon Husted and former Senator Sherrod Brown, as well as the gubernatorial race between businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Dr. Amy Acton.

Jay Edwards, candidate for Ohio treasurer and chairman of the Athens County Republican Party, expressed support for Ramaswamy,

Tuesday, Sept. 1 __________ Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns The White House announced on Monday that Dan Driscoll, army secretary, resigned after 18 months. Driscoll’s departure comes after several high-ranking army officials’ departures in recent months, according to the AP. Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress reacted to Driscoll’s departure with respect for his time as secretary. Democrats commented on his policy knowledge and willingness to work with Congress, according to the AP. Wednesday, Sept. 2 _______ Whistleblower claims US Postal Service mail-in ballot plan is flawed A whistleblower statement released by Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday claimed the system the U.S. Postal Service is building to implement Trump’s executive order limiting mail-in ballots is flawed, according to the AP. According to the statement, the system, which would normally take a year or longer to build and implement, is being made in three months.

The rushed process could disenfranchise millions of voters, according to the AP. continued pg 3

who also received President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

running against Amy Acton, somebody that shut down the state.”

“He’s got a lot of really, really good ideas,” Edwards said. “I think for the state, he’s looking at it like a business guy instead of a politician, which I think is good. And you know he’s

Acton previously served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health when the COVID-19 pandemic began. continued pg A2

Toxic pollution lies underneath old Chillicothe paper mill RENAE HEFTY FOR THE POST When Pixelle Specialty Solutions closed its Chillicothe paper mill, not only did 800 employees lose their jobs, but no one was left to regulate the toxic plume threatening to rise out of the groundwater underneath the site.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines a groundwater plume as a Photo by ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST

KAITLIN HOGG | FOR THE POST

However, the policy change

The WearEver Aluminum factory operated in Chillicothe from 1948 until the late 1990s. Following its closure, the factory left a legacy of poisonous chemicals in the soil and groundwater underneath the site. continued pg A3

Ohio BMV disqualifies gender change form The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will no longer accept Form 2369, also known as the Declaration of Gender Change form, as a valid method of changing the gender marker on one’s driver’s license. The change has complicated gender affirming care for transgender people across Ohio.

contaminated groundwater area beneath a millsite that contains radioactive or non-radioactive hazardous materials due to the uranium milling process.

does not affect the process to alter the name on one’s driver’s license.

According to Dwayne Steward, CEO and executive director of Equality Ohio, now that the Declaration of Gender Change form is no longer an option, an amended birth certificate is required.

B:10.25" T:10"

continued pg A2

S:9.75"

Montclaire alt-band members balance school, jam sessions LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER Looking to make their mark within the Athens music scene, six Ohio University students formed the Montclaire band to share their passion for playing.

Montclaire was started

by Garrett Smith, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, and Caden Finley, a junior studying music production

and recording industry.

Smith and Finley met during Bobcat Student Orientation, bonding over their matching MF Doom rings, the late British hip-hop rapper.

The two have been making music since they met their freshman year and have been jamming with their current members since March 2025, adding Finley McNamee this semester and establishing their six-piece band in Athens. continued pg B7

B:3.25"

T:3"

S:2.75"

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Midterm Elections continued from pg 1

Many Republicans, including her opponent, have attacked Acton on decisions she made during that time, including closing schools and businesses, restricting sporting events and pausing voting in the 2020 primary election, according to the Associated Press.

Lauren Dikis, chair of the Athens County Democratic Party, stated that Acton’s commitment to public education is exciting, drawing a contrast with Ramaswamy, who received backlash for comments he made regarding how Ohio’s public universities should be consolidated, according to a previous report by The Post.

The latest poll by Fox News, from Aug. 6-10, has Ramaswamy leading Acton by two points.

The Senate race in Ohio has also garnered national attention, as it remains one of the few chances Democrats have of gaining a majority in the chamber.

Brown is attempting to make his way back to the Senate after losing his re-election bid in 2024 to Republican businessman Bernie Moreno. Brown is now facing Husted, who was appointed to fill Vice President JD Vance’s seat in 2025.

Dikis explained why she supports Brown and unpacked her concerns with Husted.

“I think that Sherrod Brown was a great senator and will be a great senator again,” Dikis said. “Jon Husted has continued to prove, from the FirstEnergy scandal to his support of data centers, that he’s just out of touch with Ohioans.”

FirstEnergy, an energy company located in Akron, is accused of bribing the former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to push forward state legislation that helped bail out FirstEnergy.

While Husted has not been accused

An “I Voted” sign in the window of the Athens County Board of Elections at 15 S. Court St. in Athens, Aug. 23, 2026.

(ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

of any wrongdoing, he has been implicated in the scandal due to his position as Lieutenant Governor at the time, according to the Associated Press.

“He’s been in politics for 52 years, and he got beat two years ago for the same seat,” Edwards said. “And down here in Southeast Ohio, whenever I get my electric bill and my electric rate bill has gone up 30% every time I open it, I think of Sherrod Brown.”

The construction of data centers has been a concern in both political parties, despite Trump’s continued support for the infrastructure, according to the AP. During his campaign, Brown has consistently pointed to Husted’s support of data centers, even calling him the “face of data centers in Ohio.”

The latest poll by Fox News, from Aug. 6-10, has Brown leading Husted by eight points.

Kale House, president of Ohio University College Democrats and a junior studying marketing and entrepreneurship, began his political activism in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter movement.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee sent a memo in August arguing Husted’s support of data centers could cost him the election, according to the AP.

The OUCD set up a booth Monday, Aug. 24, where Democratic students voiced support for affordability, sustainability and women’s rights.

Students opposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement, data center infrastructure and Trump’s foreign policy.

Conversely, Edwards praised Husted’s work during his time as Ohio Lieutenant Governor, stating Husted enriched economic development, whereas Brown increased the cost of living.

House plans to orchestrate more

opportunities for students to engage in political conversation and register to vote.

“Vote where you rent, vote where you live,” House said. “Like there is so much untapped potential here in Athens, like there’s so many students who are unregistered to vote. We have a chance to really make a change here. So that we’re out here just trying to engage with students and push the message like we have to win in November and we have to vote.”

The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is Oct. 5. For more information regarding how to vote in Athens County, visit the Athens County Board of Elections website.

LE211424@OHIO.EDU

BMV Gender Changes/continued from pg 1 “Now they’re saying you have to present a birth certificate that has the correct gender marker in order to change the marker on your ID, which is a much longer, more laborious process, and in some cases, in some parts of the state, it’s actually illegal,” Steward said.

people under more scrutiny from voter registration or airport security when they must provide their ID, having a driver’s license that does not match their perceived gender can reveal their transgender identity against their will, possibly putting them in danger.

In a 2024 Ohio Supreme Court Case, justices could not conclude the legality of sex changes on birth certificates, leaving the issue up to the jurisdiction of the county where a sex change is requested.

Steward said Equality Ohio does not know if the policy change will affect people who have already used the form to change their marker in the past, but they have a team of lawyers researching it. The organization is also working with the American Civil Liberties Union, a progressive legal organization, to understand how the public will be affected further.

Jamie Miller, the programs and organizing manager of the United Campus Ministries in Athens, used the Declaration of Gender Change form to change his own gender marker years ago. The form required a substantial amount of paperwork from a physician and a therapist.

“It was already arduous and difficult before putting more red tape on it,” Miller said. “The system isn’t set up to accommodate for people, even after you follow all of the legal, you know, hoops that they want you to jump through.”

Despite this, many Ohio residents who see amending these documents as a personal necessity will likely try to do so, according to Miller.

“Gender affirming care is life-saving care, no doubt about that,” Miller said. “And when you have received life-changing care, to have legal documentation that does not represent the person who you are, that can put you in a ton of trouble.”

In addition to putting transgender

Lindsey Bohrer, assistant director of communications for the BMV, responded to a request for comment via email. Bohrer said the Declaration of Gender Change form was removed because it was not compatible with Ohio state law.

The sign for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1002 E. State St. in Athens, Sept. 6, 2026. (ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

“The BMV will record the sex that is stated on an individual’s birth certificate or passport as the sex that will be reflected on the Ohio driver’s license or ID card,” Bohrer wrote.

Trans Ohio, which found out about the change the day before they announced it.

Bohrer specified that the form did not comply with the “sex recognition policy” in Section 9.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. The section was added in 2025 with House Bill 96, the state budget bill. It clearly defined sex as either male or female assigned at birth, unrelated to their gender identification.

The public announcement of the BMV’s policy change came from advocacy groups Equality Ohio and

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Steward said he is unsure why the BMV is incorporating the policy change now, almost a year after House Bill 96 was enacted.

“As a member of the trans community, we’re hit with an onslaught of antitrans legislation on a daily basis,” Miller said. “So, frankly, I would love to be able to say it’s shocking … but I think that there’s an amount of media fatigue that hits a person.”

Miller and Steward both expressed

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they hope it will one day be easier to be a trans person living in Ohio.

“We can think about collective liberation as something that is achievable when we work together,” Miller said. “So, I would imbue a sense of hope because I just see it as not an inevitability, but something that we have to continue working for.”

Steward encouraged anyone seeking assistance with changing their birth certificate to sign up for advice from Equality Ohio’s legal clinic.

KH303123@OHIO.EDU

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US Headlines/continued from pg 1 BEN PENNINGTON | FOR THE POST

Blotter: Man arrested, hungry goats, warrants of the week

LAYNEE ESLICH | REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS STAFF WRITER Friday, August 28 __________ Civil fighting Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Allen Street in Glouster for an assault and vandalism report. Deputies found no probable cause for the initial reports, given no injuries or attempts of physical violence had occurred.

Great disappearance The Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call on East Fourth Street in The Plains for a trespassing report. Deputies responded to the scene and found no individual after patrolling the surrounding area. A report was taken, and deputies continued their patrol.

Hard shift Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Job and Family Services building in response to an upset employee. Having spoken with the employee and staff, a deputy escorted the employee to retrieve their personal belongings, per their request. The deputies cleared the scene and continued with their patrol.

Saturday, August 29 __________

Trump’s executive order would require the development of citizenship lists and only those on the lists would be able to receive a mail-in ballot, according to the AP. Thursday, Sept. 3 __________ Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against Trump’s executive order which planned to limit birthright citizenship by claiming to target “birth tourism,” according to the AP. Birth tourism is when someone travels to the U.S. with the intention of giving birth on U.S. soil and getting citizenship for the child. It is currently considered fraud in the U.S., according to the AP. Immigrant families and advocacy groups worry that Trump’s broad restrictions over who can be granted birthright citizenship will cause unnecessary issues and are unclear, according to the AP. Friday, Sept. 4 __________

the AP. Vance avoided predicting whether the conflict will be over before the midterm elections in November, where Republicans are attempting to hold on to a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress, according to the AP. Sunday, Sept. 6 __________ Iran claims strike on US ship in Strait of Hormuz, US denies On Sunday, Iran claimed to have struck an unmanned U.S. ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. denies the claims, according to the AP. The alleged attack came one day after the U.S. claimed to have attacked three Iranian oil tankers. The conflict in Iran recently restarted after nearly a month of relative peace, according to the AP. The U.S. seems to be using a dualprong approach in the conflict. They are attacking Iran militarily and financially by going after institutions handling Iran’s money, according to the AP.

Arrest warrant caught The Athens County Sheriff’s Office dispatched its K9 Unit to New Marshfield Rd in response to a male suspect with an arrest warrant. Units patrolled the area and found Jason Williams, who had an arrest warrant for Felony/No Bond Drug Possession.

Williams was then arrested and taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.

Foul play Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were called to Lexington Avenue in Chauncey for a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, deputies determined a few juveniles were playing inside their residence. Deputies returned to patrol after finding no violence or threats.

Who let the dogs out?

Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a caller’s report of a vicious canine running loose on West Clinton Street and Hill Avenue in Albany. After locating the dog, it entered the police cruiser and deputies attempted to contact its owner with no success. Deputies took the canine to the animal shelter and returned to patrol.

Sunday, August 30 __________ Hate thy neighbor Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a neighborly dispute call in Happy Valley Estates. Deputies spoke with both parties involved and found no criminal activity had occurred.

Vance claims Iran conflict is not a ‘war’ as midterms approach Vice President JD Vance claimed during a White House press briefing on Thursday that the fighting in Iran is not a “war.” Vance claimed that it is not a war as there is no active shooting, according to the AP. The claim comes after Iran fired at Kuwait, a U.S. ally in the Gulf, on Thursday in retaliation for U.S. missile strikes earlier that week, according to

BT037924@OHIO.EDU

OHIO’S FUTURE IS ON THE BALLOT DR. AMY ACTON is running to become Ohio Governor. https://actonforgovernor.com

SHERROD BROWN

is running to become Ohio Senator. https://www.sherrodbrown.com 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.

Sherrod lives in Columbus with his wife Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning 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.

David Bruce paid for this ad, which is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s campaign.

Towing away Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at Coolville Ridge Road in response to a report of car repossession. The tow company called and asked for deputy assistance due to circumstances regarding the removal of the vehicle. The car was

repossessed, and all issues were resolved.

Stay away!

Residents on Green Runs Road in Glouster reported a protection order violation. Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office did not locate anyone around the property, and neighbors had not seen anyone.

Deputies cleared the scene and continued with patrol.

Monday, August 31 __________ Warrants of the week The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has warrants of arrest out for Ray Eblin Jr. and Colt Neiderhiser.

Eblin is wanted for possession of drugs, possession of criminal tools and three counts of theft. Neiderhiser is wanted for two counts of possession of drugs.

Talks of threats A woman reported threats being made around town toward her. Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies documented the incident and advised the woman to obtain a protection order.

Tuesday, September 1 __________ Hungry goats Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Vore Ridge Road for an animal-at-large complaint. Goats were found to be eating flowers and foliage on the caller’s property, causing damage.

A report was taken, and the owners were cited for Animals at Large.

Wanted water Athens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a theft report on Campbell Road.

A representative from the water company told deputies that an individual continued to turn the water service on at a property, despite it being shut off.

Deputies took a report but did not make contact with the individual accused of the incident.

Wednesday, September 2 ______ Beach vacation Deputies of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Clinton Street in Albany for a disorderly female screaming.

Deputies warned the woman for disorderly conduct. The woman stated she was leaving Albany and going to beaches on the East Coast.

Living in peace Athens County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a domestic complaint on Scatter Ridge Road.

Parties stated they had a dispute regarding living conditions, but none wished to leave the residence.

Deputies found no physical contact occurred and gave a warning for disorderly conduct.

LE211424@OHIO.EDU

END THE HOUSING CRISIS The housing crisis did not happen by accident. We have treated housing like a speculative asset instead of a basic foundation of stability. Corporations and private equity firms buy up single family homes in bulk. Zoning laws lock entire neighborhoods into artificial scarcity. Wages lag while rent climbs. And working families are told to just “budget better” or “earn more” while half their income disappears into a landlord’s account. Ending the housing crisis starts with building more homes. Reform exclusionary zoning so duplexes and small multifamily units can exist in places that outlaw them. Incentivize first-time homeownership instead of luxury developments only investors can afford. Crack down on large institutional buyers distorting local markets.

And make it easier for first-time buyers to compete without getting steamrolled by cash offers. Housing is stability. It is where kids do homework. It is where families build wealth.

It is where small businesses are rooted. If we want strong communities and a functioning middle class.

people need toChristian’s live that does noton feel like thebut Sword Note: Thisa isplace Jerrad position this issue, many centrist and progressive politicians hold similar positions. of Damocles.

NO TAXATION WITHOUT PEDOPHILE INCARCERATION THE ELECTION IS TUE NOVEMBER 3.

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Paper Mill/continued from pg 1 According to a fact sheet published by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, trichloroethylene, lead, cadmium and other metals were among the waste produced by the factory. Following EPA investigations that began in the 1980s, the waste was discovered to have become a plume of pollution in the groundwater beneath WearEver Aluminum.

Amanda Bowdle is a freshman at Ohio University’s Chillicothe branch studying computer science.

Bowdle worked at the Pixelle mill for seven years before it closed and was unsurprised to hear about the pollution so close to where she was working.

Bowdle worked as a sheeter operator and didn’t manage the water pumps.

“I’ve always heard that there was water underneath the paper mill,” Bowdle said. “But I’ve never seen it with my own eyes.”

The Ohio EPA has worked with the current owners of the former WearEver facility, Howmet Aerospace, to install many wells over the years to monitor the groundwater. The Ohio EPA also attempted to treat the groundwater in 1999 with air sparging/soil vapor extraction, but stopped in 2006 when Ohio EPA and Howmet determined it was no longer effective.

According to the Howmet WearEver Facility Groundwater Monitoring Report, published in July 2026, the residences located southeast of the contaminated groundwater site are

connected to the municipal water supply and are not at risk.

Two production wells located near the WearEver site, known as Collector Wells 17 and 18, feed into the groundwater beneath Howmet’s facility.

During low pumping or no pumping time periods, the groundwater is seen to likely flow east-southeast toward the Scioto River.

“The good news,” Throne said, “is that since the U.S. Paper Mill has taken over the paper mill site.

They’ve been pumping enough water, even though they don’t use it all, to keep that plume at bay.”

The Ohio EPA ordered Howmet to increase its monitoring and submit a long-term plan to control the plume.

According to the Ohio EPA’s fact sheet, if the plume was left alone, it could make its way to other public drinking water sources in about five years.

U.S. Paper Mill now intends to develop the old Pixelle site, which has served to develop nitrile medical gloves, into a multi-purpose campus.

Throne expressed his excitement about the potential industrial developments in Chillicothe.

“It was never really about replacing what was lost, it was about trying to reimagine that campus as a multiuse facility that supports a diversity of high-skilled, high-paying, hightechnology jobs,” Throne said.

RH919022@OHIO.EDU

Voivonich School launches aging, climate program Ohio University’s plans to offer six sessions regarding the aging world and changing climate, starting in late September.

Dr. Sanjeev Arora founded Project ECHO in 2003 at the University of New Mexico after losing a patient to hepatitis C, a treatable disease, due to a lack of access to consistent and affordable medical care.

Today, there are over 8,000 ECHO programs worldwide that adopt Dr. Arora’s solution: to bring specialist knowledge to local care providers.

The program has also expanded beyond healthcare to include other topics, such as education and environmental action.

Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko, a professor in the Voinovich School and senior adviser to OU’s Environmental Change and Security Program, plans to launch the upcoming series for older adults in collaboration with the Grey Green Alliance.

The Grey Green Alliance is a research and practice collaboration between OU’s Voinovich School and The Ohio State University’s College of Social Work and Age-Friendly Innovation Center. The program’s most recent efforts have focused on aging with emerging heat and flood threats, as well as affordable housing and health.

(ALLIE STEVENS | FOR THE POST)

LAYNEE ESLICH REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS EDITOR This fall, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service is launching a new series of free learning sessions called Building Resilience for Older Adults in a Changing Environment.

The learning sessions are held once a month and are intended for professionals in fields such as gerontology, social work and climate resilience to learn how to address local environmental challenges for older adults.

The sessions are part of a larger program, known as Project Extension

for Community Healthcare Outcomes, or ECHO. Jennifer Morel, managing director of the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion, and Sara Condrac, partnership strategist for the Voinovich School, started the ECHO program through the Voinovich School in 2024, making it a “hub” for the adult learning program.

“The Voinovich School Leadership and Public Service serves as the hub, and so we have multiple programs that we facilitate,” Condrac said.

“Each hub can have different topics, so a different ECHO series, and then we pull together the appropriate people that are experts in those topics for that series.”

“The Grey Green Alliance has helped inform the topics that were selected for the series,” Condrac said. “So they’re really sort of more programmatically helping with this ECHO, not facilitating the ECHO itself and providing, you know, some research and support that way.”

Every ECHO session consists of a 20-minute lecture-style presentation by a subject matter expert and a situational presentation by a community practitioner to discuss problems they deal with in their work, which the audience helps them solve.

According to Condrac, the questions and conversations following the presentations engage problemsolving research and programs.

“We’re excited to bring it to Athens, but we really do serve a large global audience in these ECHOs,” Condrac said. “So we leave them open for registration, and so anyone who wants to join can. And you know we

advertise locally, but there’s so much interest in these topics, and so much value in having diverse perspectives join.”

According to Morel, in previous ECHO sessions, there were international audience members and learners from over 40 states.

“

“The focus is truly, you know, the Appalachian communities in Ohio,” Morel said. “Our reach is so much broader, and so it’s really that beauty of, again, that democratizing knowledge, right? We know what we need, and sometimes we need thinking partners to help us move ideas to action.”

- Jennifer Morel, managing director of the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion

Anyone interested in joining a session or giving a presentation can submit a situation presentation form or register via the OU website for the six Building Resilience for Older Adults in a Changing Environment sessions.

Each session offers one continuing education credit, which teachers can use to meet some employment or certification requirements.

“While they all fall under that umbrella of aging and resilience, the content doesn’t necessarily build on each other,” Morel said. “So each can be a standalone session, so you can attend as many or as few sessions in the series as you want, and really get what you need. So it offers adult learners a lot of flexibility as well.”

Dr. Angela M. Chalk, a visiting adjunct professor from Tulane University, is speaking at the first session, “A Changing Landscape: Trends in Aging, Environment, and Community WellBeing” on Sept. 23. @ LAYNEEESLICH LE211424@OHIO.EDU

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HEART program tackles substance abuse in Athens LAYNEE ESLICH NEWS STAFF WRITER On Aug. 31, multiple health addiction services in Athens set up resource tables outside of the Health Resources Services building on Columbus Road to commemorate National Overdose Awareness Day. The Athens County Sheriff's Office attended the event, highlighting their Helping End Addiction, Responding Together program. The program was established in November 2025 and strives to save the lives of those struggling with addiction and prevent overdoses.

The program’s name was inspired by the statement, “every beating heart is worth saving,” by Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith. Sara Lightner serves as the current coordinator for the H.E.A.R.T. program and started working in November 2025.

Nick Fussner, Athens County Patrol Deputy, said before the H.E.A.R.T. program, the Athens County Sheriff's Office used a different model for substance abuse prevention.

The past program consisted of two deputies who would randomly check on the homes of people whom the department previously encountered as individuals who might need helpful services, such as Narcan.

Fussner explained why the new H.E.A.R.T. model works better.

“What Sara has done has been far more productive,” Fussner said. “It’s not a couple cops knocking on your door; some people are sometimes receptive to that,

some people turn the lights off and hide in the corner because a lot of folks that have addiction are scared of the police, or they’re in some sort of trouble, or assume that they may be.”

According to Lightner, some people in Athens avoid acknowledging themselves as the one who needs substance abuse help, but her policy is resources will be provided “no questions asked.”

“If they want to talk to somebody, all the deputies have to do is call my cell phone,” Lightner said. “I’m the person on the other line, where, hopefully, they’re comfortable with being able to talk to me and have that comforting feeling that ‘Someone is here that cares, they want me to get better.’”

Lightner said the program is more present in Athens and thus offers struggling individuals an easier path to ask for help.

Haylee Sprouse, a clinical nurse manager at OhioHealth Addiction Medicine, represented OhioHealth at Monday’s event. The H.E.A.R.T. program will often refer those in need who are looking for treatment to OhioHealth.

“We have substance use navigators who work out of O’Bleness and out in the community who help connect folks with treatment options,” Sprouse said.

“Whether it be medication or inpatient treatment options, outpatient treatment options.”

Shari Blackwell, substance use navigator at OhioHealth, said addiction trends have changed in Athens throughout the years.

A sheriff’s car parked in front of the sheriff’s station, Aug. 31, 2026, in Athens.

(JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

“We went from, we had a definite opioid crisis, and then it switched to more of a meth crisis, with fentanyl into meth,” Blackwell said.

Lauren Denner, public health nurse for Athens County-City Health Department, said the department provides the H.E.A.R.T. program with naloxone, or Narcan, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose.

“They have a stock at the sheriff’s department of naloxone, and they ask for it,” Denner said. “We have to do an order every three months, so we check in with them every three months to see how much naloxone they’re going to be using, how much they need, how much they have and then also check expirations too, if those expire.”

Deputies and Quick Response Teams carry care bags during their patrol for onsite provisions.

The bags include a card with Lightner’s contact

information, Narcan, hygiene kits and first aid kits.

County Sheriff’s Office website.

“I work patrol on the midnight shift, and recently there was an overdose call that had come in during my shift,” Fussner said. “Another deputy and I responded, administered Narcan, and EMS arrived shortly thereafter to provide followup care and safety.”

“I have almost 80 pages of resources that we are able to provide people,” Lightner said. “Anybody can go and do a referral, whether it be self-referral or a referral for a family member or a loved one. They can also click on different logos, and it will go directly to that resource page that is for each agency or group.”

The H.E.A.R.T. program’s services are offered 24/7.

Lightner also said people can refer themselves or someone they know who might require help via the Athens

LE211424@OHIO.EDU

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Multiple injured at Dr. Amy Acton campaign stop ELIZABETH TALAGA | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF An armed individual lunged at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, according to The Associated Press. Acton was not injured in the event; however, several were hurt.

The Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman Chris Anderson said the suspect was arrested and was found with multiple weapons.

Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement posted to his social media channels, that a man pushed toward Acton during her speech, injuring attendees.

“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine said in the statement.

Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign, released a statement following Sunday’s incident.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CSPAN: VIew coverage from Pete Buttigieg’s campaign stop with Acton on Sept. 5 in Hamilton, Ohio.

“Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured,” Bullock said in the statement.

“This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.”

Acton is on the ballot against Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

ET029322@OHIO.EDU Photo Provided by Actonforgovernor.com

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Editorial | Disputing mail-in ballots disrupts democracy THE POST EDITORIAL BOARD

One of the most “American” things we can do in the United States is vote. As we approach this year’s midterm elections, the editorial board has concerns about recent voting reform policies. After all, any attempt to dispute voting processes disrupts democracy itself, and we must take steps to vote in a critical election year.

On March 31, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14399, “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.” The order and other rules drafted by the U.S. Postal Service would mandate the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to create a list of “eligible” mail voters to share with the Postal Service and states, among other mail ballot provisions.

The order also allows the Postal Service to deny delivery of states’ ballots if they do not provide a list of voters who are eligible to vote in federal elections. Since then, a federal judge struck down the ruling last Friday.

“Given this overwhelming evidence, the USPS’ intention to withhold noncompliant ballots from the mail stream makes disenfranchisement more than likely, if not probable,” U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani wrote.

The executive order points to voter fraud as a particular concern of the Trump administration. However, a study by the Brennan Center for Justice revealed the incident rate for voter fraud in the U.S. is between 0.0003% and 0.0025%. We’re more likely to be struck by lightning than impersonate someone else at the polls.

Yet, the order appears to protect against voter fraud. Further inspection reveals a more daunting intent. Under this executive order, we place the entire trust of election

integrity into the hands of partisan public officials within the Trump administration. Those are individuals who have an established political agenda and who operate under the will of a president who famously cannot accept the results of an election he verifiably lost.

Yet, imagine if the same voter’s information was accidentally purged from the system because the Postal Service said it was so. By the time election season comes around, the Oct. 5 registration deadline would have already passed. One critical vote would be lost.

States often operate their own elections within a set of rules they have established. By creating a system of federal overreach and limiting the distribution of mail-in ballots, the federal government could say anyone is not an eligible voter and thus have them purged from the list.

Thus, it is the duty of a state’s government to allocate resources for its citizens. In this case, it is not the role nor the right of the federal government to dictate who has access to mail-in voting.

And this isn’t the first time voting rights have come into question.

In April, the Supreme Court overturned key provisions within the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that protected majority-minority districts representing Black and Latino citizens.

Let one thing be clear: This is not the intent nor the purpose of a functioning, representative democracy. Every voter who is an American citizen and at least 18 years old at the time of the election should be able to cast their ballot without the fear of their vote being cast out.

Under the Trump administration, the executive order creates new rules that were never broken in the first place. Election integrity is important, but we’ve always practiced it.

We must then ask ourselves why Trump would create this order, among his other actions related to election reform. After all, a country made up of over 300 million people has varied interests that depend on states’ regional and geographic interests.

Imagine a voter in Athens County who lives in an isolated area with steep hills and only one or two voting centers. It would likely be a burden to vote in an election, but a mail ballot makes it easier and affords greater accessibility to the voter.

In this case, mailed ballots fall victim to the political priorities of the president. Under the Trump administration’s ruling, “approval” falls very short of an objective marker. Instead, it becomes an empty, infinite canvas to rewrite the rules and earn nothing but a slap on the wrist.

This is not a partisan issue. Nor is this editorial a critique of any one president, either.

An executive order like the one currently being debated in the federal courts strips states’ ability to provide free and fair elections for registered voters. Any vote cast out without justification or in the name of partisan interests costs American voters the rights owed to them.

And any individual in power who attempts to dismantle systems that increase voter turnout and election participation damages the function of a representative democracy. When we do this, we sacrifice our right to choose who represents us.

The editorial board encourages its readers to check their voter registration and vote this November.

It is not just our duty as citizens; it is our right.

The Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage.

Have thoughts? The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens. com.

Break of Dawn | Hypersurveillance culture is terrifying

DAWNELLE BLAKE OPINION ASSISTANT EDITOR

Oftentimes, I feel like I am living the chorus on Rockwell and Michael Jackson’s song “Somebody’s Watching Me” because in fact, I always feel like somebody is watching me.

From culture’s obsession with recording, photographing and posting every interaction, a spike in government oversight and the way technology is aiding in hypersurveillance – a culture of mass surveillance, judgment and policing is in the midst of establishing itself for good. There needs to be more pushback against it.

Hypersurveillance is nothing new in the United States. There is an extensive and ongoing history of government surveillance of Black people, and particularly Black revolutionaries which established overpolicing in Black neighborhoods and the formation of the Counter Intelligence Program.

Before tackling the larger powers at play when it comes to surveillance, understanding the culture and social norms people are abiding by, which makes hypersurveillance easier, is imperative. Discussion around privacy on social media platforms, the “digital panopticon” and the moral policing which takes place on social media have revealed themselves to be people’s first stop for normalizing and championing

hypersurveillance.

of biased policing.

With social media, privacy becomes scarce and surveillance is the norm.

A panopticon is a circular prison with a central watchtower where guards can watch inmates, but inmates cannot see the guards.

Some may argue, “if you’re not doing anything wrong, why does hypersurveillance matter?” But that calls into question what “wrong” means. Today, the work of Martin Luther King Jr., The Black Panthers and Malcolm X is celebrated, but decades ago hypersurveillance, oversight and policing determined these people were threats. Only less than four years ago was having an abortion legal, and therefore “right.”

Social media users build their own sense of a panopticon, normalizing the documentation of not just their interactions, but others’ as well.

The internet — but particularly, Generation Z’s investment in “cancel culture” online, by recording others without consent for the sake of content — feeds into the idea that relinquishing privacy to uphold “morality” is necessary.

For example, TikToker Rachel Lissan highlights a video where a creator records a couple on a bench kissing, allegedly cheating spouses, and posts the video to shame and reprimand them. Despite the fact these people were recorded and posted without consent, they engaged in perceived “immoral” conduct. Therefore, their privacy for the sake of upholding morality is justified.

It rings eerily similar to the sentiments of Flock Safety Founder and CEO Garret Langley. In a Fox News interview addressing Flock camera backlash, Langley asserts he understands the importance of privacy as well as safety.

Therefore, the public needs to find a compromise between privacy and safety; the implied compromise being Flock cameras. Flock cameras have been used by law enforcement to track down women who had abortions and repeatedly search data related to “ICE” and “immigration.”

They have also been used to stalk ex-girlfriends of law enforcement, target protestors and were accused

Consider all the times someone was dissected and picked apart online for ultimately inconsequential behavior.

Legality and morality are subjective and determined by who is in power.

Therefore, government oversight plays a part in what is enforced as wrong and right. The artificial intelligence-driven targeting of student protestors or the mandatory posting of syllabi are examples when oversight creates its own rules of morality and subsequently legality, to justify punitive action.

This is not to say encouraging safety and public good is negative, but the way in which we promote it matters. According to a study by neuroscientists Kiley Seymour and senior research associate Roger Koenig-Robert, the increase in surveillance leads to heightened anxiety and paranoia.

Nobody should have to deal with constant anxiety to upkeep the public good. According to the same study, even people who do not feel unbothered by constant surveillance subconsciously process it.

“Many participants reported feeling relatively unconcerned about being monitored, even though their brains clearly registered the surveillance …. we rarely register the presence

of cameras,” the study, published by Oxford Academic, stated. “Yet our brains are constantly adapting to their presence and subtly shaping our perceptions.”

An increase in surveillance does not necessarily guarantee a decrease in crime. In many cases, crime statistics actually elevate. Historically, despite hypersurveillance being disproportionately implemented into Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, crime actually inflates. This creates a feedback loop of justification for surveillance instead of getting to the root of the issue.

Artificial Intelligence-powered technosurveillance companies such as Palantir Technologies, who helped the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stated in their own manifesto sentiments,“some cultures have produced ‘wonders’ while others are regressive and harmful.”

When you consider this, the reality of hypersurveillance and the powers manning it are terrifying.

The rapid speed at which a surveillance state and culture is being established is anxiety-inducing, counterproductive and will prove itself to be a major privacy concern.

Dawnelle Blake 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 Dawnelle about their column?

Email them at db948724@ohio.edu.

SEPT. 8, 2026

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Adam’s Anecdote | Overnight success is deceiving their growing careers. As of now, the song has amassed over 450 million streams on Spotify, making it only one of two songs in the band’s current discography.

ADAM GERBER FOR THE POST In the age of the internet, rapid success through social media has become a new outlet for bands and artists. Platforms such as TikTok have allowed musicians to reach millions of listeners almost instantly, changing the traditional path to mainstream success significantly. Temper City is one example of how a band can use this unconventional course to establish themselves in the music industry.

In February 2026, the alternative rock band released its debut single, “Self Aware.” Shortly after its release, the song gained lots of momentum on TikTok and quickly became a breakout hit. In August, the band made their festival debut at Lollapalooza, marking another major milestone in

Although the band officially formed in 2021, its members initially worked behind the scenes, contributing to productions of other major artists. The band is only made up of three members: Eytan Peled, Chen Kordova and Aviv Barenholtz.

Information about the members’ backgrounds has not been widely discussed.

However, each served time in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Military service is compulsory for most Israeli citizens, meaning the band member’s service in the IDF was a requirement rather than a voluntary decision to join the Israeli military. However, the band’s contentious background sets a precedent for the importance of taking the time to research the people and artists encountered online. Audiences may unknowingly elevate an individual’s career without knowing their entire context.

Another example of an overnight success is country

artist Stella Lefty. Lefty rose to fame with her hit song, “Boston.” The song has reached nearly 200 million listeners on Spotify, and she is set to begin her “Long Way Home Tour” in March. However, Lefty’s swift rise coincided with the internet’s discovery of her father’s business, Tempus AI. Her father, Eric Lefkofsky, founded the company in 2015 with intentions to innovate healthcare. Forbes estimated his net worth at $5 billion.

Lefty also faced scrutiny when fans noticed Noah Kahan was given a writing credit on “Boston,” a song she had described as being written in Nashville after meeting her boyfriend, Vincent Mason. Shortly after, listeners started to notice similarities between Lefty’s “Boston” and Kahan’s “Stick Season.” Lefty later told Vanity Fair that Kahan’s team had reached out to her and she agreed to give him the writing credit.

In an industry where authenticity is central to an artist’s career, Lefty’s decision not to “want to step on anybody’s toes” and give Kahan the writing credit raises questions about her

confidence in the song’s originality. This reinforces the idea that artists or individuals on the internet are not always presenting authentic versions of themselves.

The idea of authenticity becomes even more complicated when considering the parasocial relationships audiences often form with public figures. According to a study performed by the University of Essex, 52% of participants from the United States and United Kingdom reported experiencing a parasocial relationship at one point in their lives. The study later details that participants explained parasocial relationships could help regulate their emotions more so than an actual human could.

Social media has made it easier than ever for audiences to engage with celebrities. Constant livestreams, story updates and Instagram posts can give fans the impression they are invited into artists’ personal lives. Although this often makes an artist feel more relatable, it can also blur the thin line between a

parasocial relationship and a real one. This is why media literacy, the ability to analyze and use media responsibly, is important.

Taking the time to research an artist’s background and recognizing how social media often shapes what audiences see can prevent people from becoming overly invested in images that don’t reflect reality.

In an environment where anybody can become a success overnight, audiences have a responsibility to look beyond the persona being presented to them.

Authenticity should not be assumed because somebody is relatable, and fame should not be mistaken for credibility.

Adam Gerber 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 Adam about their column? Email them at ag967424@ohio.edu

JACKpot | Influencers do not have to be everywhere Osaka, who is well known for her skill and being a fashion icon while playing, had an opinion to share.

JACK SHIRLEY FOR THE POST

Most of us became too familiar with the term “influencer,” referring to an online personality who generates interest in something by posting about it to their immense following. Often, I am not annoyed by these online personas, but recently they became increasingly hard to ignore.

This issue revealed itself to me this week as online discourse regarding influencers at the U.S. Open, a grand slam tennis tournament in New York City, took place. Usually, a viewer sees videos about the tournament’s popular cocktail, the Honey Deuce, or great tennis.

But this year, influencers stole the spotlight in an unprecedented way. Many fans complained as content creators made distracting videos throughout the tournament.

Last year, 54 content creators were given media credentials for the event, attempting to reach new audiences, specifically a younger audience that relies on social media more than other entertainment platforms. This year, that number doubled, reaching close to 100 creators attending. For a sport expecting match etiquette and respectfulness during points, those influencers missed the mark completely.

During a first-round match between Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova, the umpire briefly paused play to address a suite of influencers’ use of ring lights. The video quickly gained traction online, as many attendees were upset by the lack of awareness of the game’s rules and expectations. Other videos began to circulate, displaying how disruptive it was to the match’s atmosphere.

However, tennis players had mixed opinions.

“If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport,” Osaka said in an article by USA Today. “You want people to continue to grow the sport. I just think it has to be in a way that everyone knows the rules and the etiquette.”

Another player, Jessica Pegula, echoed a similar sentiment, calling the influencer’s tendencies, “a bit disrespectful.”

Social media has become ground zero for younger generations. According to the American Press Institute, 57% of teens and adults use social media as a regular source for news, and 81% of teens use independent sources like influencers for their news content.

Social media is incredibly accessible for young teens and adults, and brands target these platforms.

It makes sense why tennis tournaments would want to attract younger demographics and draw in new fans, but some environments reject the constant filming, engagement and movement that are trademarks of influencers and social media.

A tennis stadium is a space where a player should be able to expect quiet and an environment to focus, which is why these two worlds clash so much.

Additionally, the popularization of the tournament by social media affected many tennis fans who simply wanted to see the event. According to Yahoo! Sports, the average 2025 men’s and women’s singles finals tickets were $1,615 and $825, respectively, increasing to $1,732 and $1,230 this year. This increase limits the number of fans who can enjoy the event as more interest is created by social media buzz.

The popular drink, the Honey Deuce, has also fallen victim to the same price increase. Debuting in 2007, the drink was originally $12.

Due to the event’s continued growth in popularity, the

price increased by 90%, costing fans $23 today.

Ultimately, not every space has to be turned into content for influencers. Although it draws attention to tennis and other sports that could use a younger audience, the attention brought is not always the best. Fans of the sport begin to view younger people who want to get involved as nuisances, just there to follow a trend.

When any event becomes an aesthetic trend for social media branding, the event’s soul is lost in a new wave of temporary fans. In tennis’s case, die-hard fans who love the sport may not be able to afford to see a match, or if they can, they are forced to deal with others who do not understand or respect the sport’s atmosphere.

Not everything needs to be shown off by someone with a giant ring light and a trendy sound. But if we have to continue dealing with influencers at every popular event, at least make sure the brands educate them beforehand so they understand the atmosphere they are going into and how to best respect it. Until creators learn this boundary, fans will continue to feel the effects they bring.

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SATURDAY, SEP. 12 • 1-3 pm Athens Community Center East State Street • Athens, OH

NO KINGS Speaker: Britta Aguirre Jack Shirley 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 Jack about their column? Email them at js553624@ohio.edu.

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Letter to the Editor | Ohio University needs to respect faculty and students the validity of the United Academics of Ohio University’s May 2025 election. They lost their challenge over how the election was conducted, and they are now appealing that decision in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Not only is the administration still refusing to recognize the union, but it took them nearly a year to respond to all our proposals, including fundamental issues like compensation, job security, and faculty retention, and they continue to slowwalk negotiations at every turn.

As an Ohio University alumnus who has returned to the university as a faculty member, it’s sad to say, but I don’t feel supported and don’t always have what I need to succeed. That’s why a union is so important, it can work with

university partners to ensure that faculty gets what it needs to help students succeed.

OU President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and OU Board of Trustees Chair Matt Evans have refused to accept

Here’s the problem. Failing to invest in faculty is failing to invest in students and their education. Unless OU is willing to provide faculty with fair, competitive and equitable compensation, they will leave for greener pastures, and students won’t have the benefit of their knowledge and talents. This will result

in a serious recruitment and retention problem.

I can’t help but wonder: Why are Gonzalez and Evans in the university business at all if they can’t find it in their wheelhouse to support, invest and respect their faculty and, in turn, their students?

Like many fellow Bobcats, I love this special place. My professors helped me become the teacher I am today. I can’t repay them, but I always hoped to pay it forward. So, in 2023, my wife and I had made the decision to return to Athens after 27 years in Arkansas. I applied to OU and to high schools to teach math. I ultimately was offered a position at OU but was astounded that I would make less than if I taught at a high school. I sacrificed the salary to live my dream of teaching at OU, but I wish I felt more respected and supported as a faculty member. The pay

disparity certainly will give pause to others who are considering making a career at OU. Students have any number of places they could enroll, but they choose OU for specific reasons, one of which is our terrific faculty. The university should be doing what is necessary to ensure they can attract and keep talented and enthusiastic faculty in all departments. Faculty members want a long-term career at OU, not a waystation to a better position elsewhere.

OU should bargain a contract now with UAOU that respects faculty, to ensure a world-class education for its students.

Corey Boby OU Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Mathematics Department

The Ohio University Academics Union unionization rally on College Green in Athens, March 5, 2024. (ZOE CRANFILL | FOR THE POST)

Letter to the Editor | Use it or lose it It is time for every American who is eligible to vote to make a major decision about our country: 1) Continue to have a say in the way we are governed or 2) give away our rights and let the oligarchs – the rich – and right-wing politicians decide what is best for all of us, dictate us and control us to advance their own agendas.

I, for one, will be voting for freedom from tyranny and for the democracy we can still achieve by renewed focus on the ideals that founded this country.

of what it means to be an American and how we should be governed. In fact, these midterms may very well be among the most important midterm elections in our history.

If you believe in the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the ideals that have guided us toward liberty, equality and justice, your time to say so is now. On Nov. 3, those people who vote will determine not only the winners and losers of individual races, but the winner and loser between two very different versions

Oftentimes, races are won or lost by a handful of votes.

Whether you loathe or love what has happened in the past two years under our current president and the Republican dominance in the house and senate, you still have the right to vote and help determine which direction the country goes from here on out. Your vote matters.

Numerous indicators suggest that every effort is being made by the current administration to keep people from voting this year, particularly those people who typically vote Democratic, which is all the more reason for every Democrat who can vote to do so. On a personal note, I don’t

want any eligible voter to be denied the vote regardless of political affiliation. That is what democracy is supposed to be about: a free and fair exchange of ideas and adequate debate, and then letting the people decide what is in the best interests of the nation as a whole.

On Saturday, Sept. 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Athens Community Center on E. State Street, a rally titled, “Fired Up! Ready to Vote” will be held.

It’s an opportunity to express your belief in the rights of all to vote and your opposition to those who would try to keep others from voting. This rally has been organized by the same people who brought you the previous “No Kings” events. I hope to see you there.

Ron Luce Athens, Ohio

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SEPT. 8, 2026

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Ohio’s loss to Nebraska, team hopeful for home opener LONDON DEMARCO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Ohio University dropped its season opener in Lincoln, Nebraska, today as it took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the first time in program history.

Despite a very tough fight from the Bobcats for most of the game, the skill gap between the two teams was a little too much for Ohio to overcome as it lost 49-21.

This game was very close early on.

Ohio got the ball first and scored in just three plays as quarterback Nick Poulos connected with wide receiver Riley Neer for 68 yards on the first play.

“It’s a great opener, hard to beat,” Poulos said. “First play of the game you see a little bit of that hard work that you’ve been putting in.”

Poulos would connect with Neer again two plays later for the touchdown to go up 7-0. Nebraska easily marched down the field on its first drive, while also converting some tough third downs along the way and scoring to tie the game at seven apiece.

Ohio then formed another good drive and ended it with a 42-yard field goal by kicker Will Hryszko to give the Bobcats the lead at the end of the first quarter, 10-7.

After a defensive stop for Ohio, it constructed another strong drive down the field, and Hryszko would kick another field goal, this one for 45 yards, to give Ohio a 13-7 lead.

The Bobcats offense played very strong early despite struggling to establish a run game, which is something they were not able to do at all during the game.

“I think they did a good job of loading the box at times, and they’re big and strong up front,” Ohio Head Coach John Hauser said about the team’s struggles with establishing a run game.

“We didn’t always block them to the right place. So, we have to get the run game going, because it’s in our DNA.” Nebraska went on to score a touchdown through the air with eight minutes left in the first half, as the half ended with the Cornhuskers leading 14-13 over the Bobcats.

Linemen during the Bobcats game against Ohio State, Sept. 13, 2025. The Bobcats lost to Ohio State 37-9 in Ohio Stadium.

(JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

The third quarter started very well for Ohio, as it forced a quick punt from Nebraska and then marched into field goal range. After starting 2-for-2, Hryszko missed the go-ahead 49-yard field goal as the Bobcats weren’t able to capitalize.

After the missed field goal, Nebraska easily ran down the field as its running game effortlessly tore apart every piece of Ohio’s defense, while scoring a touchdown to add eight points.

From this point on, the Bobcats’ defense could do nothing against the Cornhuskers’ running game, as Nebraska was able to do whatever it wanted on the ground.

“In the second half we got schemed up a little bit, and outmatched physically,” linebacker Jack Fries said.

“A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be better at communicating, getting more knockback on my block construction and leading the defense better.”

In the second half, the Cornhuskers rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, which ended up being the driving factor in what became an offensive explosion for them after halftime.

Ohio was no stranger to a talented rushing game today, despite never being able to establish the run. Poulos surprisingly led Ohio in rushing yards with 70 on 10 carries and a rushing touchdown.

“I wouldn’t say I came in expecting to rush as much as I did,” Poulos said.

“I pride myself in taking what the defense gives me. A lot of those runs weren’t necessarily designed for me, but plays break down. I believe in myself and my ability to use my legs to get first downs.”

Eventually, early in the fourth quarter, Ohio gave up on trying to establish the run game, as Poulos either passed or ran it himself on eight of the 10 plays

on this drive. That led to Ohio putting together a beautiful drive ending in a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to make it 28-21 with 12 minutes remaining.

Nebraska just kept pounding the Bobcats’ defense by running the ball over and over again. Ohio couldn’t do anything about it, which led to the floodgates opening as Nebraska scored three straight touchdowns to send Ohio packing with a score of 49-21.

Poulos put on a great show in the air and on the ground with little help from the running game, and the defense showed flashes of great play throughout the game.

The Bobcats will try to put it all together and polish some areas of the team for their home opener next week against Jacksonville State University to protect its historic home winning streak.

LD004224@OHIO.EDU

Poulos, Neer look like the next great offensive connection OWEN LIPSTREU SPORTS EDITOR Ohio opened its 2026 season with a loss on the road against Nebraska, Saturday afternoon. The game left plenty to be desired for the Bobcats, but the first play from scrimmage should inspire optimism for fans in Athens.

Nick Poulos, a graduate student and quarterback, dropped back and found Riley Neer, a redshirt sophomore and wide receiver, across the middle of the field. Neer caught the ball and turned it upfield, evading Cornhusker defenders until being dragged down inside Nebraska’s 10-yard line.

Neer caught the opening score of Ohio’s season two plays later to cap off a drive John Hauser, first-year Ohio head coach, and his staff had worked on for months.

“The offensive staff saw the look they wanted, and Riley (Neer) did a great job running the route,” Hauser said.

“Nick (Poulos) put it on the money, and that was a pretty good way to start the season, getting down there near the five. So I know we tried to get back to it a couple of times, but I think the look and those guys practicing for months now. It was a great execution by those guys.”

Poulos played with a ton of poise for a player with minimal opportunities to start at the collegiate level. Players

overthinking at the line of scrimmage and making unforced errors is common, but Poulos knew it all would come down to that first snap, regardless of the outcome.

“It's nice to see the first play at work … most ballplayers would probably tell you, after the first snap you're good,” Poulos said. “There are no more butterflies and whatever led up to the game. You know, it's better when it works, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's that much of a difference versus just catching the first snap, handing the ball off, or completing the first pass.”

After the first drive, Neer remained Poulo’s main target throughout the day, tallying 6 receptions for 104 yards and the touchdown. Similar to Poulos, Neer had not seen many first-team reps, but as backups together in 2025, chemistry began to build throughout the last year of practice, and it was on full display Saturday in Lincoln.

“Riley (Neer) was a two last year and two and three for a while, so I've gotten a lot of reps with him,” Poulos said.

“He's done a great job of understanding the offense. He has a really good feel in the zone, whether to sit down and get his eyes around. He does a great job, and man, when he’s one-on-one, he's someone that I'm very comfortable going to in that situation.”

Ohio is inexperienced, and even though they took a tough loss to start the season, Poulos feels the experience

Running back Sieh Bangura (5) runs with the ball at the game against UMass, Nov. 18, 2025, at Peden Stadium in Athens. (JACK TATHAM | FOR THE POST)

against a high-level opponent will only help the team's progression as it works through the rest of non-conference play and gets better acclimated for Mid-American Conference play to begin in a month.

“Reps can only help you, and not just me,” Poulos said. “There's a lot of guys on offense who really aren't experienced here at Ohio, whether transfers or have been backups. I think

PROTESTING AGAINST INJUSTICE IS AS USAMERICAN AS EATING APPLE PIE David Bruce paid for this ad.

it was a great test. There's a lot that I liked, and there are some really small details that I think would have really altered, you know, the amount of yards and points we would put up. Hopefully, you know, this week we get to work and are able to iron out those little details completely.” @OLIPPY17 OL415422@OHIO.EDU

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Midfielder, Noa Desmaretz taking the ball up field during the Bobcats game against Central Michigan, Nov. 1, 2024.

The Bobcats beat Central Michigan 3-2 on Pruitt Field.

(JOHN FOUSS | PHOTO EDITOR)

Last-second score propels Ohio to its second victory BRANDON GROSS FOR THE POST Ohio (2-1) traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to play Queens (1-2) in its twogame East Coast stretch. The game resulted in a 3-2 win for Ohio, helping put the Bobcats over the .500 mark early in the season and pushing its win streak to two games. In what was a close game for most of the second half, Ohio looked poised by the fact that it was able to score a last-minute goal to take the lead and the game along with it.

This was Ohio’s game to win, and the Bobcats doubled Queens shot count with a 12-to-six difference and also more than doubled the penalty corners, with the Bobcats taking nine and Queens having

four. The one statistic that Queens led in was saves, which was a testament to how aggressive the Bobcat offense was in goal hunting. Queens also committed more fouls than Ohio, with 11 of them alone coming within the first quarter.

With these stats in mind, Ohio didn’t play as well as Queens did in the first quarter.

Queens was the only team that scored and also had only one fewer shot than the Bobcats, matching their aggressiveness.

The Queens’ goal came five minutes into the game from junior Delfina Gonzalez and set the tempo early on for the team.

The second quarter started to change the tides for Ohio.

Despite the next goal being scored by Queens, Ohio piled on two scores later on in

the second quarter. Within a minute of the quarter starting, Queen’s senior Liv Rainwater sent a ball into the back of the net, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. The Bobcats didn’t take this sitting; almost right after the Queens’ goal, Ohio’s sophomore midfielder Tori Cisney landed a strike to get the Bobcats on the scoreboard.

With the score now 2-1 in favor of Queens and the timer ticking down, the following minutes would result in a stalemate, with neither team scoring until Ohio once again took matters into its own hands and tied the game up.

Junior Deborah James hit another goal, and a game that was 2-0 earlier in the second quarter had now become tied up at the end of the first half.

The third quarter became a constant back and forth with

neither team being able to mount any sort of offense.

With the game tied up, both Queens and Ohio needed the breakaway goal to be able to take the lead in this game.

Ohio’s shot count was also surprisingly low this quarter at only two. Queens only had one shot this quarter, and the buzzer rang with no team being able to find any points.

The final goal of the game was scored by Cisney once again and gave Ohio a huge advantage. The Bobcats were able to hold out in the last minute of play to take the game, and with what had been a subpar start for the team, they were able to turn it around into a win. With a 2-1 start to the season, the Bobcats are just warming up.

The fourth quarter started, and both teams dialed in, as a goal this late into a game could very well mean a victory in a lower-scoring sport like field hockey. Most of this quarter went scoreless, and both teams were struggling to regain the rhythm that was present in the second quarter.

However, as time was ticking down, with only around a minute left, the Bobcats struck.

This was another showing of Ohio’s strong last-quarter play, as they were able to score a late goal against Saint Louis for their other win. With this win in the books, Ohio starts in North Carolina, this time going to Winston-Salem to play the seventh-ranked team in the nation, Wake Forest.

BG326422@OHIO.EDU

Ohio leaves Hampton Inn Invitational with disappointing 1-2 record JACK MULDOWNEY SPORTS STAFF WRITER Ohio is headed to Indianapolis, Indiana, Thursday to compete in the Hampton Inn Invitational and is now making its way back to Athens after finishing the weekend with a disappointing 1-2 record. The team failed to replicate its dominance at the Marshall Invitational, but the season is still fresh, and a 4-2 record is nothing to scoff at.

The team’s second shootoutstyle tournament of the season began Thursday against Indiana University Indianapolis in a match Ohio competed in as well. However, IU Indy finished sets more effectively than the Bobcats and scraped out three straight wins in a trio of tight sets.

The first set went to extra points, with the Jaguars narrowly escaping, 26-24.

The Bobcats were unable to recover from the loss, but still competed in sets two and three, dropping both, 25-21 and 25-22. IU Indy completed the sweep in a match that was more competitive than the box score shows.

Bailey Blair, sophomore opposite hitter, went to great efforts to support the Bobcats in the game, with her matchleading 13 kills. Ohio’s defense only recorded two blocks, letting IU Indy thrive above the net.

Ohio avenged the loss and came out Friday afternoon against Youngstown State. The Bobcats won both of the first two sets in similar fashion, 25-21 and 25-22. The Penguins punched back in set three with a 25-21 victory to turn the first set on its head. That resistance was quickly shut down, and the Bobcats finished that match with a 25-12 win in set four and took a 3-1 win.

Ohio was unable to parlay the sweep into another win Saturday when they walked into Hinkle Fieldhouse to face Butler on its home court. The Bulldogs capitalized on the home advantage, giving Ohio flashbacks to Thursday as they also pulled off a sweep over

the Bobcats.

The match was highly competitive out of the gate, as Butler only narrowly stole the first set, winning 25-22. The Bobcats ran out of gas later in the match, as Butler’s highmajor prowess began to show.

The Bulldogs took sets two and three, scoring 25-14 and 25-10, respectively.

Torre Kildow, senior outside hitter, led the charge in both Friday’s win and Saturday’s loss. She laid down 19 kills and tallied nine digs against Youngstown State, and she was the driving force behind the dominant win. She only registered six kills in the affair against Butler, but still led the team with that mark.

Player Spotlight Kildow’s play over the weekend was a positive takeaway for the Bobcats in the midst of their 1-2 result.

She recorded a total of 34 blocks at the Hampton Inn Invitational, and her 19 kills against Youngstown State translated to the team’s lone win.

She started her senior year strong and could be a key piece all season long as she has registered the Bobcats’ second-most kills in their first six matches.

Indianapolis did not treat the Bobcats as well as they may had hoped, but all experience is good experience, and there is a lot to build on with a 4-2 record. Regardless of the two losses, the Bobcats left the Hampton Inn Invitational with one convincing win. Getting their first taste of high-major competition against Butler may also prove very valuable later in the season.

Competing against serious opponents in the nonconference slate like Ohio did will have the team prepared once Mid-American Conference play begins in more familiar settings come late September. The Bobcats will be back on the road Saturday when they head to University Park, Pennsylvania, to take on Penn State and Stanford.

Kam Hunt (23) attempts to block the ball during the Ohio University vs The University of Toledo volleyball game at The Convo, Oct. 5, 2024. (SKYLAR SEAVEY | FOR THE POST)

2026 Volleyball Schedule Volleyball 2026 schedule

Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Michigan)

Oct. 24 vs. Toledo (Toledo, Ohio)

Sept. 12 vs. Penn State (at University Park)

Oct. 2 vs. Akron (home)

Oct. 27 vs. Kent State (home)

Sept. 15 vs. Stanford (at University Park)

Oct. 3 vs. Akron (home)

Oct. 30 vs. Western Michigan (home)

Bobcat Invitational:

Oct. 9 vs. Bowling Green (Bowling Green, Ohio)

Nov. 3 vs. Kent State (Kent, Ohio)

Sept. 18 vs. Morgan State (at home, the Convo) Sept. 18 vs. UNC Asheville (home) Sept. 19 vs. Mercyhurst (home) Sept. 25 vs. Eastern Michigan (at Ypsilanti, Michigan) Sept. 26 vs. Central

Oct. 10 vs. Bowling Green (Bowling Green, Ohio) Oct. 16 Ball State (home) Oct. 17 vs. Ball State (home) Oct. 23 vs. Toledo (Toledo, Ohio)

Nov. 8 vs. Miami (OH) (home) Nov. 12 vs. Miami (Oxford, Ohio) Nov. 13 vs. Buffalo (home) MAC Tournament: Nov. 20-Nov. 22 (edited)

@JACKMULDOWNEY1 JM760224@OHIO.EDU

SEPT. 8, 2026

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‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ is weird, wonderful KENDALL DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” was released in theaters nationwide Aug. 21.

“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” is a satirical slasher horror film from the mind of Jane Schoenbrun, the director of “I Saw the TV Glow” and “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.” Schoenbrun’s past films are known for their allegorical looks at identity and “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” fits seamlessly into their body of work.

“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” follows a young filmmaker, Kris, played

by Hannah Einbinder, who is tasked with rebooting an old horror film franchise known as Camp Miasma. Kris decides to meet with the final girl of the original “Camp Miasma” film, who became recluse ever since the film’s release in the 1980s. The mysterious star, Billy Presley, played by Gillian Anderson, captivates Kris with her strange and magnetic personality, and the two hit it off.

To define “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” as merely a horror film is limiting.

The horror is truly a lens through which Schoenbrun tackles issues of sexuality and liberation in relation to the main characters, Kris and Presley.

Einbinder’s performance as Kris is what pulls the whole film together; without Kris’ character arc, there would be no movie in the first place.

Einbinder does an excellent job of portraying all the complexities of such a role: from being the protagonist of a drama to being the final girl standing in a slasher, this character really does it all.

This is certainly a unique, and sometimes confusing, part of this film. Although it begins as

a story about making a horror movie, the fictional “Camp Miasma” very much becomes a real part of Kris and Presley’s lives, leading to some lack of clarity on what is real and what is fiction.

Though this might seem to be a weakness, it is truly a strength for “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.”

As Kris and Presley become part of the next film created

by Little Death, played by Jack Haven, the killer of the fictional “Camp Miasma” series, it all becomes an allegory for human sexuality and self-discovery.

The strange, dreamlike world of Camp Miasma is bolstered

by Schoenbrun’s unique visual style. Outdoor scenes at the camp featured hand-painted backgrounds, akin to what a viewer might see in a classic Old Hollywood film.

These films were created using a former technique in which a painted sheet of glass is placed a few feet in front of the camera, obscuring the real landscape. Parts of the glass are left unpainted, so the actors and set pieces can be blended seamlessly with the painted fantasy world. These backgrounds became more and more prevalent the farther Kris was sucked into Presley’s world, highlighting the characters’ loss of connection to reality.

Along with this, the fantastical way in which horror gore is handled emphasizes that “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” is not intended to be a scary movie, but rather a film that uses the scary movie framework to view broader issues.

Another special aspect of “Camp Miasma” is the filmwithin-a-film premise, which requires an established lore of the franchise. The opening credits of the film show a large amount of memorabilia relating to the “Camp Miasma”

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBY DOENCH series, which provides viewers with an understanding of the fictional series’ history.

It also allows horror fans to make comparisons between “Camp Miasma” and classic horror films, which are heavily satirized throughout the movie, especially in the impressive sequence that shows parts of the original “Camp Miasma” movie.

Although Einbinder plays an initially grounded character, Anderson expertly tackles the

task of playing a character entrenched in a fantasy world.

Billy is key to helping Kris find herself, and Anderson’s portrayal really nails the juxtaposition between glamorous movie star and middle-aged lesbian.

All of these aspects combine wonderfully into a thoughtprovoking, hilarious and original movie. “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” is not for everyone, but a typical target audience is not

intended for a film with such an outrageous title.

For horror fans, people in the LGBTQIA+ community and anyone interested in a bizarre cinema experience, “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” might be a must-see film.

KD305124@OHIO.EDU

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‘Dancing with the Stars’ season 35 casting announcement EMILY FRANK FOR THE POST

Paralympian Ezra Frech is partnered with Daniella Karagach.

The “Dancing with the Stars” season 35 cast was announced on “Good Morning America” Wednesday. Prior to the announcement, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez had all been announced. However, aside from Rodriguez, the pros the celebrities would be paired up with remained a mystery.

Rodriguez is partnered with last season’s winner Witney Carson. Rodriguez is best known for his time on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” During the most recent “Back-to-Back” filmed at Disney’s D23, Rodriguez asked various celebrities to sign papers stating they would vote for him this season.

Carson also made a previous appearance on “Good Morning America” to share that she would still be competing despite being pregnant this season.

On Aug. 31, the finale of the prerecorded spinoff show “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” aired. The show was filmed while the pros were touring. Adele Zaikmar was the winner.

Zaikmar is paired with Conner Leavitt from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” His wife, Whitney Leavitt, was on the previous season. Conner Leavitt even joined his wife and her partner on the ballroom floor last season during Dedication Night.

Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Amber Glenn is being paired with Karagach’s husband Pasha Pashkov.

“I’m not used to having someone next to me while doing my thing,” Glenn said on “Good Morning America.”

Reality star Maura Higgins is partnered with fellow “Traitors” alum Mark Ballas.

Higgins debuted on season five of “Love Island” in 2019.

She later became the first host of “Love Island USA Aftersun.” Before the official announcement, Higgins publicly stated multiple times that she wanted to partner with Ballas.

From one “Aftersun” host to another, Ciara Miller hosted “Aftersun” during season eight and is partnered with Brandon Armstrong for season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Miller originally began on Bravo’s “Summer House.” She also appeared in Shaboozy’s “Cowgirl” music video.

Tyler Cameron is paired with Sharna Burgess. Cameron was runner-up on season 15 of the “Bachelorette.” Burgess is returning to the show after five years.

Influencer and podcaster Connor Wood is paired with Rylee Arnold. Wood goes by “fibula” on social media.

Jackson Olson plays an infielder for the Savannah Bananas and is paired with Emma Slater.

Actress Julia Stiles is partnered with pro Ezra Sosa.

Stiles is known for films such

Two-time gold medalwinning track and field

DRAWING BY ALAINA DACKERMANN as “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Mona Lisa Smile.”

Her “Save the Last Dance” costar Kerry Washington sent in a video cheering Stiles on. The film had its 25th anniversary this year.

From the band Hanson, Taylor Hanson is paired with Britt Stewart. The band has released songs such as “MMMBop,” “Penny & Me” and “Save Me.” Emmy Award-winning chef Giada De Laurentiis is paired with Alan Bersten.

Actress Jenna Dewan is paired with Val Chemerkovsiky. Dewan may be recognized from projects such as “Step Up” and “The Rookie.”

She also played Lucy Lane in both CW’s “Supergirl” and “Superman & Lois.”

Chemerkovsiky’s wife, Jenna

Johnson, is partnered with dancer and actor Harry Shum Jr. Most known for his role as Mike Chang on “Glee,” Shum has also appeared in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Shadowhunters” and “Voicemails for Isabelle.”

He has also danced with musicians such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.

During Dancing with the Stars Con 2026, the show’s first-ever fan convention, Kamri Peterson was announced to be joining a troupe that is likely to replace Hailey Bills, who’s been promoted to pro. The rest of last season’s troupe will be returning.

Bills has been paired with model and reality star Sara Jane Nader. This is notably only the second time there

have been two girls paired together on “Dancing with the Stars.” The first time was Johnson, Bills’s aunt, and JoJo Siwa.

Tatyana Ali is partnered with Jan Ravnik. She appeared in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alongside host and season 19 winner, Alfonso Ribeiro.

“I’m glad to be on stage with him again,” Ali said on “Good Morning America.” Ali closed out the announcement by performing her song “Daydreaming.”

The season 35 two-night premiere is Sept. 15 and 16.

@E.G.FRANK7 EF687124@OHIO.EDU

‘The Love Hypothesis’ trailer turns fan fiction to film ANNA SONGER FOR THE POST New York Times best-selling author Ali Hazelwood released her debut novel, “The Love Hypothesis,” in September 2021. Five years later, the book is becoming a film, bringing her characters to life in a romance full of chemistry.

The lab-based romance focuses on Olive Smith, a third-year Stanford University PhD candidate, and a brooding young Stanford professor, Adam Carlsen. Their love story starts out as a fake relationship deal benefiting both parties, but the lines between real and fake quickly fade as the two realize their feelings for one another.

The trailer for the new movie was released Aug. 26, drawing excitement from fans. In the trailer, there are many recognizable scenes from the book, including the kiss between the protagonists, sparking the initial idea for a fake romance. The popular “sunscreen scene” from the book is shown in the trailer too.

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBY DOENCH

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Smith is portrayed by Lili Reinhart, who is best known for her role as Betty Cooper on the popular television series, “Riverdale.” Tom Bateman is Carlsen, which connects the story back to its roots, making a full-circle moment for Hazelwood.

The book started as a fan fiction about Rey and Kylo

Ren from the “Star Wars” saga. Carlsen’s character was modeled after Adam Driver, so fans were a bit disappointed to see he would not be playing Carlsen in the book adaptation. However, the final casting left most fans satisfied, as Bateman is the husband of Daisy Ridley, who played Rey. This connection ties the movie back to its roots as a “Reylo” fan fiction.

The book seems to be coming to life; the trailer captures the relationship well while also showing the emotion and angst that is apparent in the book. The book follows Smith as she studies in a lab at Stanford where Carlsen works as a professor. He has a reputation, earning him the nickname “Dr. Evil” in the adaptation.

Carlsen is trying to prove to the university that he can commit so he does not lose funding, as Smith tries to overcome a friend’s crush to get out of the way of what could be a perfect match.

Their unique situations hurl the characters into a fake relationship.

Not only does the trailer bring to life some famous scenes from the book, but it also portrays the strong chemistry between Smith and Carlsen. Smith’s awkwardness and bubbly attitude are mixed with Carlsen’s stiff, aloof personality, yet both work well together. From the trailer, the actors seem to accurately capture the feelings written in

the book.

Reinhart and Bateman are also able to portray their individual characters; Reinhart has an air of excitement and passion for her work as read in the book. Bateman has Carlsen’s stern and intimidating persona down and is also seen softening for Smith, which is what makes fans swoon.

Hazelwood is also known for titles including “Problematic Summer Romance,” “Love, Theoretically,” and “Love on the Brain.” Hazelwood is part of the movie as an executive producer and the film is directed by Claire Scanlon, who also directed “Set It Up.” The film is written by Sarah Rothschild and will stream on Prime Video starting September 23, 2026, almost exactly five years after the release of the original book.

Not every book detail can fit into one movie; however, fans are still hopeful to get as much of the book as possible on screen.

The journey of “The Love Hypothesis” was long, as it started as an online fan fiction, and is now a best-selling book and soon-to-be film.

“Honestly, I still can’t believe this is happening,” Hazelwood said in a statement following the project announcement. “I cannot wait to see the final product they’ll come up with.” @ANNA_AT_OHIOU AS715024@OHIO.EDU

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SEPT. 8, 2026

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Bobcats support elderly through AGES GRACE SIENER FOR THE POST Many have heard the term “respect your elders.” The Bobcats involved with the Aging and Gerontological Education Society do just that.

By advocating for student interaction with older generations and helping students earn gerontology certificates, AGES aims to reshape societal norms about how younger people are expected to spend their time.

By learning from one another, regardless of the age gap, AGES brings people together and allows students to take a path toward their future.

After a short break related to COVID-19, AGES has grown in the past three years.

Julie Brown, who holds a doctorate in gerontology, is an associate professor at Ohio University and has served as the AGES advisor for over 10 years.

Brown encourages students of all majors to understand how to engage with the elderly.

“The older adult population is the fastest-growing population,” Brown said.

“Every major that you can think of, I can tell you who it’s going to be influencing or how you’re going to engage with older persons.”

Brown described the importance of understanding that while many older people live in nursing homes, most are in their community, interacting with younger generations constantly.

“They’re still working, or they’re still involved,” Brown said.

Gabby Cametti, a senior studying human development and family science and minoring in health service

administration, serves as the president of AGES. Cametti said that AGES comprises various majors and goals, but all share a passion for supporting the older adult population.

Magdalene Schlicher, a senior studying human development and family science as well as psychology, is the secretary of AGES. Cametti and Schlicher are both pursuing gerontology certificates and share how great the organization is for everyone.

“It's a great organization for students with all academic backgrounds to kind of convene on the same topic of aging and aging services and that kind of thing,” Cametti said. “I think it’s a very diverse group and that makes it pretty cool.”

AGES participates in both community events and social events. This month, it will participate in the Athens Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The walk will take place on Sept. 26, beginning at the Community Center, located at 701 E. State St. “It just connects perfectly into our values as an organization,” Cametti said.

Schlicher said that many of the organizations AGES has partnered with have been through members’ connections within the area.

Brown said that through partnerships with local nursing homes, AGES has held various events, including card making and pottery painting to give to residents.

Students getting a certificate in gerontology are paired with an older adult to mentor.

AGES hosts an annual pancake dinner for mentors and mentees to mingle with the organization.

Participants walk for the Walk to End Alzheimer's at the Eclipse Company Store in The Plains, Ohio, Oct. 5, 2024.

(ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

Schlicher said mentors range from age 65 and up.

“It’s really beautiful seeing such a huge demographic of ages joining together,” she said.

“There’s no cap on how old you are either.”

Students involved are offered many additional opportunities through the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education.

Cametti was selected with a small group of students from across Ohio to be a “scholar in aging” for the Department of Aging. Through this, she conducted research related to her interest and presented at the conference.

To be a part of the society, students are required to hold a certain GPA and complete various gerontology courses.

“I’m really proud of our organization," Brown said.

“Students involved in AGES also have the opportunity to be in Sigma Phi Omega and get graduation cords and pins, all that good stuff, and be recognized as a SPO student.”

Schlicher described that AGES values a strong sense of community through its outreach activities as well as social events.

In addition to OAGE and other conference opportunities, AGES was recently approved to be the Alpha chapter for Sigma Phi Omega, the honorary gerontology society.

Weekender

“We try to do things that pertain to gerontology and

Tuesday, Sept. 8 Concerts on the Green, a celebration of the arts, continues its series on College Green in the West Portico.

This week, the Ohio University Jazz Faculty is performing.

Admission: Free Taco ‘Bout Habitat, a Habitat for Humanity Benefit Show, is hosted by Casa Nueva, located at 6 W. State St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can meet the Athens Habitat ambassadors and learn about their work in the city, listen to live music and choose from a special taco menu.

JENNIFER MAZZUCKELLI (mazz-uh-kelly) is running to become US Representative for Ohio District 2.

https://jen4oh2.com

Admission: $15 at the door Wednesday, Sept. 9 The grand opening of the Maggie Davis Market Express in Baker University Center, 1 Park Place, includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Starting at 2 p.m., those in attendance can taste free samples from vendors, participate in activities and have the chance to win prizes like tickets to Cedar Point, a slushy machine or a bike.

Admission: Free Battle of the Greens, a showcase of live music, is held at the oval in front of the Living Learning Center starting at 7 p.m. Hosted by Housing and Residence Life, the event showcases local bands and friendly competition.

Admission: Free Thursday, Sept. 10 The Patton College of Education hosts a Uni-Tea social event, a nearly weekly gathering, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the third floor of Patton Hall, located at 100 E. Union St.

Admission: Free

for specific workshops

The Chaddock and Morrow College of Fine Arts, the College of Arts and Sciences and Concerts on the Green come together to host The Re-Declaration of Independence. The performance is at the West Portico on College Green at 6 p.m. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration. The event opens the Central Region Humanities Center Biennial Conference.

The 6th annual Skate Jam music festival is held at the Athens Skate Park, 701 E. State St., starting at 2 p.m. The bands set to perform include Collision Theory, Quickstep and Checkeye. All proceeds raised support improvements to the Athens Skate Park and the free music and arts opportunities provided by the Athens Artists Memorial Project.

Admission: Free

Admission: Sliding admission of $10 to $20, children under 12 and volunteers are free

Casa Nueva hosts the Emily Singer band as an early show.

The event is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission: Free Friday, Sept. 11 “Amadeus” opens at Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, in Nelsonville, presented by the ABC Players.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online.

Admission: $8.50 for students, $12.50 for adults. There will be a $2.50 upcharge for ticket purchases at the door Casa Nueva hosts the Trans Takeover: Volume V, a dance party with special performances by Ultra Violet & the Spectrum, as well as Timberdoodle. Beginning at 10 p.m., all proceeds from the event support the Athens Trans Peer Support.

Admission: Free, but $5-$10 is the suggested donation Saturday, Sept. 12 Big Blue Guitar Festival is hosted by Waldbaden Acres, 6303 Luhrig Rd. The festival showcases the sounds of homemade instruments and their creators. The festival is between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Admission: Free; $15-$20 fees

GS349725@OHIO.EDU

ARE YOU A VOTER IN OHIO DISTRICTS 2 OR 12?

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

Battle of the Greens, Taco ‘Bout Habitat, Skate Jam LIV JACOBS FOR THE POST

Students interested in participating can, at no cost, attend AGES’ bi-weekly Thursday meetings at 6 p.m.

Meeting information is posted on the AGES Instagram.

“We are future older adults, instead of thinking of them as this older crowd,” Brown said.

“Why not study you, in a way, your future you,” Brown said.

Likewise, Schlicher attended an international conference in Atlanta with Brown last year, participating in aging research.

The OAGE’s annual conference will be at OU next spring. Interested students are encouraged to attend AGES meetings to prepare presentations for the conference.

aging, but at the same time, kind of finding a way to relate with each other because we do come from such different backgrounds in terms of majors and whatnot,” she said.

The 2026 Hocking River Sweep is a volunteer-led event that helps clean trash along the Hocking River. The event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. at the Athens Community Center, located at 701 E. State St. Trash bags and cotton gloves are provided, and early registrants will receive an event T-shirt. Participants are invited to a picnic-style lunch after the cleanup.

https://www.christianforohio.com

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE

If you work full-time in the United States, you should not be poor. That is a baseline standard of dignity. The minimum wage has been allowed to erode for years while productivity and corporate profits soared. People working forty hours a week are still choosing between rent and groceries. In the wealthiest country on Earth, that is a policy failure. Raising the minimum wage is not radical. It is an adjustment to reality. Housing, childcare, food, health care — everything costs more. Wages at the bottom have not kept pace. When people earn more, they spend more in their own communities. Small businesses benefit. Local economies strengthen. The alternative is what we have now: profits concentrating at the top while taxpayers subsidize corporations whose employees still qualify for public assistance. We can debate the exact number and how to phase it in. What should not be up for debate is whether someone who works deserves to live above the poverty line.

Note: This is Jerrad Christian’s position on this issue, but many centrist and progressive politicians hold similar views.

Admission: Free Sunday, Sept. 13 Casa Nueva hosts an Art Show Reception featuring Joe Ryckenboch, with music provided by OYO. The event is in an art gallery format, starting at 4 p.m.

Admission: Free The College of Arts and Sciences hosts Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, a Stories in the Park Exhibition at Richland Avenue Park, located at 8493 Dairy Lane, as part of the Central Region Humanities Center Biennial Conference. The event celebrates the United States of America’s 250th birthday.

Admission: Free

LJ934424@OHIO.EDU

“

“I’m tired of being represented by men who don’t seem to understand how it feels to struggle to make ends meet. I’m tired of being represented by men who care more about serving their campaign donors than they care about us, the people they have taken an oath to serve.” — Jennifer Mazzuckelli (mazz - uh - kelly)

BELIEVE THE EPSTEIN VICTIMS THE ELECTION IS TUE NOVEMBER 3.

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CASSIDY MCCLURG FOR THE POST This week, Venus enters Scorpio, creating a desire for deeper and passionate connections. Hidden thoughts about relationships will come to the surface. Time to check in with your loved ones and see what is and is not working. A change in routine may be exactly what you need.

This is a pre-retrograde phase, so make sure to have those conversations now.

Aries Go with the flow, Aries. You will have trials that exercise your drive, courage and how much vulnerability you can handle. Do not stress out too much or repress your words.

Slow down this week and meditate. You need the week to rest and be intentional in your words and actions.

Taurus This week will bring some trial and error. With Venus in

Scorpio, you might be a little uncomfortable, but it is good to get out of your comfort zone. It is time to look at details and make changes in your professional life.

Gemini Creativity is at the forefront this week, Gemini. You deserve the fortune that awaits you. You or someone else might be trying to hold you back, but you can find new foundations to let your ideas shine.

Cancer You might be feeling extra excited for the coziness of fall, but do not let that trap you into cuffing season. This week is full of affection and pleasure. A new moon will help you reorganize your family matters in accordance with big realizations and expressions of emotions.

Leo Your parents expect you to connect deeper with yourself despite your mood swings

this week, so be friendly. It can be hard to turn your life around, but you got this.

Your vision of the future may look completely different now. Maybe it is time to involve your family. It will come with time, maybe not all this week.

ing this week go either right or left. You are adaptable, Scorpio. You do not have to have it figured out, just go with the flow and do not give up.

Sagittarius

Do not let your wallet dry up this week, Virgo. You will want to chill out and enjoy your week. Stressing over finances is normal and having fun is free. See how your friends are doing; get a little sentimental.

You might be doing a lot of thinking this week, Sagittarius. Alone time will help you reach conclusions about what you want in love and life. You do not have to connect with others this week.

It is OK to be alone. All you have to do is consider your rationality because you live with it.

Libra

Capricorn

It is getting rocky, Libra.

You might need an escape, so take a weekend trip. Your mental health is beginning to solidify, so you are not afraid of inviting your friends along. Say affirmations in the mirror this week, especially, “I am worthy.”

Life does not have to always feel like impending doom.

Your ambition is strong, so just ask for what you want.

Your career is at the forefront, but it is OK to give yourself breaks so you do not burn out or self-sabotage.

Keep going, but stop to smell the roses.

Virgo

Scorpio Venus is in your sign, mak-

CROSSWORD

Aquarius

Try something new, Aquarius. You know who you are, but any unclear steps are throwing off your groove.

Transformation is here for you. Do something nostalgic this week in addition to something new.

Pisces Your belief system might be cracking. Difficult conversations will reset your relationships. You might feel like you need to escape, but do not run from a new beginning.

Cassidy McClurg is a junior student studying journalism at Ohio University.

Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassidy about their column? Email cm303824@ohio.edu

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Voter registration encourages student participation LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER With the election season and voter registration approaching, Ohio University students and Athens’ residents are encouraged by local organizations to register to vote.

For students voting for the first time or voting outside of their home county, understanding where to register and vote can be an important first step.

Knowing registration options and understanding the requirements can diminish uncertainty around voting.

Local organizations such as League of Women Voters of Athens County and the Athens Board of Elections are available to aid in the registration and voting process.

The deadline for voter registration is Oct. 5. A person can register on a physical voter registration form or online at voteohio.gov.

Physical registration forms can be found in local libraries or the Athens Board of Elections Office, where a person can also begin their registration process.

The Elections Office is located at 15 S. Court St. Employees provide visitors with a registration form to register as an Athens County voter, or the opportunity to update their address or Social Security number to be able to vote in Athens County.

If a student wants to vote in their home county but cannot travel there, they can request an absentee ballot 90 days before the election on Nov. 3,

2026. Ballots are only in paper form and can be found at the Elections Office.

After completing the request, an absentee ballot is delivered, which needs to be mailed to a person’s home county’s Board of Elections Office by 7:30 p.m. on election day. There is a specific drop-off mailbox outside the Elections Office for absentee ballots.

Shantelle McLaughlin, deputy director at Athens’ Board of Elections Office, said students who live outside of Athens County can change their voting details online. *“So when they come back, they can just jump online and update it,” she said. “It makes it really easy.”

For students and new residents, knowing where to register to vote and drop off ballots might be confusing.

Providing information for voters about the process of registration is an important job for the League of Women Voters of Athens County.

Adriane Mohlenkamp, voter services chair with the League of Women Voters of Athens County, coordinates work on voter registration and voter education.

The League of Women Voters’ main goal is to empower voters and defend democracy.

Mohlenkamp said this varies from voter education and making registration more accessible, informing people about candidates and issues on the ballot.

“We encourage students to think about registering at the location that’s going to make it easiest for them to vote,” Mohlenkamp said. “If you’re here in Athens and you want

to register here in Athens, that’s great. You can walk up to Court St. during early voting hours … or you can vote on election day.”

Mohlenkamp said students in the dorms can vote in Baker University Center, as well as Bobcats who live in apartments or houses. Mohlenkamp said it is important for voters, especially students, in Athens to take the steps to vote, making an impact and voicing opinions.

“We’re part of the larger population that elects a candidate or not,” Mohelnkamp said. “But I always remind people that even if the candidate you vote for doesn’t get elected, having your vote count in the mix matters because it matters to the politicians in our government.”

With students heavily populating Athens, understanding the meaning behind the voting process and participating in local elections plays an important role in shaping the community one lives and learns in, according to Mohlenkamp.

The League of Women Voters is providing voter registration support at the top of Morton Hill from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday for students to learn more about voting options and how to get involved.

Alisson Leggett, a sophomore studying psychology, said Athens can feel small, so every vote matters.

“Having students be more involved in Athens itself can bring more of the community together,” Leggett said.

LS299724@OHIO.EDU

Montclaire alt-band members balance school time, jam sessions LIBBY SHOEMAKER HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER Looking to make their mark within the Athens music scene, six Ohio University students formed the Montclaire band to share their passion for playing.

Montclaire was started by Garrett Smith, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, and Caden Finley, a junior studying music production and recording industry.

Smith and Finley met during Bobcat Student Orientation, bonding over their matching MF Doom rings, the late British hip-hop rapper. The two have been making music since they met their freshman year and have been jamming with their current members since March 2025, adding Finley McNamee this semester and establishing their six-piece band in Athens.

The group is now complete with Finley McNamee, a junior studying environmental biology; Alex Lawrence, a junior studying social studies education; Jesse Tholen, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability studies; and Felix Tanner, a junior studying biology pre-professional.

Montclaire’s sound can be characterized as alternative rock, but also a mix of other genres, including bluegrass and grunge punk, blending to create a sound inspired by each member’s influence.

Montclaire’s members have their own unique styles and preferences, and McNamee shares how their sound comes together through six varying music tastes.

“I think it surprises us how much it comes together,” McNamee said. “We all have different tastes, and even when we’re trying to pick songs to play, it’s some of the most random songs ever…but when we sit down to play, we

Athens-based alt-rock band Montclaire poses for a group portrait around a piano in Baker University Center in Athens, Aug. 31, 2026. From left to right, the band consists of Caden Finley, Felix Tanner, Finley McNamee, Garrett Smith, Jesse Tholen and Alex Lawrence. (ETHAN HERX | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY) know how to communicate and add those things together to sound uniform.”

very difficult, but the good thing about it is we’re all pretty good friends.”

When it comes to creating and performing their pieces, each member’s role may change. Every member knows how to play guitar, and Lawrence said it’s ideal for each member to be able to play every instrument.

Montclaire’s members are all third-year students, looking to balance classes and work with creating a successful band.

Despite these challenges, Montclaire continues to make time for each other and take advantage of performance opportunities in the area.

“I play guitar, and there’s an instrument called pedal steel,” Lawrence said. “It’s a newer instrument, but I think it defines some of our sound.”

For Montclaire, adaptability is especially important.

Adaptability not only helps the band accommodate each member’s schedules, but also helps make the balance between school and music successful. McNamee said they often send voice memos or ideas through text messages to prepare for when they meet.

“We all just love music, and we make sacrifices for it and for each other,” McNamee said. “Getting the six of us in one room is sometimes very,

“Obviously, we’re all very determined to make Montclaire a thing that happens, but every weekend for six people, that’s pretty rough,” Lawrence said.

Tanner, who is preparing for medical school, said his schedule is busy, but finding a rhythm in a routine helps him balance coursework and practice with Montclaire.

“I’m either studying and at practice, you grind during the week and make sure you have the weekends to have fun, play a show, work on some new music,” Tanner said. “I think it’s all about finding that time where you need to get stuff done and always doing it.”

With the fall season and Halloween coming up, Montclaire is looking to play as many shows as possible. The goal is to gain some following for the band and be able to share original music with the community.

The band is planning to create music throughout the upcoming winter. McNamee shares that each member has ideas for future songs and hopes Montclaire will eventually release a full album.

Athens provides a strong community for local bands to thrive. Being surrounded by many performers, other bands can be inspired and supported by fellow musicians. Lawrence said they played with Blithe during its first show recently and performed with a more established band the following day.

“They were super helpful and very kind to us because we’re obviously a newer band,” Lawrence said. “It’s also cool seeing someone like Blithe play their first show, and they were really good.”

The local scene also provides opportunities for bands like Montclaire to perform, connect with other artists and further explore their sound.

Tanner said Athens has an “accessible” music scene, and anyone can get together to start a band. Smith shares what it means to be immersed in Athens’ music scene.

“It’s awesome,” Smith said. “I love being in an environment that fosters creativity and fosters that sense of community that house shows bring.”

As the members of Montclaire continue to build their sound and balance their academic lives as musicians, Athens gives them a place to perform and create music.

Montclaire’s next show will be Sept. 12 at 19 Kurtz St. All their official updates can be found on Montclaire’s Instagram.

LJ934424@OHIO.EDU

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