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Lakewood Residents and Businesses Confront FirstEnergy Over Persistent Power Outages, Demand Accountability

Lakewood Residents and Businesses Confront FirstEnergy Over Persistent Power Outages, Demand Accountability

Residents and business owners in Lakewood, Ohio, confronted FirstEnergy representatives at a city hall hearing regarding a series of persistent power outages. The community expressed significant frustration over the outages, which have been a major issue for years, escalating with seven major incidents in June and July. Speakers at the hearing, including Lakewood resident Ashley Drachenberg and Lauren Small from the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the substantial financial costs incurred by businesses due to lost sales, spoiled inventory, and interrupted operations. City officials cited findings from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) indicating FirstEnergy's failure to maintain its infrastructure. FirstEnergy Vice President Sally Thomas acknowledged the company's shortcomings, stating, 'We have not lived up to your expectations or our own,' and admitted that the infrastructure in Lakewood is outdated and overburdened.
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Lakewood Mayor Seeks Short-Term Power Assurances from FirstEnergy Amidst Lengthy Infrastructure Repair Plans

Lakewood Mayor Seeks Short-Term Power Assurances from FirstEnergy Amidst Lengthy Infrastructure Repair Plans

Lakewood Mayor Meghan George is advocating for 'creative solutions' from FirstEnergy to prevent future power outages, particularly after the suburb experienced days-long blackouts in the past two summers. In a letter to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Mayor George requested that FirstEnergy provide backup generators or other interim power sources to ensure reliability while the utility undertakes a lengthy process to replace its aging infrastructure. FirstEnergy has indicated that replacing the outdated infrastructure, which it identifies as the root cause of the outages, could take nearly a decade. PUCO Spokesperson Matt Schilling confirmed that the agency is evaluating Lakewood's request. FirstEnergy is currently installing new transformers at its Lakewood substation, a move Mayor George believes is a direct result of increasing public and political pressure.
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Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

A bill aimed at addressing the impact of data centers on energy costs failed to advance in the U.S. Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed. The measure, which had previously passed the House with a significant majority (417-3), garnered only 57-43 in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, proposed requiring utility regulators to consider adopting a federal standard that would charge large power customers, such as data centers, rates covering the cost of necessary grid upgrades. Democrats, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the bill as insufficient, labeling it a 'fraud' and arguing it merely suggested rather than mandated action. They advocate for stronger legislation that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue mandatory rules for large electricity consumers to pay for grid improvements. The failure to pass the bill occurred as senators prepared to leave Washington for campaign activities ahead of the midterms, highl...
USA TodayUSA Today
High school football schedule for USA TODAY Sports Super 15 teams in Week 7

High school football schedule for USA TODAY Sports Super 15 teams in Week 7

In-state showdowns and highway matchups headline this week's slate of games across the country.
AP NewsAP News
Data center bill falls short in Senate as lawmakers take final votes before the midterms

Data center bill falls short in Senate as lawmakers take final votes before the midterms

The Senate has failed to advance a bill that attempts to address voter worries about data centers and their impact on energy bills
ReutersReuters
US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

By Richard Cowan and Nichola Groom WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The US Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider whether large electricity users, including data centers, should bear the incremental costs of power infrastructure built to serve them and
AP NewsAP News
Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms

Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms

Senate Republicans are dedicating one of the final votes leading up to the midterms to a bill that attempts to address voter worries about data centers and their impact on energy bills
USA TodayUSA Today
Data center bill pushes four Senate Democrats to break ranks

Data center bill pushes four Senate Democrats to break ranks

One of the defectors, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, told USA TODAY he believed the GOP bill was 'worthy of debate.'
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
Deductions will be devastating. Columbus teachers shouldn't pay for bad management | Letters

Deductions will be devastating. Columbus teachers shouldn't pay for bad management | Letters

School employees shouldn't have to pay for mismanagement. General Assembly's rush to help Vivek Ramaswamy maddening. Republican control is draining Ohio
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
Ohio high school football schedule Week 7, every Columbus-area OHSAA game

Ohio high school football schedule Week 7, every Columbus-area OHSAA game

See the schedule of Ohio high school football games in the Columbus area in Week 7 of the 2026 OHSAA season.
Westchester County Journal NewsWestchester County Journal News
Gen Z is moving to New York. Here's where Americans are relocating by generation

Gen Z is moving to New York. Here's where Americans are relocating by generation

U-Haul migration data shows Americans are choosing different destinations based on age, with Gen Z favoring New York, California and Texas while older generations continue moving South.
USA TodayUSA Today
Why buy it? More libraries let you borrow costly items for free

Why buy it? More libraries let you borrow costly items for free

From pressure washers to ghost-hunting kits, libraries are lending unique items to help you save money.