Thursday, Dec. 11: Deputy Death Case + Conviction Review + AI Delivery Shift
Thursday, Dec. 11
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Rodney Hinton seeks insanity plea in deputy death case
The man accused of killing a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy shortly after his son was fatally shot by police is seeking to change his plea. Rodney Hinton Jr. is asking for a new arraignment to plead not guilty by reason of insanity in the May 2 death of Deputy Larry Henderson. Prosecutors say Hinton intentionally struck Henderson with his car just hours after viewing body camera footage of Cincinnati police killing his son, 18-year-old Ryan Hinton. A judge heard expert testimony Wednesday, with more scheduled for January. A ruling is not expected before then.
Hamilton County may expand conviction integrity unit with independent lawyers
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich is asking for funding to expand the county’s Conviction Integrity Unit, with a request for three full-time staff in the upcoming budget. Launched in 2024 under a previous administration, the unit has been criticized for lacking independence, as it was staffed by in-house prosecutors. Pillich emphasized the need to involve outside attorneys to avoid conflicts of interest and restore public trust. The proposal, costing up to $280,000, aims to partner with groups like the Ohio Innocence Project. Commissioners are considering the request amid tight budget constraints.
Kroger’s AI delivery pivot raises privacy and pricing concerns
Kroger’s shift from robot-run warehouses to AI-powered delivery apps is drawing sharp criticism from privacy advocates and former employees. The grocery giant is closing 11 Ocado facilities and expanding partnerships with Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats—moves it says will cut costs and speed up delivery. But experts warn the new AI tool, Cart Assistant, may expose customer data and enable “surveillance pricing,” where shoppers unknowingly pay more based on personal information. Some also worry about reduced access to Kroger’s in-house service and lack of transparency around data-sharing practices.
Cincinnati housing boom driven by conversions, but affordability still worsening
Cincinnati is experiencing a notable housing construction surge, with 7,089 new housing units approved in 2024—a 14% increase from last year. The growth places the metro area 12th among 20 peer cities, surpassing regions like St. Louis and Pittsburgh, according to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. Much of the apartment growth comes from office-to-residential conversions, including 281 units in the former PNC Tower. Yet, affordability remains an issue: nearly a quarter of renters now spend over 30% of their income on housing.
Link Media acquires CityBeat, pledging continuity for alt-weekly
Cincinnati’s alternative weekly CityBeat has a new owner. Covington-based Link Media, parent company of Link NKY, has acquired the arts and culture publication, marking its second ownership change in two years. All operations, from design to ad sales, will shift under Link’s umbrella, ending CityBeat’s management ties to Detroit and St. Louis. The publication’s editorial direction will remain unchanged, and its bi-weekly print schedule continues. The move aims to preserve CityBeat’s 31-year presence amid industrywide newsroom losses. Outgoing owner Chris Keating will assist during the transition.
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