Wednesday, Dec. 17: Labor Lawsuit + Emergency Services + Campus AI
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Kroger sued again over assistant managers’ overtime pay.
Kroger is facing mounting legal pressure over alleged wage theft, including a recent settlement with 2,500 assistant store managers who say they were misclassified to avoid overtime pay. An Enquirer investigation found the company has been sued more than 20 times since 2020 over similar allegations nationwide. Plaintiffs claim they were given titles like “assistant manager” but performed manual labor without managerial authority—working up to 60 hours a week without overtime. Kroger denies wrongdoing and says no court has ruled against it. Several settlements remain pending.
Hamilton County opens $16M EMA building with NextGen 911.
Hamilton County is preparing to open a new $16 million Emergency Management Agency building in Springdale, which will also house the county’s 911 dispatch center. Designed to enhance real-time coordination, the facility will serve as a full-scale emergency operations center during disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and hazardous materials spills. It features Next Generation 911 technology, allowing residents to send texts or videos during emergencies. The former Colerain Township center will serve as a training site and backup dispatch hub. The new center is expected to be fully operational by month’s end.
Cincinnati colleges race to adopt AI; rules still evolving.
TColleges and universities in Greater Cincinnati are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, with varying degrees of regulation, access, and academic focus. The University of Cincinnati has embraced AI across disciplines, offering degrees, a private AI tool, and a dedicated ethics framework. Miami University integrates AI into its strategic plan and curriculum, while Xavier University emphasizes ethical use through its arts-focused program. Community colleges like Cincinnati State and Gateway offer coursework but not full AI majors. Across the river, Northern Kentucky University promotes AI literacy through guidelines and minors. Regulations, however, remain a work in progress.
Temp snow workers allege harsh shifts; Bengals blamed for seats.
Temporary workers who cleared snow at Paycor Stadium ahead of Sunday’s Bengals game are speaking out about harsh conditions and concerns over fair pay. One letter to CityBeat described long, freezing shifts for workers—some of whom are unhoused—while fans later arrived to find their seats still covered in snow. The Bengals said priority was given to aisles and walkways. Contractor Bob Lenhart insists all workers were compensated properly. County Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas apologized to fans and criticized the team, saying, “The Bengals have to do better.”
1896 beer mosaic mural uncovered at Rhinegeist renovations.
A long-hidden tile mural dating back to 1896 has been uncovered during renovations at Rhinegeist Brewery in Over-the-Rhine. The building, originally the Christian Moerlein bottling plant, had been painted over for more than a century. Contractors restoring the facade discovered the mural, which features a German couple serving beer and the original Moerlein logo. Preservationists believe it was created by the Mosaic Tile Company of Zanesville. Rhinegeist plans to honor the find with a new lager named Tip of the Hat.
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