Ohio

Bull sharks in the Ohio River? What we found when we investigated the rumor

Published

9 months ago

April 11, 2025

Bull sharks in the Ohio River? What we found when we investigated the rumor

As the Ohio River reached near-record-setting flood levels recently, a recurrent rumor surfaced about the alleged danger of bull sharks in its waters. The theory? That bull sharks swim up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico and occasionally troll the waters.

If the idea of sharks in the river fuels your “Jaws”-inspired fear, you can exhale now.

“The likelihood of encountering a bull shark in the Ohio River, particularly in Kentucky, is zero,” Chris Plante, animal care director at the Newport Aquarium, said in a statement to The Enquirer.

That makes sense considering exactly how far a shark would have to swim to make its way into Kentucky. The Ohio River connects with the Mississippi River about 350-driving-miles south west in Cairo, Illinois – and the river twists and winds its way there through dams built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Calling bull on bull shark lore

When the Ohio River finally meets with the Mississippi, it’s then still about 1,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, there have only been two semi-confirmed reports of a bull shark making its way into the Midwest on its own.

The first alleges that a fisherman caught a bull shark in Alton, Illinois in 1937. But a reporter at the The Telegraph in Alton debunked that theory by spilling some family lore in 2021. He wrote that, according to family legend, the notorious prankster who said he caught the shark actually bought it at a St. Louis fish market.

In 1995, a bull shark was allegedly caught in a grate south of Festus, Missouri. It’s a bit more difficult to track down where that claim originated from.

What about bull shark pets?

Now, aside from swimming up the river, is it possible people release sharks into the Ohio River?

That sounds strange but strange things happen.

In Michigan, for instance, where pet alligators are legal unless municipalities create their own restrictions, escaped alligators are found in rivers, yards, and even a hotel room just last month, the Detroit Free Press reported.

In Ohio, permits are required for alligator ownership and two were spotted in a river back in 2023. An Ohio Division of Wildlife officer killed one of them, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, there aren’t any regulations against bull shark ownership in Kentucky and the species isn’t federally protected.

But considering that bull shark pups can be around 3 feet long and adults top out around 13 feet, it seems unlikely the average person could have a bull shark in captivity for long and much less so transport a live one to the Ohio River for dumping.

Have you ever seen a shark in the Ohio River? Can you prove it? Send an email to Northern Kentucky Reporter Jolene Almendarez with more information. She can be reached at jolenea@gannett.com.

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Ohio State has added a tight end as its first 2026 transfer portal addition

Published

12 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State has added a tight end as its first 2026 transfer portal addition

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Ohio State had added the first player to its 2026 transfer portal class.

Mason Williams is a former member of the 2023 recruiting class who spent his first three seasons as an Ohio Bobcat. After redshirting his freshman season, he’s spent the last two as a vital member of the Bobcats’ offense as both a blocker and a receiver.

In 1,133 snaps, Williams caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns. As a blocker, he can be a reliable end-line tight end who can replace the loss of Will Kacmarek, who is out of eligibility. Kacmarek also came from Ohio in 2024 and spent the last two years as a major contributor, developing into one of the nation’s best blocking tight ends.

Williams will have two years of eligibility remaining in Columbus. His addition helps offset the loss of Kacmarek to graduation and Jelani Thurman to the transfer portal. He’ll join a room expected to feature Bennett Christian, Nate Roberts, Brody Lemon and Maxence LeBlanc. Nick Lautar will also join the room as an incoming freshman.

OSU is also waiting for the decision of Purdue transfer Max Klare, who has the option of declaring for the NFL Draft or returning in 2026.

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Ohio State Transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz Commits to Louisville

Published

24 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State Transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz Commits to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville football program, presumably, has their QB1 for the 2026 season.

Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz announced Saturday that he has committed to the Cardinals. He will join Louisville will two years of eligilbility.

Keinholz is Louisville’s second portal commitment of the cycle, joining Kentucky cornerback D.J. Waller. The duo are the first to offset 21 portal defections that UofL has seen so far. The 14-day transfer window officially opened up this past Friday, and is the only opportunity for players to enter following the removal of the spring window.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback was involved in a highly competitive battle for the Buckeyes’ starting gig in the preseason, before ultimately losing out to eventual Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin. He saw action in seven games this past season, going 11-of-14 through the air for 139 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 66 yards and two scores on 11 attempts.

“Just a tremendous athlete,” OSU head coach Ryan Day said of Kienholz at Big Ten Media Days this past summer. “You pick a sport, he can do it. He’s like a four handicap [in golf]. He can hit the [baseball] out of the park. He was a major league baseball prospect. He can windmill dunk. He can do a lot of things.”

The Pierre, S.D. native spent three seasons in Columbus. As a true freshman in 2023, he played in three games, going 10-of-22 for 111 yards, while also rushing for two yards on six attempts. He did not log any stats during Ohio State’s 2024 national championship season.

Kienholz was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranking as No. 194 prospect in the Class of 2023. He chose Ohio State over Illinois, Kansas State, Pitt, Washington, Wisconsin and others.

He has the inside track to be Louisville’s starter next season given recent roster movement. Previously, incoming true freshman Briggs Cherry was the lone scholarship quarterback on the roster after Deuce Adams, Brady Allen and Mason Mims all hit the transfer portal.

In their third season under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville went 9-4 overall, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play and a 27-22 win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in all three seasons under Brohm, doing so for the first time since 2012-14.

Ohio

Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for Dec. 28, 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 9-0-9

Evening: 2-4-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-4-5-8

Evening: 4-6-2-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-8-6-2-0

Evening: 2-4-5-7-9

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

10-11-15-19-34

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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