Ohio
Ohio Catholic bishops warn against ‘unfounded gossip’ and ‘scapegoating’ of Haitian immigrants
Watch Springfield city manager refute viral immigrants claims
Bryan Heck, Springfield city manager, addressed the media and called into question statements about the growing Haitian immigrant population.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio, which represents bishops from diocesan groups across the state, published a letter Thursday asking for the public to treat Haitian immigrants in Springfield with respect and dignity, warning against “unfounded gossip” and “scapegoating.”
“Today, our nation is divided by partisanship and ideology, which blind us to the image of God in our neighbor, especially the unborn, the poor, and the stranger, the letter reads. “These negative sentiments are only exacerbated by gossip, which can spread quickly across social media with no concern for the truth or those involved.”
Bishops from Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Steubenville, Youngstown, Parma and Canton signed the letter, released in anticipation of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 29. The Catholic Conference is an umbrella organization representing “the Church’s position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations.”
Haitian immigrants living in Springfield were thrust into the national spotlight earlier in September when prominent conservative figures, including former president Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, began spreading unfounded rumors that the immigrants were eating pets and wildlife.
Schools, businesses, and public buildings in Springfield have faced evacuations after receiving a flood of threats since the community gained the national spotlight, The Dispatch previously reported.
Against this backdrop, Ohio’s Catholic bishops asked people to recognize the immigrants’ “infinite dignity” and integrate the newcomers into Springfield’s social fabric.
“Like all people, these Haitians should be afforded the respect and dignity that are theirs by right and allowed the ability to contribute to the common good,” the religious leaders wrote.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in adulthood, said he does not regret spreading the baseless claims because they brought attention to the issue of immigration.
“If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people then that’s what I’m going to do,” Vance told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, USA TODAY previously reported.
The bishops, citing a passage in scripture, called for the Catholic faithful and “all people of goodwill” not to perpetuate ill will based on unfounded gossip in their Thursday letter.
“Instead, we ask for prayers and support for all the people of Springfield as they integrate their new Haitian neighbors and build a better future together,” the bishops wrote.
Catholicism is one of the more popular religions in Haiti, with an estimated 35 percent of residents identifying as Catholic, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Brian Hickey, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, released a statement alongside the letter, praising Gov. Mike DeWine, local officials, local organizations and the state’s Catholics for providing resources to Springfield.
“We are proud of Catholics throughout Ohio who give their time, talent, and treasure for their immigrant neighbors, recognizing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ transcends countries, cultures, and languages,” Hickey said in the statement.
NHart@dispatch.com
@NathanRHart
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.
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(Photo of Lincoln Kienholz: Adam Cairns – Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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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.
Due to high winds in Northeast Ohio, the Ohio Turnpike has issued a travel ban for certain vehicles on Monday.
From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., some high-profile vehicles that may be affected by high wind speeds will be prohibited from using the turnpike.
The following vehicles will not be able to travel using the turnpike:
- All high-profile (greater than 7-feet 6-inches in height) tow-behind trailers, campers, boats, and enclosed trailers. (This does not include trailers with fifth-wheel type trailers).
- Commercial trucks towing an empty, single 53-foot box-type trailer.
- All mobile homes, office trailers and livestock trailers.
- All long combination vehicles (LCV) that include double-trailer combinations exceeding 90 feet in length. (Enclosed trailers only, including Conestoga type trailers).
- All LCV triple-trailer combinations.
- Two-axle buses longer than 40 feet.
- Buses with three or more axles greater than 45 feet.
The travel ban will not impact the following vehicles:
- Passenger cars and pickup trucks.
- Commercial trucks towing a loaded, single 53-foot trailer.
- Self-propelled motor homes.
- Low-profile trailers.
- Fold-down camper trailers.
- Pickup trucks with slide-on camper units.
- Vehicles towing fifth-wheel type trailers or any other type of trailers towed by passenger vehicles or pickup trucks that are not listed in the “prohibited” vehicles section above.
- Commercial trucks towing a single flatbed or tanker trailer.
- Commercial trucks towing a car hauler trailer.
- Commercial trucks towing flatbed double-trailer combinations.
- Commercial trucks towing any double-trailer combinations less than 90 feet.
- Two-axle buses less than 40 feet.
- Buses with three or more axles less than 45 feet.
The travel restriction will be continuously evaluated throughout the weather event.
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