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50 years of family, food and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 

The event marks a half-century of celebrating Cincinnati's German roots.

Things to Do

For Ludwig Noll, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati turning 50 is both a festival milestone and celebration of family history.Why it matters: Oktoberfest has grown from a street festival in 1976 into the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S. and the largest outside Munich.<ul><li>Behind those massive crowds are families like the Nolls, who&#x27;ve spent decades keeping Cincinnati&#x27;s German traditions alive.</li></ul>

Cincinnati's 1st 4DX theater gives moviegoers a wild ride

The Kings Island-like amusement features moving seats, simulated wind and rain, even scents.

Kings Island isn&#x27;t the only place around Cincinnati where you can strap in for a wild ride. Now you can do it at the movies, too.Why it matters: Ohio&#x27;s first 4DX auditorium brings the immersive movie format — and another attraction — to Greater Cincinnati.

Gus the dachshund just can't quit Oktoberfest's wiener dog races

About 100 dogs in costumes race annually along the Ohio River.

Gus spent nearly a decade chasing balls and glory at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oktoberfest Zinzinnati&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/09/17/oktoberfest-zinzinnati-50th-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="fd4694c2-8491-4707-8bf2-d11adf700e65" data-vars-headline="Gus the dachshund just can&#x27;t quit Oktoberfest&#x27;s wiener dog races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/09/17/oktoberfest-zinzinnati-50th-anniversary" target="_self">Oktoberfest Zinzinnati&#x27;s</a> Running of the Wieners races. Retirement hasn&#x27;t exactly been his idea.Running the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunday&#x27;s signature Oktoberfest event" data-vars-click-url="https://oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/events/" data-vars-content-id="fd4694c2-8491-4707-8bf2-d11adf700e65" data-vars-headline="Gus the dachshund just can&#x27;t quit Oktoberfest&#x27;s wiener dog races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/events/" target="_blank">Sunday&#x27;s signature Oktoberfest event</a> sends roughly 100 dachshunds in hot dog costumes sprinting (usually) along the banks of the Ohio River. Gus raced there for nine years — and loved every frantic second.

Cincinnati UFO hunters keep looking for answers

The latest White House UFO files offer few new insights. Cincinnati-based MUFON says its investigators will keep digging.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest batch of UFO files" data-vars-click-url="https://www.war.gov/ufo/?releaseDate=Release+06&amp;release=06" data-vars-content-id="dd7e8103-677e-4360-b879-893a79e3dc4f" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati UFO hunters keep looking for answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.war.gov/ufo/?releaseDate=Release+06&amp;release=06" target="_blank">latest batch of UFO files</a> released by the White House reveals little that ufologists haven&#x27;t already seen, especially those in the Cincinnati-based Mutual UFO Network.Why it matters: Most Americans think the government is shielding UFO information from the public, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gallup polling shows" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/713765/americans-skeptical-ufos-aliens.aspx" data-vars-content-id="dd7e8103-677e-4360-b879-893a79e3dc4f" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati UFO hunters keep looking for answers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/713765/americans-skeptical-ufos-aliens.aspx" target="_blank">Gallup polling shows</a>. <ul><li>MUFON has spent decades independently investigating UFO reports, preserving evidence and pushing for more government transparency.</li></ul>

Avondale health center is getting a major upgrade

The renovation will bring medical, pharmacy and dental services under one roof.

Health

The Ambrose Health Center&#x27;s major renovation and expansion will put medical, pharmacy and dental care under one roof in Avondale.Why it matters: Access to affordable, nearby health care is especially important in a neighborhood where nearly half of residents live below the poverty line, per a U.S. Census estimate.

Cincinnati's lead pipe challenge isn't just the pipes

Greater Cincinnati Water Works has replaced 10,000 lead service lines since 2018, but getting homeowners to say yes remains a huge hurdle.

Cincinnati is a national model for not only replacing lead service lines but also for figuring out how to get homeowners to agree to the work.Why it matters: Lead service lines remain a public health concern nationwide, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="EPA estimates roughly 4 million remain in service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-service-lines" data-vars-content-id="6bd24e66-1ec4-437e-a5b9-205f4e94bf26" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati&#x27;s lead pipe challenge isn&#x27;t just the pipes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-service-lines" target="_blank">EPA estimates roughly 4 million remain in service</a>.<ul><li>But some cities have struggled to resolve the issue, with a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 2037 federal deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nlc.org/initiative/lead-and-copper-rule-series/" data-vars-content-id="6bd24e66-1ec4-437e-a5b9-205f4e94bf26" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati&#x27;s lead pipe challenge isn&#x27;t just the pipes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nlc.org/initiative/lead-and-copper-rule-series/" target="_blank"> 2037 federal deadline</a> looming to replace them. </li></ul>

Freestore Foodbank responds to rising hunger 

Food insecurity is up in Greater Cincinnati, per a new Feeding America report.

Greater Cincinnati&#x27;s largest food bank is investing more money to feed local families this summer amid rising food insecurity, especially among children.Why it matters: Even working families have little cushion for rising costs or unexpected expenses, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replacing food spoiled" data-vars-click-url="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-cincinnati-1d3d524f-d43e-4d73-862a-1aa3d6d2695f.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" data-vars-content-id="749f1966-2b3b-4a90-920e-4dd240272082" data-vars-headline="Freestore Foodbank responds to rising hunger " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-cincinnati-1d3d524f-d43e-4d73-862a-1aa3d6d2695f.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" target="_self">replacing food spoiled</a> by a power outage.

Former Northside church grows into health hub

A historic church is taking on new life through food, fitness and community.

Culture

A 47,000-square-foot former Presbyterian church on Hamilton Avenue is quietly becoming one of Northside&#x27;s most ambitious community health projects.Why it matters: Heart of Northside is part event venue, part urban farm, and part future home for cardiac rehabilitation services.<ul><li>Local cardiologist Florence Rothenberg wants to make it &quot;so easy to be healthy in Northside that you can&#x27;t not be healthy&quot; — and hopes the model can eventually be replicated in other neighborhoods.</li></ul>

New Xavier medical school aims to ease Ohio doctor shortage

It's one of several schools in the region looking to expand their medical education.

Xavier University is moving closer to opening Ohio&#x27;s first new medical school in nearly 50 years.Why it matters: The new school is part of a broader regional effort to keep more physicians in Greater Cincinnati as statewide and national shortages grow.

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Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Cleveland

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

Health 🩺

Avondale health center is getting a major upgrade

Cincinnati's lead pipe challenge isn't just the pipes

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Freestore Foodbank responds to rising hunger

Former Northside church grows into health hub