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Toledo Free Press A nonprofit, nonpartisan, local online newsroom serving Northwest Ohio. A Freedom of the Press defender. Toledo Free Press looks forward to the conversation.
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Story preview: Norman Finkelstein’s appearance at the UMAT dinnerTOLEDO – Jewish political scientist and longtime activi...
10/14/2026

Story preview: Norman Finkelstein’s appearance at the UMAT dinner

TOLEDO – Jewish political scientist and longtime activist in support of the Palestinian people, Norman Finkelstein, gave the keynote address during the United Muslims Association of Toledo (UMAT) 30th Annual Dinner.

Dr. S. Maseeh Rehman, the president of UMAT and an allergist/immunologist, spoke about the history of UMAT and the dinner.

“For us, there are at least 35 different nationalities who live here [in Greater Toledo], and the idea of the organization [UMAT] was to connect with them,” he said. “They have different languages; they have different cultures; they have different traditions; they have different cuisines. We got to know them, to know each other, to connect each other, and then to work for the betterment of the city, of the town, and of the country.”

The other objective Rehman mentioned was to reach out to their non-Muslim friends, so they can learn about Muslim traditions, values and culture.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/story-preview-norman-finkelsteins-appearance-at-the-umat-dinner/

(TFP photo and story by Stephen Zenner)

Wild Side: Sumac with early fall iceFall color isn’t just reds and yellows. The arrival of the new season eventually com...
10/14/2026

Wild Side: Sumac with early fall ice

Fall color isn’t just reds and yellows. The arrival of the new season eventually comes dressed in white -pure white – as in frost. Sometimes frost puts a white border on leaves that are changing color, outlining shapes and adding a delicate and beautiful touch. This stand of sumac taken two years ago displays this magic.

(Photo by Art Weber, nature photographer for Metroparks Toledo)

Letter to the Editor: What if nonprofits built the future together?Letters to the editor and opinion submissions do not ...
10/14/2026

Letter to the Editor: What if nonprofits built the future together?

Letters to the editor and opinion submissions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Toledo Free Press.

Recently, more than 60 nonprofit organizations and mobile programs, along with community leaders, businesses and supporters, and the movement Five and Rising gathered in Toledo for the third annual IMPACT event.

The day was about collaboration. But more importantly, it was about challenging ourselves to think differently about what is possible when we stop working within the limitations of the systems we have inherited and begin imagining the systems our communities actually need.

Bert Jacobs, co-founder and Chief Optimist of Life is Good, delivered the keynote message. His message was simple, but it carries enormous implications: optimism is not about ignoring problems. It is about believing that problems can be solved, particularly when we work together.

That idea was put into practice throughout the day.

Read more : https://toledofreepress.com/letter-to-the-editor-what-if-nonprofits-built-the-future-together/

Photo courtesy of Center for Community Impact.
By: Aileen Meyer

Defiance manufacturer celebrates tradespeopleDECKED program supporting community and schoolsDEFIANCE – If you’re looking...
10/14/2026

Defiance manufacturer celebrates tradespeople

DECKED program supporting community and schools

DEFIANCE – If you’re looking for an excellent-paying job, we have good news: the skilled trades world is looking for you. And it may be a much better career value (financially) than attending a four-year college.

The U.S. Department of Education estimates that by 2030, 2.1 million skilled trades jobs in the U.S. could go unfilled, with potential economic losses reaching $1 trillion annually. Electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, pipefitters, welders and industrial maintenance mechanics are among the most in-demand positions.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/defiance-manufacturer-celebrates-tradespeople/

(Photo courtesy of DECKED)
By: Julie P***a

10/13/2026

🎭 The Bodyguard comes to Toledo

The musical adaptation of The Bodyguard is coming to the Stranahan Theater in Toledo from Oct. 15-18, bringing the story of fame, romance, and protection to the stage alongside songs made famous by Whitney Houston.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now for performances Oct. 15-18. Tickets and additional information are available at BodyguardMusical.com.



Reel by Gaven Hafner

Political scientist Norman Finkelstein: Conversation with TFPWhile much of current criticism aimed at the Israeli govern...
10/12/2026

Political scientist Norman Finkelstein: Conversation with TFP

While much of current criticism aimed at the Israeli government has stemmed from its post-October 7th military operation in Gaza, which has killed upwards of 70,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, there are many who’ve long taken issue with its policies.

Among this group of pre-October 7th critics is 72-year-old Norman Finkelstein, a Jewish son of Holocaust survivors, who finds himself uniquely sensitive to what a United Nations commission has classified as “genocide in the Gaza Strip.”

Ahead of a weekend speaking engagement in northwest Ohio, Finkelstein took some time to talk with the Toledo Free Press. It’s an interview that began with his thoughts on the current leadership of Israel, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Finkelstein on today’s Israel
“I wouldn’t say that it’s a far-right government,” Finkelstein told TFP. Rather, he says, “Israel is less discreet about hiding aspects of Israeli society,” and that “it became an in-your-face, far-right — not just government — but an in-your-face, far-right society.”

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/political-scientist-norman-finkelstein-conversation-with-tfp/

Pexels photo by Mibernaa.
By: Jaden Jefferson

Toledo Free Press Voter’s Guide: Lucas County’s ballot issuesTOLEDO – Early voting began this week in the state of Ohio,...
10/12/2026

Toledo Free Press Voter’s Guide: Lucas County’s ballot issues

TOLEDO – Early voting began this week in the state of Ohio, and as the Toledo Free Press has previously reported, there are a number of high-profile races on the ballot this year: from governor to U.S. Senate. But in addition to candidates, voters can also expect to see a few issues on their ballot as well.

Issue 3
Statewide, voters are deciding whether or not to enshrine Ohio’s existing requirement of photo ID to vote in the state constitution. Issue 3 would define approved forms of photo ID as:

• an unexpired Ohio driver’s license or state identification card;

• a United States passport or passport card;

• or a United States military identification card, Ohio National Guard identification card, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs identification card.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/toledo-free-press-voters-guide-lucas-countys-ballot-issues/

(TFP image and story by Jaden Jefferson)

TFP Voter’s Guide: Lyndsey Stough (I) runs for Ohio House 44As an architect, Lyndsey Stough has designed and managed com...
10/12/2026

TFP Voter’s Guide: Lyndsey Stough (I) runs for Ohio House 44

As an architect, Lyndsey Stough has designed and managed complex projects, balancing competing needs, tight budgets and deadlines while interacting with owners, local governments, community members, construction workers and engineers.

As the daughter of longtime Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough, who stepped down in 2024 after 39 years in public service, she was able to “peek behind the curtain” on what it takes to weigh different sides and make a level-headed decision to benefit the community. It’s the same attitude she carries with her as a member of Sylvania City Council today.

As an Independent, Stough has watched the divisiveness of a two-party system get in the way of finding solutions that could benefit northwest Ohioans. The time is right for an Independent to represent District 44 in the Statehouse, she said.

“As an Independent, I answer directly to District 44, not parties, special interest donors or lobbyists – just the people I represent,” she said. “I’m not an Independent that’s secretly a Democrat or a Republican. I’ve never been part of a political party. There’s a lot of discontent and hyper-partisanship that is taking away from what we have in common. Why don’t we solve the issues that are bothering us together?”

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/tfp-voters-guide-lyndsey-stough-i-runs-for-ohio-house-44/

(Courtesy photo)
By: Karen Gerhardinger

Your city is always changing, and staying connected to what is happening around you matters.Toledo Free Press brings att...
10/08/2026

Your city is always changing, and staying connected to what is happening around you matters.

Toledo Free Press brings attention to the people, places, businesses, and issues shaping our community every day.

Supporting local journalism helps make that coverage possible.

If you want to stay connected to Toledo and the news happening close to home, consider making a donation today.

You can donate here: https://toledofreepress.com/support/

Upcoming Toledo Area Events(All events are compiled from press releases and other public announcements)The Toledo area a...
10/07/2026

Upcoming Toledo Area Events

(All events are compiled from press releases and other public announcements)

The Toledo area always has something going on, from live shows and family-friendly activities to protests and community meetings. Here are some of the events to check out. If you have something you’d like us to consider adding, please reach out!

Thursday, Oct. 15 – Data Centers, Community, & Sustainability in Northwest Ohio includes a panel of town hall speakers who will discuss this timely and controversial topic. It will be held at the Veteran’s Building, 520 Conneaut Ave., Bowling Green, Ohio from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 14 – At 7:30 p.m., the Music Business Technology students from Owens Community College present the first performance of the 11th Annual, 2026-27, Accent on the Arts concerts, featuring Warren & Flick. Jacob Warren plays double and tenor bass and Grant Flick plays violin, tenor guitar, and nyckelharpa, drawing from classical, jazz, and folk traditions. Learn more about them at WarrenandFlick.com.

Accent on the Arts is a FREE concert series designed, booked, promoted, and presented by Music Business Technology students. The concert will be at the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Owens Community College Toledo Campus, 7270 Biniker Rd., Perrysburg.

Thursday, Oct. 15 – the Lucas SWCD is offering Vermicomposting 101 Class at 5:30 p.m. Registered participants will learn about composting, how to compost using worms, and leave with a vermicomposting tub and starter pack of worms to take home. The class is $50 per participant and space is limited. Register online at LucasSWCD.org/vermicomposting.

Read more: https://toledofreepress.com/toledo-news-briefs/

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