The Blade will publish its final edition on Dec. 31, unless a buyer emerges. Not surprising, but a sad day for Toledo and journalism. The Blade has been a big part of the community since 1835 — older than the city itself — and I’ve been proud to be a small part of it for the past 14-plus years. I got to spend the last decade as a columnist — an increasingly rare job in an increasingly difficult business — in one of the best, most underrated sports towns in the country, alongside some incredibly talented colleagues. Never took that for granted. Grateful for the run, and ready for whatever comes next.

America at 250. July 2 is one of my favorite dates because of John Adams. July 2, 1786, the delegates are exhausted, the debates have dragged on for weeks, and the weight of history presses down like the summer humidity. On this very day, July 2, 1776, Adams and his allies push the Continental Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain. The resolution passes. The colonies are no longer subjects; they are free, or at least determined to become so. Adams writes to his beloved Abigail that day: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America… It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” He was off by two days. July 4 would get the glory when the Declaration was formally adopted, but he nailed the spirit. As we race toward America 250 in 2026, this moment feels electric. Two hundred fifty years ago, a group of imperfect but courageous people bet everything on the radical idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. They chose hope over fear, unity over division, and liberty over submission. Today is all about John Adams!

#TheCGP - @5thDownCFB Men’s CBB, the “new” Big Ten, the conference that should be created, numbers vs rings of honor, Notre Dame-USC nonsense. - @MarkStandriff Director, The Buddy Holly Story - @nschager The Daily Beast. 3 reviews including Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.

Ready to continue the Gold Standard 🌟 #TeamToledo | @coach_mjacobs