🌱 Walnut Hills Victim Identified + Cincinnati Metro Hiring Bonus

Rise and shine, Cincinnati! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Not as cold, becoming breezy. High: 42 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories today in Cincinnati:

1. Police have identified the 19-year-old who was killed in a shooting in Walnut Hills on Sunday. The victim, Jalen Shepard, was found inside a car suffering from a gunshot wound and was taken to UC Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. The shooting occurred around 3:53 p.m. on the 800 block of Beecher Street, between Melrose and Gilbert avenues. (Fox 19)
2. A Cincinnati mother who lost her 18-month-old son to a rare cancer is adopting a baby boy. Tanya and Jason Gill were chosen after the birth mother of the couple's new baby said she was touched by their story. The Gills have been keeping their son's memory alive with an annual toy drive, The Christian Kennedy Graham Toy Drive, which begins Jan. 15 and will continue through Christian's birthday, Feb. 18. (WLWT Cincinnati)
3. Cincinnati Metro is offering a $2,000 signing bonus to newly hired bus drivers. Interested candidates do not need a commercial driver's license to apply. Pay rates start at $18 per hour for trainees with the potential to earn top operator pay of more than $27 within five years. (WLWT Cincinnati)

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Today's Cincinnati Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Cincinnati!

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Today in Cincinnati:

• In-Person Family Storytime At Groesbeck (10:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• A blue penguin recently hatched at the Cincinnati Zoo. (Instagram)
• University of Cincinnati applications from prospective students are up 11 percent with more than 23,000 requests for admission to UC for the fall 2022 semester. (Facebook)
• The PNC Festival of Lights is open nightly through Jan. 9. Come see why the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden were named Best Zoo Light Display in the Country! (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.