Fourth Street Bridge, W&S Open future, here are today's top stories | Daily Briefing

Hi. Patti Newberry here, enterprise-watchdog-and-sometimes-transportation reporter. For the latter category – in something of a surprise when I joined The Enquirer early last year – I’ve written about the gigantic Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project close to a dozen times since March 2022.

Now comes a Northern Kentucky bridge dust-up – this one about the Fourth Street Bridge that connects Covington and Newport. It’s smaller, at $68 million for a 1,001-foot structure vs. the Brent Spence project at $3.6 billion that stretches 8 miles in all. But community advocates interested in the Fourth Street structure are no less passionate than the ones with opinions on the Brent Spence.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet wants to replace the existing three-lane span with a four-lane one. Others want the new bridge limited to three lanes – with one eventually dedicated to bus and streetcar traffic.

If you like a good bridge battle and want to learn more about the heart of the concerns from both sides, we’ve got you covered.

What else you need to know Thursday, May 11

🌤️ Weather:High of 81. Partly sunny and warm.

🎾 Western & Southern Open: August tennis tradition might be on way to Charlotte.

🏈 Bengals: NFL announces Week 17 matchup with Kansas City Chiefs.

🍽️ Restaurants: Pop-up brunch spot coming to OTR for a limited time. Here's a peek at the menu.

📜 Today in History: On May 11, 1969, the British comedy troupe Monty Python form.

Before you go: Pull up a chair with Keith Pandolfi – At the Table

Did you know that food and dining writer Keith Pandolfi has been writing a weekly newsletter? It's called At the Table, where he invites you to read his diary-page-worthy thoughts on the local food scene every Wednesday.

This week, he (finally!) found a sandwich shop, in Norwood, that is doing handheld lunches the right way. Check it out here.

It's available only to subscribers, so be sure to pay attention to the line below. ⬇️

– Get full access with a subscription to Cincinnati.com –

Today's top headlines:

∙FC Cincinnati's US Open Cup run continues with 1-0 win vs. NYCFC

∙ 'I'm proud of my city': Donations pay outstanding fees keeping CPS seniors from diplomas

∙Xavier University approves new medical school

∙From food truck to restaurant: Pata Roja Taqueria opening spot in Court Street Plaza

∙Cincinnati Reds offense silenced by Justin Verlander in loss to New York Mets