Lauren Shows was born to a preacher and a preacher's wife, and spent the majority of her earliest childhood years rollin' 'round the bible belt, to end up in Panama City, Florida. After graduating from Florida State University in Tallahassee, she spent the next several months in existential crisis, making lattes for snowbirds and spring-breakers, before moving to Kentucky to get an MFA in writing from Spalding University. A chance meeting at Spalding landed her in Yellow Springs. She was graciously hired by the News, though her only previous dealing with newspaper publication was in third grade, when she wrote a story about a bunch of skeletons rising from the dead on Halloween, which was printed in the Owenton News-Herald. Lauren enjoys cheese, giant squid, and Michael J. Fox.

• YS Schools— First day of school remains on track; contingency calendar in place

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 25, 2026

  

  Yellow Springs Schools students are expected to begin the upcoming school year as planned on Thursday, Aug. 20, inside both district buildings. Construction crews will still be at work putting the finishing touches on the updated facilities into November, but Superintendent Megan Winston said the administration and construction team remain optimistic that the buildings will be ready for the first day of school. The school board held a special meeting Tuesday, July 14, to discuss a proposed contingency calendar for the school year in the event that there are unexpected construction delays.

• ‘An Evening of Julius Eastman’ with Neutrals and Friends— A lost voice returns at Emporium

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 24, 2026

  

  Neutrals and Friends will perform several works by avant-garde composer and musician Julius Eastman Friday, July 24, 7 p.m, at the Emporium. Eastman died in 1990, and his work has experienced a resurgence over the last two decades following years of obscurity.

• Statewide air quality advisory in effect

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 17, 2026

  

  As a smoky haze lingers over the village, drifting in from Canadian wildfires, a statewide air quality advisory remains in effect through midnight Friday, July 17.

• The story of a storyteller

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 12, 2026

  

  “When you tell the story with dignity, it makes an impact,” Merzius told the News, adding that, rather than arguing with people who have already decided what they believe, a storyteller can “commit to the excellence, commit to the truth.”

• ‘Why not penguins?’ — Community Pottery mural turns 50

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 11, 2026

  

  As the United States marks its semiquincentennial, Yellow Springs has another anniversary to observe: The days just before July 4 mark 50 years that the penguins adorning John Bryan Community Pottery have been staring into the middle distance.

• Supreme Court ends protections for Haitian, Syrian neighbors

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 9, 2026

  

  A swath of Yellow Springers joined hundreds of others outside Springfield City Hall on Thursday, June 25, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

• Through the fire, ‘Into the Light’

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 5, 2026

  

  “Into the Light,” a small retrospective exhibition by Liz Mersky opened Thursday, July 2, in the YS Senior Center Fireplace Room. Landscapes, florals and other works will be on display, with proceeds from every piece set to be donated to a local nonprofit of the buyer’s choosing.

• More food coming, as “Who’s Hungry?” gets grant

  By Lauren ShowsJuly 3, 2026

  

  Local free-meal nonprofit “Who’s Hungry?” received a $2,500 grant from Hall Hunger Initiative on Wednesday, June 24, during the group’s biweekly community meal at MAZU restaurant.

• Antioch students question college governance

  By Lauren Shows

  

  Three days before Antioch College’s June 20 commencement, graduating student Lark Orbe and first-year student Zion Villines entered President Jane Fernandes’ office hoping to persuade her to reconsider a decision.

• Roots and Wings youth camp returns to Antioch

  By Lauren ShowsJune 29, 2026

  

  This summer, the Roots and Wings youth camp will return to Antioch College for five weekdays of activities that touch on movement, arts, cuisine, agriculture and social awareness, within a connective web of cross-camp collaboration.