It’s Monday, May 19th — and welcome to your daily download of news that matters. I’m Chris Pugh, and on today’s episode:Ohio’s favorite Memorial Day parks are ranked — and one national park is leading the pack.A former NFL linebacker is arrested in a massive Florida human trafficking sting.And Cleveland mourns the unexpected loss of a beloved fire cadet.Let’s dive in.Segment 1: Ohio’s Top Memorial Day Parks🎙️ CHRIS:Backyard football, family cornhole tournaments, and frisbee marathons — Memorial Day is peak season for outdoor fun.But which parks in Ohio are best for that kind of family-friendly competition?A new poll from Gambling 'N Go surveyed more than 3,000 locals to find out. Respondents rated parks on field quality, game options, crowd sizes, and that all-important “vibe” score. And when the results were tallied, Cuyahoga Valley National Park came out on top.Located between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley was praised for its wide range of outdoor activities — everything from soccer and frisbee to hiking and scenic railroad rides. Families say it strikes the perfect balance between nature and play.📍 Also high on the list? Alum Creek State Park, just north of Columbus. With its large lake for swimming and boating, and plenty of sports fields for baseball or soccer, it’s a top pick for families that want both water and land options.Nationwide, other crowd favorites include Central Park in New York, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and Myrtle Beach State Park in South Carolina.We’ll have a full link to the survey and rankings in today’s show notes. So if you’re still planning your Memorial Day weekend, you’ve got some top-tier options.Segment 2: Former NFL Player Arrested in Human Trafficking Sting🎙️ CHRIS:Now to a serious story out of Polk County, Florida, where a massive undercover operation targeting human trafficking has led to more than 240 arrests — including a former NFL linebacker.Adarius Taylor, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. According to authorities, Taylor also brought his 6-year-old child with him to the location where he thought he was meeting an escort — who was actually an undercover deputy.That detail led to an added charge of negligent child abuse.🚔 Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd didn’t hold back during the announcement. He called Taylor’s actions “reckless” and said, quote, "He must have hit one too many people as a linebacker, because his brain cells are scrambled."Authorities say the child was found alone in Taylor’s truck and was safely turned over to the mother.This arrest was part of a two-week, multi-agency sting dubbed “Fool Around and Find Out.” Of the 243 arrested, 141 were booked for soliciting a prostitute, and 11 were arrested for attempting to solicit minors online. The operation also identified four potential trafficking victims.Taylor, now 34, retired from the NFL in 2020 and had returned to live in Lakeland, Florida — the same area where this operation took place.Segment 3: Cleveland Mourns Fire Cadet Symeon Williams🎙️ CHRIS:The city of Cleveland is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own.Symeon Williams, a 39-year-old fire cadet, died on Friday after suffering a medical emergency during a training session at the fire academy. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, he didn’t survive.Mayor Justin Bibb, visibly emotional, said Williams was a close friend and someone he deeply admired.If you found today’s stories helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share the show with a friend.I’m Chris Pugh — thanks for listening. Stay safe, stay informed, and we’ll talk tomorrow.

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