Mike Pence in town, Zoo Baby time and more, here are today's top stories | Daily Briefing

Hi, everyone! I’m Scott Wartman, politics reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Potential presidential candidates have started traveling to the region, and I’ll be there to give you a front-row seat.

Florida Gov. Rick DeSantis came through in mid-April. Tonight, former Vice President Mike Pence will come back to Cincinnati. He last came here in June 2022 for a roundtable discussion with oil and gas executives.

Pence will be at the Duke Energy Convention Center on Tuesday night, speaking to the Center for Christian Virtue, a Columbus-based group that has emerged as a growing voice in the culture wars.

Neither DeSantis nor Pence have launched campaigns yet to join the growing Republican field, a field that includes Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy. But both Pence and DeSantis are traveling the country like they’re in campaign mode.

Follow The Enquirer’s coverage as the presidential race heats up.

What else you need to know Tuesday, May 9

🌤️ Weather: High of 74. Times of clouds and sun with a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

🚆 Politics: Cincinnati's top lawyer will hire law firms – at taxpayer expense – to deal with a with a request to remove the five board members who oversee the Cincinnati Southern Railway.

⭐ Entertainment: Cincinnati Observatory astronomer Dean Regas gives his picks for places to escape light pollution and see more stars than you could ever imagine.

🦛 Don't Miss: It's Cincinnati Zoo Baby time! From Fritz in Hippo Cove to Rozi the cheetah and Amali the bonobo, check out this gallery of adorable baby animals.

📜 Today in History: On May 9, 1994, South Africa’s newly elected parliament chose Nelson Mandela to be the country’s first Black president.

Before you go: How the May Festival got its start 150 years ago

Cincinnati's May Festival is celebrating its 150th anniversary this season, starting May 19. Did you know it played a major role in the building of Music Hall?Check out this subscriber-exclusive column from Enquirer history writer Jeff Suess on how the popular choral festival started, and the role it played in the creation of the iconic Music Hall.Click or tap here to learn more.

– Never miss out on local news with a subscription to Cincinnati.com –

Today's top headlines:

∙ Jason Williams: The complex tale of former Cincinnati Bearcats coach Bob Huggins

∙ Need something to watch? 8 of the most notable shows coming to streaming in May 2023

∙ Interactive map: Top 5 most common invasive animals and insects in Ohio, Kentucky

∙ Evaluating Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo's difficult four-game stretch

∙ Ex-Ohio lottery director sent songs, hearts, 'I love you' to employee

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mike Pence in Cincinnati, Zoo Baby time | Daily Briefing