Norfolk Southern

Change is coming to the rail industry in the U.S. — but whether it's for the better or worse depends on who you ask.

Cincinnati voters will decide whether the proposed sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern for $1.62 billion can go forward.

The first day of the National Transportation Safety Board's investigative hearings into the East Palestine train derailment covered hazard communications, emergency responder preparedness and the decision to vent and burn the vinyl chloride in five tank cars.

The board has tentatively scheduled a special meeting for July 11 to decide on whether to move forward with the November election or wait until next year.

Ohio lawmakers have reached an agreement to allow the proposed sale of the city-owned Cincinnati Southern Railway to move ahead. Voters could see the sale on the ballot as soon as November.

On Cincinnati Edition's weekly news review, local journalists join us to talk about the big stories from recent days.

Cincinnati officials want to sell the city-owned railway, but need state lawmakers to make changes before putting the sale to city voters for approval.

Ohio's attorney general has filed a 58-count complaint against Norfolk Southern seeking recovery of costs, damages and civil penalties for the derailment, which he said was "entirely avoidable."

Elected officials Michele Grim of Ohio (D) and Mike Jacobson of Nebraska (R) are working on passing legislation surrounding rail safety in their respective states, with the hopes it will become federal law as well.

No one was injured, according to Clark County Emergency Management Agency, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says no hazardous materials spilled onto the ground nor escaped into the air.