Week in Review August 31, 2026

PDF/Printer-Friendly Version

This report reflects the latest happenings in government relations, in and around the Ohio statehouse. You’ll notice that it’s broad in nature and on an array of topics, from A-Z. This will be updated on a weekly basis.

Please feel free to share it with anyone else you believe may find it of interest, as well. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, concerns or if we can be of any assistance.

 ATTORNEY GENERAL

Attorney General Andy Wilson announced more than $2.5 million in funding Tuesday to three dozen Ohio jurisdictions as part of a nine-year-old drug intervention program begun locally in 2014 and now regarded as a national model. Drug Abuse Response Teams (DART) or quick response teams (QRT) unite law enforcement and behavioral health experts in providing overdose survivors and their families 24-hour assistance by connecting them to treatment, recovery and other resources to reduce the risk of future overdose.

Ohio is set to receive up to $457 million -- and at least $319 million -- from Meta Platforms, Inc. as part of a $17.1 billion consent agreement with all but three states to settle claims the parent company deliberately exploits online platforms including Facebook and Instagram to "ensnare" children and teens in social media activity hostile to their mental and physical health. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced a proposed 10-year settlement and consent decree Wednesday requiring Meta to implement "sweeping new safety measures" on Facebook and Instagram and cease alleged violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998, which outlaws data collection on children under 13.

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

More than three years after the creation of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) in 135-HB33 (Edwards), the state of Ohio still has a lot to learn about which of the department's efforts are working or not, notably concerning children placed in the group homes that have clustered in the Dayton and Toledo areas in recent years. That learning process now includes the Study Group on Placement of Delinquent Children in Residential Facilities, a study group created in 135-HB315 (T. Hall), to evaluate the state's existing system and identify the remaining gaps in appropriate residential facilities, resources and services available to such children. At the study group's wide-ranging first meeting on Monday, Co-Chair Rep. Andrea White (R-Kettering) said the group will talk specifically about adjudicated delinquent children and where they're placed in communities, but the number one goal of the group is to keep its focus on the safety and wellbeing of every single child in the state's foster care system.

CIVIL RIGHTS

Lawmakers, community leaders and advocates gathered Wednesday morning outside the Ohio Statehouse in honor of Women's Equality Day. The celebratory event, hosted by the Ohio Democratic Women's Legislative Caucus, commemorated the 106th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which in 1920 was officially enshrined in the U.S Constitution. While the event sought to acknowledge the progress of women's rights over the course of history, it also encouraged those in attendance to continue fighting for equality, with lawmakers' drawing attention to disparities in health care, voting rights and economic opportunity.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

With a new law in place meant to fight organized enterprises stealing from stores across the state and nation, the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants (OCMR) convened Thursday its inaugural Ohio Retail Crime Summit, bringing together businesses, law enforcement and public officials to discuss the issue. Morning discussion focused on 135-HB366, the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement (FORCE) Act, sponsored by Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), one of the speakers at Thursday's summit. "I got tired of seeing these employees not feel comfortable at work. I got really upset knowing that none of these stores and businesses are just going to absorb the cost of that; it's going to get passed on to all of us in this room," Ghanbari said. "But even more important than that was, where was the money going once these items were stolen and re-sold?"

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

Vice President JD Vance joined Gov. Mike DeWine and statewide Republican officeholders and candidates in his hometown Friday to announce the Trump administration and Cleveland-Cliffs' $1 billion investment in the Middletown Works steel plant marked for a clean energy, hydrogen-ready retrofit under the Biden administration but now "rescoped" for advanced-coal technology by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Gov. Mike DeWine's administration announced Monday the approval of assistance for 13 projects expected to create 3,553 new jobs and retain 907 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to collectively result in nearly $310 million in new payroll and spur more than $1.1 billion in investments across Ohio. Recipients included aircraft manufacturer Electra, for its previously announced Springfield project that is expected to create 1,975 jobs.

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) Minority Business Development Division (MBDD) announced the launch of a new online training hub meant to provide Ohio's 15 Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBACs) with a "modern, centralized workspace" to aid their operations. The training hub connects MBACs with technical assistance and training resources to strengthen and enhance their clients' experience around the state. More information is HERE.

EDUCATION

The State Board of Education (SBOE) announced the selection of Taya Kidd, a second-grade teacher at French Run Elementary School in the Reynoldsburg City School District, as the 2027 Ohio "Teacher of the Year." SBOE Superintendent of Public Instruction Philip Wagner made the surprise announcement Thursday morning during an assembly at the elementary school, SBOE said.

ELECTIONS

Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Monday that he is adding new training courses available to the public on his office's training platform that will address areas including campaign finance and how to run for office. The secretary of state's office said the training will help equip candidates with the resources to understand Ohio's election process.

Changes made in the transportation budget that require Ohio voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote at an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) deputy registrar is likely preempted by the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and its provisions requiring minimal steps to register to vote while obtaining a driver's license. U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver ruled Tuesday in the case of Red Wine & Blue v. LaRose, which he said asked whether the NVRA preempts Ohio's motor voter law because the Ohio law only requires the BMV registrar or deputy registrar to offer driver's license applicants the opportunity to register to vote if the applicant presents proof of U.S. citizenship or has previously done so.

ELECTIONS 2026

This fall's general election will be the first in decades where Ohio voters do not weigh in on the membership of the State Board of Education (SBOE). After losing most of their power in the prior biennium's operating budget bill, board members are set to gradually lose their status as elected officials over two cycles, under provisions of the most recent budget.

The Ohio Supreme Court Wednesday unanimously dismissed two lawsuits filed by the former mayor of East Cleveland, who had argued that Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy's primary win should not be certified because Secretary of State Frank LaRose did not properly confirm Ramaswamy's citizenship before certifying him to the ballot.

Ohioans for Lower Costs, the affiliated group of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), launched two ads this week in the governor's race in support of Democratic nominee Amy Acton. One ad, titled "Conman," attacks Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, accusing him of "spending his career ripping people off for his own personal gain." The second ad, "Back Up," supports Acton and highlights her personal story.

Democratic Ohio treasurer nominee Seth Walsh this week called for accountability on Flock cameras. In a video posted on social media, Walsh, a Cincinnati councilman, noted concerns with automated license plate readers, a vast majority of which are operated by Flock. He said Ohio has no laws governing the cameras, including on how long video history can be saved, who can search the databases, and who the information can be "handed off to."

Erie County Treasurer Caleb Stidham will appear as the Republican candidate on the ballot for the 89th House District after Secretary of State Frank LaRose broke a tie in favor of Stidham last week. Stidham was named as the replacement for Rep. D.J. Swearngen (R-Huron) after Swearingen ended his re-election campaign in anticipation of a potential federal appointment. However, the Erie County Board of Elections deadlocked along party lines over adding Stidham to the ballot after Democrats on the board argued that the replacement process did not comply with open meetings laws.

Groundwork Ohio Monday released the results of a poll it commissioned on concerns of Ohioans ahead of the election, showing affordability at the top of the minds of voters, and child care adding to those concerns. The poll was conducted by UpONE Insights on behalf of Groundwork Ohio and First Five Years Fund from Monday, Aug. 3, through Thursday, Aug. 6 among 600 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. Groundwork Ohio said the poll showed child care is among the concerns of Ohio voters, and one the next governor and Legislature have an opportunity to address. According to the group, nearly two-thirds of Ohio voters, 64 percent, identify lowering the cost of living as one of the two most important issues facing their families.

States that sought to block an executive order signed by President Donald Trump addressing voting ahead of the November election said they will continue their challenge of the order despite a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court Monday allowing implementation to continue. A U.S. District Court judge in Massachusetts had paused that order in response to a lawsuit by 23 states and the District of Columbia, which had argued that it violated the U.S. Constitution.

The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) announced it will be spending nearly $7 million across 13 states to support Republican candidates, including Ohio in the 13 states it said it will be targeting. RAGA said the initial spending is the first phase of its fall campaign and begins immediately with a mix of digital and television advertising. States targeted include Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Wisconsin. In Ohio, Auditor Keith Faber is the Republican nominee for the office, which is currently held by recently appointed Attorney General Andy Wilson.

The congressional campaign of Republican Derek Merrin, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) for Ohio's 9th Congressional seat in November, took to the airwaves on Wednesday as it launched the campaign's first TV ad of this election cycle. In the ad, Merrin compares his efforts in the Ohio Legislature to cut health care costs to those of his opponent in Congress.

According to AdImpact, which tracks political advertising, recently reported new spending in Ohio includes new ads in support of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) in the Wheeling, WV market, and radio spots from the Ramaswamy-McColley campaign, among others.

The following endorsements were made over the week:

• The National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio (NFIB Ohio) PAC endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor and Keith Faber for attorney general.

• The gubernatorial campaign of Democratic nominee Amy Acton announced the endorsement of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

• The U.S. Senate campaign of Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown announced the endorsement of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

• In addition to previously announced endorsements for Amy Acton for governor and Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association endorsed Keith Faber for attorney general; Justices Jennifer Brunner and Dan Hawkins for Ohio Supreme Court; Troy Balderson and Mike Carey for Congress; Joe Miller, Bride Sweeney, Steve Demetriou and Al Cutrona for Ohio Senate; and Sean Brennan, Scott DeMauro, Cindy Abrams, Jack Daniels, Clifford Winkel, Matt Lundy, Kevin Miller, and Haraz Ghanbari for Ohio House.

• The Ohio Right to Life Political Action Committee endorsed Jon Husted for U.S. Senate; David Taylor, Jim Jordan, Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, Warren Davidson, Derek Merrin, Mike Turner, Troy Balderson, Carey Coleman, Dave Joyce, and Mike Carey for U.S. House; Vivek Ramaswamy for governor; Keith Faber for attorney general; Robert Sprague for secretary of state; Frank LaRose for state auditor; Colleen O'Donnell and Dan Hawkins for Ohio Supreme Court; Craig Riedel, Michele Reynolds, Phil Plummer, Zac Haines, Linda Matthews, Shane Wilkin, Ryan Rivers, Steve Demetriou, Jane Timken, Al Landis, and Al Cutrona for Ohio Senate; Bruce Euans, Brian Stewart, Dan Conway, Sophia Tjotjos, Mike Dovilla, Tom Brinkman, Cindy Abrams, Michael Odioso, Mike Kahoe, Craig Shubert, Vik Sandhu, Mark Campbell, Ian Chamberlin, Edward Schimmel, Jennifer Gross, Thomas Hall, Diane Mullins, Christina Hagan, Jim Thomas, Matthew Kishman, Jodi Salvo, Kellie Deeter, Michelle Teska, Adam Mathews, Tex Fischer, Brian Lorenz, Shawn Stevens, Jean Schmidt, Adam Bird, Nick Santucci, David Thomas, Sean Hutson, Melanie Miller, Thad Claggett, Kevin Miller, Brian Lampton, Levi Dean, Bernard Willis, Haraz Ghanbari, Marilyn John, Meredith Craig, Matt Huffman, Monical Blasdel, Johnathan Newman, Patti Rockey, Roy Klopfenstein, Ty Mathews, Angie King, Tim Barhorst, Ben Weber, Jeff McClain, Gary Click, Justin Pizzulli, Bob Peterson, Mark Johnson, Kevin Ritter, Ron Ferguson, Adam Holmes, Mark Hiner, and Sarah Fowler Arthur for Ohio House.

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT

The state unemployment rate declined to 3.4 percent in July, down from 3.6 percent in June, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said Friday, as nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 5,100 over the month. ODJFS said the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in July was 200,000, down from 209,000 in June. The number of unemployed has decreased by 66,000 in the past 12 months from 266,000.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) awarded the statutory limit for hazardous material (Hazmat) grants to 43 government subdivisions, with half of all funds going to Cleveland State University's (CSU) Center for Emergency Preparedness. Commissioners said R.C. 4921.21(B)(2) earmarks the first $800,000 in Hazmat carrier fines to PUCO's Transportation Safety Fund, including 50 percent of all forfeitures to CSU's Center for Emergency Preparedness; 45 percent to all other educational institutions, state agencies, regional planning commissions and other political subdivisions; and 5 percent to PUCO for Hazmat oversight and training.

U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) and Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville) joined Ohio Consumers' Counsel Maureen Willis and Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA) Energy Engineer John Seryak at OMA's annual energy conference Thursday to take the pulse of America's largest regional transmission organization (RTO) and vet solutions to PJM Interconnection "GridLock." Latta, chair of the House Subcommittee on Energy, and Balderson, a member of the subcommittee and chair of the House Energy Action Team, anchored a lunch panel led by OMA President Ryan Augsburger. "We are troubled by the decisions being made by the grid operator," Augsburger said of PJM's 13-state jurisdiction encompassing Washington, D.C. "What is the appropriate level of oversight for PJM?"

HANNAH NEWS RACES TO WATCH

Commonsense policies and important relationships are selling points both candidates claim in an Eastern Hamilton County House contest that could be competitive this fall. Rep. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) is running for a third term in District 27. She faces Nancy Aichholz, a former local school board member and business marketing executive who stepped up when Republicans' original candidate withdrew.

Two young candidates are facing off in a competitive Summit County House district in hopes of succeeding term-limited Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield). Republicans are hoping to hold the seat with Mike Kahoe, a former local school board member and state workforce development official. Democrats nominated Noah Spinner, an attorney and advocate on health care issues.

Candidates Rose Lounsbury and Rep. Andrea White (R-Kettering) are competing in a rematch for Ohio's 36th House District, where Republicans hold a 51 percent advantage, according to Dave's Redistricting. The two candidates first ran against each other in 2024, with White securing the seat with 52 percent of the vote. In separate interviews with Hannah News, both Lounsbury and White expressed commitment to serving the Ohioans of their district, drawing on personal and professional experiences they believe make them the best fit for the job.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The issue of affordability is driving a lot of messaging going into November's elections, and health care affordability has become top of mind for many voters. At the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) Policy Summit on Wednesday, a panel of legislators and other leaders discussed what's driving health care costs upwards in Ohio and how policymakers, both public and private, are trying to address the issue. Health care costs are now the top concern for U.S. adults, according to an April 2026 poll by KFF Health Tracking, with 30 percent of survey respondents reporting they were "very worried" about health care costs, surpassing those who felt the same about the cost of gasoline or other transportation, at 29 percent.

The DeWine administration announced Wednesday that about $3 million of Ohio's $202 million award from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will go to improve pharmacy access to electronic health records and the state prescription monitoring system. The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) will receive $2 million to connect a network of independent pharmacies, retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers and outpatient hospital pharmacies across 73 rural counties to a health information exchange to improve access to patient medical records. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy (OBP) will receive $1.15 million to improve integration of Ohio's prescription drug monitoring program, the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS), with electronic health records and pharmacy dispensing systems.

Several indicators of child health and wellbeing are improving in Ohio, according to the most recent Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) Health Value Dashboard, but there are still children's issues in which the state has room for improvement. A panel at this week's HPIO Health Summit looked back at the progress the state has made, as well as the challenges it still faces and where Ohio's priorities could lie in the future.

Thursday's Ohio Department of Health (ODH) update showed there have been 6,063 cyclosporiasis cases so far this year, up from 5,874 in the previous update. August's count rose from 74 to 96. The total for July continued to rise from 4,332 to 4,471 as past cases were identified, along with other increases of 1,447 to 1,474 for June, and 21 to 22 for Jan. 1 through May 31.

Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) announced Thursday that mosquitoes in the county have tested positive for West Nile virus and encouraged residents to take "active precautions to reduce their risk of disease." HCPH traps mosquitoes around the county as part of standard procedures and sends them to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for testing. HCPH learned Wednesday that mosquitoes trapped in Green Township on July 30 had tested positive as carrying West Nile virus. That was the first detection of West Nile among mosquitoes in HCPH's jurisdiction -- which excludes Cincinnati, Springdale and Norwood -- during the year.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The Bedford Falls Foundation (BFF) recently made a $1.8 million gift to support students attending Kent State University's College of Nursing. The gift marks the university's first grant from the foundation and will create a fund to provide 150 scholarships for junior and senior nursing students over the next three years.

Central State University (CSU) has officially launched a campus renovation and demolition initiative totaling more than $36 million. The project reflects the university's largest investment in campus facilities in over a decade, according to Rebecca Kocher, CSU vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation. Kocher told Hannah News in an email the project aims to strengthen the student experience, support academic growth in workforce-aligned programs and ensure strategic investments in long-term infrastructure.

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

Officials spanning federal, state and local levels joined Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and Columbus State Community College (CSCC) Monday for a groundbreaking event celebrating the start of construction on a $51 million affordable housing development right next to the CSCC campus in downtown Columbus. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) was present as the event's keynote speaker. Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), Reps. Latyna Humprey (D-Columbus) and Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther were also in attendance among other local officials, financing partners and investors. The governor's office was also represented, with Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Executive Director Bill Beagle publicly commending the effort on behalf of Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.

INSURANCE

Thin Blue Line, the health insurance company placed under Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) oversight after accusations that it failed to pay claims, won a delay in court proceedings on whether it should be held in contempt. Judge Sheryl Munson of Franklin County Common Pleas Court initially had scheduled a show-cause hearing for Monday morning for the company to answer ODI's accusations that it had drained an account of nearly $3 million set aside to pay Ohio claims, in violation of court orders. But last week, Munson's magistrate, Mark Petrucci, vacated that hearing date and set a new one for 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6. Thin Blue Line had asked for permission to attend Monday's hearing remotely or to have a new date scheduled. Petrucci denied the request for remote attendance.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) joined 47 other state financial agencies recently in reaching a $15.5 million settlement with a Pennsylvania-based mortgage servicer for the company's practice of improperly imposing "force-placed" insurance costs on borrowers who already had active insurance policies. The multistate settlement will see the mortgage company, NewRez LLC, pay a total of $15.5 million. That total includes $4.5 million returned directly to impacted borrowers with the assistance of state regulators as well as an additional $11 million in costs and penalties.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Volunteer observers reported 344 sandhill cranes in Ohio during the 2026 Midwest Crane Count, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The count was coordinated earlier this summer by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, and International Crane Foundation. During the 2025 count, volunteers observed 428 cranes. The three-year average (2023-2025) for the count is 405 cranes. This year's count declined because inclement weather prevented some observers from conducting the survey, ODNR explained.

PARKS/RECREATION

A working group convened by Gov. Mike DeWine aimed at improving safety in Ohio state parks made seven recommendations, including the creation of a grant program to assist local agencies that respond to emergencies in state parks. DeWine created the Ohio State Parks Working Group last year to examine how state and local governments provide emergency services at the state's 76 state parks following his line-item veto of a provision of biennial budget HB96 (Stewart) requiring the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to reimburse local governments for emergency response services provided at South Bass Island State Park. The group’s report is HERE.

PENSIONS

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) announced Friday the hiring of Don Schley as its new chief financial officer effective immediately. "Don is a proven leader with exceptional financial expertise and a deep understanding of STRS Ohio," said STRS Executive Director Steve Toole. "His knowledge of the organization and commitment to our mission make him the ideal choice to serve as chief financial officer. I'm excited to see the impact he will have as we continue to move STRS Ohio forward."

PEOPLE

Gov. Mike DeWine’s office ordered flags flown at half-staff after the death of Dolly Parton, and First Lady Fran DeWine issued a statement on the death, noting her founding of the Imagination Library initiative. "Mike and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dolly Parton. She touched countless lives in profound and meaningful ways. Her devotion to children and literacy is unparalleled. Because of Dolly, millions of children around the country and the world are getting free books and learning how to read, which will, in many cases, change the trajectory of their lives. Because of Dolly's vision and generosity, over one million Ohio children have received free books in the mail, totaling nearly 28 million books. Her generosity and selfless spirit leave a legacy that will live on for generations to come. We remain incredibly grateful for her compassion and commitment to others,” Fran DeWine said.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation announced the appointment of Mark Beeler as chief development officer for Ohio @ Work, a career learning initiative, which he will work to expand from a regional pilot to a statewide program. The initiative was launched with the Montgomery County Educational Service Center, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Defined Learning and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is now being piloted in 19 school districts in the Dayton region.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The DeWine administration is issuing a dual alert to keep kids and adults safe in the new school year. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is highlighting its "Stop Means Stop" and "Buckle Up with Brutus" initiatives to protect kids at school bus stops and while riding in passenger vehicles and buses. OTSO, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS), is urging all drivers to make child safety the priority during the 2026-27 academic year.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) graduated the 179th Class from its training academy after 28 weeks of training. State Adjutant General Matthew Woodruff delivered the commencement address to the 38 cadets, and Judge David Trimmer of the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court issued the oath of office. OSHP Supt. Col. Charles Jones and Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Benjamin Suver also spoke. Trooper Michael Stupski was named class speaker and thanked the academy and family members for their support.

STATE GOVERNMENT

All items on the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) regular and no-change agendas cleared the committee during Monday's meeting, though Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) had a clarifying question on a State Racing Commission rule regarding parlays. DeMora asked whether that rule change allows making win/place/show parlay wagers involving multiple races. State Racing Commission Deputy Director Tanya Boulmetis indicated that was correct, though she also told DeMora in a conversation following the meeting's adjournment that individual venues could set narrower policies on the subject.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), Ohio Industrial Commission (OIC) and labor officials held a ceremony Thursday morning to honor 103 Ohioans who died as a result of workplace accidents or illnesses, marking the 16th time the Fallen Workers Memorial has been held. Names read as part of the 2026 roll included 39 allowed claims with dates of death in the last policy year covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and 64 allowed claims with dates of death that fell within the past several policy years and were not included in previous memorials.

WORKFORCE

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced its updated guidelines for the next round of the TechCred program ahead of its Thursday, Oct. 1 application window. That will provide better focus on technology-driven skills, DOD said in a press release. Applications must be received by Oct. 30.

[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2026 Hannah News Service, Inc.]