Week in Review July 27, 2026

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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.

AGRICULTURE

The state's veterinarian workforce is shrinking, according to findings of a new report released by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODAg), Ohio State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Farm Journal Foundation (FJF). The report examines the growing shortage of rural and food-system veterinarians across the state and seeks to identify potential pathways to strengthen the workforce. Survey responses from Ohio stakeholders rated the severity of the shortage at 7.9 out of 10, rising to 9.1 looking 10 years ahead. Findings also reported that roughly 32 percent of the state's licensed veterinarians are at or within 10 years of retirement age, with 699 of them already aged 65 or older.

BALLOT ISSUES

Four Republicans were appointed to write arguments in favor of Issue 3, the constitutional amendment that would enshrine a photo identification requirement to vote in the Ohio Constitution, while three Democrats were chosen to write the arguments against the issue. Under the Ohio Revised Code, when the General Assembly adopts a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, it may designate a group of members who voted in support of the resolution to prepare arguments for the proposed amendment, and a group of members who voted in opposition to the resolution to prepare arguments against the proposed amendment. Earlier this session, lawmakers also adopted HCR3 (Huffman), which gave the House speaker and Senate president the authority to designate those members. This week, the leaders tapped Reps. Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) and Sens. Jane Timken (R-Canton) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) to write the arguments for the issue, which was adopted by the General Assembly earlier this year in the form of SJR10 (Timken-Gavarone). Reps. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) and Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) were designated to write the arguments against Issue 3.

BUSINESS/CORPORATE

A National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey found an increase in small business leaders' optimism during June, rising by 2.1 points compared to May and nearing a 52-year average of 98 points in the NFIB index. That was driven primarily by expectations of better business conditions and sales. The NFIB's "Uncertainty Index" also fell from 91 in May to 89 but is well above the historical average of 68. The Small Business Employment Index was relatively flat, however. The NFIB Research Center also recently examined Ohio's economic conditions, finding labor quality was the lone issue where Ohio was "meaningfully different" from the nation.

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

A recent report from personal finance website WalletHub placed Ohio at 33rd nationally for children's health care, putting it fourth among neighbor states. Pennsylvania led at seventh nationally, followed by Michigan, 27th; Indiana, 30th; West Virginia, 35th; and Kentucky, 47th. The five highest states were Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and Hawaii. The five lowest were Kentucky, Montana, Alaska, Arizona and Mississippi. The report ranked states on three subcategories, with Ohio 11th nationally and second among neighbors in children's oral health; 29th nationally and third among neighbors in children's health and access to health care; and 44th nationally and fifth among neighbors in children's nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The DeWine administration Tuesday announced one aerospace company was coming to Ohio and another company is expanding its presence in the state. Both announcements were made at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom (U.K.), a premier trade event for the industry. Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef both attended the event. Aircraft manufacturer Electra selected Springfield for its first EL9 Ultra Short aircraft production facility, which is expected to bring an $850 million investment and create 1,975 new jobs. The facility will be at AirPark Ohio, adjacent to the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport that is home of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). In addition, aircraft engine manufacturer Beehive Industries announced plans to expand its Southwest Ohio operations, creating more than 200 new jobs and investing $70 million. Beehive Industries makes advanced, 3D-printed jet engines for uncrewed aerial defense applications, and its growth will further AAM operations in the state.

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced Tuesday approval of $600,000 in Ohio Third Frontier grants to support development and commercialization of early-stage technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI); defense and security; and science. The funding comes from the Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF). Recipients, all of which are in Franklin County, include Lasoh, Inc., city of Columbus; Updawg Inc., city of Hilliard; and UZELA, LLC, city of Columbus.

The DeWine administration and Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced recently that $15.5 million in brownfield remediation grants have been awarded to help communities in 35 counties to address contaminated properties so they can be prepared for redevelopment. The funding includes nearly $8.4 million for 22 cleanup and remediation projects and $7.1 million for 41 assessment projects. Since the Brownfield Remediation Program launched in 2021, it has supported 904 projects in 87 counties, amounting to nearly $800 million. Program funds address industrial, commercial, and institutional brownfield sites that are abandoned, idled, or underutilized due to a known or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum.

ECONOMY

Ohio's unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in June 2026, down from 3.7 percent in May 2026, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said Friday, as the state's nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 5,500 over the month. ODJFS said the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in June was 209,000, down from 219,000 in May 2026. The number of unemployed has decreased by 63,000 in the past 12 months from 272,000. The June unemployment rate for Ohio decreased 1.0 percentage point from 4.6 percent in June 2025. The U.S. unemployment rate for June 2026 was 4.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent in May 2026 but up from 4.1 percent in June 2025.

The number of cases in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio increased from 2025 to 2026, though the percentage increase of cases pending in both Ohio courts was smaller than the increase in many courts around the country. For the 12-month period ending on March 31, 2026, the number of cases pending in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Ohio increased from 12,242 to 12,491, or by 2.0 percent over the number of cases at the end of the 12 months ending March 31, 2025.

EDUCATION

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Development (DEW) Tuesday released an updated list of K-12 industry recognized credentials that it said will help ensure that post-high school opportunities for students are aligned with Ohio's current and future workforce needs. The release of the updated list comes as DEW has convened the K-12 Industry-Recognized Credential Review Committee to examine overhauling Ohio's K-12 comprehensive credential system. According to DEW, industry-recognized credentials allow students to demonstrate technical or professional readiness as part of Ohio's high school graduation requirements. Credentials come in many forms, including occupational licenses or certifications. They signal competency, knowledge, and skills directly aligned to an occupation or specific career field. The new credential list will be available beginning in the 2026-2027 school year and will be required for the Class of 2030, DEW said.

DEW has officially hired 50 additional ReadOhio coaches to help implement the science of reading in schools across the state, DEW Chief Academic Officer Melissa Weber-Mayrer said during the department's monthly public meeting Thursday. The directive was laid out by Gov. Mike DeWine in his final "State of the State" address earlier this year. Additionally, the department was charged with establishing regional science of reading implementation teams and offering a free ReadOhio Coaching Credential to employed literacy coaches working for districts throughout the state.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced it has elevated girls flag football to a fully recognized sport for the 2026-27 school year, following a unanimous vote of the OHSAA Board of Directors at its June meeting. Girls flag football becomes the OHSAA's 29th recognized sport, including 15 sports for girls and 14 for boys. According to OHSAA, there are now 23 high school state associations in the United States that sanction girls flag football and a total of 40 states that offer girls high school football programs.

A recent report by personal finance website WalletHub on states with the best school systems put Ohio 36th nationally and second-lowest among neighbor states. Indiana led at 15th nationally, followed by Kentucky, 17th; Pennsylvania, 18th; Michigan, 33rd; and West Virginia, 47th. The five highest states were Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. The five lowest were West Virginia, Oregon, Oklahoma, Alaska and New Mexico. States were also grouped into two subcategories, with Ohio 33rd nationally and second-lowest among neighbors in safety and 38th nationally and lowest among neighbors in quality.

ELECTIONS

Two legislators have introduced a bipartisan elections bill that would give accommodations to in-person voters who are unable to stand for longer periods of time. Reps. Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted) and Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) said their HB893 would ensure accessible voting by requiring accommodations for seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. Under the bill, county boards of elections would be required to develop an accommodation plan to reduce the time voters with standing limitations must wait to sign the pollbook or cast their ballots. Examples include establishing priority waiting lines or designating seating areas for those who need them.

ELECTIONS 2026

Republican Elizabeth Maier, who was running against Rep. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) for the 27th House District in November, announced Tuesday that she is ending her campaign. According to the Hamilton County Board of Elections, Maier has already filed paperwork to withdraw from the race. In a statement, Maier cited family reasons for her decision. She becomes the second Republican candidate to withdraw from a House race in as many weeks. Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) officially withdrew from the 52nd House District last week after he was appointed as a judge on the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Republicans in that district are scheduled to meet next week to name his ballot replacement.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton Monday released more details on how she would address high property taxes, including expanding the Homestead Exemption and offering a rebate to homeowners under certain income thresholds who see a spike in their property taxes. Acton's campaign blamed the increase in property taxes on a "systemic state underfunding of our public schools, several rounds of re-appraisals, market forces, and our corrupt Statehouse giving tax breaks to the wealthy."

Ohio's candidates for secretary of state had differing reactions in response to President Donald Trump's primetime speech on elections and voting. During the speech, Trump alleged foreign interference in America's elections and renewed his call for passage of the federal Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote in federal elections. His administration also released a number of documents it purported to support his assertions. Republican secretary of state nominee Robert Sprague said Trump "made a compelling case for the SAVE America Act and its photo ID requirements, legislation that I have strongly supported for months. Photo ID is the most vital tool to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in our elections, and it will work nationally just as it has worked in Ohio. Threats to election security are real, the president is right to identify them, and I am hopeful his message is enough to get the SAVE America Act across the finish line." Democratic nominee Allison Russo said that Trump had made "wild and unverifiable claims about election fraud in a rambling speech to the American public."

Following the launch earlier this month of a $28 million multi-platform ad campaign until November in support of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), One Nation PAC announced on Monday that it is spending an additional $10 million on an ad campaign across Ohio, Alaska, Maine, Iowa and possibly other states focusing on the work that Republicans in the U.S. Senate have done to support veterans and military families. The television ad announced to run in Ohio features an Ohio-native U.S. Army veteran praising Husted for "expanding health care access, helping ensure veterans receive the care they need, no matter where they live" and "delivering a military pay raise."

Meanwhile, a pro-Brown PAC called Duty and Honor has spent over $5 million in Ohio in just July attacking Husted's voting record in the Senate. Brown's campaign has spent an additional $3.8 million on ads similarly attacking Husted's record in both Ohio and Washington.

The following endorsements were made over the week:

• The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio endorsed Jon Husted for U.S. Senate; Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for governor and lieutenant governor; Keith Faber for attorney general; Frank LaRose for auditor of state; Robert Sprague for secretary of state; Jay Edwards for treasurer of state; and Dan Hawkins and Colleen O'Donnell for Ohio Supreme Court.

• Planned Parent Advocates of Ohio endorsed Marilyn Zayas for Ohio Supreme Court; Christine Cockley, Rachel Baker, Erika White, Michele Grim, Heather Sample, Amy Rigsby, Kim McCarthy, Rick Rettig, and Arienne Childrey for the Ohio House; and Catherine Ingram, Paula Hicks-Hudson, Latyna Humphrey, Brian Deer, and Laura Sirot for the Ohio Senate.

• The Ohio Manufacturers' Association endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for governor and lieutenant governor.

• The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton announced the endorsement of the Ohio Iron Workers Association.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Maureen Willis updated directors on a raft of utility cases involving the agency at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), PJM Interconnection, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Ohio Supreme Court Wednesday. They include OCC's federal transmission dispute with American Electric Power (AEP) and FirstEnergy and its formal remarks to PJM this month on unregulated "supplemental' transmission projects. Willis said FERC had voted this month to hold AEP Ohio and FirstEnergy's $1.1 billion transmission proposal for full hearings at the request of OCC and stakeholders including Columbus-based American Municipal Power (AMP). PUCO's Office of Federal Energy Advocate also has intervened in the case.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) awarded Canton-based Belden Brick Company undisclosed ratepayer subsidies Wednesday to add a 2.4 megawatt (MW), $8 million generating facility to its Sugarcreek plant in "Little Switzerland," where it will operate "behind the meter" and off the grid with the goal of preventing potential power outages in American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio's service territory. Belden told commissioners electricity is "one of the most significant operating costs" and requested further access to Ohio's third-party energy marketers to remain competitive.

ENVIRONMENT

The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) announced that over $43 million in low-interest loans were approved in late June for 18 projects throughout Ohio to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make water quality improvements for citizens. The OWDA Board approved the projects for funding through the Fresh Water Loan Fund Program for improvements to and to replace aging infrastructure.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) announced Tuesday that it was not going to finalize a proposal that would have allowed certain data centers to discharge wastewater into lakes, rivers and streams after receiving pushback from the public. The agency had released a draft proposal last year that would have created a general statewide permitting process for data centers to discharge wastewater, but said it will not move forward "after carefully reviewing the significant volume of public comments."

SciLine, a national nonprofit that helps journalists incorporate scientific information into news stories, held a virtual panel Tuesday with experts discussing how heat waves affect power grids and public health. The panel was led by SciLine Journalism Projects Editor Elena Renken and featured Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washington's Center for Health Global Environment; and Line Roald, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Renken said their focus was on recent heat waves hitting different parts of the U.S. and breaking some local temperature records, including public health risks, what cities can do to protect residents, how air pollution worsens health effects and the risks to electrical grids from heat waves and higher demand.

GAMING/GAMBLING

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) served search warrants at a business and residence of the owner of the business in Central Ohio as part of an illegal gambling investigation. OCCC said the investigation began after receiving complaints that there was a business operating illegal gaming machines, in violation of Ohio law. In cooperation with the Columbus Police Department, warrants were served at 1482 Worthington Park Blvd. in Westerville and 2453 E. Dublin Granville Rd. in Columbus. Approximately 51 suspected illegal slot machines were disabled or seized, along with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The investigation remains ongoing.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

The Lorain County Republican Central Committee is set to pick the ballot replacement for the 52nd House District after the nominee, Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) withdrew from the race in the wake of his appointment to Ohio's Ninth District Court of Appeals. Manning had filed to run for the seat, currently held by his mother Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville), who in turn is running for his Senate seat in the wake of both hitting term limits. The county Republican Party will meet Tuesday, July 28 to name a replacement candidate.

A special installation celebrating Ohio's legacy of excellence in aviation and space exploration -- "Ohioans in Space: The Carl E. Walz Spacesuit from the Kent State University Museum" -- is currently on display at the Ohio Statehouse through Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Kent State University Museum, which holds one of the world's most comprehensive collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts, has loaned a spacesuit from its collection to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), "underscoring the power of museums to elevate Ohio stories and engage audiences across the state." The exhibit, on display in the Rotunda, features the spacesuit worn aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by NASA astronaut Carl E. Walz, a Kent State graduate who received his Bachelor of Science in physics in 1977.

CSRAB received updates on Statehouse building improvements and upcoming events during their Thursday meeting from Executive Director Megan Wycuff and Ohio Statehouse Grounds Manager John Hutt. Wycuff said CSRAB staff have been "quite busy" in recent months so she had updates on several projects. She thanked the Legislature and Gov. Mike DeWine for funding support in the capital budget, which provides $25 million for long-term infrastructure improvements and maintenance and $10 million for continued security enhancements.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

While the term 'affordability' has at times become the buzzword of the 2026 campaign season, the term has taken on particular significance in the realm of health care, according to KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation) Executive Vice President for Health Policy Larry Levitt during a webinar Tuesday about increasing unaffordability in health care. KFF sponsored the webinar. Levitt said that health insurance deductibles in the U.S. have increased to an average of $1,900 per person, and other health care costs are "skyrocketing" following the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in 2025. The lack of affordability in health care can include not only how much people are paying for health insurance premiums, but also how much people are paying out-of-pocket for health care services or in emergency situations, said Sherry Glied, professor of public service at New York University.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Sunday that a re-review found a prior finding of Cyclospora amplification in a lettuce sample was a "false positive" and there have not been any confirmed positive sample results due to that. Taylor Farms de Mexico, the company which supplied the lettuce sample that received the false positive, had recalled all its iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico in the U.S. market. The voluntary recall was announced Friday, as an FDA traceback investigation had identified Taylor Farms as the single supplier that provided shredded iceberg lettuce used by Taco Bell locations where people ate before becoming ill. Cyclospora is the parasite that causes cases of cyclosporiasis, which have spiked in Ohio, Michigan and other states. Diarrhea is one of the usual symptoms.

The Ohio Department of Health's (ODH) update on newly-identified cyclosporiasis cases brought the state to 2,576 for the year, more than doubling the 1,246 cases that had been identified in the July 16 update. The total for July rose by more than 1,100 -- from 458 to 1,577 -- while June's count rose from 777 to 958 as new cases were identified. The number of known cases from Jan. 1 to May 31 remained at 11.

HIGHER EDUCATION

A finding of recovery totaling roughly $105,000 was issued last week by Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's office against the former chief financial officer of Central State University (CSU) Curtis Pettis, who also served as the university's vice president of finance and administration. An audit released Thursday, July 16 of the university's finances from July 2022 through June 2023 found Pettis had failed to submit pension system withholdings on time, resulting in penalties and interest. According to Faber's office, Pettis and his insurance company are jointly and severally liable for the finding. Auditors determined the university accrued and paid penalties and interest for delinquent employer contributions and employee payroll withholdings to two state retirement systems, totaling approximately $105,057 between 2021 and 2024. In addition to the finding for recovery, the audit included two dozen material weaknesses and deficiencies, Faber's office said.

Shawnee State University (SSU) recently received $2 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission to invest in its Industrial Chemistry program. The award will support the purchase and installation of laboratory and instructional equipment, curriculum modernization and the development of new academic and professional training opportunities. Planned additions include new certificate offerings, an associate of applied science degree and expanded professional development designed to meet workforce needs, according to SSU.

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

"Rent eats first and rent is really hungry," said Executive Director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) Amy Riegel as she explained the effect of Ohioans' being unable to afford adequate housing. She went on to note that, "Full-time workers in Ohio must earn at least $23.82 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment." This is based on a report released Thursday by COHHIO and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and discussed in the online news conference. The "2026 Ohio Out of Reach Report" shows that the gap between rents and renter wages has widened in recent years. The average Ohio renter now earns $19.59 an hour, or $4.23 less than the two-bedroom Housing Wage. In 2020, the gap was $1.57 an hour, meaning it has grown by 169 percent over the last six years, Riegel said. The report can be found HERE.

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) has opened the application window for the latest round of the Welcome Home Ohio program, with $45.6 million in grant funds available. Applications can be made until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The funds are divided into two amounts of $22.8 million each for the purchase of qualifying residential properties at foreclosure sales and for the rehabilitation or construction of homes. The program also offers $20 million in nonrefundable tax credits available through the biennium for qualifying rehabilitation and new construction once a property is sold. Tax credit applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until those funds are expended.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Legislature has passed and the governor has signed legislation allowing law enforcement to surveil Ohioans with a search warrant or without one in "exigent circumstances" or when watching drones are "non-intrusive" -- both terms left undefined in newly signed HB251 (Willis). The bill, effective Monday, Oct. 5, seeks to address law enforcement's growing use of "unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAV), i.e. drones, to efficiently perform a variety of tasks otherwise requiring one or more peace officers. That might include surveying an auto accident, traffic congestion, or other scenes that currently do not require a warrant; gathering visual evidence from a crime scene; surveilling public areas presenting "reasonable suspicion" of criminal activity; conducting threat assessments of "large or populous" events with possible safety threats; or researching, developing, testing or training on drones by schools or "public or private collaborator[s]." Those scenarios do not require a search warrant in HB251 because they currently don't require a search warrant when officers respond in person.

MARIJUANA/HEMP

As cannabis use has increased among Ohioans since voters approved its legalization in 2023, officials on Thursday announced a multi-pronged, statewide initiative initially reaching out to new and expectant mothers about the effects of cannabis use on a pregnant mother and on the development of that mother's baby. Several state and local government leaders, as well as representatives of outside organizations, launched the first in a series of cannabis-focused education initiatives announced in May. OneOhio Recovery Foundation's most recent polling report has found that attitudes toward marijuana usage have changed in Ohio since 2023, with 41 percent of Ohio adults reporting that they use marijuana now in any form, including 56 percent of Ohioans under the age of 55. The survey results on marijuana perception and use published by OneOhio in May 2026 can be seen HERE.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Ohio National Guard will host a historic public muster to commemorate both its 238th birthday and the 250th birthday of the United States. The public is invited to attend the muster from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. Attendees can meet current Ohio National Guard soldiers and airmen and see military vehicles, state-of-the-art equipment, aircraft flyovers, and historical displays with living historical reenactors. The 2026 muster is patterned after muster events held at the Statehouse in the mid-20th century, which were high-profile public exhibitions that included hands-on demonstrations and old-meets-new equipment displays and vehicles.

NATURAL RESOURCES

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves Friday announced the opening of its 156th state nature preserve -- this one in Adams County. Plum Run Prairie harbors prairie and cedar barren habitats and more than 30 rare and state-listed plants and animals across 139 acres in Southwestern Ohio. Plum Run Prairie is a remnant of deeper soil barrens and today the site protects one of the larger prairies in Adams County, including 50 acres of cedar barren habitat. Recognizing the importance of protecting Plum Run Prairie from potential development, the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves provided a portion of the funding used by the Arc of Appalachia to acquire the property in 2006. Plum Run Prairie joins seven other Arc of Appalachia sites that have earned state dedication, including Ka Ma Prairie, and portions of Chaparral Prairie and Whipple state nature preserves.

ODNR is again seeking proposals for projects to support long-term economic revitalization and development in areas of Ohio affected by historic coal mining via the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. AMLER grant funding is provided by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), and grant awards are managed and distributed by the state. Ohio is among the nine eligible U.S. states and tribal nations that have received federal funds to transform legacy coal mining sites since the inception of AMLER in FY16. In the current round of funding, the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management has up to $10 million in federal funding for projects across Ohio's coal region. Since 2017, Ohio has been granted nearly $100 million to invest in former coal communities.

ODNR has been recognized for its efforts in promoting safety for those who take to the water to cool off. ODNR was recognized by the National Safe Boating Council as one of the recipients of its 2026 International Boating and Water Safety Summit Awards. ODNR was specifically recognized for the community impact of its Paddling Knowledge Clinic at the Ohio State Fair. The Paddling Knowledge Clinic allows fairgoers to experience ODNR's award-winning program and the crowd-favorite kayak pond within the Ohio State Fairgrounds' ODNR Natural Resources Park during the annual Ohio State Fair, held this year from Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, Aug. 9.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC) Forum Wednesday discussed how volunteerism and community engagement can strengthen workplace culture and address communities' varying needs. The conversation was hosted by Janelle Coleman, president of the American Electric Power Foundation and wife of former mayor of Columbus Michael Coleman. Panelists included Matthew Goldstein, CEO of Besa; Carrie Maun-Smith, assistant vice president of Inclusive Culture, Change and Community Impact with Grange Insurance and foundation president of Grange Enterprise Gives; and Kerri Mollard, founder and CEO of Mollard Consulting. Coleman set the stage for the discussion. "For generations, volunteering has been one of the ways Americans have come together to address challenges, strengthen communities and create opportunities for others," she said. "Yet today, many communities are facing growing needs, and many people report feeling increasingly disconnected from one another, from institutions and from opportunities to engage in civic life."

OHIO HISTORY

Nonprofit organizations and local government entities throughout Ohio can now apply to the Ohio History Connection (OHC) for grant funding to support community history-related projects. Grants awarded by the Ohio History Fund are intended to strengthen Ohio history, provide public benefit and build relationships, and show measurable impact while remaining sustainable. The Ohio History Fund is a competitive matching grants program to support several kinds of history projects such as rehabilitation of National Register-listed historic buildings, museum collection storage initiatives or educational programs, among others.

OHIO STATE FAIR

More than 15 new vendors and 25 new food items are debuting this year at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, the Ohio Expo Center (OEC) recently announced. Set to open Wednesday, July 29 and close Sunday, Aug. 9, the State Fair will feature food options such as Biscoff Cookie Butter Frozen Cheesecake, Blueberry Pie Bingsu and Catfish on a Stick, among others.

A new 75,000-square-foot agriculture exhibit will premiere at the upcoming 2026 Ohio State Fair, the Ohio Expo Center (OEC) recently announced. The "imAGine Ag" exhibit will be featured in the new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide at the OEC and State Fairgrounds. Established through a collaborative effort among the Ohio Farm Bureau (OFB), Ohio agriculture groups, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, OEC and the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the exhibit represents the largest investment in agriculture consumer outreach ever featured at the State Fair. The exhibit will delve into the field of agriculture, presenting visitors with opportunities to learn about the historical evolution of agriculture, engage with Ohio farmers and understand the range of issues farmers navigate in producing goods, from weather and agricultural technology to animal care and crop management tools.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) said visitors to the Ohio State Fair will have new areas at its Natural Resources Park to explore, including the opening of a new butterfly house, aviary, and reimagined gift store. The new areas, as well as favorite annual attractions, will be open during the state fair every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Natural Resources Park, located in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. A newly constructed butterfly house will welcome guests to learn about and see seven different butterfly species, including monarchs and swallowtails. Improvements to the butterfly house include a new ADA-compliant entrance and boardwalk, which also provide a better viewing experience. Guests will also find the newly constructed Ruthven Aviary featuring mallard, wild turkey, House Finch, American Robin, and Northern Cardinal.

PARKS/RECREATION

As part of its ongoing partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will host the state's Girls Scouts, along with their troops, families and friends, in ODNR's eighth annual Girls Scouts Love State Parks Weekend throughout 14 state parks the weekend of Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Planned events at the parks will offer a mix of outdoor exploration, hands-on experiences and memorable time in nature guided by ODNR naturalists, giving participants the chance to try new activities and deepen their connection to Ohio's natural landscapes and conservation efforts. In 2025, nearly 800 Girl Scouts and their families participated in the weekend's events.

PEOPLE

Vice President JD Vance and wife Usha announced the birth of their fourth child over the weekend on social media. Vance said Alec Neel Vance was born Sunday morning. "Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother," he wrote on social media. "The incredible military doctors and staff members of the Walter Reed Medical Center and the White House Medical Unit have been a blessing. We are deeply thankful for all they have done for our family." According to media reports, it is the first child born to a sitting vice president in more than 150 years. Alec Neel Vance joins siblings 9-year-old Ewan, 6-year-old Vivek, and 4-year-old Mirabel.

Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis and his wife Lorinda Davis pleaded guilty in a public contracting scheme involving the Southern Ohio Port Authority and a Portsmouth-area business park, Auditor of State Keith Faber announced Monday. Davis pleaded guilty Monday morning in Scioto County Common Pleas Court to felony counts of theft in office, receiving stolen property, and filing an incomplete or false tax return. Lorinda Davis pleaded guilty to a felony count of tampering with evidence. The couple are scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 16. As part of a plea deal, Davis will pay restitution of about $67,000, and prosecutors have recommended a prison term as part of his final sentence.

POLITICS

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) held its 53rd annual meeting in Orlando this week, bringing together more than 1,700 elected officials, policy experts, and business leaders "to collaborate on solutions rooted in limited government, free markets and federalism." The event was scheduled to feature guest speakers in including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz; Taiwanese ambassador to the U.S. Alexander Yui; radio host and commentator Hugh Hewitt; NVIDIA Global Vice President Mark Weatherford; former Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli; Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt; Erika Donalds, chair of education opportunity at the America First Policy Institute; Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe; and James Madison Institute President and CEO Bob McClure.

PUBLIC SAFETY

A recent report by technology company SmileHub placed Ohio at 16th in the nation and second among neighbors for disaster preparedness. Pennsylvania was first among neighbors at seventh nationally, then West Virginia, 23rd; Kentucky, 26th; Michigan, 32nd; and Indiana, 47th. The top five states were Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Alaska and Rhode Island. The five lowest were Alabama, Indiana, Arizona, Nevada and Mississippi. The report also listed three subcategories, with Ohio ninth nationally and second among neighbors in resilience infrastructure and support capacity; 18th nationally and second among neighbors in disaster risk and lasting damage; and 28th nationally and fourth among neighbors in disaster prevention planning and funding.

TAXATION

Ohioans will see a shortened back-to-school sales tax holiday this year that will last only three days and cover fewer items than in recent years. The holiday will start at midnight on Friday, Aug. 7 and last until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. While lawmakers had created an expanded sales tax holiday in FY24-25 budget, 135-HB33 (Edwards), to include items priced $500 or less that would be instituted in years in which at least $60 million surplus revenue is available, the Legislature this year tapped into the set-aside fund to offset school revenue losses from major property tax reforms, which has led to the shortened 2026 holiday. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT), the 2026 sales tax holiday exemption will apply to all items of clothing priced at $75 or less, school supplies priced at $20 or less, and school instruction materials priced at $20 or less instead of the higher limit.

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) Thursday approved three projects as well as an extension to a lease on the state-owned Panhandle Line as it reaches what Executive Director Matt Dietrich dubbed a "lull" due to a cut in state funding and slower approval in federal funding. Dietrich told commissioners that ORDC had "an odd year or two" with a larger number of one-time money it had to work with on the federal and state level. In FY27, ORDC will see a cut in General Revenue funding from $6 million per year to $3 million. He said the cut will make it "very difficult" for ORDC to provide funding this fiscal year to leverage any federal funding and maintain its traditional state short line rehabilitation and economic development programs.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn Thursday announced details on 33 transportation projects that will improve roadway safety in 23 counties across the state. The safety projects are funded with $72 million from ODOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program, the largest safety program in the country based on per capita spending. The awards include 13 intersection safety projects totaling $46.8 million and 20 pedestrian and roadway departure projects totaling $25.3 million.

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