AGP Executive Report

Ohio Statehouse & Budget: Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s capital budget bill for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, setting money aside for parks, schools, behavioral health, state parks, disability housing options, corrections upgrades, and major work at dozens of historical sites and museums. Ohio Politics & Voting: The FBI raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a progressive voter registration group, with critics calling it intimidation tied to election-fraud claims that Ohio officials say are rare. Ohio Courts & Corruption: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a grand jury reindicted two former FirstEnergy executives in the state’s long-running $60 million bribery case after earlier prosecutions ended in mistrial. Higher Ed in Ohio: Ohio University trustees reviewed strategy updates, approved extending a scholarship match program through 2031, and highlighted new research funding, including an NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment in primary care. Business & Tech in Ohio: A debate over Ohio data center tax breaks and new rules stalled in the legislature, while separate reporting says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a massive 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio.

Ohio University Updates: The Ohio University Board of Trustees reviewed year-two progress on its Dynamic Strategy plan, approved extending the Scholarship Match Program through 2031 (with a $2M annual cap), and heard gifts and grants topped $41.5M while the endowment surpassed $1B. Student Governance: Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Connor Gaugler as a student trustee, a student leader focused on economics, political science, and environmental policy. Health & Research: An OHIO researcher won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder medication access in primary care across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics. Clinical Tools: Starting July 1, OHIO will provide access to UpToDate for clinicians and students. AI & Trust: OHIO research finds patients’ trust in providers using AI rises with transparency, but trust can stagnate or drop when AI diagnoses are more accurate. Local Community Life: Akron’s community learning centers face uncertainty over how to close them as enrollment and budgets tighten. Energy/Tech Policy: Ohio communities continue wrestling with data center impacts, including zoning reviews and moratorium discussions. International: The U.S. and Iran reached an initial agreement to end fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with signing set for June 19.

Ohio Data Centers & Environment: Ohio EPA approved Google’s wetland destruction permit tied to a community that kept pushing back, while another Ohio EPA decision greenlit Project Dazzler in Scioto County to permanently destroy nearly 24 acres of wetlands for a hyperscale campus. Local Housing & Health: In Bexley, residents say “housing of last resort” sits atop a decades-old, improperly closed landfill with heavy-metal contamination and no clear way to force cleanup. Ohio University Updates: OHIO trustees reviewed strategy progress, extended a scholarship match program through 2031, and announced new library access to UpToDate; researchers also won a major NIH grant to expand opioid-use-disorder treatment support in primary care. Public Safety & Community Life: Columbus Arts Festival will close early today due to thunderstorms. Health & Food Safety: FDA issued a high-risk recall for Alfredo sauce distributed across 41 states, including Ohio. Politics: JD Vance said Trump is “very supportive” as he weighs a 2028 run after the 2026 midterms.

Ohio University & Health Care: Ohio University trustees heard updates on the school’s R1 push and finances, including an endowment topping $1 billion and a scholarship match program extended through 2031. Opioid Treatment Expansion: An Ohio University researcher won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand primary-care support for prescribing opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Clinical Tools for Clinicians: OHIO Libraries says UpToDate access starts July 1 for students and staff. Big Tech, Big Power in Ohio: A report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, potentially with Nvidia backing, with a first phase targeted for 2028. Local Business & Costs: AAA says rising gas prices are squeezing travel-reliant businesses, including a Columbus-area metal artist who won’t raise prices despite higher fuel and shipping costs. Food Safety: FDA issued a highest-risk Class I recall for Alfredo sauce tied to possible salmonella contamination. Community News: Cheryl Krueger, founder of Cheryl’s Cookies, died at 74.

AI Data Centers & Power Crunch: A report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, with possible Nvidia backing and a first phase targeted for 2028—another sign of how quickly AI demand is colliding with grid limits. Ohio University Updates: Ohio University trustees reviewed Dynamic Strategy progress, approved extending the scholarship match program through 2031, and welcomed a new student trustee, Connor Gaugler, as the university pushes to stay R1. Health & Research Funding: An Ohio University researcher won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand primary-care opioid use disorder treatment support across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Education & Student Support: Akron After School is expanding after-school childcare at select elementary sites starting Aug. 27 through a YMCA partnership. Local Culture: Ohio’s Sauder Village marks its 50th birthday Sunday with a one-day $3 admission celebration.

Ohio Economy & Jobs: New jobless claims rose in Ohio, with initial filings up week over week and continued claims also increasing, adding pressure to a labor market already facing headwinds. Public Safety & Local Government: Youngstown’s long-stalled “safety campus” project looks likely to die after millions in ARP design money was spent without moving to construction, while Austintown school leaders approved selling off unused property and planning heating/cooling upgrades. Housing & Utilities: Ohio lawmakers sent a bill to roll back Ohio Supreme Court safeguards for renters’ electric bills, a move critics say could leave submetered renters worse off. Elections & Voting Rights: The FBI questioned members and raided offices tied to an Ohio voter registration group, with Democrats calling it intimidation. Tech & Data Centers: A report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a massive 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, potentially with Nvidia backing—raising fresh questions about power, costs, and local impacts. Health & Research: Ohio University researchers won a major NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment support in primary care across Ohio and West Virginia. Consumer & Community: Ford recalled 250,000+ Focus vehicles after incorrect repairs could cause stalling, and local nonprofits kept busy with community events and outreach, including a suicide-prevention motorcycle patch program in Hubbard.

Ohio University Leadership & Health: Ohio University’s Executive Staff Policy Committee opened 10 policies for community review and approved updates to three, including job classification and graduate study guidance, while libraries announced access to UpToDate starting July 1. Opioid Treatment Research: An Ohio University team won a nearly $4 million NIH grant to expand primary-care opioid use disorder treatment support across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Campus Life & Learning: A new student trustee, Connor Gaugler, was appointed to the Ohio University Board of Trustees, and the university also unveiled the Sara Gilfert Collection, spotlighting a Southeast Ohio papermaker and educator. State Politics: The Ohio House passed a bill to create an Ohio International Trade Commission, sending it to the Senate. Housing Finance: Demand for home equity loans and HELOCs is rising in the Youngstown area as homeowners fund upgrades and consolidate debt. Elections & Federal Scrutiny: FBI agents raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and questioned members statewide amid allegations tied to voter registration.

Ohio University Governance: Ohio University’s Executive Staff Policy Committee put 10 policies out for community review and advanced non-substantive updates, with a June 10–July 10 feedback window. Ohio University Libraries: New archival access opened for the Sara Gilfert Collection, spotlighting a Southeast Ohio papermaker and educator. Appalachian Rare Earths: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock ahead of a 2027 defense supply-chain deadline. Opioid Treatment Research: An NIH grant nearly $4 million will expand an Ohio University-led model to help primary care clinics prescribe opioid use disorder treatment, scaling to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. Health Care Access: Ohio University will add UpToDate access starting July 1 for students, faculty, and clinicians. Local Government & Public Safety: Carlisle Town Council approved contracts and switched insurance providers, while Jefferson County commissioners put a proposed spec building on hold pending more state support. Community Health: Ohio’s “Reading for Resiliency” initiative launches to support families through shared reading and prevention. Public Works: East Liverpool water officials warned customers about earthy, musty taste and odor and scheduled system flushing starting June 15. Politics: A House rider moved to block CMS’s AI-driven WISeR prior authorization funding for FY 2027, though the program remains active for now.

Ohio Data Centers & Taxes: The Dispatch Editorial Board says Ohio lawmakers were blindsided by past sweetheart tax breaks for data centers, including up to 40-year, 100% sales tax exemptions for Amazon, Google and Meta—costing the state about $1.6 billion in a year. State Budget Watch: Central State University is set to receive about $29.2 million from Ohio’s $3.7 billion capital budget, but its funding comes with a rare condition tied to shifting facilities oversight to the state. Local Government Finance: Auditor of State Keith Faber declared a fiscal emergency for Adams Township in Washington County after deficits exceeded legal limits, triggering state oversight. Health & Research: Ohio University won a major NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment support in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Business & Industry: NAWAH opened its first North American VACNT manufacturing facility in Englewood, aiming for full production in summer 2026. Politics: Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved Ohio’s Senate race to “Toss-up,” tightening the 2026 battleground map.

Ohio Health & Research: Ohio University researcher Berkeley Franz won a nearly $4 million NIH grant to expand a pilot model that helps primary care clinics prescribe medication for opioid use disorder, scaling to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. Healthcare Access: Ohio University Libraries says it will add UpToDate for the campus community starting July 1. Public Health & Aging: Ohio University Assistant Professor Aiden Payne is advancing research on why balance control breaks down in older adults and people with Parkinson’s, aiming for better treatments than “just compensate.” Elections & Voting Rules: Ohio Republicans passed a ballot resolution for a constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for in-person voting in November, while also moving a mail-voting photo ID requirement. Medicaid Oversight: Ohio lawmakers tightened rules for Medicaid personal care services, boosting GPS tracking and penalties as fraud concerns grow. Data Centers & Taxes: Ohio lawmakers’ data center bill stalled amid fights over sales-tax exemptions, with lawmakers citing billions in lost revenue. Local Economy & Housing: Kingsley + Co. secured Ohio low-income housing tax credits for projects in Cincinnati and Columbus. Education Costs: Akron Public Schools faces enrollment-driven budget pressure, with building consolidations “probably inevitable.”

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Ohio lawmakers are set to vote on the state’s first data center rules, including cutting a major sales tax break in half for new projects, setting water-use standards, and requiring facilities to cover connection costs—though both industry and neighbors say the bill doesn’t go far enough or goes too far. AI Workforce Push: Meta is rolling out its “America’s Workforce Academy” with free training, lodging, stipends, and job offers via contractors, choosing Columbus as one of four pilot cities to feed the data-center construction boom. JobsOhio Skills Investment: Gov. DeWine, Lt. Gov. Tressel, and JobsOhio announced a $300 million experiential learning initiative aimed at expanding hands-on training for in-demand trades across Ohio. Tech Court Fight: An Ohio appeals court sided with Google in a lawsuit trying to force the company to be treated like a regulated “common carrier” over search results. Inflation Watch: A new CPI report puts inflation at 4.2%, the highest in three years. Local Business: Dutchman Hospitality Group plans a new Holmes County headquarters, adding 10 jobs.

Meta Workforce Academy: Meta says it will launch America’s Workforce Academy with $115 million in year-one funding, offering free training and job guarantees for skilled trades tied to AI data center build-outs, with Ohio among the pilot locations. Ohio Data Centers Policy: Ohio lawmakers are moving on data center rules, while a proposed Ohio bill would stop new tax exemptions for data centers—fueling the ongoing fight over growth versus costs. OpenAI Ohio Campus: OpenAI is reportedly in talks to lease a massive 10-gigawatt AI data center site in Ohio (at the former Portsmouth plant), with Nvidia backing possible. Housing & Economy: Existing home sales jumped to the fastest pace since December, and prices hit a new May high, signaling improving affordability momentum. Public Safety & Local Grants: Allen County won $2 million for road upgrades near a growing business hub, and Liberty Township is pursuing a $270,000 grant for fire air packs. Health & Care: New research from Ohio State links unmet social needs like housing and transportation barriers to lower colorectal cancer screening rates.

Meta Workforce Academy: Meta is putting $115M into “America’s Workforce Academy,” offering free training and job guarantees for skilled trades tied to AI data center builds, with an initial pilot in Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Texas. Local Housing & Fairness: A Painesville-area housing nonprofit says federal cuts after 2025 have slashed staff and reduced services for Ohio renters and buyers who need help navigating affordability and civil-rights complaints. Fraud Watch: Ohio’s Auditor of State ordered $1,607 in recovery from a former Jackson County health district employee after an investigation found she was paid by two public jobs for overlapping hours. Public Safety: Toledo reports nine of 12 mass-shooting victims near a neighborhood festival have been released from hospitals; police say the incident appears linked to a dispute between rival groups and no arrests have been made. Statehouse: Ohio lawmakers are advancing a bill that would round cash payments for government taxes, fines and fees to the nearest nickel. Education & Tech: Teachers say AI is being used in classrooms for feedback and lesson support, while they still wrestle with accuracy and integrity concerns. Community Health: Greater Cleveland food banks are expanding efforts to rescue edible grocery items before they’re dumped, with retailer partnerships driving big gains.

Ohio Data Center Fight: Ohio farmers are pushing back on a proposal from the Ohio Business Roundtable that would expand eminent domain protections for energy and data center projects, raising fears of “quick take” of property before owners are fully paid. Workforce & AI Infrastructure: Meta announced a $115M America’s Workforce Academy with free skilled-trades training and job guarantees for graduates, with Ohio among the pilot states. Local Public Safety & Courts: A Warren man was indicted in the April gas station shooting case in Trumbull County. Youngstown Area Development: Niles won a $402,500 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for electrical upgrades tied to industrial capacity, with city leaders stressing it’s not connected to data centers. Statehouse/Transportation: Youngstown received a $1.28M state grant for a road project to improve truck access near the former McGuffey Plaza. Community & Culture: LOOP Youngstown dedicated a new arts and culture center, giving local artists a permanent hub. Health & Trust: A Youngstown library official responded to claims from Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone about missing donation and reporting disclosures. Money & Planning: A 529-to-Roth IRA rollover guide highlights 2026 rules and eligibility limits for Ohio families.

Ohio Politics & Justice: Andy Wilson began serving as Ohio’s 52nd attorney general, pledging to protect vulnerable Ohioans and support law enforcement partners. Public Safety & Health: Ohio’s felony crime dashboard launched online, while a new study finds rural patients at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea are less likely to get referred for evaluation than urban patients. Economy & Jobs: More than 100 workers face layoffs after Downlite International moves to close a Union County plant; in Niles, a $402,500 ARC grant will help BRT Extrusions expand capacity. Energy & Industry: A Cleveland State University dashboard says Ohio’s shale sector drew about $2.9B in direct investment in the first half of 2025. Business & Tech: Best Buy is rolling out Meta Lab @ Best Buy shop-in-shops, with Columbus among the first locations. Sports & Culture: The Yankees and Guardians open a series in Cleveland; and Broadway’s Caissie Levy won a Tony, thanking babysitters for helping her balance motherhood and the stage.

Public Safety Data: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost launched an online Ohio Crime Statistics Dashboard showing felony charges, arrests, and sentencing trends from the past 10 years across all 88 counties, including 1.16 million felony charges statewide and 50,293 in the Mahoning Valley. Juvenile Justice Overhaul: Gov. Mike DeWine and the Department of Youth Services broke ground on four smaller, downsized juvenile corrections facilities in Grafton and Bedford to replace the large Cuyahoga Hills site, aiming to reduce violence and improve rehabilitation. Housing & Community Grants: DeWine and ODOD announced $26.9 million in Welcome Home Ohio grants to expand safe, affordable housing in 57 counties, including support for a land trust covering Henry and Fulton counties. Elder Abuse Push: Ohio’s elder abuse crisis is worsening, with a reported 400% rise in cases over seven years and only 1 in 5 incidents reported, prompting renewed calls for action. Local Events: Riverfest celebrated the Mahoning River’s recovery, and Martins Ferry’s Strawberry Festival drew families with music, vendors, and strawberry-themed treats. Business/Industry: Hanon Systems’ Carey plant earned Ford’s top Q1 supplier quality certification. Tech & Politics: A new wave of voter backlash is targeting data centers, with Ohio lawmakers pausing some tax breaks as residents raise concerns about costs and impacts.