AGP Executive Report

Local Politics & Culture: A Hindu temple in Richmond Heights (Greater Cleveland) was hit in a possible hate crime, with bricks thrown and windows shattered while priests and devotees were inside—Hindu American Foundation and local groups say authorities are reviewing surveillance and urge public condemnation. Community & Work: Nearly 1,400 workers were laid off at the Navistar truck factory in southwest Ohio just days before a Trump rally, and some laid-off workers say the shock is pushing them toward voting Democrats. Elections Watch: One month out, Senate races are tightening; Ohio’s Jon Husted vs. Sherrod Brown is highlighted as a key toss-up, with Democrats gaining ground in polling in states including Ohio. Sports & Identity: Ohio State heads to Iowa for a top Big Ten matchup, with the Buckeyes listed as favorites despite missing starting right tackle Phillip Daniels. Faith & Public Life: A botched Tennessee execution is renewing scrutiny of lethal injection practices, with Ohio-area death-penalty advocates and lawyers expected to press the issue in appeals. Learning & Leadership: A Wyoming professor was elected president of an international physical education organization, underscoring Ohio’s broader education-and-sports research connections.

Education & Choice: A new federal scholarship tax credit would let families in at least 30 states—including Ohio—pay for private school or homeschooling, with the program starting Jan. 1. Immigration & Voting Rights: The Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration’s SAVE voter-roll system, despite concerns it can wrongly flag naturalized citizens; Ohio is among states weighing use. Public Safety & Community Care: Women Helping Women won a $950K Ohio AG grant to expand 24/7 support for sexual assault survivors in Greater Cincinnati. Local Culture & Arts: OSU representatives joined the WHO’s age-friendly cities congress in Spain, sharing research on food insecurity among older adults. Sports & Community Life: A Vandalia rally brings Trump to Ohio to back Sen. Jon Husted in a tight race, while Ohio’s gas tax holiday begins Sunday with a 90-day suspension. Health & Infrastructure: Louisville District finished a 41,000-square-foot Child Development Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, adding daily care for 300+ children.

Immigration & Courts: Five retired Ohio judges and justices filed an amicus brief backing a Franklin County ban on ICE courthouse arrests, arguing the policy chills immigrant communities and disrupts justice. Elections & Voting Access: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose told county boards that federal immigration agents won’t patrol polling places, warning against procedure changes driven by social media rumors. Ohio Politics & Culture Wars: A Springfield-area Ohio House race pits GOP Rep. Bernie Willis against Democrat Darrell Jackson, with campaign focus on law enforcement and surveillance policy. Tech & Community Impact: In the Ohio Senate race, Democrats blocked a data-center energy-cost bill, keeping the issue central as voters question whether AI infrastructure is worth the strain on bills. Science & Local Pride: Case Western Reserve researchers found newly mapped squid “hair cells” across their bodies, offering fresh clues to human hearing loss. Education & Workforce: Northwest State Community College and Four County Career Center highlighted Manufacturing Month and top-tier career-technical outcomes on Ohio’s school report card. Arts & Community: St. Vincent College announced its 2026 Alumni of Distinction honorees, celebrating service and liberal-arts impact.

Maternal Health: Springfield Mercy Health launched the area’s first integrated doula program, adding three certified doulas and tying the support to lower preterm births (5.4% with a doula vs. 10.4% without). Community & Culture: Western Clark County kicks off October with two big festivals—New Carlisle’s Heritage of Flight (Oct. 2-4) and Enon’s Apple Butter Festival—bringing parades, car shows, music, and fireworks. Education Policy: The Trump administration’s federal scholarship tax credit rules would let nearly all schoolchildren in at least 30 states apply for help paying for private school or homeschooling, with new Treasury guidance on how states and scholarship groups must opt in. Local Sports: Wittenberg Tigers aim to break a winless start on Oct. 3 at homecoming-style energy, hosting Kenyon after a rough start to the season. Ohio Politics: Ohio lawmakers passed a 90-day gas tax holiday, moving emergency legislation toward Gov. DeWine’s signature. Arts & Learning: Fascinating Ohio spotlights a teacher of the year, a filmmaker, and an arts director.

Ohio Education & Tech: Ohio schools have to put AI policies in place this year, with districts choosing everything from “guardrails” to stricter integrity and privacy rules. Higher Ed Affordability: Lorain County Community College was again flagged as a top affordable option by the U.S. Department of Education, while Owens Community College reports a sharp rise in students using its food pantry. Local Housing & Community Care: Athens County found a buyer for a long-troubled community services building, and the Mahoning Valley hosted a housing summit focused on keeping workers living locally. Civic Life & Culture: Lancaster County’s Amish softball league is drawing attention for how it blends tradition with modern play. Public Health: Health officials warned Fort Wayne Zoo visitors about possible measles exposure and urged MMR checks. Politics & Cost of Living: Ohio lawmakers passed a 90-day gas tax holiday, and Senate Democrats blocked a data-center electricity-cost bill as “toothless.” Campus/Workforce Spotlight: Northwest State Community College shared its “State of the College” update, citing record enrollment and job outcomes.

AI & Childcare in Appalachia: OpenAI and SoftBank’s SB Energy met with southeastern Ohio officials and businesses about the planned Ports-Pike AI data center, while announcing a $6M local childcare investment aimed at easing both supply and access gaps. Tech & Education: Ohio State and Google Cloud unveiled a major AI research partnership, including an on-campus AI space and expanded student/faculty access to Google’s AI tools. Public Safety Tech: A new explainer breaks down automated license plate readers—how they scan, match, and store location-linked plate data, and why privacy concerns are rising. Health & Community: Nationwide Children’s Hospital research highlights a sharp rise in intentional poison-center reports for school-age kids, underscoring earlier safety conversations. Arts & Heritage: Toledo Museum of Art bought F. Holland Day’s 1898 photographic work “The Seven Words,” bringing a major piece of American religious photography to Ohio. Local Civic Life: Dayton NAACP candidate forum put property taxes, the justice system, and voter communication front and center. Workforce Pipeline: Ohio leaders discussed building clearer career pathways that connect students to jobs before graduation. Opioid Recovery: Montgomery County reports $2M in opioid settlement funds reached about 6,500 people with treatment, recovery, and prevention support. Sports & Culture: Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith continues to dominate early Heisman chatter.

Education & Budgets: Cincinnati Public Schools is facing a projected $44.5M deficit by 2029 and has been placed in fiscal caution status, with a recovery plan due Nov. 30 as a Nov. levy vote looms. Local Schools & Accountability: Ohio report cards show pockets of progress—Amherst, Elyria and Lorain all improved their star ratings—while other districts received deficit letters from the state. Workforce & Career Pathways: Ohio State highlights how better academic advising can help students navigate to graduation, and a manufacturing workforce piece argues that retention depends on clear advancement pathways, not just recruitment. Arts & Community Learning: Wabash College’s artist-in-residence is bringing free workshops and an immersive lecture exploring climate, animals and “more-than-human” connections. Culture & Identity: A study on estrangement finds many people “redo” family around choice and symbolic ties, reshaping belonging after rupture. Ohio Tech & Education: Ohio State and Google are partnering to expand AI research and campus services, including a virtual assistant for advising and planning. Politics & Voting: Early voting for Ohio’s Nov. 3 election starts Oct. 6; registration ends Oct. 5. Public Safety & Courts: Caleb Flynn was convicted in the shooting death of his wife, rejecting his claim of an intruder. Housing & Development: Downtown at Valor Acres in Brecksville is now open to pedestrians as tenants move into the $678M mixed-use project.

Ohio Politics & Elections: A new Suffolk/USA TODAY Ohio Network poll has Democrat Amy Acton leading Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, though analysts warn it may be an outlier. Campaign Trail: President Trump is set to campaign in Ohio Saturday for Sen. Jon Husted in the tight race against Sherrod Brown, with younger voters showing a bigger tilt toward Brown in recent polling. GOP Strategy: Republicans in competitive races are quietly removing Trump references from campaign websites as his approval sags. Education & Youth: Solon City Schools earned Ohio’s top student achievement ranking on the state report card. Higher Ed Policy: The Protect College Sports Act cleared the U.S. Senate and now heads to the House after midterms, aiming to reshape NCAA rules and antitrust limits. Local Life & Safety: Coshocton is considering new rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, including speed limits and helmet requirements for younger riders. Community & Culture: Dayton Mall’s new owner is rolling out a staged makeover through 2027, including planned murals. Health & Science: The FDA approved the first gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A.

Ohio Politics & Elections: Trump’s Vandalia rally for Sen. Jon Husted lands in a tight Ohio Senate race, with analysts split on whether it energizes Republicans or risks pushing voters away. Campaign & Community Life: A League of Women Voters candidate round table in Perrysburg offers Northwest Ohio voters a direct Q&A with candidates across races and local offices. Higher Ed & Campus Culture: Ohio State shared results from its Listening Survey, while OSU’s president points to engagement and unit-level action; elsewhere, BGSU trustees extended President Rodney Rogers through 2029 with a raise amid enrollment and retention gains. Arts & Entertainment: Broadway’s “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play” brings a bright, teacher-forward take on girlhood; Ohio’s visual arts scene gets a September-to-October roundup. Health & Safety: A new study links rising intentional substance exposures at school to increased poison-center reports among younger kids; a Toledo summit spotlights menopause and hormone care. Sports & Local Pride: Nick Saban’s Julio Jones comparison for OSU’s Jeremiah Smith fuels Heisman buzz as Ohio football headlines keep rolling. Faith & Community Services: Synagogues publish local service times, and a therapy-dog reading program highlights literacy support through animal-assisted calm.

Higher Ed & Equity: Ohio universities keep using NSSE surveys to improve advising, teaching, and student support—sharing results campuswide and tying them to strategic planning and student success. Disability Access: Columbus ranks No. 3 nationally for disability-friendliness, with strong medical care and accessible housing, while Cleveland and other Ohio cities lag. LGBTQ+ Campus Life: UC’s Undergraduate Student Government launched an inaugural Queer Mentorship Program after LGBTQ+ center closures tied to Ohio’s SB1. Community Health & Recreation: Van Wert YMCA expands free water safety and swim lessons via a new grant. Local Culture & Heritage: Defiance’s Tuttle Museum and Latin Community Center team up for “Many Journeys, One Community,” with food, music, and Día de los Muertos activities. Politics & Campaign Trail: Trump heads to Vandalia Oct. 3 as Ohio’s Senate and governor races tighten, with Ramaswamy pitching safer streets and lower costs. Sports & Arts: David Marsden, longtime CFNY “Spirit of Radio” architect, dies at 85.

Ohio Higher Ed & Student Support: Ohio State, UC, Youngstown State, Denison, Dayton, and Wittenberg are using NSSE survey results to reshape advising, student-faculty interaction, and teaching improvement—then sharing findings through campus reports and public-facing dashboards. Data Centers & Cost Politics: Sen. Jon Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act would push large electricity users like data centers to cover grid and infrastructure costs so families and small businesses aren’t stuck with the bill. U.S. Senate Race in Ohio: President Trump is set to campaign in Ohio for Sen. Jon Husted in Vandalia as the race against Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown tightens. Voter Verification Fight: The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume expanded citizenship checks on registered voters, raising concerns about eligible people being removed. Community & Culture: Art on the Wabash spotlights local artists and growing fine-arts emphasis, while Marlboro Township’s historical society brought Sojourner Truth’s story to life. Local Wins & Life: Jackson City Schools honored students with perfect Ohio State Test scores; IU Indy swept Robert Morris in volleyball.

Ohio Higher Ed, Student Support: Ohio State, Wittenberg, Dayton, Denison, and Youngstown State are all using NSSE-style surveys to track student engagement and advising, then turning results into changes—like better advising training, clearer outcome reporting, and teaching support. Religious Freedom & Workplace Rights: The U.S. EEOC sued Mercy Health in Youngstown over claims a Jewish orthopedic surgeon was fired after antisemitic remarks and reduced work access. Local Business & Food Education: Cargill and McCarty Family Farms expanded hands-on dairy nutrition exhibits, including a companion learning center at MVP Dairy in Celina. Surveillance & Privacy: Columbus paused Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras during an investigation, but the wider network across central Ohio remains. Immigration & Community Safety: A judge ordered no-contact after a man allegedly charged toward Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at a Youngstown event. Culture & Community Events: Ohiopyle’s Youghtoberfest drew hundreds for a borough fundraiser tied to its aging sewage system. Sports & Spotlight: Ohio State routed Illinois 42-19, with Jeremiah Smith surging as a Heisman favorite.

Higher Ed Policy: Ohio House Bill 698 would tie public college funding to compliance with last year’s higher-ed overhaul, including annual confirmations and new “justification” reporting tied to DEI-related staffing. Local Community Support: Rep. Kevin Ritter announced a $300,000 grant for essential home repairs and accessibility upgrades in Hocking, Athens, and Perry counties. STEM in Schools: SOCCo awarded Oak Hill School System a $1,000 grant for hands-on science and STEM equipment, from water-quality testing to microscopy. Data Centers & Daily Life: Gov. DeWine paused tax exemptions for new data centers, as electricity costs and community impacts keep driving political debate. Arts & Culture Calendar: “THIS WEEK IN THE ARTS” spotlights country dance, plein air painting, and more. Sports (Ohio Pride): Jeremiah Smith made OSU history with a 217-yard, four-touchdown game vs. Illinois, while the Cleveland Guardians clinched the AL Central with an 11-5 win over Kansas City. Community Celebration: Indianapolis’ Circle City Classic Parade returned for its 42nd year, centering Black culture and HBCU legacy.

Higher Ed & Student Support: Ohio State, UC, Youngstown State, Wittenberg, Denison, and Dayton are using NSSE survey results to reshape advising, student services, and teaching—then sharing outcomes through campus reports and public-facing dashboards. Local Nonprofits & Funding: Springboro, Greenville (Darke County), South Euclid, Findlay, Troy, Youngstown, and West Union nonprofits top local rankings for government-grant share of revenue, underscoring how public dollars steer community programs. Degrees & Training Pipelines: Richland County (1,033 awards), Warren (247), Scioto (784), Jefferson (7,936), Hardin (663), and Mahoning (3,199) show where Ohio’s credentialing is concentrated. Community Life & Arts: Explore Hocking Hills joins an international tourism sustainability group; Wooster’s Susan Shie gets a major retrospective at Wayne Center for the Arts. Health & Aging: OSHIIP hosts a free Medicare open-enrollment town hall and checkup events to help Ohioans compare plans and spot scams. Politics & Culture: Supreme Court revives expanded voter-citizenship checks via SAVE, fueling new debate over election access.

Education & Student Life: Ohio universities keep using NSSE results to improve advising, staffing, and student services—UC’s “One-Stop Service Center” and Ohio State’s advising module are examples of how campus data gets turned into real changes. STEM in the Classroom: Hilltop High School (grades 7-12) earns the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research, with students meeting state science-fair and regional participation requirements. Local Arts & Culture: WYSO settles into a renovated 1872 Yellow Springs schoolhouse, expanding its broadcast home with major support from comedian Dave Chappelle. Community & Health: Rep. Marcy Kaptur announces a $5.13M Head Start renovation award for Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission. Nature & Family Fun: NatureFest returns Oct. 10 in Paulding with OSU Extension, Master Gardeners, 4-H, and hands-on activities. Courts & Faith: A Sixth District appeals court vacates a fire-code conviction tied to Dad’s Place pastor Chris Avell, sending constitutional defenses back for review. Ohio Outdoors: Fall migration brings birdwatching crowds to northwest Ohio’s Lake Erie shores. Big Picture Policy: A 6th Circuit ruling says Ohio and Tennessee can regulate Kalshi prediction markets under state gambling laws.

Midterm Momentum: Senate Republicans are scrambling for a last-minute win as they juggle a college athletics overhaul and data-center electricity affordability steps, with lawmakers openly saying “we haven’t done a damn thing.” Voting Rights & Safety: Legal experts warn intimidation tactics could suppress turnout and trust in the 2026 midterms, urging grassroots efforts to keep voters safe and confident. Ohio Public Safety (Bookings): Summit County booking records show multiple arrests across Sept. 19–22, including public order, domestic charges, drugs, and warrants; Lucas County also logged an intoxication arrest and an immigration-related booking. Local Education & Training: Miami University Hamilton opened a hands-on teacher education studio for primary education majors, aiming to get future Pre-K–5 teachers practicing before they graduate. Community & Culture: Ohio’s OHCON 2026 public safety drone conference is in its final stretch, with the pre-course program managers class already sold out. Tech & Power Watch: Oracle’s force majeure notice tied to its Project Jupiter data-center plans in New Mexico adds fresh uncertainty to the AI power buildout. Nonprofit Finance (Ohio): New IRS-based grant-revenue rankings highlight local organizations’ reliance on government funding, from Lima’s Crime Victim Services to Lorain’s Spectrum Growth.