AGP Executive Report

NFL Discipline: San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was suspended six games and fined $500,000 after an Ohio prostitution sting arrest; the NFL counted York’s missed first three games as time served, letting him return Oct. 20. Health Equity: A new report highlights how telehealth could help Ohio patients—especially older, Black, and rural residents—get more equitable access to myeloma transplant care. K-12 Education: Patrick Henry Local Schools in Hamler jumped to a 4.5-star rating on Ohio’s report card, with gains tied to math, early literacy, and improvements for economically disadvantaged and English learner students. State Politics: Ohio’s governor race is heating up between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton, with property taxes and data centers among the key campaign battlegrounds. Community & Sports: OHSAA announced Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week (Oct. 4-10) statewide, honoring nearly 16,000 contest officials. Local Economy: Packaging Corp. of America plans to close its Middletown plant, affecting about 90 workers.

Gas Prices Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 519 into law, suspending Ohio’s gas tax for 90 days starting Sunday and running through Jan. 2, 2027—cutting the gasoline and diesel taxes to near zero to ease pump costs. Election Watch: Ohio’s Nov. 3 election is drawing attention as officials push voters to check registration and ID details, while national debate continues over whether immigration enforcement could show up around polling places. Local Governance: Sebring residents are starting a recall effort after Village Council voted 5-1 to close the dispatch center, arguing the decision lacked transparency. State Consumer Protection: The Ohio Department of Taxation warns homeowners about a viral AI video claiming a fake federal “senior homeowner” property tax program and urging people not to contact scammers. Health & Community: MetroHealth won a $2.5M federal grant to expand street-medicine training for doctors across Cuyahoga County. Courts & Access: Ohio Bar awards recognized Judge Dean Wilson and Virtual Self-Help Centers for innovation. Sports (Ohio): The Browns beat the Steelers 27-24 on a 56-yard late field goal, and the Blue Jackets opened with a 6-3 win over Buffalo with Matthew Knies scoring twice.

Gas Tax Relief: Ohio lawmakers approved a 90-day state gas tax holiday, aiming to cut costs for drivers as fuel prices stay a top voter concern. Emissions & Air Quality: Gov. Mike DeWine ordered Ohio EPA to end E-Check emissions testing in seven northeast counties after the Cleveland area was redesignated as meeting federal air standards. Election Policy: A Suffolk/USA TODAY Ohio Network poll finds 60% of Ohio voters back a November photo ID constitutional amendment (Issue 3), while opponents warn it could complicate mail voting. Health Care: A lawsuit spotlighted how an AI prior-authorization program under Original Medicare in Ohio and five other states led to thousands of denials and long waits. Local Economy & Jobs: U.S. Paper Mill plans to restart paper production in Chillicothe by December and hire up to 350 workers. Retail: Starbucks identified four Ohio locations for closure as it shutters about 250 stores nationwide. Sports & Community: Ohio’s fall open burning restrictions begin Oct. 1; and Columbus welcomed former 10TV anchor Tracy Townsend into the mayor’s office.

Gas Tax Relief: Ohio lawmakers passed a 90-day gasoline and diesel tax suspension, with the bill heading to Gov. Mike DeWine; candidates Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy both claim credit as the debate turns to how the state will pay for road work. Public Safety & Health: Bowling Green confirmed a measles case and listed exposure sites tied to BGSU, Pagliai’s, and Wood County Hospital/ Falcon Health Center, urging people to check vaccination and watch for symptoms. Higher Ed & Campus Life: Ohio State’s Annual Security Report shows stalking and fondling up on campus in 2025 while rape and alcohol violations fell; the report also expands hazing categories. Local Community: Valley Enforcement Group’s Missing Persons Unit/Child Abduction Response Team earned national certification after a mock scenario, becoming the second Ohio team with that status. Sports (Ohio focus): Ohio State men’s soccer is struggling to score after red cards and recent draws/losses, while high school football highlights include Ottawa-Glandorf’s turnaround and Liberty Center’s big win. Data Privacy: Saber Healthcare is facing a data breach investigation as a class-action firm offers free case evaluations to potentially affected residents.

Data Centers & Affordability: Senate Democrats blocked the GOP “Ratepayer Protection Act,” a last-ditch bid to curb electricity costs tied to the data-center boom—an issue Ohio voters are watching closely in the Jon Husted vs. Sherrod Brown race. AI in Politics: Campaigns are leaning into AI-made ads, with critics calling it “slopaganda” as synthetic messaging gets cheaper and more lifelike. Ohio Healthcare Lawsuit: A Washington County woman says a surgical team amputated the wrong leg, leaving her a double amputee, and is suing Selby General Hospital and others. Public Safety Tech: Lake County’s 911 center will use AI to review 100% of emergency medical dispatch calls, replacing manual sampling. Ohio Business/Jobs: Peoples Bancorp will buy Capital Bancorp to cross the $10B-asset mark. Sports (Ohio): ESPN’s College GameDay heads to Iowa City for Ohio State-Iowa; and Jeremiah Smith keeps drawing NFL comparisons as Ohio State’s offense rolls.

U.S. Senate (Ohio) Election: With the Nov. 3 vote one month away, Ohioans will choose among Sherrod Brown (D), Jon Husted (R), Greg Levy (other-party), and William B. Redpath (Libertarian). Polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. Local Power Reliability: Lakewood officials asked PUCO to require FirstEnergy to produce an interim reliability plan while the utility completes long-term grid upgrades that could take 7–9 years. Schools & Levies: Lake Local Schools warned it could cut 132 staff positions if a Nov. 3 levy fails. Education Data Use: Ohio State and Ohio University are expanding how they share and apply student engagement survey results across campus. Public Safety: The HAILEY Act would expand Amber Alerts for high-risk missing children after an Indiana teen case that ended in Ohio. Roads Enforcement: Ohio State Highway Patrol is ramping up Route 11 enforcement through October. Sports (Local): Swanton is headed to Division II state golf; Avon Lake’s big matchup vs. Olmsted Falls shapes playoff positioning.

Ohio Politics: A new Marist poll shows former Sen. Sherrod Brown leading Sen. Jon Husted by 8 points in Ohio’s Senate race, with half of voters saying they strongly disapprove of President Trump—while another poll has GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy trailing Amy Acton. State & Local: Ohio reached federal air-quality attainment statewide for the first time in more than 20 years, after Cleveland and Canton met EPA standards. Infrastructure & Housing: Omni Fiber sued the City of Stow in federal court, alleging permit delays and unequal treatment blocked its fiber build. Workforce: The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association says a $23.4M federal workforce grant exceeded goals early, boosting manufacturing job placements and training credentials. Public Safety: A pickup truck and Austintown school bus collided at a red light; no injuries reported. Sports: ESPN College GameDay is returning to Iowa City for Ohio State-Iowa, and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith continues to draw national attention.

Ohio Politics & Costs: Ohio lawmakers return to Columbus to consider a 90-day gas tax suspension, with Republicans pitching near-immediate relief at the pump while Democrats call it election-year timing. Public Safety: Parents are demanding answers after a 12-year-old allegedly brought a loaded gun to West Clermont Middle School, with officials saying they can’t share details about security plans. Courts & Consumer Impact: A federal appeals ruling again limits Ohio hemp beverage sales, putting Saucy Brew Works’ THC seltzer business in limbo and threatening local jobs. Health Watch: Ashland County confirmed its first measles case as Ohio’s 2026 total climbs to 180, and officials are working to identify possible exposures. Education & Data: Ohio State is rolling out a campuswide approach to share NSSE survey results, aiming to improve assessment and advising by using dashboards and department-level reporting. Sports (Buckeye Spotlight): Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and AP National Player of the Week honors after a 4-TD, 217-yard performance vs. Illinois.

College Football (Ohio focus): Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith keeps climbing the national spotlight after a 42-19 win over Illinois, earning AP Player of the Week honors with career highs (12 catches, 217 yards) and a school-record four TD grabs—pushing him to Heisman favorite status. Big Ten Rivalry Watch: Iowa jumps to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 heading into a huge Week 5 showdown at Ohio State, with ESPN College GameDay in Iowa City for the first time in 20 years. Local Utilities Help: Toledo’s Fresh Start water bill assistance program is in its final stretch—residents can apply for debt relief through Sept. 30, with two community events offering help. Education & AI in Ohio Schools: Central Ohio districts are rolling out the state’s AI policy in different ways, from Hilliard’s AI Readiness Framework to classroom use in Columbus. Public Health/Local Crime: A homeless man was charged after a serious woods assault behind Alexis Rd. in Toledo; the victim is expected to survive. Business/Health Tech: Bright Uro says it’s expanding production capacity for its bladder diagnostic device after FDA clearance. Culture: Western Reserve Historical Society opens “Louis Stokes: From Poverty to Congress” at the Cleveland History Center.

Ohio Higher Ed & Data Use: Ohio State is rethinking how it supports students by improving academic advising and using NSSE results more systematically, while Ohio University is rolling out interactive NSSE dashboards to make “sense of belonging” and other survey themes easier for campus units to act on. OSU Enrollment Watch: OSU’s latest census shows total enrollment up slightly, but international enrollment fell nearly 13% for the second straight year. Health Care Innovation: Cleveland Clinic became the first Ohio hospital to perform a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy after FDA clearance, aiming for smaller incisions and faster recovery. Courts: Ohio’s Supreme Court reversed an appeals court in a child rape case, saying the appellate court improperly acted as a “thirteenth juror” by reweighing the victim’s credibility. State Policy & Aging: Ohio’s Governor’s Policy Summit on Healthy Aging mapped a “future-ready” plan for older residents, tying policy to economic development and technology. Medicaid Coverage: Thousands of lawfully present refugees in Ohio could lose Medicaid coverage Oct. 1, with statewide numbers disputed. Local Safety: Trial begins Monday for two children accused in the beating of a Cleveland 5-year-old. Sports (Ohio): Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin powered a 42-19 Big Ten opener win over Illinois, while the Crew beat Inter Miami 2-1 with late drama.

Ohio Surveillance Fight: Columbus has paused its Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras while investigating alleged misuse by an officer, but more than 700 similar cameras still operate across central Ohio. Big Ten Spotlight: ESPN College GameDay is headed to Iowa City for the first time in 20 years for Iowa vs. Ohio State, a top-25 showdown after Iowa’s walk-off win over Michigan and Ohio State’s 42-19 rout of Illinois. Rankings Shake-Up: The AP Top 25 keeps Texas No. 1 and Georgia No. 2, while Florida rockets to No. 8 and Ohio State sits at No. 5 after Week 4. Congressional Culture-War Ads: Rep. Marcy Kaptur faces Democratic backlash over transgender-related campaign ads in her Toledo-area race. Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit: The U.S. government sues Mercy Health in Youngstown over claims a Jewish surgeon was fired for his religion. Local Sports: The Browns open at home vs. Carolina with Watson starting, and Akron honored coach Jim Dennison in a UNLV game.

Ohio State Football: Jeremiah Smith went nuclear for the Buckeyes, tying an OSU single-game record with 4 TD catches in a 42-19 rout of Illinois, while Julian Sayin threw for 367 yards and OSU rolled into Big Ten play with momentum. Heisman Watch: Smith’s performance has him listed as the Heisman betting favorite (+240), putting Ohio’s star receiver front and center nationally. Ohio Sports (Volleyball): Nebraska swept Ohio State 3-0 in Lincoln, handing the Buckeyes a tough home-stand finale as the Huskers improved to 13-0. Local College Football: Ohio finished non-conference play strong with a 35-7 win over Stonehill behind 301 rushing yards, while Pitt stayed perfect by blasting Bucknell 59-0. Other Ohio Games: USF kept rolling with a 14-6 win over Bowling Green, and Miami (Ohio) edged UConn 24-21. Missing Adult Alert (Champaign County): The Ohio AG issued an endangered missing adult alert for 64-year-old Linda Rivera-Inskeep, who has dementia.

Big Ten Politics & Power: A federal land data-center project in southeastern Ohio is now a central issue in the Ohio Senate race, with GOP Sen. Jon Husted defending his seat against Democrat Sherrod Brown as voters weigh jobs, electricity demand, and community impacts. Fatal Crash on I-71: A 38-year-old Columbus man, Brandon Miller, was killed after being struck by a vehicle while standing in the northbound lanes of I-71 in Morrow County; the driver stayed at the scene and investigators are still working out what led to the crash. Immigration Work Visas: Ohio employers in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category filed 72 H-1B petitions in 2025, with 71 approved. Local Nonprofit Funding: New rankings highlight which Ohio nonprofits get the biggest share of revenue from government grants in cities like Mentor, Canal Winchester, Coshocton, and Hamilton. Sports (Ohio focus): Ohio State opens Big Ten play vs. Illinois at noon, with national betting chatter centered on whether the Buckeyes’ defense can tighten up. Cleveland Crime: Police arrested a suspect after a 56-year-old woman was shot on Cleveland’s West side; she was taken to MetroHealth in serious condition.

Ohio State-Illinois Preview: No. 7 Ohio State opens Big Ten play at home Saturday vs. Illinois on FOX, with OSU riding momentum after a strong start and Jeremiah Smith’s receiving-yard milestone. Injury/Depth Watch: LSU transfer Kyle Parker is upgraded to probable and could make his Ohio State debut, a boost for a deep receiver room. Prediction Markets: A federal appeals court ruled against Kalshi, saying Ohio and Tennessee can regulate prediction markets under state gambling laws—raising the odds of a U.S. Supreme Court showdown. Local Sports (High School): Waverly thumped Oak Hill 49-0; Beavercreek edged Centerville 21-20 on a big option play; New Richmond stunned Clinton-Massie 41-37; Liberty Center routed Patrick Henry 38-6; Archbold poured it on 72-0 over Swanton. Driving/Cost Pressure: Toledo drivers vent as gas prices stay high amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Public Safety: Two OVI checkpoints are planned tonight in Youngstown, with saturation patrols across the weekend. Arts & Culture: Taylor Swift shared rare home video footage tied to Travis Kelce’s Ohio roots.

Gas Tax Fight: Ohio lawmakers could vote next week on suspending the state gas tax for 90 days, a proposal aimed at easing prices that are hovering near $4.48 a gallon for regular gas, while diesel nears $7. Workforce Housing Push: Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Tressel announced $14 million in grants through the REDD program to spur workforce housing in 10 counties. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced indictments of 18 Medicaid providers accused of stealing more than $355,000 from the program. COTA LinkUS Update: COTA’s CEO broke her silence on why the LinkUS leader exited after seven months, saying leadership changes were needed to keep the transit expansion on track. Local Housing Delays (Athens): Athens’ affordable homes on Hudson Avenue are still planned, but completion is slipping to next summer; prequalification is open for the $180,000 income-restricted homes. Ohio Sports: Ohio State hosts Illinois Saturday in a Big Ten opener, while Ohio University sets Homecoming 2026 for Oct. 5–10.

Local Public Safety: Dayton police say they finally caught “Cardio,” a runaway goat that had repeatedly damaged parked cars before being snared and taken to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. AI & Media: A new commentary piece argues news outlets are increasingly replacing writers with AI, raising questions about what gets published and who’s accountable. Education & Youth Safety: Wilmington College says a contract custodian was arrested after police found him hiding in the ceiling of a women’s locker room, accused of voyeurism. Community & Events: Springfield’s fall kickoff includes the Hasting Farm Fest and “The Wiz” tour stop, plus a Hertzler House reopening. Local Government: A group seeking to recall Nelsonville’s charter City Council has filed recall petitions with the city clerk, setting up a possible special election. Business & Jobs: Reports say Honda is considering a new Ohio hybrid vehicle plant, while Ohio State and Chase are hosting a fraud-and-scam prevention workshop for students. Weather: The National Weather Service expects above-normal temperatures and wetter conditions for Ohio into early October.