AGP Executive Report

Meta Trial Watch: A coalition of 29 states is pushing for major changes to Facebook and Instagram in a federal trial over alleged child-safety and privacy violations, seeking huge damages and new limits on addictive features. Ohio Workplace Safety: Federal investigators say workers at an Ohio job site were warned a trench was too deep but were told to enter anyway before a cave-in killed one and injured others. Big Tech + Ohio Power: Nvidia is backing a massive OpenAI data-center push in Ohio with a $105B guarantee, as the state’s AI infrastructure race accelerates. Local Economy & Jobs: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned another national nod for helping transfer students succeed, while OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy provided a free summer program for local kids. Arts & Community: Cleveland Museum of Art begins a multi-year, $40M restoration of the Fine Arts Garden. Sports (Ohio ties): Ohio State opens the preseason AP Top 25 at No. 1 alongside Oregon at No. 2, setting up a big national spotlight for the Buckeyes.

Ohio Education & Opportunity: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, highlighting support for transfer students through metrics like costs, aid, campus life, and degree completion. Community Impact: On OHIO Southern’s campus, a $1,500 grant funded the Bobcat Academy for 30 kids at no cost, adding meals and hands-on learning for first through sixth graders. Local Weather: Cleveland-area forecasts call for a cold front Wednesday night, then humid conditions with scattered showers and thunderstorms tomorrow. Flood Recovery: East-central Ohio communities are still cleaning up after intense storms, with state help for debris, traffic control, sandbagging, and food distribution. Sports (Ohio): Ohio State is preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25, and the Buckeyes’ offseason trip to Puerto Rico included scrimmage highlights and a kids’ camp. Tech & Jobs: OpenAI’s Ohio data-center push is backed by Nvidia financing, with a major lease deal tied to SB Energy. Arts: Heights Arts in Cleveland Heights opens its 2026-27 season with “Emergent” and a first solo show by Nigerian artist Olatunbosun Akinyelure.

College Football Rankings: Ohio State opens the 2026 season as the preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25, with Oregon at No. 2—an eye-catching Big Ten 1-2 that hasn’t happened in 65 years. Local Sports & Community: In Pickaway County, high school fall sports kick off with “Meet the Team” and other preseason events as Week 1 arrives. AI Data Centers & Jobs: Nvidia is backing OpenAI’s Ohio campus with up to a $105 billion guarantee tied to SB Energy’s PORTS-Pike project, aiming for major construction and long-term jobs in Pike County. Weather Watch: Ohio’s August rain has been unusually relentless, driven by a stalled high-pressure pattern that keeps feeding moisture and raising flood concerns. Higher Ed Spotlight: Ohio University and OHIO Online earn another national nod for transfer student support, landing on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll. Business & Retail: Goodwill is set to open a new Campbell location in September, partnering with local schools and community stakeholders.

Local Education: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for support that helps transfer students succeed, with the recognition tied to metrics like costs, aid, and degree completion. Community & Youth Programs: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy in Ironton served 30 kids for a week at no cost, funded by a $1,500 grant from an OHIO Southern graduate, with activities ranging from arts and yoga to personal finance. Local Governance: Cleveland’s “people’s budget” pilot in Slavic Village is in its final stretch, letting residents vote on neighborhood priorities through Aug. 22, though some residents question the process and project vetting. Public Safety & Accountability: Fairview Park’s leisure pool remains closed as officials cite humidity and HVAC problems, while a councilman is pushing for an investigation into reopening steps. Health & Tech: Nvidia reportedly scaled back its funding guarantee for an Ohio OpenAI data center to under $120B, after investor concerns about risk exposure. Sports (Ohio ties): The Raiders signed former Ohio State WR Noah Brown, adding depth to an unproven receiving group. Tennis: Iga Swiatek advanced at the Cincinnati Open after beating Emiliana Arango in straight sets. Crime & Courts: Opening statements are set to begin Monday in Duane “Keffe D” Davis’s trial over Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing.

Ohio State Football: Ohio State is moving Senior Day to before the season opener against Ball State on Sept. 5, aiming to cut “distractions” around the Michigan rivalry week. Ohio Education: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for support that helps transfer students succeed. Local Sports & Community: Greene County schools held their first preseason volleyball showcase and skills competition at the John Wooden Family Fieldhouse in Xenia. Tech & Industry: Nvidia is scaling back its funding guarantee for an Ohio OpenAI data center, with the Wall Street Journal reporting a smaller initial backstop than previously discussed. Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed in Plano, Texas, after running into oncoming traffic; in Ohio, storm conditions continue to drive major weather coverage across the region. Tennis: Alex Eala advanced at the Cincinnati Open, while Novak Djokovic disclosed a long-running health issue after his loss.

Ohio Higher Ed: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, highlighting support for transfer students from admissions to degree completion. Community & Youth: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy, funded by a $1,500 grant, gave 30 kids a free week of learning and meals at its Ironton campus. Ohio Sports: Novak Djokovic’s Cincinnati Open run ended Saturday as Thiago Agustin Tirante beat him 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in brutal heat and humidity. Local Pro Baseball: The Dayton Dragons rode a LeBron grand slam to beat Lake County 6-5, holding off a late comeback. Ohio State Football: Ryan Day said an injury to Austin Siereveld paused evaluation plans for the offensive line, while true freshman Luke Fahey’s early camp surge has pushed the QB2 race. Public Safety & Policy: A DOJ case details a Nevada man pleading guilty to trafficking 140 firearms to violent Mexican cartels, including Ohio Ordnance Works .50 BMG rifles. Sports Media: The Bengals expanded radio-TV partnerships, adding iHeartMedia’s Tony Pike and WXIX-TV’s Joe Danneman to coverage.

Ohio Higher Ed Wins: Ohio University and OHIO Online landed on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, spotlighting support for transfer students from admissions to degree completion. Community Youth Program: OHIO Southern graduate Isaac Floyd helped fund the free Bobcat Academy in Ironton, feeding and enriching 30 kids with a week of hands-on learning. Cincinnati Open Weather: Rain suspended matches at the Cincinnati Open in Mason, including Alex Eala vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse, as storms keep disrupting the schedule. Browns Preseason Focus: Deshaun Watson says he feels “in the right spot” as Cleveland opens its preseason Saturday vs. the Bears. Ohio State Game-Day Change: Ohio State moved Senior Day to the Week 1 home opener vs. Ball State, avoiding overlap with the Michigan rivalry. Local Safety Update: A crash in Butler County killed one and injured three after a vehicle struck a utility pole; impairment is suspected. Sports & Local Notes: Patriot Games standout Shannon Dressler competed for Ohio; and Ohio’s monarch butterfly numbers are rising, boosted by native milkweed.

Ohio Politics: Cook Political Report flags three GOP-held House districts shifting from “Solid” to “Likely,” including two in Ohio—an early sign the 2026 map may be tighter than Republicans expect. Ohio State Football: Ohio State moves Senior Day to Sept. 5 at Ball State, with the Michigan home finale left for the rivalry itself. Local Government: Swanton village council discusses pending administrator Shannon Shulters’ resignation, with her exit set for Aug. 31 unless council changes what she’s asking for. Public Safety: Mercy Health St. Rita’s in Lima evacuated multiple buildings after a gas odor was detected, with officials monitoring air quality. Tech & Privacy: Flock Safety’s proposed cut in camera data retention from 30 days to seven sparks debate in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan over whether shorter storage could slow investigations. Health & Community: Ohio University and OHIO Online earn a national PTK Transfer Honor Roll spot for support of transfer students, while OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy runs a free summer program for local kids. Sports (Local): Clear Fork opens Friday Night Futbol with a 7-1 win over Madison; area soccer and golf results roll in across multiple counties.

Higher Ed & Opportunity: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on Phi Theta Kappa’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll for boosting transfer student success, judged on support, costs/aid, and degree completion. Community Impact: On OHIO Southern’s campus, a $1,500 grant funded the Bobcat Academy for 30 kids in Ironton for a week at no cost, adding meals and hands-on learning. Public Safety: Two Lebanon Correctional Institution staffers pleaded not guilty in the death of inmate LaSelle Allen—one charged with assault after pepper spraying, both charged with dereliction for alleged delays in checking vitals. Energy Update: AEP Ohio says power restoration from Aug. 11 storms is on track for nearly all central Ohio customers by 10 p.m. Local Government: Yellow Springs advanced ordinances on a 25-year gas franchise renewal and “bad debt” write-offs for uncollectable utility accounts. Food Safety: FDA recalled a Marketside tomato bisque soup kit sold at Walmart due to possible Listeria contamination, including Ohio. Local Watch: An Austintown-area OVI checkpoint is planned tonight on Meridian Road.

Power Restoration: AEP Ohio says nearly all central Ohio customers hit by the Aug. 11 storms should be back on by 10 p.m. Aug. 14, after restoring 200,000+ customers and cutting the outage count to fewer than 10,000. Local Government: Yellow Springs is moving forward with two utility-related ordinances, including a 25-year gas franchise renewal for Vectren and a “bad debt” write-off process for uncollectable accounts. Public Safety: The Ohio State Highway Patrol plans an OVI checkpoint tonight on Meridian Road in Austintown, running 10 p.m. to midnight. Health & Food Safety: The FDA issued a recall for a Marketside tomato bisque soup kit sold at Walmart due to possible Listeria contamination, and Whole Foods is recalling jalapeno-containing prepared foods in multiple states including Ohio. Community & Education: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 PTK Transfer Honor Roll for transfer student success, and OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy summer program served local kids at no cost thanks to a grant. Business/Industry: Warren-based T. Bruce Sales is tackling a major precision machining job for a CT scanner, including a 120-inch faceplate, while also giving a Youngstown State student hands-on experience. Sports: AEP’s storm recovery headlines share space with local sports notes—Cardinals rookie G Chase Bisontis is undergoing further tests after a knee injury in Arizona’s preseason win.

Ohio Higher Ed: Ohio University and OHIO Online again made the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, spotlighting support for transfer students. Community & Youth: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy in Ironton served local kids for free for a week, funded by a $1,500 grant. Local Health & Housing: Gov. Mike DeWine is moving to tighten Ohio rules for the recovery home boom, with emergency behavioral health certification requirements in the mix. Ohio Economy & Industry: GM and LG restart Ohio battery production after a seven-month pause, signaling EV demand shifts. Ohio Sports: Zach Werenski says he wants the Blue Jackets to become a contender if he’s to stay long term. Ohio Public Safety: Parents in Toledo say a youth football team was denied entry into a new league, sparking a dispute over safety vs. competition. National Policy Watch: A Medicare “IRMAA” surprise from a one-time Ohio scratch-ticket win shows how income spikes can raise premiums two years later. Global: U.S. rebukes Israeli settlers’ siege of Palestinian homes in Qusra, as the standoff draws sharper American criticism.

Ohio Higher Ed: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot again on Phi Theta Kappa’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, highlighting support that helps transfer students finish strong. Community & Youth: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy served 30 kids for free in Ironton, funded by a $1,500 grant tied to an alum’s classroom needs. State Health: Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced indictments of six Medicaid providers accused of stealing $558,383 through alleged inflated or improper billing. Local Safety: Mercy Health St. Rita’s in Lima evacuated some buildings after a possible gas leak. Ohio Business/Industry: Foxconn says it plans to “build up” manufacturing in Ohio in 2027 as it ramps AI-related production. Sports (Ohio): Ohio State women’s basketball transfer portal stayed unusually quiet, while Ohio soccer opened with a 2-1 win over UIC and Ohio’s MAC released its 2026-27 women’s schedule. Politics: Democrats are attacking Rep. Max Miller over campaign money tied to his leadership PAC amid domestic violence and a lawsuit over an alleged nude photo. Weather/Travel: Flooding forced closure of I-70 near the Ohio border.

Higher Ed & Workforce Pathways: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for boosting transfer student success, with the PTK ranking based on dozens of support and completion metrics. Health & Innovation: Case Western Reserve is leading an NIH-backed effort to develop a rapid, noninvasive chairside oral cancer test that could flag suspicious lesions for biopsy within minutes. Ohio Economy & Jobs: LG-GM’s Ultium Cells battery plant in Warren will restart production next week after a seven-month shutdown, bringing back most of the temporarily laid-off workforce as GM adjusts EV strategy. Columbus & Growth: Construction has started on a 35-building, nearly 500-home project near the OSU airport, adding hundreds of residences to Columbus’ Northwest Side. Public Safety: Ohio law enforcement is reminding drivers to slow down and follow school bus rules as kids head back to class. State Watch: Ohio fell to No. 42 in the latest U.S. News state rankings, down for a third straight year. Courts: The Ohio Supreme Court upheld dismissal of a Stark County medical malpractice case under the “sham-affidavit” rule. Community & Kids: Ohio State Fair visitors helped initiate claims for about $675,000 in unclaimed funds.

Severe Weather & Recovery: Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a city emergency after storms tore through central Ohio, while Athens County remains under a flood warning and residents are urged to avoid flooded roads. Lightning Safety: A lightning strike hit an Ohio prison, injuring 16 inmates; seven were still hospitalized, including one in serious condition. Courts & Insurance: The Ohio Supreme Court reinforced that binding appraisal awards can’t be undone just because more damage is later found—unless there’s corruption or gross mistake. Rail Competition: Seven Republican state AGs urged the Surface Transportation Board to reject Union Pacific’s Norfolk Southern merger, warning it could weaken rail-to-rail competition and raise shipping costs. Local Business: The Union Bank Company finished a digital banking upgrade with more self-service and financial wellness tools. Community & Health: Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center survey finds most Americans think brain-health habits should start before age 40, and Case Western Reserve researchers are developing a noninvasive chairside oral cancer test. Sports (Ohio): Ohio’s Little League team faces Kentucky for a Little League World Series spot, and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is highlighted as a top national NFL-ready prospect heading into 2026.

Severe Weather & Power: Powerful Midwest storms left at least 2 dead and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, with flooding still a concern after the worst passed. Public Safety & Health: Ohio’s fire service community is taking nominations for the 2027 Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards through Dec. 31. Education & Reading Skills: Gov. DeWine announced $2.5M for Structured Literacy Centers at Akron, Bowling Green and Miami to expand teacher training in the Science of Reading. OSU & Campus Response: Ohio State says it’s in a strong position to respond to a new federal request to colleges, but won’t say whether it will answer. Local Sports: Bath aims for another deep postseason run after its 2003-era best, while Defiance looks to rebound from a 4-6 season. Community Notes: Columbiana County Humane Society paused intakes after seizing 113 animals, and OSU Extension Mahoning County is offering an in-person Mediterranean diet class series starting Sept. 11. Science & Consumer Watch: An OSU study finds bottled water can contain about three times the nanoplastic particles found in treated tap water.

Pro Football Hall of Fame: Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. delivered an emotional Canton speech, crediting his roots in Minneapolis and his long Cardinals run, and he unveiled his bronze bust with his son Devin. Ohio Sports Spotlight: Oregon Tech announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class, including Lakeview’s Megan Albertson (volleyball), with the induction set for Nov. 8 in Oregon. Local Community & Giving Back: Ohio State WR Nolan Baudo and teammate Ryan Rudzinski hosted a Columbus youth football camp and donated $1,500 to the Mt. Sion Program at Br. Rice High School. Weather & Safety: Severe storms moved through Ohio Tuesday, with traffic-camera footage showing strong winds toppling a car on I-71 in Columbus; officials say it’s unclear if a tornado was involved. Public Health: A Salmonella-linked jalapeño recall expanded downstream, with Taylor Fresh Foods pulling multiple jalapeño products sold in Ohio and 25 other states. Business & Trade: Canadian tariffs are already worrying Ohio-area small businesses that import goods, with owners saying uncertainty could curb shopping. Tech/Defense: Joby Aviation agreed to buy Dayton-based Resonant Sciences in a $500M deal to build a dedicated defense business. Food Assistance Politics: New polling finds voters in Ohio and other competitive states broadly support higher SNAP benefits as grocery bills rise.