AGP Executive Report

Hate Crime Probe: A Hindu temple in Richmond Heights (Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir) was hit with bricks and shattered windows, with the Hindu American Foundation and CoHNA urging Richmond Heights officials and police to act fast; no suspect or motive has been confirmed, but groups say it may be tied to rising anti-Hindu rhetoric. Big Ten Football: No. 14 Iowa hosts No. 5 Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS) in a top matchup as both teams enter unbeaten in Big Ten play; ESPN’s College GameDay is in Iowa City with Caitlin Clark as guest picker. Local Courts & Consumer Protection: Ohio AG Andy Wilson sued a Cincinnati contractor, alleging unfinished or shoddy home improvement work after upfront payments, with complaints totaling more than $100,000. Economy & Costs: A 90-day Ohio gas tax suspension starts Sunday, cutting costs for drivers but not offering relief for EVs or hybrids, which pay higher registration fees. Sports & Schools: High school football highlights include Moeller winning the GCL South title over Elder and Alter’s Ed Domsitz reaching 400 career coaching wins.

NFL Discipline: San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 after an Ohio prostitution sting arrest; the NFL credited him for three games he already missed, making him eligible to return Oct. 20. Ohio Elections: Ohio voters head to the polls Nov. 3 for the Ohio Treasurer race, choosing Seth Walsh (D) or Jay Edwards (R), with both campaigns emphasizing economic development, housing, and accountability. Ohio Governor Race: The contest for governor pits Amy Acton (D) against Vivek Ramaswamy (R), with property taxes and data center growth among the top issues. Schools & Community: OHSAA set Oct. 4-10 as Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week statewide, honoring nearly 16,000 contest officials. Public Safety: Ohio State Highway Patrol reminded drivers to buckle up after crash deaths tied to unbelted occupants; separate reports also covered a Clark County school bus sideswipe with 14 students onboard and no injuries. Local Economy: Franklin Park Mall in Toledo announced October openings including OFFLINE by Aerie and a permanent Toys “R” Us return.

Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 519 into law, suspending Ohio’s gas and diesel taxes for 90 days starting Sunday, cutting the 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent diesel tax to near zero through Jan. 2, 2027. PUCO & Winter Help: PUCO granted hours-of-service relief for intrastate fuel haulers and issued its Special Reconnect Order to help customers avoid winter shutoffs. Scam Warning: The Ohio Department of Taxation warned homeowners about a viral fake video claiming a federal “Senior Homeowner Tax Review” program. Courts & Education: The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal tied to a forced medication order, while the Supreme Court expanded transportation grants so more schools can visit the Thomas J. Moyer Judicial Center. Elections & Voting Access: Secretary of State Frank LaRose told county boards not to change polling procedures over rumors about federal immigration agents. Local Life: MetroHealth won a $2.5M federal grant to expand street-medicine training for residents in Cleveland. Sports: The Browns beat the Steelers 27-24 in a Thursday night thriller; Matthew Knies starred for the Blue Jackets in a 6-3 win over Buffalo.

Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed a 90-day pause on Ohio’s 38.5-cent gas tax, aiming to cut costs at the pump while lawmakers say road funding will be backfilled. Emissions & Safety: Ohio is ending E-Check in seven northeast counties, and fall open-burning restrictions start Oct. 1 with daytime bans through Nov. 30. Energy & Business: CenterPoint completed its $2.62B sale of its Ohio natural gas business to National Fuel, while Walmart plans a $300M Turtlecreek Township fulfillment center for oversized goods. Workforce & Local Economy: U.S. Paper Mill in Chillicothe won approval for a 6,000-hour apprenticeship program to train electrical maintenance techs. Retail & Jobs: Starbucks identified four Ohio stores for closure as it shutters about 250 locations nationwide, and Kroger is testing 24-hour stores in Ohio and Indiana. Health & Courts: A 74-year-old woman sued after alleging wrong-leg amputation, and Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital strikers’ healthcare coverage was revoked. Sports & Community: Ohio State-Iowa week headlines continue, plus a Mahoning County elections move to a former school ahead of 2027.

Medicaid Oversight: CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz gave Michigan and seven other states 30 days to explain why they reported zero Medicaid fraud referrals, warning the issue may be “broken reporting” or “lack of oversight.” Health Privacy: A national law firm says it’s investigating a Saber Healthcare data breach after unauthorized access was reported in July, with thousands of residents potentially affected. Public Safety & Courts: Ohio’s Sixth District Court of Appeals vacated a conviction tied to Dad’s Place, a Bryan homeless shelter, sending the case back so constitutional defenses can be considered. Elections & Policy: Ohio lawmakers passed a 90-day gas tax suspension, a rare campaign-area of agreement between Gov. candidates Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy. Education: Ohio State’s 2026 Annual Security Report shows stalking and fondling rising on campus while alcohol violations and rape decreased. Local Notes: A measles case was confirmed in Bowling Green with possible exposure sites listed; and Toledo is accepting firefighter applications through Nov. 6.

Ohio Politics & Energy Costs: Ohio lawmakers are set to vote on a 90-day gas tax suspension, with the proposal’s pay-for plan still the biggest fight as Democrats question timing and funding sources. U.S. Senate Race: A new Suffolk poll shows Sherrod Brown leading Jon Husted 47%-44% in Ohio, keeping the race a statistical dead heat heading into early voting. Data Centers & Affordability: Candidates and national panels keep circling the same issue—utility bills tied to AI data centers—while Democrats block a federal electricity-cost crackdown that Republicans say voters need. Healthcare Lawsuits: A Marietta-area woman, Sharon Jacks, sues Selby General Hospital alleging surgeons amputated the wrong leg, leaving her a double amputee. Public Safety Tech: Lake County will use AI to review 100% of emergency medical dispatch calls, replacing manual sampling. Local Infrastructure: ODOT is seeking public input on whether to repair or replace the 1931 SR 82 bridge in Brecksville. Sports Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay heads to Iowa City for Ohio State-Iowa, and Nebraska’s rifle team travels to Columbus for its first away match. Education & Grants: Central State University won a one-time $1.7M federal HBCU grant.

E-Check Ending: Gov. Mike DeWine ordered Ohio EPA to begin winding down the Northeast Ohio vehicle emissions testing program, a move tied to the region meeting federal air-quality standards and expected to remove a long-running burden for motorists. State Politics: Ohio lawmakers kicked off early hearings on a proposed 90-day gas tax suspension, with backers pitching savings at the pump and opponents raising questions about funding and impacts. Local Safety: Cleveland police are investigating a double shooting on East 68th Street that sent two men to the hospital, one in critical condition. Courts: A federal judge tossed an Ohio law firm’s bid to be held liable in a failed $10M loan malpractice case, while Ohio’s Sixth District Court of Appeals vacated a conviction tied to fire-code charges against a Bryan pastor. Public Health: Berlin Seeds recalled alfalfa sprouting seed sold across 44 states due to possible salmonella and E. coli contamination. Veterans & Community: DeWine and ODVS named the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2026, and Toledo’s Salvation Army will register Lucas County families for Christmas help in October. Sports (Local): Swanton booked a Division II state golf spot; Lake Local warned of 132 potential staff cuts if a Nov. 3 levy fails.

Jobs & Economy: Ohio’s Tax Credit Authority approved five projects expected to create 1,173 jobs and $431M in investment, including a new lithium battery facility near Jeffersonville and an AI/software expansion in the Columbus region. Politics & Polling: A Marist poll shows Sherrod Brown leading Jon Husted by 8 points in Ohio’s Senate race, while two new surveys find Vivek Ramaswamy trailing Amy Acton in the governor’s race. Courts & Corruption: JobsOhio chairman Josh Rubin is set for deposition in a federal civil lawsuit tied to the FirstEnergy bribery scandal. Local Government & Internet Access: Omni Fiber sued the City of Stow over alleged permit delays blocking its fiber build in Stow. Health & Environment: Ohio hit a major air-quality milestone—now all 88 counties meet federal standards for the first time in decades. Public Safety: A crash at a busy Boardman intersection sent one person to the hospital; in Meigs County, a man died after a home break-in and resisting police. Education & Community: Columbus City Schools agreed to an 8% health insurance premium increase for 2027 amid a $40M shortfall. Infrastructure: ODOT is seeking public comments on multiple bridge and culvert projects, with construction planned for 2027–2028.

Election & Voting Access: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose published a “registration readiness” list of 208,856 inactive registrations slated for removal in January 2027, urging voters to confirm or update by the Oct. 5 deadline. Courts & Public Safety: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled a trial judge’s DNA-testing denial can meet state law if the order cites a statutory reason, reversing a lower court over how “reasons” must be explained. Consumer/Health Alerts: Ohio and Kentucky health officials warned about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reported to be up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl, with concerns it could show up in counterfeit drugs. Statehouse & Cost of Living: Ohio lawmakers return to consider a 90-day gas tax suspension, with Republicans pitching pump relief and Democrats calling it election-year timing. Local Crime: Toledo indicted two people in a $1.7M Ponzi scheme targeting elderly investors, and a Toledo firefighter faces four felony charges tied to alleged incidents in west Toledo. Business/Legal Fallout: A federal appeals ruling again limits Ohio hemp beverage sales, forcing Saucy Brew Works to ship products out of state. Energy: Ohio is set to receive a $273M federal grant to modernize the electric grid, including major transmission upgrades. Education: Cincinnati Public Schools faces a projected $44.5M deficit by 2029 and must submit a recovery plan by Nov. 30.

Courts & Gambling: The 6th Circuit ruled Ohio and Tennessee can regulate Kalshi’s sports prediction contracts under state gambling laws, setting up a deeper national split that could reach the Supreme Court. Local Help: Toledo’s Fresh Start water-bill assistance program is nearing its Sept. 30 deadline, offering residents up to half their past-due balance with the city matching payments and the rest on an interest-free plan. Politics & Money: A crypto-backed PAC reported spending $11.4M on ads backing Republican Jon Husted and opposing Democrat Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s Senate race. Energy & Policy: The Trump administration rolled back federal fuel economy standards, cutting the 2031 target and removing EV investment requirements. Ohio Sports: Jeremiah Smith’s 4-TD game vs. Illinois vaulted him to Heisman favorite status as Ohio State opens as a big favorite vs. Iowa. Business & Growth: BJ’s filed preliminary plans for a Grove City warehouse and gas station, aiming to add a third Central Ohio store. Public Safety: Police are searching for a missing 14-year-old after a crashed car was found in Pierce Township; separately, a shooting at Fricker’s Bar and Grill left one dead and another injured.

Healthcare & Access: Thousands of refugees in Ohio are set to lose Medicaid coverage Oct. 1, but the state can’t say how many—county estimates vary widely. Immigration Enforcement: ICE charter flights have shifted to Akron-Canton Airport as unpaid landing fees pile up, with invoices totaling about $46,513. Courts & Justice: Ohio’s Supreme Court reversed an appeals court in a child rape case, saying the appellate court improperly acted like a “thirteenth juror” by re-weighing the victim’s credibility. Business & Growth: Nationwide Children’s is planning a 215,000-square-foot pediatric outpatient center in New Albany, combining urgent care and specialty services on a 25-acre campus. Sports: Columbus Crew beat Inter Miami 2-1 with Messi scoring a free kick; Ohio State dominated Illinois 42-19 with Jeremiah Smith’s record-setting 4-TD day. Public Safety & Travel: Northbound I-75 reopened ahead of schedule after work tied to the Linn Street project; southbound lanes remain closed overnight. Community & Health: Lights of Hope vigil lit the Ohio River to remember overdose victims during National Recovery Month.

Big Ten Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay is headed to Iowa City for Ohio State at Iowa, the first visit to Iowa in 20 years, with the show airing Saturday morning from Kinnick as the Hawkeyes (4-0) ride a last-second win over Michigan and the Buckeyes (3-1) come off a 42-19 Illinois rout led by Jeremiah Smith’s record-tying 4 TD catches. Court Fight Over Gambling: A federal appeals court says Ohio and Tennessee can enforce their gambling laws against Kalshi, deepening the national fight over whether prediction markets should be regulated as finance or as wagering. Campaign Culture-War Ads: Rep. Marcy Kaptur faces Democratic backlash in her Toledo-area district over ads tying her to GOP efforts on transgender policies, with local party leaders calling the messaging too extreme. Workplace Discrimination Suit: The U.S. government sued Mercy Health in Youngstown over claims a Jewish surgeon was fired after antisemitic harassment. Local Notes: Pike County received 57,000 meals via an Ohio State food drive; Cleveland police seek a missing 23-year-old woman last seen Sept. 21. Sports Elsewhere: UNLV beat Akron 38-10 as Jai’Den Thomas totaled 167 yards and 3 TDs.

Gas Tax Fight: Gov. Mike DeWine says a proposed 90-day Ohio gas tax suspension is “just not a good idea,” warning it could disrupt road and bridge funding and leaving lawmakers unsure where roughly $750 million would come from. Public Safety: After Lakewood power outages, fire officials warn residents about safe generator use—especially transfer switches to prevent back-feeding. Health Watch: Ohio’s cyclospora outbreak has been declared over nationally, with the state seeing about 6,000 cases this year. Local Crime: Cleveland police are investigating a Denison Avenue shooting that sent a 60-year-old woman to the hospital in serious condition. Missing Adult: An endangered missing adult alert was issued for 64-year-old Linda Rivera-Inskeep in Champaign County due to dementia. Sports (Ohio): Ohio football routed Stonehill 35-7, while Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith powered a 42-19 win over Illinois with a career-best 12 catches, 217 yards, and four TDs. College Hoops/Volleyball: Nebraska swept Ohio State volleyball 3-0, and the Guardians clinched the AL Central with a win over Kansas City.

Fatal Crash on I-71: A 38-year-old Columbus man, Brandon Miller, was killed Thursday night 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 determining what led to the crash. Higher Ed Funding Fight: Ohio House Bill 698 would require public colleges and universities to annually confirm compliance with last year’s Senate Bill 1, tying state money to adherence and adding reporting tied to DEI-related staffing. Data Center Tax Breaks: Gov. Mike DeWine announced Ohio will pause tax exemptions for new data centers, a move aimed at slowing the boom that critics say is driving up electricity costs. Southeast Ohio Home Repairs: State Rep. Kevin Ritter announced a $300,000 grant to help low-income homeowners in Hocking, Athens, and Perry counties with essential repairs and accessibility upgrades. Nonprofit Grant Rankings: New local grant-share rankings highlight which groups rely most on government funding, including top spots in Mentor, Canal Winchester, Wilmington, Hamilton, and East Cleveland. Food Recall: FDA says more than 1.7 million pounds of sugar sold in Ohio and seven other states are recalled due to possible wheat contamination. Ohio Sports: Ohio State opens Big Ten play vs. Illinois at noon, while local high school football delivered big results including Pickerington Central’s 40-7 win and Big Walnut’s 47-40 overtime victory over Ironton.

Ohio Politics & Energy Costs: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton urged lawmakers to pass a conditional moratorium on data centers when they return to Columbus, arguing the projects drive up electricity bills and strain local resources; she’s facing Vivek Ramaswamy, who says he’ll address data centers but hasn’t backed a moratorium. U.S. Senate Race: Sherrod Brown rallied in Fremont, attacking Jon Husted over Iran-war voting, insurance ties, and data-center spending, while Husted’s team hit back on power-cost legislation and accused Brown of flip-flopping. Courts & Prediction Markets: The 6th Circuit ruled against Kalshi, saying Ohio and Tennessee can regulate its sports prediction markets under state gambling laws, setting up a possible U.S. Supreme Court fight. Local Government & Infrastructure: Marietta extended a Front/Greene Street intersection closure through Oct. 2 for sanitary sewer work and paving. Sports (Ohio): Ohio State opens Big Ten play vs. Illinois; Columbus Crew hosts Inter Miami after a shutout; Toledo drivers vent as gas prices climb. Education: Ohio University finished an Alden Library master plan but says construction funding is still needed.

Transportation Disruption: A major stretch of I-75 through Cincinnati will be fully closed late Friday, Sept. 25, through early Monday, Sept. 28, for Linn Street Bridge replacement work, with ramp closures starting at 9 p.m. and the full shutdown by 11 p.m.; drivers are urged to use I-471, I-275 and other detours. Election Law: A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration at BMV offices, pausing a lower court block as the midterm fight heats up. Public Safety Tech: Columbus paused new Flock license-plate camera permits in city right-of-way while it investigates alleged misuse by an officer; existing cameras remain, including ones identified as Ohio State’s. Transit Leadership: COTA’s CEO said a leadership change was needed after the LinkUS executive left after seven months, citing misalignment on how the program should be delivered. State Policy & Cost of Living: Ohio lawmakers could vote next week on a 90-day gas tax suspension, cutting the state fuel tax while drivers still pay the federal tax. Business & Jobs: Starbucks plans to close about 250 stores, including at least one confirmed Columbus location, as part of its turnaround plan. Community & Education: Ohio University announced Homecoming 2026 runs Oct. 5-10 in Athens, with parade, alumni events, and a Bobcat football game.