AGP Executive Report

Ohio Politics: The NRCC is running AI-generated attack ads aimed at Democratic House hopeful Matt Dunlap, using the same visuals with different names/photos across races in Ohio and beyond, while Dunlap calls the attacks generic and policy-light. Immigration & Community Impact: Springfield’s mayor says TPS for Haitians is ending and urges Congress to act, as advocates warn of possible enforcement and families prepare for ICE activity. Public Safety & Local Government: East Cleveland is pushing back on viral claims about police staffing levels, saying the rumors are untrue and that specific numbers can’t be publicly disclosed. Economy & Jobs: Vitro reversed a planned Crestline closure and will add 53 jobs, keeping 265 positions, after local and state partners stepped in. Health: The CDC reports more than 2,000 additional Cyclospora cases nationwide, with Ohio included in the lettuce-linked outbreak states. Business/Tech: Investors are growing nervous about the AI boom as chip stocks slide globally, with Nvidia and South Korea’s Samsung/SK Hynix in the spotlight. College Sports Money: Notre Dame and Ohio State both unveiled major jersey patch deals—SoFi and JPMorgan Chase respectively—signaling corporate branding is accelerating in college football.

College Sports Sponsorships: Notre Dame jumped ahead in the jersey-sponsor arms race, signing SoFi for up to $20M a year across all sports, with scholarships and financial education tied in—quickly putting Ohio State’s record $17M Chase patch deal in the spotlight. State Politics & Campaigns: Amy Acton debuted her first Ohio governor ad, leaning on her own childhood experience with homelessness, as the race stays competitive after heavy early spending by Vivek Ramaswamy allies. Public Health: A parasite outbreak tied to cyclosporiasis continues to spread nationally, with North Carolina officials now investigating whether parsley and cilantro played a role in “explosive” illness reports. Healthcare Access: A national look at perinatal psychiatric care says most of the country lacks inpatient programs, leaving families to scramble for specialized treatment. Ohio Business & Jobs: Lake to River Economic Development reports continued growth in the Columbus region, citing more projects, jobs, and local investment tied to a Kevin Bacon film event. Consumer Protection: Ohio’s AG Jeff Jackson is pushing federal “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Environment & Agriculture: USDA is allocating $3M for wetland mitigation banking projects, including priorities that cover Ohio.

Ohio Politics & Accountability: Outrage is growing over Republican officials’ refusal to address Ohio Rep. Max Miller’s domestic abuse allegations, with critics pointing to new footage involving former partner Emily Moreno and accusing House leaders of a double standard. AI, Money & Ohio Infrastructure: Wall Street is rattled by reports that Nvidia is in talks to provide up to a $250 billion financing backstop for OpenAI’s planned 10-gigawatt Ohio data center, reviving fears about circular dealmaking even as the project promises massive power needs. Immigration & Work: Employers and advocates warn that ICE plans to ramp up detentions and deportations as Haitian TPS protections end, with Ohio-area workers facing sudden job and safety risks. Local Governance & Schools: Boardman Schools approved a new teachers’ union contract and a levy renewal for the November ballot, and the district’s training center is expanding some healthcare programs to online or hybrid formats. Public Safety Tech: Communities are debating the spread of Flock license-plate reader cameras, weighing stolen-vehicle and missing-person benefits against privacy concerns. Regional Economy: Northwest Ohio leaders say the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening could boost logistics and development across the region.

AI & Ohio Economy: The Wall Street Journal reports Nvidia is in talks to back about $250B in financing guarantees for OpenAI tied to a massive 10-gigawatt data center project in southern Ohio, with the overall hub potentially topping $500B; the first phase is expected by 2028. Politics & Voting Rights: President Trump is pressuring Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August recess until the SAVE America Act passes, even though Republicans say they lack the votes. Transit Funding: A new report says more than $7B in federal transit money Congress set aside still hasn’t been obligated, adding pressure as communities wait. Workforce & Education: Ohio announced $3.2M in career-tech grants to create about 300 manufacturing seats, and Youngstown State received nearly $2M for behavioral health graduate scholarships. Local Business: Flexjet plans a major Richmond Heights expansion, targeting 976 new jobs, after Ohio approved a payroll-tax credit. Courts & Legal: Lucas County foreclosure case CI2025-03241 lists an Aug. 25 auction date for 540 Cloverdale Road, Toledo.

AI & Ohio Economy: Nvidia is reportedly in talks to backstop OpenAI’s planned southern Ohio 10-gigawatt data center lease with about a $250 billion financing guarantee, as the project could top $500 billion and aims to reshape who controls AI infrastructure. Housing Affordability: A new Ohio housing report says renters need to earn nearly $23.82 an hour to afford a two-bedroom, with wages still lagging and the affordability gap widening. Public Finance & Oversight: Ohio Auditor Keith Faber’s office lists upcoming audit releases for Tuesday, July 28, covering multiple local governments and public entities. Health Policy: Ohio’s attorney general candidate is drawing scrutiny after comments that suggest ending parts of Medicaid, while the state also faces ongoing debate over how Medicaid dollars are used. Local Government Watch: A Trumbull County water advisory board meant to oversee water operations has struggled to meet quorum, leaving it with little real impact. Crime & Courts: A Mahoning County grand jury returned indictments including drug, identity fraud, firearms, and domestic violence charges. Sports & Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe International Bridge opening is expected to boost trade and manufacturing across northwest Ohio. Community & Safety: Researchers warn storm-damaged oak trees may face oak wilt risk, not just wind damage.

Ohio State & Campus Safety: Ohio State revoked a fraternity’s status through 2036 after a student was hospitalized following a March hazing incident; the group has five business days to appeal. Wildlife & Outdoor Reporting: ODNR is asking Ohioans to report wild turkey and ruffed grouse sightings this summer via wildohio.gov or the HuntFish OH app to help biologists track population and breeding success. Local Justice & Community Impact: Columbus-area investigators secured 40 guilty pleas tied to poaching by YouTube channel “Creek Kings Outdoors,” with William Bethel and Justin Booth facing jail time during the next hunting season and losing hunting privileges. Food Access Worry: As seven Save A Lot stores close in Chicago’s South and West sides, shoppers say discounted groceries are disappearing fast, raising fears about neighborhood food options. Sports & Ohio Connections: LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, sparking instant economic buzz in Philly and renewed national attention on Ohio’s basketball ties. State Politics & Elections: Ohio House Democrats are set to make an appearance in Jackson ahead of the fall campaign season.

Ohio Politics & Consumer Protection: Democratic Ohio AG candidate John Kulewicz stopped in Lima, pitching his decades of legal work and promising to fight consumer fraud, wage theft, monopolies and utility-rate issues, while also pointing to a pending trial tied to alleged FirstEnergy bribery. Local Community Support: The Lima NAACP handed out scholarships to four students at its 12th annual dinner, saying the help is crucial as education funding tightens. Public Safety & Courts: Waynesfield dedicated a Gold Star Families Memorial as part of a broader veterans park upgrade. Health & Mental Health: NFL safety Tycen Anderson says he’s opening a mental health clinic in Toledo to honor his late brother and address suicide impacts. Environment & Infrastructure: Cincinnati homeowners in Oakley are still cleaning up after flooding, blaming a Duck Creek floodgate malfunction and urging long-term fixes. Business & Crime: Columbus-area wildlife poaching case tied to YouTube “Creek Kings Outdoors” ended with guilty pleas and jail time. Education & Campaigning: Ohio House candidates are set for a meet-the-candidates event in Jackson County.

Clean Energy Grants Fight: The Trump administration admitted in court filings it canceled $7.6 billion in clean-energy grants “based solely” on whether the recipient state backed Kamala Harris, escalating claims the decisions were political, not performance-based. Maine Senate Shake-Up: Former state lawmaker and logger Troy Jackson won the Democratic nomination to face Sen. Susan Collins in November after Graham Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation. Ohio Lawmakers on the Move: Ohio House and Senate voting records highlight action on HB173 (behind-the-meter utility services) and HB472 (waiving ID and birth certificate fees for people experiencing homelessness). Food Safety Watch: This week’s recalls include Amy’s Organic lentil soup (spoilage risk) and a large egg recall tied to possible salmonella contamination. Tech & Schools: New reporting warns AI use in classrooms is outpacing student data privacy safeguards, raising concerns for families.

Housing Affordability: Ohio renters now need to earn at least $23.82 an hour to afford a “modest” two-bedroom apartment, according to the latest Out of Reach report, with the gap widening as rent and other costs outpace wages. Public Safety: OhioHealth says it’s ramping up security at hospitals, including weapons-free screening at Van Wert Hospital, citing rising violence against healthcare workers. Local Government & Records: Mahoning County Recorder’s Office expanded online access so residents can view actual recorded document images remotely, aiming to cut down on trips and improve fraud protection. Crime & Courts: Ohio AG Andy Wilson announced Ryan Rach of Canfield was indicted in the Oct. 16 crash that killed trooper Nicholas Cayton, facing felony aggravated vehicular homicide. Community & Education: 3Rivers Credit Union awarded $90,000 in scholarships to 50 students, supporting everything from trade programs to graduate study. Health & Food: A cyclosporiasis outbreak is driving shoppers toward local farms in northwest Ohio, where farmers say demand for fresh produce is spiking. Business & Growth: Youngstown State University launched a new advanced manufacturing innovation center to connect students, faculty, and industry on real-world projects.

NBA Blockbuster: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, ending months of speculation and pairing him with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown as Philly chases its first title since 1983. Ohio Business & Jobs: Electra will build an $850 million hybrid-electric aircraft plant in Springfield, creating 1,975 jobs and targeting production of its EL9 Ultra Short plane. Local Economy & Housing: Portage County’s Land Bank says its Welcome Home Ohio program has delivered a renovated home for a Ravenna family, part of a broader push to expand homeownership supply. Manufacturing Growth: Youngstown Innovation Hub is breaking ground on a 130,000-square-foot aerospace and defense manufacturing transformation in the former Vindicator Printing building. Energy & AI: Brite Energy Innovators will host an Energy Innovation Summit in Columbus on Sept. 10 focused on grid capacity and AI data-center growth. Public Safety & Fraud: An Ohio man was sentenced in Cleveland for a $1.7 million business email fraud scheme. Weather Watch: A strengthening Super El Niño could mean a warmer, drier Ohio winter with less snow, though details remain uncertain.

Ohio Politics & Courts: Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone faces fresh backlash as a former employee sues him over alleged racial discrimination and retaliation, keeping pressure on his leadership. Public Safety: Youngstown indicted Darius D. Smith, 23, on murder and gun charges in the May 27 shooting death of 16-year-old Ty-Ron Perry Jr. Local Development: Youngstown broke ground on the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, transforming the former Vindicator 107 Building with state support. Statehouse Watch: A bill dubbed the “No Free Advertising for Politicians” would bar public officials’ names and likenesses on signs and markers, aiming to cut taxpayer-funded self-promotion. Consumer & Health: Ohio AG Andy Wilson launched a romance-scam hotline and outreach effort to help victims and warn families. Weather & Agriculture: Scientists say Corn Belt groundwater and irrigation can boost powerful thunderstorm complexes, affecting forecasts for a key farming region. Utilities & AI Backlash: Trump promoted a voluntary pledge with governors and utilities to prevent data-center-driven utility bill hikes, as the AI build-out fuels affordability concerns. Arts & Community: Warren unveiled a 100-foot “Mo’ Musky” mural on the Mahoning River, celebrating local resilience and change.

War Powers Showdown: The U.S. House passed a second war powers resolution urging President Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran, 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats—Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson among them—while the Senate weighs a similar move. SNAP Pressure on Ohio Cities: A nonpartisan group of mayors, including leaders from Lima, Ohio, is urging the Senate to reverse SNAP cuts that would add new eligibility and work rules and require states to help fund some benefits starting in 2027. Ohio Economy & Business: United Bancorp reported higher 2026 Q2 earnings, while Associated Bank closed a nearly $7 million loan for an industrial building in Pataskala. Public Health: Ohio launched a pregnancy-focused education push after surveys found more than half of women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy report using marijuana, despite risks like low birth weight and stillbirth. Local Life: Howland Library broke ground on a $2.2 million renovation, and Goat Barber Academy in Austintown held a grand opening ribbon cutting for its new state-licensed training facility. Tragedy in Central Ohio: Five adults died after jumping into the Scioto River to help a struggling swimmer in Powell, including two Honduran couples.

Ohio River Safety: A boater’s photo may be the last image of five adults who drowned in the Scioto River while trying to rescue a struggling swimmer, leaving at least two children orphaned. Local Labor & Governance: A firefighters union filed an unfair labor practice claim against the city of Solon and its finance director, alleging impersonation in a community Facebook group tied to labor disputes. School & Public Finance: Sylvania schools approved a 1% earned income tax to cut property taxes by 1.7 mills, placing the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot after voters rejected a larger operating levy. Community Support: Claridon Community Helps hit 100,000 free summer lunches for Geauga County kids, running on donations and volunteer power. Health Watch: Federal officials are investigating a Cyclospora surge; recalled iceberg lettuce linked to the outbreak has been pulled and supply chains are being reviewed. Elections & Policy: The U.S. House advanced a $95 billion Iran-war budget proposal, while Ohio’s SAVE America push and insider-trading restrictions remain in the broader political fight. Business & Jobs: Akron-Canton Airport opened a walk-up shop selling goods from local farmers and small businesses, adding a new stop for travelers.

Aerospace Jobs Boost for Springfield: Electra says it will open an $850M, 96-acre hybrid-electric aircraft plant at AirPark Ohio, aiming for 1,975 jobs over the next decade—called a “once in a generation” opportunity by local leaders. Utility Rates & Data Centers: AES Ohio’s settlement would hold residential rate hikes to about 1% in 2027 and 2028, while treating data centers as a separate class that must pay their share of transmission upgrades and costs. Banking Deal in the Midwest: Cincinnati-based First Financial Bancorp agreed to buy Finward Bancorp for $208M, its third Chicago-area deal in 13 months, expanding deposits and branches. Ohio Business & Finance Watch: Farmers National Banc reported its 174th straight profitable quarter, with Q2 net income up to $23M. Health Alert—Cyclospora: Illinois reported 408 confirmed/probable cases as the outbreak spreads; Ohio is among states tied to lettuce-linked illnesses. Local Courts/Receivership: A federal judge appointed a receiver to oversee Schwebel Baking’s wind-down after a creditor sought court control. Franchise Growth: Bojangles is nearing its 900th restaurant milestone after 25 openings in the first half, including Ohio expansion.

Cybercrime Case: Three Russian nationals were indicted in Ohio for international cybercrimes tied to more than $62M in losses, with U.S. sanctions and Rewards for Justice offers up to $10M. Ohio Environment: Ohio EPA rejected a blanket wastewater permit for data centers after thousands of public comments, pushing instead for project-by-project permits. Food Safety: The cyclospora outbreak keeps widening—CDC says cases top 4,000 in 41 states, with Ohio among the hardest hit as recalls and lawsuits continue. Local Business & Jobs: Ohio’s Small Business Development Centers hit a milestone: 60,000 entrepreneurs helped, 16,950 jobs supported, and $1.3B in capital since 2019. Energy & Costs: AAA reports the national gas average is back at $4, while Northeast Ohio sits near $3.916. Tech & Industry: SK Hynix denied reports it’s buying Intel’s Ohio fab, but the rumor still rattled shares. Courts & Finance: A federal judge appointed a receiver to oversee Schwebel’s as the baking business winds down. Community & Transit: Grove City voted to move forward with a city-owned community center, and Mansfield schools reported a strong cash position heading into next year.

Ohio Politics: The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police endorsed every GOP statewide candidate for 2026, including Vivek Ramaswamy for governor and Jon Husted for U.S. Senate, arguing they’ll better protect pensions, PTSD coverage, and officer safety. Campaign Watch: Ramaswamy and a supporting super PAC outspent Amy Acton and her allies by nearly $9 million to about $100,000 in early summer ad buys. Energy & Environment: Ohio EPA dropped a controversial data-center water discharge plan after pushback, saying it won’t finalize a general permit without wastewater treatment access. Jobs & Industry: Electra will invest $850 million to build its EL9 Ultra Short aircraft plant in Springfield, creating about 1,975 jobs. Public Health: Ohio groups will distribute fewer fentanyl test strips after federal funding rollback. Food Safety: A veteran’s lawsuit alleges Taco Bell and Taylor Farms’ lettuce caused cyclosporiasis after he was hospitalized in Youngstown. Tech & Education: Research finds AI can boost homework scores short-term while hurting exam results later. Local Culture: Alliance’s Feline Historical Museum reopens part-time, and Warren unveils a Mo’ Musky mural on the Mahoning River.