AGP Executive Report

U.S.-Canada Trade Shock: Talks collapsed and Trump’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods kicked in Saturday, with Canada promising dollar-for-dollar retaliation—an abrupt hit to cross-border supply chains that could ripple into Ohio prices and jobs. Ohio Homebuying Prep: Western Ohio Mortgage released a five-step “Ohio Homebuyer Preflight Checklist” to help buyers compare total cash to close, documents, and assistance options before applying. AI Data Centers vs. Politics: A private GOP memo warns that data centers are becoming a political liability in Ohio’s Senate race, as voters raise concerns about power, water, and costs. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Columbus ranked high for July scam reports, while Lima and other Ohio cities reported losses tied to online purchase schemes. Community & Safety: Springfield residents react to ICE arrests, and Ohio Gov. DeWine urged FEMA and SBA to speed up storm damage assessments after severe weather. Business/Legal: An Ohio manufacturer filed a defamation suit over a one-star Google review, seeking damages and fees.

Ohio Power Reliability: Ohio regulators moved ahead with a formal action tied to FirstEnergy after Lakewood residents reported grueling, repeated outages that spoiled food, disrupted medical care, and left some homes without power for up to 48 hours. Local Economy & Jobs: A manufacturing rebound is showing up in hiring and output, though economists say it’s not yet a broad “golden age” and employment still lags earlier peaks. AI Data Centers & Politics: Opposition to AI data centers is turning into a bipartisan midterm issue, with voters weighing electricity, water use, subsidies, and local control—while leaked GOP messaging warns the backlash could hurt Ohio’s Senate race. Manufacturing Investment: Cleveland-Cliffs announced a $1 billion modernization at Middletown Works, supported by a rescoped federal award, aiming to strengthen Ohio steelmaking and jobs. Sports (Cincinnati): Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff set up an all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open. Public Safety/Health: A new Ohio study highlights how silent epileptic seizures can mimic dementia symptoms, pointing to better diagnosis and treatment. Community & Events: SOAR plans Jackson community forums on youth resilience and suicide prevention.

Ohio Politics: VP JD Vance endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor, calling him a “great next governor,” as the campaign heats up. Health Care & Campaigns: Democrats are leaning hard into Ohio voters’ health-care pain—premiums, denials, and long drives—while Trump made a bizarre claim that hospitals are doing “reverse surgery” on trans patients. Tech & Public Safety: An Ohio grand jury declined to indict a man accused of toppling a Flock camera pole, signaling backlash against mass license-plate tracking. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Columbus among the worst in Ohio for July scam reports, and multiple small towns logged new reports. Sports (Cleveland): Browns preseason at home vs. Bills resumes after lightning delay; Shedeur Sanders is set to start, while Josh Allen sits. Business/AI: New reporting keeps spotlighting the AI buildout’s financing and off-balance-sheet obligations, with Nvidia still in focus ahead of earnings.

Ohio Politics & Jobs: VP JD Vance hit his Middletown roots to back GOP candidates and argue Trump’s America-first agenda is reversing manufacturing decline, including a $1B Cleveland-Cliffs modernization push tied to a $500M DOE grant. Gubernatorial Race: Vance endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor, calling him a “great friend” and predicting he’ll be a strong chief executive. Campaign Clash: Vance also attacked Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed over past remarks tying criticism of Sharia law to white supremacy, framing it as proof Democrats have abandoned working-class voters. Local Government/Schools: Evergreen Local Schools reviewed next-year prep, staffing, and building readiness. Community Resilience: Harrison’s Jake’s River Landing bounced back from historic flooding to host a music festival this weekend. Business & Shipping: USPS parcel price increases are squeezing small Ohio-area businesses that rely on online orders and festivals. Public Safety: A Parma police use-of-force dispute involving a 13-year-old boy continues as the officers’ union says the actions were “routine” and “within the law.”

Middletown Industry Boost: Vice President JD Vance toured Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works and backed a $1B modernization plan, including a cogeneration plant and blast furnace upgrades, tied to a $500M DOE grant and an Ohio EPA air-permit review. River Recovery: Hamilton police and the Butler County Coroner identified a Great Miami River body as 47-year-old Eric Blakely of Dayton; officials say drowning was the cause. AI Data Center Politics: A leaked GOP memo warns anti–data center backlash could hurt Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s race, while Nvidia’s $105B-style financing support for OpenAI’s Ohio AI campus keeps the debate front and center. Local Economy & Housing: Renters may be less exposed to big premium spikes from denied or weather-related claims than many assume, according to a Dayton-based insurance analysis; meanwhile, a list of top Columbus home sales highlights continued high-end demand. Scams & Safety: BBB Scam Tracker ranks Columbus among Ohio’s highest for scam reports in July, and a Springfield pastor was detained by ICE, according to a local immigrant-rights group. Business/Community: Wawa expands its branded EV charging network, and Grocery Outlet marked its 80th anniversary with a local reopening celebration.

Education & Workforce: Chamberlain University cut the ribbon on its 25th campus in Cincinnati, aiming to build a local nursing pipeline and awarding a full-ride BSN scholarship to a Cincinnati resident. School Funding: Ohio’s share of the public school funding formula’s base cost is projected to drop to about 32% in FY2027—the lowest in more than two decades—raising worries that districts may shoulder more. Statehouse Politics: Ohio AG Andy Wilson is seeking lead-plaintiff status in a securities class-action against Roblox over alleged misleading claims about child-safety protections. Local Schools Tech: Steubenville City Schools is rolling out a new district website and app to streamline info for students and parents. Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance will campaign Friday at the Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works steel plant tied to his family history. Ohio Elections & Issues: The Ohio Right to Life PAC announced its 2026 general-election endorsements, including support for Jon Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy. Data Centers & Power: A new report says data centers are driving Ohio politics, with Republicans warning the backlash could hurt Sen. Jon Husted’s chances. Business & Energy: Ohio Department of Development awarded nearly $3.7 million in tax credits for four film projects statewide, expected to create 65 jobs. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker reports show Cincinnati and Columbus leading Ohio cities for scam reports in July, with reported losses continuing to mount.

Local Courts & Taxes: Geauga County filed a delinquent real estate tax foreclosure complaint against Dan Layton over two parcels, seeking $56,593.19 plus penalties, interest and court costs. Central Ohio Transit: Ohio State and COTA are switching eligible riders from BuckID cards to a digital pass in the Ohio State app for easier bus boarding. Community Grants: The Youngstown Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in grants, including support for Stambaugh Auditorium’s roof replacement and an accessible trail project at Logan’s Landing. Public Safety & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Stow tied for 12th in Ohio with seven scam reports in July, while Columbus and other major cities remain high on the list. Business & Banking: F&M Bank’s 9th annual charity golf classic raised $47,000 for local organizations. Tech & Policy: Meta is defending its child-safety efforts in a California federal trial as states argue platforms are designed to hook young users. National Legal News: Federal agents seized devices and searched the Washington home of former Rep. Eric Swalwell amid a sexual misconduct investigation.

Back-to-school costs hit Ohio families: A Columbus-area church says basics like pencils, notebooks and lunch items are costing more, citing an average $173.45 school-supplies bill this year and sharp jumps in lunch staples. Ohio politics & data centers collide: Chillicothe council is still weighing a possible data center at the former paper mill site, while Vermilion residents push back on automated license plate readers and the city considers an ALPR ban amid privacy concerns. Local election pressure over AI power plants: Granville voters will decide in November whether to cap large data centers at 25 megawatts, joining other Ohio-area fights as opponents cite water and electricity strain. Statehouse economic pitch: Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel tout Ohio’s business boom during a P&G Lima stop, arguing workforce and community quality keep investment flowing. Courts and civil rights: ACLU-WV says it plans a class action over alleged underfunding of West Virginia schools, and a separate report says DOJ is preparing to scrutinize Stanford’s foreign donation policies. Public safety & health: OSU researchers report bladder infections after brain injury can worsen cognitive problems, and Toledo’s port authority won $34M for Maumee River cleanup.

U.S. Senate & Ohio Politics: A GOP memo warns that backlash to Ohio data centers could sink Sen. Jon Husted in November, arguing Brown’s ads are making the issue a political “anchor.” AI Infrastructure in Ohio: NVIDIA, OpenAI and SB Energy detailed the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County—an 8 IT-GW AI buildout with a reported up-to-$105B NVIDIA-backed financing guarantee and phased power coming online starting in 2028. Regulation & Permitting: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an order tightening data-center permitting, requiring local approval first and “responsible infrastructure” commitments before state review. Consumer Protection: BBB Scam Tracker shows Harrison reported 1 scam in July, tying it for 141st among Ohio cities; Columbus and other big metros still lead the scam counts. Public Utilities: Ohio’s PUCO voted to rehear emergency steam heat rate hikes for Youngstown’s SOBE Thermal Energy Solutions, with increases up to 163% during the heating season. Local Tragedy: A Minerva mother of three, Bridget Reagan, was killed Aug. 15 when a tree crushed her SUV on U.S. Route 30.

AI & Ohio’s power push: Nvidia is backing OpenAI’s Ohio “AI factory” data center with up to a $105B guarantee tied to 4.25GW at SB Energy’s PORTS-Pike campus in Pike County, with phased rollout starting in 2028—while the deal also re-ignites “circular financing” worries. Local governance & infrastructure: Oregon voters will decide this November on a citizen petition limiting future data centers to 25 megawatts, aiming to curb noise, water use, and power-rate hikes. Public health: A large U.S. study links higher prenatal fluoride in drinking water to lower child cognition scores, adding fuel to the debate over fluoridation levels. Transit & costs: Cleveland RTA cut service on nine routes and ended the downtown B Line trolley, with riders saying longer trips could hit jobs and appointments. Safety & accountability: Federal investigators say a Milford trench collapse killed one worker and injured two after required cave-in protections weren’t used; OSHA penalties were reduced in settlement. Community watch: Lisbon is weighing phased funding options for costly pool repairs after summer closure.

Ohio Immigration & Jobs: An Ohio contractor in Plain City says the end of Temporary Protected Status could cut off the Haitian workers who helped build his Central Ohio business. AI & Local Economy: Nvidia is backing OpenAI’s massive Ohio data center campus with up to a $105B guarantee, though reporting says the figure was scaled back amid investor worries about “circular” AI financing. Ohio Politics: A new Fox News poll shows Sherrod Brown leading Jon Husted in Ohio’s Senate race, while Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton are nearly tied in the governor’s contest. School Funding Fight: The ACLU of West Virginia says it plans to sue over alleged unconstitutional school funding, citing disparities in Lincoln County. Consumer/Everyday Costs: A study using state income and cost-of-living data highlights how far median pay falls short of “comfortable” budgets. Community & Recovery: Team Rubicon is mobilizing disaster relief volunteers across Ohio and Indiana after derechos and floods.

AI Infrastructure Deal: Nvidia agreed to back OpenAI’s Ohio AI data center with a guarantee up to $105 billion, plus a $1.5 billion investment in SoftBank’s SB Energy, as the campus is set to reach as much as 8 gigawatts and run on Nvidia chips. Ohio Politics & Campaigns: Attack ads in the Ohio U.S. Senate race are targeting data-center tax breaks, with Sherrod Brown pressing Jon Husted on who benefits from the boom. Education Spotlight: Ohio ranks No. 22 in the U.S. News Best High Schools list, while Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills is No. 1 in the state for a third straight year. Local Workforce & Training: Four County Career Center in Archbold celebrated a nearly $16 million expansion for welding and electrical programs, aiming to double enrollment in key tracks. Health & Community: Bowling Green Fire Division earned the American Heart Association Mission Lifeline Gold Standard for the fifth year. Public Safety & Costs: Ohio’s recreational marijuana prices remain far higher than Michigan’s, and a new law makes bringing cannabis back into Ohio a criminal offense.

Ohio Education & Community Support: A $1,500 grant helped OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy in Ironton provide a full week of free summer learning for 30 children, including meals and hands-on classes led by local experts and faculty. AI & Data Centers in Ohio: Nvidia agreed to back OpenAI’s Ohio data center with up to a $105 billion lease-payment guarantee and a $1.5 billion investment in SB Energy, tying the deal to massive power and long-term jobs in Pike County. Local Business & Growth: Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport is set for a council vote Tuesday on a 5-year development blueprint aimed at boosting economic use of the airport. Scams Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Mason tied for 84th in Ohio for July with two scam reports, while Cincinnati and Columbus remain the top problem cities statewide. Sports: Ohio State opens the AP preseason Top 25 at No. 1, followed by Oregon, with the SEC leading conferences with nine ranked teams. Public Safety: Cedar Point reopened Siren’s Curse after a guest was injured last week, with the ride confirmed functioning as designed.

Ohio Supreme Court: Berea can’t be sued over a woman’s fatal tripping injury in a recreation center locker room, ruling the bench wasn’t a “physical defect” under state immunity rules. Public Finance Watch: Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office lists upcoming audits for Aug. 18, including multiple township, school, and healthcare-related reviews. Storm Recovery: Columbus residents are still cleaning up after severe Aug. 11 weather, and local groups are offering ways to volunteer or donate to help neighbors get back on their feet. AI & Data Centers (Ohio): Nvidia is scaling back its OpenAI Ohio data-center financial guarantee to under $120B, down from $250B, as investors worry about risk exposure. Local Governance: Cleveland’s “people’s budget” pilot in Slavic Village is nearing its Aug. 22 neighborhood vote, letting residents steer $100,000 toward local priorities. Business/Workforce: Ohio University’s Scripps College is launching a new sports photography communications certificate this fall, open to students in any major. Education & Trades: Bryan City Schools held a ribbon-cutting for a new career-technical education center backed by a $2.5M state equipment grant. Consumer Costs: Ohio recreational marijuana remains far pricier than Michigan, with new pricing data highlighting a major cost gap.

Ohio Education & Youth: Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication is launching a new sports photography certificate this fall, aimed at students who want to blend visual storytelling with sports communications and marketing. Community Support: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy in Ironton is expanding access with a $1,500 grant that lets 30 kids attend a weeklong summer program at no cost, including meals and hands-on classes. Local Government & Health: Franklin County appointed two new members to the Maryhaven board as the behavioral health nonprofit faces financial distress, including reported losses and more than $2.4 million owed. Business & Jobs: Superior Plastics plans a more than $5 million expansion in Logan County, expected to create 25 jobs. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Maple Heights, Portsmouth, Painesville and other Ohio cities tied for mid-level scam report rankings in July, with online purchase scams common. Ohio Economy & Politics: Rep. Jim Jordan defended the economy but admitted costs are hitting families hard. Tech & AI: Nvidia is revising its OpenAI data center support plan in Ohio, with reporting that its initial guarantee may be under $120 billion. Sports: Alex Eala advanced at the Cincinnati Open after Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired with a foot injury.

Ohio University: OHIO’s Scripps College of Communication is rolling out a new undergraduate certificate this fall that blends sports, photography, and strategic communication—aimed at careers in sports media and marketing. Community & Education: OHIO Southern’s Bobcat Academy is back, with a $1,500 grant covering a week of summer programming for 30 kids in Ironton, including meals and hands-on classes. Local History & Small Business: Englewood’s Irving’s Barber Shop, a remodeled 1956 garage, highlights how one family trade became a community landmark. Public Safety & Health: Ohio and Pennsylvania are driving a measles surge as schools start, with Ohio reporting 24 new cases in the latest CDC update. Business & Jobs (Ohio): Nvidia is in talks to invest up to $3B in SB Energy for an OpenAI data center project in Ohio, as the financing plan reportedly shifts. Sports: Two Columbus men were indicted on dozens of felony counts tied to a Fin Feather Fur gun theft. Weather: Severe Midwest storms continue to threaten Ohio Valley areas with flooding and power outages.