AGP Executive Report

Cleveland Summer Safety: Mayor Justin Bibb rolled out an “all-of-government” violence-prevention push for Memorial Day and the start of summer, pairing tougher public-safety coordination with youth jobs, free recreation programming, and a $1M “Cleveland Thrive” focus on high-risk young people. Child Marriage Fight: Ohio’s bill to end child marriage by raising the marriage age to 18 stalled after GOP senators pulled it from committee, leaving the state’s loophole intact for now. Local Business & Growth: Diebold Nixdorf named Raj Singh its new CIO, while Graphite One secured an Ohio site for an EV battery anode materials facility in Conneaut. Housing & Care: CMS gave Union County’s Prestige Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center a 1-star Q1 rating. Transportation & Safety: TSA launched TSA Gold+ as a new public-private screening partnership, but Ohio airports weren’t specified yet. Community & Economy: Meijer kicked in $200K for Northeast Ohio food banks’ Harvest for Hunger campaign.

State Budget Stress: Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office is projecting a $5.7 billion deficit for the 2026-27 budget, with leaders still far from a fix as the June 30 deadline looms—raising fears of another late, disruptive budget cycle. Ohio Community & Culture: In the Ohio Valley, the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival handed out $1,500 scholarships to 12 students, while the Wilder Museum’s Fashion Flaunt fundraiser is set for May 27. Public Safety Support: Lorain residents packed a Masonic lodge benefit to support injured officers Brent Payne and Peter Gale after last year’s ambush, honoring fallen Officer Phillip Wagner too. Local Government Costs: Beaver Local school leaders learned a Byrcroft service agreement change could add about $71,379 in costs to the district. Health & Travel: AAA expects record Memorial Day travel even with Ohio gas averaging about $4.53 a gallon.

Healthcare Expansion: Nationwide Children’s is opening a new 26th pediatric outpatient center in Grove City, adding urgent care, primary care, therapy and more starting May 18. Corporate Moves: Chemed’s annual meeting wrapped up with directors elected, PwC retained, and a 60-cent quarterly dividend declared. Energy & Grid: FERC approved PJM transmission cost updates for 2026, locking in who pays for a major reliability buildout. Data Centers & Power Costs: New reporting highlights how data-center demand is pushing up electricity prices in PJM, while Ohio lawmakers keep debating the sector’s impact. Local Economy & Development: Wayfair plans a large-format store in Cincinnati (2027) as it reshapes its Ohio footprint, and East Liverpool has started restoring a downtown clock for its “Corner in Time” project. Public Safety & Community: Mahoning Valley communities are expanding first-responder wellness services, and Akron police are investigating a non-life-threatening shooting of a 16-year-old outside a vape shop. Business Compliance: Operators of a children’s day treatment program agreed to a $15.2M civil judgment tied to Medicaid fraud allegations.

Medicaid Crackdown: Gov. Mike DeWine announced fresh steps to curb Medicaid fraud in Ohio, including a proposed six-month moratorium on new home healthcare and hospice provider enrollment for Medicaid patients, plus immediate payment halts when billing patterns raise red flags. Local Business & Jobs: Thyssenkrupp says it will close its Terre Haute, Indiana automotive site by end-March next year, while shifting its chassis work to its Hamilton, Ohio facility. Ohio Higher Ed & Community: Ohio University Southern and partners launched a Lawrence County youth environmental day in Wayne National Forest, with students earning documented service hours. Sports & Culture: The Cavaliers crushed the Pistons in Game 7 to reach the Eastern Conference finals, and Smashing Pumpkins set a 30th-anniversary “Rats in a Cage” tour that kicks off in Columbus Sept. 30. Public Service: Ohio’s Auditor of State listed upcoming audits for May 19, covering multiple local governments and school districts.

Data Center Backlash: Ohio residents keep packing meetings and pushing for limits as data centers multiply—Ohio is listed with 232 sites, and communities from rural Mount Orab to Sunbury are demanding answers on health, environment, and local impacts. Policy Response: Lawmakers are now weighing regulation and tax questions, while some towns have already tried temporary bans and a new state committee is forming to study the issue. Redistricting Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Virginia Democrats’ bid to revive a redrawn congressional map, preserving a likely Republican edge heading into November. Ohio Business & Growth: Ohio Peterbilt is holding a July 29 grand opening for a new Etna dealership, with Diesel Brothers stars Heavy D and Diesel Dave on hand. Local Economy & Culture: Kent’s Bent Tree Coffee Roasters keeps building a loyal following, and the Jenco Awards are open for nominations statewide, due June 16.

Medicaid crackdown hits Ohio’s home-health business: A new report spotlights “Medicaid millionaires” tied to Ohio home-health billing—describing empty-looking office setups and tens of millions in claims—while Ohio lawmakers and Gov. DeWine’s administration push fraud-prevention moves and new scrutiny. Local data-center politics: South Point’s village council approved a six-month moratorium on AI data centers, while Washington County commissioners faced residents’ questions about an NDA with a developer—fueling the broader debate over jobs, utilities, and community impacts. THC crackdown fallout: Ohio’s restrictions on intoxicating hemp THC products are reported to be forcing layoffs and pulling back investments for businesses that say they built around earlier rules. Community wins and human stories: Columbus’ Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure drew 7,500+ participants (weather shortened it), and an Anthony Wayne community fundraiser rallied for a teacher battling stage 4 cancer. Ohio sports: Auburn beat Ohio State to reach the NCAA tennis championship final, and Lee University’s Drew Zielinski was named a Jack Nicklaus POY finalist.

Ohio University Leadership: Gwyn Scott, who spent 34 years shaping the OHIO student experience and ran Auxiliaries operations, died May 4 at 64, overseeing services from Culinary and Mail to Housing, Parking, and the Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Airport. Public Health & Safety: Two patients from a deadly Maine lumber mill blast were treated in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Community Events: Columbus’ Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was shortened and then canceled as storms hit. Food & Consumer Watch: A debate reignited over imported honey—labels may say “honey,” but critics argue much of the pollen and “real” honey traits are missing. Local Economy/Health Billing: Circleville Medicaid providers billed $1,014,711 in 2024 for a national service code category, up 41.4% from 2023. Defense & Industry: Anduril says it has a framework agreement to deliver at least 3,000 Barracuda-500M cruise missiles to the U.S. Army, with first deliveries expected mid-2027.

Courtroom Update: Belmont County judge is weighing whether newly disclosed physical material should move the needle in the pretrial case against alleged double murderer Andrew Isaac Griffin, with prosecutors saying a subpoena is now pending results. Local Business & Jobs: Litco International is expanding its crating operation in Lordstown, nearly tripling space and planning new hires after growth in custom packaging demand. Economy Watch: New vehicle sales in the Mahoning Valley dipped in April, with dealers citing affordability and consumer confidence headwinds. Community & Education: East Liverpool honored high school scholars and merit winners at a luncheon, while the Upper Ohio Valley Museum announced 2026 Life Improvement Scholarship recipients. Public Safety: Warren reported an officer-involved shooting that sent two people to the hospital, and Trumbull County court ruled a woman not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2025 hospital entrance fire. Civic Life: ODOT is adjusting Howland Corners traffic patterns through late October as it adds turn lanes for safety.

Ohio Business & Community: Ohio’s higher-ed and workforce pipeline kept moving this week: Ohio University expanded short, hands-on automation and mechatronics certificates to its Chillicothe campus for fall 2026, aiming at local manufacturing demand. Workforce & Industry: In Northwest Ohio, JVIS bought Toledo Molding & Die, keeping about 629 jobs in Bowling Green and Tiffin in place. Local Government: Yellow Springs is weighing a year-long data center moratorium, joining a growing list of Ohio towns pausing new builds over power, environmental, and infrastructure strain. Public Safety: A small plane crash into an Akron home killed two people on board; investigators are still looking at the cause. Health & Fraud: CMS announced a six-month nationwide Medicare enrollment moratorium for hospices and home health agencies as part of its fraud crackdown. Business Watch: The Supreme Court ruled brokers can be held liable in unsafe trucking cases—raising pressure on logistics players. Community Good News: A Swanton program that feeds students got an extra $1,500 boost for next year.

U.S.-China Trade: President Trump wrapped a two-day Beijing summit, touting “fantastic trade deals” and saying he and Xi are aligned on Iran, including that Iran can’t get a nuclear weapon. Ohio Brownfields: DeWine announced $61M in Ohio Brownfield Remediation grants—highlighting a $1M award for the YMCA of Youngstown to ready space for transitional housing and a youth center, plus $635,520 for a Warren YMCA mixed-use rehab. Data Center Tension: Bazetta trustees approved a 180-day moratorium to buy time for data-center zoning rules; Hubbard trustees also discussed their own moratorium approach. Jobs Watch: Ohio’s unemployment claims stayed steady week to week, with 4,717 initial claims filed. Local Business & Community: Geauga commissioners questioned conference travel costs, while Kinsman is set to dedicate a renovated greenspace May 23. Sports: The NFL released the 2026 schedule, including Texans’ key dates and Carolina’s three prime-time games.

E15 Push: The U.S. House passed year-round E15, a move aimed at steadying ethanol demand and easing fuel-cost pressure—Ohio lawmakers are watching closely as prices stay jumpy. Energy Costs: Ohio diesel hit a record $6.13 a gallon, with lawmakers floating a gas-tax pause as the Iran-related price shock lingers. Courts & Property Taxes: The Ohio Supreme Court agreed to take up a fight over “surplus equity” after counties foreclose for unpaid property taxes—an election-year test that could reshape how homeowners are compensated. Data Centers: Cleveland rejected a Slavic Village data-center permit and is weighing a moratorium, while Ohio lawmakers form a new committee to track impacts. Schools & Budgets: Toledo Public Schools is cutting its gifted program, and teachers say it will hurt advanced learners. Local Business: Barnes & Noble is set to open in Aurora’s Marketplace at Four Corners, adding another retail win to the region’s steady churn.

Medicaid crackdown hits Ohio’s healthcare pipeline: CMS is pausing enrollment for new hospice and home health providers nationwide for six months as part of a fraud push, and Ohio lawmakers are already debating how much the state’s Medicaid system is being squeezed while investigations ramp up. Local governance: Youngstown temporarily shut a downtown parking lot tied to repeated fights and arguments, starting a 30-day safety upgrade plan with new lighting and cameras. Public safety: A fatal U.S. 50 crash in Wood County killed one person, while Youngstown police continue to investigate a South Side shooting tied to an earlier fight at Boardman Park. Community & business life: Downtown Lima Inc. is launching its Third Thursdays summer series with more $5 promotions, and Marietta’s Wine and Chocolate Walk returns Saturday to spotlight local shops. Education & workforce: Ohio University is expanding short, hands-on automation and mechatronics certificates to its Chillicothe campus starting fall 2026.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman says “the buck stops” with Gov. DeWine’s administration after new Medicaid fraud prevention moves, including a push for a moratorium on new home-healthcare and hospice providers, as lawmakers react to reports of widespread home health fraud and state recovery efforts. Federal Health Policy: CMS is also pausing new Medicare enrollment for hospice and home health providers for six months, citing systemic fraud risk—part of a broader anti-fraud push tied to the Vance task force. Pharmacy Middlemen Fight: Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies Act, aiming to force some pharmacy benefit managers and insurers to divest from owning pharmacies. Ohio Courts & Consumer Protection: AG Dave Yost sued a Brecksville man over undelivered collectible model trains, seeking restitution and penalties. Business & Tech: Amazon Now’s 30-minute delivery expands elsewhere nationwide, but Ohio isn’t listed yet. Local Growth: Ohio University is rolling out TRIO support and expanding automation/mechatronics certificates to its Chillicothe campus.

GM Job Cuts: General Motors says it’s eliminating certain global IT roles, with 500–600 layoffs reported across Michigan and elsewhere, including Warren’s Global Technical Center—part of a push to reorganize around new skills. Gas Prices: AAA reports Ohio-area pump prices are still climbing week to week, with national averages up versus last month and last year as Iran-war energy pressure keeps inflation risk alive. Ohio Education & Workforce: Ohio University is expanding short-term manufacturing credentials in automation and mechatronics to its Chillicothe campus for fall 2026, aiming to match local demand for hands-on tech talent. Local Infrastructure: Lisbon reopened Saltwell Road after a collapsed sewer line was replaced, with remaining work limited to paving. Community & Safety: Youngstown police reported a woman found with a gunshot wound in a car, and another man was jailed after an alleged Hillman Street break-in and threat. Policy Watch: A new push to restrict Chinese vehicles is gaining momentum in Congress, while defense leaders face fresh questions about the Iran war’s costs and munitions.

Higher Ed & Workforce: Ohio University is pushing students toward success and careers with TRIO Student Support Services (no-cost advising, mentorship, grad-school help, financial literacy, and career exploration) and is also expanding short, hands-on manufacturing credentials at its Chillicothe campus—automation and mechatronics certificates starting fall 2026. Cybersecurity & Schools: Ohio University says Canvas’s parent company, Instructure, reached an agreement with hackers after a breach disrupted learning. Local Business & Community: Ashore Manufacturing Group completed its acquisition of Concept-4 in Berlin Center, keeping staff and planning modernization. Consumer Safety: Ohio officials warn residents about text scams demanding payment for fake tolls, court fees, or traffic tickets—don’t click links or scan QR codes. Agriculture & Input Costs: The American Soybean Association criticized Mosaic’s plan to scale back phosphate production, saying it could raise fertilizer costs for farmers.

Ohio Politics: Gov. Mike DeWine named Andy Wilson as Ohio’s attorney general, replacing Dave Yost when he steps down June 7—Wilson will serve the final seven months of the term and said he’ll review the FirstEnergy case after a mistrial. Local Governance: Girard is pausing fiber optic digging after an April 30 home explosion while it waits on PUCO’s investigation findings. Public Safety: Cincinnati leaders say they still back interim police chief Adam Hennie after a fatal Fountain Square shooting, with city officials calling for a broader response to violence. Energy & Infrastructure: Hearings are set for a 345-kilovolt transmission line tied to the Chestnut Run Energy plant in Carroll County. Community & Health: Ohio launches a statewide marijuana risk education campaign with $20 million, starting this summer and targeting mothers, youth, and employers. Business & Jobs: Save Ohio Parks says data centers can work for Ohio—if they run on renewable power. Education: Ohio University expands automation and mechatronics certificates to its Chillicothe campus starting fall 2026.