AGP Executive Report

Ohio Elections & Federal Scrutiny: FBI agents raided the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and questioned volunteers statewide as part of a Justice Department probe into alleged voter fraud, with board member Prentiss Haney calling it political intimidation. Toledo Violence: Toledo police arrested Eljay Crisp-Carr, 20, charging him with 11 counts of felonious assault after a festival shooting wounded 12 people; a second suspect remains at large. Ohio University Updates: Ohio University announced plans for a permanent Marching 110 practice facility and Hurley Field, plus a new student trustee appointment and library access to UpToDate starting July 1. Public Health & Environment: A federal appeals court vacated an injunction tied to PFAS discharges into the Ohio River, saying plaintiffs didn’t show the level of irreparable harm needed for emergency relief. Local Economy & Culture: Columbus is hosting Ecuador’s World Cup team for about a month, with downtown businesses gearing up for visitor traffic. Sports & Community: A new Penn State gymnastics commitment highlights local talent, while Ohio’s summer sports scene continues to build toward OHSAA state events.

Ohio University Campus Life: Ohio University is moving the Marching 110 into a permanent, purpose-built practice facility later this year, with turf, a director’s tower, and safety-focused upgrades made possible by major alumni gifts. Local Governance & Civic Engagement: Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Connor Gaugler as a student trustee, highlighting his work in student government, voter registration, and environmental economics research. Health & Education Access: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate starting July 1, giving students and staff point-of-care clinical guidance through university credentials. Community Health: The American Red Cross of the Ohio Valley is warning of a summer “trauma season” blood shortage and listing upcoming donation sites. Local Arts & Inclusion: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown reopened its Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts with expanded accessibility, flexible workstations, and adaptive supplies. Public Safety: A severe thunderstorm warning hit Licking County with damaging wind gusts and hail risk. Sports: Game Changers and Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation launched a new health and wellness scholarship for students pursuing careers from PT and nutrition to mental health counseling.

FISA Fight: Nineteen House Republicans, including Ohio’s Warren Davidson, voted against renewing Section 702 of FISA, leaving the surveillance tool set to expire without action. Ohio Public Safety: A Cuyahoga County councilman is pushing the “Tamir Rice Act” to ban gun-shaped novelty lighters, aiming to reduce confusion and risk to kids. Weather & Preparedness: A heat advisory hit much of Northeast Ohio with dangerous humidity, and storm damage/power outages are already drawing scam warnings for homeowners. Local Sports & Culture: Columbus-area fans can catch 2026 World Cup matches on TV and at watch parties, while Central Ohio’s Liberty athletics honored Darin Meeker as he retires from coaching. Tech & Jobs: Meta is launching a $115M workforce training push in Ohio and other states, training electricians and HVAC workers for data center construction. Ohio Courts: An appeals court decision sided with Google in a dispute over search results.

Ohio Election Integrity: Ohio Republicans advanced a constitutional amendment to require photo ID for in-person voting on the November ballot, while also passing a bill that would require a photo ID copy for mail-in ballots starting in 2027. Medicaid Oversight: Ohio lawmakers moved to tighten rules for personal care services, adding GPS tracking and higher penalties amid Medicaid fraud concerns, after backlash over proposals targeting family caregivers. Toledo Mass Shooting: Toledo police identified a person of interest in the Old West End Festival shooting—20-year-old Ka Nye Taylor—linked to 11 counts of felonious assault; investigators are also seeking a second shooter. Public Safety Funding: Dayton leaders discussed securing permanent funding for violence interruption programs, including the Cure Violence Global model, with focus areas like the North Main Corridor. Weather & Power: Severe thunderstorms hit Northeast Ohio, downing trees and knocking out power for thousands, with more storms possible overnight. Local Health Access: Ohio University Libraries announced campus access to UpToDate starting July 1 for clinical decision support. Sports (Ohio): Browns guard Joel Bitonio officially retired after 12 seasons, all in Cleveland.

Toledo Mass Shooting Update: Toledo police issued an arrest warrant for suspected shooter Ka Nye Taylor and released a photo of a second unidentified suspect after 12 people were injured at the Old West End Festival; investigators say the case is “very active,” with rewards offered through Crime Stoppers and the U.S. Marshals. Ohio Public Safety & Community: The same weekend saw ongoing manhunt efforts and renewed focus on how local first responders and medical teams are supporting victims and families. Heat Watch: A summer heat surge is building nationwide as the 2026 World Cup begins, with extreme heat expected in the Desert Southwest and Southern Plains—plus storms lingering in parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley. Ohio Business: JM Smucker says Uncrustables has topped $1 billion in Q4, while Walmart is rolling out Express Delivery with Subway sandwiches in select locations. Local Government: Geauga County approved a deal to route about $7 million in TIF revenue for a 208-home development in Middlefield. Education & Culture: Ohio University Southern is documenting African American history along the Ohio River corridor through a new documentary project.

Ohio Politics: The Ohio House advanced a childcare fraud/overpayment bill (82-7) that would tie payments to attendance instead of enrollment and let the state cut off payments to bad actors, while giving the AG authority to prosecute if local prosecutors won’t. Public Safety & Community: Liberty Fire Department is pursuing a $270,000 grant to upgrade air packs, with officials stressing careful grant-writing to clear peer review. Health: OSU research links unmet social needs—especially housing instability and transportation barriers—to lower colorectal cancer screening rates. Food Safety: The FDA says a Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting expanded recalls. Sports (Ohio): Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio announced his retirement after 12 seasons. Local Sports: Girard’s girls 4x100 relay won silver at state; Howland’s Kellan Shipman swept medals in seated events. Arts & Education: Ohio University Southern is documenting African American stories across the Ohio River corridor for a documentary tied to Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism.

NFL & Cleveland Sports: Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio announced his retirement after 12 seasons, ending a run that included multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors. Elections & Voting Access: Ohio lawmakers are moving a last-minute substitute for HB 472 that would require photo ID for mail-in ballots, raising alarms about barriers for homeless voters. Ohio Courts & Legal Education: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled a school board can’t appeal a property valuation it doesn’t own or lease, and it also outlined a new pathway for law school accreditation and bar admission for non-ABA graduates. Workforce & Economic Policy: Gov. DeWine and JobsOhio unveiled a $300M experiential learning initiative aimed at closing talent gaps in technical fields. Tech & Jobs: Meta is rolling out free data-center workforce training in Ohio as part of a broader push to fill skilled-trade roles. Community & Health: Sugarcreek’s Ohio Star Theater added sensory bags for guests with sensory needs, and Cincinnati’s Christ Hospital opened a breast milk dispensary with OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank. Weather: Jefferson County is under a flash flood warning as a slow-moving storm brings heavy rain. Sports (Local): St. Marys capped its season at OHSAA Division III state track with a girls 4x100 relay appearance and discus competitor Carter Verbryke.

College Sports Legal Fight: Texas judge cleared QB Brendan Sorsby to play for Texas Tech despite an NCAA gambling ban, a ruling that’s already drawing backlash over college athletics integrity. Ohio Politics: The Ohio Senate passed a bill to put a voter ID constitutional amendment on the November ballot, with Trump praising the move and Democrats criticizing it. Workforce + AI Infrastructure: Meta announced a $115M America’s Workforce Academy to train skilled trades workers with job guarantees, piloting in Ohio along with Louisiana, Indiana, and Texas. Local Development: Salem is set to receive $600,000 from the state for Lincoln Plaza expansion, while East Palestine train depot renovation bids came in higher than expected. Public Health: Ohio and other states are seeing rising measles and whooping cough cases tied to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Sports (Ohio Golf): Vaughn Harber and Miles Russell both qualified for the U.S. Open, with Harber earning his spot through a playoff in Ohio. Community Spotlight: Simply Slavic completed its first preservation project, restoring entrance signage at the historic Strossmayer Croatian Picnic Grounds.

Ohio Politics: Andy Wilson began serving as Ohio’s 52nd attorney general, pledging integrity, transparency, and a focus on protecting vulnerable Ohioans while supporting law enforcement. Public Safety: Toledo police kept searching for suspects after a shooting near the Old West End Festival left at least 12 people wounded, including two in critical condition. Health & Care Access: A new study says rural patients at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea are less likely to get referred for evaluation than urban patients, even after accounting for factors like insurance and neighborhood income. Sports (Ohio): At the OHSAA state track meet, Shelby’s Gavin Baker placed fourth in the 110 hurdles and Madison Henkel won the long jump title again; Shelby also captured the boys 4x100 state championship in record time. Local Business/Community: Cleveland EMS is reshaping emergency care toward prevention and follow-up after 911 calls, aiming for better long-term outcomes.

Elder Abuse Alarm: Ohio’s outgoing AG Dave Yost says reported senior abuse has surged 400% in seven years, but only about 1 in 5 cases gets reported—leaving thousands at risk. Toledo Festival Shooting: Police are still hunting suspects after gunfire near Toledo’s Old West End Festival left 12 people injured, including two in critical condition, with officials saying it may have involved an exchange between shooters. Data Center Backlash: In Columbus-area suburbs, residents are pushing to ban data centers statewide, arguing they’re reshaping neighborhoods and driving up costs. PGA in Dublin: J.T. Poston won the Memorial Tournament in a playoff after a rain-marred, marathon final day at Muirfield Village. High School Track: OHSAA state meets wrapped with standout performances across divisions, including Ashland’s Sadie Walter earning medals in hurdles. Rail History: Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 is making its first Ohio stop in the Cleveland area as part of a 250th-anniversary tour.

Toledo Festival Shooting: Police say at least two gunmen fired near the Old West End Festival Saturday, wounding 12 people; two were in critical condition and victims ranged from 14 to 61, mostly in their early 20s. The rest of the festival was canceled Sunday as investigators searched for suspects and urged attendees to share photos or videos. State Response: Gov. Mike DeWine, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, and Sen. Jon Husted condemned the violence and called for a safe summer for families. Local Sports: At the PGA Memorial in Dublin, Ohio, J.T. Poston grabbed a four-stroke lead after a storm-interrupted third round. High School Sports: Division III state track relays featured heavy local competition, with area teams stacking the podium. Community Politics: Preble County’s Republican Probity Women announced two $1,000 scholarships due June 15 for eligible Republican women pursuing higher education.

Toledo Festival Shooting: Gunfire near the Old West End Festival left at least 12 people wounded Saturday, including two in critical condition. Police say it appears at least two people were shooting at each other, and suspects are still at large as detectives review witness interviews, video, and scene footage. Gov. Response: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the incident “deeply” concerning and said summer festivals should be safe for families. High School Sports—Track: Clear Fork’s Taylor Bly won Division III state 400-meter gold, becoming the first individual track champion in school history. High School Sports—Relays: Ontario Warriors repeated as Division III girls 4x400 state champions. High School Sports—Softball: Kings High School advanced in OHSAA Division II state softball after a semifinal win in Akron. PGA Tour—Memorial: Weather repeatedly delayed play at Muirfield Village in Dublin, with the third round suspended and set to resume Sunday.

Ohio Sports & Community: Northmont’s Lady Bolts shut down Troy 7-0 in a Div. II regional semifinal at Mason, with Jadyn Johnson and Adee Kautz leading the charge. PGA in Ohio: The Memorial Tournament heads into Round 3 with J.T. Poston atop the leaderboard and a weather shift bringing scattered storms and lightning chances. Local Education: Licking Heights principal Dawn McCloud was named Ohio’s 2026 OASSA Zone 10 High School Principal of the Year. School Safety & Justice: Gratis council voted to terminate Police Chief Tonina Lamanna after an investigation tied her to ICE-related school welfare checks and other leadership concerns. Public Safety & Health: Mackenzie Shirilla’s prison record and new claims from a former inmate are reigniting scrutiny of her case. Travel & Business: Southwest adds Puerto Rico routes, including new service tied to Columbus, Ohio. Consumer Watch: GasBuddy reports Ohio County’s lowest midgrade price at $4.55 and diesel as low as $5.99 in the week ending May 30.

Ohio Courts & Public Safety: A woman accused of assaulting a teenage ice hockey referee in July 2025 will soon have her record cleared after being allowed to complete an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, with probation, counseling and community service. Privacy & Law Enforcement Tech: Ohio lawmakers are weighing guardrails to limit sharing of license plate camera data as similar proposals spread nationwide amid concerns about long-term tracking. Local Crime: Police identified Lorenzo Miller, 39, as the man shot and killed by a West Chester officer after he allegedly threatened a woman with a knife; the woman was released from the hospital. Drugs: Mercer County authorities arrested three people after a search warrant turned up suspected methamphetamine and other drugs in Coldwater. Roads & Business: A Rossford roundabout project is disrupting access to downtown businesses, with some owners reporting major traffic drops. Veterans Housing: The VA’s partial claim program for struggling veterans’ home loans opens for submissions June 15. Sports (Ohio): J.T. Poston surged at the Memorial in Dublin, taking a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.

Ohio Politics & Courts: A Summit County grand jury has reindicted former FirstEnergy executives Michael Dowling and Charles Jones in the $60M HB6 bribery case after an earlier hung jury, with AG Dave Yost saying ratepayers will get justice. Public Safety: An Ohio pastor and school bus driver, Christopher Walter, was charged with sexual battery and grooming, with prosecutors citing his clergy role. Local Governance/Development: Mansfield City Council unanimously approved a second Buc-ee’s location, with the company fronting $15M for infrastructure and recouping it via a sales-tax surcharge over up to 20 years. State/Regional Weather: The Storm Prediction Center flags a severe-storm risk Saturday, including damaging winds and an elevated tornado threat across parts of northern Ohio. Sports (Ohio): Willard’s La Mya Hicks won the OHSAA Division IV long jump title in Columbus, and Clermont County athletes competed in day two of the Jesse Owens State Track meet. Business & Consumer Life: Subway will let customers order for delivery through the Walmart app in select Ohio stores, expanding to about 1,400 locations nationwide by summer’s end.

Ohio Fraud Crackdown: DOJ and Ohio officials announced charges against 9 defendants tied to more than $42 million in fraud, part of a broader federal-state push to seize assets and stop Medicaid and other schemes. Federal-State Partnership: The same effort includes SBA action suspending 27,486 Ohio borrowers tied to about $1.1 billion in suspected PPP/EIDL fraud. Local Governance: Grandview Heights kicked off public input for its first parks and recreation master plan update since 2007, asking residents to shape priorities for facilities and programming. Public Safety: Toledo residents demanded accountability after body-cam video of officers’ profanity toward teens sparked calls for firings and even a police chief’s resignation. Sports (Ohio): Denison won the NCAA Division III baseball title in Eastlake, beating Endicott 4-3 in 10 innings after a 3-0 deficit; Harrison High School baseball also reached the state tournament for the first time in program history. State Spotlight: Willard’s La Mya Hicks made school history by winning the Division IV girls long jump state championship.