CDC’s 2025 data shows birth rates continuing to slide
New CDC provisional data shows 3.6 million U.S. births in 2025 — a 1% drop from 2024 — as the teen birth rate hit a record low and C-section delivery rates reached their highest level since 2013.
Economy
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As Ohio summer meal programs see increased use, federal cuts make it harder to fight child hunger
Ohio served more than 2.6 million summer lunches in 2024 — a 3-year participation high — but researchers warn federal SNAP cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase child food insecurity and shrink program eligibility just as demand grows.
Ohio economists: Water-quality bonds good for public health, uncertain about other benefits
Gov. DeWine is pushing to put H2Ohio water-quality bonds on Ohio's November ballot after Republicans cut the program's budget by roughly 40%. A Scioto Analysis survey found economists largely agree the bonds would lower water treatment costs but are divided on broader economic benefits.
Terra State Community College placed under fiscal watch by Ohio Department of Higher Education
Ohio's Department of Higher Education placed Terra State Community College on fiscal watch in March after an audit uncovered unpaid taxes, late vendor payments, and a finding for recovery against two former finance officials totaling $22,255.46.
2.5 million Americans lost food aid in months after passage of GOP megabill, study finds
A new study found at least 2.5 million people lost SNAP benefits in the 6 months after the One Big Beautiful Bill became law — without any improvement in economic conditions to explain the drop.
Ohio Republican lawmakers proposed major new sports betting restrictions
Reps. McClain, Click, and Newman want to ban mobile sports betting, limit wagers, end prop and parlay bets, and prohibit college sports wagering — citing addiction, suicide risk, and game integrity concerns.
Higher gas prices could extend into next year, says Trump administration energy agency
The Energy Information Administration projects gas prices will remain above pre-war levels through 2027, contradicting Trump's promise of a rapid decline once the Iran conflict ends.
Trump cuts leave Ohio with 5 ACA navigators for 88 counties
Ohio went from 50 ACA navigators to 5 after the Trump administration slashed funding 90%. With pandemic-era subsidies expired, marketplace enrollment dropped 20% — the second-largest decline in the nation.
Ohio Senators get update on utility overhaul, forecast of future power demands
Ohio regulators and PJM highlight rising power demand, stalled solar projects, and growing debate over who pays for new energy infrastructure.
Report: Ramaswamy property tax plan would cut $6.6B from Ohio schools and services
A new Innovation Ohio report finds that Vivek Ramaswamy's proposal to roll back property taxes to pre-pandemic levels would strip $6.6 billion per year from Ohio schools, fire departments, libraries, and senior services — with no replacement revenue identified.
Trump budget seeks 43% boost in defense spending, cuts in many domestic programs
The Trump administration's fiscal 2027 budget request proposes raising Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion while cutting the EPA by 52%, HHS by 12.5%, and the Small Business Administration by 67%, setting up another contentious fight on Capitol Hill.
‘Liberation Day’ tariffs celebrated by Trump one year out, panned by Dems
One year after Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court, the president signed executive orders imposing a 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals from companies that won't manufacture in the U.S. and adjusting duties on steel, aluminum, and copper.
Data center ban on the Ohio ballot? Petitioners get approval to start gathering signatures
The Ohio Ballot Board unanimously certified a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday that would prohibit data centers drawing more than 25 megawatts monthly. Organizers must gather more than 413,000 signatures across 44 counties by July 1 to reach the November ballot.
A Biden student loan plan has ended. Here’s what borrowers need to know.
A federal appeals court has effectively ended the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan. Here's what the more than 7 million enrolled borrowers need to know about deadlines, new plan options, and next steps.
‘Ohio is too expensive.’ Ohio House Democrats plan to introduce series of affordability bills
Ohio House Democrats are introducing bills targeting health care, housing, child care, consumer pricing, and energy costs, citing a growing affordability crisis hitting Ohioans across the state.
As gas spikes to an average $4 a gallon, Hegseth says Iran ground war still an option
The White House is calling $4-a-gallon gas a "short-term disruption" as the U.S.-Iran war enters its fifth week, with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz driving global oil prices above $119 a barrel and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth refusing to rule out ground troops.
Gary Click's 3-bill assault on public schools started after voucher push for his church failed
Rep. Gary Click cosponsored 2 laws now costing Tiffin City Schools $1.2M annually and introduced a third bill to kill all continuing levies by 2030 — after his bid to fund his own church's private school with public dollars died 3 times.
9 Ohio hospitals at risk of closing under Medicaid cuts, report finds
A Public Citizen report identifies 9 Ohio hospitals at heightened risk of closing or cutting services due to $911 billion in Medicaid cuts enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including facilities in Coshocton, Lorain, Conneaut, and Xenia.
TSA officers finally get paid amid ongoing Homeland Security shutdown
Most TSA officers received 4 weeks of back pay Monday after a presidential order redirected funds, but the 45-day partial DHS shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — continues as Congress remains deadlocked on a solution.
As many as 356,000 Ohioans will lose health coverage under Trump spending law, new reports says
A new Urban Institute report projects that Medicaid work requirements in the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act could strip health coverage from up to 356,000 Ohioans — on top of 113,000 who have already lost coverage after ACA tax credits expired.
