Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown Expected To Seek Return To U.S. Senate in 2026

Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, next to his wife Connie Schultz, left, and his daughter Elizabeth Brown, right.(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) COLUMBUS, Ohio...

As U.S. drinking declines, Ohioans share why they’ve changed-or haven’t: The Readers Write

Gallup’s latest survey on American drinking habits landed with a jolt: Only 54 percent of U.S. adults now say they drink alcohol, the lowest figure in 90 years of polling. Just two years ago, that number was more than 60 percent. The steepest drop...

Ohio Senate Democrats introduce bill to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029

A pair of Ohio Democratic state Senators are once again trying to raise Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. Ohio State Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, and Ohio Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, introduced Senate Bill 234 last month, which would raise...

Ohio Democrats propose letting voters sign up to always use absentee ballots

A pair of Democratic Ohio state lawmakers want to give voters the chance to sign up for absentee ballots permanently. Eight states allow all their citizens to opt in to regular absentee voting, and another 11 allow specific populations like people...

Navy Week Sets Sail for Columbus, Ohio

AUGUST 14, 2025 – The U.S. Navy is bringing Navy Week to Columbus, Ohio, from Aug. 18-24, 2025. As part of a nationwide outreach effort, Columbus Navy Week will connect Sailors with the community through a variety of performances, educational...

OhioHealth taking over former Big Lots headquarters near New Albany

OhioHealth is expanding services in central Ohio, acquiring the former Big Lots headquarters in New Albany for future health care needs. COLUMBUS, Ohio — OhioHealth is continuing to expand its services across central Ohio after acquiring the...

Ohio agencies announce summer crisis cooling assistance

The Ohio Department of Development and the Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission have issued a reminder that income-eligible Ohioans can access summer cooling assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program from July 1...

Ohio Tourism Generated $57B in Economic Impact in 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The upward momentum of the state’s tourism industry continued in 2024, according to statistics released Tuesday. Ohio saw nearly 242 million visits in 2024, up 3.5 million from the year before. Overnight stays – a sign that...

Cheapest premium gas in cities across Ohio County in week ending Aug. 9

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Allison Clements | www.ferc.govFederal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Allison Clements | www.ferc.gov There was a single gas station in cities across Ohio County selling...

Ohio gas prices declined from last week: See how much here

State gas prices declined last week and reached an average of $2.92 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, down from last week's price of $3.17 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average fuel price in state...

New Ohio incentive offers up to $225K to employers to attract out-of-state STEM talent

Former Ohio officer who pleaded guilty to hiding camera in home to film minors sentenced

A former Harrison officer who pleaded guilty to planting a hidden camera in his home to film minors has been sentenced to prison. Former Harrison, Ohio Officer Eric Gregory pleaded guilty to five counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented...

Presented by La Porte Civic Auditorium: Ohio Valley Wrestling

Get your tickets now for the return of Ohio Valley Wrestling with a MAIN EVENT on Saturday, September 27, at the Civic Auditorium! As seen on Netflix! OVW produces the next generation of pro wrestling superstars having trained the likes of John...

Amid delays, Ohio lawmakers call for public updates on Intel factories

A resolution seeks transparency on construction progress, financial matters, and potential strategic changes for the project, which has been delayed to 2030 or 2031. The resolution also requests contingency plans, including potential tax dollar...

When does Ohio tax holiday end? Time winds down on tax-free weekend

Ohio's two-week sales tax holiday ends at 11:59 p.m. ET August 14. Items under $500, including clothing, electronics, and home goods, are tax-free. Online purchases from retailers like Amazon and Walmart are included if they meet the criteria....

Ohio Legislature Makes Minor Revisions to Public Contracting Process

House Bill 96, which is an operating appropriations bill, was passed by the Ohio legislature on June 25, 2025, and signed by Governor DeWine on June 30, 2025. The bill made a number of minor revisions to the requirements in Chapter 153 of the Ohio...

Ohio's best: Top 25 boys soccer players entering 2025 season

Retired firefighter wins Ohio Industrial Commission hearing for Palumbo Act

Tom Lisy, a retired firefighter, won an Ohio Industrial Commission hearing after filing a Palumbo Act claim when Garfield Heights refused to cover him after his cancer diagnosis. You can read the decision here. Lisy's story Lisy was a member of...

How The Dispatch's Cole Behrens covers our schools

Editor’s Note: Beat notes is a weekly feature from Dispatch journalists who share what’s been happening in their area of coverage and upcoming events. This week we hear from Cole Behrens, who covers K-12 education in central Ohio. He has been at...

Columbus Opportunity Summit: Anduril's Zachary Mears opens up about the company's plans for Central Ohio