Ohio Bans SNAP Pop Purchases

Ohio officials announced that the Department of Agriculture approved the state’s waiver request to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to buy sugary carbonated drinks.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder said Gov. Mike DeWine asked the agency to pursue the waiver to find “practical solutions that help Ohioans make healthier choices.”

The ban takes effect Oct. 1. State officials said they want retailers—not SNAP recipients—to shoulder the compliance burden, with a six-month hold-harmless period for retailers.

Fruit and vegetable juices with no added sugar, along with milk and water, will remain eligible for SNAP purchases.

The Arnold Opens in Columbus

The 38th annual Arnold Sports Festival opened on Thursday at multiple central Ohio sites, drawing athletes from more than 20 countries to compete in the nation’s largest bodybuilding event.

The festival runs through Sunday, with events at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Ohio Expo Center, and other venues.

The NPC Worldwide Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championships continue Friday. The Arnold Strongman and Strongwoman Classics run Friday through Sunday, and the Arnold Sunday Showcase on Sunday will feature Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Several road closures begin today, including Vine and Spruce streets from N. High Street to Park Street. More information about the festival is available on its website.

Bar Owners Push OSU Football Streaming Ban

Ohio bar owners are backing legislation that would bar Ohio State football games from airing exclusively on streaming services, saying traditional broadcasts help small businesses draw game-day crowds.

Quinn Allen, president of the Ohio Bar Owners Association, said customers expect bars near the university to show Ohio State games, and that exclusive streaming deals force businesses to buy new equipment or pay steep fees.

State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, introduced Senate Bill 94 in 2025 with a hearing last month. It would prohibit Ohio’s public universities from granting exclusive streaming rights to athletic events.

The bill would also require universities and streaming companies to provide enrolled students free access to watch the events.

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➤ Statewide: Ohio House lawmakers passed House Bill 292, introduced by Reps. Nick Santucci and Ty Mathews, to create the Ohio Defense and Space Commission, aimed at expanding defense and aerospace industries statewide. (More)

➤ Columbus: Ohio State University is weighing a $15 million plan to demolish Jones Tower and renovate two north campus residence halls, including Taylor Tower, where a January flood displaced hundreds of students. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Lawmakers introduced the Holly Act after last summer’s viral downtown Cincinnati brawl, proposing limits on charitable bail for violent offenders and allowing the attorney general to appeal bail decisions. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Cleveland police arrested a 28-year-old woman in connection with the deaths of two children after their bodies were found in suitcases near Ginn Academy. (More)

➤ New Albany: Ohio Life Science Training Center will open its first site in New Albany as part of a public-private effort to strengthen Ohio’s biomanufacturing workforce. (More)

➤ Fostoria: Power Up gym owner Epolito Rodriguez faces charges after federal authorities seized more than $800,000 in cash and about 90 pounds of cocaine during a raid. (More)

➤ Legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz died on Wednesday at 89. Holtz graduated from East Liverpool High School and Kent State University. (More)

➤ Wright State men’s basketball rolled past Cleveland State 90-61 to reach the Horizon League tournament semifinals—its first trip there since 2022. The Raiders will face Green Bay or Northern Kentucky on Monday. (More)

➤ Reds ace right-hander Hunter Greene left spring training with right elbow stiffness and will undergo an MRI and evaluation by the team’s medical staff. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Cincinnati-based Parsec, a rail contractor, will close a terminal near Rickenbacker International Airport, eliminating 115 jobs after losing its customer contracts. (More)

➤ New Kroger CEO Greg Foran said the grocery chain has the right foundation despite sluggish 2025 sales and pledged to deliver more value and a better shopping experience. (More)

➤ Foreclosure proceedings will send the KeyBank Building in downtown Columbus to auction next month as the troubled property faces ongoing maintenance complaints and has been described as a “nightmare.” (More)

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➤ USA Today named Hearth Brewing in Harrison the nation’s best new brewery, citing its Punked Ale pumpkin ale and spiced Autumn Ale. (See Ranking)

➤ The U.S. women’s soccer team defeated Canada 1-0 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus during SheBelieves Cup group play. Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle set up the game’s lone goal. (More)

➤ H2Ohio, the state’s water quality initiative, is taking applications for wetland restoration projects, with a focus on the Maumee River watershed. (Details)

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Should the state ban exclusive streams of Ohio State football games?

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2. No
   
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Are you paying more for gas this week?

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