New Year Brings Minimum Wage Hike, New Laws

The state minimum wage for non-tipped workers rose by 30 cents to $11 on Thursday, as part of a slate of new laws and rules taking effect in the new year.

A state constitutional amendment ties annual minimum wage changes to inflation. Tipped workers will see their minimum wage increase to $5.50 an hour.

A cellphone ban in classrooms also took effect on Thursday, though most schools across the state have already implemented policies.

A law requiring schools that stock overdose-reversal drugs to train staff members to use them will take effect Jan. 19.

House Bill 144, known as Keith’s Law, will also take effect Jan. 19, streamlining a voluntary database for people with disabilities to help first responders identify and assist them.

Ohio Fair Schedule Set

The 2026 schedule of county fairs across the state is set, starting with the Paulding County Fair on June 6.

The last county fair of the year will take place in Fairfield County on Oct. 11-17. You can see the full schedule of county fair dates here.

The annual Ohio State Fair in Columbus is scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9, with some of the major renovations from a multiyear $460 million project expected to be completed.

Other notable county fairs include Franklin County (July 20-26), Cuyahoga County (Aug. 11-16), Hamilton County (June 25-28), and Summit County (July 28-Aug. 2).

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➤ Cleveland: JetBlue will launch daily nonstop flights between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport on March 30, 2026, expanding travel options and connections to Caribbean destinations. (More)

➤ Maria Stein: High winds collapsed a wall at St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein, further damaging the historic structure already weakened by a devastating May fire, church officials and parishioners said. (See Photos)

➤ Columbus: The Columbus Auto Show has been canceled for a second straight year, with organizers citing ongoing national and international challenges facing the auto industry. (More)

➤ Bowl game: Cincinnati plays Navy this afternoon in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. The Bearcats are touchdown underdogs. (More)

➤ Columbus: A RentCafe study ranked Columbus as the nation’s seventh most livable metro, citing below-average living costs, a strong economy, wellness initiatives, higher education, and a growing food scene. (More)

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Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?

1. Yes, and I’ll stick to them
   
2. Yes, but I’m already slipping
   
3. Loose goals
   
4. No/don’t make any
   

Yesterday’s Results:

What was the biggest Ohio story of 2025 for you?

1. Ohio State wins title: 18%
2. Vance, senators sworn in: 17%
3. Anti-DEI law signed: 17%
4. Paper mill closure: 16%
5. Funds for stadium: 16%
6. Other: 16%

Which county fair is the longest-running in Ohio?

Show me the answer