DeWine Seeks Medicaid Work Requirements

Gov. Mike DeWine has formally requested approval for Medicaid work requirements that could remove an estimated 61,000 Ohioans from the government health insurance program.

Under the new proposal, recipients of Ohio’s expanded Medicaid must meet one of the following criteria: be 55 or older, be employed, be enrolled in school or job training, participating in a recovery program, or have a serious physical or mental illness.

DeWine also sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging approval of the waiver. He cited the previous Trump administration’s approval of a similar requirement in 2019.

Lawmaker Targets Streaming-Only OSU Football

An Ohio state senator has introduced a bill to prevent Ohio State football from airing exclusively on streaming services.

Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) proposed similar legislation last year after the Buckeyes’ 2023 game against Purdue was shown only on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. 

It was the first time in 315 games over more than two decades that an Ohio State football game was not nationally televised. Another game in 2024 was also limited to Peacock.

Senate Bill 94 includes a provision requiring public universities to negotiate a deal allowing enrolled students to watch sporting events for free.

Findlay Named America’s Top ‘Micropolitan’

Findlay, 45 minutes south of Toledo, has been ranked the No. 1 micropolitan in the U.S. for the 11th consecutive year by Site Selection Magazine.

Micropolitans are cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. Those with projects that invested at least $1 million, created 20 or more new jobs, or added at least 20,000 square feet of construction made the ranking.

Ohio was ranked overall as the top U.S. state for micropolitans, with six cities in the top seven spots.

Joining Findlay in the top four rankings were Greenville, New Philadelphia-Dover, and Wooster, with Tiffin and Norwalk ranked sixth and seventh. You can see the full list here.

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➤ Akron: The Ohio EPA reported that oil found in the Little Cuyahoga River poses no threat to drinking water, wildlife, or aquatic life. (More)

➤ Cleveland Heights: A school bus driver was honored by city and state officials for saving 15 children from a burning bus last week. (See Video Report)

➤ Middletown High School’s suicide prevention program received a $1,000 donation from Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow. (More)

➤ Hilliard has announced plans to build a new preschool attached to Norwich Elementary with its own outdoor play area. (See Concept)

➤ Cincinnati: Country Meat Co. Marketplace has opened in Avondale, the neighborhood’s first full-service grocery store in 17 years. (See Video Report)

➤ Statewide: Lawmakers have introduced a bill requiring Ohio high school students to take at least one computer science course before graduation. (More)

➤ The Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins—a one-year contract worth $26 million that prevents Higgins from entering free agency. (More)

➤ Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome was fined $25,000 for criticizing officials after Sunday’s win. Referees called 53 fouls, resulting in 70 free throws. (More)

➤ Ohio State women’s basketball point guard Jaloni Cambridge earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. She averaged 16 points per game in the regular season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ The USDA is offering $1 billion in aid for poultry farmers affected by the bird flu outbreak. Ohio leads the nation in cases, with more than double the number of the next-closest state. (More)

➤ Rise Brands has started construction on The Bogey Inn, a 36-hole putting golf course featuring a restaurant, bar, ice cream shop, and more. (See Rendering)

➤ Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s gas station, originally set to open in December, has been delayed until early summer of 2026 after weather-related setbacks. (More)

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➤ The Ohio History Connection is celebrating Statehood Day today at the Ohio Statehouse—honoring The Buckeye State’s 222nd birthday. (See Details)

➤ The North Coast Yard, a pop-up lakefront park offering green space and food vendors, will open in May near the Cleveland Browns stadium. (See Renderings)

➤ Five Rivers Metroparks in Dayton cautions residents about buying their plant seeds online and warns about the dangers of AI-generated photos. (More)

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Which of Ohio’s ‘3 Cs’ cities do you like best?

1. Columbus
2. Cincinnati
3. Cleveland

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you a native Ohioan?

1. Yes: 44%
2. No: 31%
3. No, but I feel like one: 25%

Which cities have served as the capital of Ohio?

Show me the answer