AGP Executive Report

AI & Power Crunch: A report says OpenAI is in talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, potentially costing $500B+ and hinging on major power and grid upgrades. Juneteenth in Ohio: Ohio University invites Athens-area residents to its Juneteenth Festival (June 19) with music, food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities, while Youngstown and Warren host multiple celebrations and parades this week. Community & Civic Learning: The Muskingum County Community Foundation won a grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio to expand civics education through its Lead Local program for K-12 students. Healthcare Access: Ohio University researchers secured a nearly $4M NIH grant to scale primary-care support for opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Campus Culture & Learning: OHIO is rolling out Juneteenth programming and launching new library archives (the Sara Gilfert collection), plus faculty syllabus support in Canvas. Manufacturing Pathways: Youngstown State University’s Technician Fast Track apprenticeship program begins, training entry-level machinists through a one-year registered track.

Workforce & education funding: Gov. DeWine announced $5.1M for 22 Ohio workforce partnerships, aiming to connect job seekers with in-demand careers in trades, IT, healthcare, and more. School integrity: Ohio lawmakers advanced a crackdown on “contract cheating” by targeting businesses that sell completed assignments, while also tightening rules around school property use. Higher ed updates (Athens): Ohio University shared progress on its Dynamic Strategy and R1 push, plus new campus tools like Canvas’s Concourse Syllabus for Fall 2026. Campus culture & community: OHIO is hosting a Juneteenth Festival June 19 with music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and volunteer opportunities. Local history & activism: Salem’s walking tour spotlights abolitionist figures, while Warren protesters held a “No Kings, No Cake” rally tied to Trump’s birthday and Flag Day. Arts & archives: OHIO Libraries opened the Sara Gilfert Collection, preserving the work of a Southeast Ohio papermaker and educator. Health research: An NIH grant will expand an Ohio primary-care model for opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics. Sports & community pride: Pride On The Plaza returned to the Ohio Valley, and Youngstown/Warren set Juneteenth events for the weekend.

Ohio University & campus life: OHIO trustees reviewed Dynamic Strategy progress, extended the scholarship match through 2031, and highlighted endowment growth past $1B; the school also rolled out Concourse Syllabus support for Fall 2026 and is building a permanent home for the Marching 110. Juneteenth & arts: OHIO invited the community to its June 19 Juneteenth Festival in Athens, and libraries opened the Sara “Sally” Gilfert collection, spotlighting Southeast Ohio papermaking and community arts. Health & equity: An OHIO-led NIH grant aims to expand opioid use disorder treatment in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Religion & community: U.S. bishops met in Orlando to strengthen the Church’s mission around the Sacred Heart. Local culture & lifestyle: Cincinnati’s 48th Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park drew 200+ cars and motorcycles for the Arthritis Foundation’s juvenile programs. Civic tensions: Ohio EPA approved a wetland destruction permit for a major data center project in Scioto County, despite community opposition. Sports & identity: A Cleveland-area swimmer’s NCAA pay-for-play lawsuit win still leaves him chasing the 2028 Olympics.

Ohio University & campus life: OHIO trustees heard updates on the Dynamic Strategy plan, R1 momentum, and a scholarship match extension through 2031, while faculty can now build fall 2026 syllabi in Canvas’s Concourse tool; the Marching 110 also is getting a permanent practice facility. Health & learning: A new NIH grant will expand an Ohio primary-care model for opioid use disorder treatment, and OHIO Libraries is adding UpToDate access starting July 1. Community culture: Juneteenth Festival returns June 19 in Athens with music, food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities. Local stories with heart: Grand Lake Health System’s Children’s Wellness Day teaches kids and parents practical habits; PAWS of Muskingum County runs a pet education camp for ages 5–10. Arts, identity & heritage: Serpent Mound hosts its 17th annual Summer Solstice Celebration honoring Indigenous mound-building and solar alignment; Fingerprint Fest Vol. 5 spotlights hip-hop culture and youth connection. Business & legacy: Cheryl’s Cookies founder Cheryl Krueger dies at 74 after a Parkinson’s battle. Big-picture Ohio relevance: A report says OpenAI is in talks to lease a massive 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, with power and grid upgrades as the looming issue.

Data Centers & AI Power Crunch: A report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, potentially with Nvidia backing—an eye-popping scale that raises big questions about power, water, and grid upgrades. Ohio University Campus Life & Learning: OHIO trustees reviewed strategy progress and R1 plans, while faculty prepare for Fall 2026 courses using Canvas’s Concourse Syllabus tool; the university also highlighted scholarship growth and endowment milestones. Juneteenth in Athens: Ohio University invites the community to a Juneteenth Festival June 19 at Richland Avenue Park with music, food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities. Arts & Archives: OHIO Libraries opened the Sara Gilfert Collection, spotlighting the Southeast Ohio papermaker and community arts leader’s work and teaching. Health & Treatment Access: An OHIO-led NIH grant aims to expand primary-care opioid use disorder treatment support across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Community Building: Akron After School PLUS is expanding after-school childcare at select elementary sites starting Aug. 27, partnering with the Akron Area YMCA. Culture in the Spotlight: The Kennedy Center’s Trump name was removed after court action—another reminder of how national politics keeps colliding with Ohio-adjacent arts and culture.

Kennedy Center Fight: Workers in Washington began removing Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center facade after courts rejected delays, turning the deadline into a public arts-and-politics showdown. Religious Freedom in Court: Hebrew Union College escalated its Ohio charity-law case, arguing the state’s lawsuit violates the First Amendment and religious doctrine. Voting Rights Under Scrutiny: The FBI raided offices tied to an Ohio voter registration group, seizing computers as activists warn of intimidation ahead of major elections. Ohio University Updates: OHIO trustees reviewed strategy progress, extended a scholarship match program through 2031, and rolled out new Canvas syllabus tools for fall 2026. Health & Community: An NIH grant will expand Ohio primary-care opioid treatment support; meanwhile, Ohio University libraries are adding UpToDate access and archiving the work of papermaker Sara Gilfert. Local Culture & Education: Steubenville’s 30th-annual Dean Martin Hometown Festival kicks off; Swanton schools update student wellness plans and honor an outstanding intervention specialist. Jobs Snapshot: Ohio initial unemployment claims rose last week, signaling a slightly cooler labor picture.

Voting Rights Under Fire: The FBI raided the Cleveland office of Ohio Organizing Collaborative, seizing phones and computers and raising fears of a broader crackdown on voter registration ahead of the midterms. Mail Voting Changes: Ohio lawmakers approved photo ID requirements for mail-in ballots starting in 2027, while voters will also decide a separate photo ID amendment for in-person voting. Human Trafficking Crackdown: “Operation Spring Cleaning” led to 122 arrests across Ohio, including felony charges and referrals of trafficking survivors to services. Community & Culture: Ohio University is inviting the public to its Juneteenth Festival (June 19) with music, vendors, and kids’ activities, plus ongoing library work preserving local African American and papermaking histories. Workforce & Tech Training: Meta’s $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” will begin training for data center construction jobs in Ohio in 2026. Local Spotlight: Lake County police dogs Lux and Zeus advanced to national trials after winning regional honors.

Ohio University culture & community: Ohio University is rolling out a new Juneteenth Festival (June 19, 1–4 p.m. at Richland Avenue Park) with music, food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities, plus volunteer opportunities. Arts access: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown reopened its Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts after renovations that add flexible workstations, more space, adaptive supplies, and wheelchair-accessible furniture. Local education & health: Ohio’s “Reading for Resiliency” initiative launches statewide through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and the Ohio Children’s Alliance, using shared reading to strengthen family connectedness and mental wellness. Community spotlight: Mazza Museum’s STEAM camp in Findlay (“Intergalactic Problem Solvers”) is putting grades 5–8 students to work with coding, rover programming, and rocket-building. Civic life: Ohio voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment enshrining photo ID rules for voting, including for absentee ballots. Sports & identity: East Liverpool High School’s Culture Club visited Beaver Creek State Park, pairing local history with hands-on learning.

Local Politics: Cleveland parents and teachers are circulating a petition to bring back an elected school board for CMSD, arguing mayoral control has led to school closures and layoffs. Voting Access: Ohio lawmakers approved a new photo ID requirement for mail voting starting with the 2027 election, with a related constitutional amendment headed to the November ballot. Health & Policy: Cleveland Clinic will commit $2M to “detransition” care under a DOJ settlement tied to claims about minors’ gender-related procedures. Public Safety Leadership: Reading’s police chief plans to retire Aug. 7 after being placed on administrative leave amid an outside investigation. Community & Wellness: Stretch Zone announced a grand opening in Perrysburg, bringing practitioner-assisted stretching to Northwest Ohio. Culture & Events: The Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio returns June 12-14 with classic racing and car shows, including a British Car Showdown and Concours d’Elegance. Education & Research: Ohio University researchers won a major NIH grant to expand primary-care opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia.

Health Care & Community: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment support in about 40 Ohio and West Virginia primary-care clinics, aiming to close the gap between what’s proven and what’s actually prescribed. Libraries & Local Culture: Columbus Metropolitan Library and Columbus Crew team up for 614 Day at Main Library with free soccer activities and Culture Pass ticket giveaways. Youth & Education Equity: Elyria families push back on proposed “pay-to-participate” fees for student activities, warning it could price kids out. Arts & Summer Programs: Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield opens registration for sensory-inclusive Broadway Camp sessions for ages 8–13. Sustainability & Style: Wheeling Fashion Week’s Centre Market clothing swap spotlights reuse and upcycling. Courts & Civic Life: Ohio Supreme Court reinstates Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell to the practice of law. Local Infrastructure: North Ridgeville roadwork begins, with multiple streets slated for repaving and concrete repairs. Public Opinion: A FOX News poll finds Ohio voters rank inflation as the top fall issue and oppose nearby data center construction by a wide margin.

Opioid Care Expansion: Ohio University researcher Berkeley Franz won a nearly $4M NIH grant to scale a primary-care model for prescribing medication for opioid use disorder across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics, aiming to close the gap between what’s proven and what’s actually practiced. Health Tech Access: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate starting July 1, giving students and clinicians point-of-care clinical guidance through OU logins. Recovery Housing in Lima: KAV Health Group opened new Izzy’s House sober living recovery homes in Lima for men, women, and couples, emphasizing structure, peer support, and referrals. Education Policy: Ohio lawmakers advanced changes to K-12 math instruction via Senate Bill 19, responding to statewide proficiency declines and pushing for stronger interventions. Workforce & Trades: Meta announced a $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” with free training and job offers tied to AI data center construction, including Columbus, Ohio. Voting Rules: Ohio Republicans proposed requiring photo ID for absentee voting starting in 2027, with exceptions for certain medical, disability, military, overseas, and religious circumstances. Culture & Identity: A CNN look at who gets to call themselves a “New Yorker” spotlights birthplace vs. lived experience debates. LGBTQ+ Ohio: “Yes, LGBTQ+ Ohio” highlights community support needs amid ongoing pressure and backlash.

Skilled Trades & AI Jobs: Meta is rolling out America’s Workforce Academy with a $115M first-year push, including Ohio pilot training and job guarantees for graduates—an effort aimed at filling the labor gap behind the AI data-center boom. Higher Ed Support: ODHE named the 4th cohort of Ohio Reach Postsecondary Designation schools, expanding campus support for foster care-connected students. Community Learning: Two Ohio libraries won Guiding Ohio Online grants for tech trainers, boosting digital access in rural areas. STEM in the Neighborhood: Youngstown State and South Side Academy teamed up to build a pollinator garden, mixing classroom learning with real-world environmental stewardship. Arts & Youth: The DEA Youth Dance Program brought a multi-style dance camp to Lima, helping kids try new forms and take home gear. Local Culture & History: Ohio University Southern is documenting African American stories along the Ohio River corridor through a new documentary project. Public Safety & Daily Life: East Palestine’s pool opening is delayed again due to a late-arriving electrical panel. Sports & Community Pride: LeBron James landed on TIME100 Sports, spotlighting his legacy beyond basketball.

Skilled-Trades & AI Jobs: Meta and ABC launched a $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” to train data-center construction workers in Ohio (plus Indiana, Louisiana, Texas), with scholarships and job guarantees after completion. Local Arts & Community History: Ohio University Southern is collecting African American oral histories across the Ohio River corridor for a documentary, aiming to preserve stories often left out of local records. Education & Access: A study using Cleveland Clinic data finds rural patients at high risk for sleep apnea are less likely to get referrals than urban patients, pointing to a need for targeted primary-care pathways. Books & Scholarships: AAUW in Lima is taking donations for its major used-book fair fundraiser, supporting 15 scholarships for women pursuing higher education. Culture & Lifestyle: Dutch Bros plans new Ohio-area openings this summer, including Dayton, as the chain expands its footprint. Civic & Policy: Ohio lawmakers unanimously passed a carbon-capture bill allowing underground CO2 injection and forcing participation from unwilling landowners, with long-term liability shifting to taxpayers. Sports & Community: Bluffton’s youth swim team opened summer with a big win over Ada, showing off depth across age groups.

LGBTQ+ Community Spotlight: Wheeling’s “Pride On The Plaza” returns Saturday with a “Free to Be” theme, carving out a local, welcoming space for LGBTQ+ residents and allies. Public Safety & Accountability: A former Wheeling Middle School principal faces a child abuse charge tied to an alleged incident with a student. Workforce & Local Economy: Meta is rolling out a free “America’s Workforce Academy” for skilled trades tied to data center construction, with Ohio included and job guarantees after training. Childcare Oversight: Ohio House committee action advances multiple childcare bills focused on access and cracking down on potential childcare fraud. Arts & Community Building: LOOP Youngstown dedicates a new arts and culture center, giving local creatives a permanent home after the Ward Bakery closure. Health & Wellness Investment: The Fitzsimmons Foundation pledges $1M to expand year-round health and wellness at Oglebay Park Resort. Sports & Youth Achievement: Salem girls track stars celebrate state success, while other Ohio athletes bring home podium finishes at OHSAA meets. Culture & Memory: Simply Slavic completes its first preservation project, restoring entrance signage at the historic Strossmayer Croatian Picnic Grounds. Education Pathways: Ohio Cyber Academy holds graduation for its first class, highlighting a tuition-free online option for students ages 14–21.

Toledo Community Safety: Bishop Daniel E. Thomas called the Old West End Festival shooting “senseless violence” after 12 were wounded and organizers canceled the rest of the event. LGBTQ+ Leadership: Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Densil Porteous will step down July 1 to take a national role with the Human Rights Campaign. Healthcare Policy: Cleveland Clinic reached an agreement with the DOJ and Ohio AG to stop gender-affirming care for minors and fund support for “detransitioners.” Digital Life & Access: Brightspeed says Ohio’s fiber build is nearly 65% complete, with service now available to 350,000+ homes and businesses. Culture & Institutions: The Kennedy Center removed “Trump” branding from its website after a court order, even as the exterior name remains. Arts & Community: The Ohio River corridor documentary “Telling Our Story” is collecting African American oral histories across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Education & Public Service: Renee Steffen joins the Voinovich School board, bringing nonprofit leadership experience from Sisters Health Foundation.

Broadway & Ohio Stories: The 2026 Tony Awards crowned “Schmigadoon!” best new musical, while “Liberation” (set in 1970s Ohio) won best new play—another big spotlight on Ohio’s culture on a national stage. Language & Community Education: Ohio State PhD researcher Jaee Sonalkar secured about $5,000 in grants to teach Marathi to immigrant students using more communicative methods. STEM for Kids: ESC of Eastern Ohio will host Camp Invention: Spark for 3rd–5th graders, July 13–17, with hands-on challenges and invention-building. Reentry & Public Life: A new look at Ohio corrections highlights how many people cycle back after release, underscoring the culture and community stakes of reentry. Local Arts & Recreation: Riverfest returned to celebrate the Mahoning River’s progress and renewed public access at Waterfront Park in Lowellville. Youth Sports: Salem freshman Chaya Murray won the Division III 200 and helped the Quakers score big at the state track meet. Health & Care: Wooster Community Hospital SNF earned a 5-star CMS rating in Wayne County for Q1 2026. Safety in the Community: Toledo’s Old West End Festival saw at least 12 people shot, with police launching a manhunt.