Ohio News

• U.S. Senator Jon Husted has proposed a law to exempt income earned by students in career-tech programs from being counted against their family's eligibility for benefits like SNAP or school lunches. The goal is to encourage participation in paid internships without jeopardizing a family's benefits.
• The new "Passport of Terror Tour" features 10 haunted houses in southwest and central Ohio. For $5, participants can buy a passport and collect stickers at each location to earn a free hoodie. Locations include Blood Prison (Mansfield), Brimstone Haunt (Wilmington), Cincinnati Fear Fest (Williamsburg), Dayton Scream Park (Dayton), The Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati), The Final Resting Place (Sabina), Forsaken Forest (Richmond, IN), Haunted Hoochie (Pataskala), Land of Illusion (Middletown), and Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall (Cincinnati).

Dayton News

• Dayton's unemployment rate hit a four-year high of 5.6% in July, reflecting a statewide trend where there are now 1.1 unemployed individuals for every available job.
• According to FBI data, Dayton had the 7th highest homicide rate per capita in the U.S. last year, with a 47% increase in killings from 2023.
• WDTN’s annual Coats for Kids campaign is collecting new and gently used coats and winter accessories for Miami Valley families. Donation barrels are available at various locations through October.
• The Cozy Book Nook bookstore is relocating from Moraine to downtown Dayton, with a soft opening planned for Oct. 1.
• A Dayton man pleaded guilty to luring and robbing five people at gunpoint after connecting with them on Facebook Marketplace.

Community News

• Beavercreek: Developer Synergy has gained construction access to Wright-Patt's Area B for a $250 million office park. The "Convergence Research Center" will feature eight buildings, create 2,500 jobs, and aims to open its first building in late 2027.
• Bellbrook: The KFC on Clyo Road has permanently closed.
• Fairborn: The Ohio Defense & Aerospace Forum will be held at Wright State on Sept. 15, featuring top military and industry leaders.
• Huber Heights: Mexican restaurant Taquitos Uruapan has opened in the former Mr. Pollo Mexican Grill space.
• Kettering: Kettering City Schools will host a community forum on its school consolidation and building plan at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Fairmont High School.
• Lebanon: After decades of silence, Lebanon City Hall’s historic 1914 bell and clock are working again following a $30,000 restoration. They now chime daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Springboro: Blue Dog Books, a new independent bookstore, has opened at 245 S. Main St. in historic Springboro, with a grand opening celebration on Sept. 21.
• Troy: Troy resident John J. Fisher celebrated his 100th birthday. Born Sept. 7, 1925, the centenarian was honored with local and state proclamations.
• West Carrollton: The city has secured EPA approval for an $8.8 million upgrade to its water treatment plant. Construction on the 30-year-old facility is set to begin this year.
• Xenia: Kettering Health has reversed its decision and will now keep Greene Memorial Hospital open, investing $10 million in renovations and building a new $26 million outpatient center nearby. Separately, the long-vacant Eavey Exchange Building is being renovated into a $3.7 million entrepreneurial hub.

• Ohio News
  • A new state law will force dozens of small villages to hold a vote on dissolving their government if they fail a state audit; at least 27 southwest Ohio villages already face this vote after 2030.
  • The number of Ohio schools allowing armed staff has grown to 97, which remains a small minority of schools statewide.
  • Chick-fil-A plans to open 25-30 new Ohio restaurants by the end of 2027.

  Dayton Business & Government

  PSA Airlines is laying off 157 Dayton employees as it relocates its HQ to Charlotte. The city continues to grapple with homeless encampments as advocates push for policy reforms. A court ruling allows Dayton Public Schools to buy RTA passes for students for the 2025-26 school year. In business, Dayton-based CareSource is expanding to New York, and the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) won a $43.9M contract for AI research.

  Local Community News

  • Kettering: The City of Dayton began a $14M renovation of Kettering Field; local manufacturer DRT Holdings is partnering to create a 99% recycled beverage can; and Creative Impressions printing is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
  • Miamisburg: The city completed a $10.3M renovation of Sycamore Trails Park, and Star City Brewing is for sale.
  • Oakwood: The school district is re-evaluating its $40M facilities plan after unexpectedly becoming eligible for state funds five years early.
  • Around the Area: In Troy, a Honda subsidiary is building a new warehouse that will create 168 jobs. West Carrollton has named a new police chief. A minor earthquake was reported in Springboro. A Waynesville restaurant is now available for lease. Wayne High in Huber Heights created a ‘Wall of Honor’ for military alumni.

World

• A mischievous male guinea pig named Randy escaped his enclosure at an English adventure park and impregnated nearly 100 females. Worn out from his adventure, Randy is expected to father up to 400 babies.

Ohio News

• The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against AES Ohio over $61 million in "overearnings." The case returns to regulators, where the Ohio Consumers' Counsel will push for refunds of about $125 per customer.

• Voting rights groups are suing Ohio over a new rule requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote at the BMV.

Dayton Area News

• Dayton: The city tied a 62-year-old record low temperature of 48 degrees. The Dayton International Airport received a $78M state grant to develop its aerospace campus, a project that could create 6,000 jobs. Be wary of scam texts from "Amazon" or "UPS"; report them by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM). A community group will offer free RTA passes to DPS students starting Sept. 23 at Mt. Enon Baptist Church. The nonprofit Learn to Earn launched a public data dashboard tracking poverty and well-being in Montgomery County. An IG report warns of "severe" staffing shortages at the Dayton VA, though the VA disputes the report. Dayton RTA is offering free rides on Labor Day. The city is expanding its traffic camera program, adding 64 speed and 17 red light cameras focused on school zones.

• Beavercreek: Warehouse 4 opens its third area coffee shop at 3210 Seajay Drive on Sept. 4, featuring a drive-thru and patio.

• Bellbrook: The high school library has reopened amid an ongoing review of books for sexual content and "gender ideology" per a new "Parents' Bill of Rights" policy. Identified books have been set aside.

• Centerville: Sgt. Adam Bennett was honored for rescuing a baby from a submerged SUV. A 272-unit housing development, Parkside Preserve, has broken ground.

• Clayton: The city manager and law director are resigning in September.

• Kettering: Voters will elect a new mayor and two council members this fall. W. Dorothy Lane has reopened after a water main repair. Troni’s Italian Restaurant is closed until Sept. 20 while it opens a second location.

• Springboro: Three people were accused of using sticky traps to steal mail, linked to a multi-state check fraud operation.

• Trotwood: After a large fight at a football game, the school district will now require minors to be accompanied by a paying adult at home games.

• Troy: Controversy surrounds the historic former Tavern building, now for sale for $1.791M by new owner Glass City Developers. Mayor Robin Oda’s critical social media post drew backlash from the developers and the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, which previously saved the building from demolition. Miami County has scrapped plans to renovate the downtown jail, shifting focus back to building a new $100M facility.

National & State News

The Trump administration is considering reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III, a move initiated by the Biden administration. While this would not legalize recreational cannabis nationally, it would significantly impact Ohio's market by allowing dispensaries to take normal business tax deductions, potentially lowering consumer prices. The change would also remove major barriers to medical cannabis research.

In Vernon, Connecticut, fire crews rescued a 40-year-old man stuck in a playground tube slide. Responders freed him within 30 minutes; he refused further medical treatment.

Ohio & Dayton Area News

• Jungle Jim’s (Fairfield): Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the store is adding modern attractions and planning a major expansion on its 80-acre site, to include a hotel, apartments, and a marijuana store.
• Dayton Public Schools (DPS): A court has temporarily blocked a state law that banned DPS students from using the downtown RTA hub for transfers. The district has resumed issuing bus passes and will station its own security at the location.
• The Trolley Stop (Dayton): The property of the historic Oregon District tavern has been sold for $800,000. The new owner is Horn Ohio Properties, but the current operator plans to keep the tavern running "as is."
• State Updates: Dorothy Lane Market has opened a new grocery store in Mason. Separately, 150 Ohio National Guardsmen were deployed to Washington D.C.

Local Community Updates

• Beavercreek: Brio Italian Grille at The Greene has permanently closed.
• Bellbrook: The high school library is temporarily closed for a review of materials related to "sexuality content and gender identity."
• Clayton: Bella Sorella Pizza plans to open next month.
• Huber Heights: The city will award $125,000 in economic development grants to qualifying local businesses.
• Kettering: The local Chick-fil-A now requires patrons 17 and younger to be accompanied by an adult chaperone (21+) to dine inside.
• Miamisburg: The former Ron’s Car Care site was demolished to make way for a Flying Ace Express Car Wash.
• Troy: The school district’s phone system is down for an undetermined time while repairs are made.
• Xenia: Longtime Ohio Renaissance Festival vendors have opened a permanent shop, The White Seahorse, selling historical reproduction toys and costumes.

National & State News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers raised the Little Miami River for VP JD Vance's 41st birthday kayak trip at the Secret Service's request, sparking criticism over the use of taxpayer funds. A spokesperson said Vance was unaware of the action, which drew comparisons to a similar 1999 incident involving Al Gore.

Ohio lawmakers face a November 30 deadline to redraw the state's congressional maps. The process comes amid a national debate over gerrymandering, as some Republicans are pushing for a new map that would give their party a 12-to-3 advantage.

School lunches are now healthier and more popular, with diverse menus like General Tso's chicken and salads offered alongside classics. The trend, driven by strict federal regulations on fat, sodium, and sugar, began when meals were free during the pandemic. However, potential changes to federal eligibility rules could impact access for hundreds of thousands of Ohio students.

Local Levies & Elections

November ballots across the region will feature numerous tax levies. Key issues include:

• Montgomery County: A countywide human services levy renewal, plus school levies and income taxes.
• Greene County: A new library levy and a new income tax for Xenia.
• Miami County: Two countywide issues, including a bridge levy replacement.
• Northern Warren County: A new levy for Springboro schools and an income tax for Franklin Schools.
• Clark County: Countywide levies plus school levies for Springfield and Northwestern.
• Butler County: A countywide elderly services levy and new money for Lakota Local Schools.
• Warren County: Several school, police, and fire issues, plus a vote on a proposed cannabis dispensary in Lebanon.

Dayton & Area News

Dayton Public Schools is suing Ohio, calling a new state rule unconstitutional. The rule blocks DPS students from using school-provided bus passes to change buses at the downtown RTA hub.

Other Dayton headlines:

• A proposal is moving forward to build "Race Dayton," an outdoor go-kart track on the top deck of the Oregon District Garage.
• The Montgomery Co. Sheriff’s Office warns of two scams: a text demanding "bond money" and a fake Mastercard mailed from the "county jail."
• Dayton has passed new zoning rules banning new downtown self-storage units and requiring property owners to remove graffiti within 14 days.
• The NATO assembly held in May had a $1.3 million direct economic impact and gave Dayton $138 million worth of global publicity.

Around the Region

• Englewood: The police department launched a monthly podcast to connect with the community.
• Fairborn: About 40 people held a rally urging U.S. Rep. Mike Turner to hold public "town hall" meetings.
• Kettering: The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a resident's appeal to keep 18 backyard chickens, ruling they aren't "household pets." The resident plans to appeal to the city council.
• Vandalia: The Board of Elections accused the city of lacking neutrality regarding a failed housing development referendum.
• West Carrollton: A new, sustainable elementary school is set to open next week.

Top Stories

• Dayton Public Schools Transportation: For the 2025-2026 school year, Dayton Public Schools will not provide transportation for high school students. The decision follows a new state law that prohibits students from using the downtown RTA hub for transfers, making the district's previous bus pass system unusable. Officials state that creating a yellow bus system is not feasible in the short term due to a lack of buses and drivers.
• UDRI Air Force Contract: The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has secured a U.S. Air Force contract worth up to $98.5 million. The contract focuses on advancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. All work will be conducted in Dayton and is set to be completed by July 2030.
• Child Marijuana Poisonings: Ohio has experienced a significant increase in accidental marijuana poisonings among young children, with cases jumping from 11 in 2015 to 582 last year. The poisonings are primarily caused by children consuming THC edibles that look like candy.
• Public Broadcasting Defunded: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is shutting down after being defunded by Congress. While local stations WYSO and ThinkTV will remain on air, they face major funding cuts. Their most critical new challenge will be the massive expense of licensing music, a cost previously covered by national CPB deals.

Business & Restaurant News

• New Openings: Gionino’s Pizzeria opened its fourth location on Wilmington Avenue, and Lucho, a mezcal and espresso bar, opened at the Dayton Arcade.
• Multiple New Restaurants: Restaurateur Sue Whitted is launching three new restaurants—Flame N’ Grill (Kettering hibachi), Thai Garden (Kettering Thai/sushi), and Thai Cottage (West Chester)—plus a "Honey Toast on Wheels" food truck.
• Ownership Changes: The owners of Bock Family Brewing in Washington Twp. are selling the business but will remain open until a buyer is found. In Huber Heights, Sweet Home Bakery is under new ownership and now offers Turkish, American, and Russian-influenced desserts.

Community & Development

• Kettering: The historic D.L. Barnes building will be saved and repurposed through a partnership between Kettering City Schools, the City of Kettering, the Schiewetz Foundation, and COhatch. It will house the school district's offices and a new COhatch shared workspace.
• Centerville: The city is planning a $5 million project to improve traffic flow on Clyo Road near the high school. Construction, which includes widening the road and adding a traffic signal, will begin in 2028.
• Beavercreek: As a condition for building a new 96-home subdivision, developer Grand Communities will fund the reconstruction of a dangerous curve on Swigart Road to improve safety.

Crime & Public Safety

• Park Arson: Fire investigators are seeking public tips after a suspected arson destroyed playground equipment at Bomberger Park in Dayton.
• Teacher Resigns: A former Oakwood Schools gym teacher resigned after being accused of shoplifting from three Lowe's stores. He was found guilty of lesser charges in one case and sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.

USA

Happy 45th birthday to Harry Potter (7/31). Time has been unkind, with new adventures like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Alimony and Harry Potter and the Order of the New Balances. In other news, High Noon has voluntarily recalled its Beach Variety 12-packs after its supplier accidentally labeled some alcoholic seltzer cans as non-alcoholic Celsius energy drinks, creating a risk of "unintentional alcohol ingestion." After a decade of requests, Oreo and Reese’s have released a mashup product.

Ohio News

Sales Tax Holiday: Ohio's annual sales tax holiday has been expanded to 14 days, running from midnight on Friday, August 1, through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 14. The holiday makes any single item of tangible personal property priced at $500 or less tax-free.

Guns at County Fairs: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a legal opinion stating that county fairs cannot ban firearms on their grounds, as they are "political subdivisions" subject to state law. However, fairs can still legally prohibit firearms inside their buildings.

Dayton & Montgomery County

Public Health: Dayton and Montgomery County will spray for mosquitoes after samples in Dayton and Vandalia tested positive for West Nile virus. Meanwhile, Dayton appeared on two top bed bug city lists, ranking 11th nationally by Terminix and 43rd by Orkin.

County Funding: The Montgomery County Commission has canceled the fall 2025 Economic Development/Government Equity (ED/GE) funding round, redirecting $1 million to The Foodbank, Inc. to address critical food insecurity.

New Developments: The Dayton Dragons will introduce "Deck the Diamond," an outdoor holiday lights experience running from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, 2026. Dayton Christian School has begun construction on a $4 million multipurpose center to support a 75% enrollment increase over the past five years.

Regional News

Kettering: TJ Chumps is launching the region's first restaurant drone delivery service with a three-day trial (July 31-Aug. 2). All proceeds will be donated to a veteran charity.

West Carrollton: The city is moving forward with its $25-$30 million riverfront whitewater park, awarding a nearly $2.8 million design and engineering contract. The park will anchor a larger "River District."

Clayton: Following public opposition, the Clayton city council has repealed its approval for a 529-home development on Sweet Potato Ridge Road.

Centerville: A European-inspired beer spa, Hops and Harmony Spa, is planned for the Cross Pointe Centre, offering private spa rooms with self-serve local beer dispensers.

Yellow Springs: "The Twilight Zone" creator and Antioch College graduate Rod Serling will be honored with an Ohio Historical Marker on campus, with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 2.

Also Noted: The Blue Angels are confirmed as headliners for the 2026 Dayton Air Show. Fairborn will place police and fire renewal levies on the November ballot. New coffee shops are opening: Poppets in Kettering, Biggby Coffee in Troy, and a Dunkin' in Beavercreek. Ritter's in Beavercreek and Kettering will offer deals from Aug. 4-8 for National Frozen Custard Day.

Ohio News

• New School Laws: Ohio now requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during class by January 2026. The law aims to reduce distractions but allows for exceptions for learning and health monitoring. A separate law requires schools to create policies on Artificial Intelligence by July 2026.

Dayton & Regional News

• Dayton Public Schools (DPS) Event: DPS is holding a free back-to-school fair on Saturday, August 2, at Welcome Stadium from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will provide students with free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, physicals, and more.
• Economic Development:
  • Joby Aviation (Dayton): The electric flying taxi manufacturer is installing equipment and hiring for its new production facility near the Dayton International Airport, which will eventually produce up to 500 aircraft per year.
  • Wright Dunbar District (Dayton): The city is increasing its investment in a redevelopment project on West Third Street, which will house new businesses including XO Burger and Saoko Leaf & Wine bar.
  • Buc-ee's (Huber Heights): Hiring has officially begun for management positions at the first Ohio Buc-ee's, with a planned opening in April 2026.
  • Spintech (Miamisburg): The aerospace company is investing $7M to expand into a new manufacturing facility.
• Restaurant & Business Openings:
  • Dayton Restaurant Week: The event runs through July 27, with over 30 local restaurants offering special menus ranging from $20.25 to $55.25.
  • Brown Street (Dayton): Three new restaurants are opening near UD: Don Juan Mexican Grill, Wat Da Pho Express, and Prime BBQ Smokehouse.
  • Eddy Out (Dayton): A new surf shop, hostel, and bar catering to adventure athletes is opening soon in Old North Dayton.
• Community Updates:
  • Bellbrook: The city is considering a ban on adult-use marijuana businesses, with a public hearing on July 28. Separately, the Dairy Shed celebrated its 50th anniversary.
  • Centerville: A new daily $50 fee for unresolved property code violations will take effect on August 14.
  • Englewood: The city has launched a new strategic plan focused on helping its large senior population "age in place."
  • Fairborn: A new city plan aims to connect every resident to a trail or bikeway within a half-mile.
  • Vandalia: D.R. Horton is proposing a 72-home development near the airport.