State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Cincinnati
Ohio Pumps $50M into Lake Erie Resorts to Revive Tourism
The Ohio Tourism Board is betting big on Lake Erie's shores with a $50 million campaign targeting family resorts and water sports. Aimed at jumpstarting local economies in coastal communities like Sandusky and Put-in-Bay, the initiative promises to draw millions of visitors amid sluggish post-pandemic recovery. State leaders hail it as a lifeline for Ohio's northern heartbeat.
Columbus hits record home prices as Ohio market defies national slowdown
Central Ohio's housing market has reached an inflection point: home prices are still climbing, but the pandemic-era frenzy has given way to a more sustainable rhythm. With median sale prices in Columbus hitting $290,000 in early 2026 and 82 of Ohio's 88 counties at or near record highs, the state's real estate landscape reflects a market where scarcity and migration pressures continue to outpace supply.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Honda Pumps $1B into Ohio EV Hub, Adds 1,000+ Jobs in Marysville
Honda has boosted its Ohio electric vehicle investment to $1 billion across three central Ohio plants, creating over 1,000 jobs amid a massive $4.4 billion push into EV production. The Marysville expansion positions the state as Honda's North American EV hub, with a new Fayette County battery plant set to employ 2,200 more. This electrified future promises economic growth for Union County and beyond.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Cincinnati Reds Prospect Powers Ohio HS to State Baseball Title Record
A standout Cincinnati Reds farmhand etched his name in Ohio high school baseball history, leading his team to a state championship with a performance for the ages. Fans in the Queen City are buzzing about the teen phenom's record-breaking heroics at the plate and mound. This victory caps a remarkable journey from local diamonds to professional promise.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Cavs Lock in Playoff Berth with Thrilling Win at Cleveland's Rocket Arena
The Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a hard-fought victory over rivals at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, now rebranded as Rocket Arena. Ohio hoops fans erupted as the team clinched their spot, setting the stage for a first-round showdown with the Toronto Raptors. This triumph echoes the arena's storied legacy of playoff glory.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Columbus Buckeyes Punch Ticket to Women's Hockey Regional Final
The Ohio State women's ice hockey team, the nation's top seed, advanced to the 2026 NCAA regional finals with a dominant run at home in Columbus. Hosting the regional at OSU Ice Rink, the Buckeyes face Yale in a high-stakes showdown Saturday. Buckeye fans pack the arena as their squad eyes a Frozen Four berth.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Columbus Schools Boost On-Site Mental Health Counseling Amid Crisis
Columbus City Schools are expanding partnerships with local providers to deliver on-site counseling for students facing surging mental health challenges. Through ADAMH-funded initiatives, 16 Franklin County districts now access prevention, intervention, and crisis services. This move aims to support youth wellness in Ohio's largest school district.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Ohio Flu Cases Double, Overwhelming Hospitals in Winter Surge
Hospitals across Ohio are battling a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, with flu hospitalizations more than doubling in a single week to nearly 1,500 cases. Health officials warn of strained emergency rooms from Cincinnati to Cleveland, urging residents to get vaccinated and seek alternatives to ERs. Influenza A dominates, hitting children and the elderly hardest amid high community spread.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Cleveland Police Seize 143 Pounds of Fentanyl in Massive Bust
A multi-agency task force led by Cleveland police dismantled a sprawling fentanyl network, confiscating 143 pounds of the deadly drug worth $9.5 million. The operation targeted suppliers flooding central Ohio communities with nearly 600,000 counterfeit pills. Two key suspects now face federal charges as authorities vow to combat the opioid crisis gripping the state.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Ohio Senate Clamps Down on Local Plastic Bag Bans in Columbus
The Ohio Senate has passed a bill blocking cities and counties from banning single-use plastic bags, thrusting state politics into local environmental battles. Once a one-year moratorium amid COVID-19 fears, the measure was permanently extended in 2021, derailing efforts in places like Cincinnati and Cuyahoga County. Businesses cheer uniformity while green groups decry the override of home-rule protections.
Sunday, May 3, 2026