AGP Executive Report

Suicide Care Expansion in Ohio Region: Vermont opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient model led by suicide-care researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to improve access to proven therapies. Back-to-School Safety Talk: Ohio education and commerce officials are urging families to plan ahead for responsible alcohol use, smarter cannabis decisions, and healthy financial habits as students return to campus. Ohio BMV Policy Shift: The BMV will no longer accept Form 2369 for changing the gender marker on a driver’s license, pushing people toward amended birth-certificate requirements. Identity on the Go: Ohio Mobile ID is now available for Android users in Google Wallet, letting people verify age or identity at participating venues and TSA checkpoints. AI-Generated Food Confusion: “AI slop” storefront and menu images are showing up in Ohio-area commerce, misleading customers with fake-looking dishes. Great Lakes Habitat Science: USGS researchers used acoustic monitoring to track continuous fish use after a Lake Erie wetland was reconnected to waterways. Data Center Backlash: A California fairgrounds proposal is drawing local opposition, reflecting how data-center growth is colliding with community rules and politics. Education Outcomes Watch: New county-by-county six-year bachelor’s completion figures highlight big gaps by race and ethnicity across Ohio public four-year institutions.

Suicide Care in Ohio’s Orbit: Vermont opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient suicide-care model led by Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to expand access to proven therapies. Great Lakes Habitat Recovery: USGS researchers used high-resolution sonar to track fish movement after a wetland reconnection near Ohio’s Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, finding continuous use and a major habitat boost. AI Data Centers vs. Communities: Meta is testing robots for physical data-center tasks, while Utah can’t fully quantify the cost of data-center tax breaks—fueling broader backlash and political pressure. Ohio Tech & Privacy: Bowling Green’s license plate reader network highlights the surveillance debate as privacy advocates push back on mass monitoring. Cancer Research (Ohio): OSU scientists identified SET as a potential target to make glioblastoma more vulnerable to existing treatments like radiation. Education Outcomes (Ohio): New county-by-county completion-rate reporting spotlights gaps and gains, including Butler County’s 75.9% bachelor’s completion for Hispanic/Latino students. Local STEM Pipeline: ARCTOS landed a $60M Air Force deal to grow Ohio’s STEM workforce. Mental Health & Screens: Ohio coverage also tackles why infant death rates remain high and how families can reset kids’ phone relationships.

Suicide Care in Ohio’s Orbit: Vermont opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient model led by suicide-care researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to expand access to proven therapies and reduce attempts. Stadium Tech in Ohio: Ohio State rolled out Express Entry facial-authentication gates to public entrances to cut game-day lines, building on last season’s limited rollout. AI in the Data Center: Meta is testing dual-armed robots to handle physical server-rack work like cable swaps and power cycling, signaling more automation on the facility floor. Election Security Friction: A new report argues the biggest election threat this fall may be internal federal actions—surges into voter fraud claims, mail-vote restrictions, and threats toward election workers. Space Science from OSU: NASA’s Roman Space Telescope survey could hunt habitable moons across the Milky Way, with OSU’s B. Scott Gaudi leading the effort. Public Health Access: Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit is scheduled across Northwest Ohio with 3D scans and self-compression options. Grid Upgrades Nearby: Indiana Michigan Power is seeking public input on major 765-kV transmission-line projects to improve reliability.

Ohio State China Ties: Ohio State has been ordered to pay $2.1 million after failing to disclose a former researcher’s connections to China, adding pressure on university compliance and foreign research reporting. STEM Pipeline Boost: Beavercreek’s ARCTOS won up to a $60M Air Force contract to expand STEM outreach at Wright-Patterson, including internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on mentoring. Data Centers vs. Communities: A new wave of backlash is shaping politics around AI data centers, with reporting that Trump’s pro–data center stance is colliding with voter opposition ahead of midterms. Surveillance Tech Pushback: Ohio cities and states are moving to restrict or remove license-plate reader systems like Flock, citing surveillance overreach concerns. Education Outcomes Watch: New county-by-county figures show wide gaps in six-year bachelor’s completion rates across Ohio demographics, including very low rates in some counties for specific groups. Mental Health Care Access: Vermont opened a specialized outpatient suicide care clinic, the Asha Clinic, aimed at connecting patients to expert, evidence-based treatment. Carbon Storage Questions: A Fairfield County test well is raising CO2 storage concerns as residents question risks while the project remains exploratory.

Suicide Care in Vermont: UVM Health opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient program led by suicide-care researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to expand access to evidence-based treatment and training for clinicians. Cancer Treatment Research: A new U.S. study reports psilocybin shows promise for reducing chemotherapy nerve pain in tests on rats and human tissue, pointing to a potential new supportive-care path for patients. Ohio Education Oversight: The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is investigating unusual state testing results across dozens of schools, including multiple Cincinnati-area campuses, after earlier self-reported anomalies. Manufacturing Workforce Push: Washington University in St. Louis joined the federal Foundry School initiative, and Ohio State is also listed among participating universities to boost manufacturing skills through industry-led lectures. Public Safety Tech Debate: Florida revoked permits for license plate readers on state roads, citing misuse and privacy concerns—another sign of growing pushback against surveillance tech. Ohio Stadium Tech Changes: Ohio State rolled out game-day updates like dynamic ticket barcodes and cashless parking, tightening the logistics around entry and payment. Drug Safety: American Regent recalled epinephrine vials after reports of cracked, leaking containers with visible particles, raising urgent sterility concerns for emergency use.

Education Oversight: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce expanded its probe into spring 2026 standardized testing after Columbus City Schools flagged “testing anomalies,” now identifying significant anomalies at 52 additional school buildings statewide, including multiple Cincinnati-area and charter schools. Campus & Health Tech: A Stanford Medicine study found that mental-health warning pop-ups about social media can reduce use among teens and young adults, with the strongest messages tied to depression and anxiety. AI & Privacy: Ohio lawmakers and local officials are again clashing over surveillance tech, with renewed attention on Flock cameras and privacy risks as some jurisdictions pause or reconsider deployments. Higher Ed Outcomes: New county-by-county reporting highlights very low bachelor’s completion rates at several Ohio public four-year campuses for specific groups, underscoring persistent gaps. Life Sciences & Policy: The U.S. House passed a bill to block federal funds to universities that participate in commercial boycotts of Israel, adding another flashpoint to campus policy debates. Tech Industry Watch: Nvidia’s AI push continues, with reporting on a massive $99B equity portfolio alongside its chip business.

Cancer Care Research: An Ohio-linked team reports in Science that two doses of psilocybin before chemotherapy prevented painful peripheral neuropathy in rats, with tests also run on human tissue; human trials are still ahead. Ohio Higher Ed Accountability: Ohio State will pay $2.1M to settle federal claims it failed to disclose researchers’ China ties tied to NASA/NSF-funded work, while OSU denies wrongdoing. Local Tech & Surveillance: Hamilton County paused use of all 75 Flock Safety cameras, citing access and data-sharing concerns and promising stronger statewide guardrails; in Wilmington, residents pressed for transparency over emergency ordinances tied to a proposed $4B Amazon data center. Property Tech: Cuyahoga County is deploying Cyclomedia vehicles to capture 360-degree street imagery and mobile LiDAR to speed property appraisal work. Workforce & Energy: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo VP of generation project development as demand grows; Ohio leaders also highlighted Centrus Energy’s uranium enrichment work during a business tour. AI in Schools: A local district approach contrasts with NYC’s move to cut off many student-facing AI tools before high school.

Cuyahoga River Recovery: Ohio’s Brecksville Diversion Dam removal is paying off. USGS reports fish are returning fast, with 15 species newly detected in the lower river and 39 km of once-blocked habitat reopened for migrating fish. AI in Ohio Work & Life: A new Ohio-focused look at AI finds it’s already everywhere—from kids using chat tools for songs and images to professors saying AI responses are now part of everyday searches. AI Readiness for Leaders: A separate report warns many organizations stall after pilots because they lack an AI roadmap, even as employees move ahead. Data Center Backlash in Politics: Coverage highlights a growing national revolt against data centers, including Republican messaging shifts and new local permit requirements—an issue Ohio voters are watching closely. Manufacturing Workforce Push: The White House’s Foundry School launches with Ohio State among partner universities, aiming to train millions for advanced manufacturing needs. Ohio State China Research Settlement: Ohio State will pay $2.1M to settle DOJ claims tied to undisclosed China-linked research affiliations. Privacy & Surveillance: Ohio communities continue weighing Flock camera use as lawmakers push for limits and cities reconsider contracts.

Ohio Politics & Cost of Living: Ohio voters are feeling affordability pressure as groceries, gas, and housing costs rise, and that mood is expected to shape the governor and U.S. Senate races. Federal Cuts Hit Local Services: A new reporting guide highlights how cuts to federal programs and staff can slow down local health and community projects by breaking the “human” support behind grants. AI & Surveillance in Ohio: Lawmakers are urging ODOT to pause expansion of Flock-style AI license plate readers on state-controlled roadways, warning it could enable statewide tracking without safeguards. Data Centers vs. Communities: Newton Falls passed a 12-month moratorium on new data centers while officials study zoning and infrastructure impacts; the broader debate over data centers’ local costs and power needs keeps heating up. Cybersecurity for Healthcare: A guide compares radiology operations to ransomware threats and lays out practical recovery planning steps for imaging departments. Research & Accountability: Ohio State agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle DOJ allegations over undisclosed China ties in federally funded research. Manufacturing Workforce: The Trump administration launched “Foundry School” to train millions of skilled workers for advanced manufacturing needs. Health Care Access: Ohio expanded pediatric cancer navigation support to help families find trials, doctors, and insurance faster. Local Tech & Business: A new Tabletop Supply Company opened in Monroe, Ohio, leaning into miniatures and tabletop gaming culture.

Data Centers & Local Control: Miamisburg, Ohio just voted 6-0 for a nine-month moratorium on new data center development, citing community concerns about a former Dayton Power & Light site that’s being marketed for “data processing.” AI & Work Tech: UKG CIO Prakash “PK” Kota says HR tech is the next big AI bet, pointing to 387 internal AI tools and 12,000+ AI agents built by employees. Autonomous Vehicles in Ohio: Waymo says it’s in Cincinnati to map downtown and nearby areas, with Jaguar I-PACEs using Waymo Driver tech—manual at first—before any ride-hailing launch. Privacy & Surveillance: The Ohio ACLU sued seven ICE officers in Springfield, alleging retaliation against a man who recorded ICE activity in public. Ohio Policy & Industry: Vertiv, based in Westerville, agreed to acquire UtilityInnovation Group, a microgrid controls specialist, in a major deal aimed at strengthening resilient power for data centers. Cyber/Defense Oversight: Lawmakers asked the Army to explain phasing out a drone battalion in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, arguing it could slow learning from drone warfare. Energy Grid Reality Check: Texas paused new data center grid connections as “ghost demand” surges, with requests far outpacing what the grid can reliably support. Health & Research: A Gabrail Cancer and Research Center trial cleared by the FDA will test a T-cell engager combo for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

AI Data Centers & Politics: President Trump escalated his fight with communities resisting AI data centers, calling opponents “backwards and poor” and warning China is “happier” about the backlash. Workforce Training: The U.S. launches Foundry School to train the engineers and technicians needed for manufacturing, with Ohio among the planned locations. Ohio Higher Ed Leadership: Northwest State Community College extended President Todd Hernandez’s contract through 2031. Health Records & Menopause: A new review finds menopause symptoms and status are inconsistently documented in electronic health records, hurting care and research. Lake Erie Research: Toledo-area researchers are studying how harmful Lake Erie algal bloom toxins may become airborne and affect people’s lungs. Energy Storage Growth: A new report says U.S. battery storage additions hit a record 20.2 GWh in Q2, boosting grid reliability. Local Tech in Cities: Cleveland is piloting AI-based tools to improve city property inspections and spot issues faster. Public Safety Tech: EPA says Brent Industries listed hazardous chemicals in its inventory before a deadly explosion, as Toledo officials press for more details.

Ohio Tech & Industry: Prasco adds a second pharmaceutical distribution site in Carey, Ohio, bringing cold-chain handling, automation, and controlled-substances storage to boost redundancy. Cloud & Chips: AWS rolls out EC2 R9g/R9gd instances powered by Graviton5, targeting memory-heavy workloads and faster local storage needs. AI in the Real World: “AI slop” food images are showing up on restaurant menus, sparking confusion and even graffiti cleanups. Data Centers & Power: A Reuters look at grid planning finds electricity requests from data centers may be inflated or duplicative, pushing states like Texas and Ohio toward stricter rules. Public Safety Tech Backlash: St. Paul removes two Flock ALPR cameras after privacy pressure, while activists warn county data sharing and drone risks remain. Health & Safety: Nationwide Children’s and the Central Ohio Poison Center report a 3,307% rise since 2000 in kids under 6 accidentally ingesting recreational drugs, largely edibles. Ohio Governance Watch: A federal audit criticizes Ohio’s Department of Development over NIST-linked manufacturing funds, citing questionable costs and monitoring gaps.

AI & Data Centers Politics: President Trump escalated the national fight over AI data centers, telling opponents they’ll be “backwards and poor” and claiming China “could not be happier,” as Ohio lawmakers and others weigh new rules amid rising local concerns about power, water, and environmental impacts. Ohio Research Compliance: Ohio State University agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with the DOJ over alleged failures to disclose employees’ China ties on NASA and NSF grant applications, including links to the Thousand Talents Programme. Materials Manufacturing Boost: Northeast Ohio’s NEO-SMART Engine won up to $160M from the NSF to grow polymers and advanced materials manufacturing, with AI tools for materials design and reprocessing. Additive Manufacturing Expansion: Beehive Industries ordered large-format metal AM systems from Nikon SLM Solutions to expand domestic production capacity for defense and aerospace components. Campus Tech Upgrade: Ohio State rolled out mobile BuckID for Columbus students, faculty, and staff via Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet. AI Infrastructure Deal: Volato Group signed a merger agreement with Alignment Engine to build out AI infrastructure and data center capacity in Ohio. Privacy & Surveillance: Ohioans are pushing for limits on Flock automated license plate cameras, with bills proposed to restrict data sharing and retention.

Ohio Policy & Courts: The Trumbull County prosecutor corrected a prior claim about Felicia Beemer’s parole status, saying the Ohio Adult Parole Authority has not yet made a decision in the 2011 infant rape case. Workforce & Education: JobsOhio and Lake to River launched the “JobsOhio Technician Path,” an earn-to-learn program offering employers $10,000 per worker for training and apprenticeships, with a regional administrator in the Mahoning Valley. Digital Government: Ohio Mobile ID is now available in Google Wallet for Android users, letting residents store and present their driver’s license or state ID securely. Public Health Tech: A smart litter box study with Ohio State suggests at-home elimination monitoring can help flag earlier signs of feline chronic kidney disease. AI & Data Centers: Meta is testing robots inside data centers, including systems that could reduce technician workload for tasks like power cycling and cable swaps. Privacy & Surveillance: Cities including Tempe are turning off Flock Safety cameras over privacy and data-control concerns, as more jurisdictions pull the plug. Food Safety Oversight: The FDA is seeking changes to how “generally recognized as safe” food ingredients are handled, aiming to close an information gap about additives. STEM Innovation: An Ohio student, Harshith Nelabhotla, won state merit recognition for a real-time AI system that recognizes American Sign Language words. Ohio Business & Life Sciences: Prasco is expanding in Ohio with a new Carey distribution facility adding cold-chain, automation, and secure storage. Environment & Infrastructure: A Ceres report links data-center electricity to major indirect freshwater use, including in Ohio, and warns water stress could rise as capacity grows.

Data Centers & Local Power: Chillicothe’s city council approved a 60-day moratorium on new data center development after residents raised concerns about impacts and the city said it learned about plans late. Workforce Training: Ohio’s TechCred program updated its guidelines ahead of the Oct. 1, 2026 application round, expanding employer-backed credential options tied to tech-driven skills. Lake Erie Water Quality: The Ohio Lake Erie Commission will host an in-person Domestic Action Plan workshop Sept. 3 in Toledo, focusing on nutrient-reduction progress and new H2Ohio wetland and technology efforts. Healthcare Transparency: A KFF Health News report says a $50B rural healthcare program is one year in but lacks proactive transparency, slowing oversight and fraud protection. AI, Politics & Energy: New reporting shows data centers are becoming a midterm campaign issue as power costs and noise concerns push both parties toward tougher scrutiny. Ohio Air Pollution Fight: Environmental groups filed a second Cleveland-area smog lawsuit, arguing EPA counted ozone standards too soon and weakened the cleanup path. Education Enrollment: Jefferson County schools reported 589 sixth-graders in 2024-25, alongside broader statewide enrollment declines and lingering pandemic learning gaps. Space & Industry: Iridium’s remaining Aireon shares were acquired in a $366.7M deal, and Rocket Lab’s planned $8B Iridium acquisition underscores Ohio’s growing aerospace/space-tech pull.

Data Centers Backlash: New reporting says AI data centers are becoming a midterm battleground as voters link them to higher electricity costs and noise, with ads in at least 21 races and Ohio-area grid impacts tied to a sharp jump in capacity costs. Local Grid Planning: Fairfield County residents get a chance to weigh in on a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line project aimed at boosting reliability and capacity as demand rises. Healthcare Tech Debate: A JAMA-fueled conversation asks whether AI could replace physicians by 2030, but Ohio-area survey results suggest patients are growing less open to AI-only care. Public Health & Safety: New York lawmakers move to tighten cooling-tower inspections after legionnaires’ outbreaks, highlighting how building systems and climate-driven heat can raise risk. Ohio Medicaid Spending Watch: Local Medicaid billing data show big swings in categories like vision services in Dublin and durable medical equipment in Broadview Heights, underscoring how public dollars flow at the community level. STEM & Space: Ohio State researchers helped enable NASA’s Roman Space Telescope launch, with the mission expected to expand the search for distant worlds. Community Tech in Action: A Columbus program uses esports to help older adults stay connected and build digital skills.