Ohio News
- State Budget Signed: Governor Mike DeWine signed the new two-year, $60 billion state budget after issuing 67 line-item vetoes. The budget establishes a flat 2.75% income tax and allocates $600 million from unclaimed funds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium. Key vetoes included measures that would have made school board races partisan and a ban on using food stamps for sugary drinks.
- DEI Ban in Effect: Senate Bill 1 is now law, banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and faculty strikes at Ohio's public colleges. An effort to repeal the law via a public referendum failed to get enough signatures.
- Ice Cream Trail: In honor of National Ice Cream Month, TourismOhio has expanded its Ohio Ice Cream Trail to feature over 150 shops, including 95 new stops like The Jug in Middletown.
- Job Growth Stat: Last year, Ohio reportedly created over 19,000 new jobs, generating $1.61 billion in new payroll.
Dayton & Regional News
- Public Health: Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in Wegerzyn MetroPark in Dayton.
- Dayton Public Schools: A provision in the new state budget, which Gov. DeWine did not veto, blocks DPS high school students from using the downtown RTA hub to transfer buses. Because the district relies on RTA passes, it may be forced to eliminate high school transportation entirely.
- Dayton History & Culture: The University of Dayton is now celebrating its 175th anniversary. Dayton History also announced plans for a new multi-million-dollar Sports Heritage Center and a "performance barn" to be built at Carillon Park.
- Cloudy Water: Residents in Dayton and Kettering may notice cloudy tap water, which officials say is harmless and caused by air bubbles in the pipes. Crews are flushing hydrants to resolve the issue.
- Troy Development: A developer has proposed a new riverfront project in Troy with 43 townhomes and two mixed-use buildings on the former Spinnaker Coatings industrial site. A public hearing is set for July.
- Oakwood Schools: Teachers in the Oakwood City School District will receive a 3% raise this upcoming school year and a 2.5% raise the following year.
New Local Businesses & Events
- Beavercreek: Kawa Revolving Sushi has opened its first Dayton-area location.
- Centerville/Miami Twp.: Loose Ends Brewing held its annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest on July 3rd. A new restaurant, Underground Chuck’s, featuring wings, burgers, and steaks, is now open near the Dayton Mall.
