AGP Executive Report

Defense & Supply Chains: The U.S. just placed the biggest drone order in American history—30,000 attack drones now, scaling past 300,000 by 2028—but the move spotlights a weak link: most high-performance magnets for drone systems are made in China. Cyber Policy: Ohio lawmakers are pushing for a federal-industry plan to handle a surge of software flaws found by advanced AI, warning that adversaries will exploit the same tools. Elections & Voting Rules: Ohio Republicans introduced a constitutional amendment to require photo ID at the polls, tightening rules critics say could block eligible voters. Energy & Local Power: New Paltz is weighing solar plus battery storage at an emergency communications center, while Ohio’s data-center debate keeps heating up with a new state committee set to study impacts. Ohio Tech & Community: Nationwide Children’s opened a new pediatric outpatient center in Grove City, and Ohio’s Lyme season is climbing, with 253 cases reported so far in 2026.

Ohio Data Centers: A bipartisan Ohio Joint Data Center Committee is set to start meeting May 27, aiming to separate promised benefits from real-world concerns as the state already counts 232 data centers. Public Health Tech: Ohio State researchers are testing a new way to track viruses by sampling indoor dust—an easier, routine-cleaning approach that could flag outbreaks earlier. Healthcare & Care Delivery: Nationwide Children’s is opening a new Grove City pediatric outpatient center with urgent care, therapy, and specialty services starting May 18. Cyber/AI in the Real World: Einride and EASE Logistics are deploying driverless Level 4 autonomous electric trucks in Marysville as part of Ohio’s Truck Automation Corridor project. Health Outcomes Research: An Ohio State poster suggests a “time in target range” metric for urine albumin could help manage chronic kidney disease. Local Tech Upgrades: Local Explorers says it upgraded all mobile apps to the latest React Native to boost performance for destination marketing partners. Tech Policy Fight: NetChoice is suing to block Nebraska’s parental consent and age-verification rules for social media.

Ohio AI Content Rules Lag: Ohio lawmakers admit they don’t have clear enforcement for AI-made political ads and deepfakes, after recent campaigns used AI images without disclaimers. Cincinnati Climate Tech: Cincinnati is turning dead trees into biochar to boost soil and grow a denser urban tree canopy, with plans to produce hundreds of tons locally. Higher Ed Momentum: Columbus State Community College celebrated a record-breaking graduating class and a new transfer path to Ohio State via Buckeye Bridge. Data Center Pressure in Ohio: Residents and local governments keep pushing back as data center growth raises fears about resources and the environment, while lawmakers debate what oversight should look like. Consumer Costs: A new report shows inflation still squeezing budgets, with prices up 3.8% in April. Sports & Culture: The NBA’s troubles are back in focus amid talk of fixes, while the Cavs kept the Pistons rivalry spicy with postgame trolling.

Ohio Data Center Backlash: Residents across Ohio are packing meetings and pushing temporary bans as data-center growth accelerates—Ohio now has 232 sites, with 137 in central Ohio—while lawmakers debate how to regulate tax breaks and environmental impacts. AI in the Real World: McDonald’s and other chains are expanding drive-thru chatbots, and the “AI drive-thru” push is moving from pilots to mainstream operations. Cybersecurity at the Top: POLITICO reports Trump officials worry National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross may lack the urgency and technical depth to lead on fast-moving AI hacking risks. Spam Calls: The FTC says 2025 brought 2.6M spam-call complaints, with Arizona worst per capita and Ohio among the top states. Ohio’s THC Crackdown: Business owners warn the state’s new limits on intoxicating hemp products could trigger layoffs and closures after sudden rule changes. Tech + Faith: A Vatican AI study group is launching as Anthropic’s research on “spiritual” AI behavior sparks new governance questions.

Ohio’s THC Crackdown: Ohio’s new restrictions on intoxicating hemp products are hitting businesses hard, with owners warning of layoffs, lost investments, and product pullbacks after they say the rules changed after they already committed capital. Healthcare Policy: A Most Favored Nation drug pricing push is raising alarms that it could put people with disabilities at risk, with critics pointing to how “value” metrics can undervalue lives lived with disability. AI & Work: New research finds AI hiring systems may favor resumes written with the same AI tools they use, potentially sidelining equally qualified applicants. Defense Tech: Anduril says it has a framework agreement to deliver at least 3,000 Surface-Launched Barracuda-500M cruise-missile drones to the U.S. Army, with first deliveries expected mid-2027. Local Tech & Energy: Data centers remain a flashpoint in Ohio politics, even as new reporting argues they may not automatically crush nearby home values.

Cancer Fundraiser: More than 7,500 people packed downtown Columbus for the 34th Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, with organizers saying it’s raised about $800,000 and counting to support research, patient care, and access to treatment. Food & Safety: A new warning is making the rounds: “honey” on the label may not mean real bee-made honey—imported products can lack pollen and may carry unwanted additives. Local Cleanup: Auglaize County secured $600,931 to demolish and remediate the long-vacant St. Marys municipal building, turning the site into green space as part of a downtown memorial park plan. Defense Tech: Anduril says it has a framework deal with the U.S. Department of War to deliver at least 3,000 Surface-Launched Barracuda-500M cruise-missile systems to the Army, with first deliveries expected mid-2027. Ohio Power: The state’s utility regulator is seeking $150 million in federal support to upgrade electric transmission and limit bill increases. Hiring Bias: Research suggests AI job screeners may favor resumes written with the same AI model they use, raising new fairness concerns for applicants.

Ohio University spotlight: Tracy Watson and Corey Boby are turning decades of math teaching into a new award that keeps Athens students in the spotlight. Student-to-industry bridge: Ohio University’s Music Industry Summit stays free for students and educators, giving would-be journalists and music fans a direct line to working professionals. Local government, practical upgrades: Trumbull County commissioners moved forward on bridge studies, paving, and an emergency management renovation using American Rescue Plan funds. Mental health outreach: A “Fiesta For Your Mind” luncheon in Belmont County pushed suicide prevention education for seniors, backed by a Jerry Williams memorial grant. Health access via tech: A new rural-focused STI program uses at-home PCR tests plus telehealth to get treatment faster after sexual assault. Community + history: Trumbull’s “This Is Trumbull” passport program turns local landmarks into a no-admission, outdoor-friendly history scavenger hunt. Data center pressure (context): Coverage continues to track how hyperscale builds raise concerns about water and power near neighborhoods.

Ohio Education & Workforce: Fayette and Delta high school seniors Mesa Gorsuch and Allison Earl both signed with Ohio State to study agriscience education, spotlighting a steady pipeline into agriculture teaching. Brownfields & Local Tech-Enabled Redevelopment: Lorain is getting nearly $1M to remediate the former Lorain Pellet Terminal, aiming to unlock a major mixed-use redevelopment and hundreds of jobs. Defense Tech: Anduril’s deal sets up the U.S. Army to receive thousands of Barracuda-500M cruise missiles, pushing faster, more scalable surface-launched firepower. AI, Energy, and Data Centers: Yellow Springs is weighing a year-long moratorium on large data centers, joining a growing list of Ohio communities worried about power demand and infrastructure strain. Agriculture & Sustainability: Cargill and CTIC are expanding farmer-led soil health resources across the Midwest, using field days and peer mentoring to scale regenerative practices. Health Research: A new study flags long-lasting chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in lymphoma survivors and says clinicians may understate symptoms compared with patient reports. Space & Nutrition: A study suggests fortified beverage emulsions could help astronauts cover nutrient gaps on longer missions.

AI + Healthcare Cost Pressure: Ohio hospitals are leaning on AI “over nurses,” and a new push is raising the question of who pays when staffing stays tight. Public Health + Equity: A study links housing instability and transportation barriers to lower colorectal cancer screening rates, with the biggest hit among ages 50–64. Ohio Politics + AI Content Rules: Ohio lawmakers still lack clear enforcement rules for AI-generated political ads and deepfakes, leaving disclaimers and accountability murky. Cybersecurity + AI Risk: U.S. lawmakers are urging the White House to prepare for a coming wave of AI-driven vulnerability reports. Local Tech + Education: Ohio University is expanding hands-on automation and mechatronics credentials at its Chillicothe campus, aiming to match local manufacturing demand. Community Tech Culture: Ohio University’s Music Industry Summit stays free for students and educators, blending journalism and industry access. Global Tech + Power: The week’s AI infrastructure story keeps circling back to electricity—data centers and AI workloads are driving the real bottleneck.

Medicaid Crackdown: The White House is withholding more than $1B from California over Medicaid fraud enforcement, and J.D. Vance says other states could face funding cuts unless they “effectively and aggressively” prosecute fraud. Ohio Higher Ed & Tech: Ohio University leadership named Dr. Haley Duschinski as senior advisor for global affairs and John McCarthy as interim provost, while the school moves to retire Top Hat in favor of Canvas-supported tools. Data Centers Clash: Cleveland rejected a permit for a massive hyperscale data center in Slavic Village, as local zoning and power concerns keep escalating. AI Cybersecurity Pressure: Congress is pushing the White House to address AI-driven cybersecurity threats that can spot software weaknesses faster than defenders can patch. Business Moves: reAlpha regained Nasdaq’s $1 bid compliance; Anduril doubled its valuation to $61B in a $5B round; PureCycle surged on record production and a New Jersey recycled-content approval. Health & Safety: Ohio warns of a Lyme disease spike as tick cases rise sharply.

Medicaid fraud crackdown: Ohio’s House speaker says “buck stops” with DeWine as the state faces pressure to root out Medicaid fraud, while the White House moves to suspend $1.3B in payments to California over fraud claims. Violent crime funding: DeWine announced $3.4M in grants for 44 law enforcement agencies to target violent crime, including domestic-violence units and new investigative support. Data centers vs. communities: Ohio’s data-center fight keeps heating up—citizen petition efforts to cap large facilities at 25 megawatts are advancing as power demand concerns grow. Public health: Ohio health officials say small diet and activity changes can cut risk for chronic disease and some cancers. Local tech-in-the-real-world: ODOT workers showed off driving skills at the annual Roadeo, while Ohio University is retiring Top Hat in favor of Canvas-supported tools. Education pressure: Students and parents protested cuts to high school jazz and pep band programs.

Medicaid Fraud Clash: Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman says “the buck stops” with Gov. Mike DeWine over Medicaid fraud, after DeWine rolled out new anti-fraud moves including a six-month moratorium on new home-healthcare providers. The fight follows fresh allegations of widespread wrongdoing in Ohio’s home health program, with state officials citing hundreds of fraud convictions and tens of millions recovered since early 2023. Education & Local Tech: Lakewood voters approved a school operating levy to cover rising costs, while Ohio’s credential push raises the stakes for what students actually earn. Biotech Leadership: Infinimmune named Srikanth Pendyala, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer to steer clinical and regulatory strategy for first-in-human trials starting in 2027. Community Events: ParaPsyCon returns May 15–17 at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, bringing psychics, cryptid researchers, and paranormal programming. Ohio Policy Watch: Lawmakers also continue edits to a deepfake crackdown bill, aiming to target knowing misuse while protecting people who share manipulated content unknowingly.

Healthcare Hiring Push: CyOpsPath, a new niche healthcare job board based in Mason, launched a dedicated platform aimed at connecting workers to fast-moving clinical and technical roles, plus resume and interview support, as U.S. healthcare employment is projected to surge. Digital Safety Gap: A Texas arrest tied to alleged explicit messages to a 13-year-old spotlights how quickly online contact can escalate—raising fresh calls for stronger parent and school guidance around kids’ tech use. Ohio Tech in the Classroom: Ohio lawmakers are tweaking a deepfake bill (HB 185) to better target intentional sharers and clarify how internet providers fit into enforcement. Workforce Shock: GM says it’s cutting 500–600 IT jobs globally while “transforming” toward new skills—another reminder that tech hiring and layoffs are moving in opposite directions. Local Tech & Learning: Ohio University is retiring Top Hat by January 2027, pointing instructors to Canvas and Microsoft 365 alternatives.

AI Workforce Shift at GM: GM says it’s cutting about 600 IT jobs and hiring AI-native engineers instead—framing it as transformation, not termination, with the changes centered in Austin and Warren. Ohio Health Access: TheraVault expands secure online therapy to 75 Ohio counties as provider shortages keep care out of reach. Higher Ed Tech Changes at OHIO: Ohio University is retiring the Top Hat classroom tool after low use, pointing instructors to Canvas and Microsoft 365 alternatives while it builds a vendor plan for broader survey/course evaluation needs. Data Center Pressure (Ohio in the mix): A new study using cellphone location data finds Canadian visits to U.S. cities dropped overall—except for Cleveland, which bucked the trend—adding to the growing debate over how big infrastructure projects reshape local life. Public Safety/Community: Greensboro swears in new Police Chief Kamran Afzal, while Cincinnati beatdown cases move toward closure with guilty pleas.

Ohio Politics: Gov. Mike DeWine has named Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, as interim Ohio attorney general, stepping in for Dave Yost as he resigns June 7—Wilson will serve the final seven months of the term. Education & Campaigns: Ohio’s governor race is sharpening over school funding: one side argues for full funding, the other for outcomes first, as many districts face levy failures and budget cuts. Energy & Tech Policy: A new Save Ohio Parks study says data centers can work for Ohio only if they run on renewable power—otherwise the buildout risks locking in emissions and grid strain. Local Governance: Swanton council approved key financial moves, while Washington County conservation leaders backed an Ohio River Basin restoration bill aimed at boosting water quality and recreation. Health & Media Literacy: Ohio is launching a statewide public education push on marijuana risks, targeting mothers, youth, and employers. Sports Business: The SEC’s Greg Sankey reiterated support for a 16-team CFP as the Big Ten-backed 24-team push keeps simmering.

Ohio Tech & Policy: Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint Andy Wilson—Ohio’s public safety director—as interim attorney general, replacing Dave Yost when he resigns June 7, a move that reshuffles statewide leadership without waiting for the November election. AI & Power: A new wave of debate is hitting data centers head-on, with fresh reporting tying AI growth to massive electricity and water demands—and the bill showing up in everyday costs. China Tech & Cars: As Trump heads toward talks with Xi, U.S. automakers and lawmakers are again pushing to block Chinese access to the U.S. car market, citing data and connected-vehicle risks. Ohio Higher Ed Tech: Ohio University is expanding short-term automation/mechatronics certificates at its Chillicothe campus, while also planning to retire Top Hat by January 2027 as Canvas and other tools cover common teaching needs. Safety & Health: Ohio is also weighing public health fights, including opposition to a bill that would promote vaccine exemptions during outbreaks, as measles cases rise.