Ohio's political landscape is heating up as Governor Mike DeWine delivered his second-to-last State of the State address on March 13, 2025. The governor highlighted priorities from his final two-year budget, including a cigarette tax increase to fund a $1,000 tax credit for children under 6 and doubling the sports betting tax to support professional sports projects[12]. Democratic lawmakers expressed support for some of DeWine's pro-family policies but raised concerns about proposed education funding cuts and the lack of measures addressing rising property taxes[17].

In economic news, Ohio achieved a No. 3 ranking nationally for both total economic development projects and projects per capita in Site Selection's 2025 Governor's Cup rankings. The state secured nearly 600 completed deals and $20 billion in capital investment commitments in 2024, marking JobsOhio's most successful year since its creation in 2011[13][18].

However, challenges persist in the education sector. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reported that more than a quarter of Ohio students are chronically absent, missing 10% of the school year. Legislators are considering expanding instructional hours for grades 7-12 to address learning gaps[16].

On the weather front, a powerful storm system brought severe weather to the Ohio Valley on March 14-15, 2025. The event included an EF1 tornado, winds up to 70 mph, and hail up to 2 inches in diameter across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. The National Weather Service reported multiple instances of structural and tree damage in affected areas[14].

In community news, central Ohio communities are still recovering from various challenges. A year after a deadly tornado, some neighborhoods are rebuilding while remembering lives lost[16]. Additionally, several fire departments are facing funding issues after levy failures in November, with many planning to place new levies on the May ballot to avoid service cuts[16].

Looking ahead, Ohio is preparing for Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 16-22, 2025, as designated by Governor DeWine. The initiative aims to educate Ohioans about severe weather preparedness and safety measures[19]. Meanwhile, the state legislature continues to work on the proposed $12.4 billion education budget for the 2026 fiscal year, with ongoing debates about funding allocation and policy priorities[16].