Dec 08 2024 4 mins 1
Ohio is bracing for a winter storm that will bring snow and extreme cold, with a first wave of snow showers expected north of I-70 and a wintry mix near the Ohio River[1]. Meanwhile, the Ohio Turnpike is set to increase toll rates starting January 1, 2025, with E-ZPass customers facing a 7.1 cents per mile hike and cash/credit card users seeing a rise to 10.4 cents per mile[1].
In government and politics, Ohio's U.S. Senate race remains one of the tightest and costliest in the country, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown leading Republican candidate Bernie Moreno by two points according to a recent poll from the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron[2]. Additionally, Ohio's Republican secretary of state is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to gain access to databases that could help identify non-citizens who voted illegally[2].
On the economic front, Ohio has climbed to seventh in CNBC's Top States for Business 2024 rankings, reflecting its sustained economic momentum, robust business attraction efforts, and strategic investments in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development[3]. Major business developments include Intel's $20 billion semiconductor chip fabs, Amazon Web Service's $7.8 billion data center investment, and Honda and LG Energy Solution's $4.2 billion battery center[3].
In community news, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that the city's Department of Technology will propose cybersecurity investments to Columbus City Council following a July cyber attack that left city IT services only 75% restored[2]. Additionally, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective plans to transform a former Kroger store into the MOFC’s Eastland Prosperity Center[2].
Environmental and weather updates include a recent improvement in drought conditions in southern Ohio due to heavy precipitation from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, though extreme drought conditions persist in northwestern Ohio[4]. The current forecast predicts warmer-than-average temperatures and equal chances of above or below-average precipitation over the next three months, aligning with neutral conditions in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle[4].
Looking Ahead: Ohioans can expect continued political activity as the state prepares for upcoming elections and policy changes. The Ohio legislature is set to address various issues, including the six-week abortion ban and transgender rights. Additionally, the state's economic development efforts are expected to continue, with a focus on innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development. Weather-wise, Ohioans should prepare for potential shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns as the ENSO cycle transitions towards La Niña conditions, which could bring colder and wetter winters[4].
In government and politics, Ohio's U.S. Senate race remains one of the tightest and costliest in the country, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown leading Republican candidate Bernie Moreno by two points according to a recent poll from the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron[2]. Additionally, Ohio's Republican secretary of state is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to gain access to databases that could help identify non-citizens who voted illegally[2].
On the economic front, Ohio has climbed to seventh in CNBC's Top States for Business 2024 rankings, reflecting its sustained economic momentum, robust business attraction efforts, and strategic investments in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development[3]. Major business developments include Intel's $20 billion semiconductor chip fabs, Amazon Web Service's $7.8 billion data center investment, and Honda and LG Energy Solution's $4.2 billion battery center[3].
In community news, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced that the city's Department of Technology will propose cybersecurity investments to Columbus City Council following a July cyber attack that left city IT services only 75% restored[2]. Additionally, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective plans to transform a former Kroger store into the MOFC’s Eastland Prosperity Center[2].
Environmental and weather updates include a recent improvement in drought conditions in southern Ohio due to heavy precipitation from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, though extreme drought conditions persist in northwestern Ohio[4]. The current forecast predicts warmer-than-average temperatures and equal chances of above or below-average precipitation over the next three months, aligning with neutral conditions in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle[4].
Looking Ahead: Ohioans can expect continued political activity as the state prepares for upcoming elections and policy changes. The Ohio legislature is set to address various issues, including the six-week abortion ban and transgender rights. Additionally, the state's economic development efforts are expected to continue, with a focus on innovation, infrastructure, and workforce development. Weather-wise, Ohioans should prepare for potential shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns as the ENSO cycle transitions towards La Niña conditions, which could bring colder and wetter winters[4].
