On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine provided updates regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Work includes track and soil removal, soil removal odor, hazardous waste removal, contact with FEMA, an agriculture meeting, wildlife monitoring, private well testing, the health assessment clinic, and resources for coping with trauma. 

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine announced that the state has launched new data dashboards to better track and report data on overdose deaths and other substance-use related measures for all 88 Ohio counties.

These statewide dashboards were adopted and expanded from dashboards created through the National Institutes of Health-funded HEALing Communities Study – the largest implementation study ever conducted in addiction research – aimed at investigating how tools for preventing and treating opioid misuse, opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid overdose are most effective at the local level.

“Expanding the HEALing Communities Study dashboards to all 88 Ohio counties provides invaluable data that will allow local organizations and communities to better plan for their needs as they battle this public health crisis in our state – and ultimately save lives,” said Governor DeWine.

 Also on Tuesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted attended a roundtable and toured the campus of Zane State College to promote the Super RAPIDS proposal in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget.

Also on Tuesday, Lt. Governor Husted met with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to discuss items in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget related to the Common Sense Initiative (CSI), TechCred, the All Ohio Future Fund, and more.

Also on Tuesday, Ohio Second Lady Tina Husted gave remarks at the All-Ohio United States Armed Forces Career Commitment Ceremony, recognizing students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service after graduation

Finally, on Tuesday, Governor DeWine provided updates regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Work includes track and soil removal, hazardous waste removal, a roundtable with local farmers, increased funding for health care services, the health assessment clinic, and resources for coping with trauma. 

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine announced that Norfolk Southern Corporation has agreed to his idea to improve and expand firefighter training by creating a new first responders training center and expanding its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, which travels the company’s 22-state network and trains first responders on how to respond safely to rail incidents.

“The derailment in East Palestine made clear that ensuring first responders are prepared for disasters involving hazardous materials is vitally important to the safety of communities,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Often first responders are volunteers, and their need to have the most up-to-date training and equipment is essential. Today’s commitment by Norfolk Southern is an important next step in the company’s commitment to make the citizens of Ohio and of East Palestine whole after the recent derailment, a commitment Ohio will continue to monitor closely.”

Other updates on Wednesday included Ohio EPA's new surface water dashboard, the health assessment survey, hazardous waste removal, a roundtable with local farmers, the health assessment clinic, and resources for coping with trauma. 

Also on Wednesday, Second Lady Husted moderated the “Executive Powerhouse Panel” at the second annual Women in Business Summit hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. The event focuses on empowerment for female executives and rising leaders in Ohio’s business community. 

On Thursday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted was joined by State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) in Northeast Ohio to discuss the Social Media Parental Notification Act and to hear from local Streetsboro parents, Tamia and Tim Woods, who tragically lost their 17-year-old son by suicide after he was a victim of sextortion via social media in November 2022.

The Social Media Parental Notification Act, included in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget, is a recently introduced proposal championed by Lt. Governor Husted that would require certain online companies to obtain verifiable parental consent to contractual terms of service before permitting kids under the age of 16 to use their platforms.

Under the proposal, companies must:

Create a method to determine whether the user is a child under the age of 16

Obtain verifiable parental or legal guardian consent if the user is under the age of 16

Send written confirmation of the consent to the parent or legal guardian

“This is about protecting our children and requiring these social media companies to include parents in the decision-making before allowing kids on their platforms,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The evidence is clear that social media is a destructive force in the lives of our children, and we need to make it easier for parents to protect their children and hold social media companies more accountable for the consequences of what happens on their platforms.”

On Thursday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted was joined by State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) in Northeast Ohio to discuss the Social Media Parental Notification Act and to hear from local Streetsboro parents, Tamia and Tim Woods, who tragically lost their 17-year-old son by suicide after he was a victim of sextortion via social media in November 2022.

The Social Media Parental Notification Act, included in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget, is a recently introduced proposal championed by Lt. Governor Husted that would require certain online companies to obtain verifiable parental consent to contractual terms of service before permitting kids under the age of 16 to use their platforms.

Under the proposal, companies must:

Create a method to determine whether the user is a child under the age of 16

Obtain verifiable parental or legal guardian consent if the user is under the age of 16

Send written confirmation of the consent to the parent or legal guardian

“This is about protecting our children and requiring these social media companies to include parents in the decision-making before allowing kids on their platforms,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The evidence is clear that social media is a destructive force in the lives of our children, and we need to make it easier for parents to protect their children and hold social media companies more accountable for the consequences of what happens on their platforms.”

On Thursday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted was joined by State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) in Northeast Ohio to discuss the Social Media Parental Notification Act and to hear from local Streetsboro parents, Tamia and Tim Woods, who tragically lost their 17-year-old son by suicide after he was a victim of sextortion via social media in November 2022.

The Social Media Parental Notification Act, included in the Executive Version of the State Operating Budget, is a recently introduced proposal championed by Lt. Governor Husted that would require certain online companies to obtain verifiable parental consent to contractual terms of service before permitting kids under the age of 16 to use their platforms.

Under the proposal, companies must:

Create a method to determine whether the user is a child under the age of 16

Obtain verifiable parental or legal guardian consent if the user is under the age of 16

Send written confirmation of the consent to the parent or legal guardian

“This is about protecting our children and requiring these social media companies to include parents in the decision-making before allowing kids on their platforms,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The evidence is clear that social media is a destructive force in the lives of our children, and we need to make it easier for parents to protect their children and hold social media companies more accountable for the consequences of what happens on their platforms.”

Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine provided updates regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding the State of Ohio's response to the East Palestine train derailment.

Click here to watch the full hearing

Other recent work includes farming and soil sampling, sulphur run culvert cleaning, aquatic life monitoring, hazardous waste removal, a medical provider webinar provided by the Ohio Department of Health, the health assessment clinic, a resource fair hosted by the U.S. EPA with Ohio EPA as a participant, and resources for coping with trauma.

On Friday, Governor DeWine awarded funding to help a dozen local law enforcement agencies prevent and investigate incidents of violent crime in their communities.

Twelve local law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $1.3 million in grants as part of the 12th round of the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Governor DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, created the grant program in 2021 to give local law enforcement additional tools to address violence, including increases in crime associated with law enforcement retirements and resignations.

To date, Governor DeWine has awarded approximately $80 million to 170 Ohio law enforcement agencies as part of this program.

“This grant program has been a tremendous success," said Governor DeWine. "Every local law enforcement agency that applied for funding to support a qualifying violent crime reduction initiative has now received a grant award. Although we'll never know how many crimes will be prevented by these initiatives, we do know that our communities are safer thanks to the local law enforcement officers who are implementing these anti-violence strategies."

Finally, on Friday, Governor DeWine made the following appointments: 

• Ann M. Frangos of Westlake (Cuyahoga Co.) has been reappointed to the Cuyahoga Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 12, 2027.

• Darryl D. Mehaffie of Greenville (Darke Co.) has been reappointed to the Edison State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 17, 2029.

• Carlton K. Ingram of Youngstown (Mahoning Co.) has been appointed to the Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 16, 2024.

• Lois E. Thornton of Youngstown (Mahoning Co.) has been appointed to the Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 16, 2027.

• Gary W. Cates of West Chester (Butler Co.) has been reappointed to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 8, 2027.

• Joel L. King Jr. of Gahanna (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending December 30, 2025.

• Paul M. Booth of Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending December 30, 2025.

• Christina Rodriguez of Toledo (Lucas Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending December 30, 2025.

• Amy L. Kramb of Dublin (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 14, 2026.

• Doreen N. Uhas-Sauer of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 14, 2026.

• Clyde E. Henry of Orient (Madison Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 14, 2026.

• Karen S. Stewart-Linkhart of Xenia (Greene Co.) has been reappointed to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 31, 2027.

• Paul P. Mechling, II of Pierpont (Ashtabula Co.) has been reappointed to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 31, 2027.

• Daniel A. Yaussy of Sunbury (Delaware Co.) has been reappointed to the Forestry Advisory Council for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending February 27, 2027.

• Koral A. Clum of Dover (Tuscarawas Co.) has been reappointed to the Forestry Advisory Council for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending February 27, 2027.

• Eric L. Roush of Amanda (Fairfield Co.) has been reappointed to the Forestry Advisory Council for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending February 27, 2027.

• Gregory S. Barney of Tipp City (Montgomery Co.) has been reappointed to the Board of Building Standards for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 13, 2026.

• David Kirk of Loveland (Hamilton Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Architects Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 2, 2027.

• Mark B. Malone of Lima (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the Banking Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 31, 2027.

• Erin L. Keels of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Board of Nursing for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending December 31, 2026.

• Wendy K. Jennings of Defiance (Defiance Co.) has been appointed to the State Board of Psychology for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 4, 2023.

• Jacqueline W. Wynn of Grandview Heights (Franklin Co.) has been appointed to the State Board of Psychology for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 4, 2026.

• Mary Ross-Dolen of Bexley (Franklin Co.) has been appointed to the Ethics Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 1, 2029.

• Todd C. Beresford of Moreland Hills (Cuyahoga Co.) has been appointed to the Self-Insuring Employers Evaluation Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending August 22, 2024.

• Kimberly G. Allison of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been appointed to the Board of Tax Appeals for a term beginning March 22, 2023, and ending February 8, 2029.

• Bruce T. Hale of Akron (Summit Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Repair for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 1, 2026.

• Robb Mitchell of Dublin (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 4, 2025.

• Joshua T. Fox of Miamisburg (Montgomery Co.) has been reappointed to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 4, 2025.

• Jason M. Hunt of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending October 4, 2025.

• David P. Viola of Minerva (Stark Co.) has been appointed to the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending November 12, 2025.

• Mark L. Marchetta, Sr. of Hopedale (Harrison Co.) has been reappointed to the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending November 12, 2025.

• Dudley H.A. Wright, II of Westerville (Franklin Co.) has been reappointed to the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending November 12, 2025.

• Kevin E. Smith of Findlay (Hancock Co.) has been appointed to the State Emergency Response Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 13, 2025.

• Michael H. Fitchet of Conneaut (Ashtabula Co.) has been reappointed to the State Emergency Response Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending January 13, 2025.

• Richard S. Fambro of Powell (Delaware Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending September 3, 2025.

• Robert Chabali of Springboro (Warren Co.) has been appointed to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for a term beginning March 10, 2023, and ending September 20, 2025