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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s race for governor has developed into a closely contested election, with recent polling showing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton separated by only a few percentage points as data center development becomes an increasingly prominent campaign issue. The latest polling shows neither candidate with a clear advantage. A New York Times and Siena College poll fielded from June 15 through June 28 found Acton and Ramaswamy tied at 47 percent amo

The Ohio Supreme Court has ordered an Ashville official to move forward with a citizen referendum petition challenging a village resolution connected to a proposed EdgeConneX data center development. The decision comes after Ashville residents Laura V. McNamara-Smith, Brian Thomas Meyers and Allison G. Meade filed an original action for a writ of mandamus on July 14 against Village Fiscal Officer April Grube. The residents argued Grube improperly rejected their referendum pet

The City of Canton is preparing to consider a $550,000 agreement with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to help fund construction of new single family homes at the former Baxter Elementary School site. The proposed contract appears on the Canton Board of Control agenda for its Aug. 11 meeting. The proposed $550,000 agreement would provide city funding toward the Baxter Landing development.” The item has not yet been approved. The redevelopment would transform the former

Carroll and Tuscarawas counties are among 13 Ohio counties approved for assistance through the State Disaster Relief Program following damaging severe weather. Gov. Mike DeWine authorized the program on August 5. The complete list also includes Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morrow, Noble, Perry and Van Wert counties. The program allows local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations to seek reimbursement for qualifying expenses such as

PUCO Opens Audit of $245 Million in FirstEnergy Storm Costs Included in Customer Rates The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has begun the process of hiring an independent auditor to review approximately $245 million in deferred storm restoration expenses associated with three FirstEnergy electric utilities. PUCO issued Request for Proposal RA26-SCD-1 on August 5, 2026. The audit is being conducted under Case No. 26-798-EL-UNC and will examine the reasonableness of storm re

Could Treated Wastewater Cool Stark County Data Centers Without Straining Drinking Water Supplies? Data centers need two things in very large quantities: electricity and water. Those also happen to be the two things that have caused some of the greatest public concern as large data center projects move closer to Stark County. That raises a practical question. If millions of gallons of treated wastewater are already leaving local treatment plants every day, could some of that

The U.S. House Committee on Ethics announced Tuesday that it is reviewing allegations involving Ohio Congressman Max Miller. According to an official statement released August 4, the committee is reviewing allegations of domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use in violation of the House Code of Official Conduct or another applicable conduct standard. Miller has denied the allegations and has said he will cooperate with the review. He has also said the accusations are f

The next Ohio election may have some of the most significant implications from an Ohio governor election in recent memory. The next Ohio Governor will navigate potential land use, farm land preservation, and the infrastructure that supports Ohio's citizens. As large companies such as Anduril and Eli Lilly, along with data centers, start to expand in the state, the next govenor will have a large role in what the future of Ohio looks like. Both candidates say companies should

Ohio voters will not decide this November whether to abolish property taxes across the state, but the campaign behind the proposed constitutional amendment says the effort is continuing toward a possible vote in 2027. The Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes, also known as Ax Ohio Tax, decided not to submit its petitions before Ohio’s July 1 deadline. Campaign leaders said they had not collected the 620,000 signatures they wanted before attempting to qualify the proposal.

Massillon Council Passes Data Center Zoning Rules After Adding Power Threshold Massillon City Council voted Monday night to approve Ordinance 60-2026 as amended, establishing permanent zoning regulations for future data center development within the city. The ordinance received its final reading during the August 3 council meeting. It amends several sections of Massillon’s planning and zoning code, including the city’s definitions, industrial zoning rules and site plan review

Drivers across Stark County are facing one of Ohio’s sharpest recent gasoline price increases after the average price for regular gasoline in the Canton and Massillon area climbed nearly 38 cents in one week. AAA reported that the Canton and Massillon average reached $4.241 per gallon on Monday, August 3. That was up from $3.865 one week earlier, an increase of 37.6 cents per gallon. The local average was also 69 cents higher than one month earlier and slightly more than $1 a

Stark Parks will bring kayaking, live animals, beekeeping education and a free Canton Symphony Orchestra performance to North Canton during a Discovery Days event later this month. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, at Price Park, 1000 W. Maple Street. Admission is free, and no advance registration is currently required. The program is advertised as family friendly, with no specific age restriction listed. Visitors will be able to try kayaking, see

The Alliance City Health Department plans to conduct targeted mosquito spraying Sunday evening after two mosquito samples recently tested positive for West Nile virus. The positive mosquito pools were collected from traps near West Como Avenue and Webster Park Avenue. Spraying is scheduled between 7 and 11 p.m. Sunday, August 2, in city parks, around Alliance’s water and wastewater treatment plants and in areas adjoining the Mahoning River. The department has advised beekeepe

Massillon City Council could take final action Monday on new regulations governing future data centers within the city. Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 3, in Council Chambers at One James Duncan Plaza. Ordinance No. 60 of 2026, which would amend Massillon’s planning and zoning code to specifically address data centers, is listed for its third reading. No formal public hearing is scheduled, although residents will have opportunities to speak about items on and of

Dutch Bros Coffee is planning its first Stark County location at the former Arby’s restaurant property in the Belden Village area, adding another rapidly expanding drive through beverage company to one of the county’s busiest commercial corridors. Preliminary site improvement plans filed with the Stark County Regional Planning Commission identify the project at 4850 Everhard Road NW in Jackson Township. The property previously operated as an Arby’s restaurant and sits west of

Timken Creates Two Executive Positions, Offers New COO At Least $4.25 Million First Year Package The Timken Company is restructuring its senior leadership and offering its incoming chief operating officer a first year target compensation package worth at least $4.25 million, including salary, incentive compensation, stock awards and signing benefits. The North Canton headquartered manufacturer announced July 31 that it created two companywide executive positions, chief operat

Canton Approves New Data Center Zoning Canton has approved new development rules for data centers as a Dubai based company advances plans for a project exceeding $1 billion near Trump Avenue SE and Orchard View Drive SE. The legislation creates additional 200 foot setbacks, sound studies, landscaping requirements and limits on testing loud equipment, but it does not prohibit data centers, halt the proposed Trump Avenue project or require council to hold a separate public vote

Ohio Expansion Will Increase Production of Lilly Injection Pens Eli Lilly and pharmaceutical manufacturer Resilience have announced a $750 million investment in the Cincinnati region that will expand production of injection devices used with diabetes and obesity medicines and create at least 400 jobs. The expansion will add production of Lilly’s KwikPen injection device at Resilience’s manufacturing operations in West Chester Township. Site preparation is underway, and the co

Anduril begins building autonomous military aircraft as Ohio bets heavily on defense technology Anduril Industries is a privately held American defense technology company that combines artificial intelligence, software, sensors and robotics with military hardware. The company builds uncrewed aircraft, counter-drone defenses, missiles, surveillance systems, underwater vehicles and software intended to connect those systems into a common operating network. Its importance to Ohi

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Old Navy has returned to the Belden Village retail area approximately 18 months after closing its longtime store at The Strip. The retailer opened its new location at Belden Park Crossings on Tuesday, July 28. A formal grand opening and ribbon cutting are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1. The store is located at 5557 Dressler Road NW. Belden Park Crossings is also commonly listed under the shopping center’s general address of 5496 Dressler Roa