Greater Dayton Podcast

• Ohio News
  • A new state law will force dozens of small villages to hold a vote on dissolving their government if they fail a state audit; at least 27 southwest Ohio villages already face this vote after 2030.
  • The number of Ohio schools allowing armed staff has grown to 97, which remains a small minority of schools statewide.
  • Chick-fil-A plans to open 25-30 new Ohio restaurants by the end of 2027.

  Dayton Business & Government

  PSA Airlines is laying off 157 Dayton employees as it relocates its HQ to Charlotte. The city continues to grapple with homeless encampments as advocates push for policy reforms. A court ruling allows Dayton Public Schools to buy RTA passes for students for the 2025-26 school year. In business, Dayton-based CareSource is expanding to New York, and the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) won a $43.9M contract for AI research.

  Local Community News

  • Kettering: The City of Dayton began a $14M renovation of Kettering Field; local manufacturer DRT Holdings is partnering to create a 99% recycled beverage can; and Creative Impressions printing is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
  • Miamisburg: The city completed a $10.3M renovation of Sycamore Trails Park, and Star City Brewing is for sale.
  • Oakwood: The school district is re-evaluating its $40M facilities plan after unexpectedly becoming eligible for state funds five years early.
  • Around the Area: In Troy, a Honda subsidiary is building a new warehouse that will create 168 jobs. West Carrollton has named a new police chief. A minor earthquake was reported in Springboro. A Waynesville restaurant is now available for lease. Wayne High in Huber Heights created a ‘Wall of Honor’ for military alumni.

World

• A mischievous male guinea pig named Randy escaped his enclosure at an English adventure park and impregnated nearly 100 females. Worn out from his adventure, Randy is expected to father up to 400 babies.

Ohio News

• The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against AES Ohio over $61 million in "overearnings." The case returns to regulators, where the Ohio Consumers' Counsel will push for refunds of about $125 per customer.

• Voting rights groups are suing Ohio over a new rule requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote at the BMV.

Dayton Area News

• Dayton: The city tied a 62-year-old record low temperature of 48 degrees. The Dayton International Airport received a $78M state grant to develop its aerospace campus, a project that could create 6,000 jobs. Be wary of scam texts from "Amazon" or "UPS"; report them by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM). A community group will offer free RTA passes to DPS students starting Sept. 23 at Mt. Enon Baptist Church. The nonprofit Learn to Earn launched a public data dashboard tracking poverty and well-being in Montgomery County. An IG report warns of "severe" staffing shortages at the Dayton VA, though the VA disputes the report. Dayton RTA is offering free rides on Labor Day. The city is expanding its traffic camera program, adding 64 speed and 17 red light cameras focused on school zones.

• Beavercreek: Warehouse 4 opens its third area coffee shop at 3210 Seajay Drive on Sept. 4, featuring a drive-thru and patio.

• Bellbrook: The high school library has reopened amid an ongoing review of books for sexual content and "gender ideology" per a new "Parents' Bill of Rights" policy. Identified books have been set aside.

• Centerville: Sgt. Adam Bennett was honored for rescuing a baby from a submerged SUV. A 272-unit housing development, Parkside Preserve, has broken ground.

• Clayton: The city manager and law director are resigning in September.

• Kettering: Voters will elect a new mayor and two council members this fall. W. Dorothy Lane has reopened after a water main repair. Troni’s Italian Restaurant is closed until Sept. 20 while it opens a second location.

• Springboro: Three people were accused of using sticky traps to steal mail, linked to a multi-state check fraud operation.

• Trotwood: After a large fight at a football game, the school district will now require minors to be accompanied by a paying adult at home games.

• Troy: Controversy surrounds the historic former Tavern building, now for sale for $1.791M by new owner Glass City Developers. Mayor Robin Oda’s critical social media post drew backlash from the developers and the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, which previously saved the building from demolition. Miami County has scrapped plans to renovate the downtown jail, shifting focus back to building a new $100M facility.

National & State News

The Trump administration is considering reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III, a move initiated by the Biden administration. While this would not legalize recreational cannabis nationally, it would significantly impact Ohio's market by allowing dispensaries to take normal business tax deductions, potentially lowering consumer prices. The change would also remove major barriers to medical cannabis research.

In Vernon, Connecticut, fire crews rescued a 40-year-old man stuck in a playground tube slide. Responders freed him within 30 minutes; he refused further medical treatment.

Ohio & Dayton Area News

• Jungle Jim’s (Fairfield): Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the store is adding modern attractions and planning a major expansion on its 80-acre site, to include a hotel, apartments, and a marijuana store.
• Dayton Public Schools (DPS): A court has temporarily blocked a state law that banned DPS students from using the downtown RTA hub for transfers. The district has resumed issuing bus passes and will station its own security at the location.
• The Trolley Stop (Dayton): The property of the historic Oregon District tavern has been sold for $800,000. The new owner is Horn Ohio Properties, but the current operator plans to keep the tavern running "as is."
• State Updates: Dorothy Lane Market has opened a new grocery store in Mason. Separately, 150 Ohio National Guardsmen were deployed to Washington D.C.

Local Community Updates

• Beavercreek: Brio Italian Grille at The Greene has permanently closed.
• Bellbrook: The high school library is temporarily closed for a review of materials related to "sexuality content and gender identity."
• Clayton: Bella Sorella Pizza plans to open next month.
• Huber Heights: The city will award $125,000 in economic development grants to qualifying local businesses.
• Kettering: The local Chick-fil-A now requires patrons 17 and younger to be accompanied by an adult chaperone (21+) to dine inside.
• Miamisburg: The former Ron’s Car Care site was demolished to make way for a Flying Ace Express Car Wash.
• Troy: The school district’s phone system is down for an undetermined time while repairs are made.
• Xenia: Longtime Ohio Renaissance Festival vendors have opened a permanent shop, The White Seahorse, selling historical reproduction toys and costumes.

National & State News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers raised the Little Miami River for VP JD Vance's 41st birthday kayak trip at the Secret Service's request, sparking criticism over the use of taxpayer funds. A spokesperson said Vance was unaware of the action, which drew comparisons to a similar 1999 incident involving Al Gore.

Ohio lawmakers face a November 30 deadline to redraw the state's congressional maps. The process comes amid a national debate over gerrymandering, as some Republicans are pushing for a new map that would give their party a 12-to-3 advantage.

School lunches are now healthier and more popular, with diverse menus like General Tso's chicken and salads offered alongside classics. The trend, driven by strict federal regulations on fat, sodium, and sugar, began when meals were free during the pandemic. However, potential changes to federal eligibility rules could impact access for hundreds of thousands of Ohio students.

Local Levies & Elections

November ballots across the region will feature numerous tax levies. Key issues include:

• Montgomery County: A countywide human services levy renewal, plus school levies and income taxes.
• Greene County: A new library levy and a new income tax for Xenia.
• Miami County: Two countywide issues, including a bridge levy replacement.
• Northern Warren County: A new levy for Springboro schools and an income tax for Franklin Schools.
• Clark County: Countywide levies plus school levies for Springfield and Northwestern.
• Butler County: A countywide elderly services levy and new money for Lakota Local Schools.
• Warren County: Several school, police, and fire issues, plus a vote on a proposed cannabis dispensary in Lebanon.

Dayton & Area News

Dayton Public Schools is suing Ohio, calling a new state rule unconstitutional. The rule blocks DPS students from using school-provided bus passes to change buses at the downtown RTA hub.

Other Dayton headlines:

• A proposal is moving forward to build "Race Dayton," an outdoor go-kart track on the top deck of the Oregon District Garage.
• The Montgomery Co. Sheriff’s Office warns of two scams: a text demanding "bond money" and a fake Mastercard mailed from the "county jail."
• Dayton has passed new zoning rules banning new downtown self-storage units and requiring property owners to remove graffiti within 14 days.
• The NATO assembly held in May had a $1.3 million direct economic impact and gave Dayton $138 million worth of global publicity.

Around the Region

• Englewood: The police department launched a monthly podcast to connect with the community.
• Fairborn: About 40 people held a rally urging U.S. Rep. Mike Turner to hold public "town hall" meetings.
• Kettering: The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a resident's appeal to keep 18 backyard chickens, ruling they aren't "household pets." The resident plans to appeal to the city council.
• Vandalia: The Board of Elections accused the city of lacking neutrality regarding a failed housing development referendum.
• West Carrollton: A new, sustainable elementary school is set to open next week.

Top Stories

• Dayton Public Schools Transportation: For the 2025-2026 school year, Dayton Public Schools will not provide transportation for high school students. The decision follows a new state law that prohibits students from using the downtown RTA hub for transfers, making the district's previous bus pass system unusable. Officials state that creating a yellow bus system is not feasible in the short term due to a lack of buses and drivers.
• UDRI Air Force Contract: The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has secured a U.S. Air Force contract worth up to $98.5 million. The contract focuses on advancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. All work will be conducted in Dayton and is set to be completed by July 2030.
• Child Marijuana Poisonings: Ohio has experienced a significant increase in accidental marijuana poisonings among young children, with cases jumping from 11 in 2015 to 582 last year. The poisonings are primarily caused by children consuming THC edibles that look like candy.
• Public Broadcasting Defunded: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is shutting down after being defunded by Congress. While local stations WYSO and ThinkTV will remain on air, they face major funding cuts. Their most critical new challenge will be the massive expense of licensing music, a cost previously covered by national CPB deals.

Business & Restaurant News

• New Openings: Gionino’s Pizzeria opened its fourth location on Wilmington Avenue, and Lucho, a mezcal and espresso bar, opened at the Dayton Arcade.
• Multiple New Restaurants: Restaurateur Sue Whitted is launching three new restaurants—Flame N’ Grill (Kettering hibachi), Thai Garden (Kettering Thai/sushi), and Thai Cottage (West Chester)—plus a "Honey Toast on Wheels" food truck.
• Ownership Changes: The owners of Bock Family Brewing in Washington Twp. are selling the business but will remain open until a buyer is found. In Huber Heights, Sweet Home Bakery is under new ownership and now offers Turkish, American, and Russian-influenced desserts.

Community & Development

• Kettering: The historic D.L. Barnes building will be saved and repurposed through a partnership between Kettering City Schools, the City of Kettering, the Schiewetz Foundation, and COhatch. It will house the school district's offices and a new COhatch shared workspace.
• Centerville: The city is planning a $5 million project to improve traffic flow on Clyo Road near the high school. Construction, which includes widening the road and adding a traffic signal, will begin in 2028.
• Beavercreek: As a condition for building a new 96-home subdivision, developer Grand Communities will fund the reconstruction of a dangerous curve on Swigart Road to improve safety.

Crime & Public Safety

• Park Arson: Fire investigators are seeking public tips after a suspected arson destroyed playground equipment at Bomberger Park in Dayton.
• Teacher Resigns: A former Oakwood Schools gym teacher resigned after being accused of shoplifting from three Lowe's stores. He was found guilty of lesser charges in one case and sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.

USA

Happy 45th birthday to Harry Potter (7/31). Time has been unkind, with new adventures like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Alimony and Harry Potter and the Order of the New Balances. In other news, High Noon has voluntarily recalled its Beach Variety 12-packs after its supplier accidentally labeled some alcoholic seltzer cans as non-alcoholic Celsius energy drinks, creating a risk of "unintentional alcohol ingestion." After a decade of requests, Oreo and Reese’s have released a mashup product.

Ohio News

Sales Tax Holiday: Ohio's annual sales tax holiday has been expanded to 14 days, running from midnight on Friday, August 1, through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 14. The holiday makes any single item of tangible personal property priced at $500 or less tax-free.

Guns at County Fairs: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a legal opinion stating that county fairs cannot ban firearms on their grounds, as they are "political subdivisions" subject to state law. However, fairs can still legally prohibit firearms inside their buildings.

Dayton & Montgomery County

Public Health: Dayton and Montgomery County will spray for mosquitoes after samples in Dayton and Vandalia tested positive for West Nile virus. Meanwhile, Dayton appeared on two top bed bug city lists, ranking 11th nationally by Terminix and 43rd by Orkin.

County Funding: The Montgomery County Commission has canceled the fall 2025 Economic Development/Government Equity (ED/GE) funding round, redirecting $1 million to The Foodbank, Inc. to address critical food insecurity.

New Developments: The Dayton Dragons will introduce "Deck the Diamond," an outdoor holiday lights experience running from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, 2026. Dayton Christian School has begun construction on a $4 million multipurpose center to support a 75% enrollment increase over the past five years.

Regional News

Kettering: TJ Chumps is launching the region's first restaurant drone delivery service with a three-day trial (July 31-Aug. 2). All proceeds will be donated to a veteran charity.

West Carrollton: The city is moving forward with its $25-$30 million riverfront whitewater park, awarding a nearly $2.8 million design and engineering contract. The park will anchor a larger "River District."

Clayton: Following public opposition, the Clayton city council has repealed its approval for a 529-home development on Sweet Potato Ridge Road.

Centerville: A European-inspired beer spa, Hops and Harmony Spa, is planned for the Cross Pointe Centre, offering private spa rooms with self-serve local beer dispensers.

Yellow Springs: "The Twilight Zone" creator and Antioch College graduate Rod Serling will be honored with an Ohio Historical Marker on campus, with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 2.

Also Noted: The Blue Angels are confirmed as headliners for the 2026 Dayton Air Show. Fairborn will place police and fire renewal levies on the November ballot. New coffee shops are opening: Poppets in Kettering, Biggby Coffee in Troy, and a Dunkin' in Beavercreek. Ritter's in Beavercreek and Kettering will offer deals from Aug. 4-8 for National Frozen Custard Day.

Ohio News

• New School Laws: Ohio now requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during class by January 2026. The law aims to reduce distractions but allows for exceptions for learning and health monitoring. A separate law requires schools to create policies on Artificial Intelligence by July 2026.

Dayton & Regional News

• Dayton Public Schools (DPS) Event: DPS is holding a free back-to-school fair on Saturday, August 2, at Welcome Stadium from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will provide students with free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, physicals, and more.
• Economic Development:
  • Joby Aviation (Dayton): The electric flying taxi manufacturer is installing equipment and hiring for its new production facility near the Dayton International Airport, which will eventually produce up to 500 aircraft per year.
  • Wright Dunbar District (Dayton): The city is increasing its investment in a redevelopment project on West Third Street, which will house new businesses including XO Burger and Saoko Leaf & Wine bar.
  • Buc-ee's (Huber Heights): Hiring has officially begun for management positions at the first Ohio Buc-ee's, with a planned opening in April 2026.
  • Spintech (Miamisburg): The aerospace company is investing $7M to expand into a new manufacturing facility.
• Restaurant & Business Openings:
  • Dayton Restaurant Week: The event runs through July 27, with over 30 local restaurants offering special menus ranging from $20.25 to $55.25.
  • Brown Street (Dayton): Three new restaurants are opening near UD: Don Juan Mexican Grill, Wat Da Pho Express, and Prime BBQ Smokehouse.
  • Eddy Out (Dayton): A new surf shop, hostel, and bar catering to adventure athletes is opening soon in Old North Dayton.
• Community Updates:
  • Bellbrook: The city is considering a ban on adult-use marijuana businesses, with a public hearing on July 28. Separately, the Dairy Shed celebrated its 50th anniversary.
  • Centerville: A new daily $50 fee for unresolved property code violations will take effect on August 14.
  • Englewood: The city has launched a new strategic plan focused on helping its large senior population "age in place."
  • Fairborn: A new city plan aims to connect every resident to a trail or bikeway within a half-mile.
  • Vandalia: D.R. Horton is proposing a 72-home development near the airport.

Statewide News

• Property Tax & Utilities: Governor DeWine has created a workgroup to deliver "concrete proposals" for property tax reform by a September 30 deadline. Meanwhile, Dayton-area utilities AES Ohio and CenterPoint Energy are seeking state approval for significant rate hikes, with residential bills potentially increasing by 14% and 25% respectively. Public hearings are scheduled for late July and August.
• Amtrak Rail Plan: A proposal to connect Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton via passenger rail is advancing as a high priority. The "3C+D" route would include new stations in Dayton and Springfield, with a target launch of 2035.

Dayton & Regional News

• Dayton Public Schools: The DPS school board condemned a new state law that blocks students from using the downtown RTA hub for transfers, a move that jeopardizes all high school transportation as the district relies on RTA passes.
• Downtown Dayton Business: The restaurant scene continues to evolve as Table 33 reopens for brunch, Mikey’s Late Night Slice plans to open near the ballpark, and Mudlick Tap House relocates from Dayton to Centerville. Wayne Avenue is also experiencing a boom with six new businesses opening, including Food Castle (Pakistani/Indian), Bootleg Bagels, and Good Hands Bread Co.
• Community Updates:
  • Beavercreek: The Silly Goose Creative Play Cafe, combining a kids' play space with a coffee shop for parents, is now open.
  • Centerville: Premier Health opened a new cancer prevention and supportive care center.
  • Kettering: A 264-unit apartment community, VC Flats, will begin construction this year in the Miami Valley Research Park.
  • Miamisburg: CRG Defense opened its new $9.5 million headquarters in Miami Twp.
  • Moraine: Defense contractor Hyphen Innovations is moving into a new, larger headquarters to support its growth.
  • Trotwood: Taste of Jamaica has relocated to Salem Avenue.
  • Yellow Springs: Dan Young is retiring as CEO of Young's Jersey Dairy after 50 years, passing leadership to the next generation of his family.
• Public Safety: Rumpke is warning residents not to throw lithium-ion batteries in curbside bins after they caused several fires at recycling facilities.
• Road Closure: Monument Avenue in downtown Dayton will be closed this Saturday, July 19, for the Declare Dayton event.

Ohio State News

• K-12 Education Budget: Ohio's new two-year budget increases school funding to over $8.2 billion for the next school year, though some say it still falls short of the Fair School Funding plan. Funding for private school vouchers and charter schools was significantly increased. Governor DeWine vetoed measures that would have forced schools with large surpluses to return money to taxpayers and made school board elections partisan. However, a law was passed that reduces the number of elected educators on the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board.
• Dayton Student Transportation: The new budget includes a provision that bans Dayton Public Schools students from using the downtown RTA hub to transfer buses, creating a transportation challenge for the district.
• Record State Grant: Defense manufacturer Anduril Industries will receive a $310 million grant to build a new plant in Pickaway County for designing and building autonomous combat aircraft. The company plans to invest over $910 million and create more than 4,000 jobs with an average salary of $132,000.
• Jail Program Funding: The Ohio Attorney General's office is distributing $2.5 million in grants to 13 county jails to expand addiction and mental health treatment for inmates.

Dayton Area News

• Dayton: The Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association will now lead the city's new violence interruption program. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is conducting anti-terrorism training until July 18 and is overhauling its energy infrastructure to improve efficiency and security. A new halal Pakistani and Indian restaurant, Food Castle, is opening in the former Tank's Bar & Grill location.
• Riverside: A massive indoor pickleball facility, Black Barn Pickleball, is opening in phases on Linden Ave. The first eight courts will open soon, with a planned expansion to over 20 courts, a bar, and a pro shop slated for spring 2026.
• Centerville/Washington Twp.: Centerville is using AI-equipped trucks to scan recycling bins and notify residents of errors to reduce contamination. A $22 million development with 52 ranch-style homes, Savanna Walk, is proposed for Ohio 48. Washington Township has enacted a stricter noise ordinance with fines up to $1,000.
• Huber Heights: Following a 2023 ransomware attack, the city is investing nearly $2 million in cybersecurity upgrades over the next five years.
• Kettering: McAfee Heating and Air has been acquired by Champions Group, a national residential HVAC provider based in California.
• Miamisburg: A woman has been indicted for allegedly promoting prostitution at a spa near the Dayton Mall.
• Troy: The former owner of La Piazza is now selling his family's popular house dressing full-time, and it's available at several local markets.
• Vandalia: A hydrochloric acid leak at the AmeriWater facility prompted a hazmat response, temporary road closures, and a shelter-in-place order early Tuesday.
• West Carrollton: The city’s Hot Air Balloon Glow event returns on July 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Ohio News

• State Budget Signed: Governor Mike DeWine signed the new two-year, $60 billion state budget after issuing 67 line-item vetoes. The budget establishes a flat 2.75% income tax and allocates $600 million from unclaimed funds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium. Key vetoes included measures that would have made school board races partisan and a ban on using food stamps for sugary drinks.
• DEI Ban in Effect: Senate Bill 1 is now law, banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and faculty strikes at Ohio's public colleges. An effort to repeal the law via a public referendum failed to get enough signatures.
• Ice Cream Trail: In honor of National Ice Cream Month, TourismOhio has expanded its Ohio Ice Cream Trail to feature over 150 shops, including 95 new stops like The Jug in Middletown.
• Job Growth Stat: Last year, Ohio reportedly created over 19,000 new jobs, generating $1.61 billion in new payroll.

Dayton & Regional News

• Public Health: Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in Wegerzyn MetroPark in Dayton.
• Dayton Public Schools: A provision in the new state budget, which Gov. DeWine did not veto, blocks DPS high school students from using the downtown RTA hub to transfer buses. Because the district relies on RTA passes, it may be forced to eliminate high school transportation entirely.
• Dayton History & Culture: The University of Dayton is now celebrating its 175th anniversary. Dayton History also announced plans for a new multi-million-dollar Sports Heritage Center and a "performance barn" to be built at Carillon Park.
• Cloudy Water: Residents in Dayton and Kettering may notice cloudy tap water, which officials say is harmless and caused by air bubbles in the pipes. Crews are flushing hydrants to resolve the issue.
• Troy Development: A developer has proposed a new riverfront project in Troy with 43 townhomes and two mixed-use buildings on the former Spinnaker Coatings industrial site. A public hearing is set for July.
• Oakwood Schools: Teachers in the Oakwood City School District will receive a 3% raise this upcoming school year and a 2.5% raise the following year.

New Local Businesses & Events

• Beavercreek: Kawa Revolving Sushi has opened its first Dayton-area location.
• Centerville/Miami Twp.: Loose Ends Brewing held its annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest on July 3rd. A new restaurant, Underground Chuck’s, featuring wings, burgers, and steaks, is now open near the Dayton Mall.