Ohio

The Ohio History Connection attempted to negotiate over extortion payments related to a July ransomware attack, but cyber criminals rejected the act, potentially leading to a likely data leak.

This week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced $162.5 million in federal funding for high-speed Internet infrastructure and community and workforce development projects. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan's Capital Projects Fund.

Data from cities, counties and states reveals the roles they have the toughest time filling (and they’re not just in cybersecurity). Here are some of their innovative approaches to navigating these workforce shortages.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has expanded access to a virtual learning platform for those in the state’s correctional facilities to improve the re-entry process and reduce recidivism.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio — an Ohio government organization focused on mobility technology — are rolling out a four-year, $8 million plan to bring these semitrucks to roads in both states.

In a study of 514 students across the state, conducted by the nonprofit WestEd, those who used a VR tool from the ed-tech company Prisms outperformed their peers who covered the same material in a more traditional way.

With support from federal funding and a statewide program, Ohio middle school students will have free access to Zearn Math through June 2025 as educators hope to reverse declining math scores since the pandemic.

Attorney General Dave Yost introduced new technologies that will help the Bureau of Criminal Investigation better connect the dots on firearm and drug crime. The tools will help investigators link firearms to past crimes.  

The state will award more than $18 million in program funds for the 27 fast charging stations along seven of the interstate corridors, including interstates 70 and 75, Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week.

The company, a subsidiary of online retailer Amazon, plans to invest an estimated $7.8 billion by the end of 2029 as part of an expansion of its data center operations in central part of the state.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted are pressuring state lawmakers to adopt new rules requiring kids younger than 16 to obtain parental permission before signing up for a social-media account.

Plus, Ohio launches a workforce program to support broadband deployment, New York aims to improve digital literacy for older adults, and more.

After stopping the use of facial recognition software for more than a year amid civil liberties concerns, the Ohio attorney general’s office is once again using the technology.

As the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities nationwide, New Jersey and Ohio are using data to understand how overdoses impact constituents as well as to inform their ongoing responses.

Ohio digital inclusion advocates are working hard to make sure that rural communities in the state have the best weapon for getting high-speed Internet — communities that know Internet matters.

While the vast majority of the transportation $3.7B budget covers roads and bridges, it also includes smaller pots of funding for public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure and drone development, among others.

The Lima NAACP continues to call for the Allen County Sheriff's Office to equip deputies with body cameras, saying it has now reached out to the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for assistance.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted this week announced $12 million in funding for two programs meant to bolster the telecommunications workforce in the state. The funding is part of a larger strategy released in September 2021.