AGP Executive Report

Politics & Culture: Froma Harrop warns Democrats risk “extinction” by backing left-fringe nominees, spotlighting DSA-backed candidates and the backlash they’re already sparking. Ohio Arts & Community: Orange Village repealed a decades-old fortune-telling license law, clearing the way for psychics and tarot readers to practice without permits. Music Spotlight: The Pretty Reckless return with “Dear God,” a darker, more resilient album that leans into perseverance through addiction and grief. Sports & Local Pride: Altoona’s Artie Fink Jr. qualifies for the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, adding another major USGA milestone to his long Ohio run. Entertainment & Sports Crossover: Two Door Cinema Club announces a 2027 UK/Ireland arena tour celebrating “Tourist History,” with a Madison Square Garden stop on Sept. 27. Ohio Public Life: A Cincinnati queer community discussion asks why queer spaces are disappearing as bars close and roles shift toward broader community hubs. Health & Service: Prime Healthcare earns an “A” for social responsibility in the Lown Hospitals Index.

Boxing Spotlight (Cleveland): Abdullah Mason, 22, returns to Cleveland for his first home title defense Friday night after winning his world championship in Saudi Arabia last November, with three Mason brothers scheduled to fight on the same card. Local Community & Arts (Columbus): Columbus Main Library opens its Main Library branch as an Independence Day cooling center this weekend, offering Wi-Fi and water while other branches stay closed. Sports & Entertainment (Ohio ties to Taylor Swift): With Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s MSG wedding festivities drawing permits and buzz, Ohio sports connections keep popping up, including reports of major charity donations tied to the couple. Major Local News (Hamden child rescue): In Hamden, authorities removed 16 children from alleged squalid conditions and arrested four adults; neighbors say the situation went unnoticed for years. Holiday Safety (Ohio River/Heat): Officials warn of hidden debris for Ohio River boaters after flooding, while extreme heat strains travel plans for millions of Ohioans heading out for America’s 250th. Music Release (National, Ohio-relevant): Pretty Lights announced his first album in 13 years, a 45-song project, “A Trip Thru Time Fantastic.”

Local Sports Spotlight: Ohio’s own Scioto Country Club hosts the 2026 U.S. Senior Open (July 2-5), with first-round coverage on Golf Channel and Peacock/NBCSN and a $800,000 winner’s prize. Music & Pop Culture: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored Madison Square Garden wedding has Ohio fans watching for a Columbus connection—Garage Beer is expected to be served at the reception. Theater: Millennial Theatre Company brings the nonprofessional Ohio premiere of Dear Evan Hansen to the Youngstown Playhouse starting July 10. Arts & Community History: Ohio residents share memories from the 1976 Bicentennial, from an Ohio River swim to civic engagement. Entertainment Industry: Delaware North rebrands its casinos, digital gaming and rewards under Ember Entertainment™ to link in-person and online play. Sports Entertainment: Les Claypool’s “Claypool Gold” tour mixes Primus, Claypool Lennon Delirium and Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.

College Sports Policy: An Ohio judge is set to rule next week on a preliminary injunction request from 24 college basketball players challenging the NCAA’s new age-eligibility model. Congressional Sports Overhaul: The proposed Protect College Sports Act cleared the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee and is headed for a Senate floor vote in July, aiming to stabilize college athletics and add antitrust protections for the NCAA. Ohio Media Leadership: WGTE Public Media in Toledo named Adam Fineske its new president and CEO, starting Aug. 1. Local Entertainment & Community: Kingwood Center Gardens’ free “Live on the Lawn” concert series returns in Mansfield with weekly Thursday shows in July. Sports Spotlight: Portsmouth-Notre Dame softball pitcher Ava Rush is back in the spotlight after a season that included 239 strikeouts. Animal Welfare: Authorities are investigating a case involving dozens of abandoned reptiles found in an Ohio storage unit. Music & Culture: Dolly Parton opened her new Tennessean Travel Stop in Tennessee, sparking comparisons to Buc-ee’s.

IndyCar at Mid-Ohio: The Honda Indy 200 kicks off the second half of the season at Lexington’s Mid-Ohio Sports Course, with Alex Palou entering as the driver to beat after a dominant first half. Sports & community: Tyler Summitt and Candace Parker’s kids shared a meaningful moment during Parker’s Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction trip to Knoxville. Food culture: Columbus hot-dog fans have a fresh guide to nine standout spots, plus a look at why Cleveland’s Polish Boy remains a regional icon. Dining milestone: The Refectory Restaurant in Columbus marks 50 years of French cuisine in a former church, celebrating its long-running wine reputation. Art in Ohio: Cincinnati Art Museum will debut “Nancy Rexroth: Secrets of My Power,” a major retrospective opening Oct. 2. Music & faith: Henry Benefield celebrates his new solo album “Great Things” with a July 11 release event in Cincinnati. Tech for nonprofits: Cleveland GiveCamp returns July 17-19 in Westlake, pairing local tech volunteers with nonprofits for free projects. Independence Day planning: Lisbon’s America 250 fireworks celebration is Thursday, with heat-safety water plans and a full schedule. Media business: Cumulus Media sold two more stations in the Youngstown-Warren area to Family Life Ministries for $2.25 million. Weather watch: Extreme heat continues across the Midwest and Great Lakes, with cooling-center guidance and hydration reminders.

Sports & Culture Shock: LeBron James has told the Lakers he’ll play elsewhere in 2026-27, ending his eight-season run in L.A. and triggering instant reaction across the NBA and beyond. Local Arts & Holiday Music: Firelands Symphony Orchestra returns to Marblehead Lighthouse for a free July 4 Summer Pops Concert with patriotic favorites, marches, and popular selections. Community Celebration: Wellston’s “Celebration of Our Nation” is set for Sunday, July 5, with a hometown-hero ceremony, free inflatables, vendors, and a dessert contest. Hands-On Heritage: Marblehead’s Pioneer Day brought spinning demonstrations from the Black Swamp Spinners Guild, teaching vintage wool techniques and textile history. Ohio Sports Admin: OHSAA announced 2026-27 winter tournament alignments, including multiple central Ohio basketball division switches. Big National Legal News (with Ohio impact): The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship and also upheld state bans on transgender girls and women in school sports.

Fourth of July Arts & Community: Marietta’s July First Friday brings public art, live demos, and manual T-shirt printing at the Armory, with proceeds supporting downtown arts access. Book Donations: Trinity Episcopal Church in Parkersburg is collecting used books every Wednesday through Aug. 26 for its October sale. Heat & Safety: A Midwest heat wave is driving cancellations and pushing cooling centers, with extreme heat warnings extending into the Ohio Valley. Sports Spotlight: The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio returns July 3-5, and ticketing details are out for race weekend. Local Culture & Tourism: Warren County’s tourism hit a record 14.19 million visitors in 2025, generating $1.74B, as “Ohio’s Largest Playground” keeps drawing crowds. Legal/Tech Policy: A Sixth Circuit ruling restores Ohio’s parental-consent requirement for kids under 16 to use social media, sending the fight back to lower court. Health & Grief: Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton is gearing up for its Aug. 8 butterfly release fundraiser to honor loved ones.

Heat Safety: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and EMA issued an urgent alert as temperatures hit the mid-90s with humidity pushing “feels like” over 100, urging hydration, frequent breaks, and cooling centers—especially for outdoor workers and kids. Tragedy in Racing: AMA Pro Racing competitor Dan Bromley died after a crash at the Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds. Local Crime Watch: Allen County deputies investigated shots fired at a Meijer on Elida Road; officials say a scuffle led to one shot, with no reported injuries. Consumer Protection: AG Andy Wilson announced a statewide initiative to fight romance scams targeting older adults, including a dedicated hotline and a forensic push launching mid-July. Sports & Entertainment: EA Sports College Football 27 released official team ratings, with Ohio State and Indiana tied at 90; plus, Circleville’s inaugural All-Herald Spring Sports Teams and Boys Tennis Team recognized top Pickaway County athletes.

Local Arts & Culture: Conn-Selmer’s Eastlake brass instrument plant is closing after 60 years, marking the end of a major Northeast Ohio music-making legacy. Community Events: The inaugural Mahoning Valley Book Bazaar is set for Nov. 7, bringing authors and vendors together for a one-day “bookstore crawl” style market. Music & Touring: Two Door Cinema Club announced a 2027 UK and Ireland arena tour celebrating “Tourist History,” with tickets going on sale July 3. Sports & Youth: LA28’s Day of Sport drew more than 13,000 young athletes nationwide, with Olympic- and Paralympic-themed activities at 180 sites. Local Spotlight: A Boardman man is boosting Mahoning Valley restaurants through his Food Gurus promotion group, while indie-rock trio Shy Blossom plans a Mahoning Valley debut July 5 at Westside Bowl. Public Life: Gov. Mike DeWine signed a $350M homestead exemption bonus for seniors, aiming to deliver about $500 in relief to hundreds of thousands of Ohio homeowners.

Local Arts & Culture: Ortenstone Gardens and Sculpture Park in Detroit Lakes unveiled “Dancing for Joy,” a bamboo sculpture of two giant egrets by Myth Makers, with the exhibit running through September 2027. Cleveland Art Scene: 78th Street Studios marked 25 years as a major Northeast Ohio art and design hub, growing from a repurposed warehouse into a 170,000-square-foot complex. Outdoor Arts & Learning: Holden Arboretum in Kirtland is rolling out tram tours (including a photographer-focused option) plus new summer programs like woven textile art installations. Sports & Community: Akron hosted the Cosmic Baseball Takeover Tour, mixing youth baseball with street-style entertainment. Entertainment Law: “Zoey 101” alum Alexa Nikolas says she’s settled her defamation suit against former NBC reporter Kat Tenbarge. Weather Watch: A heat advisory has Greater Akron facing heat indexes near 104 degrees, with cooling centers extending hours.

Local Arts & Culture: “Hollywood in Ohio” spotlights Ohio’s behind-the-scenes film history, from early screen pioneers to theater tech and movie-palace builders. Community Events: Cincinnati’s 53rd Pride parade and festival drew an estimated 300,000 people downtown, with big crowds and live entertainment at Sawyer Point. Independence Day (America 250): Central Ohio towns are stacking fireworks, parades, and 250th-themed events—plus local spotlights on Columbus-area celebrations and New Knoxville’s July 4 parade and festival. Arts in Public Spaces: ComFest at Goodale Park filled Columbus with performances, makers, and art installations during the weekend. Local Infrastructure: Mansfield’s Main Street Corridor Improvement Project is 67% complete, with late-October completion targeted after surprise finds during underground work. Sports & Entertainment Tech: EA Sports College Football 27 released full team and player ratings, with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith landing a 99 overall. Public Safety: Police are still searching for suspects after an Ohio shooting near a street festival wounded 12.

College Football Recruiting: BYU landed four-star receiver Blake Wong, the No. 3-rated receiver in California, choosing the Cougars over Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon and Utah. Local Public Safety: Montgomery County will run an OVI checkpoint tonight in Huber Heights, with two locations and a roadside check through 11:30 p.m. Arts & Music: Kent Blossom Music Festival returns for its 58th season in Northeast Ohio, pairing Kent State and the Cleveland Orchestra for monthlong concerts and coaching. Live Music Update: Lionel Richie postponed his next two shows, including Columbus, after cutting a St. Paul concert short due to feeling dizzy and doctors advising rest. Ohio Community & Culture: Volunteers are restoring Perry County’s Veterans Monument Square Park in New Lexington. State Policy: Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohio should abolish the death penalty, arguing it no longer deters violent crime. Sports Business/Facilities: Ohio State plans a $125 million renovation to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, with upgrades to locker, training and meeting spaces. Film/TV Buzz: “Supergirl” writer Ana Nogueira discusses key changes from the comics as the movie hits theaters.

Festival Violence Update (Toledo): Police arrested Eljay Crisp-Carr, 20, charging him with 11 counts of felonious assault after a shooting at Toledo’s Old West End Festival left 12 people wounded, with prosecutors citing video and witness accounts. Women’s Soccer Spotlight (Ohio): ELF Cosmetics presented the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup to House of Goal, highlighting women’s soccer fandom and immersive fan experiences tied to the league’s growth. Independence Day Culture (Central Ohio): A roundup of fireworks shows across Columbus and nearby counties for America 250, with multiple July 3 events plus music and community activities. Local Arts & Theater (Wheeling): Theatre By The Sea’s “Grease: The Musical” leans on scenic design to sell the 1950s setting before the first line is sung. Music Release (Ohio): Johnny Rawls and Dave Keller’s “Tribute to Soul” lands as a new soul-blues collaboration recorded in Waterville. Community Events (Ohio): Circleville’s Ted Lewis Museum screens “Hold That Ghost” as part of Ohio Goes to the Movies, with a jazz-band prelude and film historian talk.

Downtown Retail: Heinen’s Grocery is closing its Cleveland Downtown location July 31, saying no layoffs will follow as workers are offered roles at other stores. Local Infrastructure: KYTC has paused a plan to reduce lanes on the Clark Memorial Bridge after inspectors found new sidewalk/structural damage, leaving officials warning of possible commute chaos. Sports & Community: Ohio connections keep popping up—from an Ohio angling legend returning for the Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open to WOCAP launching a Fatherhood Initiative Program with classes and $200 completion support. Music & Entertainment: Lionel Richie postponed two tour dates after feeling dizzy onstage, with Columbus among the affected stops. Arts & Culture: Goodwill opened a new Athens store in the shuttered Athena Grand movie theater, expanding donation processing and retail space. Sports Draft Buzz: The NFL Draft’s Ohio ties included Ohio State’s Carnell Tate going early to the Titans, while college football video game rankings spotlight Penn State’s top-rated players.

Streaming & TV: Greg Daniels’ The Office spin-off The Paper just locked in a Season 2 premiere date—Peacock in the U.S. on Sept. 9, with Sky/NOW following Sept. 10—plus first-look images of the returning cast. Independence Day & Ohio events: The Firelands Symphony Orchestra is set for a free July 4 Summer Pops concert at Marblehead Lighthouse, and Phantom Fireworks’ Youngstown operation is gearing up for a big America 250 weekend. Sports (Ohio-area): The Lima City Golf Championship quarterfinals are set after match play, and Ottawa’s Alex Bellman won the Mid-American Cleaning Contractors Open at Sycamore Springs in Lima Junior Golf action. Local entertainment spotlight: Soap opera stars Eric Martsolf, Brandon Barash, Carson Boatman and Scott Reeves are performing as the Day Players, blending classic rock/pop with meet-and-greets. Big-picture national: The Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to end TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians, a move with major ripple effects for communities and nonprofits.

America250 Spotlight: The Great American State Fair opened on Washington’s National Mall with a 110-foot Ferris wheel, state pavilions, and free admission through July 10—Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine touted the Buckeye State’s parks, sports, theater and arts. Local Sports & Talent: Cleveland’s Cavs grabbed backcourt depth in Round 2 by drafting Meleek Thomas at No. 34. Ohio High School Sports: The OHSAA officially recognized girls flag football as its 29th sport for 2026-27, with 162 teams already in the spring season. Music & Film: Neil Young quietly released the concert film “Corduroy Plants” on his Archives site. Community & Pride: LGBTQ+ Lorain County kicked off Pride weekend planning with free SafeZone Training in Elyria. Sports Media: Former ESPN executive David Roberts is retiring after decades shaping sports coverage. Draft Buzz: BYU’s Richie Saunders and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton both landed in the 2026 NBA Draft’s second round.