Report. Reflect. Respond.
Tuesday, October 6th, 2026
Welcome to Tuesday’s edition of The Pennant. To listen to this newsletter, click the “Listen Online” link in the top right corner of this email.
On this day in 1993, Michael Jordan announced his first retirement after winning three straight titles with the Chicago Bulls.
Top of the Fold today: Dayton police find five children living alone in a boarded-up house without food or power, and Ohio drivers still wait on full gas tax savings.
Today's guest columnist examines whether Ohio law authorizes SEL and LGBTQ materials in schools, and what parents should ask next.
Top of The Fold
Five Children Found Living Alone in Boarded-Up Dayton House
DAYTON — Dayton police removed five children, ages 4 to 12, from a boarded-up Delphos Avenue house with no food or electricity.
Body camera footage shows the children telling officers their mother was at work, and the power bill hadn't been paid.
All five were evaluated at Dayton Children's Hospital and placed with Montgomery County Children Services.
Ohio Drivers Still Waiting On Full Gas Tax Savings
COLUMBUS — Ohio's 90-day gas tax holiday began Sunday, cutting 38.5 cents a gallon, but drivers may not see the full savings right away.
Cleveland's average fell just 10 cents overnight to $4.09, AAA said.
Many stations are still selling fuel bought before the holiday, and GasBuddy expects it will take days to pass along the full drop.
Stations must itemize receipts, and those that don't pass along savings can face referral to the state attorney general.
7 Ohio Counties, Including Franklin, Approved For Federal Disaster Aid
COLUMBUS — Franklin, Licking, Clermont, Hamilton, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry counties were approved Friday for federal disaster aid after August storms brought flash flooding and 17 tornadoes.
Sixteen other counties Gov. Mike DeWine included in his request remain under review. Low-interest Small Business Administration loans are also available.
Residents can apply for help with housing, home repairs, lost property and more at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362.
Page One
National
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force withdrew all bombers from RAF Fairford, returning them to U.S. bases, after a security incident that led to six arrests.
DUBAI — A fresh wave of attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz threatens to stall Gulf oil exports, which had rebounded toward prewar levels, and could push gas prices higher.
LONDON — Aging Western populations will shrink workforces and drive up pension and healthcare costs, straining public finances long before populations decline.
Statewide
MIAMI COUNTY — A judge sentenced former music pastor and "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Immigrant rights activists, who planned a Monday protest near City Hall, say the city's Flock license-plate camera data is still used for immigration enforcement.
TOLEDO — City Council is weighing stronger protections against landlord retaliation as eviction filings hit 621 in July, a record since tracking began in 2020.
LEWIS CENTER— Olentangy Schools placed Olentangy Orange's girls soccer coaching staff on administrative leave after new information surfaced about alleged summer hazing of new varsity players by older teammates.
COLUMBUS — With Ohio's 90-day gas tax pause now in effect, Sen. Bernie Moreno is urging Washington to temporarily suspend the 18.3-cent federal gas tax as well.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Ryan Day meets the media at noon today to preview the No. 5 Buckeyes' homecoming game Saturday against Maryland. Catch his press conference live here.
Guest Column
Parents Should Ask: Where Is the Law?
By Nancy Scur
Parents need to know that, in my review of Ohio law, I have found no law specifically authorizing social-emotional learning, known as SEL, LGBTQ topics, or sexually explicit or gender-affirming materials in public schools.
Two laws are central to my findings: Ohio Revised Code Section 3301.0718 and Ohio's sex education statutes. Section 3301.0718 sets requirements for changes to health education standards and curriculum, including approval by a concurrent resolution of both houses of the General Assembly. Therefore, health and wellness changes involving SEL, LGBTQ topics, and related materials are subject to that statute.
Ohio's sex education law addresses abstinence and HIV education. A declaration under the sex education law is required to permit discussion of LGBTQ topics in Ohio's K-12 schools.
If SEL were part of Ohio's health curriculum, I would expect to find legislative authorization. I have not found such a law. A response to my public records request to the clerk of the Ohio House also stated that there was no law authorizing SEL, only a policy change.
Former Attorney General Dave Yost has advised the State Board of Education on complying with Section 3301.0718 as it relates to health and wellness changes, including SEL.
As for sexually explicit and gender-affirming materials, the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights is a nonprofit organization's policy document — not an Ohio statute. It does not create legal authority to require particular materials in Ohio schools.
Parents can ask their school board or principal: "What Ohio law authorizes SEL, LGBTQ topics, and the sexually explicit and gender-affirming materials in our schools?"
If there is no law, parents have a right to demand that such policies and materials be removed.
The opinions expressed in this guest column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pennant or its editorial staff.
The Pennant welcomes responses. Guest columns should be under 300 words. Send submissions to [email protected].
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Previous Poll Results
Do you like apple butter?
- Yes - 75%
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- Never had it - 10%
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