Ohio news, information, and entertainment
Monday, March 9th, 2026
Fifty-five years ago, Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers opened its second location at 2226 W. Henderson Road in Columbus. It was the first in the chain to feature a drive-thru window with its own dedicated grill.
Today, Wendy’s wants to give back. Find out how in our Education Section.
Also, take a look at our Editorial for a deep dive into Ohio’s School Voucher Program below.
Top of The Fold
Noem's Dismissal Followed Tough Questions About $200 Million Ad Campaign Tied to Ohio Firm
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was dismissed last week following a difficult stretch that included Senate scrutiny over a $200 million advertising campaign tied to the Strategy Group, a firm based in Delaware, Ohio.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pressed Noem about the campaign during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
You can read more about the story here.
Tech Giants Pledge to Cover AI Energy Costs, Offering Relief to Ohio Utility Customers
Major tech companies signed a White House pledge Wednesday, committing to cover the full electricity costs of their artificial intelligence data centers.
The agreement is especially significant for Ohio, which ranks fifth nationally for total data centers in the state.
Read more on the companies’ pledge here.
Page One
Statewide - Ohio teachers' unions are losing hundreds of members after a conservative nonprofit began informing educators of their right to opt out of paying dues under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, potentially saving members around $1,000 a year. For Ohio teachers looking to “opt out,” you can learn more here.
Northwest Ohio - The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding that Elmwood Local Schools stop allowing LifeWise Academy, a non-denominational Christian Bible program, to rent space on school property during the school day. Find what they’re claiming here.
Delaware County - Delaware County residents voiced strong opposition to the Ohio Department of Transportation's plans for a new freeway connecting U.S. 23 and I-71 during the first of three public hearings on the proposal. Read about their concerns here.
Bowling Green - Police conducted a thorough sweep of both Bowling Green High School and Middle School buildings following a threatening phone call, part of a wave of similar incidents reported at schools across the state. Click here to see what the police found.
South Lebanon - Thanks to a little girl’s instincts, Robert Deweese was arrested in South Lebanon just three days after being released from prison, accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl inside a store. (More)
Southwest Ohio - Heavy rainfall triggered high-water rescues, road closures, and school disruptions across parts of Southwest Ohio and Southeast Indiana. Butler County crews evacuated a family of three and their pets from a flooded home in Millville and rescued a stranded driver in Morgan Township. With more rain coming, find out how communities are preparing here.
Education Section
Ohio Bill Would Require Free Tutoring for Students Struggling in Math and Reading
Ohio Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, is sponsoring Senate Bill 19, which would require public schools to provide free tutoring to any student showing limited proficiency in math or reading.
Schools would also be required to develop individualized improvement and monitoring plans for struggling students, with built-in opportunities for parent and guardian involvement.
The bill comes in response to recent state assessments showing one in five students falling short of proficiency standards. You can find more on this story here.
Wendy's Offers Multiple Scholarships for 2026
In the spirit of founder Dave Thomas, who was a strong believer in education, Wendy's sponsors several scholarships for 2026, including the Wendy Ann Wiltshire Scholarship for HBCU students, due March 15, and the Bright Minds Bright Future Scholarship, due April 30.
Superintendent Vacancies Pile Up Across Ohio Amid High Turnover
As of March 2026, multiple superintendent positions are open across Ohio, with active searches listed through the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Ohio School Boards Association.
Recent reports indicate high turnover, with more than 60 openings recorded in a single previous hiring cycle.
Editorial Section
Ohio's Billion-Dollar Voucher Program Deserves Scrutiny — and Parents Deserve a Choice
By The Pennant Editorial Staff
Ohio's school voucher program has grown into one of the largest in the nation, and it's time for an honest conversation about what that means for public education.
Following the 2023 EdChoice expansion, the state now spends more than $1 billion annually on voucher programs serving more than 140,000 students. Eligibility is based on household income, with full scholarships available to lower-income families and partial awards for higher-income households. On paper, that sounds like a win for educational choice. In practice, the picture is more complicated.
Critics have a legitimate point when they note that voucher deductions are pulling more than 10% of state revenue from some districts, leaving local public schools with less funding than before. It is also worth noting that 97 of the top 100 most-funded participating private schools are religiously affiliated, raising reasonable questions about the use of public dollars.
Those concerns were serious enough for Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page to rule the program unconstitutional, finding that the expansion created a parallel system of private schools that diverts money away from public education. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has appealed the decision, and the case is now before the Tenth District Court of Appeals. In the meantime, the program continues to operate normally.
The legislature's introduction of House Bill 715, which would increase transparency and establish reporting requirements for schools receiving EdChoice funds, is a step in the right direction. Families deserve school choice, and public schools deserve adequate funding. Ohio should not have to choose between the two.
The Back Page
Previous Poll Results
In general, are you satisfied with K-12 education in Ohio?
- Yes - 50%
- No - 50%
- Unsure - 00%
The Pennant welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns from readers. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity, and AP style. The Pennant reserves the right to verify all information contained in submissions before publication.
Please send all submissions to [email protected]