Read Ohio, 02/04/2026

Just ahead of the Winter Olympics, the U.S. Speedskating team has revealed a "secret weapon" called Project Slippery Fish. It’s an app that creates 3D "digital twins" of athletes to simulate wind resistance and find the most aerodynamic body positions. By tweaking things as small as elbow placement, coaches are looking to shave hundredths of a second off lap times.

While the world's best skater, Jordan Stolz, is sticking to his natural technique, the team pursuit crew is leaning heavily into the data to chase gold on Feb. 17. The program, which cost nearly $100,000, aims to give the Americans a "niche" advantage that other countries haven't quite mastered yet.

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The $60 million bribery scandal that has rocked Ohio for years entered a new chapter this Tuesday in Akron. Former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Senior VP Michael Dowling are facing trial over a $4.3 million payment made to Sam Randazzo right before he became the state’s top utility regulator. Prosecutors allege the payout was a bribe for regulatory favors, while the defendants maintain it was legitimate consulting fees.

The trial is drawing massive attention because of the potential witness list, which includes Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Senator Jon Husted. While neither has been accused of wrongdoing, their testimony regarding meetings with the executives could be a focal point of the proceedings.

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Lawmakers in Columbus are officially throwing their weight behind the plan to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. This week, resolutions are being introduced in both the Ohio House and Senate that urge Congress to shut down the 46 year old federal agency. The move is part of a broader effort to shift control over school funding and curriculum "back to the states," a priority for the current administration in Washington.

Supporters in the General Assembly, argue that the federal department creates unnecessary bureaucracy and that academic achievement has stagnated under federal oversight. Critics, however, point out that this could jeopardize billions in federal funding for special education and low-income students over $200 million for Northeast Ohio alone. While the resolutions are largely symbolic since only Congress can actually close the department they signal a clear intent from Ohio’s leadership to align the state with a major national overhaul of public schooling.

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