Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review
For the week ending October 31, 2025
Monday, October 27, 2025
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel announced that Ohio schools can now sign up to participate in the next Team Tressel Fitness Challenge that begins on February 2, 2026. Signup is open now until November 28, 2025. He also announced updates to the challenge based on feedback received from school participants.
"We saw a lot of positive impacts through the fall challenge and learned how to make it even better for the future," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "We want our young people to think about their health and well-being and how it can help them long term."
Schools who participated in the fall challenge are automatically enrolled in the next unless they choose to opt out.
"The work that the Lt. Governor is doing through the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is making a positive impact on the lives of so many children across Ohio," said Governor Mike DeWine. "By encouraging our kids to create healthy habits from a young age, and by giving them the chance to see how much better they feel when they get good exercise, sleep well, and eat nutritious foods, we are setting a foundation for our next generation of Ohioans to prioritize their health and well-being and carry those habits with them for the rest of their lives."
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 Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced the approval of 13 projects that will create 1,339 new jobs and retain 3,232 jobs statewide.
During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to result in more than $87 million in new payroll and generate more than $2.1 billion in investments across Ohio.
Lt. Governor Tressel celebrated the announcement of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge Round 2 with the Sandusky Central Catholic School.
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Governor and First Lady Fran DeWine visited the Greene County Career Center to tour the facility and meet with students who are in different programs offered at the center. Ohio has expanded access to career technical education so students can have great career opportunities and employers can have a highly skilled workforce.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2025
 Governor and First Lady DeWine recognized National First Responders Day, thanking Ohio’s first responders for their bravery and commitment to serving communities across the state.
Governor DeWine, First Lady DeWine, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin visited Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood for the second stop of the Governor's Literacy Leaders Tour.
The tour is the Governor’s latest initiative to highlight schools that have embraced the Science of Reading and are making great strides in literacy education.
“When schools embrace the Science of Reading, students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the classroom and in life,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re happy to highlight the good work that’s happening at schools like Emerson Elementary as we continue our Literacy Leaders Tour. The progress being made here is a great example of what can happen when an entire district makes reading a top priority.”
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 In an effort to reduce serious and deadly crashes, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) joined several other state transportation departments to mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday, October 29. This national effort aims to bring attention to two the most common factors in deadly crashes each year.
“Drivers can protect themselves and those nearby by simply wearing a seatbelt and putting away their phones," said Governor DeWine. "These small actions make a big difference because they vastly increase the odds of surviving a crash or preventing one in the first place."
Ohio has recorded a steady decline in overall traffic deaths over the last three years, but too many people continue to die on Ohio roadways.
“Our mission is to save lives. Buckling up and putting your phone down are not suggestions, they are life-saving commitments,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “When you get behind the wheel, your sole purpose is to make safe choices that ensure you and everyone else on the road make it home safely.”
Lt. Governor Tressel visited the Hardin-Houston Local School District Wildcats to see how they were working through the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025
While attending the Ohio Business Roundtable CEO Summit in Lewis Center, Governor DeWine and JobsOhio announced the creation of the new JobsOhio Energy Opportunity Initiative, a $100 million fund for economic development opportunities over a five-year period. These funds will provide assistance to qualifying companies in the form of grants and low-interest loans to help offset costs related to natural gas and nuclear power production in Ohio.
“To continue Ohio’s growth and to create jobs, we must focus on energy,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio must have an energy policy that ensures we have the supply we need for current and future demand, which will help keep costs reasonable.”
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Lt. Governor Tressel spoke with members of The Ohio Council about the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge and how it doesn't just impact physical health, but students’ minds — building confidence, lowering stress, and improving focus. He thanked them for the work they do to improve the mental health of Ohioans every day.
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Lt. Governor Tressel visited Ecole Kenwood French Immersion School to meet with Team Tressel Fitness Challenge students who showed big energy and their commitment to the challenge.
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Thursday, October 30, 2025
 Governor and First Lady DeWine stopped by the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District in Tuscarawas County and the Brown Local School District in Carroll County to celebrate the opening of their school-based health clinics, which will serve both students and the larger community.
Governor DeWine, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman announced a plan to provide up to $25 million in support for food assistance to help families who may soon be affected by the anticipated suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“The easiest and best way to help Ohioans in need of food assistance is for U.S. Senate Democrats to end its filibuster of SNAP benefits and other important federal programs and approve the clean continuing resolution passed by the U.S. House,” said Governor DeWine. “While it is no substitute for the relief Senate Democrats could provide today, this funding will help get more resources into the household budgets of the Ohio families who need it most.”
 Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2025-06D: The Emergency Adoption of Rule 5101:1-23-40.1 of the Ohio Administrative Code for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Directing the Provision of Temporary Assistance to Ohioans Facing Food Insecurity.
The executive order will provide up to $25 million for food assistance to help Ohio families who will be affected by the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, should the ongoing federal government shutdown continue.
The Governor’s order directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to give $7 million to various Ohio food banks and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 Ohioans — including more than 57,000 children — who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.
Friday, October 31, 2025
 Governor DeWine reminded families that as many children head out for trick or treat, it is important for drivers and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings.
Governor DeWine announced that he is nominating Scott R. Partika to be the director of the Ohio Department of Medicaid following the announcement that Director Maureen Cocoran is retiring.
“I want to thank Director Cocoran for her leadership of the Ohio Department of Medicaid,” said Governor DeWine. “She has led the department, which provides healthcare for Ohio’s most vulnerable, with a bold vision to improve health outcomes for those on Medicaid.”
As a successor to Director Cocoran, Partika will continue to ensure that Ohio’s Medicaid recipients receive high‐quality care, that the system remains fiscally responsible, and that innovation and transparency guide the department’s work.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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