Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review
For the week ending December 12, 2025
Saturday, December 6, 2025
In honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in accordance with orders from the President of the United States, Governor Mike DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio from sunrise to sunset on December 7, 2025.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
 Governor DeWine paid respect for the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor taking time to remember the 2,403 Americans who were killed in this horrific attack.
Monday, December 8, 2025
In honor of the life and service of Lieutenant James “Bryan” White of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Governor DeWine ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Madison and Clark counties and at all Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation facilities on December 9, 2025.
Lieutenant White began his law enforcement career with the Clark County Sheriff's Office. He later joined the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Following his time with BCI, White was an officer with the Madison County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division until his death.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may lower at their discretion for the same time period.
 Lt. Governor Jim Tressel joined Gold Star families, veterans, military leaders, and other community members to participate in Wreaths Across America’s annual wreath-laying ceremony in Columbus.
The event is part of a nationwide initiative to remember the service and sacrifice of veterans, honor those serving today, and teach future generations about the cost of freedom. This week, millions of wreaths have been laid at cemeteries across the country to honor America’s fallen heroes.
“Every wreath reflects a life lived in service to our nation,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “I often talk about having an attitude of gratitude, and it’s days like today that make us even more appreciative of the sacrifice of our Ohio military heroes. This wreath–laying is a powerful reminder that the freedoms we enjoy are not free. It’s also an important opportunity to ensure that the names and the stories of these heroes are carried forward by future generations.”
Governor DeWine accepted an invitation from former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush to attend the Bush Institute's Governors Forum on Reading in Dallas.
Governor DeWine joined former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to highlight the incredible work being done in Ohio to implement the Science of Reading in schools. Investing to ensure Ohio's youth can read opens the door for future learning, good jobs, and a lifetime of opportunities.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced $65.6 million in funding is now available through the Welcome Home Ohio program to help improve access to housing in more communities across the state.
“Welcome Home Ohio helps put the dream of home ownership in reach for more Ohioans by giving communities the tools to remove barriers, revitalize neighborhoods, and create new opportunities for families,” said Governor DeWine. “This new round of funding will help even more Ohioans achieve the stability and pride that come with having a home they can call their own.”
 Students from Warren High School's Bell Choir traveled from Washington County to Columbus to fill the halls of the Ohio Statehouse with the sounds of Christmas. Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel both stopped by to visit with the students.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Ohio Department of Development, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, is accepting applications from eligible post-secondary institutions to host the next round of Ohio’s Teacher Bootcamp Program.
The Teacher Bootcamp Program is designed to enhance professional development for Ohio educators by immersing them in high-demand industries and equipping them with tools to better prepare students for the workforce.
“We need to ensure that the next generation is prepared for the careers of the future — and that starts with our teachers,” said Governor DeWine. “This program equips educators with the practical training they need to better serve their students and help them succeed in an ever-changing workforce.”
Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2025-07D, directing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program funding to initiatives that will assist struggling families, support children, and encourage workforce development.
 Governor DeWine visited with Ohio’s Catholic school leaders to discuss the successes they've seen bringing the Science of Reading to classrooms across the state.
The Science of Reading is the best way kids learn how to read! It gets them excited to learn and is key to giving every child the opportunity to reach their full, God-given potential.
 Lt. Governor Tressel also thanked the Ohio Catholic School Diocesan Offices for allowing him to speak about their shared commitment to guiding Ohio’s young people toward strong character and purpose.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Local parks will be able to build new amenities, such as splashpads and basketball courts, thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) NatureWorks grant program. ODNR approved more than $2.9 million in project funding that will be distributed across 76 projects that will improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans across the state.
"We take pride in our parks because they are an important central gathering place in our local communities," said Governor DeWine. "We hope the projects funded by these grants will encourage more Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family."
The 76 projects span across 64 counties in Ohio. Awardees will use the funding to buy new park land and develop new or renovated playgrounds, which include splashpads, sports courts including pickleball and basketball courts. Other project needs include trails and walking paths, pavilions, exercise equipment, and other park amenities such as restrooms, lighting, and parking.
“We want Ohioans to be able to discover an amazing park in their own backyard and that’s why we support our local parks,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “These grants allow communities to grow their love of nature and exploration.”
Following a pause to review potential federal action, Governor DeWine announced that he is requesting the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to immediately designate all synthetic Kratom compounds and other dangerous compounds derived from the active ingredient in Kratom as illegal drugs through emergency rule. The Governor is also asking the Board of Pharmacy to pursue rules through the regular rulemaking process for scheduling mitragynine (natural Kratom).
“In reviewing this issue over the past few weeks, national experts, including the FDA, agree that synthetic Kratom compounds should be scheduled as illegal,” said Governor DeWine. “However, while there is a clear path to take action on synthetic Kratom, I still have deep concerns about natural Kratom, given the harms, including fatalities, attributed to it. Pursuing the regular rule process for a ban on natural Kratom will allow for hearings, testimony, and a deliberative process."
The Ohio Department of Development released guidelines for a new program designed to strengthen housing opportunities across the state through strategic investment in Ohio’s rural communities.
The Residential Development Revolving Loan Fund (RDRLF) Program, created in the state’s most recent biennium budget with strong support from the Ohio General Assembly, will make approximately $100 million in loans available to help communities fund critical infrastructure needed to support the construction of new single-family homes.
“A strong economy depends on access to quality, affordable housing, but the costs associated with infrastructure are often cost-prohibitive for rural communities,” said Governor DeWine. “We developed this program to help these communities move forward with laying necessary infrastructure groundwork so that construction of new houses can begin.”
Friday, December 12, 2025
Governor DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Stark County today, and will remain until sunset on Monday, December 15, 2025, in honor of the life and service of former Canton Mayor and Stark County Commissioner Thomas Bernabei.
Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Stacey S. Stiriz to the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.
Stiriz, of Delta, will assume office on January 12, 2026, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Michael J. Bumb, who resigned. She will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will need to run for election in November 2026 to retain the seat.
Governor DeWine signed the following Executive Orders:
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Executive Order 2025-08D: The Emergency Adoption of Rule 4729:9-1-01.1 of the Ohio Administrative Code by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
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Executive Order 2025-09D: The Emergency Amendment of Rule 4123-6-08 of the Ohio Administrative Code by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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