Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review
For the week ending August 29, 2025
Monday, August 25, 2025
 Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced the launch of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge in grades 4-8 across Ohio. The challenge will officially begin for students who opt-in on September 8th.
The challenge was created as part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s efforts to make Ohioans healthier and help every person live up to their full potential. Led by Lt. Governor Tressel, the challenge strives to help students across Ohio form healthy habits in fitness, nutrition, and sleep through individual goal setting. Some 635 schools have opted into the challenge, serving more than 160,000 students.
"We created this challenge so it's truly for everyone — from the super athlete to the student who needs an adaptive exercise, from the very active to the less active and everything in between," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "We want kids to be excited about living a healthy life. Our goal is to teach them good habits that will shape their behavior, self-image, and overall health and show them how beneficial it is to carry those habits through life."
By the end of the challenge, students will have learned how to create a workout and lifestyle routine they can build on throughout life. For more information, visit education.ohio.gov/TeamTressel
Lt. Governor Tressel visited Orchard S.T.E.M. School in Cleveland to kick off the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour. He spoke to students about focus and how it can push them to meet their goals in fitness, nutrition, sleep, and life.
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 Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced the approval of four projects that will create 233 new jobs and retain nearly 600 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 $20 million in new payroll and generate more than $287 million in investments across Ohio.
Lt. Governor Tressel visited Struthers Middle School in Mahoning County as part of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge Tour to show students that this challenge is for everyone— from the super athlete to the student who needs an adaptive exercise.
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Governor DeWine announced that he is calling on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to immediately designate all natural and synthetic kratom compounds as illegal drugs.
Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consumption or medical use, but it is often marketed for its purported ability to treat chronic pain, opioid dependence, opioid withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Products are sold online and in stores in various forms, including powders, pills, gummies, and drink products.
As kratom has gained in popularity in the United States in recent years, clandestine chemists have modified kratom’s natural chemical compounds into potent, synthetic chemicals that produce opioid-like effects and are highly addictive. These synthetic kratom products, which are often sold in packaging designed to attract youth, have been found to cause psychosis, seizures, insomnia, hallucinations, and death.
“These modified kratom products, sold online and in stores, are essentially legal, over-the-counter opiates that anyone – including kids – can buy with just a few bucks,” said Governor DeWine. “There is no accepted medical use for kratom in Ohio, and it is an imminent public health risk. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy should act with urgency to schedule all kratom compounds and future alterations of them as Schedule I illegal drugs.”
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Lt. Governor Tressel began day two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour at Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo Junction, challenging students to move their bodies.
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Governor DeWine joined local community leaders in Morgan County to celebrate the beginning of construction on three projects to revitalize McConnelsville's downtown streetscape, enhance access to the riverfront, and renovate the historic Twin City Opera House.
Funded with support from a $10.3 million grant from Governor DeWine's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, McConnelsville will transform its village square with new lighting, sidewalks, and a new roundabout to replace a dangerous six-stop intersection. A new riverfront park will also be built along the Muskingum River with a performance area, gazebo, pavilion, walking trails, and access to the river for boats and kayaks.
A total of $3 million in funds from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program will support renovations at the Twin City Opera House, which opened its doors in 1892. Upgrades to the building will include the addition of more accessible restrooms, an elevator, and space on the first floor for retail opportunities.
"I'm truly happy that the state is helping to reshape how people experience McConnelsville," said Governor DeWine. "These projects mark the start of a riverfront, downtown, and opera house designed for anyone who wants to enjoy the beauty and history of this fine city."
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Lt. Governor Tressel visited South Point Middle School in Lawrence County to work with students on their movements and ability to focus. The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge aims to help kids create a lifestyle routine they can build on throughout life.
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A visit to Maddux Elementary School in Cincinnati wrapped up day two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour with Lt. Governor Tressel and Ted Ginn Jr.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Lt. Governor Tressel started day three of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour at the Johnson Park Middle School in Columbus, helping students learn that fitness, nutrition, and good sleep are all needed to help them meet their goals.
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Lt. Governor Tressel visited 5th graders at Fairborn Intermediate School in Greene County to talk to them about the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, where students set their own goals to complete within 90 days, helping them move towards a more active and healthy lifestyle.
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To end day three of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour, Lt. Governor Tressel visited Shawnee Middle School in Lima.
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Thursday, August 28, 2025
Governor DeWine joined U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel, Ohio EPA Director John Logue, and local leaders to announce the beginning of a cleanup project at Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River. An estimated 865,200 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from behind the Gorge Dam will be remediated.
“The Cuyahoga River is a symbol of both our progress and our opportunities with water quality here in Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “Today we take a major step forward in restoring this river to its healthy, natural, free-flowing state, which is something that hasn’t happened in more than 100 years.”
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Lt. Governor Tressel and Ted Ginn Jr. ended the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge tour at Northwood Elementary School in Wood County.
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Governor DeWine visited Huron Primary School in Ashtabula to celebrate the grand opening of the Ashtabula City School District’s new school-based health clinic.
The health clinic was built with funding from a $330,000 grant awarded as part of Governor DeWine's Appalachian Children's Health Initiative. Through a partnership with Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, the clinic will offer well care, acute care, behavioral health, and immunizations to students in the school district.
“This new clinic proves that when we invest in our schools, we’re investing in the strength and health of our communities as a whole,” said Governor DeWine. “Together, we are proving what’s possible when we put our children and families first.”
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Lt. Governor Tressel visited Bowling Green State University as part of an all-star panel on the significance of college football in America. |
Friday, August 29, 2025
Governor DeWine joined local leaders, students, and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Athens High School, a $69 million project supported by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC).
“I want to congratulate Athens on this exciting day breaking ground on their new high school,” said Governor DeWine. “School buildings are important, but the real heart of our schools are our teachers and students. Today I salute the teachers who are making a brighter future for our young Ohioans.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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