Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review
For the week ending January 30, 2026
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation proactively declaring a state of emergency due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern was expected to bring to Ohio.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm could have dropped up to 12 inches of snow in parts of the state this weekend. Frigid temperatures were also expected before, during, and after the storm.
The proclamation documented Governor DeWine's directive on Friday January 23, 2026, that state agencies, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Ohio Department of Transportation, provide additional resources and support to local communities as needed.
The proclamation also directed the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to suspend normal state purchasing requirements to procure any necessary resources or supplies to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Ohioans.
"I continue to encourage everyone to stay home this weekend unless it's absolutely necessary to be out," said Governor DeWine. "We're expecting the roads to be treacherous in some places, and if you crash, first responders may not be able to get to you quickly."
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Monday, January 26, 2026
Governor DeWine continueed to encourage Ohioans to take precautions due to the cold weather.
According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio was experiencing a deep Arctic air mass that kept temperatures well below normal throughout the week. The coldest wind chill factor was expected from through Tuesday, with wind chill values of 20 to 25 degrees below zero. Below normal temperatures were expected to continue through the first week of February.
"Although the statewide threat for heavy falling snow has passed, the extreme cold is only just beginning and is expected to last for some time," said Governor DeWine. "I encourage everyone to take caution for their own health and safety and for the health and safety of family, friends, and neighbors."
 Lt. Governor Jim Tressel announced the return of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. He's excited to return to Ohio’s schools and help kids across the state build healthy habits through fitness, nutrition, and sleep.
Despite the terrible road conditions on Sunday, cooperation between local health care providers and the Ohio Department of Transportation ensured that a child was safely transferred to Cincinnati Children's.
"They contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation, and we had a snowplow literally go in front of the vehicle that was taking the folks from the Children's Hospital there," DeWine said. "They got there, they did what they needed to do. They got to go back. So it's just kind of the cooperation that you see going on."
Cincinnati Children's said their team received a request to transport a patient, a baby boy named Bryson, in need of a higher level of care. Because road conditions were so bad, Cincinnati Children's transport team contacted ODOT to have a plow escort them and ensure his safety.
"We're Ohioans. We don't brag a lot ... we just sort of go to work, and we just do what we need to do and we just sort of take that for granted," DeWine said. "But I think it's one of the great things about Ohioans. They go fix the problem, and move on."
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Wednesday, January 28, 2026
 Lt. Governor Tressel traveled to Xenia for another stop on his statewide WorkOhio Kickoff Tour.
WorkOhio is a new initiative to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts. The program was announced by Lt. Governor Tressel earlier this month.
“West Ohio has a strong network of people and local organizations committed to helping their neighbors succeed,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “Through WorkOhio, we’re bringing those job experts together to make it easier for Ohioans in this region to find opportunities that match their skills, interests, and goals.”
Governor DeWine paid respects to the 40th anniversary of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Among the heroic crew members killed that day was Astronaut and Engineer Judith Resnik of Akron, who is depicted in the exquisite Ohioans in Space artwork hanging at the Ohio Statehouse.
As our nation stands on the cusp of returning to the Moon, we must never forget that travel in space requires supreme skill and knowledge – and does not come without risk. In memory of the Challenger crew, we honor Judith Resnik and all pioneers in air and space.
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 Lt. Governor Tressel traveled to Toledo for the latest stop of his statewide WorkOhio Kickoff Tour.
WorkOhio is a new initiative to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts. The program was announced by Lt. Governor Tressel earlier this month.
“Northwest Ohio has a deep bench of employers, educators, and workforce leaders who are committed to helping people in their communities succeed,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “WorkOhio brings all that expertise together in a simple, personal way – connecting Ohioans with local job experts who understand the opportunities and resources available in this region, and who are ready to help people take their next step, find meaningful work, and reach their full potential.”
Ohio has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) that would deploy operational aircraft within three months of approval to solve critical medical transport challenges across a four-state region. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), leading a coalition that includes JobsOhio, BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY), NEOEx, the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) and the states of Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky, is offering the FAA a ready-to-launch program backed by more than $1.2 billion in existing AAM infrastructure, certified propeller technology, and a proven multistate coordination framework. The proposal directly responds to the eIPP objectives outlined in President Trump’s Executive Order 14307, Unleashing American Drone Dominance, by demonstrating how advanced air mobility can deliver immediate operational benefits while establishing scalable standards for national deployment.
“Ohio has the most powerful aviation and aerospace ecosystem in the nation,” said Governor DeWine. “Working together, Ohio’s proposal will solve a national healthcare challenge by using advanced air mobility technologies to replace inefficient ground and charter transportation with faster, more economical, and more reliable routing.”
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Thursday, January 29, 2026
 Lt. Governor Tressel hosted the latest stop of his statewide WorkOhio Kickoff Tour in Columbus.
WorkOhio is a new initiative to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts. The program was announced by Lt. Governor Tressel earlier this month.
“Central Ohio is growing fast, and with that growth comes a tremendous amount of opportunity,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “WorkOhio helps bring those opportunities within reach by connecting job seekers with experts from local organizations who understand the region’s unique workforce needs. Our Central Ohio team will make it easier for people to begin a job search, take their next career step, and reach their full potential.”
Lt. Governor Tressel traveled to Cleveland for another stop on his statewide WorkOhio Kickoff Tour.
WorkOhio is a new initiative to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts. The program was announced by Lt. Governor Tressel earlier this month.
“Northeast Ohio is home to one of the most hardworking and talented workforces you’ll find anywhere. Now, our focus is making sure that even more people from this region are able to explore all the opportunities that are available – whether it’s to launch a career or take it to the next level,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “WorkOhio brings together trusted local partners who are from this region, who know it well, and are ready to help people in their communities reach their full potential and find the job that’s right for them.”
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Friday, January 30, 2026
Lt. Governor Tressel announced the 62 former collegiate and professional athletes who will act as "Challenge Buddies" during round two of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. The challenge kicks off for students in grades 3-8 across Ohio on Monday, February 2, 2026.
"Great habits are built the same way great teams are. With commitment, consistency, and encouragement," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "Our Challenge Buddies understand the power of teamwork, motivation, and showing up every day. Their example will help students across Ohio see what's possible when they invest in their health and believe in themselves."
A Challenge Buddy is a positive role model who helps bring the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge to life for Ohio's students. Recruited by Lt. Governor Tressel, Challenge Buddies encourage students to build healthy habits around fitness, nutrition, and sleep. They partner directly with their matched schools to motivate students, share encouragement, and model healthy lifestyles throughout the 30-day challenge.
Governor and First Lady Fran DeWine attended the New Perspectives on the Northwest Ordinance Conference in Columbus to discuss the importance of the Ordinance and how it shaped Ohio into what it is today.
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Governor DeWine issued the following reprieves of execution:
- Gerald Hand, who was scheduled to be executed on June 17, 2026. The new date of execution has been moved to April 18, 2029.
- Danny Lee Hill, who was scheduled to be executed on July 22, 2026. The new date of execution has been moved to July 18, 2029.
- Cleveland R. Jackson, who was scheduled to be executed on July 15, 2026. The new date of execution has been moved to June 13, 2029.
Governor DeWine is issuing these reprieves due to ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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