Five things to know for Monday, Jan. 5
Illegally possessed firearm confiscated during a violent crime reduction initiative in Cincinnati on Dec. 30, 2025.
State auditor launches option to report public assistance wrongdoing
Amid ongoing concerns of fraud in the state, Auditor of State Keith Faber announced a new option for Ohioans to report suspected malfeasance involving public resources. The office added a new website section for tips about possible fraud involving public benefits programs.
“We want to make sure that public resources that are supposed to be helping the most vulnerable among us are not lining the pockets of crooks,” Faber said in a release. “We welcome anyone with evidence of crimes that involve public funds to contact us. We take these allegations very seriously, scrutinize any evidence of wrongdoing, and hold people accountable for their actions.”
Faber: Fraud is rare. In 2025, the state auditor secured roughly $3.1 million in court-ordered restitution and 23 convictions. Since 2019, the Auditor of State’s Special Investigation Unit has secured 272 recovery findings totaling more than $28.5 million and 153 fraud convictions.
“The overwhelming majority of public employees do their jobs with the highest level of professionalism,” Faber said in a release. “Fraud is rare, but when it occurs, no matter how big or small, it severely erodes the public’s trust in our work.”
Unemployment claims rise in Ohio. Ohioans filed 65,636 unemployment claims from Dec. 21 to Dec. 27, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said. Of those, 55,173 were continued unemployment claims, which were 1,851 more than the previous week.
An additional 10,463 initial unemployment claims were filed, which was 2,212 more than the previous week. Of those, 1,292 were flagged for confirmation that they are legit.
State efforts lead to more than 500 felony arrests. In 2025, state authorities provided resources to support 130 coordinated violent crime reduction initiatives in 23 Buckeye State communities. Officials said the operations, part of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, resulted in 521 felony arrests and the confiscation of 175 illegal firearms.
State releases model AI policy. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director has released a model policy on artificial intelligence in education for public, community, and STEM schools. As part of House Bill 96, Ohio school districts must adopt an AI policy by July 1. The model policy provides a template that districts can use as is or customize.
