Five things to know for Tuesday, Jan. 6

DeWine continues to react to fraud allegations

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine continues to take a defensive posture amid allegations of fraud in the state’s child care system, calling a press conference for some media outlets to tell them that everything is fine.

The press conference happened after Ohio.News reported on a letter that the Ohio Department of Children and Youth sent to programs participating in Ohio’s publicly funded childcare program. DCY is launching “integrity reviews” of the state’s publicly funded child care programs.

DeWine’s office did not invite Ohio.News to the news conference, and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Chief Communications Officer Jodi Norton Trimble has not answered questions from Ohio.News about the reviews.

Suspect who shattered Vance’s home’s windows identified. The 26-year-old arrested for allegedly shattering four windows at Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home has been identified as William DeFoor, reportedly the son of a prominent millionaire family, the New York Post reported. According to the report, DeFoor has been going by “Julia” in recent weeks.

More money for private sports teams. Following city action last month, Franklin County is set to divert more tax dollars for Nationwide Arena renovations in downtown Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch reported, citing the board’s weekly newsletter. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners is expected today to approve sending additional casino tax revenue to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority.

Delaware council member resigns after stalking charge. A Delaware City Council member has resigned his post. The Columbus Dispatch, citing a statement from Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle, reported that Third Ward Council Member Cory Hoffman, who has served on the city Council since 2019, resigned his seat on Monday, days after he was arrested on an allegation that he stalked a Powell woman for the second time in six weeks.

Ohio’s minimum wage increases in 2026. The Buckeye State’s hourly minimum wage increased 2.8% to $11 as the calendar turned to 2026, and tipped employees can expect $5.50 per hour. The state’s minimum wage has increased every year since voters passed an Ohio Constitution amendment in 2006, an increase tied to inflation and the Consumer Price Index.