The 2026 midterm elections promise to bring fierce competition as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress.

The Hillsboro Finance Committee will meet on Jan. 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. in the conference room located at city hall, 130 N. High St., Hillsboro, to discuss the purposed wage study.

The Ohio Department of Development today announced $21.6 million in funding to 29 communities to improve housing and provide homeownership and rental assistance for low- and moderate-income families. Highland County will receive a $700,000 grant to rehabilitate six owner-occupied homes, repair eight homes, and include a fair housing component. The county will partner with the city of Hillsboro. 

Following days of civil unrest in Iran, President Donald Trump issued a warning to the Iranian regime that the U.S. is prepared to take action if civilians are shot. Trump posted the warning overnight Friday, indicating he may be throwing support behind the uprising in the Islamic Republic sparked by economic decline.

Since legalized sports betting started in Ohio in 2023, bad consequences are piling up. Two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians are accused of throwing wild pitches to rig bets. And the number of Ohioans seeking help for problem gambling is way up.

The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program was created to reduce Medicare spending on prescription drugs and enhance the program’s long-term sustainability. 

Ohio’s standing as one of the country’s most populous states continues to slip, and the lack of jobs is the reason why, according to a survey of state economists.

When Congress returns next week, lawmakers will have less than a month to pass the remaining nine appropriations bills funding federal agencies in fiscal year 2026.

Law enforcement task forces established under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) thwarted drug traffickers in 2025 by confiscating more than $75 million worth of illegal drugs, 440 firearms and $4.1 million in cash, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced this week.

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice is mounting a referendum effort against a new law cracking down on intoxicating hemp and making several changes to Ohio’s voter-passed recreational marijuana law. If its signature gathering effort proves successful, Ohio voters will be asked whether to reject provisions of Ohio Senate Bill 56 next November.

Pointing to a multimillion-dollar taxpayer fraud scandal in Minnesota, an Ohio lawmaker wants an investigation into the state’s child care facilities he says are suspected of fraud. Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, claims there have been multiple reports alleging fraud in publicly funded child care programs that bill the state for children who don’t attend.

The Highland County Press is recapping some of the top stories from 2025. The following is Part 2 of the series.

Attorney General Dave Yost has awarded a fourth round of grants totaling $5.3 million to support addiction treatment for incarcerated Ohioans, including $200,000 for the Adams County Jail.

“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in a massive fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesota’s social services programs," Rep. Comer said. 

The first allegations of fraud came in late November when reports stated millions of taxpayer dollars had been stolen from the state's welfare system and sent to a Somali-based terror group.