STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In honor of the life and service of former Ohio Representative and State Senator Ray Miller, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Franklin County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, September 5, 2026.

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The Ohio Statehouse's Transportation Grant portal will open for applications Friday, September 4 for the 2026-2027 school year. The grants assist schools in paying for bus transportation for students to visit Capitol Square for tours to learn about Ohio history, how government works, and the importance of civic engagement.

More than 70,000 students visit the Ohio Statehouse each year. Additional information about the grant and how to apply is available online at OhioStatehouse.org. This year, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is contributing an additional $50,000 to the program, along with the donation that is provided annually by the Capitol Square Foundation.

“We hope this additional grant funding will bring more students to our great state capitol, especially those who haven’t had the chance to visit yet,” said Megan Wycuff, Executive Director with CSRAB. “Our mission with these tours is to bring history lessons to life while sharing the importance of civic engagement with future generations.”

Up to 180 grants will be awarded, split evenly among three categories based on one-way travel from the applicant's school to the Ohio Statehouse:

• 0 to 50 miles


• 51 to 100 miles


• 101+ miles

“The Capitol Square Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness about the Ohio Statehouse and the rich history surrounding it,” said Charley Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “We hope that these grants will help provide students and teachers with an opportunity to visit Capitol Square and learn something new.”

Applicants must be teachers or an employee who works for an Ohio school that receives state funding and have a minimum of 20 students in their tour group to be eligible for the grant. Only one grant will be awarded per school. Classes below the 4th grade level are not eligible for the program.

Applications must be submitted online by end of day Sunday, September 13, 2026. Schools will be selected by the Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center by using a random lottery system for each of the grant categories.

All grant awardees will be notified by e-mail if they are selected for a transportation grant. More information regarding reimbursement is available online at OhioStatehouse.org.

Please note, schools can schedule class tours before grants are awarded. Tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday during business hours. Springtime tour dates fill up quickly and schools are encouraged to consider a fall tour for students. For questions regarding tours, please email tours@ohiostatehouse.org or call 614-728-3726.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

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COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered that, in honor of the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio until sunset on September 1, 2026.

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Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The meeting will be held in the State Room (Room #108) and will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda is linked below.

Click here for the meeting agenda.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

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Today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered that, in accordance with the President of the United States of America and in remembrance of United States Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio until sunset on July 18, 2026.

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Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff today upon all public buildings and grounds at the Ohio State House Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset to the honor the life and service of two public servants.

Flags are lowered to honor former State Senator and former State Representative Kenneth R. Cox. The governor has ordered that all flags at public buildings and grounds throughout Summit County be lowered from sunrise to sunset for the day of his funeral today, July 10, 2026.

Flags are also lowered today to honor former Hamilton County Prosecutor, Court of Common Pleas Judge, and Sheriff Simon “Si” L. Leis, Jr. The Governor has ordered that all flags at public buildings and grounds throughout Hamilton County be lowered from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral today, July 10, 2026.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

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If you love Ohio history and are passionate about sharing it with others, the Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center is looking to recruit new volunteers to serve as tour guides! Volunteers are essential to providing tours of the Ohio Statehouse, which hosts more than 70,000 visitors each year.

The Ohio Statehouse provides multiple tours daily, except on state holidays, for both the public and for pre-booked groups like schools. Volunteers interact with people of all ages and from around the world!

"Our volunteer guides do such an important job by bringing history life and making a tour a fun experience for visitors of all ages,” said Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. “Their dedication to being stewards of Ohio history is what this program is all about.”

The Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center will provide tour training for volunteers. The training includes the history of Ohio and the capitol as well as the inner workings of the legislative process. Volunteer guides must have a variety of skills including taking charge of a group, being a good speaker, and feeling comfortable with people of all ages and backgrounds.

There are benefits to being a volunteer! Volunteers are provided free, on-site parking as well as discounts at the Statehouse Museum Shop, invitations to special events, continuing education and more.

Those looking to be a volunteer tour guide can find the application form online at OhioStatehouse.org. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and will be required to pass a security background check.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

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In honor of the life and service of Sgt. Scott Ries of the Rittman Police Department, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Wayne County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of Sgt. Ries’ funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period. Older Posts