📖 Science of reading: Wright State and Central State universities were among schools listed as not complying with a new state law.
🗳️ Capitol Chat: The Dayton Daily News will join WYSO to discuss Ohio politics at a free event in January.
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Warren County to provide property tax relief in 2026
While approving its 2026 operating budget, the Warren County Commission announced it will provide property tax relief to homeowners early in the year.
• The options: The state budget allows two ways to help taxpayers:
— One option allows county government to double the homestead exemption credit that applies to anyone 65 and older or permanently disabled with an earned income less than $50,000 a year.
— A second piggyback program the county could enact is a 2.5% owner occupancy credit, which would be a much broader, smaller tax decrease that would reduce taxes by more than $9 million countywide.
— The commissioners have not decided which program they may enact or how much it will save Warren County property owners. They said a decision will come in early 2026.
• The budget: Commissioners approved an operating budget of $93.6 million, a slight decrease from 2025.
• Responsible budgeting: Commissioner David Young attributed the move to good budget management, saying, “Rather than growing government, we focused on controlling costs and being good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars.”
Wright State, Central State not compliant with Ohio ‘science of reading’ standards, state audit finds
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Wright State and Central State universities were not fully compliant with a state law requiring teaching literacy using a “science of reading” approach.
• Reading teaching method: “Science of reading” is an approach to teaching literacy focusing on phonics and teaching students to sound words out.
• Governor support: DeWine has pushed for Ohio schools and universities to adopt the approach for years, calling it “clearly the best way to teach children how to read,” adding that, “To use any other method is morally wrong.”
• The audit: The announcement that the universities weren’t fully compliant came after an audit of all 48 educator preparation programs in Ohio to make sure they were only teaching the “science of reading” approach
• Responses: Both universities released statements saying that they have removed the banned materials from their classes and are now in compliance.
FREE CONTENT: My children remind me of the true meaning of Christmas
Columnist Whitney Kling shares the story of her 2020 Christmas, newly divorced, working four different jobs and struggling to keep up with the holidays, when a loving gesture reminded her: “There wasn’t and isn’t anything I could do to ruin Christmas.”
What to know today
• One big takeaway: The Dayton Daily News’ Avery Kreemer and Josh Sweigart will join counterparts from WYSO for a free event to learn about politics in Ohio on Jan. 26, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area.
• Tip of the day: Flying taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation is planning to double manufacturing in Dayton and in California.
• Person to know today: Luke Hummel, a Springfield songwriter who released a self-produced EP titled “dysphoria” earlier this month, will be celebrated with a free show Dec. 20.
• Test your knowledge: How much do you know about U.S. immigration law?
• Planning ahead: Here are 10 events in the Miami Valley coming up this weekend.
• Stat of the day: 40 out of 47 - the new record the Dayton Flyers set for most free throws made and attempted at a game in UD Arena during a game against Florida State on Tuesday.
• Happening today: The area’s first Wawa is celebrating its grand opening starting at 8 a.m. today at 4949 Chambersburg Road.
• Photo of the day: Five Rivers MetroParks hosted its annual Christmas on the Farm event at Carriage Hill MetroPark’s Daniel Arnold Historical Farm in Huber Heights on Saturday. See more photos of the event from photographer Tom Gilliam here.
