Mayor Aftab Pureval and Sen. Bernie Moreno during separate public appearances as Cincinnati officials respond to a federal funding dispute.

Pureval responds to Moreno’s federal funding threat

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval defended Cincinnati’s Office of Economic Inclusion after U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno threatened to pursue federal funding cuts over the city’s diversity-related programs.  Pureval said the office exists to ensure businesses have fair access to city contracting opportunities and operates within applicable federal and state laws. Moreno argued that the Office of…

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The state flag of Ohio waving on a flagpole against a partly cloudy sky with a city skyline in the background.

Economic Inclusion department draws federal funding threat from Ohio senator

Cincinnati officials are facing pressure from Washington after U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno threatened to seek a suspension of federal funding unless the city reverses its newly established Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement.  Moreno’s warning followed the Cincinnati City Council’s approval of an ordinance reorganizing procurement and supplier diversity functions into a standalone department.  He…

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child care oversight


Ohio lawmakers expand child care oversight amid fraud concerns

Article Summary Ohio Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation to tighten child care oversight amid concerns over fraud and the misuse of public funds. Key proposals include requiring video surveillance in state-funded daycare centers to verify attendance. Additionally, they plan to expand the Attorney General’s investigative powers. While Governor DeWine defends the existing inspection system as…

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White House in Washington, D.C., as federal sanctuary policy funding changes are announced

Cincinnati Unlikely to Face Funding Cuts Under Federal Sanctuary Policy Announced by Trump

Article Summary President Donald Trump said the federal government will halt funding to states with sanctuary cities starting February 1. The sanctuary policy funding proposal targets states rather than individual cities and could affect major federal aid programs. Cincinnati and Ohio are not expected to be impacted based on current classifications and enforcement practices. Federal…

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U.S. HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill on the left and a man in a suit with glasses on the right.

HHS freezes federal child care payments to Minnesota amid allegations of widespread fraud

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has frozen all federal child care payments to Minnesota and imposed new verification requirements nationwide, citing allegations of rampant fraud in the state's childcare programs. Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O'Neill announced the measures in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on December 30, 2025, stating: "We…

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