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Ohio House Passes Bill to Combat SNAP Benefit Fraud with Chip Cards

Ohio House Passes Bill to Combat SNAP Benefit Fraud with Chip Cards

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 163, a bipartisan initiative aimed at preventing fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill proposes the introduction of chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to reduce the theft of SNAP benefits, which are often stolen through skimming devices attached to card-reading machines. Testimony from the Cleveland Food Bank revealed that over $17 million in SNAP benefits were stolen between June 2023 and January 2025. The chip technology is expected to make it more difficult for thieves to access card information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service will cover half of the implementation costs, with Ohio responsible for $5.3 million.
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Ohio Senate Moves Forward with Voter ID Amendment Proposal

Ohio Senate Moves Forward with Voter ID Amendment Proposal

The Ohio Senate has advanced Senate Joint Resolution 10, which proposes a constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for voting in person, early, or at the polls. The resolution passed the Senate with a 22-9 vote and now awaits a floor vote in the House. If approved, it will be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide. The proposal does not address mail-in voting, which has less stringent ID requirements. Some lawmakers, including Sen. Al Cutrona, have criticized the resolution for not being strict enough, while Democrats have opposed it, arguing it addresses a non-existent issue.
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Cybercrime Group Utilizes Malicious Ads to Spread FlutterShell Backdoor to macOS Users

Cybercrime Group Utilizes Malicious Ads to Spread FlutterShell Backdoor to macOS Users

A cybersecurity campaign known as Operation FlutterBridge is targeting macOS users through malicious Google and YouTube ads, spreading a backdoor called FlutterShell. According to Palo Alto Networks Unit 42, the campaign is linked to a cybercrime group tracked as CL-CRI-1089, active since at least 2023. FlutterShell, built using the Flutter framework, infects targets with adware and possesses backdoor capabilities, including shell command execution and file system manipulation. The campaign uses Google-verified shell companies to distribute ads that trick users into downloading malware disguised as legitimate applications. The target audience includes macOS users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, and Germany. The malware modifies Google Chrome configuration files to hijack the browser, forcing traffic through an attacker-controlled site. FlutterShell's WebView-based architecture allows dynamic alteration of malware behavior without recompiling.
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Ohio Lawmakers Question Tech Giants on Data Center Operations Amid Secrecy Concerns

Ohio Lawmakers Question Tech Giants on Data Center Operations Amid Secrecy Concerns

Ohio Lawmakers Question Tech Giants on Data Center Operations Amid Secrecy Concerns
FactFable FactFable
What Data security: detecting threats early Actually Looks Like in a Real Incident

What Data security: detecting threats early Actually Looks Like in a Real Incident

A minute-by-minute look inside a real cyber incident reveals how security teams move from a single alert to containing a major threat before it's too late.
AP News AP News
Ex-FirstEnergy executives reindicted in Ohio in $60 million corruption scheme

Ex-FirstEnergy executives reindicted in Ohio in $60 million corruption scheme

Two fired FirstEnergy Corp. executives whose initial prosecutions in the state’s long-running $60 million bribery scandal ended in mistrial earlier this year have been reindicted
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Justice Department and Ohio Launch Federal-State Partnership to Combat Fraud

Justice Department and Ohio Launch Federal-State Partnership to Combat Fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a new federal-state partnership in Ohio aimed at enhancing the detection and prosecution of fraud. This initiative includes federal and state charges against nine defendants involved in over $42 million in fraud, with additional charges pending for $15 million in fraud. The partnership involves advanced data analytics and information sharing to identify and prosecute fraudsters more effectively. The initiative also includes the creation of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list to publicize fugitive fraudsters and enhance public assistance in tracking them.
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Ohio Workforce Partnerships Receive $5 Million in State Funding to Boost Local Talent

Ohio Workforce Partnerships Receive $5 Million in State Funding to Boost Local Talent

Ohio state leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine, announced the allocation of over $5 million in funding to 22 workforce partnerships across the state. This initiative, part of the Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant Program, aims to connect Ohioans with in-demand careers by strengthening local talent pipelines. The funding supports both new and existing partnerships focusing on high-demand industries such as manufacturing, construction, skilled trades, insurance, information technology, transportation, and healthcare. The program encourages collaboration among employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and community leaders to address regional workforce needs. Since 2019, Ohio has invested $22.7 million in these programs, supporting 121 partnerships.
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Cleveland's CITO Elizabeth Crowe Advances City Tech Modernization for Future Readiness

Cleveland's CITO Elizabeth Crowe Advances City Tech Modernization for Future Readiness

Elizabeth Crowe, the Chief Innovation and Technology Officer (CITO) for Cleveland, Ohio, is spearheading efforts to modernize the city's technology infrastructure. Since assuming her role in February, Crowe has focused on integrating advanced technologies across city operations, emphasizing the importance of scalable and sustainable tech solutions. Her strategic priorities include enhancing cybersecurity, managing applications, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to improve government services. Crowe's background in data analytics informs her approach to evaluating and improving systems that power government operations. The city has made significant strides in modernizing its technology, particularly in response to a 2024 cyber incident that highlighted the need for robust cyber protocols. Crowe aims to ensure that Cleveland's technology and processes continue to evolve with the tech landscape, preparing the city for future technological advancements.
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Cybersecurity Threats Target 2026 Election Campaign Systems, Not Voting Machines

Cybersecurity Threats Target 2026 Election Campaign Systems, Not Voting Machines

A report by Check Point Software Technologies highlights that cybersecurity threats for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections are primarily targeting campaign systems rather than voting machines. The report indicates that threat actors are focusing on the email accounts, websites, and fundraising platforms used by campaigns, donors, and voters. Jeremy Fuchs, a campaign manager for Check Point, noted that the use of AI has made these attacks more sophisticated and effective. The report found that 82% of malicious attacks are delivered via email, with significant numbers of stolen passwords from major fundraising sites like ActBlue and WinRed. Additionally, there has been a surge in the registration of new websites with election-related names, which could be used for phishing scams.
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Ohio Data Center Hearing Highlights Environmental and Economic Concerns

Ohio Data Center Hearing Highlights Environmental and Economic Concerns

A recent hearing by Ohio's Joint Data Center Committee brought to light various concerns regarding the proliferation of data centers in the state. Lawmakers heard over four hours of testimony from researchers, activists, and residents, including young Ohioans, about the environmental and economic impacts of these facilities. Key issues raised included the high demand for electricity and water, potential environmental damage, and the financial strain on local governments due to tax incentives. Additionally, the use of non-disclosure agreements between data center owners and local governments was criticized. The hearing is part of ongoing discussions, with further meetings scheduled to include testimony from major tech companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
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Congresswoman Kaptur Supports New OPmobility Manufacturing Plant in Ohio, Promising Job Creation

Congresswoman Kaptur Supports New OPmobility Manufacturing Plant in Ohio, Promising Job Creation

Congresswoman Kaptur Supports New OPmobility Manufacturing Plant in Ohio, Promising Job Creation