(From the Office of Ohio U.S. Senator Jon Husted)

Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This bill would protect minors’ personal data on online platforms and implement safety tools for parents and minors to target any harmful online content for children.

“We’ve seen how manipulative algorithms can overwhelm kids with content that harms their mental and physical health—whether it’s self-harm, eating disorders or violent material pushed onto their feeds. Parents deserve to know when their children’s data is being shared and how these addictive, harmful algorithms work. The Kids Online Safety Act would give families tools to protect their children from content that puts them at risk. I’m proud to join this strong bipartisan coalition to make the online world safer for our kids,” said Husted.

Roughly one in five teens say that social media has hurt their mental health.

KOSA would require online platforms to provide minors with options to protect their information, disable addictive product features and opt out of personalized algorithmic recommendations.

The bill would also give parents new controls to help protect their children and spot harmful behaviors.

Husted joins the bipartisan coalition of 70 senators supporting KOSA.

Microsoft, Snap, Fairplay, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Apple, Nintendo of America, Christian Camp and Conference Association, The Foundation United, Parents for Safe Online Spaces (ParentsSOS), Snap (Snapchat), Street Grace, the American Psychological Association, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and more than 200 other organizations endorse KOSA.

This support builds on Husted’s work to protect children online. His bill, the CHAT Act, would bar minors from accessing sexually explicit and harmful content from AI companion chatbots.

Full text of the bill is available here.

A big honor for a standout on the Liberty-Benton High School Boys Soccer Team.

Aiden Hatch has been named to the 2025 High School All-American Team by the United Soccer Coaches organization.

Aiden becomes the first All-American in the school’s history.

WFIN News spoke with Soccer Coach Aaron Troyer, who says this latest honor for Aiden adds to the accolades he’s received this season.

“He’s incredibly deserving. We’re just so proud of what Aiden has accomplished, not only this year, but over his entire four-year high school career.”

(From the Findlay Fire Department)

Please join us in welcoming our newest firefighter, Nate Sheets!

Nate is a graduate of Arlington High School and proudly served our country in the United States Army.

He continues that commitment to serve today as a member of the Army Reserves.

At 25, Nate comes to us with his Firefighter I & II and EMT certifications and currently volunteers with the Arlington Fire Department, bringing dedication and discipline to our team.

Welcome aboard, Nate!

The process of setting the City of Findlay’s annual budget for 2026 is underway.

Mayor Christina Muryn was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss how the process works and to share her thoughts on the rising cost of running the city.

You can listen to the full interview in the audio file below.

(From A Holiday To Remember)

Santa Claus is headed back to Downtown Tiffin to help families celebrate the season with four special opportunities to visit him this year. Santa will be available Saturdays, December 13 and 20, as well as Sundays, December 14 and 21, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. each day.

All visits with Santa are free for everyone and will take place inside the igloo located at the courtyard between The Elmwood Assisted Living and The Ritz Theatre on S. Washington Street. The igloo offers a cozy and festive atmosphere perfect for holiday photos and memory-making.

This community favorite is proudly sponsored by Reino’s Pizza & Pasta in partnership with Simply Shop Local and A Holiday To Remember in Downtown Tiffin, continuing the tradition of bringing holiday cheer to Downtown Tiffin.

Guests are encouraged to visit Santa, take photos, and shop local to support the small businesses that make our downtown so special during the holiday season.

Additional details will be shared on the A Holiday To Remember (@TiffinHolidaytoRemember) and Simply Shop Local (@shoptiffinoh) Facebook pages.

For more information, please contact the event team through the A Holiday To Remember Facebook page, by calling 419-934-0254, or emailing simplyshoplocal@gmail.com.

(From Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal)

Applications are now being accepted for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small County Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD) Grant. Established recently by the 136^th General Assembly via House Bill 96, the nonrenewable grant makes a total of $8 million in funding available for eligible fire departments across the state. Those departments can apply for up to $50,000 each to strengthen their operations, enhance safety, and better serve their communities.

Funding provided by the SCVFD Grant can be used for, but is not limited to, firefighter equipment and gear, rescue equipment and gear, and costs related to fire protection services. To learn more about the SCVFD Grant and to submit an application, fire departments can visit at com.ohio.gov/FireGrant. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2026.

To be eligible to receive SCVFD Grant funding, applicants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:

• County Population – Eligible departments must be located in a county that has a population of 70,000 or less per the 2020 U.S. Census. Those qualifying counties include Adams, Ashland, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Champaign, Clinton, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Fayette, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Washington, Williams, and Wyandot counties.
• Volunteer Fire Department Status – Eligible departments must have a volunteer fire department status as defined under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-02, which states that at least half of the firefighters are volunteer or paid-on-call and not eligible to pay into the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Departments serving multiple counties are eligible only if they are located in a qualifying small county. Non-volunteer departments, and departments in counties with over 70,000 residents are not eligible for this grant funding.

“This grant is more than just funding, it’s a lifeline for Ohio’s small county volunteer fire departments, which are the backbone of our state’s fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These departments often operate with limited resources compared to their larger counterparts, yet they’re first on the scene when their communities need them most. With this support, we’re helping them continue their critical mission of protecting lives and property across Ohio.”

Each year, the Division of State Fire Marshal provides millions in grant funding to the state’s fire departments through other various programs like the MARCS Grant, Equipment Grants, and Training Reimbursement Grants. Additional details about these grants and their recipients can be found on the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMdashboard.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System is proud to congratulate the graduates of our nursing residency program!

Throughout this program, these nurses have gone from shadowing to precepting to caring for patients independently. Now, they are skilled nurses, bedside leaders, and even mentors to new associates. They have experienced an intense six months of growth and hard work, and they will continue this growth throughout their professional careers.

Pictured: Ellie Fenstermaker, RN; Aubrey Williams, RN; Marie Schroeder, RN; Iyona Murphy, RN; Andrew Kalb, RN; RJ Bowers, RN; Alissa Schimmoeller, RN; Peyton Flint, RN; Alaina Tiell, RN; Abigail Wolbers, RN; Alexis Buddelmeyer, RN; Allison Kennard, RN; Haley Lee, RN; Luke Reuille, RN; Logan Price, RN; CJ Rose, RN

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know about an upcoming ramp closure to Interstate 75 in Findlay.

ODOT says the ramp from Lima Avenue to Interstate 75 will close for one day on Wednesday, December 17.

The reason for the closure is to allow crews to perform guardrail repairs.

The suggested detour from ODOT is below. 

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay celebrated the naming of a classroom in the College of Business/Center for Student Life at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November.

CBSL 222 is now known as the Dr. Dan A. and Aleta J. ’88 Yates Seminar Room.

UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., expressed her appreciation to the Yates family for their support of the University.

“We are thankful that they have shared their blessings with the University, and it is our pleasure to recognize them by naming this classroom in their honor,” she said. “Their generosity will make an impact on generations of Oilers to come.”

Dan has been a College of Business faculty member for 20 years, coming to the classroom in 2005 after retiring from Marathon Petroleum Co. He holds degrees from Tiffin University, University of Dayton, Bowling Green State University, and Northcentral University.

Aleta also is retired from Marathon Petroleum Co., working in business development and analysis, and she holds an associate degree in business administration from UF.

Their children are UF graduates – Abby in 2003 and Sam in 2016, along with Sam’s wife, Devony, who graduated in 2020.

For the Yates family, who live in Findlay, giving is a way of life rooted in gratitude, humility, and a desire to uplift others.

With a lifetime of generosity totaling more than a half-million dollars to UF, they made a planned gift to establish the Dr. Dan and Aleta ’88 Yates Business Scholarship and another leadership gift to support the Findlay Fund.

Their philosophy is simple but powerful: be intentional, be grateful, and give back to those who need a hand.

The couple’s planned gift reflects their shared commitment to education and their hope their scholarship will ease the financial burden for future students—allowing them to graduate with little to no debt. “We like the idea that students can earn this money, maybe work part-time, and still get help paying for school. That gives them skin in the game,” Dan explained.

Ken McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement, noted that Dr. and Mrs. Yates are members of the C.T. Fox Legacy Society at the University. Named in honor of Charles T. Fox, Ph.D., the third president of Findlay College, the C.T. Fox Legacy Society recognizes donors who have shared their intentions to remember the University through a planned or estate gift.

“UF is grateful that our students can rely on the support of Oiler alumni and friends, like Dan and Aleta,” McIntyre said. “We are pleased that their legacy on campus will include the special place of this classroom. The University of Findlay is grateful for their continued support, generosity, and leadership. The seeds they have planted will grow for generations to come.”

Pictured, from left, are: Ken McIntyre Jr., Abby Yates, Aleta Yates, Dan Yates, Sam Yates, Devony Yates, and President Katherine Fell.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Holiday Spirit Week is almost here, Trojans!

Get ready to wrap up 2025 with some festive fun! From December 15–19, we’re celebrating the season with themed dress-up days all week long. Check out what’s happening each day and join in to spread that holiday cheer!

Monday 12/15 – Polar Express Day

Wear your coziest pajamas!

Tuesday 12/16 – Winter Wonderland

Dress in white or snowflake-inspired outfits.

Wednesday 12/17 – Holiday Characters

Come as Santa, a snowman, a reindeer, or any festive favorite!

Thursday 12/18 – Deck the Halls

Rock your holiday colors!

Friday 12/19 – Holiday Sweaters

Ugly, cute, funny — all sweaters welcome!

Let’s make the halls merry and bright next week!