Ohio

How bad were spotted lanternflies in Ohio this year? Here’s the season’s overview

Published

4 weeks ago

November 17, 2025

Press Room

How bad were spotted lanternflies in Ohio this year? Here’s the season’s overview

Spotted lanternfly populations have spread farther and appeared in greater numbers across Ohio this season.
Public involvement, such as scraping egg masses, has played a significant role in managing the infestation.
Experts warn that the infestation is expected to worsen in Ohio before it improves.

Frostbite was the bitter end for many spotted lanternflies this month as cold weather finally settled into Ohio. But even as the adults die off, the impact of the invasive insects was hard to miss this season. And experts say the worst may still be ahead.

From growing quarantine zones to thick clusters on trees in metro parks, Ohio has been besieged by the spotted lanternfly season since the insect arrived in 2020.

Official end-of-year counts are not yet available, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

In Franklin County, the Agriculture Department’s Ohio Plant Pest Reporter had 1,449 reports of lanternflies in 2024 and 2,102 this year. Statewide that number decreased from 16,449 reports last year to 14,690 in 2025.

Those reports aren’t confirmed, though, and state experts say lanternflies have spread farther, appeared in greater numbers and drawn an unprecedented level of public attention.

Here’s a look at what Ohio saw in 2025 and what to expect next year.

The infestation grows

Dan Kenny, plant health division chief for the state Agriculture Department, said there was “for sure an uptick” in lanternfly proliferation across the state this year.

Kenny said the insects’ most visible stage is in August, when adults cluster on trees, buildings and outdoor structures. But the infestation begins far earlier — nymphs emerge in May in stages that resemble ticks or beetles, making them easy to overlook.

Since the state’s first detection in 2020, lanternflies have become fully established in eastern Ohio and the continue spreading west. Kenny said they are already a nuisance for many homeowners there.

Ohio State University Extension invasive-species educator Amy Stone confirmed the statewide trend.

“Populations have spread to more areas, and in specific areas populations have risen. The general public is noticing more in their backyard or in places they frequent,” Stone said.

Stone noted heavy activity this year in parts of downtown Toledo.

“This is more of a public-facing pest,” she said. “They can show up in stadiums, high-rise apartments — anywhere.”

On the local level, metro parks like Scioto Audubon Metro Park, which recently held a lanternfly smash, said they’ve noticed more sap left from the insects on more of their trees.

What kind of damage did lanternflies cause this season?

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has said repeated lanternfly feeding can stress trees and make them more vulnerable to disease. Park rangers in Columbus reported an increase this year in honeydew — sticky secretion lanternflies produce while feeding — and sooty mold, which grows on honeydew-covered surfaces.

Kenny said the state has not documented major crop losses in Ohio so far.

“We haven’t seen crop damage per se anywhere,” Kenny said. “But I’m sure they have the ability to damage crops. Growers have been worried about this for a while — especially grape growers and other specialty crop growers.”

Stone said the broader agricultural picture is still concerning.

For beekeepers, she said, honeydew can contaminate hives.

“Lanternflies are prolific honeydew producers,” Stone said. “Bees take that honeydew back to the hive, which changes the color and taste.”

Stone also stressed the impact on vineyards and maple producers — two industries closely monitoring lanternfly spread.

Could public response stop the invasion?

Kenny and Stone said public buy-in has been key to fighting the insect’s proliferation in Ohio.

“This one’s off the charts in terms of getting help from the public,” Kenny said.

Egg-mass scraping efforts, often coordinated by OSU Extension and local parks, are especially effective. Stone said destroying a single egg mass typically kills 30 to 50 nymphs.

Stone said a statewide “Big Scrape” effort is underway now to destroy egg masses and log progress.

Both experts said removing tree-of-heaven — the lanternfly’s preferred host plant — is one of the best long-term tactics for reducing populations.

“If folks aren’t familiar with what a tree of heaven is, it is an invasive plant,” Kenny said. “Look out for ways to control that tree to help suppress lanternfly growth.”

What to expect moving into winter

Both experts emphasized that Ohio is still early in its infestation timeline.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Stone said. That’s what happened in Pennsylvania.

“It was just last year or the year before when they saw a natural decline and they had nearly a decade of heavy infestation before that.”

Egg masses survive the winter, meaning 2026 populations will depend on:

How many eggs were laid this fall
How many were scraped or destroyed
Winter temperatures
How much the infestation spreads into new counties

The state Agriculture Department expects the insects to continue expanding next year but says increased awareness and public reporting create meaningful pressure on the population.

“For the public, it’s important for them to know it’s probably going to be a nuisance factor,” Stone said. “But we all must help improve the agricultural arena.”

Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.

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Ohio

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

Published

1 hour ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.

“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”

From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.

Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.

“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.

“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.

“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.

“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.

“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.

“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.

“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.

“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.

“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.

“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.

“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.

GEAUGA COUNTY

“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.

LAKE COUNTY

“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.

“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.

“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.

LORAIN COUNTY

“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.

“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.

MEDINA COUNTY

“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.

“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.

PORTAGE COUNTY

“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.

“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.

“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.

“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.

SUMMIT COUNTY

“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.

“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.

“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.

“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.

For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.

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Ohio

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

Published

14 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.

The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.

According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.

Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.

Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.

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Ohio

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

The Department of Education has agreed to a settlement to end the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan.
Over seven million borrowers currently on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment program if the court approves the settlement.
Ohio has about 1.7 million student loan borrowers and over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt in the state is approximately $35,072.

Student loan borrowers under the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), may soon have to select a new repayment plan after the U.S. Department of Education agreed to a measure to permanently end the program.

A proposed joint settlement agreement announced Tuesday between the DOE and the State of Missouri seeks to end what officials call the “illegal” SAVE program, impacting more than seven million SAVE borrowers who would have to enroll in another program. The settlement must be approved by the court before it can be implemented.

Ohio borrowers carry some of the nation’s highest student loan debt. Here’s how the proposed change could affect them.

What is the SAVE plan?

Originally known as REPAYE, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was created to deliver the lowest monthly payments among income-driven repayment programs. Under the Biden administration, it became the most affordable option for borrowers.

According to USA TODAY, the SAVE plan was part of Biden’s push to deliver nearly $200 billion in student loan relief to more than 5 million Americans. It wiped out $5.5 billion in debt for nearly half a million borrowers and cut many monthly payments down to $0.

But officials in President Donald Trump’s administration claim the Biden plan was illegal.

Why does the Department of Education want to end the SAVE plan?

The DOE says the SAVE plan aimed to provide mass forgiveness without congressional approval, costing taxpayers $342 billion over 10 years. In a press release, the Department said the administration promised unrealistically low payments and quick forgiveness without legal authority.

“The Trump administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a release. “Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies.”

If the agreement is approved by the court, no new borrowers will be able to enroll in the SAVE plan. The agency says it will deny any pending applications and move all SAVE borrowers back into other repayment plans.

Borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan would have a limited time to select a new repayment plan and begin repaying their student loans.

The DOE adds that it is working on the loan repayment provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which created a new Income-Driven Repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), that will be available to borrowers by July 1, 2026.

How many people in Ohio have student loan debt?

Numbers from the Education Data Initiative show that there are about 1.7 million student loan borrowers in Ohio, carrying over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt is approximately $35,072.

Ohio also ranks No. 10 among the states with the most student debt, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

How much money does Ohio get from the Department of Education?

The DOE budget for Ohio for fiscal year 2025 is estimated to be more than $5.65 billion, The Columbus Dispatch previously reported.

President Trump announced his intentions to eliminate the Department of Education earlier this year, meaning that Ohio could lose more than $5 billion in annual funding.

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