Ohio
Ohio Humanities get stopgap funding, but more needed after federal cuts and unclear future
Top headlines of the week, June 6 2025
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
After National Endowment of Humanities canceled tens of millions of grants to arts and culture institutions around the country April 1, including $2 million in Ohio, disproportionately affecting smaller and rural institutions, officials called the cuts “heartbreaking.”
Now, humanities funds around the country could breathe a small sigh of relief after the Mellon Foundation announced in late April that it would send each state council a grant to help each of them stay afloat, but that is a fraction of the once-reliable federal funding.
Each state humanities council got $200,000 in unrestricted funding to continue operating and up to $50,000 in additional matching funds.
The stopgap in funding is helpful, but the organizations need more stable funding to continue their work, Ohio Humanities Executive Director Rebecca Asmo said in an email to The Dispatch.
“The grant from the Mellon Foundation is an important bridge in funding that will help us respond to this crisis in the short term, but it in no way can replace the consistency and amount of federal funding that has been available to support communities throughout Ohio for the past 50+ years,” Asmo said.
Ohio Humanities moved up its annual fundraising campaign to help make the match and is about halfway to the goal a month after the initial grant announcement, Asmo said. But more funding is needed.
“The NEH contract termination abruptly eliminated $900,000 worth of funding that was anticipated between March 14 and Sept. 30, 2025, so while the Mellon funds are an important bridge, there is still much that is lost and much more we need to work to raise beyond the match,” Asmo said.
Although discourse about President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has focused on proposed cuts to Medicaid and boosting national debt by $2.8 trillion over the next decade, it also omits future funding for cultural institutions, including the NEH and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Asmo said the organization is working to advocate for NEH funding in the federal budget, which barely passed the House and has an uphill battle in the Senate.
The NEH distributes funding around the country through state humanities councils, which were established in the early 1970s to facilitate more even distribution of grants around the country.
The Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon’s council also sued the Trump administration in mid-May. Although Ohio is not part of the lawsuit, Asmo said Ohio Humanities is paying close attention to the proceedings.
And although the National Endowment for the Humanities announced several new projects, including $260,000 to three in Ohio, this does not restore funding for the other projects with canceled funding.
“While we are encouraged to see NEH distributing grant funding, we are confused as to why these grants are being distributed when funds to state humanities councils were terminated. Over half of these grants are going to just six states — California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, D.C.,” Asmo said.
The NEH did not respond to a request for comment June 6.
The organization posted a statement April 23, weeks after the initial funding cuts were announced, that said the NEH cancelled awards “at variance with agency priorities, including but not limited to those on diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DEI) and environmental justice, as well as awards that may not inspire public confidence in the use of taxpayer funds.”
Ohio Humanities distributed 19 grants totaling nearly $148,000 to organizations around central Ohio in 2024, including a local history walking tour, an oral history project documenting women in prison and a documentary series about the Hopewell Earthworks.
Anna Lynn Winfrey covers the western suburbs for The Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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