Gen. Duke Z. Richardson is retiring from command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
In todayâs Morning Briefing, we look back on Richardsonâs career and introduce to you the new leader taking his place. We also explain what federal cuts to Medicaid could mean for the state.
If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at Greg.Lynch@coxinc.com.
⢠Change of command: Gen. Duke Z. Richardson is retiring, with his deputy, Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, assuming the duties of commander.
⢠Richardsonâs role: As commander of AFMC, Richardson, a four-star general, oversaw one of the Air Forceâs major commands, an enterprise with an $81 billion annual budget and a global workforce of 89,000 people who research, equip and sustain Air Force planes, weapons and equipment.
⢠Prior assignment: Richardson had most recently served at the Pentagon as a military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.
⢠Early career: Richardsonâs career started in 1983 with his enlistment as an avionics technician. He earned an electrical engineering degree under the Airmenâs Education and Commissioning program and attended Air Force Officer Training School where he earned his commission as a second lieutenant in September 1989.
⢠What he is saying: âMy job is to listen, set clear intent, and empower the team,â Richardson said in a release. âWhile I donât think I fully achieved all of them (goals), they shaped every decision I made.â
⢠About Lt. Gen Linda Hurry: She is very familiar with Wright-Patterson. She was a student at the Air Force Institute of Technology from March 1994 until August 1995. She became deputy commander of AFMC in January 2024.
What do federal cuts to Medicaid mean for Ohio? Hereâs what we know
⢠Where will the cuts come from? The slicing of Medicaid spending comes through limiting the tax that states can impose on hospitals and implementing work requirements.
⢠Losing coverage: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the current version of the bill would result in 11.8 million people losing health insurance over the next 10 years, with the majority of them losing Medicaid coverage.
⢠State numbers: Nearly one in four Ohioans are enrolled in Medicaid. More than 770,000 Ohioans receive healthcare through the Medicaid expansion.
⢠Work requirements: The bill would require able-bodied adults who do not have young children to work or volunteer 20 hours per week in exchange for Medicaid benefits.
â¢What opponents are saying: âItâs unconscionable,â Cheryl Walden, the associate director of the National Nurses United Clinical Contacts Office said. âThis is going to affect our veterans, people who get home care. Health care for new moms, babies. Our health care is so out-of-cost for the average citizen, getting a job doesnât always get you healthcare.â
⢠Person to know today: Germantown young adult author S.C. McMurray hooks reluctant readers with vlog-style storytelling.
⢠Big move of the day: Dayton-area office space leasing remains sluggish, but real estate services firm Colliers sees signs that the local market is positioned for long-term growth.
⢠Dayton Food & Dining: The Century has launched its summer cocktail menu with new general manager Keith Milligan running the show.
⢠Gem City Family: Road-tripping this weekend? A little bit of planning makes family time in vehicles a bit smoother.
⢠Thing to do: There are several cities and townships in the region hosting parades and festivals in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. Here is a guide to some of those activities.
⢠Photo of the day: The sixth annual Wright Dunbar Day Block Party, organized by Dayton entrepreneur Tae Winston, was celebrated on Sunday, two days after Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbarâs birthday (he was born in 1872). Food trucks, vendors, live performances and more were featured at the event. See more photos here.
Catherine NguyenLu, a 2017 Alter High School graduate, is busily overseeing, prepping and putting the finishing touches on 100 costumes for âShrek: The Musical,â the 34th annual summer presentation of the Epiphany Players Drama Ministry taking place July 11-20 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville.
Huber Heights officials condemn two unrelated incidents of criminal activity, including a mortar explosion during the Star Spangled Heights fireworks show at Thomas A. Cloud Memorial Park Saturday and shots fired at Waffle House early the following Sunday.
Attorneys representing the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley argued in court on Wednesday that a plea agreement Foley entered into with the state creates âcollateral consequencesâ for his employment.