Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a requirement that all Ohioans show photo ID to vote. The new mandate is part of package of election law changes the governor signed Friday, after it was sent to him by the Republican-led legislature. The new law also shrinks the windows for mail-in ballots to be counted and for curing provisional ballots, and eliminates a day of early voting. Their backers say the changes further protect against fraud and speeds up vote counting that's been more closely scrutinized since 2020. Opponents call the changes cumbersome and unnecessary because voting fraud is rare.

A PSA from the Putnam County Board Elections for voting. When you go to vote for In-Person voting and Election Day, make sure you bring your identification. Voters who do not provide one of these documents will still be able to vote by provisional ballot.

Area preschoolers and their families gathered at the McElroy Educational Center to enjoy the changing of the season. This edition of "Nature Pals" included plenty of hands-on activities, a chance to read a book, and a group sit down to learn about what changes the children are seeing this time of year. Parents enjoy bringing the kids out and one dad got his first taste of "Nature Pals".

The Mercer County Fair will take place until August 18th with a variety of events such as musical performances from Roots and Boots, as well as King and Country. A demolition derby is also planned for the week full of fair fun. Fair managers say that there is a bit of everything for everyone to enjoy this year.

Volunteers have already started on 17 or the 62 projects that are lined up for this year's “Community Relief” a Ministry of Union Chapel. This is the third year for the project and each year it gets bigger. As the ministry finds more people in need of repairs to their homes. Anything from landscaping to roofing to painting will be done now through Saturday.

Places like the Columbus Grove pool had a great opening day on Monday, thanks to the mercury reaching the high 80 degrees mark. Around 250 people came out on Memorial Day and more families stopped out Tuesday to enjoy the water. Employees say the historic location is a great place to keep your cool.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, wellness checks are once again available to the public at the Bradfield Community Center. Mercy Health Saint Rita's and the Ohio Northern Healthwise Medical Bus is assisting in checking cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin, A1C, and blood pressure testing.

United States Representative Jim Jordan says the shooting that took place in Texas Tuesday was "Terrible" and "Tragic". Appearing at Anthony's for the Wapakoneta service club meeting, Jordan says that he hopes to explore possibilities to address school shootings, such as adding more security at schools, but is against anything that would involve the 2nd amendment.

Artspace Executive Director Sally Windle explains, “This is for all artists. This is one of those things that brings in all the mediums, lots of different people enter this and it’s pretty big for us because this is our 70^th year. So actually, the show is older that ArtSpace or the Art Association is. It’s always attracted a really diverse crowd of artists and mediums.”

Members from the service club started cooking chili as early as 8 a.m. Thursday morning in order to meet the high demand that the annual project brings. All proceeds will go towards helping speech and hearing projects, such as scholarships for those who are pursuing degrees, as well as helping the local community.