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Articles by Nick Hrkman
What would Dayton look like with a radically redesigned U.S. 35?
A study wants Dayton residents to imagine what the city could look like if one of the major highways crossing it was transformed. Revive35Dayton.com is part of an 18-month research and planning project led by the city of Dayton and supported by a $2 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant. Local architect and Dayton Plan Board member Matt Sauer is a longstanding advocate for rethinking U.S. 35’s design.
New homes open at DeSoto Bass, part of $15.3 million Renew Miami Chapel project
Construction is completed on new homes to replace 1940s-era public housing in West Dayton. Greater Dayton Premier Management and partners welcomed guests last week to tour phase one of the $15.3 million Renew Miami Chapel project. That includes forty-four units in nine buildings, and is part of a larger redevelopment of the aging DeSoto Bass properties. All of the new homes are affordable, with 20-year project-based rental assistance that allows residents to pay based on their income.
Dayton residents push for movement on new public hospital board
Dayton residents and members of the Clergy Community Coalition are pushing for movement on a new public hospital. Last November Dayton voters approved Issue 9 to create a new public hospital in West Dayton. The 1-mill levy calls for an ER, lab services, a maternity ward and doctors' offices. Supporters have said the nearly $20 million it will generate over 10 years is intended to be seed money for land and construction.
Photos: Paul Laurence Dunbar House in Dayton preserved through $700,000 restoration
Ninety years ago, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s home became the first state-owned house museum dedicated to an African American. And it’s needed a lot of love to keep it in good shape. 1 of 3 — PLD House Spalling Example.jpg A photo of the crumbling mortar at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House in Dayton, Ohio. The recently completed $700,000 renovations replaced the mortar, among other updates.
'Preeminent poet of Dayton,' Dunbar scholar dies at 92 Original
Professor emeritus and author Herbert Woodward Martin, a nationally recognized scholar and performer of the work of Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, died Monday, July 20, 2026. He was 92. “Herb Martin was the preeminent poet of Dayton, an inspiration to everyone,” said poet David Lee Garrison, host of Conrad’s Corner on WYSO, which featured regular appearances by Martin.
Your questions answered about TPS, the Supreme Court and Haitians in Ohio Original
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Temporary Protected Status, more than 300,000 Haitians are facing the loss of immigration protections. This includes an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 in the Springfield area, many who came to the country through the TPS program. Here's what we know about some frequently asked questions. What is Temporary Protected Status?
Ohio capital budget earmarks more than $21M for Dayton region projects
More than $21 million is coming to projects in the Dayton region through the newly-passed Ohio capital budget. On June 15, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 450, the $3.7 billion capital budget bill for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Of the $3.7 billion allocated by the bill, $208 million is dedicated to support 815 community projects across the state.
Dayton to vote on zoning changes to ban data centers, restrict gas stations and car washes Original
The Dayton City Commission will vote June 24 on a proposal to ban data centers and restrict gas stations and car washes. The city's planning department recommended the zoning changes at its June 17 meeting. Jeff Green, director of the Dayton planning department, said they looked at four criteria for their recommendation: water, electric rates, environmental concerns for residents and the financial incentive for the city.
Montgomery County homelessness is down but leaders say funding changes could stop progress
Recent data shows a downward trend in homelessness in Montgomery County. But local leaders are worried that could change because of funding cuts and shifting federal priorities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is making sweeping changes to how it funds services especially for the chronically homeless. For decades one of the main ways for helping chronically homeless people has been to offer permanent housing with social services on site.
Home visiting program for families with newborns expands to Montgomery County
A free, in-home nurse visit program for new parents expanded in the Daytonarea. Help Me Grow Brighter Futures, which serves Montgomery County, has launched the Family Connects Ohio home visiting program, expanding access to in-home nurse visits for new parents no matter their insurance status, income level or where the baby was born.
Homelessness down in Montgomery County for third year in a row
Reported homelessness in Montgomery County was down nearly 13% this year, according to the 2026 Point-in-Time count. That count found 571 people experienced homelessness on Feb. 6, the day of the count, county leaders said Wednesday. That included 83 people who were unsheltered. Annual data for 2025 also reflects a 17% decrease in households experiencing homelessness. Montgomery County Commissioner Carolyn Rice credited the decline to a network of organizations working together effectively.
Dayton is putting $3.3M toward updating aging homes to fight climate change
One of the major sources of greenhouse gases in a city is home energy use — and with an aging housing stock, Dayton has a lot of inefficient homes. That's why the city recently approved $3.3 million in additional funding for its Office of Sustainability’s three home repair partner networks. The two-year grant will go toward weatherizing, repairing and improving over 400 low-income homes.
This Dayton 6th grade classroom is working to help local wetlands
How do you help kids and their families better understand and connect with nature? Invite them to help save it. Over the last several months, the sixth grade class at the Dayton Regional STEM School, Fivers Rivers MetroParks and other partners have been working together to develop ways to strengthen the region’s wetlands.
Border patrol recruiting in Dayton, protestors demonstrate outside career fair
U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been on a hiring surge. This includes a recruiting event in Dayton this week. Several groups held protests outside the three-day U.S. Customs and Border Protection Career Expo, which was held at the Marriott at the University of Dayton.
Urbana begins walking back zoning changes that permitted data centers
The Urbana City Council has started the process to roll back zoning changes that had made it easier for data centers to be built there. The resolution approved on Monday, May 4, follows a moratorium on new data centers passed in March. Community members and environmental groups have been concerned about the impact of development on the Cedar Bog, especially if the proposed development were to include a data center, which can consume millions of gallons of fresh water per day for cooling.
Dayton suspends automated license plate readers after 'egregious' data sharing violations Original
The Dayton Police Department indefinitely suspended the use of its Automated License Plate Readers, pending an independent review. An ongoing internal police review determined that a former commander of the Support Services Division didn't implement safeguards to restrict who could access the data collected by the cameras, despite city policy limiting how the information could be used. That included 7,100 search requests citing immigration-related purposes from various law enforcement agencies.
Behavioral health providers protest CareSource's handling of overpayments Original
Dozens of mental health professionals and social workers protested outside of the CareSource office building in downtown Dayton on Friday in response to the nonprofit's recent decision to seek repayment from behavioral health providers going back to two years.
'Keep it, protect it, expand it.' Vote by mail push launches in Dayton region Original
The American Postal Workers Union and the League of Women Voters of Greater Dayton teamed up Wednesday to advocate for voting by mail as the practice has come under attack. In a March 31 Executive Order, President Donald Trump made sweeping changes to the vote by mail process, calling for the U.S. Postal Service to mail ballots only to verified voters. Opponents claim that's illegal and unnecessary.
What developments should get built in Dayton? And where? City seeks feedback on zoning overhaul
The city of Dayton is asking residents about how they want to see their communities develop through its new AdaptDayton effort, a comprehensive review of zoning regulations and processes. Zoning might not be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but it touches nearly everything in your community, from housing affordability to traffic safety and even environmental hazards.
Community leaders demand accountability after police killing in downtown Dayton
A coalition of racial justice organizations, community leaders and concerned residents gathered in front of Dayton City Hall to call attention to the police killing of Reginald Thomas and to demand accountability from the city of Dayton and its leadership. Reginald Thomas was stopped by a Dayton police officer about 9:30 p.m. March 24 while riding his bicycle at North St. Clair and East Third streets.
One Small Step: Two retired Air Force members discuss Trump, No Kings
Together with StoryCorps, WYSO invited community members to take part in One Small Step, a program that brings people from the region together for honest conversations with someone they have never met. Today we hear from Kevin Price of Bellbrook and Rob Williams of Dayton. When they met at the WYSO studios last fall, they quickly realized they were both retired from the Air Force and had a lot in common.
One Small Step: Do you parent differently than your parents?
One Small Step with WYSO brings together people from the region to have meaningful conversations with someone they have never met. On today’s episode, two moms reflect on how the way they were raised shaped the way they chose to raise their own kids. Suzzy Nandrasy of Dayton and Michelle O’Connor of Miamisburg met at the Huber Heights branch of the Dayton Metro Library.
One Small Step: What does patriotism mean to you?
One Small Step with WYSO brings strangers with different beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics, but to simply get to know each other. In this episode, Lisa Koepke from Cincinnati and AJ Busé from Dayton meet online and discuss a big, and often complicated, idea: patriotism. As part of their conversation, they talk about one of the most recognizable symbols of patriotism in the United States, the American flag, and how different people connect to it in different ways.
Two strangers talk about what being Ohioan means to them: 'The people here are scrappy'
One Small Step with WYSO brings strangers with different beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics, but to simply get to know each other. In this episode, Hailey Clark of Dayton and Sheila Miller of Yellow Springs discuss how their Ohio roots make it easier to connect with people across party lines. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Clark: What does being an Ohioan mean to you? Miller: I feel a pride in Ohio.
Two former Girl Scouts from the suburbs who had very different experiences with race
One Small Step with WYSO brings strangers with different beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics, but to simply get to know each other. Martha Antolik of Vandalia and Venita Kelley of Dayton met at the Dayton Metro Library’s New Lebanon Branch to discuss their values around equality and inclusion. Both were Girl Scouts who grew up in the suburbs, but their experiences with race were very different. As a Girl Scout, Kelley was called a racial slur by an adult.
One Small Step: Why are we hyper-focused on small differences, not celebrating big similarities?
One Small Step with WYSO brings strangers with different beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics, but to simply get to know each other. In this episode, Candace Potter of Kettering and Tony Barnes of Dayton met at the Huber Heights Branch of the Dayton Metro Library to talk about online polarization and how face-to-face conversation can be a relief. They agreed that choosing empathy helps make the world feel less chaotic.
A community in limbo: Haitians, Springfield residents waiting to see how judge will rule on TPS
A lawsuit over ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants is continuing to play out in federal court, leaving thousands in Springfield and Ohio in a tense limbo waiting for rulings. Temporary Protected Status — or TPS — is the legal way about 330,000 Haitians are in the U.S. living and working here. The Department of Homeland Security decided last year to end the status, a decision challenged in federal court.
Talking politics with family: We won't make it if we don't 'put our hearts and heads together'
One Small Step with WYSO brings strangers with different beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics, but to simply get to know each other. In this episode, Jenn Miller of Englewood and Diane Flick of Centerville reflect on how political polarization can strain family relationships and how trying to build connections across political lines can help repair that divide. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
What's Temporary Protected Status and other questions about ICE and Haitians in Springfield Original
Temporary Protected Status for Haitians will expire at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, barring any court interventions. What does this mean for the thousands of Haitians who have come to call Springfield home? Below, we've compiled answers to some of the most common questions we've heard from community members. Do you have a question that hasn't been answered below? Email nhrkman@wyso.org. What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Third places and building social connections in Dayton, Ohio
They are neutral ground. You don’t need an invitation. They are unstructured, folks can come and go as they please. They are not expensive. They are near to work or home. They have regulars, but strangers are not out of place. Chatter, joking, and teasing are an integral part of a third place — they are joyful! They are a place to talk. Conversation is king.
'There are wounds that have yet to fully heal' five years after Memorial Day tornadoes
Nick Hrkman, Dayton Daily News, Ohio May 23, 2024 at 6:15 PM·2 min read May 23—This year marks the fifth anniversary of the destructive 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes. How has our community recovered? What still needs to be addressed? What have we learned to prepare for future tragedies?
Third places and building social connections in Dayton, Ohio Original
They are neutral ground. You don’t need an invitation. They are unstructured, folks can come and go as they please. They are not expensive. They are near to work or home. They have regulars, but strangers are not out of place. Chatter, joking, and teasing are an integral part of a third place — they are joyful! They are a place to talk. Conversation is king.
WATCH LIVE: Community Conversation focuses on hunger in Miami Valley and how to help
One in six people in our community lives with food insecurity. That means they don't have enough affordable, nutritious food to sustain their lives.
TODAY: Reclaiming education focus of Community Conversation Original
We’re connecting local educators and parents as we approach the new school year. From concerns about academic performance, and the loss of learning over the summer, to hiring and retaining educators and support staff, and fears about school safety and mental health, we are listening to local experts to build local solutions.
Q&A: Making our region the best for the military and veterans
On Wednesday, Dec. 15, Community Impact Editor Nick Hrkman and Business Reporter Thomas Gnau co-hosted a live discussion with the following panelists: Cassie Barlow, president of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education and a retired commander of the 88th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, which acts as the “host” for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The unit secures, maintains and supports the base and its facilities.
WATCH: Community Conversation targets making region best for military and veterans
Dec. 16—The health and growth of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with 32,000 workers — is critical to the success of our entire region. That's why the Dayton Daily News examined what needs to be done to keep and attract both military missions and veterans to the area in a Community Conversation that originally aired at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. You can watch the discussion below, or on the Dayton Daily News Facebook page.
TONIGHT: Community Conversation targets making region the best for the military and veterans
The health and growth of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with 32,000 workers — is critical to the success of our entire region. That’s why the Dayton Daily News will examine what needs to be done to keep and attract both military missions and veterans to the area in a Community Conversation at 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 15. You can watch the live discussion on the Dayton Daily News Facebook page.
WATCH: Community Conversation targets making region best for military and veterans
The health and growth of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with 32,000 workers — is critical to the success of our entire region. That’s why the Dayton Daily News examined what needs to be done to keep and attract both military missions and veterans to the area in a Community Conversation that originally aired at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. You can watch the discussion below, or on the Dayton Daily News Facebook page.
Wednesday’s Community Conversation: Making our region the best for the military and veterans
The health and growth of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with 32,000 workers — is critical to the success of our entire region. That’s why the Dayton Daily News will examine what needs to be done to keep and attract both military missions and veterans to the area in a Community Conversation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. You can watch the live discussion on the Dayton Daily News Facebook page.
Thankful for resilience, ability to adapt this Thanksgiving
Family, community, resilience, being able to make a difference — those are some of the things our neighbors told us they were thankful for this Thanksgiving. With COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone 5 years and older, many families can now meet safely for the holidays. “This is going to be a more meaningful Thanksgiving for a lot of people,” said Sharon Conyers, a church administrator for Revival Center Ministries who lives in Trotwood.
WATCH NOW: Community Conversation focuses on COVID-19 vaccine for young children
Community Conversations is a Dayton Daily News series of moderated panel discussions on topics important to the Dayton region. The audience is encouraged to ask any questions they may have about the vaccine during the live discussion. There will be time made available to participants to answer questions from viewers. You can send questions to jordan.laird@coxinc.com ahead of the Community Conversation that we may include in the Q&A.
Meet your new Community Impact Editor
The Community Impact Editor works closely with the Path Forward team to identify reporting that demands further action by providing community voices — your voices — that add context and understanding to the most pressing issues we face together. I’ll manage the Ideas & Voices page with the mission of delivering balanced views, an open forum and solutions-oriented perspectives on important regional problems.
The urban Ol' MacDonald
Learn about raising livestock and more in your own backyard at the upcoming MetroParks programs. What if you could get fresh eggs, wool, milk, cheese, or meat without ever having to leave your yard? A growing number of communities across the country are relaxing regulations to allow people to keep small livestock on their property.
The adventure continues
Jordan Romero climbed Mount Everest at age 13. At 82, Dale Sanders became the oldest man to hike all 2,100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in one calendar year. Hearing them tell their stories on Feb. 9 and 10 might inspire you to embark on your own adventure, no matter what your age. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will converge for Dayton, Ohio: The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest, a weekend of outdoor skill, culture, and experience, at The Adventure Summit, presented by Wagner Subaru.
Winter offerings
Keep your cabin fever at bay this winter by visiting the ice rink at RiverScape MetroPark. Whether you’re enjoying a fast-paced game of broomball or just want to relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the Great Miami River and downtown skyline while gliding around the region’s largest outdoor skating rink, RiverScape MetroPark offers activities and fun for all ages. Staying physically active is more challenging during the winter than it is in warmer months.
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