K-12 schools in the U.S. saw 1,468 firearm incidents in the decade ending in 2023, a 324% increase from the prior decade's 346 incidents.

Why it matters: Ohio had among the most incidents of any state during the past decade with 127, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, an open-source research project attempting to quantify gun incidents at grade schools.

• Only California, Texas, Florida and Illinois had more.

What they did: The database tracked instances when a gun is fired or brandished with intent to shoot, or when a bullet hits school property.

The latest: 122 incidents have occurred nationwide so far this year, as of yesterday, including five in Ohio taking place in the Cleveland and Dayton regions.

The big picture: Absent significant gun reform, schools are increasingly turning to other measures to protect kids, ranging from rules requiring see-through backpacks to issuing teachers "panic buttons" and hiring armed guards.

• Students in Columbus City Schools (CCS) undergo metal detector screenings and bag checks to keep weapons out.
• The school board recently invested $305,000 toward improving safety at the entryways of Hudson Adult Community Education Center, West Mound Elementary, East Linden Elementary and Linden-McKinley STEM Academy.

Zoom in: Ohio also allows staff members to be voluntarily armed if they complete training.

• Thje state allocated $78,000 this year to purchase two portable "shoot houses" that offer tactical training for armed staff.

Yes, but: CCS and most other Central Ohio school districts are not participating in arming staff.

• A total of 67 districts have armed staff on site, WHIO-TV reports, with the majority located in rural areas with longer emergency response times from local law enforcement.

Blake Haxton is ready for his third Paralympics appearance.

Rowing the news: The Columbus native and para-rower will compete in the upcoming Paris Games (Aug. 28-Sept. 8).

• He earned a silver medal in a canoe sprint event at the 2020 Tokyo Games and previously competed in the 2016 Rio Games.

Flashback: Haxton contracted necrotizing fasciitis while in high school, leading to the amputation of both of his legs.

• He later studied finance and law at OSU while developing his motivational speaking and international rowing career.

What he's saying: "My hometown was amazing to me while I was growing up there and they were also amazingly supportive after I got sick," he told Axios at Team USA's recent media summit.

• "The whole time, it really felt like the whole town was behind me."
• Haxton called himself a "Buckeye for life" and credits OSU for having an accessible campus for those with disabilities.

When he's not rowing, Haxton loves visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and attending OSU sporting events.

• His go-to restaurants are Lavash Cafe in Clintonville and Roosters Wings for half Carolina gold, half Hot — "you get a little bit of sweet, little bit of hot."

ICYMI: Columbus' blind soccer star, coach

"He wasn't a supporter of mine at the very beginning ... He was saying things like 'the guy's a total disaster'… anyways I got to know him a little bit ... As a nonpolitician, he's become one of the great senators."

Vance and other top surrogates visited Trump's resort last Saturday to audition to be his vice presidential pick.

• The VP hopefuls have spent months positioning themselves, frequently appearing on cable news shows that Trump watches, leading up to the gathering.

Zoom in: Vance is among those who have made a point of appearing on more mainstream outlets such as CNN and ABC to face more adversarial questions than they typically would get on friendlier venues like Fox News and NewsMax.

• Vance has impressed people close to Trump — including his son, Donald Trump Jr., who considers Vance a friend — by his defense of the ex-president.

What we're watching: Trump and his campaign have signaled he won't announce a running mate for several weeks.

• The Republican National Convention runs July 15-18.

Yes, but: Vance's home state is not likely to be a key battleground state in November as it has been in past election cycles, which could make him a less appealing VP choice.

🗳 Ohio is conducting another voter roll purge of inactive voters before the 2024 general election. (WCMH-TV)

🏒 The Blue Jackets will host a watch party for tonight's NHL draft lottery at the Pins location in Dublin. (CBJ)

💵 Ohio still does not require dark money groups to disclose their donors, even after the House Bill 6 scandal that sent former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder to prison. (Dispatch)

🥙 Pitabilities, which operates three Mediterranean food trucks, is opening its first standalone restaurant in Grove City. (614 Magazine)

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. Here are some last-minute ideas on how to treat your mom:

🍽 Get an early meal. Dozens of restaurants offer special brunches and buffets, from the fancy Refectory ($79) to the family friendly 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen + Bar. ($30-60)

🍷 Painting and wine. Try wine and chocolate at Bliss in a Bottle while completing a flower painting.

• 2-3:30pm Saturday and Sunday, Easton Town Center Boutique Patio. $60.

🎷 Flowers and jazz. Kelly Crum Delaveris & Trio will perform jazz favorites at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

• 2pm Sunday, 1777 E. Broad St. Concert is free with admission ($16-24).

🎨 Hearts and crafts. Enjoy local vendors and a DIY craft station at a Mother's Day Market at LC Dublin.

• 11am-3pm Sunday, 5730 Silver Falls St., Dublin. Free!