The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) announced Monday that 98 eligible cannabis dispensaries across the Buckeye State will be issued dual-use Certificates of Operation to begin selling recreational and medical marijuana to consumers on Tuesday.
Read the full storyCategory: Ohio
Ohio Secretary of State Orders Removal of Nearly 500 Noncitizen Voter Registrations
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office has directed county board of elections to remove 499 noncitizen registrations from the state’s voter rolls as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen election integrity ahead of the November 5 general election.
Read the full storyOhio Policy Group Says City, State Attempting to Deny Rights
A Columbus-based policy group is calling the city of Columbus and the state’s attempt to move straight to the Ohio Supreme Court a fight for the rights of Ohio citizens.
In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, The Buckeye Institute wants the court to reject the argument from the city and state that preliminary injunctions can be appealed directly to the court rather than flow through the appeals courts.
Read the full storySouthwest Ohio Judge, Clerk Indicted
A southwest Ohio judge and court clerk face charges after a grand jury returned a 12-count indictment.
State Auditor Keith Faber said an investigation uncovered allegations of improper activity, including political, involving public resources that led to charges against Montgomery County Municipal Judge James Piergies and Clerk of Courts Mike Foley.
Read the full storyCincinnati Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Jail for Robbing Postal Carrier at Gunpoint
A 19-year-old Cincinnati man was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on Wednesday for robbing a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service at gunpoint last year, according to the Southern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Lamarion Gray, according to court documents, approached the female carrier delivering mail on foot on the afternoon of July 12, 2023, where he brandished a firearm, pointed it at the victims, and demanded that she turn over her keys.
Read the full storyOhio Republican Leaders Blast Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Change Redistricting Process
The Ohio Republican Party and Governor Mike DeWine both announced opposition on Wednesday to a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting redistricting rules.
Every 10 years after the U.S. Census, the Ohio Redistricting Commission – comprised of seven members – is tasked with redrawing Ohio’s 99 House districts and 33 Senate districts to reflect the most recent census results.
Read the full storyOhio Future Fund Giving Out $15 Million for Megasite
Nearly $15 million in taxpayer funds are being used to help develop nearly 1,000 acres in northwest Ohio in hopes of luring major corporations to the state.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the money would go to the Defiance County Commission, which is expected to use it to install infrastructure at the Baltimore Avenue Industrial Corridor in Defiance.
Read the full storyIndependent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Submits Signatures to Gain Ballot Access in Ohio
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign announced Monday that it officially submitted 13,000 signatures to Ohio election officials in an effort to formally gain ballot access in the Buckeye State for the November 5 presidential election.
Read the full storyVice Presidential Nominee JD Vance to Visit U.S. Southern Border in Arizona
Vice presidential nominee and Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) will travel to Arizona on Thursday to tour the U.S.-Mexico border, the Trump campaign announced.
Vance will visit the border in Cochise County, which is part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Tucson Sector.
Read the full storyOhio’s Sales Tax Holiday Begins Tuesday
Ohio’s 10-day sales tax holiday is set to begin at midnight on Tuesday and run until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 8.
Read the full storyNovember Election 99 Days Away, But Some Voting Begins in Ohio on September 20
With 99 days until the November general election, key dates are approaching for Ohio voters.
The November election will decide the next president, the state’s next U.S. senator and three congressional races that some call competitive.
Read the full storyOhio Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Case Surrounding Boneless Wings
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to reject a lawsuit brought by a restaurant customer who swallowed a bone that was in his order of boneless chicken wings.
Read the full storyNew Ohio Law Requires Schools to Honor Religious Beliefs, Free Speech
Ohio school districts must adopt a policy to accommodate students’ sincerely held religious beliefs.
The new law, signed Friday by Gov. Mike DeWine, was introduced more than a year ago. It requires the district to adopt a policy prohibiting the encouraging of students, employees, and applicants to specific beliefs or ideas about political movements or ideology.
Read the full storyLaRose Wants Democrats to Stop Blaming Ohio for Virtual Roll Call
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose wants Democrats to stop blaming Ohio for the party’s plan to use a virtual roll call to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential nominee.
In a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harris released Thursday, LaRose demanded the party stop using the state’s ballot access deadline to justify what he called a nominating scheme.
Read the full storyOhio Governor Favors State Senator Matt Dolan as Possible U.S. Senate Appointment in the Case Trump, Vance Win Election: Report
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has commented on his thought process behind appointing a new U.S. senator to represent the Buckeye State in Washington D.C. in the case that Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance win the 2024 election in November.
Read the full storyProposed Constitutional Amendment to Change Ohio’s Redistricting Process Will Be Presented to Voters in November
A proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting redistricting rules will be presented to voters on the November 5 general election ballot, the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office announced on Tuesday.
The proposed constitutional amendment would create the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission to ensure an “open and transparent process and fair outcomes that preserve the political power inherent in the people.”
Read the full storyFormer Columbus Zoo CEO Pleads Guilty to 15 Felony Counts
A fourth former executive with the Columbus Zoo pleaded guilty to 15 felony counts connected to a scandal that uncovered funds used for vacations, vehicles, concerts, sporting events and other things over a decade.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday that ex-CEO Tom Stalf pleaded guilty to 15 felonies, including aggravated theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud and tampering with records.
Read the full storyOhio Democratic Party Pledges Delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris as 2024 Presidential Nominee
The Ohio Democratic Party announced Monday that its delegation voted “overwhelmingly” to pledge its support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee at the 2024 Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago.
Read the full storyOhio Republican Party Calls on President Joe Biden to Resign ‘Immediately’
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou called on President Joe Biden to resign from the presidency “immediately” amid the president’s decision to abandon his 2024 reelection campaign.
Read the full storyOhio Lawmakers Look to Stop Foreign Entity Land Buys
A bill expected to be taken up by the Ohio House later this year would stop specific foreign countries from buying land near an Ohio military installation or critical infrastructure.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, already passed the Senate with just one no vote and no opposition testimony in committee.
Read the full storyOhio Crisis Line Handles 14,000 Contacts Monthly
A hotline established to combat suicide in Ohio received nearly 340,000 communications in the two years since its launch.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the two-year statistics for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, saying the service has grown to provide more call centers than any other state.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Calls on President Joe Biden to End Reelection Campaign
Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released a statement Friday evening calling on President Joe Biden to “end” his 2024 reelection campaign.
Read the full storyOhio Lawmakers Look to Stop Foreign Entity Land Buys
A bill expected to be taken up by the Ohio House later this year would stop specific foreign countries from buying land near an Ohio military installation or critical infrastructure.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, already passed the Senate with just one no vote and no opposition testimony in committee.
Read the full storyNearly All Households Opt-In to East Palestine Settlement
According to court-appointed class attorneys, less than 1% of the nearly 200,000 households involved in the East Palestine train derailment settlement opted out of the $600 million deal.
A court filing after the July 1 opt-out and objection deadline showed 0.09% of the 190,887 households in the settlement class opted out of the agreement. The settlement class includes households in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Read the full storyUniversity of Dayton Rededicates ‘LGBTQ+ Lounge’ to Honor ‘Husband’ of Alumnus
The Catholic University of Dayton “recently renovated and rededicated” its “LGBTQ+ Lounge” in honor of a male donor’s “husband.”
But a Catholic higher education group said the Ohio university errs by promoting behavior at odds with Catholic Church teaching.
Read the full storyYost Rejects Proposed Ohio Amendment for No Title
A plan to ask Ohio voters to strip away immunity from government and public employees for civil rights violations didn’t make it past the first step.
Attorney General Dave Yost rejected a petition for a constitutional amendment because it did not contain a title.
Read the full storyOhio Lawmakers Show Strong Support for President Trump in Wake of Assassination Attempt
Ohio lawmakers expressed universal support for former President Trump following an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The FBI has identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The attack resulted in the death of former fire chief Corey Comperatore and critically injured two others before Crooks was killed by the U.S. Secret Service. Trump suffered a grazed bullet to the ear and was taken offstage after the shooting.
Read the full storySenate Candidates Don’t Believe Other has Ohio’s Interests at Heart
The Ohio U.S. Senate race is heating up, with both candidates saying their opponent doesn’t have the state’s interests at heart.
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown says he is fighting for Ohio workers and businesses. Trump-endorsed Republican challenger Bernie Moreno, a former car salesman born in Colombia, says he’s fighting for the American dream.
Read the full storyReport: Ohio Rent-Wage Gap Continues to Grow
Full-time workers in Ohio need to make nearly $21 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in the state, according to a new report highlighting the gap between rent and wages.
The 2024 Out of Reach Ohio report details what the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing and Ohio calls a significant gap between renters’ income and the cost of rent.
Read the full storyOhio City Faces ‘Significant Housing Crisis’ Due to Migrant Flux
Large numbers of people entering or living in America illegally are exacerbating the housing crisis, including in areas like Ohio far from the border.
City Manager Bryan Heck of Springfield sent an urgent letter requesting federal aid to U.S. Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. Despite the city’s ongoing advancements in housing projects, the sheer number of migrants arriving and residing in the area has strained resources to their limits.
Read the full storyOhio Representatives Vote to Save U.S. Attorney General Garland from Inherent Contempt of Congress
Two House of Representatives from Ohio voted against a bill that would have imposed a $10,000 daily fine on Attorney General Merrick Garland for his refusal to provide audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) and Mike Turner (R-OH-10), along with Tom McClintock (R-CA-05 ) and John Duarte (R-CA-13), voted against this bill.
Read the full storyOhio Congressman Pushing Back Against New Home Energy Standards
An Ohio congressman wants to stop new Biden administration mandates on new homes he says puts home ownership out of reach for many Americans.
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, introduced the Home Affordability for Americans continuing resolution, saying green energy regulations are driving home prices up.
Read the full storyTom Zawistowski: Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown ‘In a Pickle,’ May End Up Ditching Biden to Save Himself
Tom Zawistowski, president of the We the People Convention, said incumbent Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is “in a pickle” as he continues to dodge questions surrounding President Joe Biden’s ability to carry out the duties as commander in chief and whether or not Biden should be replaced on the 2024 presidential ticket.
Read the full storyBill to Protect Ohio Election Workers Moves Forward
Election workers in Ohio could get a little more privacy based on a new bill working its way through the Statehouse.
Recent threats and gunfire helped push Senate Bill 173 through the Senate. The bill would prevent disclosing as public records any family information or where election workers live.
Read the full storyHouse Freedom Caucus Boots Rep. Warren Davidson After He Endorsed Bob Good Challenger: Report
The House Freedom Caucus reportedly voted to remove Ohio GOP Rep. Warren Davidson after he endorsed a challenger to the caucus’ chairman, Virginia GOP Rep. Bob Good, according to The Hill, citing an unnamed member and a “source familiar.”
The move follows a difficult and as-yet-unresolved primary for Good, who has vowed to request a recount after the Virginia Board of Elections certified the race in favor of challenger John McGuire.
Read the full storyOhio Communities Getting $120 Million in Water Project Funds
Ohio plans to spend more than $120 million in taxpayer funds on water infrastructure projects around the state.
The grants, which are part of the sixth round of Ohio Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success grants, will be awarded to 59 of the state’s 88 counties.
Read the full storyOhio’s First Innovation Hub Getting $40 Million in Taxpayer Funds
More than $40 million in state and local taxpayer money is expected to be spent creating Ohio’s first Innovation Hub.
Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced the collaboration, which officials say will enhance northwest Ohio’s position as a global leader in glass science, engineering, technology and production.
Read the full storyVoter Accuracy Program Going Statewide in Ohio
A pilot program targeting the accuracy of voter rolls in Ohio is now going statewide.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently announced a new voter data integrity program that began in six counties and is now going statewide. The program uses county-specific digital dashboards to help identify voter registration discrepancies.
Read the full storyRaise the Wage Ohio Toes Deadline for Petition Signature Submissions
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Wednesday he expects Raise the Wage Ohio to turn in petition signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the minimum wage, joining two other filings for the November ballot this week.
The Raise the Wage Ohio campaign, made up mostly of volunteers, needs 413,487 valid petition signatures for the amendment to reach the ballot.
Read the full storyPetition Signatures Submitted to End Political Redistricting in Ohio
A constitutional amendment to prevent political redistricting is likely to appear on the Ohio ballot in November.
The Citizens Not Politicians campaign delivered 731,306 signatures collected from all 88 Ohio counties to the Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office for a constitutional amendment to establish an independent redistricting commission.
Read the full storyMore Immunizations Could be Received at Ohio Pharmacies
Getting immunizations in Ohio is closer to getting a little easier.
Pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacy technicians could soon be able to administer immunizations around the state, servicing children as young as 5 years old.
Read the full storyPenalties for Burnouts, Doughnuts on Ohio Streets Could Increase
Burnouts, doughnuts and stunt driving activities becoming increasingly popular on Ohio roadways could soon carry stiffer penalties.
Also, under legislation recently passed by the Ohio House and Senate, blocking roads or interrupting the regular flow of traffic for street racing would be illegal.
Read the full storyOhio Jewish Caucus Celebrates Passage CAMPUS Act
While waiting for Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature, Jewish leaders in the Ohio Legislature are praising passes of a bill that gives Ohio colleges and universities tools to promote student safety and inclusive environments.
Read the full storyOhio Representative Wants Weight-Loss Drugs Covered by Medicaid
Americans on Medicaid moved closer to receiving coverage for weight loss treatments nearly a year after an Ohio congressman introduced legislation to expand access.
Rep. Dr. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, has wanted U.S. taxpayers to pay for weight loss drugs through Medicare since he introduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act in July.
Read the full storyCleveland Browns One of Next NFL Teams in Line with Large Taxpayer Stadium Subsidy Request
Cleveland is one of the next cities asking for public funding for a renovation or new NFL stadium after the city councils of Charlotte and Jacksonville each approved more than $600 million in public funding.
Browns’ ownership, the Haslam Sports Group, has reportedly pitched Cleveland and Ohio state leadership on funding half of a potential $1.2 billion renovation of Cleveland Browns stadium or having state and local governments each pay $600 million of taxpayer funds – a total of $1.2 billion – toward building a new stadium in Brook Park.
Read the full storyOhio Senators Call for Rail Reform After NTSB East Palestine Report
Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance are using the National Transportation and Safety Board’s findings on East Palestine’s train derailment to continue their push for national rail standards.
At a public hearing earlier this week in East Palestine, Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called Norfolk Southern’s attempts to sway the investigation unprecedented and reprehensible.
Read the full storyOhio Policy Group Says Higher Minimum Wage Saves Lives
An economic public policy group believes a minimum wage increase would save thousands of lives across the state.
Columbus-based Scioto Analysis recently released a new cost-benefit analysis of the impact of raising the minimum wage. The analysis says raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour would save about 4,100 lives over the next decade.
Read the full storyAd Campaign Says Ohio State Hospital Expansion will Mean Higher Costs
A coalition of health insurers and employer groups is using a targeted ad campaign to call attention to private-public hospital expansions it says leads to higher premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
The campaign comes as the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center continues to move forward with a $1.9 billion, 1.9-million-square-foot inpatient hospital expected to open in 2026.
Read the full storyOhio Proposal Needs $2 Billion to Fix 23 Miles of Congested Columbus Highway
The Ohio Department of Transportation says it needs nearly $2 billion to slow the growth of commute times and make a stretch of highway in one of the state’s fastest-growing counties safer.
Delaware County’s population has more than doubled in more than 20 years and increased by more than 15,000 people in the last three years. That growth has pushed a 23-mile area of U.S. Highway 23 north of Columbus to 30% over its capacity.
Read the full storyOhio Closer to Requiring Medical Pricing Transparency
A concurrence from the House of Representatives is all that stands in the way of reinforcing Ohio hospital requirements to provide transparency in pricing.
Both the Senate and House passed slightly different versions of House Bill 49, which requires hospitals to comply with the federal price transparency law. This includes maintaining and making a public list of standard charges for services a patient can schedule in advance.
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