The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office recently certified the candidates that will appear on the state’s March 19 primary ballot.
Read the full storyOhio Secretary of State Certifies Candidates for 2024 Primary Ballot
Category: The Midwest
Study: Iowa Caucus Not Reliable in Predicting GOP Presidential Nominee
The Iowa caucus is not the most reliable predictor of who will be the Republican nominee, but it fares better for Democrats, according to a study by WalletHub.
Republican voters will be the first in the U.S. to choose their pick for president in the caucuses held at 99 precincts on Monday night. Democrats are caucusing by mail and will reveal the results on March 5, Super Tuesday.
Read the full storyOhio Governor Reacts to House Veto Override of House Bill 68
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a one-sentence statement after the Ohio House of Representatives voted to override his veto of House Bill 68 on Wednesday.
Read the full storyFleets of Electric School Buses Coming to Ohio School Districts
Six school districts across Ohio are set to receive electric school buses as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Read the full storyOhio House of Representatives Votes to Override Governor’s Veto of House Bill 68
The Ohio House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to override Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Senator JD Vance Demands Answers After SEC X Account ‘Compromised,’ Announces Premature Approval of of Spot-Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds
U.S. Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have sent a letter to Gary Gensler, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), demanding answers after the commission’s X account tweeted false information leading to “drastic swings in the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.”
On Tuesday, the SEC’s X account published a post announcing that it had approved Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to be listed on all registered U.S. securities exchanges.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Senator JD Vance Demands the Firing of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) is demanding that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin resign after he was admitted to the ICU at Walter Reed Medical Center and failed to notify the White House about his hospitalization.
Read the full storyACLU Calls Ohio Governor’s Ban of Trans Surgeries for Minors ‘Dangerous’
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio has condemned Governor Mike DeWine’s recent signing of Executive Order-01D, which bans gender transition surgeries for minors at any hospital or ambulatory surgical facility in the Buckeye State.
Read the full storyJim Jordan Backs Trump-Endorsed Candidate in Ohio Senate Primary
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan endorsed Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, who is backed by former President Donald Trump, on Monday in the 2024 GOP primary to take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Read the full storySix Members of a South Columbus Violent Crime Ring Indicted on 124 Felony Charges
An investigation conducted by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force has resulted in six alleged members of a violent crime ring in south Columbus being indicted on a combined 124 felony charges, according to Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
Read the full storyLawmaker: DeWine’s Transgender Order not Enough
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s executive order banning transgender surgeries for minors in Ohio may not be enough to stop a veto override ride in the General Assembly.
House Bill 68 sponsor State Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, called the order temporary and is no substitute for a law.
Read the full storySocial Media Companies Sue to Block Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act From Taking Effect
The State of Ohio has been sued by a company representing multiple social media platforms in order to block the Social Media Parental Notification Act from taking effect.
Read the full storyJim Renacci Calls Out Lt. Governor Husted’s Stance on House Bill 68
Former Ohio gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Representative Jim Renacci has called out Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted’s stance on House Bill 68 amid the controversy surrounding the legislation.
Read the full storyIowa School Shooter Posted Video on TikTok Before Shooting, with Caption ‘Now We Wait’
The Iowa high schooler who on Thursday fatally shot a student and wounded five others before taking his own life reportedly posted a video of TikTok before carrying out the killings with the message “now we wait.”
The shooter, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, appeared to have posted the video from a school bathroom.
Read the full storyCritics Slam Ohio Governor for Signing Executive Order Banning Trans Surgeries for Minors Following Veto of House Bill 68
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an Executive Order on Friday banning gender transition surgeries for minors at any hospital or ambulatory surgical facility in Ohio.
Read the full storyOhio Republican Party Urges Voters to Bank Their Vote Ahead of Primary Election
The Ohio Republican Party is urging GOP voters in the Buckeye State to participate in the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) new nationwide campaign focused on maximizing pre-Election Day voting.
The RNC’s Bank Your Vote campaign was created last year to “encourage, educate, and activate Republican voters on when, where, and how to lock in their votes as early as possible, through in-person early voting, absentee voting, and ballot harvesting where legal.”
Read the full storyOhio’s Concealed Carry Law Resulted in Less Gun Crime Last Year, Study Shows
A study published this week by Center for Justice Research, a partnership between the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Bowling Green State University, revealed gun crime decreased in six of Ohio’s eight largest cities following the implementation of the Constitutional Carry law.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Representative Jim Jordan: ‘Men Shouldn’t Play Women’s Sports in Ohio’
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) took to social media on Tuesday to offer a comment pertaining to the ongoing debate among state officials and lawmakers regarding House Bill 68.
“Men shouldn’t play women’s sports in Ohio or anywhere,” Jordan wrote on X.
Read the full storyCNN Reveals Who Qualified for Iowa Debate Ahead of Caucus Day
Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are the only candidates who qualified for CNN’s Republican primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 10, the outlet announced Tuesday.
The three exceeded the debate criteria, garnering more than 10% support in at least three separate national or Iowa polls that met the outlet’s standards, according to CNN. Trump opted instead for a counter-programming event on Fox News, while conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not meet the outlet’s requirements.
Read the full storyMore Than $63 Million in Illegal Drugs Seized in Ohio Last Year
Drug task forces organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) across the state confiscated more than $63 million in illegal drugs in 2023, according to Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
Read the full storyUnmasking DeWine: Ohio Journalist Jack Windsor Dissects Shocking Veto and Its Potential Ripple Effect on 2024 Senate Race
Ohio journalist and entrepreneur Jack Windsor joined host Michael Patrick Leahy on Monday’s episode of The Tennessee Star Report to discuss the connections and divides behind the shocking decision by Governor Mike DeWine to veto measure that would prohibit genital mutilation of children and transgender males competing in girls’ sports. Windsor unveils the deep ties between the Buckeye State governor and the “medical industrial complex,” and how this particular veto – perhaps unbeknownst to DeWine – could influence the 2024 elections in Ohio. The Ohio Press Network journalist then breaks down the hotly contested republican nomination race for U.S. Senate to see who will face long time incumbent Sherrod Brown. TRANSCRIPT Michael Patrick Leahy: 12:33 p.m., broadcasting live from our studios in downtown Nashville on Monday, January 1st, 2024. We are broadcasting live. We’re the only talk station talk show in Nashville broadcasting live today. Another hard worker is our very good friend formerly with The Ohio Star now with the Ohio Press Network and the host of his own program in Columbus Ohio, our good friend, Mr. Jack Windsor. Jack, thanks for joining us. Jack Windsor: Michael, it’s great to be with you. Happy New Year. And thanks for allowing…
Read the full storyOhio Officials Among Those Targeted in Nationwide Swatting Campaign
Four Ohio officials were targeted over the past week in a nationwide swatting operation, according to reports.
Read the full storyFormer President Trump Says He’s ‘Finished’ with Ohio Governor DeWine Following Veto of Bill That Would Have Prohibited Genital Mutilation of Children
Former President Donald Trump has denounced Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, saying the governor has “fallen to the radical left.”
Read the full storyGov. Mike DeWine Who Vetoed Trans Bills Received over $40,000 from Children’s Hospitals Supporting Sex Change Procedures
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio received thousands of dollars in donations from donors who provided transgender medical services or opposed efforts to ban the procedures for minors.
DeWine vetoed House Bill 68 on Friday, which would have prohibited doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors and banned boys from competing in girls’ sports, just hours before the deadline. A review of donations from 2018 to 2023 found that the governor received $40,300 from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA), Cincinnati Children’s, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and ProMedica Children’s Hospital, all of whom support transgender medical care.
Read the full storyFormer Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Renacci Says Governor DeWine is ‘Not a Republican’ Following Veto of House Bill 68
Former Ohio gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Representative Jim Renacci has denounced Governor Mike DeWine’s decision to veto House Bill 68, saying such legislation is “the easiest bill for a Republican Governor to sign.”
Read the full storyActivists and Lawmakers Slam Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Veto of House Bill 68
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have protected women in sports and banned gender-affirming procedures from being performed on minors on Friday.
Read the full storyOhio GOP Governor Vetoes Bill that Bans Gender-Affirming Care, Transgender Athletes in Girls Sports
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine went against his own party on Friday and vetoed a bill that would have banned gender-affirming treatments for minors and kept transgender athletes out of women’s sports.
Read the full storyOhio Attorney General Rejects Proposed Petition to Rewrite State’s Election Rules
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday his rejection of a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting election rules.
Read the full storyAudit: Michigan Unemployment Agency Paid $245 Million in Possibly Improper Payments
A fifth and final audit of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency found the agency “undercounted fraud penalties by at least 49.4%” because it didn’t fix programming issues with the Michigan Integrated Data Automated System.
The audit from the Office of Auditor General Doug Ringler marked two “material conditions” – the most severe rating finding that the agency didn’t protect agency funds.
Read the full storyBike Share Service Halts in Cincinnati
Red Bike, Cincinnati’s non-profit station-based bike share system, is pausing operations next month until early spring to roll out a new pricing model amid unsustainable system revenue.
Read the full storyEast Palestine Businesses Approved for Forgivable Loans to Help with Recovery from Train Derailment
Eighteen businesses in East Palestine, Ohio have been approved for more than $3.3 million in forgivable loans to assist with recovery efforts lingering from February’s train derailment.
Read the full storyOhio Among the States with Best Elder Abuse Protections in Place, Study Finds
New research by WalletHub has revealed that Ohio is among the top three states with the best elder abuse protections in place.
Read the full storyOhio Secretary of State Denounces New ‘Assault on the Integrity of Our Voting Process’
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has denounced a proposed constitutional amendment recently filed with the state’s Attorney General’s Office that would amend Ohio’s constitution by rewriting election rules.
Read the full storyThree Ohio Teens Arrested, Charged with Murder Following Altercation Outside Kroger That Left One Dead
Three men have been arrested and charged with murder following an altercation at a south Columbus Kroger earlier this month, according to the Columbus Police Department (CPD).
Read the full storyOhio Makes $750 Million Available for Economic Development Sites
Ohio plans to give $750 million in taxpayer funds to communities around the state to grow the number of project-ready economic development sites.
The money, included in the state budget signed in July, can be used for one-time local infrastructure costs necessary to prepare sites for future projects.
Read the full storySocial Media Parental Notification Act Set to Take Effect in Ohio
The Social Media Parental Notification Act, signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year, is set to take effect next month in the Buckeye State.
The bill was passed as part of DeWine’s 2023-24 executive budget presented to the Ohio General Assembly.
Read the full storyReport: Ohio College Credit Program Covers Direct Costs
A new report shows Ohio’s College Credit Plus Program is covering the direct costs for colleges and universities offering courses to high school students around the state.
The report from Auditor Keith Faber also said colleges and universities that enroll more Ohio middle and high school students tend to be better off financially. It also said the program could benefit a college’s long-term financial health as traditional student enrollment declines.
Read the full storyCincinnati Fraternal Order of Police Elects New President
The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge No. 69 elected Ken Kober as its new president this week.
Kober succeeds Dan Hils, who has served as president of the Cincinnati FOP since 2016.
Read the full storyFormer President Donald Trump Endorses Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Ohio businessman Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
Read the full storyReport: Ohio Homelessness Rising
Higher rents and a reduction in pandemic assistance caused a spike in homelessness in Ohio over the past year, according to a group advocating for more affordable housing around the state.
The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio pointed to U.S. Department of House and Urban Development data that showed more than 11,000 Ohioans homeless on one January night in 2023. That number was a 6.9% increase from the previous year’s count.
Read the full storyOhio U.S. Senator JD Vance Slams Sale of U.S. Steel Corporation to Japan-Based Corporation
Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) slammed the recent sale of U.S. Steel Corporation to Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), in a statement Monday.
Read the full storyTeamsters Union Workers at Anheuser-Busch Vote to Authorize Strike
Anheuser-Busch employees part of the Teamsters labor union have voted to authorize a strike.
Read the full storyOhio Attorney General Announces ‘Huge Win’ in Lawsuit Challenging NCAA Transfer Rule
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Friday the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has agreed to terms that would allow college athletes who have transferred more than once to be immediately eligible to play with “no retaliation” as part of an antitrust lawsuit filed by Yost.
Read the full storyH2Ohio Water Conservation Program Now Will Include Large Rivers
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine plans to include the health of the state’s large rivers in the ongoing H2Ohio program aimed at water efforts.
Since 2019, H2Ohio has predominantly worked on water infrastructure in low-income areas, wetland creation and reducing algal blooms. Now the program will expand to research PFAS contamination, remove eroding dams, conserve forest buffers and more.
Read the full storyBill Would Curb Court Power to Suspend Driver’s Licenses
For nearly a year, Ohio lawmakers have been trying to stop the state from using driver’s license suspension as a punishment for things unrelated to driving.
The idea has support from Republicans, Democrats and countless other professional, policy and social groups. Still, despite four hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee, it has yet to move to a full vote in the Senate.
Read the full storyFormer U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs Endorses Kevin Coughlin’s Bid for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District
Former Ohio U.S. Representative Bob Gibbs endorsed Kevin Coughlin’s campaign for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District this week.
“I served with Kevin Coughlin in the Ohio Senate. He is a proven, dependable conservative who can be counted on in Congress to stand up for taxpayers. Kevin knows how to get things done and will quickly become an effective voice for the 13th District,” Gibbs said in a statement.
Read the full storyOhio General Assembly Passes Bill to Protect Women in Sports, Ban Gender-Affirming Procedures on Minors
The Ohio General Assembly has passed and sent a bill that would protect women in sports and ban gender-affirming procedures from being performed on minors to Governor Mike DeWine’s desk.
Read the full storyOhio Spending $150 Million to Develop Affordable Housing
The state of Ohio wants local governments to buy, rehabilitate, or build residential properties to improve affordable access.
The state will give local landbanks $100 million over the next 16 months to create housing for income-eligible Ohioans. It is also establishing another $50 million in nonrefundable tax credits to landbanks and developers for rehabs and new construction when the property is sold.
Read the full storyU.S. Senator JD Vance Pens Letter to Irish Ambassador Regarding ‘Authoritarian,’ Anti-Free Speech Legislation
U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) sent a letter to Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason on Tuesday expressing his concern over a bill in the Irish parliament.
The bill, introduced last year, would combat “hate speech” by amending Irish law “relating to the prohibition of incitement to violence or hatred against a person or a group of persons on account of certain characteristics (referred to as protected characteristics) of the person or the group of persons.”
Read the full storyMorning Consult Poll: Trump Up 58 Points over GOP Primary Opponents in Ohio
A new Morning Consult poll released on Monday shows former President Donald Trump leading the 2024 GOP presidential primary field in 26 states, including Ohio.
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