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State budget creates $24 million ‘intellectual diversity’ centers at five Ohio universities
New “intellectual diversity” centers will be created at Ohio State University, the University of Toledo, Miami University, Cleveland State University and the University of Cincinnati. These five centers were included in the state’s two-year, $191 billion budget that Gov. Mike DeWine signed earlier this month. But some faculty at those universities don’t like the looks […]
Irritable bowel syndrome added to list of qualifying condition for medical marijuana
Irritable bowel syndrome patients can now use medical marijuana for treatment. The State Medical Board made IBS the 26th qualifying condition for medical marijuana under Ohio law, and rejected obsessive-compulsive syndrome and autism spectrum disorder as qualifying conditions during Wednesday’s meeting. “While this addition will help expand patient access to medical marijuana and help many […]
Ohio’s poverty rate increased to 13.4% in 2021, according to new report
Ohio’s poverty rate increased from 12.7% to 13.4% in 2021 — the first time in more than a decade it has increased year-to-year, according to the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies latest State of Poverty report. Scioto County in Southern Ohio had the highest overall poverty rate in 2021 with 23.9% and the highest […]
“God loves everyone.” Episcopal Church celebrates same-sex weddings in Ohio
Like many LGBTQ people, Olivia Hamilton never thought she would get married — let alone have her wedding in a Christian church. And to take it one step further, she now officiates weddings (same-sex and straight) as an ordained Episcopal priest in a Southwest Ohio parish. “The Episcopal Church understands marriage as a sacrament,” Hamilton […]
“How are you supposed to finance that?” Ohio college students face barriers to abortion access
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade has added lots of stress and uncertainty to Unni Shreram’s life. As a 19-year-old junior at Ohio State University, she is part of a wider demographic of college students who face specific challenges when it comes to abortion access. “As a young person of reproductive […]
“An attack on all trans people,” transgender youth speak out against Ohio legislation
Nathan Alvarez is used to people laughing or snickering at him when he uses the men’s bathroom. Despite that, the 15-year-old says his high school is one place he doesn’t have to worry about that happening because they have a couple of gender neutral bathrooms and anyone can use the men and women’s restroom. But […]
More Ohio universities added to Senate bill that would create ‘intellectual diversity’ centers
The Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would create “intellectual diversity” centers at Ohio State University, the University of Toledo, Miami University, Cleveland State University, and the University of Cincinnati. The party line vote came after an amendment was added during the Senate session that tacks on Miami, Cleveland State, and Cincinnati to Senate […]
A bipartisan bill will be re-introduced that would protect LGBTQ people in Ohio from discrimination
Ohio lawmakers are once again introducing a bill that would give LGBTQ people protections from discrimination in housing and employment. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, and State Rep. Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood, are reintroducing the Ohio Fairness Act in both the House and the Senate. “The Fairness Act would simply provide civil rights protections for […]
Ohio craft breweries had a $1.27 billion economic impact in 2022
Raise a glass to Ohio beer. Ohio’s 420 breweries brought in $1.27 billion to the state’s economy last year and employed a little more than 12,000 people, according to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s 2022 Economic and Fiscal Impact of Ohio’s Craft Brewing Industry. The Buckeye State’s craft beer industry is booming, producing 1.29 million barrels […]
Russo on 2024 Senate Race: “Any one of these Republican candidates would support a total abortion ban”
As Ohio Democrats are reflecting on one year since the Dobbs decision, they are also looking ahead to next year’s U.S. Senate Race in Ohio. “Let me make one thing clear — every single candidate running for Ohio’s seat supports an abortion ban, including bans that make no exceptions for rape or incest,” House Minority […]
Gathering signatures to put abortion amendment on November ballot is ‘going very well’
Less than two weeks until the deadline, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights is saying abortion right advocates will get the signatures needed to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution. Abortion advocates attempting to get the amendment on the ballot need to collect 413,000 signatures by July […]
Ohio House passes bill blocking gender-affirming care and trans athletes
The Ohio House of Representatives passed a controversial bill that would prevent doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth and prevents trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports. Wednesday’s 64-28 vote comes a week after House Bill 6, dubbed the “Save Women’s Sports Act”, was added to House Bill 68, also known as […]