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Ohio Gov. DeWine ignores questions about gun safety amid state lawsuit against Columbus gun law
During a news conference Wednesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine repeatedly ignored questions about gun safety, which came on a day a 7-year-old was shot in the head in Cleveland, and as the state is suing Columbus over a safe gun storage law. The child was shot Wednesday morning and remains in critical condition at University […]
Ohio lawmakers propose ban on city curfews, saying they ‘cater to criminals,’ hurt businesses
State lawmakers in Ohio have proposed a ban on curfews, leaving local governments feelings exasperated by a lack of options against the rise in gun violence. Cities have implemented curfews for decades now in an attempt to curb crime or stop protests from taking place — most recently in Columbus. After continuous shootings in the […]
Ohioans vote on Issue 1 on Aug. 8. What does it say?
Despite continuous protests, the Ohio Ballot Board has approved the language for State Issue 1, which will ask voters if the state constitution should be harder to amend. State Issue 1 was just approved Thursday, but it has been causing controversy for months now. State lawmakers in the House and Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 2 […]
Ohio GOP supports college overhaul bills to create ‘safe space’ for conservatives
Ohio conservatives want “safe spaces” on college campuses, demonstrated by the passing and introduction of controversial legislation meant to overhaul the state’s higher education system. After hours of hearings and hundreds of people giving testimony, Ohio Republican senators passed Senate Bill 83. The bill focuses on what GOP calls “free speech,” banning public universities in Ohio from having […]
Lead Householder juror explains why trial ‘left sour taste’ in his mouth
The lead juror in the largest corruption trial in Ohio history has been left disillusioned with state government, hoping political leaders will finally learn not to undercut their citizens in exchange for power and money. A friend of juror Jarrod Haines introduced him to OCJ/WEWS. In a two-hour interview, the Greenfield, Ohio man discussed what […]
With telehealth in limbo, Ohio patients worry about access to some controlled medications
The COVID-19 public health emergency ending has left Ohioans who are prescribed controlled substances in limbo. Telehealth cut down Alicia Hopkins’ commute to and from her psychiatrist from seven hours to just a few turns to her computer. “I’m a wheelchair user, so I rely on paratransit,” Hopkins said. “But if I would have to […]
Householder to be sentenced in June
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former GOP leader Matt Borges will both be sentenced to prison in late June. The felons will be sentenced at 1 p.m. on June 29th and June 30th, respectively, according to court documents. The pair was convicted in a nearly $61 million scheme to pass a nuclear bailout bill, House […]
Upcoming August special election is illegal, law experts say
After the major decision to reinstate August special elections in an attempt to thwart a possible abortion ballot, leading constitutional law experts have weighed in that the resolution is illegal. State lawmakers in the House and Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 2 on Wednesday evening to put a measure on a special election ballot […]
Group files lawsuit against Ohio special election in August
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A lawsuit has been filed challenging the state’s legally questionable August election meant to stop abortion from becoming legal. One Person One Vote, a nonpartisan coalition, announced it filed a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court challenging the controversial election. Dennis Willard, spokesperson for One Person One Vote, said, “Our complaint asks the Ohio Supreme Court […]
Recreational marijuana enthusiasts get closer to legalizing weed in Ohio
Recreational marijuana advocates have started to collect signatures to put weed on the ballot this November. The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Coalition is now collecting petition signatures from people like Sam from Cleveland to change state law. “Yeah, I’m for it,” she said. “I think people can be very functional on it.” It would legalize […]
Former Ohio Lottery Commissioner resigned amid inappropriate texts to employee
In the days before he resigned immediately for medical reasons, Ohio Lottery Commissioner Pat McDonald denied allegations of unwanted behavior, including “text messages expressing inappropriate fondness and innuendo toward two employees” and “unwanted touching of two employees,” according to an administrative review of human resources issues at the commission obtained by OCJ/WEWS. The commission also […]
Taft among former Ohio governors who say Ohioans should get to decide on abortion
Former Ohio governors are speaking out against the proposal to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution and the bill to allow for an August special election, telling the current GOP that voters should decide if abortion should be legal. Gov. Mike DeWine’s team responded, saying the governor did not ask for the […]