Author

Morgan Trau

Morgan Trau

Morgan Trau is a political reporter and multimedia journalist based out of the WEWS Columbus Bureau. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Trau has previously worked as an investigative, political and fact-checking reporter in Grand Rapids, Mich. at WZZM-TV; a reporter and MMJ in Spokane, Wash. at KREM-TV and has interned at 60 Minutes and worked for CBS Interactive and PBS NewsHour.

Issue 1 passed in Ohio, protecting abortion rights — now what?

By: - November 9, 2023

Ohioans voted to protect and legalize abortion access Tuesday night, but the fight is not over. In a 13-point victory, Issue 1 passed. “This is a huge win,” said Veronica Ingham with Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights. “We must continue to fight for freedom and defend democracy.” Even though the constitutional amendment will go into […]

Ohio Democratic strongholds continue overperforming in election on abortion, marijuana

By: - November 7, 2023

Early voting numbers are being rolled out for the November election on abortion and marijuana in Ohio, and the turnout has been remarkable — especially in Democratic stronghold counties. More than 800,000 ballots have already been cast in early voting, but absentee vote-by-mails still have five days to make it to the boards of elections. […]

Ohio Democrats are leading vote-by-mail ballots in election on abortion, marijuana

By: - November 3, 2023

Democratic and nonpartisan voters in Ohio are winning the vote-by-mail fight in the November election on abortion and marijuana, an OCJ/WEWS analysis found. Despite being an off-year, elections workers say early voting numbers are exceeding expectations. “It’s very critical to us to vote early,” Cuyahoga County voter Linda Frey said. This is especially true with […]

Lawmaker removes anti-striking provision from controversial Ohio higher ed overhaul bill

By: - November 2, 2023

In order to get the Ohio House to pass a controversial bill to overhaul the higher education system, the Republican bill sponsor has removed a provision that would prevent employees from being able to strike. However, it was replaced with a policy that education advocates say would decimate tenure. State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) told […]

Ohio vote by mail applications due Tuesday for election on abortion, marijuana

By: - October 31, 2023

The deadline to apply to vote by mail for the Nov. 7 election in Ohio is Tuesday evening. In this election, voters will decide on local issues and candidates, like city council members, and statewide Issue 1 and Issue 2. Issue 1 is the amendment to protect access to abortion and contraception, while Issue 2 would legalize recreational marijuana. […]

Supporters of Ohio abortion rights amendment far outraising opponents

By: - October 30, 2023

Supporters of the proposal to protect access to abortion rights in Ohio have raised three times more than their opponents — and if you watch TV, you’ll notice the difference. It’s the home stretch before the November election, and ads on Issue 1 are flooding the airwaves. Issue 1 gives voters the choice if they […]

Ohio Democratic-stronghold counties exceeding early voting expectations for November election

By: - October 27, 2023

Voters in Democratic-stronghold counties are showing up in mass to vote early for the November election on abortion and marijuana, exceeding the already unexpectedly large turnout from the August special election. “For these things that are on the ballot right now, which are very important, I just wanted to make sure my vote is in […]

Former Ohio state Rep. Bob Young found guilty in domestic violence trial

By: - October 26, 2023

Former Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was found guilty of domestic violence in court Thursday. Visiting retired Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Edward O’Farrell found Young guilty of intentionally harming his wife, Tina. This is a first-degree misdemeanor. However, the North Canton Republican was acquitted of the assault charge against his brother Michael. The verdict […]

Ohio bill allowing guns in some government buildings may have significant loophole

By: - October 26, 2023

A bill loosening gun laws in Ohio by allowing firearms in some government buildings may have a significant loophole that hurts domestic violence survivors, a WEWS/OCJ analysis discovered. Year after year, Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation to expand gun rights. State Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) is the latest. “Our constituents are enthused on us standing […]

Former state Rep. Bob Young’s domestic violence trial begins

By: - October 25, 2023

Former state Rep. Bob Young was in court Tuesday facing the domestic violence charges that led to his resignation from the Ohio Statehouse. Young, a former Republican representing the Green area in the Ohio House, has been arrested three times in recent months. His charges include domestic violence, assault, violating a protection order and menacing […]

Ohio lawmakers attempt — again — to make it illegal to drug and rape spouse

By: - October 25, 2023

In some cases, raping your spouse is still legal in Ohio. However, a bipartisan bill to eliminate the spousal rape exception, one without opponents but stalls each and every time it is proposed, is finally moving forward. It’s the tenth year that Emily Gemar with the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence has been working […]

Airtag stalking would become illegal under proposed Ohio bill

By: - October 24, 2023

A bipartisan bill passed by the Ohio Senate would make it a crime to electronically track someone without their consent. This comes as domestic violence groups are seeing an increase in Airtag stalking. After Heidi Moon was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2022, an investigator found a tracking device in her car. Smaller than your palm, an […]