Author

Susan Tebben is an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering Ohio news, including courts and crime, Appalachian social issues, government, education, diversity and culture. She has worked for The Newark Advocate, The Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, The Athens Messenger, and WOUB Public Media. She has also had work featured on National Public Radio.
Ohio AG signs on to letter warning CVS, Walgreens against selling abortion pills
By: Susan Tebben - February 3, 2023
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has signed on with more than a dozen other state attorneys general warning two pharmacies against selling abortion medication. The letter came after CVS and Walgreens announced they planned to sell abortion pills in states where it’s legal to mail the medication. The measure was led by Missouri Attorney General […]
Education officials worry Ohio voucher expansion will come at expense of full public school funding
By: Susan Tebben - February 2, 2023
The education community in Ohio is encouraged by the governor’s support of public school funding, but see red flags when it comes to increased private school vouchers, warning that they hinder Ohio’s Full School Funding Plan. Gov. Mike DeWine’s announced his planned budget asks on Wednesday during his State of the State address, including boosts […]
DeWine prioritizes children, mental health, and attracting business in state of the state
By: Susan Tebben - January 31, 2023
Ohio Gov.Mike DeWine made clear Tuesday that his priorities during this budget cycle center on child literacy, mental health, and spending to bring in big business. In his annual State of the State address to a joint meeting of the General Assembly, DeWine announced big money moves included in his proposed budget, including $2.5 billion […]
Study: Ohio could have more in budget for families with tax changes
By: Susan Tebben - January 31, 2023
An Ohio-based think tank said changes to the tax system in the state could bring home more money for families and represent better budgetary priorities. The analysis came as Gov. Mike DeWine is set to give his “State of the State” on Tuesday, followed by a formal introduction of his budget priorities to the state’s […]
Awaiting budget proposal, child advocates hope for more
By: Susan Tebben - January 27, 2023
As policymakers await the newest budget priorities to be laid out by Gov. Mike DeWine, advocates for the state’s children are hoping comprehensive child well-being will be at the top of the list. The Ohio Children’s Budget Coalition released their policy agenda for the 2024-2025 state budget, which they hope will include whole-child services to […]
Study shows fundamental services funding needed in all types of Ohio schools
By: Susan Tebben - January 26, 2023
Ohio’s implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan for K-12 education has been slower than public school advocates wanted, including studies on the actual cost of educating a child in the state. In an effort to show the state legislature some of the needs of the state education system, two economists focused on the supplemental […]
Kindergarten vaccination rates trend downward as Ohio public health officials fight back
By: Susan Tebben - January 25, 2023
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said national vaccine rates for young children are down for the third year in a row, and Ohio public health officials paint a similar picture locally. In a recent summary of vaccination coverage, the CDC yet again cited pandemic-related disruptions as part of the reason for […]
Air pollution impacting maternal, infant health of Ohioans
By: Susan Tebben - January 23, 2023
Improving air quality in the state would lead to better health for Ohioans, and could be done through policy changes, according to a policy think tank. In a recent examination of the connections between air pollution and health, the Health Policy Institute focused on maternal and infant health, lung and heart conditions and cognitive conditions, […]
Big Ohio redistricting changes before 2024? Don’t count on it, experts say
By: Susan Tebben - January 20, 2023
New Ohio Statehouse and U.S. Congressional maps are due this year, just like they were last year. But political scientists in the state aren’t holding out hope that major changes are coming. “It really is the ultimate political Groundhog Day without the redeeming learning that Bill Murray had,” said David Niven, political science associate professor […]
Federal funding coming to Ohio for kindergarten readiness
By: Susan Tebben - January 20, 2023
An infusion of federal funds is coming to Ohio, targeted at improving kindergarten readiness. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is set to receive a total of $48 million over three years as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Preschool Development Grant, according to an announcement from Gov. Mike […]
Ohio Supreme Court will review FirstEnergy, Randazzo civil case
By: Susan Tebben - January 18, 2023
The Ohio Supreme Court agreed to hear the Ohio Attorney General’s appeal to freeze funds of a former state utility head who was named as part of a public corruption scandal. The court will decide whether to re-freeze the bank accounts of Sam Randazzo, who was chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. In […]
Ohio IVF patients feel attacked by abortion ban law, fear more pain coming for their families
By: Susan Tebben - January 17, 2023
With a new General Assembly comes new legislative measures, and for those watching the battle over reproductive rights, that raises concerns. Lancaster resident Melissa Hintz and her husband have strongly considered moving on from the state over fears that abortion bans or regulations could impact her family. Moving on could mean finding a way to […]