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Federal judge allows Ohio school policy on transgender bathroom use
A federal judge has ruled that an Ohio school district can go forward with a policy allowing trans students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. “Not every contentious debate, concerning matters of public importance, presents a cognizable federal lawsuit,” U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman wrote in his decision. A group of […]
Have a question or issue at the polls during Ohio’s special election? Look for the helpers.
The August special election takes place Tuesday to decide whether or not it will be harder to amend the Ohio Constitution. For voters, there are volunteers, from clergy and social workers to election protection advocates at the polls to answer questions or report issues. “One of the things we know is that there are likely […]
‘Compounding overlapping barriers:’ Congressional health care changes would hurt military
Federal battles over the inclusion of military abortion bans in a defense spending bill raised concerns about the service members’ access to health care, and the impact it could have for members in Ohio and other states still deciding on the legality of abortion care. In the U.S. House’s version of the National Defense Authorization […]
Former state rep, Hamilton County resident sue to keep abortion rights amendment from November ballot
A lawsuit has been filed with the Ohio Supreme Court in an attempt to block a proposed abortion rights amendment from going to voters in November. Days after the Ohio Secretary of State verified that the campaign to get a reproductive health amendment on the ballot had collected enough valid Ohio voter signatures to be […]
Wind farm project allowed to go forward after Ohio Supreme Court ruling
The Ohio Supreme Court gave final approval to a permit for a 71-turbine wind farm that would span Huron and Erie counties, despite residents and one bird observatory’s objections. Firelands Wind, LLC, was issued a “certificate of environmental capability and public need” to construct a wind-powered electric generation facility in northern Ohio. A group of […]
‘Reagan Tokes Law,’ extending prison sentences, constitutional, Ohio Supreme Court rules
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a law named after an Ohio State University student who was murdered in 2017 and meant to extend prison sentences for those who commit crimes while incarcerated is constitutional. The law, called the “Reagan Tokes Law” allows courts to impose an “indefinite” sentence, with a minimum and maximum prison […]
National polling shows Ohio voters want affordable child care
New polling conducted by a national advocacy group found the “vast majority” of Ohio voters want to see more affordable quality child care in the state. The First Five Years commissioned a poll through Public Opinion Strategies on voter attitudes on child care and early childhood education, along with polls of other states and a […]
Ohio abortion rights amendment headed for November ballot
An abortion rights amendment proposed for the Ohio Constitution was certified on Tuesday to go forward for consideration by voters in November as nearly 500,000 signatures in support were verified by the Secretary of State’s office. In a letter to the campaign that collected signatures to put the ballot measure to Ohioans this year, Secretary […]
Ohio abortion clinics continue to help out-of-state patients as bans are put in place
As groups await legal battles on abortion, as well as hope for a November ballot initiative to include reproduction rights in the Ohio Constitution, abortion clinics are also looking to help surrounding states where bans have taken hold. Indiana has been the most recent state surrounding Ohio to see an abortion ban approved — set […]
Billions available to Ohio economy if racial disparities were eliminated, study shows
Racial disparities are keeping the state of Ohio from bringing in billions into the economy, a new study shows. The Health Policy Institute studied disparities experienced by Black and Hispanic/Latino Ohioans, and how improvements to their health and “economic vitality” could improve the state in those categories as well. “Beyond the substantial impacts on people […]
Changes to Ohio voter ID law will impact August 8 election. Here’s how
Early voting is ongoing for the upcoming Aug. 8 special election on Issue 1 that asks voters to make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution by raising the threshold to 60%. To get to the ballot box, voters need to keep in mind changes made to voter ID laws last year, in a late-night […]
Ohio arts programs get boosts in funding from budget, grants, ARPA
Arts programs in Ohio are seeing much-needed funding boosts with budget provisions and federal grants bringing in new ways for them to stay on the stage. The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that provides financial assistance through grants and services to organizations and individuals in the arts, received more than $50 million in funding […]