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Big Ohio redistricting changes before 2024? Don’t count on it, experts say
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
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
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
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 […]
Ohio coalition moves forward with plans for abortion ballot measure
A coalition of reproductive rights groups, along with the ACLU of Ohio say they plan to have a pro-abortion ballot initiative on the Ohio Attorney General’s desk by February. Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom announced the plan to do this with the help of a recently hired “general consultant” with experience boosting ballot initiatives on the […]
Education overhaul returns to Ohio Senate
As promised by Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman last year, an overhaul of the state education system is back on the agenda. The bill, once again led by state Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, was reintroduced on Jan. 11, and already has 10 cosponsors signed on. The legislation seeks to rename the Ohio Department of Education […]
ACLU of Ohio seeks to step in on trans restroom federal lawsuit
The American Civil Liberties Union entered their legal opinion on a lawsuit challenging an Ohio school district that allows transgender students to use restrooms based on their gender identity. The federal lawsuit involves a 14-year-old girl who is a freshman at Bethel High School. The transgender girl uses the girls communal restroom there, but some […]
Clevelanders not owed refunds from traffic cameras, supreme court says
In the last of several rulings on traffic camera usage in 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court found that Cleveland residents aren’t owed refunds for fines leveled for traffic tickets. The cameras, used to catch speed and red-light violations, are now defunct, but those who did not contest the tickets can’t be reimbursed, according to the […]
Law removing harmful language on mental health, disabilities praised by advocates
A law recently signed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine finally removes derogatory language about people with disabilities from state law, a move years in the making. Advocates praised the passage and signing of the Mental Health and Disability Terminology Act, introduced with bipartisan sponsors as House Bill 281. The bill was years in the making, […]
New FDA policy broadening abortion pill availability won’t change much in Ohio
Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration changed requirements for pills used to induce an abortion, state law would keep Ohioans from benefitting from the change. Last week, the FDA announced that it would not enforce a rule that pregnant people need to pick up mifepristone in person and allows retail pharmacies to dispense the […]
Governor signs bill with aims to help teacher shortage in Ohio
A bill signed Thursday by Gov. Mike DeWine could help with the teacher shortage being experienced statewide in Ohio. House Bill 554, a bill authored by state Reps. Mary Lightbody, D-Westerville, and Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, was designed specifically to bring professionals in various fields back to their previous profession as teachers in order to […]
In annual report, community charter schools show growth
Community charter schools are still growing in the state of Ohio, but recent changes and future plans for statewide education funding aren’t necessarily supported by the schools. The schools are considered public schools in Ohio, which includes receiving a state report card grade, but they “operate independently of a traditional school district” and can be […]