Briefs
GOP lawmaker wants to make Ohio a ‘Second Amendment sanctuary state’
A Republican lawmaker plans to introduce legislation to denote Ohio as a “Second Amendment sanctuary state.” State Rep. Mike Loychik of Bazetta announced plans to sponsor the bill in early February. The goal is to shield Ohio from any future law considered to be infringements on Ohioans’ constitutional right to bear arms, Loychik stated in […]
Funeral directors seek priority in COVID-19 vaccine line
Nearly 11,000 Ohioans have died from COVID-19. The funeral directors handling logistics of their earthly remains are asking for priority in the distribution of scarce vaccinations. In a Friday news release, Ohio Funeral Directors Association Executive Director Melissa Sullivan said funeral directors are exposed when they prepare bodies for “disposition” and greet those attending services […]
Sen. Rob Portman announces he will not run for re-election in 2022
Sen. Rob Portman announced Monday he would not be running for a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2022. The Cincinnati Republican said he intends to use his final two years in public office to “get a lot done,” noting a hopefulness of working with the Biden administration on the COVID-19 pandemic response and […]
Dems reintroduce bill to cancel state testing
Two House Democrats are bringing back a measure to eliminate state testing for the 2020-2021 school year. Known as House Bill 686, state Rep. Lisa Sobecki, D-Toledo, and Rep. Jeff Crossman, D-Parma, said they have “broad and bipartisan support” for the legislation, and continue to hear from teachers and parents “about the importance of cancelling […]
Dem. lawmakers want newly-enacted ‘Stand Your Ground’ law repealed
Just two weeks after Gov. Mike DeWine reluctantly signed a so-called “Stand Your Ground” bill into law, two Democratic legislators are pushing in the new Ohio General Assembly term to have it repealed. The passage of Senate Bill 175 during a lame-duck session last month marked a significant policy victory for Ohio gun advocates. The […]
Excerpts from President Joe Biden’s inaugural speech
Below are excerpts from President Joe Biden’s inaugural address, following his swearing-in as the nation’s 46th president: We’ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain. Few […]
Here’s what Biden plans to do on his first day as president
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden early Wednesday unveiled the list of executive orders, memos and directives he will make when he assumes the presidency later in the day, reversing a slew of Trump administration actions and laying out new policies of his own. “These actions are bold, begin the work of following through on President-elect Biden’s […]
Ohio marching band to play in virtual Biden inauguration parade
A marching band from Springfield will be representing the Buckeye State in Wednesday’s inauguration proceedings for President-elect Joe Biden. The Kenton Ridge High School Marching Cougars, part of the Northeastern Local School District, was chosen to perform in a virtual “Parade Across America.” Under normal circumstances, the inauguration parade features a variety of bands, service […]
A congressman and his aides armed themselves with scissors in the face of a mob. Now, he wants Trump prosecuted.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle slipped a pair of scissors into his pocket as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. He didn’t tell his staff members because he didn’t want to alarm them — but also didn’t realize his three staffers made the same call. They, too, had each grabbed a pair of scissors as […]
Space Command HQ decision criticized as ‘politically motivated’
The U.S. Air Force has selected Huntsville, Ala., as the permanent headquarters for the U.S. Space Command, passing over the command’s existing base in Colorado Springs, the Air Force said Wednesday. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, both Democrats, raised concerns that President Donald Trump overruled military decision-makers and made the decision […]
Three Democrats test positive for COVID-19 after sheltering with maskless Republicans during Capitol riot
WASHINGTON — The leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said Tuesday that she has tested positive for COVID-19, and blamed Republicans who refused to wear masks in a secure room where lawmakers were kept during the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, (D-Wash.), said those Republicans “mocked colleagues and staff” […]
Trump awarding U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan is being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Trump administration has announced. A statement from the White House press office states that Trump is awarding the country’s highest civilian honor to Jordan on Monday. Jordan, a Republican from Urbana, has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007. He […]