Politics & Gov
Ohio Democrats are leading vote-by-mail ballots in election on abortion, marijuana
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 […]
Ohio lawmakers want to make daylight saving time permanent
The clocks will fall back this weekend, but Ohio lawmakers are urging Congress to get rid of the time change and make daylight saving time permanent. The Ohio House State and Local Government Committee passed a resolution Tuesday that urges Congress to enact the Sunshine Uniformity Act of 2023, which would permanently switch Ohio to […]
If abortion measure fails, Ohioans on parole and probation could face graver restrictions
When Ohioans go to the polls on Nov. 7 to vote on Issue 1, which would establish a constitutional right to abortion in the state, they will do so having already experienced what severe restrictions on abortion access look like. After the Supreme Court removed federal protections for abortion in its Dobbs decision last June, the state’s attorney general immediately […]
White House, Pennsylvania senator urge Congress to pass emergency anti-opioid funding
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s top drug policy expert and Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on Wednesday pressed Congress to approve billions in emergency funding to address opioid addiction. “We still have a ways to go to get it through the heads of people here in Washington about how important it is to vote […]
Borrowers weigh personal, professional options as student loan payments resume
Justin Brown, a father of a 2-year-old who lives with his wife in the St. Louis, Missouri area, has $20,000 in student loan debt. Before the pause on loan payments at the start of the pandemic in 2020, he paid $300 a month. But now that Brown has a family, his financial responsibilities have grown […]
Lawmaker removes anti-striking provision from controversial Ohio higher ed overhaul bill
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 […]
Despite one response, recent polling indicates abortion-rights amendment has a good chance
A poll released last week received attention because a response to one of its questions. It seemed to show a close contest for an abortion-rights amendment that’s on the ballot next Tuesday. But a closer look at that and another recent poll indicate that opponents of the amendment still face an uphill fight. Issue 1 […]
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan issues warning to AG investigating conservative donor Leonard Leo
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-OH, is leveraging his leadership of the House Judiciary Committee to discourage an investigation into a conservative mega donor. Leonard Leo has gone from The Federalist Society to GOP judicial whisperer to the head of a sprawling, well-funded network of dark money organizations. Those political non-profits are at the center of […]
Biden launches ‘Investing in Rural America’ push with Cabinet officials
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and administration officials are kicking off an “Investing in Rural America” event series, starting with a visit to a Minnesota farm Wednesday to announce nearly $5 billion for conservation, economic development and “climate smart” agriculture. Biden, who is running for reelection in 2024, has been highlighting what the administration calls […]
Tuberville to seek floor vote on No. 2 Marine leader after commandant hospitalized
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who for months has been blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, plans to call a floor vote on the nominee for second-in-command of the U.S. Marine Corps after its top leader Gen. Eric M. Smith suffered a health emergency Sunday. President Joe Biden nominated Mahoney in […]
Cleveland School of Cannabis teaches students how to work in marijuana industry
Like most colleges, posters and artwork line the hallways at the Cleveland School of Cannabis. Except the key difference here is what’s featured on the posters — marijuana. The Cleveland School of Cannabis prepares students to work in the marijuana industry by giving them hands-on experience in the school’s grow room, dispensary, and cooking lab. […]
Marijuana legalization would add $260M to Ohio economy, study predicts
Despite what some of the truest of believers might contend, legalization of marijuana would come with costs to Ohioans. But an economic analysis that was released last week found that the benefits would outweigh those costs by a quarter-billion dollars a year. Issue 2, an initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana for people over 21 […]