Andrew Ginther
Ohio lawmakers propose ban on city curfews, saying they ‘cater to criminals,’ hurt businesses
State lawmakers in Ohio have proposed a ban on curfews, leaving local governments feelings exasperated by a lack of options against the rise in gun violence. Cities have implemented curfews for decades now in an attempt to curb crime or stop protests from taking place — most recently in Columbus. After continuous shootings in the […]
Mayors of Ohio’s 30 biggest cities lay out priorities for 2023
Ohio’s mayors are urging state lawmakers to work with them while warning the legislature not to interfere in local governance. The Ohio Mayors Alliance includes the leaders of the state’s 30 biggest cities. The group spans the political spectrum and they met in Columbus Friday to discuss their agenda for the coming year. The chief […]
DeWine hints at possible veto after tobacco measure picks up local preemption language
Among the flurry of legislation in the Ohio General Assembly’s marathon final session was a measure restricting local governments’ ability to regulate tobacco. The move comes days after Columbus approved an ordinance banning flavored tobacco. Gov. Mike DeWine has signaled he has reservations with the bill. The initial bill, offered by Reps. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, […]
Family of Donovan Lewis demand accountability after police killing
A stream of Donovan Lewis’ family members and friends filed into a hotel meeting room in downtown Columbus Thursday. His mother Rebecca Duran sobbed quietly as the family’s attorney replayed the video of a Columbus police officer shooting Lewis while serving a warrant early Tuesday morning. Doctors pronounced him dead at Grant Hospital less than […]
Sec. Marcia Fudge dangles $10 billion to relax restrictive zoning as part of housing plan
A delegation from Washington, D.C. braved a muddy construction site on Columbus’ South side Monday. Organizers built an improvised entryway to Touchstone Field Place out of large sheets of plywood with topped with astroturf. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge made the visit to tout the Biden administration’s efforts to expand affordable housing. The […]
More than a year later, no discipline for cop who pepper-sprayed journalists
More than a year later, no discipline for cop who pepper-sprayed journalists. Columbus police union said to be blocking investigation.
Relief funding will make big difference in Ohio cities, leaders say
Every incorporated community in Ohio, from Aberdeen to Zoar, is set to receive at least some relief funding through the American Rescue Plan. The largest chunks are headed to metropolitan areas, whose leaders say the relief will play a major role in helping big cities navigate the pandemic recovery while dealing with other crises such […]
Social media misconduct flares up among police in Ohio, nationwide
George Floyd had only been dead for a few days, and Mount Eaton police officer Jeff Lewis predicted the opinion he was about to share about Floyd would not be popular. “Here’s where I lose more ‘friends,’” Lewis posted to his Facebook page, alongside a photo of Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on […]
Protesters report adverse effects from tear gas exposure, demand Columbus ban chemical agents entirely
“I feel very violated by the state” Mason Hickman distinctly remembers the burning sensation as he inhaled a waft of tear gas on the Ohio Statehouse lawn when police used the chemical agent to disperse a group of peaceful protesters. Afterwards, he felt exhausted — likely because of the blistering summer heat, he thought. That […]
Mayors pledge police reform, racial inequity efforts
Mayors from across Ohio said they are already implementing plans to address racial bias and increase police relations in their cities. The Ohio Mayors Alliance said a Police Reform Support Network will be formed to take recommendations on changes to police and community efforts, and “focus on turning these ideas into action by supporting policy […]
How Ohio has responded to COVID-19: Part One
The star of Ohio’s first coronavirus press conference wasn’t the state health director who would eventually have a bobblehead made in her honor. Nor was it the governor, who would soon enjoy soaring approval ratings for his handling of the pandemic. Actually, the star was the bodybuilding former governor of California. Calling in from his […]
Ohio senators plead for federal help as pandemic threatens to gut cities’ budgets
WASHINGTON — Ohio’s senators are joining forces around a hotly contested issue on Capitol Hill: federal aid for ailing state and local governments. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio cities are facing massive revenue losses that threaten funding for police and fire departments, schools, trash collectors, food banks, libraries, museums, and civic spaces. […]