Columbus
Ohio Capital Journal
New Ohio bill seeks state support to cover possible lapses in federal food assistance
Ohio House Democrats have introduced a bill that would use the state’s Rainy Day Fund in the event that a federal government shutdown causes gaps in food assistance programs. “All these programs provide essential benefits for Ohioans, and we just can not afford to lose them, whatever happens in DC,” state Rep. Adam Miller, D-Columbus, […] The post New Ohio bill seeks state support to cover possible lapses in federal food assistance appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio State Board of Education relocates headquarters to Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation building
The Ohio State Board of Education is relocating its headquarters to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation building. The state board started moving to the 12th floor of the William Green Building (30 West Spring St.) last week. The board’s former location (25 South Front St.) is about a half mile away and Tuesday’s monthly […] The post Ohio State Board of Education relocates headquarters to Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation building appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
‘Exonerated’ — Ohio judge removes lawmaker’s protection order against Rep. Elliot Forhan
Ohio state Rep. Elliot Forhan, who has been battling a civil stalking protection order from his colleague, was exonerated by a Cleveland court Thursday, which said the case had no merit and has denied the request. State. Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) failed to prove that Forhan (D-South Euclid) knowingly engaged in a pattern of conduct […] The post ‘Exonerated’ — Ohio judge removes lawmaker’s protection order against Rep. Elliot Forhan appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio’s true state of the state: Relentless misrepresentation, extremism and corruption
You wouldn’t know it from Gov. Mike DeWine’s State of the State Wednesday, but Ohioans are currently suffering under a state government captured by corruption and yoked to extremist lawmakers racked with dysfunction and intent on little more than imposing radical ideology from the safety of unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts. Sweetheart Republican special interests often get […] The post Ohio’s true state of the state: Relentless misrepresentation, extremism and corruption appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger sought to ease concerns from the lawmakers in charge of his agency’s budget on Wednesday, saying the department is preparing for major upcoming events — including another potential Jan. 6 — by trying to grow the size of its force and overhauling its intelligence gathering activities. […] The post U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Transgender student bathroom ban bill passes out of Ohio House Higher Education Committee
A bill that would ban transgender students from using the bathroom and locker room that matches up with their gender identity passed out of the Ohio House Higher Education Committee Wednesday by a 10-5 party line vote. State Reps. Beth Lear, R-Galena, and Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, introduced House Bill 183 which would require Ohio […] The post Transgender student bathroom ban bill passes out of Ohio House Higher Education Committee appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
“The future is not our own.” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine centers children in State of the State address
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine put children at the center of his 2024 State of the State address Wednesday afternoon. He took credit for recent policies to improve reading and offered a few new ideas, too — increase access to child care, improve education outcomes, and bolster health and vision care. But perhaps most impactful for […] The post “The future is not our own.” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine centers children in State of the State address appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Recreational marijuana sales could start as early as June, Ohio policymakers say
Marijuana may be available to buy in mid-June, significantly earlier than anticipated, due to actions from Ohio’s rulemaking committee, their weed-enthusiast chairperson exclusively told WEWS/OCJ. Despite Ohioans voting to legalize recreational marijuana 57-43% in November, there is nowhere to buy it in the state legally. The passage of Issue 2 allowed adults 21 years of […] The post Recreational marijuana sales could start as early as June, Ohio policymakers say appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
This will be the abortion election, and Republicans are bracing for voter retribution
It didn’t take long for the panic to set in among Republicans after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday morning to ban virtually every abortion in the Grand Canyon State. Suddenly, some of those who proudly declared their anti-abortion bonafides when it was purely theoretical were staring down a reality that wasn’t so clear cut […] The post This will be the abortion election, and Republicans are bracing for voter retribution appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls
As the Republican National Committee ramps up plans to monitor the polls for illegal voting this fall, the national party is increasingly working with a loose network of anti-fraud extremists who have been found to routinely spread election lies. The extremists also have close ties to the prominent far-right conspiracy theorists who tried to overturn […] The post Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Fatal anomaly exception didn’t spare Alabama mom who needed an abortion
Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of an occasional States Newsroom series called When and Where: Abortion Access in America, profiling individuals who have needed abortion care in the U.S. before and after Dobbs. The first installment can be found here, the second installment is here, and the third is here. Kelly Shannon was grieving a pregnancy she […] The post Fatal anomaly exception didn’t spare Alabama mom who needed an abortion appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Republicans in Congress delay Mayorkas impeachment proceedings
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans will delay until next week their delivery to the Senate of the two articles of impeachment against Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday. “To ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment […] The post Republicans in Congress delay Mayorkas impeachment proceedings appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt Gov Husted’s campaign before scandal, document shows
Versions of this story were published by Floodlight, Energy News Network and the Ohio Capital Journal. A surge in FirstEnergy political spending ahead of the utility’s push to secure a legislative bailout for its nuclear power plants included a $1 million dark money contribution to support the campaign of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s eventual running […] The post FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt Gov Husted’s campaign before scandal, document shows appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio Dems argue lawmakers need to do more for Ohioans ahead of State of the State
Ahead of Wednesday’s State of the State address, Ohio’s Democratic leaders argued much of what’s going right in Ohio comes thanks to the Biden administration. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio joked there should be a drinking game for how many times Gov. Mike DeWine mentions the Intel facility being built outside New Albany. “Thanks to […] The post Ohio Dems argue lawmakers need to do more for Ohioans ahead of State of the State appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Proposed Ohio bill seeks to give parents more control over their child’s medical records
A proposed bill in the Ohio House would give parents greater control over their child’s medical records and change access rules for Ohio medical facilities. A policy researcher is warning, however, about the potential harm of forcing minors to disclose psychological and other records like STI testing that they might prefer to keep private. Introduced […] The post Proposed Ohio bill seeks to give parents more control over their child’s medical records appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio Rep. Elliot Forhan’s ‘abusive behavior’ warranted punishment, state found
State Rep. Elliot Forhan deserved the legislative punishments he received after he was accused of “abusive behavior,” according to an internal investigation done by the Ohio Attorney General’s office. “If unaddressed, Rep. Forhan’s escalating pattern of behavior would have posed a significant threat to the institutional integrity of the Ohio House and its reputation, and […] The post Ohio Rep. Elliot Forhan’s ‘abusive behavior’ warranted punishment, state found appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Trump immunity claim a ‘radical’ departure from democracy, special counsel Jack Smith says
Donald Trump’s view of absolute immunity for actions he took as president would radically change U.S. democracy and give presidents unprecedented power akin to monarchs rather than elected leaders, U.S. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith wrote in a reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court late Monday. Smith’s 66-page brief, answering Trump’s argument to the high court […] The post Trump immunity claim a ‘radical’ departure from democracy, special counsel Jack Smith says appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans returned from a two-week recess Tuesday with an even slimmer majority and the potential looming chaos of a second speaker fight in less than a year. Hours before recess began on March 22, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to vacate the U.S. House speaker’s office, threatening to boot […] The post Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio Capital Journal
5K+
Posts
57M+
Views
The Ohio Capital Journal is a hard-hitting, independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to connecting Ohioans to their state government and its impact on their lives. The Capital Journal combines Ohio state government coverage with relentless investigative journalism, deep dives into the consequences of policy, political insight, and principled, progressive commentary. All those cheesy journalism aphorisms about reporters being the eyes and ears of the people in the halls of power? We believe them, deeply. We also deeply believe in sharing the stories of people outside the halls of power, connecting the actions of state leaders to their impacts on Ohioans. The Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Ohio Capital Journal retains editorial independence.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.