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New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains
A divided Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a long-awaited overhaul of how regional electric transmission lines are planned and paid for, a move cheered by clean power groups but blasted by a conservative commissioner who said it was driven by “special interests” and exceeds the commission’s authority. The commission’s final rule on transmission planning and […] The post New federal rule will overhaul transmission planning as electric grid strains appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Tariffs to be sharply hiked by Biden administration on Chinese-made products
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that he would be doubling and in some cases tripling tariffs on Chinese-made products, like steel and electric vehicles, in a move aimed at easing economic pain in battleground states, though senior administration officials say it isn’t political. Biden, speaking during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at […] The post Tariffs to be sharply hiked by Biden administration on Chinese-made products appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Star witness in Trump trial tells of plot to conceal porn star hush money payments
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s former fixer took the stand in a Manhattan courtroom Monday and told jurors that Trump was well aware of a scheme to hide the repayment of money intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s star witness, told the jury that he […] The post Star witness in Trump trial tells of plot to conceal porn star hush money payments appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
High hopes for marijuana to hit Ohio store shelves sooner this summer
Ohio weed enthusiasts, contrary to stereotype, have been moving more quickly than anticipated in getting recreational marijuana on shelves. Sales could begin as soon as mid-June, according to policymakers, the Division of Cannabis Control and dispensary owners. We had the exclusive on this story in April, but it finally came to fruition Monday. The passage […] The post High hopes for marijuana to hit Ohio store shelves sooner this summer appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio abortion rights groups add challenges to other laws to their 2021 telehealth lawsuit
A long-standing lawsuit challenging Ohio law with regard to telehealth abortions might now challenge other abortion-related laws in the state, according to a new filing. The ACLU, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and two other law firms filed an amendment to their original lawsuit, asking a Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas judge to […] The post Ohio abortion rights groups add challenges to other laws to their 2021 telehealth lawsuit appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Children and advocates rally on Ohio Statehouse steps for National Day Without Child Care
A couple hundred people donning purple — some holding babies and others watching toddlers — rallied on the Statehouse steps Monday for National Day Without Child Care as chants of “Care can’t wait” and “No child care, no workforce” filled the lawn. The CEO Project, a division of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, planned the rally […] The post Children and advocates rally on Ohio Statehouse steps for National Day Without Child Care appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio House begins hearings on bill prohibiting non-consensual deepfakes
Ohio House lawmakers have begun hearings on legislation that would criminalize the creation or distribution of non-consensual deepfakes. If enacted, the proposal would make it a first-degree misdemeanor on the first offense and a fifth-degree felony for any subsequent offense. The bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Kevin Miller, R-Newark, and Steve Demetriou, R-Bainbridge Twp., define deepfakes […] The post Ohio House begins hearings on bill prohibiting non-consensual deepfakes appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
With unending petulance, gerrymandered Ohio Republicans decline simple Biden ballot solution
What a joke. In a pique of partisan petulance, the gerrymandered-for-life Republican supermajorities in the Ohio Statehouse have visited yet another national embarrassment on the state. “I think we’ve officially sunk lower than Alabama at this point,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, dryly observed about the state’s descent into autocratic hell. The […] The post With unending petulance, gerrymandered Ohio Republicans decline simple Biden ballot solution appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Hearings begin for nurse-to-patient ratio legislation in Ohio
This story references suicide. If you need help, you can call 988 to speak with a trained listener, or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services and more information. Last week was National Nurses week, and in Ohio, lawmakers held the first hearing for a measure codifying nurse-to-patient ratios. To nurses, it’s a critical protection for workers […] The post Hearings begin for nurse-to-patient ratio legislation in Ohio appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill banning spousal rape into law
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law Friday that bans all forms of spousal rape. Up until now, drugging and sexually assaulting your partner wasn’t a crime as long as they had a ring on their finger. Former Democratic state Rep. Jessica Miranda and state Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) introduced House Bill 161, […] The post Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill banning spousal rape into law appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
DeWine talks abortion, Ohio redistricting, seat belts during Columbus Metropolitan Club forum
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine answered questions about abortion, redistricting, lawmakers overriding his vetoes and the power struggle in the Ohio House during the most recent Columbus Metropolitan Club weekly forum. Statehouse News Bureau reporter Jo Ingles asked DeWine several questions during the hour-long forum and here is a rundown of what the governor had to say. […] The post DeWine talks abortion, Ohio redistricting, seat belts during Columbus Metropolitan Club forum appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
One year after FDA approves over-the-counter birth control pill, advocates push for more access
Sriha Srinivasan remembers how surprised her mom was two years ago when she learned that birth control pills weren’t sold in stores without a prescription in the United States. “My parents are immigrants from India, and it’s been over the counter there since my mom can remember,” said Srinivasan, a recent graduate of University of […] The post One year after FDA approves over-the-counter birth control pill, advocates push for more access appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Asylum seekers with criminal records would be more quickly removed under Biden proposal
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced late last week it’s proposing changes to the asylum system that would allow immigration officials to reject asylum seekers who have a criminal record that poses a threat to national security or public safety and quickly remove them. Those changes will occur during the initial screening stages, a senior […] The post Asylum seekers with criminal records would be more quickly removed under Biden proposal appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
‘Mom’ legislators see their numbers, influence grow but barriers to elected office remain
For the second time while serving in the Nevada Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro gave birth last year. And again, she publicly pledged to continue full participation in her duties. As the nation’s groundbreaker when it comes to working moms in a state capital, Nevada made history in 2019 as the only female-majority legislative […] The post ‘Mom’ legislators see their numbers, influence grow but barriers to elected office remain appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio AG investigating alleged ‘hostile takeover’ inside teacher’s pension fund
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has launched an investigation into the teacher’s pension fund after allegations that a “hostile takeover” is putting educators’ money in jeopardy. The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) is a $90 billion pension fund — and has been involved in controversy for years. Educators have had it hard the […] The post Ohio AG investigating alleged ‘hostile takeover’ inside teacher’s pension fund appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio lawmakers balance motherhood and legislative duties
A few Ohio mom lawmakers said they had an important thing to do before officially deciding to run for office — conduct a family meeting. “I’m a single mom, so I’m the only adult support in our family,” said state Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati. “I knew to run and to serve would be a family […] The post Ohio lawmakers balance motherhood and legislative duties appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio lawmakers approve cellphones in school measure
Ohio lawmakers signed off on changes to the military seal for high school diplomas on Wednesday. But the bill’s most notable provision was a last minute amendment regarding cellphones in K-12 schools that caught a ride on the non-controversial measure. Recently, Gov. Mike DeWine urged lawmakers to address cellphones in classrooms during his state of […] The post Ohio lawmakers approve cellphones in school measure appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
What’s next after the FTC said the biggest grocers were inflating food costs?
The Federal Trade Commission in March released a report saying that the three largest grocers “accelerated and distorted” food costs amid supply disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It also said that prices — and profits — remain high for Kroger, Walmart and Amazon even after the supply kinks have straightened themselves out. But the country’s […] The post What’s next after the FTC said the biggest grocers were inflating food costs? appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
On second try, U.S. House approves GOP bill to ease mining on federal lands
The U.S. House passed, 216-195, a bill Wednesday that would loosen a restriction on mining operations, reversing a vote last week to return the bill to committee. The bill, written by Nevada Republican Mark Amodei, would clarify that mining companies can conduct mining support operations on federal lands, even without first documenting a known mineral […] The post On second try, U.S. House approves GOP bill to ease mining on federal lands appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has proposed loosening the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level – but that doesn’t mean the federal government now condones recreational or medicinal use in the many states that have legalized the drug. Moving marijuana from the government’s list of the most dangerous and least useful substances to […] The post Still much unknown on how marijuana policies would change in states under Biden plan appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
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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.
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