Ohio News & Current Events | Public News Service

The May 4 Visitor Center at Kent State University educates the public about the 1970 campus shootings and their lasting impact on civil liberties and protest rights. Canfora calls her brother holding a black flag away from a school parking lot while National Guard troops are on the scene in May 1970. (John Filo)

Friday, June 13, 2025

OH's Kent State lessons loom over military response to LA protests

A Kent State University shooting survivor is warning Ohioans and others to take note of the U.S. military's involvement in immigration-related …

In 2023, 6% of Ohio teens ages 16 to 19 were neither in school nor working, a rate unchanged since 2019. (Craig Adderley/Pexels)

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Ohio urged to prioritize kids as education, poverty trends worsen

New national data show worsening outcomes for Ohio kids, especially in the areas of education and family economic stability, and state and national …

Ohio allocates 85 cents per capita for domestic violence services, less than all five surrounding states, which range from $1.31 to $3.06 per person. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Ohio domestic violence prevention programs face funding concerns

The federal budget proposal now being hashed out in Congress would significantly reduce funding for programs aiming to prevent domestic violence and a…

Ohio imposes a $200 annual registration fee on electric vehicles, exceeding the standard fee for gasoline-powered cars. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio EV fans concerned as federal tax credits face elimination

One thing prompting some Ohioans to make the switch to an electric vehicle has been a $7,500 federal tax credit for the purchase but it might be going…

Four U.S. states including California, Minnesota, North Dakota and Oklahoma, have banned noncompete agreements entirely. Ohio could be next under Senate Bill 11. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio lawmakers propose ban on most noncompete agreements

By Kaleb Clark / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio Senate Bill 11 …

Ohio State University ranked 174th out of 251 colleges in the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, with an overall score of 42.34 out of 100. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio colleges rank low in national free-speech study

A new study found college students across Ohio and the nation feel increasingly uneasy about expressing their views on campus. The nonprofit …

Ohio's federal victim service funding dropped 77% from $117M in 2018 to $26M in 2024, forcing rape crisis centers to rely heavily on state support. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio advocates call to protect survivor services

Advocates are urging Ohio lawmakers to preserve critical funding for rape crisis centers in the upcoming state budget. The request comes amid deep …

More than 25 food policy councils operate across Ohio, working at local and regional levels to improve food access, public health and local agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Third Ohio city joins global pact to strengthen food systems

The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has joined a global pact to improve urban food systems. Officials say the step builds on efforts to assess food access …

Alcohol-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths have increased more sharply among women than men over the past 20 years. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio clinician flags neurological risk tied to alcohol use in women

As Women's Health Month wraps up, health experts are voicing concerns about the growing number of women who drink too much, especially in light of …

Nearly 70% of working caregivers in Ohio struggle to balance job duties and family responsibilities, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio bills aim to ease financial burden for family caregivers

New bipartisan bills in the Ohio Legislature would provide a $2,000 tax credit to working Ohioans who care for family members at home. The goal is …

More than one in 10 Ohioans rely on public pensions for income in retirement, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. (AdobeStock)

Expert: Ohio pension funds resistant to tariff-related market volatility

Market volatility linked to shifting federal tariff policies is raising questions in Ohio about the long-term effects on public pension funds and reti…

The International Energy Association's Global EV Outlook projects more than 25% of cars sold worldwide in 2025 will be electric vehicles. (Adobe Stock)

Federal budget cuts could mean EV tax credit loss for Ohio drivers

Supporters of electric vehicle ownership say there are a number of advantages to owning one. Studies show EVs can convert 85% to 90% of their energy …

On a single day in 2024, Ohio domestic violence hotlines received 636 contacts, or nearly 27 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Hundreds turned away as OH domestic violence shelters face budget pressures

A new report showed programs serving domestic violence survivors in Ohio are stretched thin, with hundreds of people who need help being turned away …

In 2022, one in three SNAP participants in Ohio was a child, and more than 250,000 were seniors. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders warn SNAP cuts could overwhelm state budget, food banks

Ohio advocates said proposed federal cuts to SNAP could force the state to absorb hundreds of millions in costs, threatening food access for families…

Federal investments in clean energy via the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grew 17-fold between 2022 and 2024, with a total of $11.5 billion in federal investments coming to four Appalachian States, according to ReImagine Appalachia. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Federal budget bill could stall growth and investment in Appalachia

A new report highlights record-breaking investments in the Appalachian region, driven largely by federal climate and infrastructure funding over the …

Nearly one in five rural public schools in Ohio serve high-poverty student populations, yet receive less state funding per student than suburban schools. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio voices call for rural support over school shutdowns

Ohioans were among dozens of rural leaders who gathered in Iowa this month, urging lawmakers to protect public education, small businesses, and …

Around 67% of Ohio adults support stricter carbon limits on coal plants but congressional staffers underestimate public support by up to 50 percentage points. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Why many in Ohio stay silent on shared climate worries

Most Ohioans, like people across the globe, are concerned about climate change but think others around them are not. The revelation comes from a new …

Coal plants in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia could release more than 138 million additional tons of CO2 if federal greenhouse gas limits are repealed, according to the Sierra Club. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Gavin coal plant among top polluters in new mapping tool

A new Sierra Club dashboard highlighted how Southeastern Ohio coal plants could face sharp increases in pollution if several federal environmental rul…

More than 250 rare, threatened or endangered species live along the Appalachian Trail corridor. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio has ties to Appalachian Trail’s uncertain future

As the Appalachian Trail turns 100, conservation groups are sounding alarms over federal funding freezes and staff cuts. The trail runs through the …

The report found, youth mental health hospitalizations increased 61% over the past decade, with suicide now the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 10 to 14. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio voices call for early mental health support

As youth mental health challenges rise and federal restructuring threatens key programs, former Ohio Gov. and 2016 Republican presidential candidate …

The American Lung Association reports more than 2.6 million Ohioans, including over 600,000 children and 500,000 people with asthma, are at higher risk from air pollution exposure. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio cities brace for impact of federal EV rollback proposals

As air pollution levels rise in parts of Ohio, new federal proposals could roll back protections that limit emissions from gas-powered vehicles…

Ohio ranks eighth nationally in the number of children in rural communities who rely on Medicaid for health coverage, with 30% of rural kids enrolled. (Adobe Stock)

Health coverage holds up Ohio’s child care

Ohio's child care system is under strain and a new national report highlighted how Medicaid helps support the workforce behind early childhood care…

The Ohio Education Association estimates Ohio public schools would be underfunded by $2.75 billion under the House version of the state budget. (Adobe Stock)

Public school advocates look to OH Senate to restore Fair School Funding

As Ohio lawmakers debate the state budget, advocates for public schools are voicing concerns proposed cuts and policy changes could harm children's …

More than one in three Ohio parents with children under 5 report serious problems paying rent or mortgage, according to a statewide Groundwork Ohio poll. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio families left waiting as child tax credit stalls

A refundable child tax credit aimed at helping families with young children was proposed in Gov. DeWine's budget but was stripped out by the Ohio …

Trump won 82 of Ohio's 88 counties in 2024, including Mahoning and Trumbull, two former Democratic strongholds, highlighting the state's ongoing political realignment. (Adobe Stock)

Power shift: Executive authority and Ohio’s political lean

President Donald Trump has completed his first 100 days in office, and experts are watching how his executive actions may play out in the courts and …

In 2023, nearly 18% of U.S. households with children faced food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio lawmakers consider free meals for all K-12 students

By Lauren Cohen / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. S.B. 109, a bill that …

Ohio has seen a 14% year-over-year increase in residential solar installations, with rural counties among the fastest-growing adopters, according to UNPREDICTABLEcity's 2024 report. (Adobe Stock)

Reports: Ohio communities lead on solar growth

A pair of new reports shows Ohio communities are quietly leading the way on clean energy, from urban centers to small towns, with solar power playing …

Ohio Department of Children & Youth reports more than 15,000 children are in foster care in Ohio - and nearly a quarter have complex needs that make finding the right placement especially challenging. (Adobe Stock)

Hope and healing in Ohio's foster system

As Ohio approaches National Foster Care Month in May, one family's journey highlights how therapeutic foster care can change lives. A 12-year-old …

The United States has announced investments of more than $150 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure since 2021, contributing to a 40% increase in EV sales in 2022, according to the Department of Energy. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's EV progress at risk as Congress considers emissions rollback

Congress is preparing to vote Wednesday on whether to roll back Ohio's authority to set tougher vehicle emissions standards. New research from …

Ohio's tomato growers harvest more than 300,000 tons annually. It is a crop heavily dependent on preserved genetic traits for disease resistance and shelf life. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio crops at risk as federal cuts disrupt seed preservation

A little-known federal program has quietly safeguarded the crops feeding the nation, including key Ohio staples like soybeans, tomatoes, corn and …

In 2021, Ohio passed Senate Bill 1, requiring all high school students to take a standalone half-credit personal finance course to graduate. This applies to students entering 9th grade on, or after July 1, 2022 (i.e., the Class of 2026). (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans urged to reset budgets during Financial Literacy Month

Ohio families dealing with the lingering effects of inflation and post-pandemic economic shifts may be looking for ways to regain control of their fin…

In Cleveland, more than 90% of homes were built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use. (Adobe Stock)

Cleveland Health Dept says cleaner air starts at home

As Cleveland tightens its air quality standards for the first time since 1977, health officials are urging residents to take simple steps at home to …

Facilities are required to inform patients or residents that they may designate an advocate. (Adobe Stock)

'Never Alone Act' seeks to ensure patients have in-person advocates

By Lauren Cohen / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. When Derek Calkins …

The Ohio Department of Transportation defines a

OH parents seek tougher sentences for fatal school-zone collisions

Parents of students killed or injured in school-zone crosswalks are backing a measure in the Ohio General Assembly to increase the penalty from a misd…

The 2025 Allergy Capitals report ranks Toledo, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati as some of the worst cities for allergy sufferers. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans brace for the allergy season, seek relief

April showers bring May flowers. These signs of spring also mean a boost in pollen production from trees, grass, and weeds. Ohioans preparing for the …

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MAHA movement aims to reverse American farming policy

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabo…

The average American tax filer paid just under $3,000 to the Pentagon in 2024, with roughly 40 cents going toward

National tally shows military arsenal among OH taxpayers' top expenses

Ahead of Tax Day, a national receipt shows where some Ohio tax dollars were spent in 2024. War and weaponry remain top federal expenses, with the …

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 41% of beginning producers were female, as opposed to 36% of all U.S. producers. (Adobe Stock)

Congress aims to assist new farmers with accessing land in OH, nationwide

Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for the number of farms, with more than 75,000, and beginning farmers in the Buckeye State and nationwide may soon be …

State lawmakers and advocates estimated up to 600,000 Ohio drivers had suspensions related to unpaid fines and fees. (Graphic by Celina Fang/The Marshall Project)

New law clears path for Ohio drivers with unpaid fines

By Rachel Dissell and The Marshall Project for Signal Cleveland.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Signal O…

In 2024 alone, Ohio's rape crisis centers responded to more than 40,000 helpline calls and educated 95,000 Ohioans about sexual violence prevention efforts. (Talyr Ucker-Lauderman of OAESV)

Ohio advocacy day puts spotlight on sexual violence awareness

More than 100 people came to the Ohio Statehouse to mark National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month late last week. As part of the 13th …

Energy industry experts predict Ohio could lose 18,400 clean energy jobs by 2030 if Congress repeals the clean energy investment and tax credits included in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

Repeal of climate tax credits could cost thousands of Ohio jobs

Federal clean energy investment and tax credits have led to a surge of thousands of new jobs for Ohioans but a budget bill pending in Congress could b…

The International Renewable Energy Certificate site says 370,000 Ohio homes are powered by solar energy. (Adobe Stock)

OH environmental group fears federal cuts will hurt job opportunities

More protest rallies are occurring in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders alongside Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency…

Since March 8, the Trump administration has attempted to arrest or deport at least six additional pro-Palestinian foreign students across four campuses, including Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown and Tufts universities. (Adobe Stock)

Arrest of U. of Cincinnati student fuels national free speech debate

UPDATE: A statement about the arrest from the University of Cincinnati has been added. (8:10 a.m. MDT, Apr. 3, 2025) A recent arrest on the …

A 2023 CDC study found 72% of transgender students and 69% of questioning students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's new law: What it means for educators, LGBTQ+ students

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio’s House …

More than 57% of Black women of reproductive age live in states with abortion bans or impending bans, according to polling by In Our Own Voice. (Adobe Stock)

Reproductive justice takes more than passing laws in Ohio, U.S.

By Jade Prévost-Manuel for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News …

Ohio's median home price increased by 14% from 2020 to 2024, making affordability a growing factor in migration decisions. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio struggles to retain young adults

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Around 1,000 more people …

Last fall, a study group recommended Ohio close its three remaining youth prisons and replace them with smaller facilities. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: OH RECLAIM a model for juvenile justice reform in other states

A new report examined differences in state juvenile justice system financing, looking at how local control can improve outcomes. The report…

The Cupp-Patterson plan was originally offered as a bill in the Ohio Legislature, but instead was written into the state budget with a six-year implementation schedule. Full funding of $2 million, and full implementation, must be part of each state budgeting process. (Adobe Stock)

Debate intensifies over major cuts to Ohio's Fair School Funding Plan

At the Ohio Statehouse, proposed budget cuts to the Fair School Funding Plan have sparked debate among lawmakers and educators. Also known as the …

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