Ohio

David Leist of Columbus, left, a field organizer for Ohio Citizen Action, hands registered voter Richard Hall a flyer with information while canvassing against Ohio Issue 1 on July 25, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (Graham Stokes/Ohio Capital Journal)

Ohio voters are deciding if it’s too easy to pass ballot measures. Other states are watching.

BY: and - August 2, 2023

CLEVELAND — Ohioans over the last century have used the state’s ballot initiative process to pass constitutional amendments that raised the minimum wage, integrated the National Guard and removed the phrase “white male” from the constitution’s list of voter eligibility requirements. Now, lawmakers want to make it much tougher for an initiative to be approved. […]

A Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (U.S. EPA photo)

Priorities for rail safety bill debated in U.S. Senate hearing with Norfolk Southern CEO

BY: - March 22, 2023

Members of a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday previewed what they would push for in bipartisan rail safety legislation likely to progress through Congress in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. Democrats and Republicans on the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hinted they wanted to strengthen requirements about reporting hazardous cargo, […]

Norfolk Southern's Atlanta headquarters. (John McCosh/Georgia Recorder)

Norfolk Southern CEO apologizes for Ohio crash, but won’t back bipartisan rail safety bill

BY: - March 9, 2023

The CEO of Norfolk Southern, the railroad operating the train that last month derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, apologized for the derailment at a U.S. Senate hearing Thursday, but declined solicitations to endorse a bipartisan rail safety bill. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw opened his testimony to the Senate Environment and […]

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently announced a new bill to standardize and modernize state voting records, but the first-of-its-kind legislation was developed with help from a think tank that is leading the charge nationally for more restrictive voting rules. (Susan Tebben/Ohio Capital Journal)

Trump ‘White House in waiting’ helped develop Ohio voting bill touted as model for states

BY: - March 9, 2023

A new bill announced by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to standardize and modernize state voting records is being welcomed by election administrators and some voter advocates, who say it could increase transparency and confidence in elections. But the first-of-its-kind legislation was developed with help from a think tank that is leading the charge […]

Machinery is situated along rail tracks on Feb. 14, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. A train operated by Norfolk Southern derailed on Feb. 3, releasing toxic fumes and forcing evacuation of residents. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)

Federal government to send medical experts to site of Ohio train derailment

BY: - February 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — The federal government is sending medical personnel and toxicologists to conduct public health testing following the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials that released into a small town near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. A team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be […]