Ohio News & Current Events | Public News Service

A new analysis by the The Marshall Project-Cleveland and Eye on Ohio finds Cleveland police officers don't always follow department guidelines or training when interacting with children in crisis. (Tara Anand for The Marshall Project)<br />

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Videos Show Disparities in Cleveland Police Response to Kids in Crisis

By Cid Standifer for Eye on Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for Investig…

The 2018-2023 Farm Bill is projected to cost around $428 billion, according to the estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Push to Rebuild Regional Food Systems as 2023 Farm Bill Takes Shape

Next week, Ohio farmers and their advocates head to Washington, D.C., to push for shifting federal programs toward growing nutritious food, as …

Ohio's asthma rates are higher than the national average, and according to state data more than 50,000 residents were hospitalized in 2016 for breathing problems linked to asthma. (Adobe Stock)<br /> Ohio's asthma rates are higher than the national average, and according to state data more than 50,000 residents were hospitalized in 2016 for breathing problems linked to asthma. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA’s Proposed Methane Regulations Meant to Improve Ohio Air Quality

The Environmental Protection Agency continues to seek public input on its recently proposed methane standards for oil and gas operations. The rules …

Forty-one species of freshwater mollusk live in Darby Creek waters, eight of which are on the Ohio endangered list, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Adobe Stock)

Public Hearing Deadline Nears for Darby Creeks' EPA Designation

Disappearing mussel species and threatened water quality from development have prompted advocates to push for increased protections for Ohio's Big and…

More than 80% of women with disabilities have been sexually assaulted, and research suggests that these women experience more frequent and more severe acts of violence, according to <a href=

data from the YWCA. (Adobe Stock)
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Increasing Support for Ohio Sexual Assault Survivors with Disabilities

Ohio community groups seeking ways to increase support for sexual assault survivors living with disabilities. A January 23rd training session hosted …

One billion people currently need assistive technology products, and more than two billion people around the world are expected to need at least one assistive technology product by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. (Adobe Stock)

Americans With Disabilities Act Website Gets User-Friendly Upgrades

The Americans with Disabilities Act website has gotten a makeover, with updated navigation tools and easy-to-find answers to common questions on …

I-75, which runs through Cincinnati and is a key freight corridor stretching from Canada to Florida, is the scene of massive traffic bottlenecks on the Brent Spence Bridge that connects Northern Kentucky and Ohio. (Adobe Stock)<br />

OH Small Business Owners Give 'Thumbs Up' to Bridge Project

Cincinnati's small business owners say they're eagerly anticipating upgrades to the Brent Spence Bridge, announced jointly last week by President Joe …

Midterm voter turnout declined in Ohio from around 55% in 2018 to around 51.1% in 2022, according to data from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. (Adobe Stock)">

Ohio Governor Signs Citizenship-Status Voter ID Bill

In a few months, Ohio voters will no longer be allowed to vote with utility bills or other non-photo documents as proof of identification, when a new …

Exposure to polluted sites such as coal-ash ponds can cause cancer, respiratory issues and other health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Civil Cases Against Industrial Polluters at Record Low

The Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement of federal pollution rules has plummeted. In 2022, the agency referred 88 cases to the Justice …

58 years old, according to the USDA. The owners of Meadow Farm and Preserve in Fayette County, Ohio, pictured above, purchased their farm from a retiring couple. (Sharon Maish)
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Land Transfers Offer Hope, Stewardship to Beginning Farmers

The cost of farmland has skyrocketed, putting the dream of working the land out of reach for many young farmers. In Ohio, land transfers between …

In 2022, more than 1 in 10 middle and high school students nationwide had used a tobacco product during the past 30 days, according to data from the Food and Drug Administration's Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Tobacco Use Remains a Public Health Challenge

Smoking, mostly in the form of e-cigarettes or vapes, continues to pose serious public-health threats to Ohio communities, according to the latest …

In 2022 Ohio food banks distributed more than 242 million pounds of food and grocery items to residents in all 88 counties. (Adobe Stock)

More OH Families Max Credit Cards, Turn to Food Banks for Groceries

Winter utility bills, ongoing inflation and easing pandemic-related supports are putting pressure on Ohioans' household budgets. Food banks report …

Often miscast as violent criminals, most repeat defendants commit nonviolent crimes borne out of untreated addiction and mental illness, a Marshall Project analysis shows. (Adobe Stock)

Who’s Really Cycling In and Out of Cleveland’s Courts?

By Wesley Lowery and Ilica Mahajan for The Marshall Project.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Marshall Pr…

Humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total, and more than 90% of plastic is not recycled, according to Earth Day Network. (Adobe Stock)

Local Initiative Aims to Rev Up Cleveland's 'Circular' Economy

By Lee Chilcote for The Land.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

Carleton See, an environmental monitoring specialist, changes filters on an air monitoring device at the George T. Craig Air Quality Monitoring Site in downtown Cleveland. (Gus Chan for Eye on Ohio)

Tighter Standards Could Change Cleveland’s Air Quality Issues

By Christopher Johnston for Eye on Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for I…

It's estimated nearly 7 million children are at risk for a period of uninsurance starting next year, when pandemic-era coverage protections end, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Saw Kids’ Health Coverage Drop Slightly During Pandemic

Ohio saw a slight spike in the number of its youngest residents without health insurance during the pandemic, even as the number of uninsured kids …

More than 220,000 productive oil-and-gas wells have been drilled in Ohio, around 60,000 of which are in current operation, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rules on Methane Could Be a Win for Ohio's Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency has released rules which would for the first time require regular inspections of all methane-emitting oil and gas …

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee was founded in 1968 to defend the rights and basic human dignity of farm workers regardless of immigration status. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Push to Expand Rights for Migrant Workers

A labor union representing agricultural workers in Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia says it isn't waiting around for federal immigration reform to …

A total of 407,493 chil�dren and youths were liv�ing in fos�ter care in 2020, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Community Support Critical for Keeping Kids Out of Foster Care

Experts believe improving Ohio's overwhelmed foster-care system requires implementing solutions to set families up for success long before a crisis oc…

More than 20% of Ohioans live with a mental-health or substance-use disorder, according to data from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. (Adobe Stock)

Mental-Health Workforce Key to Boosting Ohio Families’ Resiliency

Ohio's child-welfare system is plagued by a shortage of mental-health professionals. Experts said having consistent access to therapists, counselors…

Ohio counties say the leading issue impacting youths with behavioral- or mental-health challenges is the lack of community alternatives, according to a 2022 report by the Public Children's services Association. (Adobe Stock)

Kids' Mental-Health Challenges Straining OH Children's Services

Ohio families are experiencing greater mental-health challenges coming out of the pandemic, and social services workers emphasized it makes it more …

Almost 60% of Black students and 50% of Latino students experience food insecurity, compared with 30% of their non-Hispanic white peers, according to a study by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio College Students Cope with Food Insecurity

By Jala Forest / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration Nearly 40% of college students a…

$Hydraulic fracturing relies on water supplies from ponds, streams and reservoirs, which research suggests can impact water flow. (Ohio Northern University)$

New Research Dives into Fracking’s Impact on Water Flow in Ohio

Fracking is a very water-intensive industry, and a new study dives into the impact of unconventional oil and gas drilling on aquatic ecosystems in …

Research indicates the number of women who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injury secondary to domestic violence is 11 to 12 times greater than experienced by military personnel and athletes combined. (Adobe Stock)

Initiative Aims to Fill Health-Care Gap Among Domestic-Violence Survivors

A new statewide initiative aims to help connect domestic-violence survivors with medical providers, with a focus on treating traumatic brain injury…

Chris Powers stands in front of the Land Bank lot that he tried to bid on in Southern Ohio. (Eye on Ohio)<br />

How Rules Written for Distressed ‘Rust Belt’ Property May Benefit a Select Few

By Lucia Walinchus for Eye on Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for Invest…

More than 37 million Americans (about 1 in 10 people) live with diabetes, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Affordable Insulin, Better Clinic Experience Could Improve Diabetes Care

November is National Diabetes Month, and one in five people in Appalachian Ohio lives with diabetes. Despite increasing prevalence, providers in …

More than 8,900 precincts in Ohio were open to voters during the 2022 midterm election, according to the State Board of Elections. (Adobe Stock)

For Next Election, Ohio Officials Focus on Improving Polling Locations

On the heels of the midterm election, state officials say they are now focused on improving voters' experience at polling locations. No Ohio …

Junior high students have reported incidents of sexual harassment, according to Ohio's rape crisis centers. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Rape Crisis Centers Share Successes, Challenges

Rape crisis centers assist sexual abuse survivors and educate about violence prevention, and collaboration is a key aspect of their work. The Ohio …

More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (Adobe Stock)

November Events Highlight Resources for Ohio Family Caregivers

The spotlight is on family caregivers during November, National Family Caregivers Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in Ohio…

Ohio had nearly 200 hours of early in-person voting opportunities ahead of Election Day. (M. Kuhlman)

Election Day in Ohio Deemed a Success for Voters

While some states saw glitches with equipment and accusations of voter fraud, state officials and voting-rights advocates agree Election Day here in …

The Ohio Supreme Court could lose its power to review factors used in setting bail if Issue 1 is passed by voters. (Adobe Stock)

Issue 1 Puts Public Safety, Bail Before Ohio Voters

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment are putting public safety on Ohio's ballot this Election Day. Issue 1 came about after the Ohio …

Laurene and Matt Sweet of Euclid adopted two teenagers in 2018. (Laurene Sweet)

3,000 Ohio Kids in Need of a Forever Family

November is National Adoption Month, and the results of a 2022 survey are encouraging for children in waiting. Of the approximately 400,000 foster …

Around 32% more Ohioans enrolled in federal health-insurance marketplace coverage in 2022, compared with the first year of the exchange. (Adobe Stock)

From Coverage to Care: Federal Marketplace Navigators Ready to Help

Dozens of navigators are available to help Ohioans shopping for health care plans through the federal insurance marketplace. Open enrollment is …

Average home heating costs are expected to rise by 17.2% since last winter's heating season. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio's Winter Crisis Program Begins

Rising energy costs are nothing short of frightening for many Ohioans as cooler fall temperatures will soon settle in. But assistance is available …

Ohio's anti-bullying laws and regulations do not include protections for specific groups. (Adobe Stock)

Bullying: A Scary Situation for One-in-Five Students

It's the last day of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and experts are reminding Ohioans to be aware of the patterns within bullying…

Ohio hospitals had more than 14,000 encounters for opioid overdoses in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Nurse to Candidates: Opioid Crisis Should be "Front and Center" in Ohio

Overdose deaths in Ohio are on track to fall below the record pace of last year, but the opioid crisis is far from over. The group Harm Reduction …

Roughly 23 million Americas owe medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

Medical Debt: Help Available for Struggling Ohioans

Medical costs are a concern for many people in Ohio, but efforts are under way to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with health care…

The Ohio Foster Youth Handbook lists 15 basic rights for kids and teens in care. (Adobe Stock)

A New Voice Protects Rights of Ohio Kids in Care

Youth advocates are working to ensure all children and teens in foster care in Ohio know their rights, and know what to do if those rights are …

Tenants' unions provide space to air grievances and discuss ways to advocate for better conditions for renters. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans Cope with Rising Rents

By Jala Forest/Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Rents have been rising fast …

A 1952 fire on the Cuyahoga River caused more than $1.5 million in damages. (Tullio Saba/Flickr)

Cuyahoga River a Showpiece for Clean Water Act's Success

The 1969 Cuyahoga River fire spurred passage of the Clean Water Act in Congress, and this week the landmark legislation marks 50 years of …

Media reports suggest women are registering to vote in higher numbers in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the federal right to an abortion. (Adobe Stock)

Abortion Rights: 'Lighting a Fire Under Women Voters'

By Roxy Szal for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

$1.4 billion of Ohio's American Rescue Plan Act allocation went to the state's unemployment compensation fund. (Adobe Stock)

Where's the Money Going? New Tool Tracks Ohio's ARPA Dollars

Ohio has more than one-third remaining of the $5.4 billion dollars allocated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan …

$Clean-up of an August 2021 fracking waste spill near Barnesville, Ohio reportedly didn't begin until three days later. (Jill Hunkler)$

Groups Ask EPA to Revoke Ohio’s Authority to Regulate Fracking Waste Wells

More than two dozen citizen, environmental and faith groups want the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revoke Ohio's authority to regulate …

One in four domestic-violence fatalities in Ohio involved victims who previously reported a domestic violence incident to police. (Adobe Stock)

Babes in Arms: Rising Number of Ohio Kids Killed by Domestic Violence

A new report shows there were 112 domestic violence-related deaths in Ohio in a recent 12-month period, including 22 youth, the highest number in the …

Older Ohioans tend to turn out to vote at higher rates than younger voters. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s Most Powerful Voting Bloc is Stressed About the Future

Early voting starts today in Ohio, and advocates for the state's largest voting bloc say candidates should listen to their concerns. Ohioans age 45 …

After third grade, students switch from learning to read to reading to learn. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Calls Intensify to End Ohio's High-Stakes 3rd-Grade Reading Standard

Education leaders say the high-stakes nature of the Ohio Third Grade Learning Guarantee is not helping to move the needle on literacy. Under the …

The Farm Bill is a five-year spending measure that addresses the agriculture industry, food systems, nutrition programs and more. (Mike/Flickr)

2023 Farm Bill: Creating Healthier Future for Farming, Food

Congress must pass a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the year, a measure which not only impacts farming but also what's on our plates. The Ohio …

The average monthly Social Security benefit in August was $1,546. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns Loom for Social Security's Future Ahead of Benefit Increase

The roughly 2.4 million Ohioans who rely on Social Security income are expected to get a big boost in benefits, but advocates for the program are …

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