Ohio News & Current Events | Public News Service

1 in 8 Ohioans are employed in the agricultural industry, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio farmers say federal policies hinder healthy food production

Ohio's food and agriculture industry contributes $124 billion to the state's economy annually. Some farmers, however, argue that government …

In rural America, 3.7 million residents do not drive, making access to such services as medical care especially challenging. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio project helps older adults access medical care beyond county lines

A new AARP grant is helping older adults in Marion County access medical care they cannot find close to home. The $15,000 award is part of AARP's …

Homelessness among children in Ohio has increased by 10% since January 2020 and family homelessness has risen 11%, highlighting deepening housing instability. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio mayor says rising rents drive 'hidden homelessness'

As housing costs continue to squeeze Ohio families, Youngstown's mayor warned out-of-state landlords are pushing many out of their homes, undermining …

Ohio ranks among the top 10 states for electric vehicle-related manufacturing jobs, with more than $3 billion invested in recent EV and battery projects, according to EV Jobs Hub. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio manufacturer warns federal rollbacks could stall EV progress

Ohio's fast-growing electric vehicle sector could face serious setbacks if proposed changes to federal clean energy tax credits move forward…

Incarcerated Ohioans said they are charged 5 cents per page to receive scanned copies of court documents, a burden for those with little to no income. (Ibrahim Rayintakath for The Marshall Project)

OH legal mail policy draws lawsuit, raises access concerns

By Doug Livingston for The Marshall Project.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Marshall Project-Public News…

A poll showed Americans largely support requiring oil and gas companies to pay pollution fees but Congress wants to delay a polluter fee established under the Biden administration. (Adobe Stock)

Congressional budget battle threatens Ohio methane crackdown

Ohio is stepping up efforts to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas sector, but Congress is attempting to delay a federal methane emissions …

Nelsonville residents are using Dave's Redistricting App, a tool originally built to promote fair congressional mapping, now adapted for local use in dozens of U.S. cities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio town invites public to final redistricting meeting ahead of new ward map

Nelsonville residents have another chance to shape their city's political map. A final town hall next Monday invites the public to weigh in before a …

A clean energy project in Cuyahoga County will leverage $60 million in federal tax credits and create over 250 jobs, including retraining coal plant workers for solar and battery storage roles, according to Power a Clean Future Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio groups: Reconciliation bill threatens jobs, schools, energy future

Ohio union and clean energy leaders are urging their U.S. Senators to reject a sweeping reconciliation bill they said would devastate families and …

Each week, participants in Ohio State University-Lima's

Drumming through Parkinson’s at The Ohio State University

A drumming program at Ohio State University-Lima is helping people dealing with Parkinson's disease improve coordination, memory, and overall …

Energy Innovation projects the bill would reduce Ohio's new electricity capacity by 7.8 gigawatts by 2035, including a drop of 8.7 GW in solar, 0.9 GW in wind, and 1.4 GW in battery storage. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans face higher bills under House energy plan

Ohioans could soon feel the pinch of rising energy costs. A bill passed by the U.S. House, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," would repeal key clean …

As the nation's political tensions rise, Ohio poll workers have faced fentanyl-laced letters, bomb scares at the Secretary of State's office, and online harassment, leading officials to implement bullet-proof glass, panic buttons and address protections. (Wikimedia Commons)

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

Ohioans can't help but feel the emotional weight of political violence after last weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker in Minnes…

More than 500 Ohio children were reported sleeping in county government offices over a one-year period due to a lack of foster care placements. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio urged to restore $61M for foster care in final budget talks

Ohio child welfare advocates are urging lawmakers to restore more than $60 million in funding to address the state's ongoing foster care placement cri…

Between 2016 and 2023, Ohio reported fewer than 100 annual voyeurism cases statewide, but it is believed the actual number is far higher, as most incidents go unreported. Hidden devices have been discovered in dorms, restrooms and short-term rentals. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio legislation seeks felony charges for repeat voyeurs

By Savana Capp / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio legislators are …

In Fiscal Year 2024, Ohio's state-funded food programs created or sustained 292 jobs, supported $11.3 million in income and generated $38.4 million in economic output. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio foodbanks: Funding needed for fresh food with local roots

Ohio food banks are urging state lawmakers to approve what they said is a modest budget increase needed to get more fresh, local produce into the …

Ohio has more than 74,500 farms, about half of which have livestock and the industry provides one of seven jobs in the state, according to the Ohio Livestock Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH farmers consider adopting 'regenerative agriculture' practices

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

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)

OH's Kent State lessons loom over military response to L.A. 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)

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)

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 …

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