Ohio

Helen Rankin, the first Black woman in the Ohio House, dies at 89

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

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Helen Rankin, the first Black woman in the Ohio House, dies at 89

L. Helen Rankin, the first Black woman to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives, died March 22 at age 89.

Rankin, a Democrat, served 16 years in the Ohio House, representing districts in Cincinnati from 1978 to 1994.

She was appointed to succeed her late husband, James W. Rankin, who died of pneumonia in June 1978 while in office. She completed his term, then won the seat outright in the general election later that year.

She was elected to seven terms representing the 25th Ohio House District, which included Evanston, Walnut Hills, Mount Adams and Hyde Park, then after re-districting, a term for the 30th District, covering Avondale, Bond Hill, Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights.

Who was Helen Rankin

Rankin, born in Georgia on Sept. 12, 1936, moved to Cincinnati to study business administration at the University of Cincinnati. Before taking office, she worked as an intake supervisor at the Cincinnati Community Action Commission.

She was a 41-year-old mother of three when she took over her husband’s House seat. She proceeded to earn her own legacy her own way, quietly behind the scenes.

She fought to preserve Medicaid reimbursement for health clinics and worked to reform Ohio’s Title XX program to provide services for low-income, elderly and disabled persons.

Her signature achievement was introducing a bill that made insurance companies cover the costs of mammograms. She introduced the bill four times before it finally passed and was signed into law by Gov. George Voinovich in 1992.

“It was landmark legislation. She was very persistent and overcame a lot of obstacles on that,” the late Rep. William Mallory told the Cincinnati Post when Rankin retired in 1994.

“Representative Rankin didn’t just break barriers, she built pathways,” said Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, in a statement on Instagram. “Her legacy is reflected not only in the policies she passed, but in the lives she touched, the communities she strengthened, and the doors she opened for generations to come.”

Helen Rankin services April 10

After she retired, Rankin was co-chair of Shalom Habitat for Humanity Project, helping to build homes in Walnut Hills, and active with her church, New Vision United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, James W. Rankin; her second husband, William B. Merritt; and her brothers, Thermon Key and Andrew Key. She is survived by her children, Sharon Moon, James W. Rankin Jr. and Connie Ross; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held April 10 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at noon, at New Vision United Methodist Church, 4400 Reading Road, Paddock Hills. She will be interred at Walnut Hills Cemetery.

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Ohio

Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s to open Monday

Published

3 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Related video: Electric atmosphere fills Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s on opening day

HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WTVG) – Buc-ee’s will open its first Ohio location Monday.

The 24/7 travel center chain will open to the public in Huber Heights, just outside of Dayton.

Buc-ee’s is based in Texas and has been expanding across the South and now in the Midwest. The chain is known for its large number of gas pumps and clean bathrooms, and its food options like Beaver Nuggets and brisket.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine plans to attend the grand opening Monday.

Plans are in the works to build the second Ohio location in Mansfield.

Related story: Buc-ee’s sues Milan, Ohio company over trademark infringement

Buc-ee’s is suing an Ohio-based convenience chain, alleging its moose mascot looks too much like Buc-ee’s famous beaver. (Source: WTVG)

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Ohio

April 9 concert pairs Marionaires with Ohio State Marion singers

Published

15 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

April 9 concert pairs Marionaires with Ohio State Marion singers

Jane Imbody
| Marion Star

The Marionaires and Ohio State Marion’s University Chorus will perform in a joint concert at Morrill Hall Auditorium on April 9. The event is part of the Five Nights on Campus performing arts series, according to a community announcement.

The Marionaires, a barbershop chorus, will showcase their harmonies and timeless sound.

The University Chorus at Ohio State Marion is composed of students from various academic disciplines. Under the direction of Sabina Anderson, the ensemble will perform selections from the Broadway musical “Les Misérables.”

Ticket prices and event details

Ticket prices for the concert are $10 for general admission, $9 for seniors 60 and older and $4 for students in kindergarten through grade 12 and college students. Faculty and staff at Ohio State Marion and Marion Technical College can purchase discounted tickets for $8. Season ticket packages and patron memberships are available, offering discounted rates and exclusive benefits.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or by contacting Jodi Somerlot at 740-725-6156 or somerlot.30@osu.edu.

The concert is sponsored by Marion Technical College, Stifel, UniPrint, Wm. Kay Davis Foundation and iHeart Media. Event partners include the Ohio State University Alumni Club of Marion County and Buckeye Backers.

Doors will open at 7 p.m., with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to register for tickets, visit go.osu.edu/fivenights.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

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Ohio

Former Ohio Mr. Basketball reportedly enters transfer portal

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Former Ohio Mr. Basketball reportedly enters transfer portal

Looks like another Ohio State basketball player will be entering the transfer portal.

Colin White, a sophomore forward from Ottawa, Ohio, told 24/7 Sports that he is entering the transfer portal after two seasons with the Ohio State men’s basketball program. White played in 29 games for Ohio State, averaging 0.9 points-per game. Colin appeared in 48 games overall for the Buckeyes and will have two years of eligibility remaining for his college career.

A former Ohio Mr. Basketball and top-125 recruit, White arrived in Columbus with significant expectations after a standout career at Ottawa-Glandorf, where he helped lead the Titans to consecutive state championship game appearances. His local ties and two-way skill set made him an intriguing developmental piece for the Buckeyes, especially on defense and as a versatile wing.

Colin is the second player so far this offseason to hit the transfer portal, Devin Royal being the first. Their teammate John Mobley has declared that he will go to the NBA draft but is keeping the door open to returning back to Columbus next season.

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