Could Ohio restart executions using nitrogen gas? The Wake Up for Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024

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Ohio has 118 inmates on death row. But the state hasn’t executed anyone since 2018 because officials have struggled to obtain lethal-injection drugs from pharmaceutical companies, which have cut off sales on moral and legal grounds.

Now, Ohio lawmakers are proposing a bill that would allow the use of pure nitrogen gas, which causes death via asphyxiation, as a backup method for executions if lethal-injection drugs aren’t available.

Death-penalty critics have said that using nitrogen gas is inhumane and experimental.

Gov. Mike DeWine has refused to let any executions go forward since taking office. His spokesman said he hadn’t read the proposal.

— Laura

Cavs vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Cavs celebrate Evan Mobley’s return with statement win over red-hot Los Angeles Clippers, 118-108

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Mix of rain and snow showers

Executions: Ohio lawmakers are preparing legislation that would allow executions using nitrogen gas as a way to resolve the state’s years-long problems with obtaining lethal-injection drugs. Jeremy Pelzer reports the Republican-sponsored legislation, which a co-sponsor says will be introduced in the next few days, comes after Alabama carried out the nation’s first execution using nitrogen gas last week.

BMV privileges: An appellate court ruling could force the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles to reinstate driving privileges for applicants with years-old “dormant” judgments against them. The ruling traces back to 2005, when Keith Stone, an uninsured driver at the time, was involved in a car crash and held liable for about $28,000 owed to Nationwide, an insurance company. Jake Zuckerman reports Stone didn’t pay and the BMV heeded a state law calling on it to suspend his license because of the judgment.

Today in Ohio: Since the 1970s, the use of road salt in the United States has tripled to an estimated 22 million tons per year. We’re talking about how all that salt is polluting Lake Erie on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.

Republican schism: The Ohio Republican Party has opted not to endorse in 21 state legislative races featuring Republican incumbents this year, a clear sign of the lingering controversy over the vote last year in which some legislative Republicans joined with Democrats in helping Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens win his leadership position. Andrew Tobias reports the Ohio GOP state central committee without debate endorsed dozens of incumbents, as well as new candidates running with no Republican opponents for open seats in the Ohio House and Senate.

Conviction run: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that former state Rep. Steve Kraus, a Sandusky Republican, can run again for the Ohio House this year despite a 2015 felony theft conviction, reports Jeremy Pelzer. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that a state law generally prohibiting people convicted of felony theft from holding public office in Ohio doesn’t apply to state lawmakers.

Swatting: The Warrensville Heights home of U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown was targeted in a swatting attempt on Monday while she was in Washington, D.C., for votes. Sabrina Eaton reports swatting is a prank call that prompts emergency crews to show up at an address where no emergency is occurring. The tactic is increasingly used to harass politicians and others in the public eye.

Norfolk Southern: The Federal Railroad Administration announced Monday that Norfolk Southern will officially join a pilot rail safety program that allows rail employees to confidentially report unsafe events they experience without facing discipline from their employer. Sabrina Eaton reports the announcement comes days before the one-year anniversary of a Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine.

Appellate judge: The Ohio Democratic Party Executive Committee voted to support one state appellate court judge over another in a race for the Ohio Supreme Court, reports Laura Hancock. The party leaders voted to support Judge Lisa Forbes of the Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals, which looks at cases from courts in Cuyahoga County, over Judge Terri Jamison of the 10th District Court of Appeals, which reviews appeals from cases stemming in Franklin County Courts.

Smart water: A project that encompasses Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin is getting a $15 million National Science Foundation regional innovation engine award for a project to develop smart water recovery systems that will save water and make Great Lakes manufacturing more sustainable. It is one of 10 “regional innovation engines. Sabrina Eaton reports the National Science Foundation says all will build on regional scientific and technological strengths to build new industries and workforces and spur economic development in those areas.

Portman donation: Former Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman made only a handful of political contributions last year as he continues to wind down his federal campaign account after leaving office. One of them recently went to a former Democratic colleague who faces a GOP challenger backed by ex-President Donald Trump, reports Sabrina Eaton.

Homelessness: Cuyahoga County announced two new programs that seek to reduce youth homelessness, Lucas Daprile reports. The programs, buoyed by a two-year, $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are transitional housing to supplement the county’s existing rapid rehousing program and an expansion of outreach services, referred to as “navigation.”

Arts fund: The city of Cleveland intends to hire Assembly for the Arts to manage its $3 million transformative arts program that provides grants to create public art. Two City Council committees signed off on the agreement Monday morning, reports Courtney Astolfi.

9-year-old killed: Twinsburg City Schools are grieving after the son of an administrator died in a crash in Geauga County on Sunday. Ryan Looman, the assistant high school principal, his wife and four children were involved in a two-vehicle crash, reports Molly Walsh. Looman’s 9-year-old son, Koby, died in the crash.

Fuel spill: State environmental officials are working to remove thousands of gallons of diesel fuel that spilled into Brandywine Creek after a tanker truck overturned on Ohio 8 and burst into flames Saturday morning, Cory Shaffer reports. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement Monday that it has removed 3,500 gallons of water containing fuel and several large boxes of soil.

State grants: The state of Ohio approved millions of dollars worth of tax credits Monday, supporting major projects in downtown Cleveland, Brecksville and across the state, reports Sean McDonnell. Playhouse Square received a total tax credit worth $1.95 million, and the first-phase of Valor Acres, a wide-ranging development being built at the former Veterans Affairs campus, won a $10 million tax credit.

Nestle layoffs: Nestle says it will layoff hundreds of workers at its factory in Solon, just months after another round of layoffs were announced. The company said in a statement Monday afternoon that 216 employees would be laid off because of changes Nestle was making to optimize its business, Sean McDonnell reports.

Progressive: Progressive announced Monday that it has rebranded its insurance product for large commercial fleets, reports Sean McDonnell. What was known as Protective Insurance will be called Progressive Fleet & Specialty Programs.

Urgent care: As part of a plan to deliver healthcare closer to patients, University Hospitals announced plans to open a new urgent care facility in Shaker Heights and relocate its Streetsboro urgent care location. Both changes will happen this week, Julie Washington reports.

Money Talks: Darnell Mayberry’s chief goal for 2024 is to buy a building and become a landlord, a critical step on his journey to financial freedom.

Fatal shooting: A man who gained $140,000 in a settlement over a beating at the Cuyahoga County Jail was killed Saturday outside of a gas station on Cleveland’s East Side. Tyrone Hipps, 32, was fatally shot at 8 p.m. outside of the Sunoco Gas Station on East 93rd Street, reports Olivia Mitchell.

Neo-Nazi sentenced: A white supremacist who firebombed a Geauga County church hosting drag queen story hour events remained defiant on Monday as a federal judge sentenced him to 18 years in prison on federal hate crime and arson charges, Adam Ferrise reports.

Movie lawsuit: Cleveland filmmaker and author Ivy Willis has filed a civil lawsuit in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court that accuses the two people she partnered with of stealing her film, reports Olivia Mitchell.

Elyria raid: The 12-year-old boy targeted in a controversial Elyria police raid lived in a house a half-mile down the street from where officers stormed last month, reports Molly Walsh. Officers raided the home hoping to find weapons taken during a burglary.

East CLE police: A former East Cleveland police officer who prosecutors say witnessed his colleagues assaulting drivers has pleaded guilty. Tyler Mundson, 32, entered the plea to three counts each of interference with civil rights and dereliction of duty, Cory Shaffer reports.

Flats stage: A new performance stage will grace the Flats East Bank boardwalk this spring, reports Peter Chakerian. Downtown Cleveland Inc. and Flats East Bank have announced that the venue, adjacent to the Cuyahoga River and The Flats at East Bank Apartments, will be formally dedicated this spring.

Ask Lucas: If your niece wants a Stanley tumbler for her birthday and you think the price is ridiculous, what do you get her? Lucas Daprile has an idea.

Hollie Strano: WKYC Channel 3 meteorologist Hollie Strano said she is returning to work after being off-air since Thanksgiving, when she crashed her car into a utility pole, reports Molly Walsh. She was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Streaming services: Just about every major streaming TV service has raised its prices over the past year. So what are you actually paying? Joey Morona explains each site and what they charge.

Undie run: Get your best undies ready for Cupid’s Undie Run on Feb. 10. Paris Wolfe reports participants will run one mile in Cleveland’ s winter weather to raise money for neurofibromatosis. The event starts and ends at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland.

Live jazz: If you are a music lover who has attended a live jazz show in Northeast Ohio over the past 30 years, chances are better than good that you’ve been to a Jim Wadsworth Production. Malcolm X Abram reports that over the years, JWP has brought many of the top names in jazz to town to play intimate gigs at places ranging from the old Smiling Dog Saloon and Peabody’s DownUnder to Wilbert’s and Nighttown, and many more.

Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

— Curated by Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard

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