Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine, real estate mogul pardoned by Trump among Ohio RNC delegates
What happens at a political convention like the RNC
Veteran political reporter Craig Gilbert talks about what happens at political conventions
Ohio Republicans will descend on Milwaukee next week to officially choose former President Donald Trump as their nominee for the November election.
Trump tapped 79 delegates and 68 alternates to represent the Buckeye State at the Republican National Convention, according to a list provided by the Ohio secretary of state’s office. The names include top statewide officials, members of the state Legislature, candidates and other key players in the Ohio GOP, from donors to county party leaders.
Three delegates also serve on the Republican National Committee on Ohio’s behalf: State party chair Alex Triantafilou, former U.S. Senate candidate Jane Timken and committeeman Jim Dicke.
Other notable delegates include:
- Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine.
- Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague, all of whom are eyeing a run for governor in 2026.
- U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, who is running against Sen. Sherrod Brown this fall.
- Cleveland real estate mogul James Kassouf, who was pardoned by Trump in 2020 − decades after Kassouf pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.
- Pastor Darrell Scott, head of the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights. Scott is a longtime Trump ally and once described him as “the most pro-Black president I’ve seen in my lifetime,” NBC News reported.
- Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life.
- Cowboy hat-wearing Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, an outspoken and sometimes controversial critic of U.S. immigration policy.
- Etna Township trustee Rozland McKee, who recently attracted criticism after locals saw an upside-down American flag being flown at her home. McKee said her husband hung it that way.
- Newly elected Congressman Michael Rulli. He stepped down from the Ohio Senate last month after winning a special election in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District.
See the full list of delegates below:
Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. She will be covering the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Ohio
Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in two years, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department have joined forces to combat human trafficking crimes.
In October, the operation led to the arrest of eight individuals for sex trafficking offenses, including men from Follansbee and St. Clairsville.
Earlier, in July 2024, 10 men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were apprehended and charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools.
“It just goes to show that human trafficking happens everywhere,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This isn’t a big city thing, it happens in small towns, it happens out in the country. It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us.
“I am hopeful that the message is going out around Ohio and Steubenville and the Mahoning Valley — Don’t Buy Sex in Ohio!”
He also highlighted the support provided to survivors during these operations.
“We always have social service providers that partner with us that are on site. So, whether it’s something simple like a meal or a shower or something as necessary as an addiction treatment bed — we’re there to try and help provide the resource,” Yost added.
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For those affected by human trafficking, a victim services directory is available here.
Ohio
3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials
NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three kids, ages 12, 11, and 8, led Ohio police on a chase in a stolen car on Saturday, according to police.
According to the Newburgh Heights Police Department, an 11-year-old was driving a car that was stolen from Parma, WEWS reported.
Officers chased the car on Harvard Avenue west over the Denison Bridge. Shortly after the chase began, the car crashed into a house on Denison Avenue, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Newburgh Heights PD said two brothers, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, along with a 12-year-old, began running from the police.
After police caught them, the kids told officers they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal cars, police said.
According to the department, the boys were released to their parents, and police will file charges in juvenile court.
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Ohio
Ohio State vs Miami betting odds, point spread for Cotton Bowl game
Heading to Arlington, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State enters the New Year’s Eve College Football Playoff game as a multi-score favorite to beat Miami, according to BetMGM on Dec. 22.
Ohio State is the No. 2 seed in the 2025 CFP and received a first-round bye. After beating No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 10 Miami will face the Buckeyes for the first time since 2011. The Hurricanes are the lone ACC representative in the CFP field.
Miami intercepted Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed in the end zone with less than 30 seconds remaining to secure a first-round playoff win.
Buy Cotton Bowl tickets
See the betting odds for the Cotton Bowl below.
What is the point spread for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
As of Dec. 22, BetMGM’s point spread for the Cotton Bowl between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes is -10 in favor of Ohio State.
What is the moneyline for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
Ohio State has -375 odds to win against Miami in the Cotton Bowl on BetMGM.
What is over/under on total points for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
The over/under for the Cotton Bowl game is set at 42.5 points.
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