Ohio

Group behind effort to repeal Ohio Senate Bill 1, anti-DEI law, facing ballot deadline

Published

7 months ago

June 18, 2025

Press Room

Group behind effort to repeal Ohio Senate Bill 1, anti-DEI law, facing ballot deadline

Opponents of a higher education bill that bans diversity, equity and inclusion on campus are in the final week of collecting signatures to put referendum on the November ballot

Opponents of Senate Bill 1, which bans diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on college campuses, are gathering signatures to put the law to a referendum.
They need roughly 250,000 valid signatures to get the referendum on the November ballot.
The effort is entirely volunteer-based and has garnered support from unions, Democratic groups, and pro-LGBTQ organizations.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jerry Cirino, doubts referendum backers will succeed, while organizers express optimism.

Opponents of a sweeping higher education bill that bans diversity, equity and inclusion on Ohio campuses are in their final week of collecting signatures to block the law at the ballot box.

“I’m cautiously optimistic” about collecting the needed signatures to make the November ballot, said Mark Vopat, president of Youngstown State University’s faculty union, which has led the charge for a referendum vote on Senate Bill 1. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support.”

In late March, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1, a massive higher education overhaul that would ban DEI programs on campus, ban faculty strikes, limit the power of tenure, prevent higher education institutions from taking positions on “controversial beliefs or policies,” and make other changes.

Most newly signed laws can be put to a vote of Ohioans, a process called a referendum. To make the November ballot, Senate Bill 1 opponents must collect 248,092 valid signatures, or 6% of the votes in the last governor’s race, by June 25. They also must submit a specific number from at least 44 counties.

Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, who championed the bill, remains skeptical that volunteers will collect enough signatures. “That’s a pretty high hurdle. I’m not expecting that they will make it,” he said.

Vopat said about 1,600 people are collecting signatures across Ohio to defeat Senate Bill 1. They have obtained signatures from voters in 84 of Ohio’s 88 counties, he added.

All of the signature collectors are volunteers − a rarity for Ohio ballot campaigns, which often hire paid staff to collect signatures and ensure they don’t include duplicates or missing information. Ballot efforts nearly always submit more than the required number to account for these errors.

“This is the definition of grassroots,” said Vopat, citing more than 40 unions, Democratic groups and pro-LGBTQ organizations that are backing the Senate Bill 1 repeal.

Over the weekend, volunteers collected signatures at the 2025 Stonewall Columbus Pride March and “No Kings” protests opposing President Donald Trump’s policies. On their website, ohsb1petition.com, Senate Bill 1 opponents list dozens of other events where voters can sign their petition.

Vopat said they plan to turn in signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office on June 25.

Senate Bill 1 would be put on hold while signatures are counted and, if they have enough signatures, until the November vote. If the referendum makes the ballot, voters would have a chance to either approve or reject it.

State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.

What are your thoughts on Ohio Senate Bill 1?

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Ohio

Northeast Ohio Weather: High wind, very warm, showers, and storms today

Published

11 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Northeast Ohio Weather: High wind, very warm, showers, and storms today

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A powerful cold front will be tracking through today.

A second system impacts the area tomorrow.

It is very warm and very windy today. High temperatures forecast to be above 60 degrees in many towns before the cold front blows through.

Temperatures tumble through the 50s and into the 40s later this afternoon.

We have showers and a few thunderstorms in the area. The risk of rain will end behind the front. A south wind shifts west and could gust over 45 mph at times today.

Colder and much less wind tonight with a mostly cloudy sky. Early morning temperatures tomorrow will be in the 30s.

The system tomorrow will track across the Great Lakes and will be centered north of us Saturday night.

Moisture gets drawn up from the south. Showers develop by afternoon.

The rain isn’t expected to be heavy with less than .25″ in the forecast. High temperatures make it into the 40s.

Colder Saturday night and blustery. Southwest winds could gust to around 30 mph at times.

A window is there Sunday for snow showers and lake-effect.

It’ll be very windy on Sunday. West winds could gust over 45 mph at times. Afternoon temperatures around 30 degrees.

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Ohio

Ex-Ohio State DB Marshon Lattimore arrested on possible weapons charge

Published

23 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Ex-Ohio State DB Marshon Lattimore arrested on possible weapons charge

Former Ohio State defensive back Marshon Lattimore was arrested on Jan. 7 in Lakewood, Ohio, and now awaits possible charges of carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a vehicle, according to multiple reports.

Lattimore, currently on the Washington Commanders, was booked into jail but later released. The police report lists a 9mm Glock as evidence, per ESPN.

Police say Lattimore was arrested because he failed to inform the investigating officer that he had a firearm in the vehicle when asked.

In a statement to 3News, the Commanders said, “We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We have informed the NFL League office and have no further comment at this time.”

Lattimore played for the Buckeyes in 2015 and 2016. He was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He has made the Pro Bowl four times and was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017.

In 2021, Lattimore was arrested in Cleveland and initially charged with a felony for receiving a stolen firearm. The charge was dismissed, but Lattimore pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. He received one year of probation and a suspended 180-day jail sentence, according to ESPN.

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Ohio

This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conversation around Ohio State football’s championship aspirations often centers on offensive firepower, but a sophomore cornerback might play an important role in helping the Buckeyes accomplish their goals next season.

Devin Sanchez arrived in Columbus as the nation’s top cornerback recruit, and after a freshman season where he earned meaningful snaps in critical moments, the expectations have escalated.

No longer is it enough for Sanchez to be a reliable contributor. He must take a step toward becoming a true lockdown corner who can eliminate one side of the field.

“Is Devin Sanchez ready to be the dude because he’s going to have to be,” co-host Stefan Krajisnik said on Buckeye Talk. “I don’t mean is he ready to be a reliable starter — I mean it’s time… to be a dude. I don’t think it’s putting unrealistic expectations on a guy like Devin Sanchez to be an All-Big Ten first team caliber-type guy.”

The coaching staff has demonstrated their belief in Sanchez’s potential by giving him high-leverage opportunities against elite competition as a true freshman. Against Texas last season, while other freshmen barely saw the field, Sanchez was trusted in critical moments – a telling sign of the program’s expectations.

Next season’s rematch with Texas will provide an opportunity to see how much progress Sanchez has made since the last time he faced the Longhorns.

As co-host Andrew Gillis put it, “Is he ready to announce himself to the world as lock down?”

The transformation starts now. Co-host Stephen Means made it clear that spring practice represents a crucial development period.

“We should be walking away from spring practice thinking that’s the best cornerback in the Big Ten and his only competition is (Oregon’s) Brandon Finney,” Means said. “That should be the goal for Devin.”

What makes Sanchez’s development so critical is how it affects the entire defensive structure. If he can become that elite cornerback who eliminates one side of the field, it changes what Ohio State can do with their other 10 defenders. It allows for more aggressive pressure packages, more safety help to other areas, and ultimately, a more disruptive defense.

For Ohio State fans, Sanchez’s development represents one of the most fascinating storylines to follow this offseason. His progression from promising freshman to elite sophomore could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a national championship.

Here’s the podcast for this week: