Ohio
'In time, it could have implications for us': IVF fears persist in Ohio, Kentucky following Alabama ruling
CINCINNATI — Alabama’s Supreme Court ruling that embryos critical for reproductive care were legally the same as children has had wide-reaching impacts — including more than 500 miles away in the greater Cincinnati area where the Institute for Reproductive Health serves patients in Florence and Norwood.
Medical Director Thomas Burwinkel said the ruling has caused concern among patients in Kentucky and Ohio that their treatments could be delayed or ended amid the uncertain climate created after the federal Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade.
“Our patients are coming in and asking, ‘Does this Supreme Court decision in Alabama have any effect on our embryos at our clinic?’ I said, ‘It doesn’t right now, but who knows?’ In time, it could have implications for us,” Burwinkel said.
Burwinkel said he’s performed in vitro fertilization on patients for 35 years, nearly 20 of them with the Institute for Reproductive Health, and the uncertain atmosphere created by recent rulings has left him asking whether criminal prosecutions could follow the loss of embryos routine to the practice.
“If somebody in a lab drops a culture dish and embryos are lost, is that going to be considered murder or manslaughter?” he said.
The rhetoric of groups like Ohio Right to Life and Kentucky Right to Life equating embryos to born children exacerbated his fears.
Addia Wuchner, President of Kentucky Right to Life, said her organization wouldn’t push for any law changes in Kentucky, but she agreed with the Alabama ruling.
“They ruled appropriately recognizing that those were lives,” Wuchner said.
Ohio Right to Life’s Mike Gonidakis said the Alabama Supreme Court was correct to place a higher weight on the value of embryos, but, like Wuchner, said Ohio didn’t need stricter laws on IVF.
Gonidakis said a facility that destroyed embryos through negligence or malpractice would need to face consequences which, he said, was effectively what the Alabama Supreme Court ruled.
“The court said this isn’t just a widget,” he said. “These are embryos. These are living, breathing, future children, boys, girls, what have you. The court said it could be held to a higher standard.”
Burwinkel pushed back on the concept embryos, which are fertilized eggs yet to be implanted in a woman’s uterus, could be weighed on the same level as born children or developed fetuses.
“It does not have fingers, toes, it does not have arms or legs, it doesn’t have a brain. It doesn’t have a heartbeat. It’s just a collection of 120 to 150 cells,” he said.
Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Thursday he would sign IVF protections if they arrived on his desk.
“The Alabama Supreme Court ruling is horrendous,” Beshear said. “It’s terrible, and it’s going to keep families that are there in Alabama from welcoming new children into this world.
Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday called the ruling a non-issue in Ohio.
“I don’t think there’s any movement at all in Ohio to try to stop that. In fact, the law would prohibit stopping it,” said DeWine.
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Why artists are dropping out of the Great American State Fair
Musicians cancel appearances at the Great American State Fair after questions over Freedom 250 and claims the July Fourth event is nonpartisan.
As several states pull out of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., questions are coming up closer to home — Is Ohio still participating?
Massachusetts and North Carolina won’t participate in the fair, according to USA TODAY. Reports also indicate that Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Oregon are also expected to skip the event, with some states citing a combination of financial and political concerns as reasons for opting out.
Here’s what we know about Ohio’s role in the event so far.
Is Ohio skipping the 2026 Great American State Fair?
Ohio has confirmed its participation with a booth titled “Ohio: The Heart of it All,” which showcases state parks and childhood development. The governor’s office began the planning process for the booth in February, shortly after the Great American State Fair was announced, said Lisa Peterson director of communications in the governor’s office.
The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, is a 16-day exposition that will be displayed on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10.
Additionally, Ohio will host a stop from the “Freedom Truck,” a traveling exhibit tied to Freedom 250. The exhibit will appear at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus. Organizers describe the Freedom Truck as a mobile museum that visits existing fairs and community events, not a version of the Great American State Fair itself.
When does the ‘Freedom Truck’ stop in Ohio?
The Freedom Truck is scheduled to be at the Ohio State Fair from July 27 through Aug. 10, 2026 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
The exhibit includes interactive and historical exhibits about the founding of the United States, according to organizers.
The mobile museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, with the final day closing at 6 p.m.
What is the Great American State Fair?
The Great American State Fair is a 16-day event planned for June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Organized by Freedom 250, the fair is part of a broader effort to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with state exhibits, food, entertainment and cultural programming, according to USA TODAY.
President Donald Trump announced he will headline the Freedom 250‑organized Great American State Fair and hold an “America Is Back” rally, the publication reports.
America250 vs. Freedom 250: What’s the difference?
The Great American State Fair is part of Freedom 250, a Trump-backed initiative to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
That effort is different from America250, the official, congressionally-authorized program coordinating nationwide commemorations. Meanwhile, America 250‑Ohio, the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, is the official state-level partner to the national America250 effort.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 23, 2026, results for each game:
Mega Millions
Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
48-51-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 20
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 8-8-0
Evening: 2-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-2-9-0
Evening: 1-6-9-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 2-9-2-5-7
Evening: 2-8-6-4-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
03-09-22-37-39
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
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