Ohio

Ohio, Ky., Ind., all earn failing grades in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

Ohio, Ky., Ind., all earn failing grades in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts

The American Lung Association released its 2024 State of Tobacco Control report Wednesday, which evaluates state efforts to eliminate tobacco use. Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa and Ohio scored failing grades in most categories.

The report compares state policies to evidence-based practices known to prevent youth from using tobacco and help smokers quit. It looks at five evidence-based categories: funding for tobacco prevention and control programs, cigarette taxes, smokefree air, access to cessation services and restrictions on flavored tobacco products.

The report described 2023 as a “disappointing year” for tobacco prevention policies and legislation nationwide on the state and local levels because no states passed comprehensive smokefree workplace laws or comprehensive flavored tobacco product laws.

Nationally, there was an uptick in adult tobacco use in 20022 driven by an increase in the number of adults using e-cigarettes. This trend has been driven by 18- to 24-year-olds’ increased use of e-cigarettes over the past two years. According to the report, 65.5% of e-cigarette users in this group did not smoke cigarettes before in 2022.

Tiffany Nichols, a director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Indiana, said other southern states share similar failing grades.

But Oklahoma scored an A in two categories: Funding for tobacco prevention and control and cessation programs to help smokers quit.

Illinois scored an A in two categories too: Its efforts to maintain smokefree air and access to cessation programs to help people quit. Similarly, Ohio scored an A grade in the smokefree air category.

In some Midwestern states, tobacco prevention and control programs are drastically underfunded and are way below the level recommended by the CDC.

Cigarette taxes in some of these states are also among the lowest in the nation. Ranging from Missouri’s $0.17 to Illinois’ $2.9.

The highest cigarette taxes of more than $4 are in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.

Advocates in states like Indiana have tried to increase the cigarette tax for nearly a decade. Lawmakers there considered a bill last year to increase the tobacco tax up to $2, but the legislation failed.

Nichols thinks some lawmakers might believe it’s a tax on people who are low-income, one of the demographic groups that typically uses tobacco.

“We’re not trying to tax the poor, but we know that it’s an evidence-based strategy” that would help many smokers finally decide to quit, Tiffany Nichols, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Indiana, said. “And it will help a lot of young people decide that smoking just isn’t something that they want to do once the price hits a certain threshold,” she said.

Between 14% and 22% of highschoolers in some Midwestern states use tobacco, mainly through e-cigarettes.

Smoking continues to cost states billions of dollars in health care costs, ranging from $5 billion in Illinois, $2.9 billion in Indiana, $1.9 billion in Kentucky to a little over $1 billion in Iowa.

According to the report, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars stand in the way of tobacco prevention efforts because more young adults start using cigars with flavored versions compared to older adults.

“Data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) show that 64.8% of middle and high school students who smoke cigars use flavored cigars, amounting to 270,000 kids,” according to the report. “Menthol flavored little cigars can also easily act as substitutes for menthol cigarettes if their sale is not prohibited at the same time.”

Menthol cigarettes are also popular among Black people who smoke, with over 80% of them using method cigarettes.

Nationally, Nichols hopes the Biden administration will approve an FDA rule to eliminate menthol and other tobacco flavorings.

More info on the national quitline can be accessed here. People can also Visit smokefree.gov or text QUIT to 47848 for help.

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Ohio

Metro offering free rides across all services for Ohio’s primary election on May 5

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

Metro offering free rides across all services for Ohio’s primary election on May 5

CINCINNATI — Anyone who needs to go to their polling location for Ohio’s primary election will be able to ride all Metro services for free Tuesday, May 5.

Metro announced all fixed-route buses will run their regular weekday schedules fare-free on Election Day. For those who need door-to-door help, Metro’s Access paratransit will be available for eligible riders, while MetroNow! — the on-demand shuttle service — will also be free to anyone who needs it.

“Access to transportation should never be a barrier to voting,” Brandy Jones, Metro’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said in a release. “By offering fare-free service on election day, we’re helping ensure that more people can take part in shaping their community.”

Metro has already announced that it will also offer fare-free rides for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as well.

To learn more about the different routes or transit options, download the Transit app or visit Metro’s website here.

After the Ohio Redistricting Commission passed new congressional maps last year, and some county board of elections announced polling consolidations this spring, there’s a chance your polling place has changed. If you are not sure where your polling location is, visit the Secretary of State’s website here.

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Ohio

Ohio Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for April 27, 2026

Published

16 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 27, 2026, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

18-31-33-36-62, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball 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: 7-6-6

Evening: 5-6-2

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: 9-2-8-2

Evening: 6-1-5-6

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: 5-7-8-3-3

Evening: 7-6-8-3-5

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.

09-10-24-30-39

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Classic Lotto

Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

01-12-15-22-27-42, Kicker: 6-7-2-4-1-9

Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.

04-15-19-21-31, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life 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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Ohio

Dr. Katelyn M. Williams, Negley, Ohio

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2026

Press Room

NEGLEY, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Dr. Katelyn M. Williams, age 26, of Negley—our beloved daughter, granddaughter, fiancée and sister—passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the result of a tragic auto accident on Rt. 170. Her sudden passing has left a heartbreak that words can hardly touch.

Beautiful in both spirit and smile, “Katie” was the second oldest child of Patrick “Rick” and Kelly McCauley Williams of Negley, Ohio. She graduated from Beaver Local, Class of 2017, where she was a friend to many, sang in the choir and was a member of the girls’ golf team. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology from Youngstown State University in 2021 and following in her mother’s footsteps, attended Northeast Ohio Medical University, graduating with her PharmD in 2025.

Katie was an extraordinary young woman—driven, compassionate and deeply faithful. She was nearly finished with her one-year pharmacy residency at Aultman Community Hospital in Alliance and had just signed a three-year contract to serve as a clinical pharmacist with One Health Ohio in Youngstown. Even with a full schedule, Katie poured herself into others: she sang with the Praise Team and taught Sunday School at Point of Mercy Sanctuary. Her voice was absolutely gorgeous and when she sang for the Lord, it could move you to tears. Katie also loved bringing people together, often arranging youth get-togethers at her parents’ home, or at church on an occasional Friday or Saturday night.

Katie was engaged to be married on June 27th to Dustin Lane of Wellsville. She loved him dearly and spent much of her spare time at his home making plans for their big day – dreaming, laughing and building a future together. Katie was the kind of person who made the world feel gentler. She was truly one of the sweetest souls you could ever meet. She rarely had a negative word to say about anyone and she seemed to find something good in every person she met.

In addition to her parents, Katie is lovingly remembered by her three siblings, Garrett Williams and his wife, Cassandra, of Boardman, Blake Williams,and Emmalee Williams, both at home. She is also survived by her grandmothers, Patricia Williams of Lisbon and Marjorie McCauley of Negley; as well as her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, who will miss her more than can be expressed.

Katie was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gary McCauley and Gary Williams.

Friends may visit on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Dawson Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Pastor Stephen Waddell of the church will conduct a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the funeral home, where friends may visit two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Columbiana County Memorial Park.

Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Point of Mercy Sanctuary for fellowship.

Arrangements of comfort are being made by Dawson Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katelyn, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, April 28, at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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