Ohio

Ohio lawmaker proposes ban on free sports tickets for legislators

Published

12 months ago

July 7, 2025

Ohio lawmaker proposes ban on free sports tickets for legislators

COLUMBUS — A Democratic Ohio state lawmaker wants to ban Ohio legislators from accepting free or discounted tickets to professional sporting events, pointing to ethical concerns raised by the state’s $600 million commitment to a new Cleveland Browns stadium.

State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan, a Parma Democrat, said the legislation would close a loophole that allows lobbyists and team officials to offer lawmakers perks to high-profile games. The bill would require state lawmakers to pay fair market value for any tickets to professional sporting events, regardless of who offers them.

“As legislators, we are often asked to make decisions involving public funding for sports stadiums, arenas and other subsidies to professional franchises,” Brennan said in a statement. “Accepting free or discounted tickets from those very teams—teams that benefit from taxpayer dollars—compromises our credibility and raises serious ethical concerns.”

Brennan pointed to the state budget bill signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last week that allocates $600 million for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park as an example of why the legislation is needed.

“Whether it’s a football game, a baseball game, a hockey match or courtside seats at an NBA matchup—if it’s tied to a team we fund with taxpayer dollars, then it’s off limits,” Brennan said. “This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s about restoring trust and setting clear ethical standards.”

An announcement from Brennan’s office said the legislation is expected to be formally introduced in the coming weeks. Brennan is calling for bipartisan support to enhance transparency and accountability in state government.

Ohio law currently states that lawmakers must report gifts valued over $75. They must also report free admission to events if the cost of admission is $25 or more. The proposed legislation would create a blanket prohibition specifically for sports tickets, regardless of value.

AI was used to help organize information for this story.

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Ohio

Ohio won’t vote on banning data centers this fall

Published

10 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Press Room

Ohio won’t vote on banning data centers this fall

Ohioans won’t be voting on whether to ban data centers on the November ballot.

Conserve Ohio, the group working to block most data centers, announced that it would not submit the more than 413,000 signatures needed to make the fall ballot by the July 1 deadline.

But the data center opponents aren’t giving up on a constitutional amendment. They are now targeting the 2027 ballot.

“We want to make it clear: we will not be stopping. Construction won’t be stopping, so signature gathering and community action will not be stopping,” according to a Conserve Ohio statement.

The group’s decision comes after Ohio lawmakers failed to pass legislation to rein in data centers before a months-long break. Lawmakers disagreed on whether to reduce tax breaks for data centers or eliminate them entirely.

The debate over data centers in Ohio has created strange political bedfellows. Environmentalists and rural voters often oppose them, while business groups and labor unions are backing them.

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

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Ohio

Central Ohio lakes offer strong fishing for summer anglers

Published

20 hours ago

June 22, 2026

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Central Ohio lakes offer strong fishing for summer anglers

Jane Imbody
| Lancaster Eagle-Gazette

Anglers can find strong opportunities for bass, crappie and catfish across central Ohio lakes this summer, according to a community announcement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

The agency highlighted several reservoirs and lakes where fish populations remain robust and accessible, while also noting the relatively low cost of fishing in the state and the availability of free fishing promotions.

Ohio residents can purchase a one-year fishing license for $25, while youth younger than 16 do not need a license. The state also offers designated Free Fishing Days during which residents can fish without purchasing a license, though size and daily limits still apply.

Lakes across region offer diverse fishing opportunities

Central Ohio’s waterways, including reservoirs, inland lakes and streams, support a range of species such as hybrid-striped bass, crappie, black bass and catfish, according to the announcement.

Griggs Reservoir in Franklin County stands out for hybrid-striped bass, which are known for aggressive strikes and strong fights. Anglers often find success watching for birds diving on baitfish near the surface, which can signal feeding schools below. Fish exceeding 20 inches are regularly caught at the reservoir. Effective techniques include using swimbaits, rattle traps and topwater lures. The daily catch limit for hybrid-striped bass is 30 fish, with no more than four exceeding 15 inches.

Crappie fishing remains strong at Deer Creek Lake, spanning Fayette and Pickaway counties. Fisheries surveys conducted in fall 2025 identified numerous large fish. Anglers are encouraged to target submerged brush or trees, or to troll small crankbaits to cover more water.

Buckeye Lake, which touches Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties, also offers consistent crappie fishing. The lake contains both white and black crappie, with strong habitat areas such as submerged woody cover around Cranberry Bog. Public access is available through multiple boat ramps and shoreline sites.

The daily limit at both Deer Creek and Buckeye Lake is 30 crappie with a minimum length requirement of 9 inches.

Bass and catfish destinations draw anglers

Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County continues to produce largemouth and smallmouth bass in high numbers and sizes, according to the announcement. Tournament catches with five-fish totals nearing 20 pounds have been recorded.

Largemouth bass are commonly found near weed beds in shallow water, typically between 3 and 10 feet deep. Smallmouth bass are more often located near rocky areas and offshore points. The reservoir has a daily limit of five bass with a minimum length of 12 inches.

Hoover Reservoir, located in Delaware and Franklin counties, remains a key location for catfish anglers, according to the community announcement. Blue catfish stocked in 2011 have grown significantly, with some approaching 50 pounds. Anglers targeting these fish often use cut bait, especially in the northern portion of the reservoir during warmer months. The daily limit allows one blue catfish measuring at least 35 inches, with no limit on smaller fish.

The reservoir also features multiple boat launches and restrictions on motor horsepower, capped at 10 horsepower for outboard motors.

Resources and recognition programs available

The Division of Wildlife offers tools such as lake maps, fishing tips and forecasts to assist anglers, according to the announcement. These resources can be accessed through the HuntFish OH mobile app or on the agency’s website at wildohio.gov.

The agency also promotes its Fish Ohio program, which recognizes anglers who catch trophy-sized fish across 26 species. Qualifying participants receive a commemorative pin for their first entry and can earn a Master Angler pin by catching four different qualifying species within a year.

This year’s commemorative pin features a channel catfish.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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Ohio

Operation 'Woah Nellie' in Masury, Brookfield Township, Ohio forces shelter to stop animal intake

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2026

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The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project announced on Facebook that they are no longer taking in animals until others get fostered or adopted. The post says the shelter currently has no room for more animals after taking in one dog and over a dozen cats from a Masury home.

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