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Ohio’s secretary of state shows “cognitive dissonance” on election integrity – again

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Ohio’s secretary of state shows “cognitive dissonance” on election integrity – again


Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is once again demonstrating that he operates not based on principles but on his loyalty to President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, say the hosts of the Today in Ohio podcast.

Tuesday’s episode took aim at LaRose’s recent announcement that Ohio is joining the EleXa Network, a system where states share voter data to combat fraud—nearly identical to the ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center) system LaRose abandoned after MAGA criticism.

“This was the case that — for anybody that wanted to see it — showed just how lily-livered LaRose is, that he doesn’t stand for anything,” said Chris Quinn. He noted how LaRose was full-throated in supporting ERIC “until all of a sudden ‚the MAGA folks said it’s bad. And then like you said, hot potatoes.”

Lisa Garvin explained that LaRose had previously championed ERIC as an essential tool for maintaining accurate voter rolls and preventing fraud. However, when conservative media outlets began claiming the system favored Democrats and undermined election integrity, LaRose abandoned it—only to now join a nearly identical system with a different name.

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Quinn didn’t hesitate to predict LaRose’s future behavior: “And watch, if MAGA comes out and says, ‘Oh, we hate this system,’ he’ll immediately turn tail again. And it shows you everything. He doesn’t stand for anything except supporting MAGA and the Republicans.”

Garvin said LaRose’s decisions are part of his pattern on election integrity.

“He’s always trumpeted the integrity of Ohio’s election system. And then he turns around and said, ‘well, there’s fraud everywhere.’” She said. “This is like cognitive dissonance?”

Both Eric and EleXa allow states to share information on people who may be registered in multiple states or who have died, helping to keep voter rolls accurate and prevent people from voting twice. Ohio is joining with nine neighboring states, including Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Of course, as podcast hosts noted, voter fraud is extremely rare.

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Listen to the episode here.



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Central Ohio family sues Hilliard funeral home after mother mistakenly cremated

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Central Ohio family sues Hilliard funeral home after mother mistakenly cremated


A Central Ohio family has filed a lawsuit against a Hilliard funeral home after their mother was accidentally cremated, despite plans for her to be buried.

According to court documents, Tidd Funeral Home cremated Nancy Anders in June of last year against the family’s wishes. The lawsuit states Anders died a week earlier in May.

The family says Anders had planned and prepaid for funeral arrangements two years before her death to be buried with her late husband. The arrangements did not include cremation because, the family says, she did not believe in the concept.

The lawsuit says the family was told a week after her death that she had been accidentally cremated. It also accuses Tidd Funeral Home of cremating her even though the proper authorization form was never signed.

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The family says they have suffered physical illness and emotional trauma and are seeking $25,000 in damages. They are also asking for the case to be decided by a jury.

ABC 6 reached out to the funeral home for comment but had not heard back.



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Ohio men previously involved with LifeWise Academy charged with sex crimes involving minors

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Ohio men previously involved with LifeWise Academy charged with sex crimes involving minors


Three Ohio men who either previously volunteered or worked for LifeWise Academy – a Christian instruction program for public school students – were either charged or pleaded guilty recently to sex crimes against minors, including rape, voyeurism, and sexual battery.



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Ohio blogger The Rooster arrested at Statehouse for online harassment

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Ohio blogger The Rooster arrested at Statehouse for online harassment


The Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested online political writer D.J. Byrnes, also known as The Rooster, at the statehouse on June 1 on a misdemeanor warrant.

A patrol spokesman said Byrnes, who posts his stories to his Substack subscribers, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was booked into the Franklin County Jail, records show. The patrol did not provide further details.

Byrnes’ colleague, Max Littman, said he believes the arrest is related to Byrnes texting photos of cartoon character Shrek’s penis to a state senator. “If that is in fact true, that he was arrested over that, then it’s blatant targeting a political opponent and journalist,” Littman said.

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The arrest warrant for telecommunications harassment came from the city of Kirtland in Lake County. The warrant alleges that Byrnes sent two photos on May 6 to “J.C.” with the intent to harass.

State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, did not return messages seeking comment.

Byrnes routinely works the halls power at Columbus City Hall, Ohio State University and the Ohio Statehouse, looking for tips and ambushing officeholders for his Substack reports. He can be both charming and confrontational.

Recently, he posted a story based on one anonymous source who told him that Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy tried to get into the New York Knicks locker room after the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs.

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The story, and its spread, so bothered Ramaswamy that he posted a lengthy refute on X, calling it 100% fake.

State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.



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