Ohio

Ohio’s top presidential debate search topic stands out from other states: Capitol Letter

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

Ohio’s top presidential debate search topic stands out from other states: Capitol Letter

Rotunda Rumblings

The heart of it all: In forty-nine states, abortion was the top-searched political topic during Tuesday night’s presidential candidate debate. But Ohioans had their own queries. As Andrew Tobias writes, Buckeye State residents’ top search topic was immigration, which likely was prompted by debate viewers scratching their heads after former president Donald Trump falsely asserted that migrants there are eating people’s cats and dogs.

Father’s plea: The father of an 11-year-old boy who was killed in a 2023 school bus crash denounced “morally bankrupt” Republican politicians for using his son’s death for political gain and begged them to stop using his son as “a political tool,” Sabrina Eaton writes. Speaking at a Tuesday night Springfield City Commission meeting, Nathan Clark said he wished the crash that killed his son, Aiden, had been caused by a 60-year-old white man instead of a Haitian immigrant because then “the incessant group of hate spewing people would leave us alone.” “They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis, and even untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten by community members,” Clark said. “However, they are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed, to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio.”

Place your bets? New Ohio Senate legislation would legalize online casino gambling, or iGaming, allowing each of the state’s four casinos and seven racinos to set up websites and apps that offer online poker, slots and other games. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, Senate Bill 312 seeks to make Ohio the ninth U.S. state to legalize iGaming, though its chances of passage are still unclear.

Gold standard: Ohio’s Frank LaRose was one of six secretaries of state from across the country who traveled to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday for a House Administration Committee hearing about November’s election. “You can make elections both convenient and secure,” the Columbus Republican told the committee. “We can make it easy to vote and hard to cheat. That’s what we’ve done in Ohio. That’s one of the reasons why we’re nationally recognized as a gold standard for elections administration.”

Pick up the case pace: LaRose’s office has asked Attorney General Dave Yost to take over hundreds of cases of suspected election-law violations, as county prosecutors so far have only filed charges against 12 of the 633 people LaRose’s office referred to them. “We don’t necessarily expect all 633 referrals to lead to criminal charges, but only 12 out of 633 shows a second set of eyes might be needed here to determine whether prosecution of these crimes is justified,” wrote Hun Yi, director of investigations for the Ohio secretary of state’s public integrity division, in a letter to Yost quoted in a release. The release didn’t say how many of the 12 criminal cases that have been filed resulted in convictions.

Master’s of none: False assertions about Republican U.S. Senate nominee Bernie Moreno’s academic resume have popped up in multiple places over the past 13 years. As Marty Schladen of the Ohio Capital Journal reports, Moreno’s November 2011 application to open a Florida car dealership stated incorrectly that he held an MBA from the University of Michigan, as did Moreno’s Cleveland Foundation website bio when he first joined the foundation’s board in 2014. A 2018 Cleveland State University bio, as well as the website of a Moreno-owned Mercedes-Benz dealership in North Olmsted, asserted he earned multiple degrees from Michigan. A spokeswoman for Moreno (who holds a single bachelor’s degree in business from That School Up North) blamed the dealership application claim on an unnamed staffer and said Moreno never told the Cleveland Foundation he held an MBA.

$50 million and counting: The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control reported another $10.6 million in recreational sales for the week of Aug. 25 through Saturday, the beginning of the Labor Day holiday weekend. In all $54.6 million in product has been sold to adult-use customers. Since sales began Aug. 6, 689,034 receipts have been rung up at dispensaries.

Full Disclosure

Five things we learned from the Jan. 2, 2024 ethics disclosure filed by Bradley Lacko of Amherst, the Republican nominee for Ohio House District 53, about his 2023 finances:

1. Lacko made $53,000 in gross income last year from working as a truck driver.

2. At some point in 2023, Lacko owed more than $1,000 to Firelands Federal Credit Union and 7 17 Credit Union.

3. He’s a trustee for the Lorain County Farm Bureau.

4. His only listed investment worth more than $1,000 was an Ohio deferred compensation retirement account.

5. He owned two properties in Lorain County (legislative candidates aren’t required to list their personal residence or property used for personal recreation).

On The Move

The National Council of Teachers of English announced Honesty for Ohio Education, a coalition that is fighting ring-wing influences in education, will receive its National Intellectual Freedom Award honorable mention at a ceremony during its annual convention in Boston on Nov. 23.

Straight From The Source

“The Republican candidate for president’s remarks about Haitian — meaning Black — immigrants in Ohio were barbaric, bombastic and beneath the dignity of someone aspiring to hold the highest office in the land. People are struggling, but these outrageous and racist lies are an insult to our Ohio communities — including the ones I represent here in Congress.”

– U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Heights Democrat, denouncing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s comments about Haitian immigrants to Ohio during a Wednesday U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.

Source link

Click to comment

Ohio

No. 9 Penn State men’s lacrosse stays perfect in Big Ten play, beats No. 6 Ohio State on the road

Published

10 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

No. 9 Penn State men’s lacrosse stays perfect in Big Ten play, beats No. 6 Ohio State on the road

No. 9 Penn State traveled to Columbus, Ohio, at 4 p.m. on Saturday to face No. 6 Ohio State in Week 2 of Big Ten action.The Nittany Lions’ strong first half propelled them to a 13-6 victory over the Buckeyes. Penn State’s record improved to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, currently 4-1 against ranked opponents this season.First halfThe Nittany Lions opened the game with early momentum, forcing a turnover on the first possession before Michael Faraone put Penn State on the scoreboard with his team’s first shot of the game. After goalie Preston Hawkins made a save, Liam Matthews scored a behind-the-back goal while falling in front of Caleb Fyock’s crease to take a 2-0 lead.Hawkins made 10 saves on 16 shots for a .625 save percentage in the victory, carrying momentum from his breakout performance against Maryland.Penn State continued its dominance on both sides of the ball, causing turnovers leading to a 4-0 lead before Ohio State took its first timeout. First, John Jude Considine fired a shot from close range with 7:39 remaining in the quarter before Jack Iannantuono struck the back of the net on a diving shot.The Buckeyes cut Penn State’s lead to three, capitalizing as the Nittany Lions attempted a 10-man ride. With Hawkins out of the crease, defenseman Kyle Foster launched a shot from Ohio State’s end into the open goal.Matthews answered immediately, assisted by Luke Walstrum. Walstrum’s pass found the Orangeville, Ontario, native at the top of the box and his side-arm shot didn’t miss.At the two-minute mark, the Buckeyes scored their first offensive goal of the game. Alex Marinier caught Liam White on the left side, who beat Hawkins’ stick to set the score, 5-2, heading into the second quarter.Marinier started the second quarter on the right foot, scoring less than a minute into play. His shot from mid-range trickled past Hawkins, who got a piece of the ball but wasn’t able to make the save.However, Chase Robertson responded with a solo effort from the top of the box to reclaim the three-goal lead. He dodged past a pair of Buckeye defenders and beat Fyock just under the crossbar.Lucca DiBartolomeo played a key role in Iannantuono’s second goal of the game, forcing a turnover with a heavy stick check in Ohio State territory after a failed transition attempt. On the following possession, Iannantuono ripped a shot from the left side past Fyock to take a 7-3 lead with 9:50 left in the half.Ohio State’s defense settled in with Fyock making big saves, allowing for transition opportunities on Penn State’s end. However, the Buckeyes repeatedly made errors in clearing or going offside. Dominic Shaw took a cross-checking penalty, giving Kyle Lehman the space to score on the man-up for an 8-3 lead at halftime.Second halfGarrett Haas scored the first goal of the second half, rounding the crease before bouncing the ball past Hawkins less than two minutes into the third quarter. Hawkins, however, responded with consecutive saves on dangerous chances on the doorstep as Penn State struggled to clear.Then, the fireworks began. First, Mark Watters shot through heavy coverage to take a 9-4 lead at the eight-minute mark before Jake Cohen answered 21 seconds later.On the following faceoff, Jon King cut to the net through traffic and was stripped of the ball. But Fyock was unable to scoop the rolling ball that dribbled past the goal line.With 5:01 left in the third quarter, Faraone scored his second of the game on the right wing with a heavy side-arm shot that nearly clipped Fyock’s stick.Robertson carried the momentum in the dying moments of the quarter, giving the Nittany Lions a 12-5 lead going into the final frame. Hawkins maintained that score, making a series of desperation saves with time winding down to stop the Buckeyes’ advance.To start the fourth quarter, Ohio State elected to replace Fyock with junior Jack Allen after the starter’s seven saves on 19 shots. Allen made three saves on four shots in one quarter of action.Walstrum struck first, scoring a wraparound with a defender’s stick lodged under his chinstrap. Immediately afterwards, Jack Oldman ran down the center of the box, beating Hawkins high to respond.Scoring noticeably dropped off for the remainder of the game as both teams placed lock-down defense, forcing shot-clock violations despite multiple penalties. One last save from Hawkins iced the game, and Penn State moved to 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2019.Injury ReportAttackman Hunter Aquino and midfielder Patrick Carragher weren’t dressed in the line-up.Up NextPenn State will travel to Baltimore, Maryland, to face Johns Hopkins at noon on Saturday.MORE LACROSSE COVERAGE

Penn State notebook | Men’s lacrosse coach Jeff Tambroni talks UNC loss, upcoming Ohio State matchup

Penn State is trying to build momentum as it has entered Big Ten play. The squad has won thr…

Submit a Letter to the Editor

If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.
Submit

Send Letter to the Editor

googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.display(‘ad-1563088’);

});

Source link

Ohio

Math plan would help a generation of Ohio students | Opinion

Published

22 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Math plan would help a generation of Ohio students | Opinion

Aaron Churchill
| Guest Columnist

Aaron Churchill is the Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education policy think tank based in Columbus.

In November, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed math reforms that would help a generation of struggling students. House lawmakers should send that excellent package known as Senate Bill 19 to the governor’s desk post haste.

Math difficulties start early for many Ohio students. Last year, 45,000 third graders, or 36% statewide, fell short of proficiency on the state math exam. These youngsters had difficulty solving basic arithmetic and measurement problems. Without such skills, big trouble lies ahead for them.

Meanwhile, even larger percentages of high schoolers fare poorly in this subject. On last year’s algebra I state exam, 53,000 students – 41% of test takers – did not achieve proficiency, while a staggering 72,000 students (57%) fell short in geometry.

These failure rates are unacceptable. Students should not be left to struggle with the routine math needed to manage their personal finances, bake a cake or do a home repair. Nor should they lack the critical thinking, data interpretation and problem solving skills that are demanded by today’s employers and essential to career success.

Ohio must help more students gain fluency in math. Senate Bill 19 does this in the following ways.

First, it supports students with math deficiencies. The bill would require schools to provide math interventions to students scoring at the lowest achievement level (known as “limited”) on state tests. Importantly, schools must engage a child’s parents to create an individual improvement plan that outlines the interventions and how progress will be monitored.

Second, the bill promotes strong math curricula. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would be tasked with reviewing math materials and establishing a high-quality list. With dozens of programs and textbooks on the market – some far better than others – this vetting process would aid school districts in finding the best curriculum for their students.

Third, it asks colleges of education to better prepare elementary teachers. Research from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows that teacher training programs often lack serious math content, especially in the elementary grades, leaving teachers ill-prepared for effective instruction. To help address the problem, the bill mandates that prospective educators pass the math section of the state licensure test to teach the subject, something that is not presently required.

Fourth, it gives high-achieving math students a boost. Traditional course placement practices rely on teacher and parent referrals, which tend to overlook economically disadvantaged students who excel in math. Yet, as a recent Fordham Institute study found, access to advanced coursework is critical to high-achieving, low-income students’ college prospects. Through automatic enrollment provisions, Senate Bill 19 would ensure that all high achievers are placed in challenging math courses, including algebra I in eighth grade.

Some may view Senate Bill 19 as burdensome on schools. But the need for significant improvement in math is urgent and the reforms are commonsense. Students struggling in math ought to get help. Schools should use the best-available textbooks and materials. Teachers should know math before they teach it. Schools must push high achievers to reach their full potential.

Math and reading are the academic pillars that support students’ long-term success as well as the state’s economic growth. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio’s Science of Reading initiative is off to a strong start and promises stronger literacy statewide. It’s now time for policymakers to roll up their sleeves and help students get better at math. Their futures – and the state’s – are at stake.

Aaron Churchill is the Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education policy think tank based in Columbus.

Source link

Ohio

Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29

The remains of three Ohio airmen who were killed in the crash of their KC-135 refueling plane in Iraq earlier this month will be returned this weekend, according to a family member of one of the deceased.

The airmen, identified as Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, will be brought back March 29 to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, said Charles Simmons, Tyler’s father.

“Tyler will have a hero’s welcome, because he is a hero,” said Charles.

The Columbus Division of Police will be involved in the funeral procession when the airmen’s remains are transferred from the airport to funeral homes, said Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua. That will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 29, said Fuqua.

The airmen’s remains first arrived back in the U.S. on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Curtis, Angst, and Simmons were members of the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

The airmen, as well as three other servicemembers, died on March 12 when their KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The cause of the crash, which occurred in friendly airspace, has not been publicly identified. U.S. Central Command has said the incident did not involve hostile or friendly fire, and military experts have theorized the crash may have been the result of a collision with a second KC-135 that sustained heavy damage to its tail fin but landed safely at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

Source link