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Protesters rally at Ohio Statehouse to oppose bill targeting drag shows

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Protesters rally at Ohio Statehouse to oppose bill targeting drag shows


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  • Less than 100 people gathered at the Ohio Statehouse to protest a bill that would criminalize certain drag shows.

Less than 100 protesters gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on May 27 to protest legislation that would criminalize certain drag shows.

Individual organizers, as well as Ohio 50501 and Ohio Equal Rights, organized the demonstration, said Logan Moon, one of the organizers. Some of the attendees were dressed in drag and donned bright colored face paint, colorful clothing, and high heels as requested in the protest announcement. One of the attendees also had a drum.

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As with other protests in Columbus, members of the Columbus Division of Police Dialogue Team stayed on the periphery of the demonstration. Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol also watched from a distance as one of the organizers led chants criticizing state lawmakers.

The protest was in response to Ohio House Bill 249, which would criminalize certain drag performances anywhere but adult entertainment facilities if they’re deemed obscene or harmful to children. It also changes the definition of public indecency, with an exception for women who are breastfeeding.

The Ohio House voted to pass the legislation 63-30 on March 25. It is now before the Ohio Senate, where no hearings have been scheduled yet. Republicans control both chambers of the General Assembly.

Moon, 24, said Ohio HB 249, and hundreds of other bills throughout the country targeting transgender people, are an example of “genocide” against trans people in the country.

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Moon said she was disappointed by the low turnout at the May 27 protest, saying it was an example of the apathy of the general public.

After one of the organizers led a series of chants, protesters marched at least once around the Ohio Statehouse. There were no counterprotesters in attendance.

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



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Ohio ramp closures set to begin in late June amid Brent Spence Corridor Project construction

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Ohio ramp closures set to begin in late June amid Brent Spence Corridor Project construction


CINCINNATI — Ohio drivers will soon see ramp closures take effect as part of construction on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.

Officials announced the schedule for closures on the Ohio side Tuesday, with the first closure tentatively set for late this month.

According to a post from the Brent Spence Corridor Project’s social media, drivers will see both long-term and permanent ramp closures as a result of the construction.

Here is the full list of closures announced Tuesday:

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  • Approximately 10 p.m. June 28: The exit ramp from eastbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Second Street will permanently close.
  • Approximately 11 p.m. June 29: The exit ramp from I-75 South to Second Street (Exit 1A) will permanently close. It will be replaced with a new ramp to Third Street that will provide access to Second Street. A temporary ramp to Third Street will be in place in the fall of 2026.
  • Approximately 11 p.m. July 7: The ramp from westbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Gest Street will permanently close and be replaced with a new ramp in “a future phase.”
  • Approximately 11 p.m. July 8: The exit ramp from northbound I-71 to Second Street (Exit 1A) will close. It is slated to reopen in the fall of 2028.
  • Approximately 10 p.m. July 9: Second Street will be reduced to one lane between the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge and Elm Street and traffic will be maintained in one lane through the spring of 2027.

The $4.05 billion project is expected to take crews until approximately 2031 to complete. That figure includes work on a double-decker companion bridge, two approaches and a re-striping of the existing Brent Spence Bridge. The cost does not include work to fully rehab the existing bridge, which will come at a later date. But the project extends well beyond the double-decker companion bridge and highway approach work.

Crews demolished the Linn Street overpass in April, reducing it from five lanes to two. The $46.7 million project will not only replace the bridge, but also reconstruct it. The new bridge will have two 10-foot driving lanes, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks on each side. A pedestrian bridge over Winchell Avenue will also be replaced. Closures for that work are already in place.

You can find more information on traffic impacts on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor website here.





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Ohio unveils limited edition ‘I Voted’ sticker for America 250

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Ohio unveils limited edition ‘I Voted’ sticker for America 250


COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans will be able to get a limited edition “I Voted” sticker this November that commemorates America’s 250th birthday.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose unveiled the special design this week at the 2026 Ohio Secretary of State Annual Conference.

The new design is an effort to encourage more people to vote and highlight the importance of civic engagement. Watch the latest headlines from NBC4 in the player above.

“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, self-government, and civic participation, this special edition sticker serves as a reminder that every vote helps write the next chapter of the American story,” LaRose said in a statement.

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The new sticker features the familiar “I Voted” design but also includes a large blue border, a sunrise illustration in the background, and a large “250” with a gold banner that says “America” with the dates 1776 and 2026.

Courtesy: Ohio Secretary of State

“You all know the most important thing to some people about Election Day is their ‘I Voted’ sticker,” LaRose said. “Well, it’s become iconic, people love their ‘I Voted’ sticker. So we decided, let’s maybe have some fun and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”

All 88 county boards of elections will have a limited supply of the special sticker, which will be available to voters who cast early in-person ballots or vote on Election Day, while supplies last.

“We hope Ohio voters will wear this sticker proudly as we celebrate this historic milestone together,” LaRose said.

Early in-person voting for the November election starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

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 Joseph J. Milano, Youngstown, Ohio

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 Joseph J. Milano, Youngstown, Ohio


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph J. Milano, age 63, of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on May 15, 1963 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Joe lived a life marked by love, dedication, and kindness.

He was a devoted husband/father/grandfather/uncle/friend whose greatest joy came from spending time with family and supporting those he loved. Joe had a lot of amazing qualities, he was selfless, caring, loyal, and relentless, he never had a problem with putting other people’s needs before his own. His work ethic carried into retirement where he picked up new hobbies like whittling. He will be remembered by his wisdom, guidance, respectful, and humble spirit.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer Milano (Weingart), his two sons Joesph and Nicholas Milano, his sister Patricia Ivan (John), his Aunt Jean Morgan, his nephews Colton and Logan Ivan, and his grandson Asher Milano.

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He was preceded in death by Joseph Milano (father) Dororthy Kilgore (mother) Walt Kilgore (uncle) Joe will be remembered for his wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support. His respectful and humble spirit earned the admiration of family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He led by example, showing kindness, integrity, and perseverance in both words and actions. The lessons he shared and the love he gave will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at St Christines 3165 S Schenley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511 “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Arrangements are being handled by the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.

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

A television tribute will air Tuesday, June 16 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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