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'Putting mud in the clear water of transparency' | Ohio police can now charge up to $750 for body cam video

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'Putting mud in the clear water of transparency' | Ohio police can now charge up to 0 for body cam video


CINCINNATI — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed an omnibus bill Thursday that includes a provision that allows Ohio law enforcement agencies to charge up to $75 per hour of video requested under the state’s public record laws. The law caps the total at $750.

“We’re thankful to the governor for signing the bill,” Michael Weinman, Ohio FOP’s director of government affairs, told WCPO.

The law is intended to help departments recoup labor costs for the time spent to redact and prepare videos for release once a request is made. Officials said they are also hopeful the law will help prevent bad actors online from monetizing “sensational” videos.

“We get flooded with these requests,” Weinman said. “And what they’re looking for is bar fights and different things — something sensational that they can get likes on and get clicks and things like that. And so, what we hope this does is when you increase that charge; it filters those people out.”

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Criminal attorney Joshua Evans believes the legislation could backfire.

“It’s like putting mud in the clear water of transparency,” Evans said. “A lot of people have a lot of distrust in police officers already and this could be looked at as another roadblock for poor people not to be able to get what they need, you know, to make a claim.”

RELATED | Concerns arise over possibility of police charging for video in Ohio

Evans said he believes this law, if not challenged, could further erode trust and hinder accountability for law enforcement.

“It’s a public records request,” Evans said. “I think public records should be free. I think there’s a better way of parsing those people out. It kind of sends a message you can only get justice if you got money and that’s never a good message you want to send.”

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In his press release about the bill signings, DeWine addressed the concerns around this legislation. In a statement, he said in part:

“I strongly support the public’s — and the news media’s — right to access public records. The language in House Bill 315 doesn’t change that right. Law enforcement-worn body cameras and dashboard cameras have been a major improvement for both law enforcement investigations and for accountability.

However, I am sensitive to the fact that this changing technology has affected law enforcement by oftentimes creating unfunded burdens on these agencies, especially when it comes to the often time-consuming and labor-intensive work it takes to provide them as public records.

No law enforcement agency should ever have to choose between diverting resources for officers on the street to move them to administrative tasks like lengthy video redaction reviews for which agencies receive no compensation — and this is especially so for when the requestor of the video is a private company seeking to make money off of these videos.”

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Is Ohio at the Great American State Fair? Latest as some states opt out

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Is Ohio at the Great American State Fair? Latest as some states opt out


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  • Several states are pulling out of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., citing financial and political concerns.
  • Ohio has confirmed its participation in the fair with a booth showcasing state parks and childhood development.
  • A traveling exhibit called the “Freedom Truck” will also make a stop at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus.
  • The Great American State Fair is organized by Freedom 250, a Trump-backed initiative separate from the official America250 commemoration.

As several states pull out of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., questions are coming up closer to home — Is Ohio still participating?

Massachusetts and North Carolina won’t participate in the fair, according to USA TODAY. Reports also indicate that Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Oregon are also expected to skip the event, with some states citing a combination of financial and political concerns as reasons for opting out.

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Here’s what we know about Ohio’s role in the event so far.

Is Ohio skipping the 2026 Great American State Fair?

Ohio has confirmed its participation with a booth titled “Ohio: The Heart of it All,” which showcases state parks and childhood development. The governor’s office began the planning process for the booth in February, shortly after the Great American State Fair was announced, said Lisa Peterson director of communications in the governor’s office.

The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, is a 16-day exposition that will be displayed on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10. 

Additionally, Ohio will host a stop from the “Freedom Truck,” a traveling exhibit tied to Freedom 250. The exhibit will appear at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus. Organizers describe the Freedom Truck as a mobile museum that visits existing fairs and community events, not a version of the Great American State Fair itself.

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When does the ‘Freedom Truck’ stop in Ohio?

The Freedom Truck is scheduled to be at the Ohio State Fair from July 27 through Aug. 10, 2026 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.

The exhibit includes interactive and historical exhibits about the founding of the United States, according to organizers.

The mobile museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, with the final day closing at 6 p.m.

What is the Great American State Fair?

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The Great American State Fair is a 16-day event planned for June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Organized by Freedom 250, the fair is part of a broader effort to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with state exhibits, food, entertainment and cultural programming, according to USA TODAY.

President Donald Trump announced he will headline the Freedom 250‑organized Great American State Fair and hold an “America Is Back” rally, the publication reports.

America250 vs. Freedom 250: What’s the difference?

The Great American State Fair is part of Freedom 250, a Trump-backed initiative to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.

That effort is different from America250, the official, congressionally-authorized program coordinating nationwide commemorations. Meanwhile, America 250‑Ohio, the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, is the official state-level partner to the national America250 effort.



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Ohio Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for June 23, 2026

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

Here’s a look at June 23, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

48-51-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 20

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Check Mega Millions 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: 8-8-0

Evening: 2-0-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 7-2-9-0

Evening: 1-6-9-3

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.

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Midday: 2-9-2-5-7

Evening: 2-8-6-4-9

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.

03-09-22-37-39

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Check Rolling Cash 5 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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GALLERY: Photos of former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel

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GALLERY: Photos of former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel


TEMPE, AZ – JANUARY 02: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds the football from the trophy after the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on January 2, 2006 in Tempe, Arizona. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 34-20. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)



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