Ohio
Trump convicted of 34 felonies: Local residents, Ohio leaders react

Greater Akron’s immediate reaction to former President Donald Trump’s convictions Thursday evening were predictably split, reflecting the larger political chasm dividing the country.
Some celebrated, posting laughing emojis or memes of Bugs Bunny in a striped jail uniform. Others said the 34 felony convictions solidified their vote for a second Trump term.
Trump was found guilty on all counts in his New York criminal hush money trial, which centered on allegations that he falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime.
More: Former President Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in hush money case: Live updates
One person said on the Akron Beacon Journal’s Facebook page that their family would still vote for Trump.
“All they did was make him a martyr,” he said.
Another man responded to that this way: “If you and your entire family are ok with voting for a convicted felon, that says a lot about the character of you and your entire family.”
As residents duked it out in comments on Facebook, U.S. Senator J.D. Vance – the Ohio Republican hoping to be named Trump’s vice presidential running mate – quickly denounced the verdict on X, the former Twitter platform.
“This decision is a disgrace to the rule of law and our Constitution,” Vance said.
Vance echoed the sentiments of Trump, saying that Democrats “invented” the felony charges to “get Trump.” He also said, without evidence, that the criminal case was “rigged.”
“This isn’t justice, it’s election interference,” Vance wrote.
Ohio’s other U.S. Senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown, didn’t immediately comment on social media about the verdict.
Ohio Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, didn’t mention the verdict on his Facebook page. But in the minutes after the Trump jury came back, Weinstein posted in all capital letters: “I love consequence culture,” followed by an American flag emoji.

Ohio
Northeast Ohio Weather: Chilly and unsettled week ahead
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Not a pretty pattern by May standards. Temperatures remain well below normal this week and rain chances begin later tomorrow with low pressure in the area.
We have a good deal of clouds around this morning with a north wind. Much of this is lake enhanced moisture. The clouds are expected to scatter this afternoon. We will keep it dry with high temperatures 57 to 62 degrees in most towns.
A partly cloudy sky in the forecast tonight with overnight temperatures slipping well into the 40s.
Low pressure approaches from the west tomorrow. The clouds quickly increase in the morning. Showers will track in from the west during the afternoon. High temperatures in the 60s.
Scattered showers forecast in the evening tomorrow.
Currently we have the highest chance of rain the first half of the day Wednesday.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Ohio
Taking Stock of Ohio State's 2026 Recruiting Class Two Weeks Ahead of Official Visit Season

We’re officially less than two weeks away from official visit season.
With 13 commits, Ohio State sits at No. 3 in 247Sports’ national recruiting rankings, but the Buckeyes still hope to add at many positions before National Signing Day in December.
Dozens of recruits will soon flock to Columbus for their official visits, but before that happens, we take a look at where Ohio State has made additions so far in 2026 and what areas the Buckeyes can still add to.
Quarterback
Commits: None
Potential targets: This summer should be interesting
Breakdown: It’s uncertain if even Ohio State knows what signal caller it wants to pursue yet for the 2026 class. But we’d bet that plenty of quarterbacks in the 2026 class will be at OSU’s recruiting camps this June, where Ryan Day and Billy Fessler will have ample opportunity to watch potential gunslingers in action. One name I’d keep an eye on if he ends up camping is Michigan State commit Kayd Coffman, who was the MVP of the Under Armour Next camp in Ohio this spring and has had brief dialogue with OSU.
Running back
Commits: None
Potential targets: Favour Akih, Savion Hiter, Jae Lamar, Derrek Cooper, Carsyn Baker
Breakdown: Of all the running back targets listed above, Akih might be the most likely to end up a Buckeye. The in-state product made four visits to Columbus in the spring and will be at OSU for an official visit with a June decision likely approaching. Beyond that, Hiter, Baker and Cooper have officials scheduled with the Buckeyes, so the second running back might come from that trio if indeed Akih ends up at OSU.
Wide receiver
Commits: Chris Henry Jr., Jaeden Ricketts, Brock Boyd, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt
Potential targets: Jalen Lott
Breakdown: With four wide receivers committed to Ohio State already, Brian Hartline can call this class a wrap if he so chooses. Still, if a top-tier talent like Lott or someone similar wanted in to the Buckeyes’ 2026 class, you’d have to think they’d find some room.
Tight end
Commits: Corbyn Fordham
Potential targets: Mack Sutter, Mark Bowman
Breakdown: Keenan Bailey already has a highly touted tight end committed for 2026 with Fordham in the fold. But the Buckeyes will take another tight end if it’s a player the caliber of Sutter or Bowman, both of whom could be game-changers at the collegiate level. Sutter has an official visit scheduled with OSU and Bowman recently put the Buckeyes in his top seven schools, so we’ll see what developments occur over the next few weeks.
Offensive line
Commits: Maxwell Riley, Sam Greer, Tucker Smith
Potential targets: Micah Champ Smith, Felix Ojo, Aaron Thomas, Darius Gray, Drew Evers, Chancellor Campbell, J.B. Shabazz, Samuel Roseborough, Da’Ron Parks, Ekene Ogboko
Breakdown: Tyler Bowen got off on the right foot with Ohio State fans by landing two key Ohio offensive linemen and adding a third intriguing developmental piece. Now, he’ll try to pull off what OSU has struggled to accomplish in past recruiting cycles: Land a big out-of-state fish. Smith, Ojo, Gray, Evers and Roseborough would all apply to that category, and each could take an official visit to Columbus this summer. Landing Ojo would be a major win for the Buckeyes, but they’ll have staunch competition from Texas for the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country.
Defensive line
Commits: None
Potential targets: Jake Kreul, Luke Wafle, Landon Barnes, Aiden Harris, Andrew Harris, Deuce Geralds, Carter Luckie, Preston Carey, Kevin Ford Jr., Jamir Perez, Keysaun Eleazer, Carter Meadows, Lamar Brown, PJ Dean, Tyson Bacon, Jackson Ford, Damari Simeon
Breakdown: Defensive line is arguably one of the biggest needs for Ohio State this class, but the good news is Larry Johnson should have no shortage of options to choose from. Wafle, Geralds, Perez and Dean all seem to have some momentum with OSU at the moment, and the Buckeyes are still firmly in the running for others mentioned above. Like Bowen, Johnson should be busy this summer as he’ll have quite a bit of official visitors on campus. Of note, OSu offered Lamar Brown on Friday, the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2026 class. He has a commitment date set for July 4, so things would have to move pretty quickly there, but the Buckeyes are still trying to go big game hunting at this position.
Linebacker
Commits: CJ Sanna
Potential targets: Cincere Johnson, Tyler Atkinson, Xavier Griffin
Breakdown: Between Atkinson and Griffin, James Laurinaitis is taking a swing at landing the No. 1 and No. 2 linebackers in the 2026 class this summer. Atkinson has been on the Buckeyes’ radar since he was an eighth grader, while Griffin just came back on the market following his decommitment from USC. Of course, Johnson is a huge priority to keep in state as well and is one of the best linebackers in the class.
Cornerback
Commits: Jakob Weatherspoon, Jordan Thomas
Potential targets: Justice Fitzpatrick, Nascar McCoy, Danny Odem
Breakdown: Tim Walton added another premier cornerback to his 2026 class with the commitment of Thomas, but the Buckeyes could still add one more player here. Fitzpatrick seems to be the preferred corner of choice. McCoy could play either safety or corner at OSU. Odem was just offered by Walton this week, so we’ll see where the relationship goes from here.
Safety
Commits: Blaine Bradford, Simeon Caldwell
Potential Targets: Bralan Womack, Donovan Webb
Breakdown: By far and away the biggest remaining priority at safety is landing Womack, the top-rated safety in the 2026 class. If OSU can land Bradford, Caldwell and Womack, Walton and Matt Guerrieri should take a bow. There’s still some crucial visits coming up in his recruitment, but the Buckeyes appear to be in the driver’s seat for him at the moment. If they can’t land Womack, someone like Webb makes a lot of sense as a third piece for the class.
Ohio
Lady Vols defeat Ohio State softball in Knoxville Regional

No. 1 seed Tennessee (42-14) won its second game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional. The Lady Vols defeated No. 2 seed Ohio State (44-13-1), 4-2, Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
Junior right-handed pitcher Karlyn Pickens (22-8) made her second start for the Lady Vols in the Knoxville Regional. She pitched seven innings and recorded ten strikeouts against the Buckeyes. Pickens allowed five hits, two runs (one earned) and two walks, while totaling 105 pitches (75 strikes) against 27 batters.
Against Miami University on Friday, Pickens pitched three innings and recorded six strikeouts. She totaled 48 pitches, including 28 strikes, against 11 batters.
Tennessee’s offense produced nine hits against Ohio State. Gabby Leach, Laura Mealer, Sophia Nugent and Taylor Pannell had one RBI each for the Lady Vols. Kinsey Fiedler hit the Lady Vols’ only double in the contest.
Tennessee leads the all time softball series against Ohio State, 6-0, dating to Feb. 27, 2010.
The Lady Vols await their next opponent in the Knoxville Regional final on Sunday at noon EDT.
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