Susan Tebben

Polling shows Ohio public libraries have vast voter support • Ohio Capital Journal New polling shows Ohio voters see library services as “everyday necessities,” among the highest rated services offered at the local level.

New polling shows Ohio voters see library services as “everyday necessities,” among the highest rated services offered at the local level.

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Ohio's child care oversight 'ongoing,' but still strong, state leader tells lawmakers • Ohio Capital Journal The leader of Ohio’s child care oversight agency assured legislators that while the system the state uses to check on facilities is always evolving, its defenses against fraud are firmly in place.

The leader of Ohio’s child care oversight agency assured lawmakers this week that while the system the state uses to check on facilities is always evolving, its defenses against fraud are firmly in place.

Advocacy group says more than 113,000 Ohioans are now going without Affordable Care Act coverage • Ohio Capital Journal An Ohio legislator, a fellow doctor, and a retired Ohioan all said drops in enrollment to the Affordable Care Act because of the loss of federal assistance could cause longterm issues in the state.

According to the health care advocacy group Protect Our Care, more than 113,000 Ohioans are forgoing health care coverage on the federal Marketplace because of a congressional decision requested by the Trump administration to let tax credits expire on Affordable Care Act premiums.

Bill to require liability statement for Ohio abortion providers gets praise in committee hearing • Ohio Capital Journal Supporters of a bill to require physicians to read state-mandated language regarding a drug used for medication abortion told an Ohio Senate committee the bill is not about punishment, but about accou...

Supporters of a bill to require physicians to read state-mandated language regarding a drug used for medication abortion told an Ohio Senate committee the bill is not about punishment, but about accountability.

Ohio GOP lawmakers to formally pledge support for dismantling of U.S. Department of Education • Ohio Capital Journal Republican Ohio lawmakers plan to formally pledge their support for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education next week.

Republican Ohio lawmakers plan to formally pledge their support for the Trump administration dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education with a resolution this week.

A Dem candidate for Ohio Attorney General faces backlash, stands by comments about Trump • Ohio Capital Journal A Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General is receiving backlash after making comments about killing President Donald Trump through legal conviction and "capital punishment."

A Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General is receiving backlash after making comments about killing President Donald Trump through legal conviction and “capital punishment.”
Forhan did not walk back his statements when asked about them on Wednesday.

Youth mental health barriers still prevalent in Ohio, studies show • Ohio Capital Journal The youngest Ohioans are in need of mental health care, studies show, and barriers to care extend to most counties in the state, along with public and private insurance holders alike.

The youngest Ohioans are in need of mental health care, studies show, and barriers to care extend to most counties in the state, along with public and private insurance holders alike.

This News is So Gay (1/28/26): Covering LGBTQ+ ICE Developments & Finally Talking ‘Heated Rivalry’ Featuring: Susan Tebben (The Ohio Capital Journal) and Lauren Chapman (The Sacramento Bee)

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

This News is So Gay (1/28/26): Covering LGBTQ+ ICE Developments & Finally Talking ‘Heated Rivalry’

Featuring: @susantebben.bsky.social (@ohiocapitaljournal.com) and @laurenechapman.bsky.social (@sacbee.com).

thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/01/28/t...

'The folks are fearful.' Haitians living in Ohio may soon lose temporary protected status • Ohio Capital Journal Thousands of Haitians living in Ohio will lose their temporary protected status next week unless a federal court blocks it.

‘The folks are fearful.’ Haitians living in Ohio may soon lose temporary protected status
@megankhenry.bsky.social

Trump to block foreign aid for transgender care, Vance tells anti-abortion rally WASHINGTON — The Trump administration plans to expand a policy that blocks foreign aid dollars from going to organizations that discuss, refer or perform abortions to also include groups that address ...

Trump to block foreign aid for transgender care, Vance tells anti-abortion rally

The challenges of bringing a ballot initiative to Ohio voters, and why it's harder than ever • Ohio Capital Journal While redistricting reform might not be on the ballot again this election season, the people who bring about initiatives and constitutional amendments aren’t sitting on their hands.

Ballot initiatives serve as an important part of making governmental change, one that many around the state see as one of the only ways, currently, to bring about change on which a Republican supermajority won’t budge, like reproductive rights or marijuana.

Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted speaks against abortion pill during Senate hearing • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio advocates for and against abortion rights watched a recent U.S. Senate hearing closely, because of its discussion of medication abortion drugs, a topic of debate on Capitol Hill and target of leg...

During a recent U.S. Senate committee hearing, Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted spoke against the abortion pill, a target of the Trump administration as well as legislation at the Ohio Statehouse.

Child care sector in Ohio continues push to save, and boost, funding • Ohio Capital Journal The child care sector in Ohio and nationwide is furiously pushing for federal leaders to walk back funding freezes for some states, and boost support in the next congressional budget for every state.

The child care sector in Ohio and nationwide is furiously pushing for federal leaders to walk back funding freezes for some states, and boost support in the next congressional budget for every state.

Ohio lawmakers say child care system strong, introduce new authority in child care investigations • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio lawmakers are joining the defense for the state’s child care oversight system, while also pledging to improve it with new legislation.

Ohio lawmakers are joining the defense for the state’s child care oversight system, while also pledging to improve it with new legislation.

Ohio appeals court sends lawsuit related to abortion ban back to trial court • Ohio Capital Journal An Ohio appeals court rejected efforts to completely undo a state law connected to the six-week abortion ban, but left untouched the ruling that struck down the ban itself.

An Ohio appeals court has rejected efforts to completely undo the state law that includes Ohio’s six-week abortion ban, but left untouched the ruling that struck down the ban itself following voter passage of a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights.

Federal funds for rural health on the way to Ohio, but not enough to offset cuts, advocates say • Ohio Capital Journal When the state applied for federal funds targeted at rural health, it acknowledged the tenuous state of health in rural Ohio, noting the danger of hospital closures and lack of access as part of the n...

An award of $202 million has been announced for Ohio to combat hospital closures and a lack of access to health care in rural areas. The funding was welcomed by state leaders and advocates alike, but the funds are seen as a temporary fix to a problem made worse by federal cuts.

Retired Ohio chief justice joins alliance to preserve independent judicial branch • Ohio Capital Journal Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is spending her retirement tending to a new puppy, and fighting to preserve the judicial branch of the United States.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is spending her retirement tending to a new puppy, and fighting to preserve the judicial branch of the United States.

National report shows growth in telehealth abortions as concerns about access in Ohio continue • Ohio Capital Journal A national report shows a growing trend in telehealth abortions, something advocates in Ohio are concerned may be stifled with new legislation, and varying protections across the country for all abort...

A national report shows a growing trend in telehealth abortions, something advocates in Ohio are concerned may be stifled with new legislation and varying protections across the country for all abortion services.

Ohio Department of Children and Youth director joins DeWine in defending state child care • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the head of the state’s Department of Children and Youth say they’ve engaged with the Trump administration to prove Ohio’s child care system is heavily safeguarded and worthy...

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the head of the state’s Department of Children and Youth say they’ve engaged with the Trump administration to prove Ohio’s child care system is heavily safeguarded and worthy of federal funding.

Reproductive rights regulated, tested in Ohio Republican bills, as Dems continue attempts to protect • Ohio Capital Journal As the current Ohio General Assembly goes into its second year in 2026, abortion will still remain a topic of legislation, in small efforts to change laws, and large attempts to codify or prohibit the...

As the current Ohio General Assembly goes into its second year in 2026, abortion will still remain a topic of legislation, in small efforts to change laws, and large attempts to codify or prohibit the practice.

Child care advocates hopeful for new year, but see long road ahead for funding, access • Ohio Capital Journal Child care advocates are looking at Ohio’s 2026 elections, particularly the governor’s race, as a sign of how funding and priorities will be shaped for them as they seek to cover a huge budget shortfa...

Child care advocates are looking at Ohio’s 2026 elections, particularly the governor’s race, as a sign of how funding and priorities will be shaped for them as they seek to cover a huge budget shortfall.

Ohio governor, advocates, defend the state's child care system amid Minnesota fraud claims • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and local advocates are defending the state’s child care system after comments from the Trump administration accusing another state of child care fraud.

Ohio governor, advocates, defend the state’s child care system amid Minnesota fraud claims

Columbus library workers make union plan official • Ohio Capital Journal Members of the Columbus Metropolitan Library submitted union cards to the Ohio State Employment Relations Board on Friday, officially initiating their intent to hold a union election.

Members of the Columbus Metropolitan Library submitted union cards to the Ohio State Employment Relations Board, officially initiating their intent to hold a union election.

Coalition on flood policy pushes for proactive funding for Ohio, other Appalachian states • Ohio Capital Journal A new multi-state coalition is pushing for federal funding and support for Ohio and other Appalachian states as major flooding events increase in the region.

A new multi-state coalition is pushing for federal funding and support for Ohio and other Appalachian states as major flooding events increase in the region.

Ohio courts still mulling reproductive rights cases, one set to extend into 2026 • Ohio Capital Journal Ohioans are still awaiting the resolution of two different cases related to reproductive rights in the state.

Ohioans are still awaiting the resolution of two different cases related to reproductive rights in the state. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/05/o...

Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship, arguing that it could raise questions about where someone's loyalty lies. One triple citizen disagreed, warning that this woul...

Ohio Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship, arguing that it could raise questions about where someone’s loyalty lies. One triple citizen disagreed, warning that this would be a mistake.

Report: Trump law is even harder on poor Ohioans than people might think • Ohio Capital Journal The details of President Trump's signature law are even worse for the poor and hungry in Ohio than is commonly known, a new report says.

President Donald Trump’s signature law of his second term provides vastly more benefits to the rich Ohioans than to any other group, and it also takes more away from Ohio’s most vulnerable families than most people might realize, a new analysis says.

Federal court decision spells win for State Library of Ohio, libraries nationwide • Ohio Capital Journal The State Library of Ohio got some good news as a federal agency from which they receive grant money won a battle in federal court against an executive order from President Donald Trump.

The State Library of Ohio got some good news as a federal agency from which they receive grant money won a battle in federal court against an executive order from President Donald Trump.

Food insecurity faces ripple effects of shutdown, SNAP pauses • Ohio Capital Journal The Thanksgiving holiday is known to include tables full of food, but with Ohioans still feeling the effects of federal cuts to SNAP and food banks still bending under the weight of demand, for some t...

The Thanksgiving holiday is known to include tables full of food, but with Ohioans still feeling the effects of federal cuts to SNAP and food banks still bending under the weight of demand, for some the table wasn’t quite as full.