Megan Henry

Ohio Capital Journal wins another seven Society of Professional Journalists awards • Ohio Capital Journal For the third year in a row, the Ohio Capital Journal has won seven awards in “Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest” from the Society of Professional Journalists, including three first place finishes and fo...

@ohiocapitaljournal.com has won seven awards in “Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest” from the Society of Professional Journalists, including three first place finishes and four in second place 🎉

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'It is time for a change.' Dr. Amy Acton talks about running for Ohio governor, reflects on COVID-19 • Ohio Capital Journal During a recent forum, former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton emphasized her role as a public servant, not a politician, in her 2026 run for governor.

During a recent forum, former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton emphasized her role as a public servant, not a politician, in her 2026 run for governor.

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Opponents of new Ohio higher education law don't have enough signatures to get a referendum • Ohio Capital Journal Opponents of Ohio Republican lawmakers' higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, have failed to collect enough signatures ...

Opponents of Ohio Republican lawmakers’ higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, have failed to collect enough signatures to put a referendum on the ballot this year to block it.

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'We are going to push pause' on Ohio marijuana legislation, says Republican lawmaker • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio lawmakers will likely go on summer break without making any changes to the state’s marijuana law, a Republican state representative said Tuesday.

Ohio lawmakers will likely go on summer break without making any changes to the state’s marijuana law, a Republican state representative said Tuesday.

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New Ohio higher education law banning diversity efforts and faculty strikes takes effect this week • Ohio Capital Journal A controversial new Ohio higher education law banning diversity efforts, prohibiting faculty strikes and regulating classroom discussion takes effect Friday.

A controversial new Ohio higher education law banning diversity efforts, prohibiting faculty strikes and regulating classroom discussion takes this week.

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'When will enough be enough?' Ohio House Democrats introduce 'common sense gun legislation' • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio House Democrats say they are trying to enact common sense gun laws, but face an uphill battle in the Republican supermajority-controlled Ohio Statehouse.

Ohio House Democrats say they are trying to enact common sense gun laws, but face an uphill battle in the Republican supermajority-controlled Ohio Statehouse.

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Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo stepping down from leadership role at the end of June • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo is stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the month.

JUST IN: Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, is stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the month.

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo stepping down from leadership role at the end of June • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo is stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the month.

NEW: Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, is stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the month.

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Ohio Senate added $100 million worth of housing provisions in the state's two-year budget • Ohio Capital Journal The Ohio Senate’s version of the state’s two-year budget restores the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, a big source of funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs.

The Ohio Senate’s version of the state’s two-year budget fully restores the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, a big source of funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs.

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Ohio Senate budget alters the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, ties funds to Senate Bill 1 compliance • Ohio Capital Journal The Ohio Senate’s version of the state’s two-year budget would reduce the number of students who would be eligible to receive the Governor’s Merit Scholarship and it would come with strings attached.

The Ohio Senate’s version of the state’s two-year budget would reduce the number of students who would be eligible to receive the Governor’s Merit Scholarship and it would come with strings attached.

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Kent State University to close LGBTQ Center, Women's Center and Multicultural Center • Ohio Capital Journal Kent State University is closing its LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center and Student Multicultural Center because of a new state law banning diversity efforts that is set to take effect at the end of the mo...

Kent State University is closing its LGBTQ+ Center, Women’s Center and Student Multicultural Center because of a new state law banning diversity efforts that is set to take effect at the end of the month.

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Ohio lawmakers introduce separate bills to regulate online gambling • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Republican lawmakers in the state House and the Senate have introduced separate bills that would legalize online gambling.

Ohio Republican lawmakers in the state House and the Senate have introduced separate bills that would legalize online gambling.

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Ohio lawmakers want to replace all of the state's lead water lines • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio lawmakers are introducing a bipartisan bill they are hoping will not only improve the state’s water quality, but also save lives by replacing all lead water lines in the state.

Ohio lawmakers are introducing a bipartisan bill they are hoping will not only improve the state’s water quality, but also save lives.

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Ohio Senate Democrats hope to fully fund public schools, not fund Browns stadium in state budget • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Senate Democrats have submitted 423 amendments to the two-year state operating budget — including one removing the $600 million bond package for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park and o...

Ohio Senate Democrats have submitted 423 amendments to the two-year state operating budget — including one removing the $600 million bond package for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park, and one to fully fund public schools.

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Ohio Republican lawmaker wants to ban noon Ohio State football games • Ohio Capital Journal A proposed bill is trying to get Ohio State football games to start later. Ohio Republican state Rep. Tex Fischer introduced a bill last week that would require Ohio State football games to kick off a...

A new proposed bill is trying to get Ohio State football games to start later.

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspends campaign for governor • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the suspension of his gubernatorial campaign in an email to supporters on Friday.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the suspension of his gubernatorial campaign in an email to supporters on Friday.

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All five of Ohio’s intellectual diversity centers have named executive directors • Ohio Capital Journal It’s been nearly two years since Ohio’s five intellectual diversity centers were signed into law and one has already begun offering classes.  All five independent academic centers have named their exe...

All five independent academic centers have named their executive directors and the University of Toledo Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership started classes this past school year.

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Bipartisan bill would require daily moment of silence in Ohio schools • Ohio Capital Journal A proposed bill would require Ohio school districts to have a moment of silence every day. Ohio state Reps. Gary Click, R-Vickery, and Eric Synenberg, D-Beachwood, gave sponsor testimony on House Bill...

A proposed bill would require Ohio school districts to have a moment of silence every day.

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Ohio lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill that would help college students combat food insecurity • Ohio Capital Journal A bipartisan bill would help Ohio college students struggling with food insecurity.

A proposed bipartisan bill would help Ohio college students struggling with food insecurity.

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Ohio correctional staff in Trumbull and Ross counties will be armed with tasers through new program • Ohio Capital Journal Two Ohio prisons are arming their staffs with tasers through a new, nearly $350,000 pilot program. Trumbull Correctional Institution staff received Taser 10s last week and Ross Correctional Institutio...

Two Ohio prisons are arming their staffs with tasers through a new, nearly $350,000 pilot program.

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Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters will step down by end of next month • Ohio Capital Journal Liz Walters is stepping down as Ohio Democratic Party no later than June 30.

ICYMI: Liz Walters is stepping down as Ohio Democratic Party Chair no later than June 30.

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Opponents speak out for more than three hours against making changes to Ohio's marijuana law • Ohio Capital Journal More than 20 people spoke out against a bill that would change Ohio’s marijuana law.

More than 20 people spoke out against a bill that would change Ohio’s marijuana law.

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Ohio voters approve local infrastructure measure, Issue 2 • Ohio Capital Journal According to unofficial results, Ohio voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday allowing the state to borrow $2.5 billion to support public works projects.

Ohio voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday allowing the state to borrow $2.5 billion to support public works projects, according to unofficial results.

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Bipartisan bill would help Ohioans pay off their medical debt, but not eliminate it • Ohio Capital Journal A pair of Ohio House lawmakers want to help people be able to pay off their medical debt.

The bill would lower the maximum interest rate for medical debt to 3% per year; prohibit hospitals, medical providers, and third-party collectors from reporting medical debt to credit agencies; and ban wage garnishment for medical debt collections.

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Signature collection can begin to get referendum to repeal higher education law on Ohio's ballot • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost certified the title and summary language for a referendum that would repeal Senate Bill 1, which is set to take effect at the end of June.

The first major hurdle to get a referendum on the November ballot to repeal Ohio’s massive higher education law has been cleared.

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More than 2,550 Ohioans in Franklin County experienced homelessness in January, according to report • Ohio Capital Journal The Community Shelter Board’s annual Point-in-Time Count identified 2,556 people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County — a 7.4% increase from 2024.

Franklin County’s annual Point-in-Time Count identified 2,556 people experiencing homelessness — a 7.4% increase from 2024.

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Ohio housing advocates want lawmakers to nix budget language that alters affordable housing funding • Ohio Capital Journal Housing advocates are urging Ohio senators to remove an amendment from the state’s two-year operating budget that would significantly affect a source of funding for local homelessness and affordable h...

Housing advocates are urging Ohio senators to remove an amendment from the state’s two-year operating budget that would significantly affect a source of funding for local homelessness and affordable housing programs.

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Ohio Senate passes bill that would require hemp products to only be sold at marijuana dispensaries • Ohio Capital Journal The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill to regulate intoxicating hemp and drinkable cannabinoid products.

Ohio Senate Bill 86 would require intoxicating hemp products to be sold only at adult-use marijuana dispensaries instead of allowing them to be sold at CBD stores, convenience stores, smoke shops, or gas stations.

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Ohio University to close Pride Center, Women's Center and Multicultural Center due to new law • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio University will close the Pride Center, the Women’s Center, and the Multicultural Center in response to a new higher education law banning diversity efforts.

Ohio University will close the Pride Center, the Women’s Center and the Multicultural Center in response to a new higher education law banning diversity efforts that takes effect this summer.

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Ohio State international student suing Trump says he lives in 'paranoia' after losing visa Sultan is one of at least 12 Ohio State international students who've had their visas revoked by the Trump administration in the last several weeks.

The legal limbo Ahwar Sultan is in regarding his immigration status has put him in a paralyzing state of paranoia and fear.

Story by @sheridan120.dispatch.com

www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...