0:45News StoryMembers of the self-identified “Ohio State Regular Militia” appeared at the Statehouse on Nov. 7 to ‘protect people’ who came to celebrate Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump. Photo by Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal.A self-identified Ohio militia unit stormed the U.S. Capitol last week along with hundreds, if not thousands of others, part of a failed effort to overturn the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.The group, which calls itself the “Ohio State Regular Militia,” strongly resembles a unit that appeared at the Ohio Statehouse under the same name in...…0:45News StoryMembers of the self-identified “Ohio State Regular Militia” appeared at the Statehouse on Nov. 7 to ‘protect people’ who came to celebrate Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump. Photo by Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal.A self-identified Ohio militia unit stormed the U.S. Capitol last week along with hundreds, if not thousands of others, part of a failed effort to overturn the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.The group, which calls itself the “Ohio State Regular Militia,” strongly resembles a unit that appeared at the Ohio Statehouse under the same name in...WW…

Sixteen Ohio House Republicans, six of whom have publicly announced their declination to take a COVID-19 vaccine, proposed legislation Tuesday to build legal protections for people who decline vaccinations.Under the bill, governments, schools and private businesses could still impose a vaccine requirement. However, the bill would force them to exempt anyone who submits in writing a claim of medical contraindication, “natural immunity,” or “reasons of conscience, including religious conviction.”After submitting their refusal in writing, people “shall not be required to do anything” more,...…Sixteen Ohio House Republicans, six of whom have publicly announced their declination to take a COVID-19 vaccine, proposed legislation Tuesday to build legal protections for people who decline vaccinations.Under the bill, governments, schools and private businesses could still impose a vaccine requirement. However, the bill would force them to exempt anyone who submits in writing a claim of medical contraindication, “natural immunity,” or “reasons of conscience, including religious conviction.”After submitting their refusal in writing, people “shall not be required to do anything” more,...WW…

The Ohio Supreme Court declined Wednesday to review an appellate court’s decision, letting stand a ruling that the city of Cincinnati cannot ban “bump stocks” on assault weapons.Cincinnati , designed to increase rifles’ rates of fire, in 2018 after a shooter used one during a 2017 massacre in Las Vegas that left 58 dead.The city has no legal right to set its own gun laws, .The final outcome, announced last week, is just the latest instance of Ohio courts ruling that cities cannot enact end-runs around a state legislature regularly seeking to expand gun rights.Cincinnati’s efforts...…The Ohio Supreme Court declined Wednesday to review an appellate court’s decision, letting stand a ruling that the city of Cincinnati cannot ban “bump stocks” on assault weapons.Cincinnati , designed to increase rifles’ rates of fire, in 2018 after a shooter used one during a 2017 massacre in Las Vegas that left 58 dead.The city has no legal right to set its own gun laws, .The final outcome, announced last week, is just the latest instance of Ohio courts ruling that cities cannot enact end-runs around a state legislature regularly seeking to expand gun rights.Cincinnati’s efforts...WW…

After a spate of seven mass shootings around the U.S. in seven days, Ohio House Republicans introduced legislation that would allow Ohioans aged 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a license., introduced Tuesday by Republican Reps. Thomas Brinkman and Kris Jordan and co-sponsored by 20 more, also contains other gun rights expansions including:Under current law, Ohioans must seek licensure from their local sheriff to lawfully carry a concealed weapon. They must complete eight hours of firearms training and complete a criminal background and mental competency checks.Only ,...…After a spate of seven mass shootings around the U.S. in seven days, Ohio House Republicans introduced legislation that would allow Ohioans aged 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a license., introduced Tuesday by Republican Reps. Thomas Brinkman and Kris Jordan and co-sponsored by 20 more, also contains other gun rights expansions including:Under current law, Ohioans must seek licensure from their local sheriff to lawfully carry a concealed weapon. They must complete eight hours of firearms training and complete a criminal background and mental competency checks.Only ,...WW…

An Ohio state Senator introduced legislation Tuesday that would prevent transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports at state K-12 schools and universities., sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, would require schools to separate student athletics by sex, not gender. The legislation would apply to public schools as well as public and private colleges and universities.If a participant’s sex is “disputed,” as the bill states, the student athlete must present a signed physician’s statement indicating his or her sex based on:The bill also contains a provision to...…An Ohio state Senator introduced legislation Tuesday that would prevent transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports at state K-12 schools and universities., sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, would require schools to separate student athletics by sex, not gender. The legislation would apply to public schools as well as public and private colleges and universities.If a participant’s sex is “disputed,” as the bill states, the student athlete must present a signed physician’s statement indicating his or her sex based on:The bill also contains a provision to...WW…

An Ohio House Republican lamented the retirement of an anti-vaccine activist Wednesday amid the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history.Michelle Cotterman — president of Health Freedom Ohio — recently said she will be stepping down from the helm of the organization. Rep. Diane Grendell, R-Geauga, responded to  sharing the news.“I think you are wonderful, don’t leave!” Grendell wrote.Before the pandemic, HFO largely focused on limiting the ability of schools and employers to require vaccinations, as well as broadening exemptions to those requirements. Since COVID-19 hit, the...…An Ohio House Republican lamented the retirement of an anti-vaccine activist Wednesday amid the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history.Michelle Cotterman — president of Health Freedom Ohio — recently said she will be stepping down from the helm of the organization. Rep. Diane Grendell, R-Geauga, responded to  sharing the news.“I think you are wonderful, don’t leave!” Grendell wrote.Before the pandemic, HFO largely focused on limiting the ability of schools and employers to require vaccinations, as well as broadening exemptions to those requirements. Since COVID-19 hit, the...WW…

House Democrats introduced legislation Monday that would force GOP Rep. Larry Householder, currently under indictment in an alleged $61 million bribery scheme, to repay his salary if he’s convicted at trial.Reps. Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, said in a news release the legislation isn’t specifically directed at Householder, but state lawmakers generally who are indicted for a felony involving public corruption.However, Householder is the only state lawmaker known to be under indictment and still collecting a salary and benefits.The bill would require any...…House Democrats introduced legislation Monday that would force GOP Rep. Larry Householder, currently under indictment in an alleged $61 million bribery scheme, to repay his salary if he’s convicted at trial.Reps. Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, said in a news release the legislation isn’t specifically directed at Householder, but state lawmakers generally who are indicted for a felony involving public corruption.However, Householder is the only state lawmaker known to be under indictment and still collecting a salary and benefits.The bill would require any...WW…

Republicans on a state House committee passed legislation Tuesday removing a requirement for licensed Ohioans to notify police that they’re carrying a concealed handgun or have one in the vehicle.Under House Bill 89, the CCW (concealed carry) licensees would only need to inform police about a weapon if the officer in question asks. Only at that point would they be required by law to show their CCW license and disclose that they’re carrying or have a weapon in the vehicle.The bill also removes the penalty for violating this requirement. Under current law, failing to “promptly inform” an...…Republicans on a state House committee passed legislation Tuesday removing a requirement for licensed Ohioans to notify police that they’re carrying a concealed handgun or have one in the vehicle.Under House Bill 89, the CCW (concealed carry) licensees would only need to inform police about a weapon if the officer in question asks. Only at that point would they be required by law to show their CCW license and disclose that they’re carrying or have a weapon in the vehicle.The bill also removes the penalty for violating this requirement. Under current law, failing to “promptly inform” an...WW…

Twelve House Republicans reignited efforts to rollback Ohio’s prevailing wage law, which requires governments to pay union-scale wages on most construction projects.The lead sponsors, GOP Reps. Craig Riedel and Susan Manchester, presented  to a House committee Wednesday that would allow various government entities to opt out from the requirements of .It also doubles the minimum cost for a project at which the prevailing wage requirement kicks in from $250,000 to $500,000.Ohio Republicans for     repeal or weaken the law — drawing support from business...…Twelve House Republicans reignited efforts to rollback Ohio’s prevailing wage law, which requires governments to pay union-scale wages on most construction projects.The lead sponsors, GOP Reps. Craig Riedel and Susan Manchester, presented  to a House committee Wednesday that would allow various government entities to opt out from the requirements of .It also doubles the minimum cost for a project at which the prevailing wage requirement kicks in from $250,000 to $500,000.Ohio Republicans for     repeal or weaken the law — drawing support from business...WW…

1:05News StoryClashing protesters brawl for the second time Jan. 6 on the Ohio statehouse campus. A man in Proud Boys gear winds up a punch with his right fist clenched. Photo by Jake ZuckermanIt was a peaceful protest outside the Ohio Statehouse. Then it was a crowd of Proud Boys wailing on Dejuan Sharp.The brawl came a few hours later.Sharp, a Black man, attended the Jan. 6 protest along with other Black Lives Matter activists when, by his account, a Proud Boy in a baseball helmet called him a “n—er.”At that point, he crossed from the west side of High Street to the east, where the Proud...…1:05News StoryClashing protesters brawl for the second time Jan. 6 on the Ohio statehouse campus. A man in Proud Boys gear winds up a punch with his right fist clenched. Photo by Jake ZuckermanIt was a peaceful protest outside the Ohio Statehouse. Then it was a crowd of Proud Boys wailing on Dejuan Sharp.The brawl came a few hours later.Sharp, a Black man, attended the Jan. 6 protest along with other Black Lives Matter activists when, by his account, a Proud Boy in a baseball helmet called him a “n—er.”At that point, he crossed from the west side of High Street to the east, where the Proud...WW…