Senators Schaffer and Brenner filed SB 422 to bar Tier II and III sex offenders from schools and child‑care sites, with limited exceptions and stepped‑up penalties.

A newly filed disclosure shows Vivek Ramaswamy holds a stake in 8VC, the venture firm tied to Anduril — the defense company getting $830M+ in Ohio incentives. Ethics questions have followed.

A Clark County Board of Elections member has died and rival GOP factions are disputing who can nominate his replacement ahead of the May 5 primary. Legal counsel has been tapped as officials weigh the competing claims.

New ALA data shows thousands of titles were challenged in 2025, in Ohio a cluster of Rick Riordan’s novels landed on local hit lists as boards and groups pushed reviews.

Columbus City Council is set to consider a $750,000 settlement with a retired police sergeant who sued over alleged discrimination, the deal would restore his rank if approved.

At a Perry roundtable, lawmakers said they might limit local vetoes over nuclear and data‑center projects as electricity demand surges. The convening put residents and industry face‑to‑face.

Sen. Shane Wilkin introduced SCR20 urging Congress to reform NEPA, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. The nonbinding measure would push for faster permits for mines, pipelines and power projects.

Federal review kept the Appalachian hydrogen hub (ARCH2) in the portfolio, preserving Morgantown’s program office and giving the project more runway ahead of an April EIS.

S.B. 278 cleared the Ohio Senate on April 15, a bill that would let private plaintiffs seek punitive damages from cities that pass local gun-safety laws. Columbus and other cities say they will fight the change in court.

A charter-appointed panel is urging big raises for Columbus officials that would take effect in 2030 if City Council signs off.

A Franklin County judge has granted a temporary restraining order that lets two smoke shops sell existing intoxicating‑hemp stock while a legal challenge proceeds. The pause comes after Senate Bill 56 took effect March 20, 2026.

A viral X video shows GOP hopeful Casey Putsch aiming a rifle and taunting Vivek Ramaswamy. Critics called the clip a threat and a Columbus venue scrubbed a planned fundraiser.

A new Ohio dashboard shows roughly 25% of students were chronically absent last year. State officials say weekly school-level data should help communities act faster.