A New York Times poll and FEC filings show Derek Merrin leading Republicans in Ohio’s redrawn 9th District as the May 5 primary approaches.

House Bill 20 would let first responders set a 14‑foot halo and order people back; supporters call it safety, critics say it could chill protest and recording.

Franklin County gave Columbus until May 1 to settle unpaid jail invoices or the county will refuse to accept city-code arrestees.

A Beachwood lawmaker plans to introduce a medical aid‑in‑dying bill and will speak at a Statehouse press conference Thursday, advocates and opponents are already lining up.

City and school leaders launched a joint committee to inventory district land, pilot a community-campus program at Northland High and explore housing and service partnerships.

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.