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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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 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.

Staff cuts at an Ohio Planned Parenthood affiliate have been finalized, according to the union who represents workers there. Amid the cuts, staff were also notified that a clinic in the system will close this month.

Ohio Republican lawmaker wants to regulate kratom products and ban synthetic kratom

73 days in ICE detention: an Ohio hospital chaplain speaks out

A measure that includes the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed in the Ohio Senate on Wednesday. Ohio’s public schools will be required to display at least some of the documents on the list in each classroom of each school, according to Ohio Senate Bill 34.

A bill regulating certain medications, which could include medication abortion drugs, was passed by the Ohio House on Wed. by a vote of 59-28. Also on Wed.: Sponsor testimony on a bill requiring a legal liability statement to be signed by any patient before being prescribed mifepristone.

Ohio House passes bill requiring public schools show ‘Baby Olivia’ video to students in grades 5-12

Ohio House passes bill that allows schools teach positive impacts of religion on American history

Ohio lawmakers send new Election Day deadline for absentee ballots law to governor

Ohio House passes bill that would ban intoxicating hemp products, revise state’s marijuana laws

A new Ohio bill would remove a requirement that the hepatitis B vaccine be administered to children attending child care or preschools. It would also bar schools from keeping out unvaccinated students if outbreaks of any disease occur.

Workers from one of the biggest library systems in Ohio are establishing a labor union focused on improvements they say need to happen in areas such as wages and paid time off.

The federal government shutdown has ended, but Ohioans are still looking down the barrel of significant increases in health insurance costs starting in 2026.

NEW EPISODE! - This News is So Gay (11/12/25): Demystifying (and Queering) Redistricting & Covering LGBTQ+ Org Cuts Featuring: @susantebben.bsky.social (@ohiocapitaljournal.com), @byadamrhodes.bsky.social (@ire.org) & @laurenechapman.bsky.social (Indiana Public Broadcasting).

New Ohio legislation that would require doctors to read a legal statement before medication abortions telling patients they can sue them could create a new barrier to constitutionally protected abortion care, experts say.

Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...

The @ohiocapitaljournal.com’s parent company, States Newsroom, officially launched a new podcast! They started it off as strong as one can, featuring @martyschladen.bsky.social in the first episode. Please take a listen and subscribe!

As of 2024, the seven Head Start programs in Ohio had more than 33,000 children enrolled, with 1,741 children in foster care being served, along with 1,660 children experiencing homelessness.

The sound of the adjourning gavel had barely faded before Ohioans at the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s Friday meeting were expressing their outrage at the congressional map that had been passed, and the process to pass it.

Ohio Gov. orders ODJFS to give $25 million in TANF funds to food banks, Ohio Works First recipients ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/31/o...

The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a congressional map in a Friday morning meeting, increasing Republican advantage in the state 12-3 and blocking a referendum effort. Democrats expressed optimism they could hold their five seats.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a congressional map in a Friday morning meeting, increasing Republican advantage in the state 12-3 and blocking a referendum effort. Democrats expressed optimism they could hold their five seats.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission just passed a 12-3 map with a unanimous vote. This means the map will last until 2031. The crowd gathered is yelling “shame on you all” and “you sold us out.”

The Ohio Redistricting Commission is about to meet once again, with a potential vote on the map that was presented by the commission yesterday. Sources have said there is Democratic agreement on the map. Passage today would allow the map to avoid a referendum fight.

A vote could happen on the new map at the meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, though commission members did not indicate whether or not they had a unanimous vote as of Thursday.

This map, shared by state Rep. Juanita Brent on X, has reportedly obtained bipartisan agreement, according to a Democratic source.

At the House Finance hearing room before the Ohio Redistricting Commission, easels have been placed next to the testimony podiums. That appears to indicate a new map will be presented today.

The leaders of multiple child care businesses in Ohio urged state lawmakers once again to support measures to boost child care in the state, including for workers who provide child care. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/30/o...

Some background on Ohio’s congressional redistricting: - Sept.: A Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricing couldn’t agree, missing their deadline for the month. Dems presented a map, GOP still hasn’t - The Ohio Redistricting Commission has met once, with no action taken.

A third meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission was just announced for tomorrow, Oct. 31, at 10 am in the House Finance Hearing Room.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission will meet at 4 pm Thursday in the House Finance Committee hearing room “for the purposes of conducting business and hearing testimony from the public,” according to an announcement.

Ohio reproductive rights providers and advocates are keeping an eye on federal discussions about a longtime FDA-approved drug used in medication abortion, while maintaining a resolute message in a state with constitutional protections for abortion.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issues executive order banning sale of intoxicating hemp products

Two Ohio bills that may have effects on abortion medication and access were considered in separate Ohio House committees this week.

Ohio Republican lawmakers have introduced several bills to regulate abortion and reproductive health care despite the constitutional amendment approved by 57% of Ohio voters in 2023.

The Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting is starting up again, this time in the House Finance Committee. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio is first to speak, supporting the Democratic map proposal.