The morning newsletter of the Ohio Capital Journal
Reporting for the People
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By David DeWitt | Editor in Chief
Good morning Ohio!
Ohio has seen progress with its infant mortality numbers, though the numbers still remain well above the national average, and communities of color continue to see disproportionately high rates.
A baby drinks from a bottle. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
By Susan Tebben
Data from Groundwork Ohio and evidence found in research done by local experts showed continued disparities for babies and mothers of color. While the infant mortality rate for white infants in Ohio is 5.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, the rate for Black infants is 12.6 per 1,000 births, more than 2.5 times the rate of white infants. Hispanic babies see a rate of 6.7 per 1,000 live births.
By Megan Henry
Ohio received an “F” for its sex education policy, according to a new report from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.
By Marty Schladen
In a recent survey, most economists said Ohio's tax abatements are an effective way to attract AI data centers to the Buckeye State, but many also questioned the desirability of doing so.
COMMENTARY
A farmer harvests corn beside a highway. (Photo by Cami Koons/States Newsroom.)
By Joe Stimmell
“I’ve been through tough times, like the Great Recession and the pandemic, but the reality facing Ohio farmers right now is unsustainable and unlike anything I’ve experienced,” writes Ashland County, Ohio, farmer Joe Stimmell.
By Michael McGovern
Whether it's the gas pump or the AC bill, Ohioans can't catch a break. And that's not bad luck. It's a choice Republican elected officials keep making. Let's call it what it is: a government-induced energy crisis.
The big challenges and policy issues that cross state lines.
STATELINE
By Shalina Chatlani
New federal rules likely will force three dozen states to reduce their annual Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by a total of more than $50 billion, perhaps shrinking the number of providers willing to see Medicaid patients, according to a new analysis.
By Amanda Watford
Voters in nine states will weigh changes to their criminal legal systems and drug policies this fall, including questions on pretrial release, fentanyl and human trafficking penalties, immigration enforcement, traffic cameras, drug cartels and marijuana regulation.
THE RUNDOWN
News from other states
By Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
An Iowa district court judge on Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer for the 2024 Iowa Poll published shortly before the election.
NATIONAL NEWS
By Ariana Figueroa
Government investigators Thursday released a report that found Homeland Security wasted more than $20 million in federal funding in its rapid expansion of immigration detention, including warehouse purchases strongly opposed in U.S. communities.
By Jennifer Shutt
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration appeared to disappoint senators from both political parties Thursday with how she answered questions about medication abortion access during her confirmation hearing.
CATCHING OUR EYE
Billionaires, Epstein, and Ohio’s U.S. Senate race. The Associated Press’ Julie Carr Smyth reports, “Billionaire’s political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio’s US Senate race.”
Billionaire Les Wexner has long been a magnet for political campaigns seeking contributions — especially in his native Ohio, where the retail tycoon directed a generous portion of his giving to candidates from both parties. Then came the Epstein files.
Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, was Wexner’s former financial adviser. That relationship and Wexner’s history of political donations has figured prominently in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race, which could end up as the most expensive in the country this year…Epstein’s Ohio connections are expected to surface anew early next month, when a traveling display showcasing the Justice Department files comes to the state.
Data centers. The Toledo Blade’s Danny Eldredge reports, “Acton, activists urge vote on data centers alongside Ohio gas tax holiday.”
Dr. Amy Acton and Conserve Ohio are encouraging the Ohio General Assembly to pass a data center moratorium when lawmakers return to Columbus next week.Eyes on Springfield. The Dayton Daily News’ Cornelius Frolik reports, “‘The world is watching Springfield’: Faith leaders demand ICE changes.”
Faith leaders (last) week stepped up their calls on U.S. lawmakers who represent Ohio to take action to try to release Haitian ICE detainees and end immigration enforcement activities in Springfield.
Pastors from churches in Springfield and other communities held a press conference outside of U.S. Rep. Mike Turner’s Dayton office on Tuesday, Sept. 8, where they demanded that the Republican congressman and other Ohio elected officials restore Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and provide Haitian nationals who reside here realistic ways to obtain permanent protected status or U.S. citizenship.
THE POD
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, FOLKS.
Mahalo!
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