Ohio’s fetal heartbeat bill has not been enforced since fall 2022, when Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins put it on hold to review. The law would ban abortions after fetal heart activity can be detected, and it has no exceptions for rape or incest. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wrote that the law would be unconstitutional if Ohioans approved the abortion rights amendment in November. Ohioans overwhelmingly approved the amendment. Now Yost argues some of the law could stand. The law requires the Ohio Department of Health to consult with healthcare experts when producing materials on its website to inform pregnant women of probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of various stages of fetal development. It also aimed to pay to promote foster care and adoption, funded by fines that would be assessed on doctors who perform abortions in violation of the law. Yost now wants the judge to study the law. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings: Cavs overpower Kings in a 3-point shootout, 136-110, as Donovan Mitchell knocks in 29 points Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny and warmer |
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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, could run for Ohio governor in 2026. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Heartbeat law: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost asked a Hamilton County judge to review an embryonic “heartbeat” law that abortion providers want tossed as unconstitutional, saying the court may preserve some sections of it, reports Laura Hancock. Trump electors: If JD Vance had been ex-President Donald Trump’s vice president after the 2020 election, he wouldn’t have resisted his boss’ entreaties to reject electoral votes from several swing states that Biden won, Vance told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. The move aimed to keep Trump in the White House, reports Sabrina Eaton. Border deal: Ohio Republicans in Congress, including U.S. Sen. JD Vance and House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan, expressed strong opposition Monday to a bipartisan border security deal that Republicans said has no chance to become law because they’ll refuse to bring it to the House of Representatives floor. Sabrina Eaton reports the $118 billion package unveiled on Sunday night combines military aid to Ukraine and Israel with border enforcement improvements that would overhaul the nation’s process for granting asylum to immigrants and give presidents power to expel migrants if the number applying for asylum overwhelms the system. Today in Ohio: Both Gov. Mike DeWine and the NCAA support eliminating “prop bets” in collegiate sports in an effort to protect student players. We’re talking about the proposal, and how bettors would not be able to bet on outcomes of specific plays, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Railroad law: A federal judge could soon rule on an industry challenge of a state railroad safety law passed in the wake of the East Palestine derailment that caused a massive release of hazardous chemicals. Jake Zuckerman reports Ohio lawmakers in March passed the state transportation budget, which included a new rule requiring that all freight railroads in most circumstances keep a crew of at least two members. The Association of American Railroads said that federal law alone controls the issue and states have no right to impose their own more stringent rules. Election: Ohio’s primary election isn’t until March 19. But elections officials have begun mailing absentee ballots to military members and other overseas Ohioans, reports Andrew Tobias. Vehicle chargers: Electric-vehicle use along the Ohio Turnpike hit a “major milestone” last month, as the number of recharging stops using the toll road’s eight charging stations surpassed the 100,000 mark, reports Jeremy Pelzer. That number might jump even more sharply as turnpike officials consider installing even more charging stations along the 241-mile highway. |
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NOACA: The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency has established 10 priorities that will guide communities within its coverage area when seeking federal aid through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. Peter Krouse reports the program is part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which will provide up to 115 grants totaling $4.3 billion to state and local governments nationwide to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities. Attracting population: The Cleveland Talent Alliance was created in 2022 with the singular focus of attracting and retaining working-age adults to the region. Susan Glaser reports the alliance announced three areas of focus for the group, along with performance metrics to be achieved by 2030. Housing assistance: Cuyahoga County has announced a new program to help formerly incarcerated people afford housing and utilities once they are released, reports Lucas Daprile. The Rapid Reentry Housing Funds Program, a partnership between the county’s Office of Re-Entry, Oriana House Inc. and North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center, is designed to reduce homelessness and recidivism among those recently released from a correctional facility or similar institution. Fighting blight: Cleveland City Council on Monday passed its version of Mayor Justin Bibb’s “Residents First” housing code enforcement overhaul, which maintains much of Bibb’s original plan, but includes some compromises, Courtney Astolfi reports. CWRU landmark: Case Western Reserve University has received the green light to bring its new research building to life, reports Megan Sims. Cleveland’s Planning Commission on Friday unanimously approved plans for the university’s Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, six stories tall on the university quad just south of Euclid Avenue. Black History: Yolanda King, assistant dean of diversity at Ursuline College, wishes more people realized that Cleveland’s Black community is very close-knit and caring. Julie Washington profiles King as part of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com’s celebration of Black History Month. |
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Measles: People who used the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on two days in January might have been exposed to measles, reports Julie Washington. Team NEO: It was a year of economic uncertainty and businesses faced headwinds, but Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler said the economic development organization was still able to attract and retain many businesses in 2023. Sean McDonnell reports the organization helped spur 96 business investments throughout 2023, which it says should create just over 2,100 jobs. Bank branch: Huntington Bank is still planning to close its branch in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood on Friday. But Huntington in late January withdrew its formal application with regulators to permanently close its branch at 11623 Buckeye Road, reports Sean McDonnell. Republic Steel: Republic Steel has agreed to pay a $700,000 fine after the U.S. Department of Justice accused the Canton-based company of allowing chemicals to spill from shuttered plants in Canton and Lorain into nearby rivers. Adam Ferrise reports the settlement means the company has paid more than $2 million in the last 13 months to state and federal regulators for air and water pollution. Best stock: The second-best performing stock among major Ohio companies last week was Cleveland-headquartered Cleveland-Cliffs, which grew 10.4%, or $1.92 per share. Zachary Smith reports stock prices for 11 major Ohio companies increased by at least 3% last week. |
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Sex sting: Prosecutors have filed additional charges against a former college football player arrested last year as part of an underage sex sting. Shiloh Smalls-Moore, 29, of Warrensville Heights, is charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning and possessing criminal tools after he was arrested on Oct. 28, Cory Shaffer reports. Shots fired: A Fairview Park man was arrested and accused of firing shots inside a motel and fleeing from the scene early Sunday morning, reports Molly Walsh. Officers responded to a Ramada Inn motel at 22115 Brookpark Road at about 2:40 a.m. after receiving a call that a man was threatening patrons with a gun after attacking a bartender. Shoreway crash: A man suffered injuries Sunday after he jumped 30 feet off a wall on the Shoreway to avoid being struck by vehicles that crashed from icy road conditions, reports Olivia Mitchell. |
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Holland trip: Laura Johnston grew up steeped in family stories about her grandparents’ immigration from Holland to Canada. She, her mom and her 10-year-old daughter went to visit dozens of cousins in Holland for a meaningful adventure, where they expanded their world and experienced their roots. Michael Stanley Band: Cleveland rock icon Michael Stanley will be celebrated by a group of his former bandmates and musical admirers at the 50th Anniversary of The Michael Stanley Band on May 25 at MGM Northfield Park. Malcolm X Abram reports the concert will be led by MSB band members, drummer Tommy Dobeck and lead guitarist Jonah Koslen, along with fellow lead guitarists Danny Powers and Gary Markasky, plus bassist Michael Gismondi. High school standouts: There is no shortage of remarkable high school students in Northeast Ohio, and Advance Ohio, which includes cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, wants to celebrate them with the 2024 High School Standouts Awards, reports Jonathan X. Simmons. Valentine’s cocktails: To provide some inspiration outside the basic bottle of wine, Alex Darus lists nine Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes to amp up your at-home date night. Super Bowl: Marc Bona tells you everything you need to know about Sunday’s big game. Tracy Chapman: Thirty years before Cleveland native Tracy Chapman stole the show at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, making a surprise appearance to sing her 1988 hit “Fast Car” in a duet with Luke Combs, she sat down for an interview with Mike Norman. |
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Suspect arrested after woman is shot in the face on Cleveland’s East Side Read more Willoughby police identify man found dead in embankment near restaurant last week Read more Shaker Heights man dies one week after shooting in Cleveland’s West Boulevard neighborhood Read more Shaker Heights police searching for man accused of luring kids with candy in a van outside family center Read more University Heights City Council says no to Chick-fil-A Read more Jessica Breslin takes helm at Rocky River Public Library Read more Fairview Park dips toe into Gemini Center natatorium project Read more Back with a crunch: North Olmsted’s annual fish fries begin Feb. 16 Read more Lakewood seeks volunteer for loan approval board; charter review commission gets started Read more |
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