Backers of an Ohio constitutional amendment called the “Ohio Voter Bill of Rights” could not circulate petitions this year because Attorney General Dave Yost rejected the title. “Highly misleading and misrepresentative" Yost said of the amendment, which would have declared that voting is a “fundamental right” in Ohio. The amendment would enshrine voting hours, early voting, automatic voter registration via the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, online voter registration and same-day voter registration. The backers sued. Yost, a Republican, welcomed the suit: "Good... The voters deserve a no-spin zone when asked to sign a petition and I aim to give it to them.” The Republican-majority Supreme Court, though, sided against Yost. In a unanimous opinion, the seven justices said Yost’s job was limited to a review of the summary of the amendment — not its title. — Laura P.S. Happy Halloween, all! |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Cavs spoil homecoming night for LeBron James, son Bronny with 134-110 blowout win against Lakers Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Showers likely |
|
|
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that Attorney General Dave Yost, above, unlawfully blocked a ballot proposal to enshrine new voting rights into the state constitution. |
|
|
Ballot decision: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Attorney General Dave Yost unreasonably and unlawfully blocked a group of citizens’ ballot proposal to enshrine new voting rights into the state constitution. Jake Zuckerman reports the citizens had gathered more than enough voters‘ signatures to begin the amendment process. Yost in January 2024 deemed the title of their proposal – “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” – misleading and refused to certify it. Today in Ohio: Members of the Haslam family have dumped more than $6.5 million into American elections during this two-year political cycle alone. On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily news podcast, we’re talking about their donations — largely to conservative issues and candidates — as they launch a campaign for taxpayer support to build a domed stadium for the Browns. |
|
|
Haitians in Springfield: Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday that if former President Donald Trump is elected Tuesday and follows through with promises to deport Haitian migrants, the economic advancement that Springfield, Ohio, has made in recent years would be reversed. Laura Hancock reports about 10,000 to 15,000 Haitians legally live and work in the town of 60,000, which has caused strain on the schools, healthcare and other services. But along with the growing pains, Haitians are credited with providing much-needed labor in the former factory town. Haslam contributions: The Haslams have long contributed to Republican causes despite anchoring their Ohio base of operations in Cleveland, where Democrats largely reign, reports Jake Zuckerman. JD Vance: While ripping into Kamala Harris for the cost of energy, Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, told a rally crowd Tuesday the answer was “drill, baby, drill.” But Robert Higgs reports the United States already is the largest oil-producing country in the world, generating nearly 22 million barrels a day – almost double what No. 2 Saudi Arabia produces. Poll rules: While heading to the polls to cast your vote in the 2024 election, make sure you have everything you need but leave your political spirit wear at home. Ohio has strict regulations on conduct and attire at polling locations to maintain neutrality, with the goal of ensuring voters can cast their ballots free from outside influence, reports Molly Walsh. Supreme Court: A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit announced a $600,000 ad spend Wednesday backing the three Republican candidates running for the Ohio Supreme Court, reports Jake Zuckerman. The money from the Republican State Leadership Committee’s Judicial Fairness Initiative, unveiled six days before Election Day, will boost Judge Megan Shanahan, Judge Dan Hawkins, and Justice Joe Deters’ campaigns against Justice Michael Donnelly, Judge Lisa Forbes and Justice Melody Stewart, respectively. Moreno-Miller divorce: An attorney representing U.S. Rep. Max Miller in his divorce accused Emily Moreno Miller’s team of “bad faith gamesmanship” and trying to delay production of her financial documents until the U.S. Senate contest between her father, Republican Bernie Moreno, and Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown is resolved. Sabrina Eaton and Lucas Daprile report that attorneys note that Max Miller, a freshman Rocky River Republican, is also on the November ballot. House campaign finance: As competing factions of Ohio House Republicans continue to fight over control of their own caucus’ campaign arm, the two sides are using separate bank accounts. That’s despite state law that says each legislative caucus can have “only one” campaign fund, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens and Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman are gearing up for battle after the election. |
|
|
First vote: Newly eligible 18-year-old voters on Tuesday spilled out of the ornate double doors of Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church downtown, celebrating as they began their march to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to cast their first votes in the 2024 election. John Kuntz has photos of the “Steppin’ and Rollin’ to the Polls” event, where over 100 students voted. Union petitions: Workers in Ohio and the rest of the United States increased their efforts to unionize in the last year, more than doubling union petitions with the National Labor Relations Board, reports Zachary Smith. From October 2023 to September 2024, Ohio union petitions increased by 226% from three years earlier. Fatal fire: Two teenagers died in a fire Wednesday morning in Coventry Township, reports Olivia Mitchell. |
|
|
Nurse load: An Ohio survey found that more than 60% of Ohio nurses who left bedside care did so because of a heavy patient load and about 65% of bedside nurses have experienced workplace violence in the past 12 months, reports Julie Washington. The survey looked at the impact of understaffing in Ohio’s hospitals, and called on healthcare executives and policymakers to take swift action to protect patients and ensure the well-being of nurses and health professionals. TV stations: Nexstar, the parent company of Cleveland Fox affiliate WJW Channel 8, has agreed to purchase Cleveland television station WBNX Channel 55 from Winston Broadcasting Co., reports Joey Morona. WBNX, an independent station that served as an affiliate of The CW from 2006 to 2018, will again be the home of the network’s programming in Northeast Ohio. Overdose deaths: The number of people who died of drug overdoses in Ohio was 4,452 in 2023, a 9% decrease from the previous year, according to the state’s latest unintentional drug overdose report. Laura Hancock reports this was the second consecutive year of a decrease in deaths. Sherwin-Williams: The Sherwin-Williams Global Headquarters is nearing completion and has recently been crowned with signage that can be seen from miles away, reports Megan Sims. The letters, up to 11 feet tall and spelling out the name of the paint giant, were manufactured by YESCO, a Salt Lake City sign and lighting company. |
|
|
Romeo Travis: Former St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and University of Akron basketball star Romeo Travis was sentenced to probation Wednesday for altering his income on official documents to avoid paying taxes and child support. Adam Ferrise reports that U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko ordered Travis, 40, to pay $424,000 in restitution to the IRS and to Travis’ daughter, who is now 18. Antisemitism: A Cuyahoga County grand jury is expected to consider the case of a man arrested earlier this week after police say he spray-painted antisemitic symbols on homes in Orange, reports Lucas Daprile. Ryan Kellogg, 37, of Orange, was arrested Monday and later charged with nine counts stemming from incidents where police say he spray-painted antisemitic symbols on houses in the village. Maple Heights shooting: Two women were wounded Wednesday afternoon after shots were fired during an argument in the parking lot of a branch of the Cuyahoga County Library, Cliff Pinckard reports. Robbery sentencing: A Cleveland man who stole $663 during a string of armed robberies of dollar stores was sentenced Wednesday to 22 years in federal prison. Marlon Seals, 24, also shot at a man during a botched heist in downtown Cleveland, Adam Ferrise reports. |
|
|
Our Best Life: Should Laura Johnston sell her Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket since she saw the show in Detroit? She’s muddling through the conflict in her Our Best Life column. Archie’s: Fans of Archie’s Hough Bakeries, take note: The beloved bakery in Beachwood owned and operated by Archie Garner Sr. is closed ... for now. Peter Chakerian reports internet scuttlebutt last week suggested that a move to a new location was imminent. Maghreb: “Arts of the Maghreb: North African Textiles and Jewelry” will display elaborate textiles and fine jewelry in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Arlene M. and Arthur S. Holden Gallery, reports Peter Chakerian. Hot chocolate trail: The inaugural Tour Lake County Hot Chocolate Trail is under way, reports Marc Bona. The digital-passport tour allows participants to explore cafes and businesses across the county, comparing decadent hot chocolates. Here: Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks are a director-actor combination that always swings for the fences. Joey Morona reports their latest project, “Here,” is a movie that is as frustrating as it is brilliant. The film documents life from one spot on Earth, using a single camera angle to tell the stories of the people who live there over the course of hundreds of years. |
|
|
First impressions matter: Welcome To Lakewood event scheduled for Nov. 12 Read more North Olmsted holds master plan open house for residents Read more Brooklyn considers tweak to domestic relations commission Read more Parma City Schools creates special education series to guide parents through process Read more It’s high time: Recreational marijuana dispensaries to open in Parma Read more Newly promoted Parma police lieutenant following in grandfather’s footsteps Read more Mayfield Heights council extends moratorium on short-term home rentals through December 2025 Read more |
|
|
NEW! Terry's Talkin' with Terry Pluto Newsletter |
Connect with Northeast Ohio’s favorite sports columnist as Terry shares his exclusive thoughts and insights on Cleveland sports teams, as well as issues on personal faith like in his popular weekly Faith & You column. There's one caveat, though. This is an exclusive newsletter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer loyal subscribers. Not a subscriber? That's ok. You can receive a few weeks of Terry’s newsletter as a free trial. In either case, click here sign up. |
|
|
Want the top headlines but don't have time to read? Listen to cleveland.com’s Today in Ohio podcast on Spotify, Google or Apple Podcasts. |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
$5 for first month (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
$5 for first month (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
|
