However you get your news, here are a few stories that stood out in local, state, federal and international news.
“Public records request reveals that DeWine communicated frequently during his first run for governor with former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling, who are accused of masterminding the corruption scheme. Both Jones and Dowling were hit with state bribery charges. They pleaded not guilty during their joint arraignment in mid-February.”
A look at the text conversations was covered by Democratic State Senator Kent Smith here.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott stripped Republican Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens of his control over the GOP caucus' campaign fund on Friday.
Serrott said the faction which selected State Rep. Derek Merrin as Speaker represented a majority of the House Republican caucus, and they should make decisions about the fund instead of Stephens, since majorities rule in a democracy, in order to comply with state law.
Speaker Stephens was able to become Speaker via the votes of Republicans and Democrats in the Statehouse.
The fund raised and spent about $4.7 million since 2023, utilizing the money on ad campaigns against fellow Republicans who are anti-Stephens and/or pro-Merrin.
“Merrin is now a Trump-endorsed candidate for Congress in Ohio's 9th District, facing long-time Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November.”
“All the infighting has stymied lawmaking in Ohio since last year, as disagreements, impasses and general confusion have led to one of the least productive legislative sessions on record.”
After nearly two weeks, City Hall reopened this past Thursday at noon. It was confirmed that the city was initially hit by a ransomware attack, where bad actors block access to online sensitive data or hold it hostage unless a ransom is paid.
Ransomware is a $100 billion enterprise worldwide. Continued education about how to avoid these situations and stronger technological systems are necessary to end these crises.
The 159th Juneteenth Celebration was this past Wednesday, June 19th. It is celebrated on the same day each year, remembering the day when the end of slavery was officially enforced across the entire United States.
While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until 900 days later when the last slaves in Texas were notified that they were free.
No policy, no matter how beneficial, is complete until it is fully practiced.
This is the 3rd year in which Juneteenth has been celebrated as a Federal Holiday.
Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court reversed a ban on bump stocks, allowing them to re-enter the US market.
Bump stocks were initially banned by former President Donald Trump following the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. Bump stocks allow for semi-automatic guns to fire bullets at a rate similar to automatic weapons.
This past Friday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping a 1994 ban on firearms for people under restraining orders. The ruling had been challenged by a federal appeals court in New Orleans, so the Supreme Court’s ruling puts the ban back in place for the whole nation.
“Chief Justice John Roberts said the law uses “common sense” and applies only “after a judge determines that an individual poses a credible threat” of physical violence.”
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