Breaking News

Opinion

Carbon capture critical to Ohio’s energy future

Columns

Ohio has a long history of leading on energy development and emerging technology. In 1814, North America’s first oil-producing well was drilled in Noble County. Not long after, Ohio began commercially producing oil and natural gas continuously and is now one of the top energy-producing states in the U.S. Today, Ohio has a unique opportunity to build on this success and help secure American energy dominance. Considering Ohio’s prolific natural gas reserves and prevalence of ideal geologic formations, the state is a prime location for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) ...

Local legislators must push for a single Congressional district

Editorials

As Ohio’s considerably convoluted and patently partisan process of drawing new maps for its 15 congressional districts shifts into high gear this month, we steadfastly remain committed to our longstanding appeal that the Mahoning Valley deserves its own coherent and united U.S. House of Representatives district. Yes, it’s that time again this late summer and fall when Ohio must once again chart new boundary lines for its federal lawmakers in the lower chamber of Congress. Because the redistricting that took place for 2022 did not receive Democratic Party support, the maps created ...

Ohio Legislature searches for property tax answers

Columns

Though there are enough Republicans in the Ohio House to override vetoes from Gov. Mike DeWine, the legislative body fell short of its goal when it held a special session. The July 21 session was intended to override three of the vetoes from DeWine, who’s also a Republican. There was support for only one override, and it was for the least consequential of the three. An override needs at least 60 votes, and there are 65 House Republicans. Three Republicans didn’t attend the July 21 special session, announced July 8, and state Rep. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, voted against the ...

Metrics: Ohio has its share of underprivileged children

Editorials

Ohioans generally think of their state as being a fantastic place for children to grow up. But perception does not always match reality, as WalletHub’s “2025’s States With the Most Underprivileged Children” suggests. Believe it or not, Ohio is ranked 18th on the lists of states with the most underprivileged children. Many of us might not have expected the state to crack the worst 25, let alone be ranked that poorly. But a look at the metrics tells the tale. Ohio is 16th for the percentage of children in households below the poverty line, 26th for the percentage of maltreated ...

For sake of citizens, not feds, voter data must be accurate

Editorials

While some states are fighting back against U.S. Justice Department requests for access to their voter registration lists and other elections information, Ohio has begun the four-year process of ensuring voter rolls here are as clean as they can be. Among the states that have received requests from the federal government so far, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin have simply said “no.” Officials there say they have questions about the legality of the requests and how the information will be used. After all, state (and, really, county) elections officials are responsible for ...

Stress to kids that, yes, bad people are out there

Editorials

Earlier this week, the Jackson Township (Ohio) Police Department conducted “Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” in which it targeted predators traveling in an attempt to solicit sex from children, over a multi-day operation. According to a report by WOIO, the operation resulted in the arrests of seven men who were allegedly trying to engage in sexual activity with girls they believed to be under the ages of 13, 14 and 15. Stark County court records showed those girls were actually undercover police officers being contacted through cell phones, thank goodness. But think about that ...