Sunday, November 8, 2026·Focal News
Independent local reporting across America
Section
Politics
Ohio paid $1.173 billion through five private-school scholarship programs in fiscal 2026, the second consecutive year voucher spending topped $1 billion. The total comes as public-school enrollment declines and a state appeals court has ruled the EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional, a decision the state plans to challenge.
Politics
Campaign finance data through Oct. 20 show Columbus-area developers, corporate executives and business-linked PACs among the…
Politics
A Marist University survey puts Democrats Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown ahead of their Republican opponents in Ohio’s governor and…
Politics
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigned in Toledo for Rep. Marcy Kaptur, calling the election environment favorable…
Politics
Several thousand people gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 17 for a No Kings rally and downtown march focused on early…
Politics
A bill introduced by state Sen. Bill DeMora would require helmets and state registration for e-bike and scooter riders, limit…
Politics
Franklin County Job and Family Services’ average wait to reach a caseworker has risen from less than 20 minutes to more than an…
Politics
The U.S. Postal Service intercepted a letter containing an unknown white powder that was intended for Ohio Secretary of State…
Politics
An Ohio appeals court upheld a ruling against the state’s expanded EdChoice voucher programs, finding they divert resources from…
Politics
Sunbury voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to amend the city charter to bar large data centers, a measure that could halt a…
Politics
A Scioto Analysis review found that requiring new data centers to generate their own power with 90% renewables would deliver the…
Politics
A recall campaign against Whitehall Councilmember Gerald Dixon remains active after prosecutors declined to take criminal…
Politics
Gov. Mike DeWine’s Expedited Pardon Project has granted 323 pardons since 2019 and has 340 applications in progress. The program…
Politics
A new statewide directory identifies 533 Black elected officials, while showing that 51 of Ohio’s 88 counties have none.…
Politics
President Donald Trump called for Columbus to reinstall its namesake statue, which the city removed in 2020 and now keeps in…
Politics
Arienne Childrey resigned as vice chair of the Ohio Democratic Party’s Pride Caucus, accusing party leaders of restricting the…
Politics
Worthington voters will consider four charter changes Nov. 3, including a shorter window to challenge zoning decisions, new…
Politics
Ohio has begun notifying Medicaid expansion enrollees about a federal requirement to complete 80 hours of work, education or…
Politics
A New York Times-Siena survey gives Democrats Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton small leads, but both races fall within the poll’s…
Politics
The Jerome Township Board of Trustees voted to terminate Fire Chief Doug Stewart after finding he improperly took part in…
Politics
Two Democratic lawmakers plan legislation establishing statewide e-bike safety rules, including registration and helmet…
Politics
Democratic candidate Amy Acton says she would expand state support for new and rehabilitated housing, streamline permits and…
Politics
Attorneys say sudden changes to immigration hearing dates and venues are causing some people to miss court and face removal…
Politics
A township hearing is weighing whether Fire Chief Douglas Steward should keep his job after an investigation substantiated…
Politics
New state rules effective Oct. 5 set limits on recreational cannabis package sizes, potency and servings, with possible changes…
Politics
Thirteen Ohio bills signed by Gov. Mike DeWine took effect Oct. 6, changing rules for traffic stops, schools, first-responder…
Politics
City Council approved $2.5 million for storm-damaged recreation facilities, including the still-closed Barack Community Center.…
Politics
A failed execution attempt in Tennessee has renewed debate in Ohio, where executions are on hold and lawmakers disagree over…
Politics
The ballot initiative would limit contributions from a single source and is already being challenged in three courts.
Politics
Voters who normally cast ballots at Barack Community Center will instead go to Lincoln Park Elementary School after tornado…
Politics
Voters will decide 10 proposed changes to Gahanna’s city charter on Nov. 3, including changes to mayoral primaries, ward…
Politics
Ohio’s gasoline and diesel taxes will be suspended through the end of 2026, with drivers in Columbus estimated to save $3 to $7…
Politics
An Ohio nurse was unlisted in ICE’s online detainee locator for 32 hours after her arrest, leaving her family and attorney…
Politics
Two recent surveys show Democrat Sherrod Brown with an edge over Republican Sen. Jon Husted, though one lead falls within the…
Politics
City Council chose Michael C. Price to complete the mayoral term after Ben Kessler resigned for a job with the Columbus…
Politics
More than 900 Ohio agencies did not submit sexual-assault-kit data to the state last year, despite a legal reporting…