Thursday, September 24, 2026·Focal News
Independent local reporting across America
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Politics
A multimillion-dollar campaign is sending Central Ohio residents texts promoting artificial intelligence and data-center development without backing a particular candidate. The effort is linked to a super PAC whose donors include an OpenAI co-founder and his wife, who gave $25 million combined.
Politics
Ohio Republican leaders and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are seeking a 90-day suspension of the state’s gasoline and…
Politics
A newly introduced Ohio House bill would allow trained pharmacists to provide certain oral contraceptives to adults without a…
Politics
Ohio legislative leaders plan a special session next week to consider pausing the state’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax amid…
Politics
Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency Tuesday for 18 Ohio counties hit by severe September storms, directing state…
Politics
Ohio’s ban on intoxicating hemp products remains unenforced six months after the state’s cannabis law took effect, as lawsuits…
Politics
CNN, MS NOW and Politico said Sept. 21 they would sue the Trump administration after their White House credentials were revoked…
Politics
Ohio will switch back to standard time on Nov. 1 unless Congress changes federal law, but lawmakers are debating whether the…
Politics
Ohio voters will choose between incumbent Justice Jennifer Brunner and Republican challenger Colleen O’Donnell, as well as…
Politics
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Department of Homeland Security policy that would limit international students’ stays…
Politics
A bill sponsored by Rep. Brian Lorenz would limit recovery residences in single-family neighborhoods to five residents while…
Politics
A new Protect Democracy analysis finds that nearly 35 million people now live in a different U.S. House district than they did…
Politics
Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy used her annual State of the Judiciary address to caution Ohio judges about artificial intelligence…
Politics
Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton each hold a three-point edge over Republican opponents in a new survey of likely Ohio voters, but…
Politics
Columbus City Council leaders are proposing a new water-rate structure for data centers and other industrial facilities that use…
Politics
Mayor Andrew Ginther is asking City Council to approve more than $21 million for new Columbus fire apparatus, including eight…
Politics
Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno said he is preparing legislation to fund President Donald Trump’s proposed $5,000 payment to adult…
Politics
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson is urging lawmakers to criminalize improper use of Flock license-plate reader systems as…
Politics
Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Andy Wilson are forming a working group to recommend changes to Ohio’s rape-kit testing…
Politics
Four Ohio state representatives are asking the Ohio Department of Transportation to stop approving Flock-style license-plate…
Politics
Barack and Michelle Obama announced the death of Sunny, their Portuguese water dog and longtime family companion. Sunny lived…
Politics
Columbus City Council voted unanimously to add a 2% surcharge to Crew tickets and other events at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The…