Voter fraud is not actually a problem in Ohio. So why do we need to change voting rules? Voting rights advocates are asking the same questions about a pair of bills up for passage during Ohio’s lame duck legislative session. Ohio law currently requires voters to provide some form of identification, either a photo ID or an alternative form of identification with a current address, like a utility bill, bank statement or paycheck. One new bill would require voters to provide an actual photo ID and would make free state-issued IDs available to people who don’t have driver’s licenses. Will you have to use a provisional ballot if your license has an outdated address? Another good question. - Laura |
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The current version of Senate Bill 320 would create a new photo ID requirement for Ohioans, requiring them to provide a driver’s license or other state-issued identification card with a current address when they vote. (Associated Press file photo) |
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Voter ID: A top Republican state lawmaker said Monday he expects that Ohio Republicans will tweak and pass a voter photo ID bill before the end of the year as part of a larger package of elections changes. That’s despite the fact that public debate on the bill has been limited, reports Andrew Tobias. The bill has had one hearing since Sen. Theresa Gavarone, of the Toledo area, introduced it in May. COVID relief fraud: Three brothers are accused of swindling the federal government out of about $7 million in small-business loans and grants aimed at helping companies survive the coronavirus pandemic. Zaur Kalantarli, Ali Kalantarli and Aydin Kalantarov created some 70 fake businesses, all with the same address in Euclid, that claimed to farm organic food, reports Adam Ferrise. Indictments say the brothers used the money to buy houses and cars. Today in Ohio: A Yale research paper found that political affiliation in Ohio and Florida has emerged as a potential risk factor for death with COVID-19 – with Republicans more in danger of dying, likely due to vaccine hesitancy. We’re talking about how politics killed people on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Trump support: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce would be willing to support former President Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee if its voters select him despite Trump’s weekend statement that “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution” should be allowed to rectify the baseless claims of election fraud he’s pressed over the past two years. Sabrina Eaton reports that in a Sunday review, Joyce said he didn’t make a habit of speaking out on Trump’s “tweet du jour” and that Trump has “no ability to suspend the Constitution.” Drag story hour: A drag story hour in Columbus was canceled after protests by right-wing groups, which included guns and opposition from counter-protesters, reports Jake Zuckerman. Such protest are part of a rise in anti-LGBTQ demonstrations around the U.S. This past weekend, similar protests went on around the country. |
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Police commission: Cleveland City Council on Monday approved 13 nominees to the Community Police Commission, the powerful civilian body charged with oversight of Cleveland police. Now that council has approved all 13 members, the commission can begin its work of issuing discipline against officers and developing police policy and training, among other new duties, Courtney Astolfi reports. Air quality: The Cleveland Department of Public Health and a host of community partners plan to improve air-quality monitoring in disadvantaged areas of the city and devise strategies for reducing their exposure to hazardous pollution. Peter Krouse reports the expanded network of monitors will focus on fine particulates and ground-level ozone that can exacerbate asthma, a disease that inflames the airway and makes it harder to breathe. Hiring bonuses: Cleveland City Council was expected to approve $2.2 million in spending on two projects to provide benefits to dispatchers and first responders. The money, which is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, includes $1.9 million to provide $3,000 signing bonuses for new police officers, firefighters, EMS employees and 911 dispatchers, Lucas Daprile reports. Wage theft: Cleveland City Council approved an ordinance Monday banning the city from doing business with companies found to practice wage theft and those that commit payroll fraud. Courtney Astolfi reports the new law would bar Cleveland from granting financial assistance to such companies or entering into contracts with them for city services or construction. Cleveland’s Promise: In addition to English, five languages are spoken at Almira Elementary: Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Maay Maay and Farsi. Cleveland Metropolitan Schools offer the Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy to help those students build a reading and writing foundation. House history: Over the past 165 years, a home owned by Tim Del Papa near the heart of Ohio City has served as a residence, a business, an art gallery -- and a temple for contacting spirits, once with more than 20 occupants. Now Robert Higgs reports the two-story brick structure has eight bedrooms and 3,105 square feet of living space, including the basement. |
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City Club: The City Club of Cleveland will call Playhouse Square home starting next fall. Megan Sims reports the club will move to 14,000 square feet of space with a library, conference room and offices at 1317 Euclid Ave., a few blocks east of its current location. Flu season: In comparison to flu seasons past, experts say this one is looking like it’s going to be a doozy ― particularly for children. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports the good news is the flu vaccine is spot on, and while it may not keep kids from getting the flu, it could keep them out of the hospital. HOF waterpark: The Hall of Fame Village area in Canton has been a construction zone with ongoing projects, planned restaurants and buildings popping up near a renovated Tom Benson Stadium. Marc Bona reports officials broke ground Monday in the latest phase: a waterpark. |
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Akron school lockdown: Two schools went into lockdown Monday afternoon when authorities learned that a student had brought a gun to school. Before 2 p.m. Monday, a group of seventh- and eighth-grade students at Litchfield Community Learning Center informed several staff members of a rumor that a student had a weapon in his bag, reports Molly Walsh. 14-year-old arrested: A 14-year-old boy was arrested Monday after police say he shot an 18-year old after arguing at a convenience door drive-thru. Olivia Mitchell reports the 14-year-old boy is accused of shooting Lawrence McKissic in the head on Nov. 19 and stealing his firearm before he ran away from the scene. Racist letters: Racist letters were placed in apartment complexes throughout Cuyahoga Falls, leaving residents worried about their safety and angry about the hateful messages. Molly Walsh reports there was a letter using slurs toward Black people and other intimidating language allegedly from another tenant. Police demotion: A Cleveland police commander has been demoted to lieutenant over his work with private security companies. Michael Butler earned $121,900 a year as a commander; the demotion could cut about a third of his pay. Airport breach: A 26-year-old man ripped up the radar equipment for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and left without getting caught, reports Adam Ferrise. Authorities arrested Issac Woolley only after he stole a second car in two hours, crashed that car through airport gates, drove on the runway and ran out of the airport, according to prosecutors. |
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Shop local: Cleveland Shops is made up of 40 locally owned, independent retailers, aiming to be to stores what Cleveland Independents is to local restaurants. The goal is to build awareness of and encourage shopping at local brick-and-mortar stores instead of online retailers like Amazon, reports Paris Wolfe. Artisan foods: We spend much of the year trying to shop and eat responsibly, sourcing things from locally owned and eco-friendly businesses. Let’s not blow it during the holidays. Paris Wolfe compiles a list of artisan food items that could be used as stocking stuffers, host/hostess gifts or basket fillers. Grammy Museum: Despite being more than 2,000 miles apart, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles have a shared history. Troy Smith runs through the connections. St. Nick Day: Did you leave your shoes out? Today is St. Nicholas Day, also known as the Feast of St. Nicholas, a Christian holiday honoring St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Russia and Greece who was noted for his generosity, especially toward children and the needy, reports Zachary Smith. RV Rocking: The Kinzbachs always cover a lot of ground, literally on their RV travels and figuratively in their podcast. This week, they chat with Mark Cheplowitz, who with his dog Mirto (named after an Italian after-dinner drink) took their first RV trip and had an interesting experience. |
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Man has vehicle carjacked outside Akron manufacturing plant Read more Police seek suspects in slaying of Cleveland man in Maple Heights Read more Cleveland teenager in critical condition after being struck by vehicle Read more Euclid man killed at gas station in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood Read more Medina City Schools reviewing policies in wake of bus driver’s OVI arrest Read more John Carroll University plans mixed-use development at its Fairmount Circle gateway Read more Solon council approves redevelopment of Circle K gas station, convenience store Read more Avon Lake community gets first look at potential school renovations or construction Read more Shipping container ‘she sheds’? Not in Strongsville; council approves ban Read more Akron Children’s Hospital unveils expanded $14M Rehabilitative Services department Read more |
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