Local
Southeast Ohio Foodbank will lose a total of 162,151 pounds of food as a result of the Trump administration’s decision to cancel $500 million in federal shipments to food banks. HAPCAP Development Director Eva Bloom said now-canceled local shipments included eggs, meat, dairy, and vegetables. The federal move follows Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal to cut $15 million from food banks in the state’s biennial budget. (WOUB)
Former Chauncey librarian Tessa Evanosky and Megan Riddlebarger, former director of the now-closed Sycamore Run Early Childhood Center in Athens, are among the two dozen residents of Central Appalachia whose experiences as child care providers during the COVID-19 lockdown will be archived at the Library of Congress. (The Ohio Newsroom)
The Athens Police Department and Athens County Prosecutor’s Office will receive $56,889.83 and $52,632.31, respectively, in grants from the federal Violence Against Women Act administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services. (OCJS)
The Athens County Independent announces the retirement of its founding mascot, Scoop O’Possum. The controversial marsupial is succeeded by Kicker, an area raccoon. (Athens County Independent)
State
Last week Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law The Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, or Senate Bill 1, eliminating and outlawing diversity, equality and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities in the state. The new law takes effect 90 days from DeWine’s signature and also bans faculty from striking, among other changes to higher education. (Ohio Capital Journal)
- Indy context: At Ohio University, changes will likely include the closure of OU’s diversity centers, including the Pride Center, Women’s Center and Multicultural Center.
An appellate court struck down an Ohio ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth on March 18, deeming it unconstitutional. Republican lawmakers overrode DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68 in January 2024, prompting a legal challenge from the ACLU. ACLU initially lost the case, but that decision was overturned by Ohio’s Tenth District Court of Appeals. The state will appeal that decision. (The Buckeye Flame)
- Indy context: Read about the law’s impact on Athens County.
