All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information. The organizations cited are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting and announcements.
Local
At a meeting this month, the Ohio University Board of Trustees voted to establish new undergraduate degree programs in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity engineering. The board also approved various capital projects, including $1.9 million to renovate learning spaces in Bentley and Morton Halls. (Ohio University)
The city of Athens has put the SR 56 Lift Station Sewer Improvements project out for rebid. Sealed bids for the project will be accepted until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, when submissions will be opened and read. The project, estimated to cost $1.6 million, includes construction of a new submersible wastewater lift station, gravity sanitary sewer, force main, and associated structural, architectural, piping, electrical, and mechanical modifications. (City of Athens)
The Athens-City County Health Department and Age-Friendly Athens County are seeking grant applications for Athens County projects supporting Ohioans 60 and over. (Athens County Commissioners)
Ohio University has closed exercise rooms and canceled group classes because temperatures in the Ping Recreation Center are too hot to be safe for exercise. (The Post)
Tri-County Career Center has been awarded a $4.2 million state grant to renovate facilities and update equipment for the diesel/ag technology program. (The 360)
State
Last week, the Ohio Senate voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, which will ban transgender healthcare for youth and effectively ban transgender girls from competing on school sports teams. The bill will now become law 90 days from the override vote, in April. (The Buckeye Flame)
- Indy context: Here’s how the bill, along with restrictive administrative rules proposed by DeWine, will affect Athens County healthcare and schools.
The Ohio Senate also voted to override the governor’s veto of a bill banning municipalities from banning flavored tobacco products, raising legal questions over home rule. The vote, which came after that on HB 68, was only the third time the senate had overridden a DeWine veto. (Statehouse News Bureau)
- Indy context: Home rule is also the central question at play in the state’s efforts to do away with the city of Athens’ ban on single-use plastic bags.
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that the amount of taxpayer money spent to send Gov. Mike DeWine and 19 family members to the SuperBowl in 2022 is not subject to Ohio’s Sunshine Laws. (Statehouse News Bureau)
U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance is on Donald Trump’s shortlist of potential running mates for this year’s presidential election. (Axios Columbus)
The three Republican candidates for Ohio’s other U.S. Senate seat, currently occupied by Democrat Sherrod Brown, debated immigration, abortion, the economy and more at a statewide, televised debate last week. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Republican Ohio Attorney General David Yostrejected, for the second time, a petition to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would expand voting rights in Ohio. Yost said the bill’s title, the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” was “highly misleading.” (Associated Press)
