Local
The Athens Fire Department is understaffed by at least nine firefighters, Chief Robert Rymer says. . Efforts to introduce a fire fee for Ohio University students has been repeatedly stymied, contributing to the department’s challenges. (The Post)
The Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board will receive almost $175,000 from the state Office of Criminal Justice Services to form a mobile crisis response team to help those experiencing a behavioral health crisis instead of taking them to jail. (OCJS)
Some parents in the Federal Hocking Local School District want new Superintendent Jason Spencer to change the 100-hour senior project required for graduation. (WOUB)
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio is offering home repair workshops for people to learn how to identify issues and complete basic maintenance tasks. (WOUB)
Regional
The southeast Ohio drought that has ravaged local farms is drawing attention — from local farmers and industry organizations — to Congress’s failure to pass a new farm bill that could enhance support for small farms. (WOUB)
- Indy context: Even after days of rainfall, Athens County remains in one of the worst droughts the state has ever seen.
This year, six Appalachian Ohioans received Jenco awards. Jenco awards are given to individuals who go above and beyond their paid positions to support their communities. (Foundation for Appalachian Ohio)
With 300 people missing in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending stipends and aid to households in need. Many of these households are located in the Appalachian region, which was hit with historic levels of flooding and damage. (Ohio Capital Journal)
State
Ohio’s Issue 1 would remove politicians from the state’s redistricting process, yet both the no and yes campaigns are claiming their side will end gerrymandering. News 5 Cleveland takes a deep dive into what a yes or no vote really means. (News 5 Cleveland)
The ongoing drought is heightening concerns about the amount of water used in fracking. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is limiting withdrawals from local waterways in an attempt to conserve water. (Energy News Network)
Ohio’s new partisan system for electing state supreme court justices is racking up hundreds of thousands in campaign spending. Opponents of the system argue it increases the politicization of the court. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Ohio county election officials are dealing with a surge of voter registration challenges ahead of the 2024 election, largely driven by conservative groups aiming to influence voter rolls. Hundreds of voters’ registration documents have been challenged or thrown out. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Congress has postponed passage of a five-year farm bill after struggling to agree on funding. If the bill isn’t passed soon, agricultural programs and benefits could lapse, severely affecting rural farmers and communities. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Ohio saw record numbers of abortions in 2023, with an 80% increase in out-of-state patients seeking care in Ohio. Although Ohio voters added abortion rights to the state constitution last year, the 2024 Ohio Supreme Court election will shape the state’s interpretation of that decision. (Statehouse News Bureau)
