Local
The Athens City-County Health Department received a shipment of new 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are available to those ages five and older. To schedule an appointment, call 740-592-4431. (Athens City-County Health Department)
To address child care shortages, the Ohio University Faculty Senate passed a resolution encouraging professors to allow students to bring their children to class. An educational task force will form to support recommendations to faculty on the issue. (The Post)
Starting on Sept. 3, Ohio University will host a traveling art exhibit in which hundreds of backpacks will line the college green. The exhibit aims to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health resources while telling the stories of individuals who lost a loved one to suicide. (Ohio University)
With new government funding for biofuel research, Sarah Davis, a professor in the Ohio University George Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, published a report on the viability of a local grass species as a biofuel source. (Ohio University)
Regional
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin opened the Appalachian Regional Hydrogen Hub in Morgantown, West Virginia last week. The hub is the result of a public-private consortium which gave nearly $925 million federal dollars to Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for clean energy projects. (The Allegheny Front)
State
The United States Department of Agriculture has declared 22 Ohio counties — including Athens — as natural disaster areas due to drought. This will allow farmers to apply for emergency federal loans. Athens and Meigs counties are breaking records as they are undergoing exceptional drought conditions for the first time in the state’s recorded history. (The Columbus Dispatch)
- Indy context: A local weather expert told the Independent that damage from the rain loss for local wildlife and farmlands may be “unrecoverable.”
Ohio advocacy group Citizens Not Politicians filed a lawsuit against the Ohio Ballot Board following the board’s approval of wording for an anti-gerrymandering amendment to appear on the November ballot. The advocacy group claims the wording violates Ohio’s state constitution. They urge the Ohio Ballot Board to “start over.” (Ohio Capital Journal)
Three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court will be up for grabs on the November ballot. The election will determine which party holds a majority on the court, which will hear key Ohio cases (e.g., cases related to anti-abortion laws, redistricting and school vouchers). (Ohio Capital Journal)
Following a Franklin County court ruling, many abortion providers across Ohio are now permitted to provide same-day abortions, rather than waiting 24 hours. (Statehouse News Bureau)
As a national conservative group prepares to honor those who attacked the U.S. capital during the Jan. 6 insurrection, The Columbus Dispatch breaks down the legal statuses of the 79 Ohioans accused of participating in the insurrection. (The Columbus Dispatch)
- Indy context: Among those convicted and sentenced for their involvement are two Albany individuals.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost defends his lawsuit against the Ohio individuals accused of corrupting the Ohio teacher’s pension fund. Meanwhile, a faction seeking reform of the pension fund argues the lawsuit is a “sham” seeking to stymie democratically elected officials. The case puts nearly $70 billion of retirement funds in the middle of the legal battle. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A federal judge struck down part of an Ohio ban on foreign nationals making donations to ballot issue campaigns. Watson cited the first amendment right to free speech. According to Watson, allowing green card holders to serve in the military but not donate to ballot issues is illogical. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially withdrew his name from the Ohio presidential ballot just days after submitting a form placing him on the ballot in the first place. Due to his late resignation, he will still appear on the ballot in several battleground states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada). (WOSU)
