FirstEnergy defendants say $4.3 million wasn’t a bribe; senior Ohio official stole it
In their most comprehensive explanation of their innocence to date, lawyers for FirstEnergy’s ex-CEO and ex-senior vice president say their money was intended for legal clients of a now-dead ex-PUCO chairman, who stole it.
LATEST NEWS FROM SIGNAL STATEWIDE
Election 2026
Amy Acton picks former party chair as running mate in Ohio’s governor race
David Pepper, a Cincinnati-based writer and longtime party strategist, led Ohio Democrats from 2015 through 2020
Ohio governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy picks GOP legislative leader as running mate
Ramaswamy has chosen Rob McColley, the Republican leader of the Ohio Senate, who brings legislative relationships to the GOP ticket.
Ohio ends post-Election Day grace period for mail ballots after DeWine ‘reluctantly’ signs bill
DeWine cited a pending U.S. Supreme Court case as he explained why he signed a major new voting restriction into law after pledging not to.
GOVERNMENT
Ohio workers’ compensation judges are all legally unqualified, lawsuits say
Members of the Ohio Industrial Commission, which hears workers’ compensation disputes, must have six years of “recognized expertise.” All three commissioners appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine are entirely unqualified, lawsuits say.
EDUCATION
Kent State students say Senate Bill 1 cut emergency scholarships. Now they’re trying to restore them
Student organizers are launching an ambitious campaign to add $5 to the bills of all undergraduates to fund the initiative.
HEALTH
Ohio’s hemp, marijuana crackdown to begin after DeWine signs bill
Governor signed legislation to add new criminal penalties around marijuana possession and restrict sales of ‘intoxicating hemp’ products. He also killed an exemption for hemp beverages. Opponents have announced a repeal effort.
STATE SIGNALS NEWSLETTER
FirstEnergy bribery trial arrives, prosecutors signal fresh evidence to come
Ohio politics news and insights from the State Signals newsletter. Plus: Brown, Husted call for investigation into ICE shooting.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Ohio state senator failed to disclose ties to his natural gas companies, complaint says
Environmental advocates say Senate Energy Chairman Brian Chavez violated state ethics laws by failing to disclose his ownership of oil and gas companies and bidding on state contracts. State ethics officials will review the complaint.
NEWS FROM NOTUS
Federal judge temporarily maintains TPS for Haitians
The judge called out the president for making “derogatory statements” about Haitians.
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