New data: Nearly half of Ohio families don’t make enough to meet basic living costs—even if they’re above the poverty line. For single parents, it’s nearly 90%.
Author Archives: Ohio Capital Journal
Posted inEQUITY
Black Women Face Higher Preterm Birth Rates in States With Abortion Bans, Study Finds
A new public health study is shedding light on the real-life impact of abortion bans—and the findings point to growing risks for Black women. Researchers found that in states with strict abortion restrictions, preterm birth rates among Black women increased beyond expected levels, raising urgent questions about access to care, systemic inequities, and maternal health outcomes in a post-Dobbs America.
Posted inCollege & University
Ohio Colleges See Big Changes as New Law Takes Hold
More than 313,000 students are enrolled at Ohio’s public colleges this fall, but new state laws banning diversity programs and regulating faculty could reshape who gets access to higher education. What do these changes mean for Black students, families, and Ohio’s future workforce?
Posted inGOVERNMENT
Ohio Senate Democrats introduce bill to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029
Ohio lawmakers are renewing efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Senate Bill 234, introduced by Sens. Kent Smith and Hearcel Craig, would boost wages by $1 each year starting in 2026, reaching $15 by 2029. The bill would also eliminate…
Posted inOHIO
Ohio Democrats propose letting voters sign up to always use absentee ballots
streamlining mail-in voting and reducing paperwork for frequent absentee voters.
Posted inCollege & University
Professors at Ohio’s only public HBCU worry new higher education law will have a chilling effect
Professors at Ohio’s only public HBCU, Central State University, are concerned that a new controversial higher education law will have a chilling effect on their campus, potentially limiting their ability to teach about controversial topics and affecting students’ access to scholarships and grants.
Posted inNATIONAL & BEYOND
U.S. Supreme Court pauses deportations under wartime law
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the removal of migrants under the Alien Enemies Act until the high court considers the case of several migrants in Texas whose lawyers say are at risk for “imminent removal”.
Posted inCollege & University
Trump administration revokes visas for international students at numerous Ohio universities
The Trump administration has revoked visas for international students at various Ohio universities, including Ohio State, Kent State, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Akron, as part of an executive order to review all visa programs and ensure foreign nationals do not pose a threat to national security.
Posted inOHIO
Ohio House budget cuts child health programs, including pediatric cancer research
The Ohio House budget proposal includes cuts to Medicaid expansion, pediatric cancer research, and infant mortality programs, which will likely create significant economic and health challenges for Ohio’s low-wage workers and children.
Posted inColumbus & Statehouse-
Ohio Senate committee hears opposition to bill modifying marijuana law
Ohio Senate General Government Committee discusses significant changes to marijuana law, including THC limits and home grow restrictions, amidst strong opposition from opponents.