Ohio Politics Explained

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined Ohio Politics Explained to discuss his new job, higher education and whether he's thinking about a run for governor in 2026.

We discuss how Trump tariffs are affecting Ohio's pension systems, a new House Bill 6 documentary, a court ruling on Ohio's social media law for teens and why lawmakers don't want coroners to be elected.

We dissect Ohio's school voucher program and whether it's working as Republican lawmakers intended.

We discuss the two-year budget that passed the House, a key endorsement for Sen. Jon Husted and a proposal to ban China and Russia from buying property in Ohio.

We discuss a budget plan from House lawmakers, how Ohio Democrats are navigating Trump's second term and a new proposal to limit teens' social media use.

We discuss legislation to regulate hemp in Ohio, Sherrod Brown's next steps, the latest with Ohio's teacher pension system and how a Trump executive order could shape elections.

We discuss the latest on the higher ed bill, Sherrod Brown's next steps, whether Ohio could eliminate the state income tax and a lawsuit over Ohio's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's State of the State address, an Ohio Supreme Court case involving a former Columbus pastor and the latest directive to universities from the Trump administration.

Ohio fails to hold dog owners accountable when their dogs maim and even kill people, an investigation by USA TODAY Network Ohio found.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition, we recap how President Donald Trump called on Congress to eliminate the CHIPS Act, talk about how Ohio’s marijuana program is likely to see some changes, and mention what’s happening with DEI and Senate Bill 1. Finally, we discuss Ohio’s governor race and the endorsements that Vivek Ramaswamy recently received.

We discuss DEI programs at Ohio colleges, a new transgender bathroom law, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign launch and a bill to change Ohio's marijuana program.

We discuss how the Trump administration could affect Ohio's universities and Medicaid program, possible changes to Ohio's marijuana law and the latest on Gov. Mike DeWine's return-to-work order.

We discuss Jim Tressel's appointment as lieutenant governor, a controversial higher ed bill passed by the Senate, the state of JobsOhio, and more.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget proposal, Larry Householder's appeal, a new bill to regulate underage drinking and the musical chairs of the 2026 election.

We discuss how President Donald Trump's immigration policies are affecting Ohio, proposed changes to the recreational marijuana law, a new plan to end the death penalty and why parents want the state to take action on child care.

We discuss Inauguration Day, the 2026 governor's race, new indictments in the House Bill 6 scandal and a bill that would eliminate DEI at universities.

We discuss the latest on Inauguration Day, potential changes to Ohio's Medicaid program and how the Ohio Republican Party chair made waves this week.

We discuss the latest with Ohio's Senate appointment, a new legislative session, which bills just became law and the first Democrat to join the 2026 race for governor.

We discuss the end of this year's lame duck session and what's ahead for Ohio politics in 2025.

We talk with one of Ohio's longest-serving lawmakers as he prepares to retire this month.

We discuss the latest on fracking, a bill that would ban the teaching of "gender ideology" in schools, whether lawmakers will pass a hemp ban and which Ohioans got pardoned by President Joe Biden.

We discuss depressed Democratic turnout in the Nov. 5 election, a controversial pension bill, another fight over Ohio's abortion laws and why an Amish order is suing the state. 

We discuss the battle for Ohio House speaker, the outcome of the 9th Congressional District race, how Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno views Donald Trump's cabinet picks and what might be next for Sen. Sherrod Brown.

We discuss the campaign for Vice President-elect JD Vance's Senate seat and how Ohio lawmakers will spend the final weeks of their two-year legislative session.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition we recap Tuesday's general election and breakdown all the important race outcomes.

We break down the key races and issues on Ohio's Nov. 5 ballot.

We discuss mass voter challenges, an Ohio Supreme Court ruling on animal abuse, why infant deaths are increasing and how Ohio officials accidentally charged a dead person with illegal voting.

We discuss new rules for who can use ballot drop boxes, the current state of our congressional map, how transgender issues are dominating the Ohio Senate race and why House Republicans owe $1.6 million.

We discuss a key Ohio congressional race, why the Senate candidates may not debate, the status of a law banning foreign campaign contributions and how lawmakers are spending money on private schools.

We talk with supporters and opponents of Issue 1 and explain everything you need to know about the November ballot measure.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition we recap Tuesday's Vice Presidential debate. talk about how Ohio's voter registration deadline is quickly approaching, and discuss the recent abortion data that came out earlier this week.

We discuss the race between Sen. Sherrod Brown and businessman Bernie Moreno and how Ohio could tip the scales in the U.S. Senate.

We discuss why Bernie Moreno is facing criticism for his abortion comments, the latest infighting in Ohio's teacher pension system, a key endorsement for the anti-Issue 1 campaign and why Larry Householder is still spending campaign money.

We discuss the candidates running for Ohio Supreme Court in November and which issues are dominating those races.

We discuss the latest news out of Springfield, threats against Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office, what happened with the Issue 1 lawsuit and the state of Ohio's youth prisons. 

We break down how Springfield found itself in the middle of a national immigration debate - and what is and is not happening in the community.

We discuss Sen. JD Vance's record on addiction recovery, the status of Larry Householder's appeal, an effort by Republicans to recruit poll watchers for Ohio and how lawmakers want to change the rules around name, image and likeness.

We discuss the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and who showed up from Ohio -- and didn't.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Erin Glynn on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition we preview next week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, how JD Vance and Tim Walz will face off in an official debate, and recap everything that happened in Ohio's first week of recreational marijuana sales. Finally, we talk about how Ohio Secretary of state Frank LaRose announced election violation allegations, and how the Ohio Supreme Court will decide a frozen embryo case between a devoiced couple.

A decade ago, Ohio's former deputy state treasurer Amer Ahmad fled the country to avoid sentencing in federal court in a bribery and kickback scheme − traveling to San Diego, walking into Mexico and flying to Pakistan with a suitcase full of cash. Retired FBI agent Jeff Williams joined Ohio Politics Explained podcast to dust off the details on this nearly forgotten public corruption case. Williams served as team leader of a Columbus-based public corruption team that investigated the case.

Campaigns to rein in payday lending led to the downfall of two Democrats serving in the Ohio House: Carlton Weddington and Clayton Luckie. Retired FBI agent Jeff Williams joined the Ohio Politics Explained podcast recently to talk about how one case led to the next and what lessons can be learned.

We discuss the launch of recreational marijuana sales, how Sen. Sherrod Brown is snubbing his party, the latest in a fight for transgender health care for minors and why Ohio leaders are talking about redistricting in Iowa.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's take on the redistricting proposal on the November ballot, how Ohio is modernizing state IDs, what Donald Trump said about JD Vance this week and why the state is removing people from the voter rolls.

We discuss the latest in the presidential race, a proposal to change how Ohio draws district maps, why a federal judge blocked a state election law and how lawmakers want to help workers with disabilities.

We recap the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and how Ohio grabbed the spotlight.

We discuss the fallout in Ohio from the first debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, how a campaign to raise the minimum wage unraveled and why some lawmakers want to make it easier for students to get religious instruction.

We discuss the Legislature's final session of the summer, Attorney General Dave Yost's political future and what the veepstakes mean for Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.

We discuss a 2018 donation from FirstEnergy to help Gov. Mike DeWine, a bill that aims to help people with developmental disabilities, what's happening with Ohio's Senate race how a federal court ruling could affect LGBTQ Ohioans.

We discuss a fight over hospital price transparency, the results of Ohio's 6th Congressional District special election, why lawmakers want to ban ticket quotas and how much the state could spend on local projects.

We discuss the status of recreational marijuana in Ohio, how lawmakers want to tackle high property taxes, what Republicans are saying about Trump's conviction and the status of a controversial higher education bill.

A USA TODAY Network Ohio investigation found at least 219 people died in county jails over four years. Where is the system falling short?