Ohio Politics Explained

We discuss a child abuse case in Vinton County, an ethics complaint against JobsOhio, a new law that could change traffic stops and how two U.S. Supreme Court decisions reverberated in Ohio.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's call to end capital punishment in Ohio, plus legislation that would provide property tax relief to seniors and allow students to play sports at another school.

We discuss legislation to change Medicaid and mail-in voting, the photo ID amendment heading to the November ballot and why an effort to regulate data centers went off the rails.

We sat down with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to discuss his early resignation and some of the big issues he's leaving behind.

We discuss the surge in data centers and why some Ohioans are pushing back.

We discuss a lawsuit over school vouchers, a proposal to slash the gas tax and why Ohio is getting a new attorney general.

We discuss the May 5 primary results and what lies ahead for the 2026 election.

We discuss the key races on Ohio's May 5 primary ballot and what you need to know to vote.

We discuss the ongoing fight over abortion access, potential changes to Medicaid, a recent visit from former Vice President Mike Pence and the latest effort to rein in JobsOhio.

We discuss Sen. Jon Husted's push for voter photo ID, Vivek Ramaswamy's plan to cut property taxes, the outcome of the FirstEnergy bribery trial, and an effort to reverse Ohio's ban on THC drinks.

We discuss the prevalence of drug smuggling in Ohio's prisons and what the state can do to stem the tide.

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 talk about Ohio’s upcoming May primary election, JobsOhio, and how a new dangerous dog law takes effect on March 20. Finally, we discuss how Ohio is restricting THC drinks and hemp products.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's final State of the State, President Donald Trump's visit to southwest Ohio and why Sen. Jon Husted testified in a case tied to the House Bill 6 scandal.

We discuss the sudden resignation of former Ohio State University president Ted Carter and what comes next.

We discuss Ohio's cannabis referendum, sports teams that want to spend unclaimed funds, a request for voter information from the Department of Justice and why Sen. Jon Husted will likely testify in a corruption trial.

We discuss Ohio billionaire Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his Feb. 18 testimony before a congressional panel.

Ohio lawmakers passed a major overhaul of the property tax system. Is it enough to help homeowners?

We discuss an effort to repeal the new marijuana and hemp law, what happened in Springfield this week and who's winning the money race for Ohio governor.

We discuss why Ohio is preparing for immigration enforcement in Springfield and a new trial starting in the House Bill 6 scandal.

We discuss Vice President JD Vance's visit to Toledo, a sharp drop in health care enrollment and legislation to ban 17-year-olds from getting married.

We discuss rumors about Columbus day cares, the U.S. attack on Venezuela and who Ohio's governor candidates chose as their running mates.

Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporters Laura Bischoff and Jessie Balmert to look back on big moments that happened in Ohio politics in 2025. During this episode, we also talk about what we’re looking ahead to in 2026.

We discuss why childcare is so expensive in Ohio and what state officials are trying to do about it.

We discuss bills before Gov. Mike DeWine that could slash property taxes and change Ohio's recreational marijuana law.

We discuss the end of the federal government shutdown, the latest in the Ohio governor's race and a bill dealing with religious alternatives to health care.