Ohio Politics Explained

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. Final...

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...

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?

We discuss President Joe Biden's ballot status, a new plan to tweak the recreational marijuana law, why Republicans want to crack down on foreign campaign money and how some lawmakers want to change private school standards.