Latest news with #CincinnatiCityCouncil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3 Greater Cincinnati areas on Trump administration 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list
Three Greater Cincinnati areas are defying federal immigration law, according to a new list published by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump issued an executive order April 28 directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to release a list of "sanctuary jurisdictions" obstructing "the enforcement of federal immigration laws." These jurisdictions made the list in Ohio: Cincinnati Columbus Franklin County Lorain County Warren County These made the list in Kentucky: Campbell County (misspelled as Cambell County) Franklin County Jefferson County Scott County Louisville The executive order calls for federal funds going toward these jurisdictions to be suspended or terminated, and for Homeland Security to "pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures" to make them compliant with federal immigration law. Officials in Republican-leaning Warren and Campbell counties told The Enquirer their inclusion on the list was a mistake. The Cincinnati City Council in 2017 declared Cincinnati a "sanctuary city," but the label was symbolic and didn't lead to any concrete policies. The declaration occurred before the current city council and Mayor Aftab Pureval entered office. Though the label doesn't carry any specific policies, the current council is aware it could jeopardize federal funding to the city. Pureval previously told The Enquirer Cincinnati would remain a "welcoming community," but that the city would follow federal immigration laws. "If the president of the United States, backed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, wants to do something as it relates to immigration, then they're going to do it," Pureval said on The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast in January. "And there's no mayor in the country, particularly a mayor of a blue city in a red state that's going to be able to do anything about it." City officials did not immediately return The Enquirer's request for comment. This story was updated to include all Ohio and Kentucky jurisdictions on the list. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 3 Greater Cincinnati areas make DHS 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PG Sittenfeld pardoned: A timeline of his political career and corruption case
Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld, who was convicted on federal bribery and extortion charges, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump. Sittenfeld had been held in a federal prison in Ashland, Kentucky, where he was serving a 16-month sentence on federal corruption charges before he was released pending an appeal that was ultimately denied. It was a stunning fall from grace for the popular and charismatic politician who was on track to be Cincinnati's next mayor. Sittenfeld, 39, was sentenced to serve 16 months for bribery and attempted extortion. PG Sittenfeld: Trump pardons former Cincinnati councilman convicted of bribery, per report Here's how he went from City Hall to federal prison and back home: 2011: At 27, Sittenfeld is the youngest person ever to be elected to Cincinnati City Council. He, Chris Seelbach and Yvette Simpson are hailed as a new generation of leaders. 2013: Council terms are extended to four years. Sittenfeld is the No. 1 vote-getter in the field of nine. 2017: Sittenfeld is re-elected, again the top vote-getter. He would be term-limited after this term and is rumored to be eyeing a 2021 mayoral run. It's a politically tumultuous time at city politics. Unbeknownst to anyone at City Hall, the FBI has opened an investigation into how development deals were being handled, a fact that wouldn't come out until much later at trial. 2018: Sittenfeld and four other City Council members attempt to wrest power away from Mayor John Cranley, with contentious fights that often erupt during council meetings. Cranley is warring with City Manager Harry Black and wants council to fire Black. That's when five members of council, a majority of members that includes Sittenfeld, text among each other. The group issues a press release, which raises questions about whether they are illegally talking among themselves via text about city business. April 7, 2019: The city settles a civil lawsuit for $101,000, in which Sittenfeld and the other four council members admit those text conversations violated Ohio's Open Meetings Act. All five appear in court and are chastised by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman. July 2020: Sittenfeld announces his mayoral run. Nov. 19, 2020: Federal agents arrest Sittenfeld on corruption charges. Sittenfeld says he is innocent. The charges allege Sittenfeld orchestrated a scheme to funnel money from developers into a political action committee (PAC) that he controlled. According to the indictment, the developers were actually undercover FBI agents who handed Sittenfeld checks totaling $40,000 on three different occasions in 2018 and 2019. The indictment states Sittenfeld solicited the money in exchange for his support of a plan to develop the former Convention Place Mall at 435 Elm St., which Cincinnati developer and former Bengals player Chinedum Ndukwe had wanted to turn into a hotel and office complex with sports betting. Sittenfeld did not pocket the cash himself, the indictment states, but instead funneled it into the PAC. 'Teed up for the Supreme Court': Why PG Sittenfeld's case could have ended up in Washington DC Nov. 20, 2020: Sittenfeld releases a statement on Twitter saying he is innocent and says he intends to keep working and running for mayor. Dec. 7, 2020: Sittenfeld agrees to a suspension from his council job. Councilwoman Liz Keating is appointed to replace him. Feb. 18, 2021: Sittenfeld drops out of the mayoral race. June 21, 2022: Sittenfeld's trial begins in federal court in Cincinnati. It's filled with bombshell moments, including testimony that a fundraiser for former Mayor John Cranley took a bribe. Also, Ndukwe testifies that Sittenfeld would only approve a development at 435 Elm St. if he contributed to Sittenfeld's campaign. Federal prosecutors play numerous videos and recordings, many of them involving undercover FBI agents posing as developers. July 8, 2022: Sittenfeld is convicted on the two charges. He is acquitted on four other counts, including honest services fraud. No sentencing date is set. Aug. 15, 2022: Sittenfeld's attorneys file post-trial motions, arguing alleged juror misconduct because a juror was posting on Facebook as the trial was happening. They ask U.S. District Judge Douglas Cole, who presided over the trial, to declare a mistrial and order a forensic examination of the juror's electronic devices. April 17, 2023: Cole denies Sittenfeld's post-trial motions. June 12, 2023: Sentencing is set for Oct. 10. Sittenfeld's attorneys and federal prosecutors file sentencing memorandums recommending to Cole what they believe should happen. Oct. 10, 2023: Sittenfeld is sentenced to spend 16 months in federal prison and pay a $40,000 fine. The prison term is less than federal sentencing guidelines call for. Prosecutors had requested a longer sentence, between 33 and 41 months. Still, Cole says: "We will not tolerate corrupt people." Cole orders Sittenfeld to report to Federal Correction Institution Ashland located in Ashland, Kentucky, on Dec. 1. Nov. 29, 2023: Sittenfeld had asked the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow him to remain free while he appealed his sentence, but received no ruling as the Dec. 1 date approached. Cole delays Sittenfeld's report-to-prison date to Jan. 2. Dec. 1, 2023: Sittenfeld's request to remain free while he appeals his conviction is denied by the federal appeals court. Jan. 2, 2024: Sittenfeld reports to federal prison in Ashland, Kentucky where he was to serve his time at the prison camp. May 9, 2024: The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Sittenfeld's appeals case. At the end Sittenfeld's lawyer, Yaakov Roth, asks the three-judge panel to release Sittenfeld early if they were considering overturning the conviction. May 15, 2024: The three-judge panel releases Sittenfeld early. In a motion, the judges wrote Sittenfeld's appeal presented "a close question or one that could go either way." The panel did say, however, that it was not expressing any opinion about the ultimate outcome of the appeal. A decision will come later. May 29, 2025: President Donald Trump issues a pardon for Sittenfeld, who was preparing to take his case to the Supreme Court. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A timeline of PG Sittenfeld's career, conviction, pardon by Trump
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The protesters were louder than the music at Taste of Cincinnati
Taste of Cincinnati was crowded on Saturday, with beautiful weather and what was supposed to be a fun festival experience, until loud, screaming protesters showed up with their bullhorns, mega trucks, and big signs. They were screaming at the crowd that we were all going to hell. They must have had permits because the police did nothing, even though they were approaching people and shouting at them in the street. More: Our 6 favorite dishes at this year's Taste of Cincinnati They were everywhere: 5th and Vine, Government Square, and the entrance to the festival. They were so loud that you could not hear the band. They ruined a fun day at the festival. Citizens should not have to put up with this. Cincinnati City Council should do something about this, or we will all stay out in the suburbs. Deborah Busse, Liberty Township This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati let protesters hijack Taste of Cincinnati | Letter
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
JD Vance's brother advances to Cincinnati mayoral general election despite winning just 13% of the primary vote
Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, has advanced to November's general election in the Cincinnati, Ohio, mayoral race, despite picking up just 13 percent of the vote in Tuesday's non-partisan primary. Bowman, 36, running as a Republican, finished second in the three-way contest, a long way behind Democratic incumbent Aftab Pureval, 42, who scored 82.5 percent of the vote, but ahead of fellow Republican Brian Frank, 66, who picked up just 4.6 percent. The result means that Frank is eliminated, setting up a two-horse race between Pureval and Bowman on November 4. Left to right: Incumbent Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Republican challengers Cory Bowman and Brian Frank (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Cincinnati is a heavily Democrat-leaning city, so much so that Republicans have not fielded a candidate in its mayoral elections since future congressman Brad Wenstrup lost to incumbent Mark Mallory in 2009. That sentiment was reflected in last year's presidential race, when Kamala Harris picked up 76 percent of the vote to Donald Trump's 24 percent, an outcome at odds with the national picture. All nine of Cincinnati City Council's current members are likewise Democrats. Bowman, however, believes he can buck the trend and offer something different 'because people deserve a choice.' A pastor at the evangelical River Church in the city's West End, Bowman also owns the Kings Arms Coffee Shop in its College Hill neighborhood. He has never previously held public office but has said he was inspired by attending Trump and Vance's inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in January. 'As I was flying back here from the inauguration, it occurred to me that I could do something to serve the community,' he has said. Bowman shares a father with Vance, although they have different mothers. The future VP reportedly spent time on the Bowman farm in Preble County during his youth, and the younger brother describes their relationship as a 'friendly sibling rivalry.' Vance himself has not campaigned on his relative's behalf but did send a message of support on X this week, describing Bowman as 'a good guy with a heart for serving his community... Get out there and vote for him.' Cincinnati mayoral candidate and River Church pastor Cory Bowman, who is Vice President JD Vance's half brother, preaches during Easter worship on Sunday April 20 in Cincinnati, Ohio (AP) Reacting to his showing in Tuesday's primary, Bowman said: 'What I will say is that it looks like [Pureval] had a good head start, but we're kind of catching up a little bit... So once I see the numbers there, I'll know what our mission, our focus needs to be going into November.' Pureval responded to his commanding win by thanking his supporters and saying the city remains 'on the right path.' 'Based on the early returns, I'm incredibly grateful for the citizens of Cincinnati giving us an opportunity,' he said. 'Hopefully, it makes a positive statement. I'm not sure I can read anything into it other than the people think the city is on the right path.' However, he also warned against complacency among citizens, noting the worrying low turnout, which saw just 10 percent of eligible voters turn up to cast their ballots. 'Given the chaos and uncertainty from the federal government, now is the time for voters to be engaged and exercising their voice,' the mayor said. 'That is also on me. I've got to do a better job of making government relevant to people and making sure they see themselves in their local government.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hyde Park project latest test to see if Mark Twain was right about Cincinnati
The quote about Cincinnati being "20 years behind the times" is commonly attributed to Mark Twain. No one knows for sure whether the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" author really said it, but it's a funny line nonetheless − until you realize how often it rings true. For all of our charm and tradition, Cincinnati has a long history of resisting change. We hesitate. We debate. And while we stall, other cities surge ahead. The proposed redevelopment of Hyde Park Square is our latest test. And if we don't start embracing smart, intentional growth, we're going to fail it. As someone who has spent 13 of the past 14 years living in Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout − and as a lifelong Cincinnatian − I care deeply about the direction of our city. Like many others, I've been watching the conversation around this project with great interest. And I believe it's exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment our neighborhood needs. More: Where they stand: Cincinnati City Council on controversial Hyde Park Square rezoning You've likely heard the opposition to the plan. They've made their voices loud and clear. But there's another side to this story − one that's often quieter but no less important. I, and many others like me, believe this project offers an overdue opportunity to breathe new life into the Square. Because let's be honest: Hyde Park Square is iconic, but it's not thriving. Take a walk around, and the signs are obvious − empty storefronts, quiet evenings, and a general sense that this once-bustling district is coasting on nostalgia more than momentum. Despite living nearby for over a decade, I've rarely chosen the Square for dinner or a night out. Not because I don't want to, but because it simply isn't the kind of destination it should be. We can't afford to be sentimental at the expense of sustainability. If we want vibrant neighborhoods, we have to support the kind of development that brings in people, energy, and investment. Look no further than our neighbors: Loveland, Milford, Mt. Lookout, Over-the-Rhine, Clifton, Newport, Covington − even Norwood with its Factory 52 project. These places leaned into progress and are better for it. Why shouldn't Hyde Park do the same? More: Cincinnati council should respect Hyde Park and reject this oversized proposal | Opinion Opponents of the project aren't rejecting the need for change; they're rejecting how that change is being proposed. And that distinction is important. Because when even the critics acknowledge that Hyde Park Square has lost its spark, it signals a broad consensus: something needs to happen. So, the question isn't if we act, it's whether we'll let disagreement over details derail momentum altogether. Of course, the "how" matters. Thoughtful design, traffic considerations, and community input are all critical. But using those concerns as a reason to reject the project outright is short-sighted. It's like refusing to renovate a crumbling home because you can't agree on the paint color. We can − and should − work through the finer points. But we cannot let perfectionism become paralysis. The longer we wait, the more we risk watching Hyde Park slip further into irrelevance − not because it lacks potential, but because we lacked the courage to pursue it. And let's be clear: If we don't support the Cincinnati-based developers who understand our city, we leave ourselves vulnerable to out-of-town investors who don't have to live with the consequences of their decisions. That rarely ends well. More: Sharing Hyde Park with more neighbors won't destroy its charm. It'll enhance it | Opinion This isn't just about one corner of Cincinnati. It's about how we see ourselves as a city. Are we a place that's willing to evolve, to grow, to invest in the future? Or are we content to live in the shadow of what used to be? The redevelopment of Hyde Park Square is more than a building project − it's a chance to show that Cincinnati can still lead, still adapt, still move forward. I hope we rise to meet the moment. Kevin Zilch lives in Hyde Park. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: If Cincinnati loves Hyde Park Square, then let it grow | Opinion
