Latest news with #OhioSupremeCourt
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
It's Pride Month. Is Ohio a safe state for gay and transgender people? What new research says
Pride Month, celebrated annually in June, honors the culture and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans across the nation through parades, educational events, and more. A new ranking recently released by global LGBTQ+ business platform Out Leadership reveals the most and least welcoming states for members of the LGBT community. In addition to a national overall decline, the researchers say that Ohio saw steep drops in the rankings because of laws targeting LGBTQ+ youth. Here's how Ohio ranks among LGBT-friendly states. State rankings show Ohio landing at No. 39 out of the 50 states, barely escaping the bottom 10 in the 2025 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index from Out Leadership. Ohio scored 42.35 out of a possible 100 points. Florida came in at No. 40 with a 42.20 score. Indiana was No. 38 overall (42.67), and Kentucky scored 43.25 points to rank No. 37. The Buckeye State experienced the steepest decline out of all its neighboring Midwestern states, coming in second-last when ranked by region. The analysis also pointed to increased polarization surrounding gay and trans rights as well as a surge in bills that challenge LGBT rights like the 'Don't Say Gay' laws expanded in states like Florida, Ohio, and Texas. This is the second year that Ohio was considered one of the most unsafe states to live in as an LGBTQ+ American. The Out Leadership study scored states in five categories. Each category was worth up to 20 points toward the final score for each state. Here's how Ohio scored: Legal and nondiscrimination protection (13.75) Youth and family support (7.4) Political and religious attitudes (9.2) Health access and safety (6.0) Work environment and employment (6.0) Over the years, Ohio legislators have introduced a wave of bills surrounding the LGBT community. Ohio lawmakers have legislated several state-level bills around LGBTQ issues. Gov. Mike DeWine signed a transgender bathroom ban into law in November 2024. Similarly, DeWine signed House Bill 8, known as the "Parents' Bill of Rights," which would require teachers to notify parents about health and gender identity. The proposed House Bill 190 would require parental permission for name and pronoun changes for students. Senate Bill 132 and House Bill 61, the "Save Women's Sports Act" that pushed to ban transgender girls from playing on female sports teams in Ohio, advanced to the DeWine's desk. So did Senate Bill 50, which would ban conversion therapy for minors. In April 2025, the Ohio Supreme Court reinstated a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors under House Bill 68. "We look forward to showing once again that the Legislature acted properly in enacting this constitutional law, which protects our children from irreversible medical decisions," Attorney General Dave Yost spokesperson Bethany McCorkle said. Challenging the bill, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Harper Seldin stated, "The state's ban is discriminatory, baseless and a danger to the well-being of the same Ohio youth lawmakers claim to want to protect. It's also part of a sweeping effort to drive trans people out of public life altogether by controlling our health care, our families and our lives," the Dispatch reported. Ohio is one of 32 states with unenforceable same-sex marriage bans in laws or constitutions, despite growing support among the public. Certain bills have been introduced that support LGBT rights, such as the Ohio Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. However, these bills have not been signed into law since being introduced years ago. These 10 states scored the worst in the Out Leadership rankings. Arkansas (29.50) South Carolina (32.15) Louisiana (33.00) South Dakota (34.80) Tennessee (35.00) Mississippi (37.27) Oklahoma (37.62) Alabama (39.40) Montana (40.62) Idaho (42.07) Massachusetts (93.67) New York (93.67) Connecticut (92.27) New Jersey (90.00) Vermont (89.50) This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Is Ohio safe for gay and transgender people? What new study says
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
One of NE Ohio's most notorious killers wants out of prison — again
AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — One of Northeast Ohio's most notorious killers is making a bid to get out of prison, again. Doug Prade, a former Akron police captain convicted of killing his ex-wife, Dr. Margo Prade, will have his first parole hearing Wednesday, June 4. Ground beef sold nationwide possibly contaminated with E. Coli Prade is serving 20 years to life at the Marion Correctional Institution. He was convicted of his-ex-wife's murder in 1998. Last week, Fox 8's Dave Nethers, spoke with one of the Prades' dearest friends. Donzella Anuszkiewicz, who also is a former federal investigator said, 'There's no doubt in my mind that he did it.' Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba in tap water The Prades had divorced, but friends, family, and court testimony show he continued to harass and threaten his ex-wife. 'We were very afraid for Margo,' said Anuszkiewicz. On the day before Thanksgiving 1997, Margo was shot six times inside her minivan parked outside of her Akron medical office. Doug Prade has maintained his innocence and in 2013 his conviction was overturned. Your Ohio electric bills are probably going up in June He was released from prison based on DNA evidence related to a bite mark on Dr. Prade's lab coat. Eighteen months later, he was back behind bars. That evidence was rejected. Wednesday, Prade will go before a parole committee, a small group of parole board members, who will hear his plea for release. Within days, they will make a recommendation to the full board. If they recommend parole, there will be a full hearing with lawyers and victims permitted to speak. Six years ago, when Doug Prade's appeals were rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court, then Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said the former police captain was right where he belonged. 'It was just a vicious murder and he deserves to serve a very long time in prison,' said Walsh. 'He had been harassing her, He had been illegally wiretapping her phone, threatening her, and assaulting her. She was terrified of him.' Traditionally, the inmate is allowed to have an attorney present at the parole committee hearing, however, only Doug Prade will be permitted to speak. The committee will then make a recommendation to the full parole board in the coming days. If they favor release, they'll hold the larger hearing before making a final decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hamilton County judge, who has been on medical leave for a year, announces retirement
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Tom Heekin, who has been on medical leave for more than a year, has decided to retire from the bench. Heekin is undergoing treatment for cancer. He has served as a judge since 2016 when he was appointed by then-Gov. John Kasich. He was elected to a second, six-year term in November 2022 and had four years left in that term Heekin, 64, started his medical leave in April 2024. Since that time, Robert Ruehlman, a retired judge, has been handling Heekin's cases. The Ohio Supreme Court appointed Ruehlman on a temporary basis, officials said. He served as a common pleas judge in Hamilton County for 36 years. It is Gov. Mike DeWine's responsibility to appoint Heekin's successor. In a statement, Court Administrator Thomas Beridon said Heekin's tenure was "marked by his deep understanding of the law, his respect for all who entered his courtroom and his steady leadership." "We are profoundly grateful for his faithful service and continued partnership through this period of transition," Beridon said. Heekin's late father, Tom Heekin Sr., was a municipal judge and common pleas judge in Hamilton County decades ago. Ruehlman, in fact, worked for Heekin's father in the 1970s as a law clerk. Heekin is a graduate of Princeton High School. He received his law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1988. He was an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County for several years and later founded the law firm Heekin & Heekin with his brother, Christopher. Heekin was a longtime Republican. But when he ran for reelection in 2022, he switched parties and became a Democrat. In a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine's office, Heekin announced that his retirement will be effective Friday, May 30. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County Judge Tom Heekin announces retirement
28-05-2025
- Politics
Ohio Supreme Court's Pat Fischer launches 2026 bid to oust court's lone Democrat, Jennifer Brunner
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Voters will again see two sitting Ohio Supreme Court justices pitted against each other in 2026, after Justice Pat Fischer announced a bid Wednesday to unseat Justice Jennifer Brunner with two years left on his current term. The seven-member high court holds final sway over the fate of many state laws and constitutional issues, dealing with everything from abortion, religion and LGBTQ+ matters to schools, election administration and redistricting. At 67, Fischer, a Republican, would be ineligible due to constitutional age limits from running by the time his six-term term expires in 2028. He said he'll instead face off against the 68-year-old Brunner, the only justice up for reelection next year and Ohio's only Democratic statewide officeholder. The formula worked last year for Republican Justice Joe Deters, who was initially appointed to the court. Rather than run for the remainder of his existing term, he chose to run against incumbent Democratic Justice Melody Stewart and won. His decision created an open seat on the high court, one of two also won by Republicans — leaving Brunner as the court's lone Democrat. In his written announcement, Fischer described himself as 'a reliable Christian Conservative.' He was first elected to the court in 2016 and was reelected in 2022. 'Ohioans deserve a Justice who will fight for Conservative values, respect the Constitution and not legislate from the bench,' he said. 'I have a record of this and look forward to once again earning the support of the Ohio Republican Party and all Ohioans.' Brunner, a former Ohio secretary of state who's served on the court since 2021, filed suit in 2023 against a new Republican-backed state law that requires certain judicial candidates to declare their party affiliation on ballots. The law was passed as the state was tilting increasingly Republican but as Ohio Democrats were having some success in high court races. 'In a Brunner vs. Fischer race the differences will be stark and obvious,' she said in a texted statement. 'Party affiliation should be our last concern as judges. It's clear this is the primary aim in my colleague's approach — and that's unfortunate.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ohio Supreme Court's Pat Fischer launches 2026 bid to oust court's lone Democrat, Jennifer Brunner
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Voters will again see two sitting Ohio Supreme Court justices pitted against each other in 2026, after Justice Pat Fischer announced a bid Wednesday to unseat Justice Jennifer Brunner with two years left on his current term. The seven-member high court holds final sway over the fate of many state laws and constitutional issues, dealing with everything from abortion, religion and LGBTQ+ matters to schools, election administration and redistricting. At 67, Fischer, a Republican, would be ineligible due to constitutional age limits from running by the time his six-term term expires in 2028. He said he'll instead face off against the 68-year-old Brunner, the only justice up for reelection next year and Ohio's only Democratic statewide officeholder. The formula worked last year for Republican Justice Joe Deters, who was initially appointed to the court. Rather than run for the remainder of his existing term, he chose to run against incumbent Democratic Justice Melody Stewart and won. His decision created an open seat on the high court, one of two also won by Republicans — leaving Brunner as the court's lone Democrat. In his written announcement, Fischer described himself as 'a reliable Christian Conservative.' He was first elected to the court in 2016 and was reelected in 2022. 'Ohioans deserve a Justice who will fight for Conservative values, respect the Constitution and not legislate from the bench,' he said. 'I have a record of this and look forward to once again earning the support of the Ohio Republican Party and all Ohioans.' Brunner, a former Ohio secretary of state who's served on the court since 2021, filed suit in 2023 against a new Republican-backed state law that requires certain judicial candidates to declare their party affiliation on ballots. The law was passed as the state was tilting increasingly Republican but as Ohio Democrats were having some success in high court races. 'In a Brunner vs. Fischer race the differences will be stark and obvious,' she said in a texted statement. 'Party affiliation should be our last concern as judges. It's clear this is the primary aim in my colleague's approach — and that's unfortunate.'
