Politics

Lawmaker: US Senate, staff targeted by state-backed hackers

by FRANK BAJAK, RAPHAEL SATTER, AP Cybersecurity Writers

Foreign government hackers continue to target the personal email accounts of U.S. senators and their aides — and the Senate's security office has refused to defend them, a lawmaker says. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said in a Wednesday letter to Senate leaders that his office discovered that "at least one major technology company" has warned an unspecified number of senators...

Trying to hold state Trump won, McCaskill feels pull to left

Associated Press

The college students and neighbors gathered at a St. Louis coffee shop seemed like one of the friendlier crowds Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill might face campaigning in heavily Republican Missouri. But the audience on a recent night came armed with tough questions and unafraid to push back — or cast a side eye — at any answer they didn't like. Why did she support an immigration deal...

GOP says time running out for Kavanaugh accuser to talk

by ALAN FRAM, LISA MASCARO, Associated Press

Republicans are warning that time is running out for Brett Kavanaugh's accuser to tell Congress about her claim he sexually assaulted her when both were teenagers, even as President Donald Trump called the woman's allegation hard to believe in one of the GOP's sharpest attacks on her credibility. With Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination dangling in the balance, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary...

Tenn. Senate candidate says Kavanaugh accuser is credible

AP Washington Bureau Chief

Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen said that the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault "has a very credible story." But he said the Judiciary Committee should consider proceeding with a vote if she does not testify under oath. "She has put herself out there," Bredesen said Wednesday of Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of assaulting...

North Korea's offer of concessions comes with a catch for US

Associated Press

A better-than-expected outcome of the summit between the two Koreas immediately kick-started stalled negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, boosting President Donald Trump's high-stakes push to get the North to give up its nuclear weapons by the end of his first term in office. But it left open a burning question: Will the concessions North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is offering be enough to...

Trump's tariffs put GOP candidates in a bind in rural areas

by KEVIN FREKING, NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press

In the aptly named Harvester Restaurant, wheat farmer Roy Dube makes clear he's no fan of President Donald Trump's trade policy. "We get him elected into office and he pulls us out of trade agreements," Dube said last week as local farmers gathered to hear Democratic House candidate Lisa Brown. Dube says China is buying less wheat from eastern Washington farmers and Trump's policies have...

Ex-aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces sentencing for corruption

by LARRY NEUMEISTER, DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press

A judge is set to decide whether a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo receives leniency or a long prison sentence for his conviction on federal bribery and fraud charges. Joseph Percoco was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni. Prosecutors say he should serve well over five years in prison. His lawyers say he should get no more than...

Bredesen backs Senate vote if Kavanaugh accuser won't appear

AP Washington Bureau Chief

Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen said Wednesday that the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault "has a very credible story." But he said the Judiciary Committee should consider proceeding with a vote if she does not testify under oath. "She has put herself out there," Bredesen said of Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of assaulting...

Judge sets Dec. 18 sentencing for Michael Flynn

The Associated Press

After months of delay, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn now has a sentencing date. A federal judge on Wednesday set Flynn's sentencing for Dec. 18, more than a year after the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia during the presidential transition. The move comes just days after prosecutors working for special counsel Robert...

Judge: US can't deny passport over refusing to pick gender

Associated Press

U.S. officials cannot deny a passport application from an intersex Colorado resident based solely on a refusal to select male or female for gender, a federal judge said Wednesday. The U.S. State Department's varied explanations for rejecting the application weren't reasonable, U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson said in his ruling, forcing him to set aside the decision as "arbitrary and capricious...

Federal agency says it lost track of 1,488 migrant children

Associated Press

Twice in less than a year, the federal government has lost track of nearly 1,500 migrant children after placing them in the homes of sponsors across the country, federal officials have acknowledged. The Health and Human Services Department recently told Senate staffers that case managers could not find 1,488 children after they made follow-up calls to check on their safety from April through June...

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Trump to nominate economist Nellie Liang for Fed board seat

Associated Press

President Donald Trump is set to nominate former Federal Reserve economist Nellie Liang to the central bank's board of governors, tapping an official who played a key role at the Fed in dealing with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters confirmed the president's intention, which was first reported Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal. Liang was tapped...

Florence shows how storm coverage is politicized

AP Media Writer

Donald Trump Jr.'s attack tweet this week showing CNN's Anderson Cooper waist-deep in flood waters has driven home the point that politics — not just weather — was an important subtext of the media's coverage of Hurricane Florence. "Stop lying to make @realDonaldTrump look bad," the president's son admonished Cooper, triggering a harsh response from the CNN journalist, who was...

Lawmaker: US Senate, staff targeted by state-backed hackers

by FRANK BAJAK, RAPHAEL SATTER, AP Cybersecurity Writers

How 65 women came to Kavanaugh's defense in matter of hours

by JENNIFER PELTZ, MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press

It started as a series of phone calls among old high-school friends and ended up embroiling 65 women in the firestorm over a sexual assault allegation that could shape the Supreme Court. In a matter of hours, they all signed onto a letter rallying behind high court nominee and their high school friend Brett Kavanaugh as someone who "has always treated women with decency and respect." And...

Koreas summit kick-starts stalled nuclear talks with US

The Associated Press

Trump's tariffs could sow trouble for GOP in farm districts

by KEVIN FREKING, NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press

Trump: 9/11 memorial renewed my resolve to build border wall

The Associated Press

President Donald Trump says the Sept. 11 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, renewed his resolve to push for his stalled southern border wall. Trump tells Hill.TV in an interview published Wednesday that he marveled at the Flight 93 National Memorial during a visit last week. Trump tells the outlet, "They built this gorgeous wall where the plane went down in Pennsylvania, Shanksville."...

Opioid crisis: $71.5M in federal funds coming to Ohio

by Katie Wedell

Ohio will receive $71.5 million over the next two years to combat the opioid epidemic as part of an ongoing federal grant program designed to increase drug treatment access and reduce opioid-related deaths. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has committed another $1 billion in grants to helping states carryout their opioid epidemic strategies, the department announced Wednesday...

The stage is set: UD ready for first gubernatorial debate tonight

by Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer

After years of discussions and weeks of work, now it comes down to just a few hours: The University of Dayton will host the first 2018 Ohio gubernatorial debate tonight at Daniel J. Curran Place. Eric Spina, UD president, sounded a confident note this morning, saying the university community is ready. “For many years, we have been letting folks know that we would love to host an important debate...

GOP goes back to the immigration well in Arizona

Associated Press

Jim Chilton stood before the four strands of barbed wire that separate his ranchland from Mexico and pointed at a nearby ridge. "Very often, I see scouts on that mountain, right there," he told Rep. Martha McSally. McSally, a Republican who represents a stretch of the Arizona border in the House of Representatives and is running for U.S. Senate, quickly said she wrote a bill to stiffen penalties...

Administration sends states $1B in grants to battle opioids

The Associated Press

The Trump administration is awarding more than $1 billion in grants to help states confront the opioid epidemic, with most of the money going to expand access to treatment and recovery services. Officials say more than $900 million comes from a grant program Congress approved this spring as part of a budget bill. Lawmakers are working on another bipartisan bill to address the opioid problem and hope...

US tags Iran anew as top terror sponsor, global attacks fall

AP Diplomatic Writer

Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, the Trump administration said Wednesday in an annual report that also highlighted another drop in terrorist attacks worldwide. The State Department's annual survey of global terrorism accused Iran of intensifying numerous conflicts and trying to undermine governments throughout the Middle East and beyond. Iran's "terrorist affiliates...

The Latest: Trump assures South Carolina as flooding lingers

The Associated Press

The Latest on President Donald Trump's visit to the Carolinas to review Hurricane Florence damage (all times local): 4 p.m. President Donald Trump says South Carolina is in for a "rough few days" in the aftermath of Florence, but assures the state that the federal government "is behind you." Trump spoke Wednesday at an emergency management center in the city of Conway, near Myrtle...

Mom wants ad pulled featuring 1 son criticizing another

Associated Press

The mother of Wisconsin congressional candidate Randy Bryce doesn't like to see her sons fight. Nancy Bryce, in an open letter Wednesday, called for an attack ad featuring Randy's brother James to be taken off the air. "My family deserves better than this," she wrote. "All families deserve better than this." Randy Bryce, known by the colorful nickname "Iron Stache," is...

Former aides give Wisconsin Gov. Walker re-election headache

Associated Press

As Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fights for his political life, some of the most devastating attacks aren't coming from Democrats. They're coming from a handful of former top officials from his own administration. Three former Walker Cabinet secretaries have blasted the two-term Republican incumbent publicly. It's a level of internal criticism for a sitting governor not seen in Wisconsin in recent memory...

Trump: Not concerned about Manafort cooperation

Associated Press

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he's not concerned about what his former campaign chairman is telling investigators in the Russia probe. Trump told reporters at the White House that if Paul Manafort tells the truth to special counsel Robert Mueller's team then he doesn't see a problem. Trump also batted away a question about whether he was considering a pardon for Manafort. "I don't...

Trump comforts storm-ravaged Carolinas with hot dogs, hugs

Associated Press

Eager to show heart in a moment of crisis, President Donald Trump handed out hot dogs, hugs and comforting words in the Carolinas on Wednesday as he surveyed the wreckage left by Hurricane Florence. With residents still recovering from torrential rains that left widespread destruction and injury, Trump sought to strike a balance between comforter and cheerleader, mindful that he has been criticized...

Trump rips Sessions: 'I don't have an attorney general'

The Associated Press

President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, saying, "I don't have an attorney general." Trump, in a Hill.TV interview released on Wednesday, said that he's "so sad over Jeff Sessions," whom he has repeatedly denounced for recusing himself from the Russia investigation. "He was the first senator that endorsed me. And he wanted to be attorney...

Democrats in key House races push against tax deduction cap

by GEOFF MULVIHILL, BILL BARROW, Associated Press

Congressman Leonard Lance voted last December with the interests of his northern New Jersey district in mind when he opposed his own party's sweeping tax overhaul. The cap on deductions for state and local taxes that was part of the Republican plan was bound to mean that many people in the high-tax state would pay more. "My constituents know I will fight for complete deductibility," he said...

The Latest: McCaskill says she'll vote no on Kavanaugh

The Associated Press

The Latest on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman who accuses him of sexually assaulting her decades ago (all times local): 7:15 p.m. Missouri's Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill says she will vote against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, depriving President Donald Trump's nominee of a possible swing vote. McCaskill calls the recent sexual assault allegations...

US doubles tribal funding to fight violence against women

Associated Press

The U.S. Justice Department will double the funding it gives tribes for public safety programs and crime victims as it tries to tackle the high rates of violence against Native American women, a top official said. The department's third-highest ranking official said more than $113 million in public safety funding will be doled out to 133 tribes and Alaska Native villages to try to address the issue...

China's premier appeals for free trade amid tariff battle

AP Business Writer

China's No. 2 leader appealed Wednesday for support for free trade and promised to improve conditions for foreign companies following tit-for-tat U.S. and Chinese tariff hikes in a battle over Beijing's technology policy. Premier Li Keqiang's comments add to Beijing's effort to portray itself as a defender of global trade in the face of complaints by Washington and other trading partners that China...

GOP frets about prospects for picking up Indiana Senate seat

Associated Press

Mike Braun, the Republican candidate for a crucial Senate seat in Indiana, often refers to his rival, Sen. Joe Donnelly, as "Sleepin' Joe" and has vowed to wake the vulnerable Democrat from his "siesta" on Election Day. But as Donnelly barnstorms the state in a used RV, it is Braun's own sleepy campaign that's leaving Republicans underwhelmed — and worried. Groups that typically...

Fate of FEMA leader in doubt as Florence cleanup continues

Associated Press

While Hurricane Florence barreled through the Carolinas, a different type of storm was brewing within the federal disaster relief agency tasked with responding to the fallout. The fate of Brock Long, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was cast in doubt with revelations that he was being investigated by Homeland Security's internal watchdog and a congressional committee for the possible...

Trump says 'hard to imagine' Kavanaugh guilty of allegation

by ALAN FRAM, LISA MASCARO, Associated Press

President Donald Trump on Wednesday bluntly questioned the allegation that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a fellow high school student over 30 years ago, and Republicans warned the accuser the window was closing to tell her story before a confirmation vote. Trump's skepticism, the most explicit challenge top Republicans have so far mounted to Christine Blasey Ford's credibility...

Feinstein's re-election opponent criticizes her over letter

Associated Press

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, and Kevin de Leon, a Democrat in the California state Senate, rarely have much in common. But they're united in their condemnation this week of Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Feinstein is playing a central role in the battle over Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court. She received...

China looks unlikely to give in after US tariff hike

AP Business Writer

China unveiled a slew of changes under mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump over technology. Beijing promised to cut tariffs, open its auto industry and buy American exports. But none of that was what Trump wanted: An end to development policies Washington says are based on theft of know-how and might erode U.S. industrial leadership. Exporters scrambled to replace lost orders after...

The Latest: Trump welcomes 'tremendous progress' with NKorea

The Associated Press

The Latest on the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (all times local): 11 p.m. U.S. President Donald Trump says "we're making tremendous progress" with North Korea, after an inter-Korean summit offered some apparent concessions from the North on its weapons program. Trump told reporters Wednesday that "we had very good news" out...

Cybersecurity firm: More Iran hacks as US sanctions loomed

Associated Press

An Iranian government-aligned group of hackers launched a major campaign targeting Mideast energy firms and others ahead of U.S. sanctions on Iran, a cybersecurity firm said Tuesday, warning further attacks remain possible as America re-imposes others on Tehran. While the firm FireEye says the so-called "spear-phishing" email campaign only involves hackers stealing information from infected...

Supreme Court refuses to block dark money court ruling

The Associated Press

Dark money groups will be required to disclose the identities of some anonymous donors after the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stop a lower court's ruling from taking effect. Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit Republican group at the center of the case, had asked the high court to put a decision on hold while the case is appealed, but the justices declined. The ruling in August by the U.S. District...

The Latest: Experts say Trump action may expose sources

The Associated Press

The Latest on the investigation into Russian election meddling and possible ties to the Trump campaign (all times local): 6:40 p.m. President Donald Trump is flexing his executive power to declassify secret documents in the Russia investigation, saying Tuesday that his action will ensure that "really bad things" at the FBI are exposed. But experts say that the decision may expose sensitive...

Feinstein's opponent seizes on her role in Kavanaugh fight

Associated Press

Oregon using Facebook to remind inactive voters to register

Associated Press

In this era of manipulators using social media to interfere in elections, Oregon officials moved Tuesday to use Facebook to bolster participation by reminding as many as hundreds of thousands of inactive voters to update their registration. "Utilizing cutting-edge technologies to empower eligible voters isn't just something we can do — it's something we must do if we're serious about outreach...

Mattis dismissive of news reports of tension with Trump

AP National Security Writer

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday dismissed recent news reports that tensions between him and President Donald Trump point to his exit soon. Asked by a reporter whether such reports should be taken seriously, he replied, "No. I wouldn't take it seriously at all. It's like most of those kind of things in this town" that he said are fanned by baseless rumor. "Somebody cooks up a...

Carter, Abrams: Georgians from 2 eras chase rural votes

Associated Press

Georgia's past and its potential future converged in the tiny town of Plains, as former President Jimmy Carter campaigned Tuesday alongside Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams. Despite their starkly different biographies — he the 93-year-old peanut farmer who entered Deep South politics amid Jim Crow segregation, she the 44-year-old Atlanta attorney who'd be the first black female...

Trump to visit North Carolina to survey Florence impact

by CATHERINE LUCEY, ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

President Donald Trump will travel to North Carolina on Wednesday to survey the impact of Hurricane Florence. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Tuesday confirmed Trump's travel plans to North Carolina, which bore the brunt of the powerful storm. Days after the hurricane rolled through, the region is dealing with massive flooding. In Wilmington, residents lined up by the hundreds for free...

Wright-Patt would be central to proposed Air Force expansion

by Max Filby, Staff Writer

Military leaders want to grow the Air Force dramatically by 2030 to tackle increasing international threats and that could mean more jobs and investment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The high cost of upping the Air Force’s air power may force it to turn to Wright-Patterson for its technical and security expertise to keep costs down, an analyst told the Dayton Daily News. The Air Force...

In Iowa, McAuliffe says he's not ruling out 2020 campaign

Associated Press

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in Iowa Tuesday he's not ruling out a 2020 Democratic campaign for president, as he took his national campaign to promote Democratic candidates for governor to the early presidential testing ground. And while he said a decision remains months away, the former Democratic National Committee chairman touted his term as governor as a model for his party nationally...

Highlights from first Ohio Governor’s Debate in Dayton

by The Associated Press

Ohio’s major-party governor candidates were harshly critical of each other in a spirited first debate Wednesday, jabbing each other over contrasting policy positions on opioids, abortion and e-schools and poking the other’s record in public office as a failure. The debate was hosted by the University of Dayton. Cox Media Group Ohio was the media partner, including the Dayton Daily News...

How people are reacting to the first governor debate on Twitter

by Laura A. Bischoff , Will Garbe, Chris Stewart , Columbus Bureau

The governor debate in Dayton Wednesday night was a hot topic on Twitter. At one point, #OHgovdebate was trending nationally. Here’s a look at what some had to say about the testy debate between Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray:

Green Party candidate spends debate on Dayton sidewalk

by Chris Stewart, Staff Writer

As Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine prepared to debate face-to-face Wednesday, people protesting the policies of both candidates for Ohio governor also showed up divided on the issues, including who’s even allowed to debate.. Constance Gadell-Newton, the Green Party candidate for governor, was only to be seen or heard from a sidewalk across South Patterson Boulevard from the...

Ohio Governor’s Race: Who is Mike DeWine?

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

If you don’t know who Mike DeWine is, perhaps you’re new to Ohio. For more than four decades, the Republican has been a fixture of Ohio politics: local prosecutor, state lawmaker, lieutenant governor, member of Congress and state attorney general. Now the 71-year-old Cedarville resident wants to cap off his career with Ohio governor, which has been a long-time ambition. On the campaign...

Ohio governor race: Who is Richard Cordray?

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

For all but four of the past 28 years, Republicans have held a firm grip on the Ohio governor’s office. Democrat Richard Cordray wants to break that streak. Less than a year ago, Cordray jumped into the race for Ohio governor, elbowed out other contenders and grabbed 62.2 percent of the vote in a six-way primary. He is running for governor against Republican Mike DeWine Cordray, now 59, has...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Higher education

by Staff reports

On Sept. 19, governor candidates Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray are taking part in their first debate at the University of Dayton. The Dayton Daily News, WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio are the media partners for the debate. The debate will be moderated by News Center 7 anchor James Brown. Questions will be asked by Dayton Daily News Columbus Bureau reporter Laura Bischoff, News Center...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Funds for local governments

by Staff reports

On Sept. 19, governor candidates Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray are taking part in their first debate at the University of Dayton. The Dayton Daily News, WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio are the media partners for the 7 p.m. debate. The debate will be moderated by News Center 7 anchor James Brown. Questions will be asked by Dayton Daily News Columbus Bureau reporter Laura Bischoff, News...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Taxes

by Staff reports

On Sept. 19, governor candidates Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray are taking part in their first debate at the University of Dayton. The Dayton Daily News, WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio are the media partners for the 7 p.m. debate. The debate will be moderated by News Center 7 anchor James Brown. Questions will be asked by Dayton Daily News Columbus Bureau reporter Laura Bischoff, News...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Jobs and the economy

by Staff reports

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Medicaid

by Staff reports

New poll shows close governor race ahead of Wednesday’s Dayton debate

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

Heading into the first debate in the governor’s race Wednesday at the University of Dayton, the race between Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine is a close one, according to a new poll. The two candidates will debate at 7 p.m. at the University of Dayton — an event hosted by the university. Cox Media Group Ohio is the media partner for the debate. “We’re really...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Opioid crisis

by Staff reports

Senate votes to make it harder to ship fentanyl to U.S. by mail

by Jessica Wehrman

The U.S. Senate Monday overwhelmingly passed a mammoth bipartisan opioid bill that included a measure pushed by Sen. Rob Portman to make it harder to ship fentanyl into the U.S. through the mail system. The Ohio Republican’s STOP Act, which he has pushed since he released the results of a bipartisan investigation on fentanyl being mailed into the U.S. last June, was one provision in a bill that...

Senate OKs bill banning ‘gag rules’ keeping pharmacists from telling you how to save money

by Jessica Wehrman

The U.S. Senate has a passed a bill that would bar gag clauses that prevent pharmacists from telling consumers how to save money by paying out of pocket for medicine rather than going through insurance. The Senate earlier this month passed a bill outlawing such gag clauses for Medicare D, with this latest bill extending the ban to all insurance policies. Monday’s vote was 98-2, with both Ohio...

Ohio senators split on Kavanaugh allegations as Supreme Court pick in limbo

by Jack Torry, Jessica Wehrman , Washington Bureau

Sen. Rob Portman sharply criticized Senate Democrats Monday for waiting “until the 11th hour” to make public an accusation by a woman that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at party when both were in high school three decades ago. Portman, R-Ohio, a close friend of Kavanaugh’s and who introduced the federal appeals judge to the Senate Judiciary Committee...

U.S. Senate race: Brown, Renacci squabble over cause of ballooning national debt

by Jack Torry, Jessica Wehrman

They don’t see eye-to-eye on the national debt, or at least on what caused it. They are diametrically opposed on what to do about health care costs. And there are stark differences between the two candidates on a host of other issues, including last year’s tax cuts. In their race for the U.S. Senate in Ohio this year, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Jim Renacci are putting the major policy...

Ohio governor debate in Dayton: How to watch, listen, follow

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

The first governor debate of 2018 will be Wednesday night at the University of Dayton. WHIO-TV, Dayton Daily News and WHIO Radio are the media partners for the debate and have it covered for you from all angles. The governor race between Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray is a dead-heat in the polls, one of the closest in the nation and expected to be one of the most expensive. Here&rsquo...

Ohio governor race a dead heat, new poll says

by Staff reports

The race for governor in Ohio is tied, according to a new poll out by POLITICO/AARP. Republican Mike DeWine is at 39 percent and Democrat Richard Cordray is at 38 percent in the poll with 23 percent undecided. The poll of 1,592 registered voters was conducted Sept. 2-11. Questions: What questions do you have for the governor candidates? Send them to us on our Ohio Politics Facebook page or email...

Congress approves funds for major NASIC project at Wright-Patt

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

The U.S. House Thursday passed a $147 billion spending bill that included key funding for one of the biggest projects in the history of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The bill, which passed the Senate Wednesday, pays for legislative programs, veterans programs, military construction and energy and water programs and most notably an expansion to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patt...

Republicans show signs of giving up on Ohio Senate race; Renacci camp says that’s ‘ridiculous’

by Jack Torry, Jessica Wehrman , Washington Bureau

National Republicans and political analysts are increasingly signaling that they do not consider the Senate race between Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci to be a top priority in the 2018 race to keep the Senate in GOP hands. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, speaking to reporters this week, listed races in Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Indiana...

Ohio governor candidates on the issues: Guns and school safety

by Staff reports

Moderator, panelists chosen for first governor debate at UD

by Staff reports

The moderator and questioners are set for the Sept. 19 governor debate at the University of Dayton. News Center 7 anchor James Brown will moderate the first debate between Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray. The hour-long debate will be 7 p.m. at the University of Dayton. Cox Media Group Ohio will broadcast it live on WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio and stream it live on its websites, ...

Ohio’s Senate race: Where do Brown and Renacci stand on foreign, national security issues?

by Jack Torry, Washington Bureau

Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Jim Renacci do not have the same stark differences on foreign policy they have on taxes and health care, but Renacci is far more willing to support President Donald Trump’s international approach. Although Brown has taken a more visible role in pushing for economic sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, neither he nor Renacci seem comfortable...

Your questions answered about Ohio’s medical marijuana law

by Laura Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell...

Ohio’s expected $28.7M governor race to be one of most expensive in U.S.

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

Ohio, get ready for the deluge. A research and consulting firm that tracks political advertising predicts that political spending in the state will hit $240.39 million this cycle, with the bulk of that going into the hotly contested race for governor. Borrell Associates, based in Williamsburg, Va., predicts that the cost of the race between Democrat Richard Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine will...

How to register to vote in Ohio -- deadline is Oct. 9

by Anthony Shoemaker, Staff Writer

The ads have started, campaigns are heating up and we are getting closer to the November election. Ohio voters will be choosing a new governor, statewide leaders, members of Congress and the General Assembly as well as county offices. There is also a state issue on the ballot as well as hundreds of tax levies and school issues. You have until Oct. 9 to register to vote. You can register to vote online...

Do you think Ohio should put air conditioners in schools? One local lawmaker thinks so

by Breaking News Staff

State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, has requested an estimate to install air conditioners into every Ohio school, according to a release. In reaction to Tuesday’s early dismissals across the Miami Valley due to extreme heat, Antani sent a letter to State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria expressing his concern for the lack of air conditioning in schools. “Today, a number of school...

Portman touts Kavanaugh during contentious first day

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

Sen. Rob Portman capped a long and contentious first day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh Tuesday with the warmest of words, calling Kavanaugh “an extraordinary nominee in every respect,” who “deserves broad support.” Portman spoke during the late hours of a particularly testy first day of hearings, with protesters frequently shouting...

Old issues emerge in Ohio governor race

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

This isn’t 2010, but you might think so if you’re following this year’s contest for Ohio governor. Eight years ago — when the same two candidates were running in the attorney general’s race — Republican Mike DeWine hammered incumbent Democrat Richard Cordray over how long it took to process DNA evidence in the state-run crime labs. DeWine’s attacks were played...

New Carlisle likely needs special election for council seat

by Parker Perry, Staff Writer

New Carlisle will likely need to hold a special election to fill a vacant council seat after three council members didn’t attend an emergency meeting Thursday night. Because the council didn’t have a quorum, New Carlisle Mayor Ethan Reynolds said was unable to appoint his choice to the open seat. The timing of the special election is unknown, he said, and city officials are exploring the...

President Trump at center of Ohio’s U.S. Senate race

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Jim Renacci may be the names on Ohio’s ballot for the U.S. Senate this fall, but a third name — President Donald Trump — might as well be listed too. Trump, who seems to cause news alerts on a minute-to-minute basis, won Ohio by eight percentage points in 2016. To supporters, he’s the blunt-talking businessman America needs, a man unafraid to stir...

Dayton Mayor Whaley behind plan for cabinet-level office to address opioid epidemic

by Katie Wedell, Staff Writer

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley joined mayors from several other Ohio cities Thursday in Columbus to support a bill that would create a cabinet-level Office of Drug Policy. The legislation, being introduced in the lame-duck session by state Rep. Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester, is modeled after suggestions from the bipartisan Ohio Mayor’s Alliance of ways in which state and local communities could...

Ohio officials cautious about Trump move on NAFTA

by Jack Torry, Washington Bureau

Ohio officials reacted with cautious optimism to a White House announcement of a tentative agreement with Mexico to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, with longtime NAFTA critic Sen. Sherrod Brown calling an “important step forward.” The new accord, which does not yet include Canada, is designed to modernize the two-decade old pact which swept away scores of tariffs among...

FBI investigation: List released of items removed from ex-House Speaker Rosenberger’s office

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

During his time as Ohio House speaker, Republican Cliff Rosenberger amassed — and eventually carted off — a huge haul of memorabilia, according to a 53-page inventory obtained by this newspaper. The catalog, provided to the FBI and news media outlets, lists everything removed from Rosenberger’s state offices on May 11, a month after his resignation took effect. The inventory demonstrates...

Ohio House Speaker scandal: How it developed

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

Federal authorities are trying to build a public corruption case against former Ohio House speaker Cliff Rosenberger and three payday lending industry representatives, according to a search warrant and subpoena obtained exclusively by this newspaper. Here’s a look the life and career of Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and how this case developed: April 23, 1981: Born to mother Son Ye and...

John McCain gave one of his biggest speeches in Dayton area

by Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer

U.S. Sen. John McCain, who died on Saturday, made the Dayton area central to his presidential run in 2008. McCain, R-Arizona, chose Wright State University in Fairborn as the place he introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the world. Standing onstage at Wright State’s Nutter Center on Aug. 29, 2008 - his 72nd birthday - McCain made the announcement that Palin would be his running mate in...

Republican declared winner in Ohio congressional race

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

Ohio’s 12th congressional district – which drew national attention during a special election earlier this month – will remain in Republican hands for at least the next three months. Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor conceded the race to Ohio Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville Friday, maintaining the Republicans’ generations-long hold on the seat. With all provisional...

New Carlisle mayor asked candidates their view on kneeling for pledge

by Parker Perry, Staff Writer

The mayor of New Carlisle asked the three candidates who applied for a vacant council seat how they felt about elected officials kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance. New Carlisle Mayor Ethan Reynolds, a Republican who’s said repeatedly that he is a proud conservative, asked New Carlisle council applicants Amy Hopkins, Becky McKenzie and Kathy Wright about kneeling during their interviews...

Manafort, Cohen cases take center stage in Ohio Senate race between Brown, Renacci

by Jessica Wehrman, Washington Bureau

One day after President Donald Trump’s campaign manager was found guilty of eight counts of financial crimes and Trump’s personal lawyer pled guilty to eight criminal counts including campaign finance regulations, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Renacci’s response was to fret that Sen. Sherrod Brown would try to impeach Trump. “Even though none of the charges or convictions...

Ohio Sen. Portman helping Supreme Court pick Kavanaugh prepare for Senate hearings

by Jack Torry, Washington Bureau

Sen. Rob Portman helped prepare Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Monday for what the Ohio Republican predicted would be “pretty contentious” confirmation hearings next month over President Donald Trump’s choice to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy. As Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday Kavanaugh told her he regards as settled law the 1973 court ruling asserting a woman...

Ohio sues e-school founder, leaders in bid to recoup funding

by Jeremy P. Kelley, Staff Writer

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Tuesday filed a “complaint for recovery of public funds” against individuals and companies tied to the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT). ECOT was Ohio’s largest online charter school before state probes showed the school’s enrollment was inflated, leading to improper funding. The school, founded by William Lager in 2000, closed in...

Ohio BCI agents angry about wearing expired body armor, prepared for ‘misfortune’

by AP AP

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents and supervisors raised repeated concerns about expired body armor for more than a year before a union grievance was filed this May, public records show. Emails released by Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office shed new light on behind-the-scenes anxiety surrounding more than 50 bulletproof vests that had passed the five-year expiration...

Treasurer candidates lay out plans to oversee billions of dollars for Ohio

by Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau

It’s tempting for voters to pay attention only to the big races like U.S. Senate and Ohio governor and do little homework on the down-ticket races, such as state treasurer. But over the past 15 years the Ohio treasurer’s office has seen multiple criminal probes, scandals and episodes of self-promotion at taxpayer expense. So there is a solid case for digging into the details...

Colin Powell to open National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus

by Associated Press, Staff Writer

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus is set to open this fall, with retired U.S. Army Gen. Colin Powell to give the keynote address at the dedication ceremony. The public is invited to attend the Oct. 27 dedication for the $82 million museum and memorial grove. The ceremony scheduled to start at 2 p.m. that day will feature veterans whose stories are highlighted in the museum, military...

What do you want next Ohio governor to do about economy, jobs?

by Laura A. Bischoff , Thomas Gnau , Columbus Bureau

By early next year, Fuyao Glass America President Jeff Liu said he expects to need 700 more workers to meet his customer demands. “We actually have a big challenge: we want to expand our production line and we have a shortage of people,” he said before a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce event featuring the two major party candidates for Ohio governor, Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat...

Kettering Women’s Med faces possible closure in abortion fight

by Wayne Baker, Staff Writer

The attorney for Women’s Med, the Kettering center that provides abortions for women in southwest Ohio, believes a county judge will rule against the clinic in its fight with the state, forcing it to close. Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman heard oral arguments Friday afternoon in a case involving the Ohio Department of Health’s effort to close the Women’s Med center...

Jordan to campaign with Florida Rep. who wants to impeach Rosenstein

by Jack Torry, Washington Bureau

Rep. Jim Jordan of Urbana, the conservative Republican who plans to run for speaker of the U.S. House, is scheduled to campaign Saturday in Florida for Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is among a group of conservatives — including Jordan — who signed a resolution urging Congress to impeach Rod Rosenstein, the deputy U.S. attorney general who has supervised the investigation of special counsel Robert...

Trial date set for former GOP statehouse candidate in extortion case

by Richard Wilson , Jim Otte , Staff Writers

A former Republican statehouse candidate faces an October trial date on charges related to statements she made about her opponent, State Rep. Rick Perales, R-Beavercreek, in their primary race this year. Jocelyn Smith, 36, of Fairborn, faces a third-degree felony count of extortion and a second-degree misdemeanor count of coercion, according to court records of the secret indictment filed June...

U.S. doesn’t know where as many as 1,500 immigrant children are, Ohio Sen. Portman says

by Jack Torry, Washington Bureau

Sen. Rob Portman expressed astonishment at Trump administration officials Thursday who seemed unable to say for certain the whereabouts of as many as 1,500 immigrant children who entered the United States on their own during the past few years. At a Senate subcommittee hearing, Portman, R-Ohio, seemed frustrated that “no one’s responsible” in the government for knowing whether sponsors...