Ohio Has Issues

On the July 24, 2024 edition of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., we dive deep into the implications of President Joe Biden stepping aside as the Democratic presidential nominee.

First, we show you the President’s full speech from Wednesday night, where he explains himself after declaring on Sunday that he would leave the race. Then, we share Ohio political leaders reactions, before getting into the details of how this move toward Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee will affect Ohio's Senate race between Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno.

Our guests this week are Statehouse News Bureau Senior Reporter and producer and host of the Ohio Statehouse Scoop Podcast Jo Ingles, and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Election Law Director Professor Edward Foley.

Watch this episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/TFyXcEggudc

Read Jo Ingles' reporting here:
https://www.statenews.org/people/jo-ingles

In our Ohio roundup, we also look at the question of whether former President Donald Trump will be dumping Senator JD Vance as his running mate now that Biden is no longer the competition, what Ohio state Senator George Lang is saying about a speech he gave at a Vance rally where he called for a Civil War if the Trump-Vance ticket loses in November, and a major win for the people behind a proposed Ohio constitutional amendment to change the way our voting districts are drawn.

Watch every episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SLtTChKczKqXFI_ZvzC9nuEFetXAaJX

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

As the Republican National Convention wraps up, we share what to know about the GOP Vice Presidential candidate US Senator for Ohio JD Vance on the July 17, 2024 edition of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr.

Vance, who previously referred to himself as a "Never Trumper," has now significantly changed his political outlook to closely align with former President Donald Trump, which has resulted in his being tapped as Trump's running mate.

We hear from friends of the show NBC News senior national political reporter Henry Gomez (who is at the RNC in Milwaukee) and Case Western Reserve University political science professor Justin Buchler about what the Vance pick means for Ohio politics, while we look ahead to the November election.

We also hear from US Sen. Sherrod Brown and his competitor, Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, about what they think of the GOP pick.

Read Henry Gomez's reporting here:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-chose-jd-vance-running-mate-vp-pick-rcna161982

Watch every episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SLtTChKczKqXFI_ZvzC9nuEFetXAaJX

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

On the July 10, 2024 episode of Ohio Has Issues, Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr. look at what’s happening in public and private school across the state, and how that’s impacting transgender people.

We hear from mother Anne Anderson, whose transgender daughter has experienced threats and harassment at school. Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry shares the status of a proposed ban on K-12 transgender students using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, and Anne tells us why she’s concerned about what will happen in this legislation becomes law when the General Assembly returns from recess in November. 

We also look at the results of Ohio’s massive private school voucher program expansion, with the help of Ideastream education reporter Conor Morris.

Watch our previous episode on private school vouchers here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-5bXg4r_cs

Plus, we look at the latest developments as former President Donald Trump continues to keep Senator for Ohio JD Vance on his shortlist for Vice President consideration. On the Democratic side, we share reports that Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown doesn’t think President Joe Biden can beat Trump in November, and what Senate candidate Bernie Moreno says about that.

Read Megan Henry's reporting here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/07/08/shes-not-going-in-the-boys-bathroom-ohio-mom-speaks-out-against-trangender-bathroom-ban-bill/

Ready Conor Morris's reporting here:
https://www.ideastream.org/education/2024-07-08/school-voucher-use-surges-among-suburban-northeast-ohio-districts-state-data-show

Watch every episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SLtTChKczKqXFI_ZvzC9nuEFetXAaJX&si=SiYEmn6Zz85Ffpwi

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end. 

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

On the July 3, 2024 edition of Ohio Has Issues, we give you a round up of what's happening in Ohio politics ahead of the 4th of July holiday.

Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr. share the latest reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal, describing how Lt. Gov. Jon Husted denies knowing about the FirstEnergy bribery scandal despite texting with indicted former CEOs Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling.

Plus, we look at how an Ohio Democratic party leader is reacting to the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, along with with Senator Sherrod Brown and Senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno are saying (or not saying) on the issue, with a cameo from a familiar face.

We also bring you new information about the effort to get the citizen-initiated redistricting amendment on the November ballot, with the help of Cleveland.com political reporter Andrew Tobias.

Then, we give you the latest update on recreational marijuana sales licenses in the state with Ohio, and introduce you to a new program at Kent State University designed to educate people interested in getting into the cannabis industry, with the help of a company called Green Leaf.

Watch this episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtu.be/Khr9n-YmYQw

Watch every episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SLtTChKczKqXFI_ZvzC9nuEFetXAaJX

Read Andrew Tobias' reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/07/ohio-redistricting-amendment-campaign-submits-hundreds-of-thousands-of-voter-signature.html

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

More text message from 2018 between then-gubernatorial candidates Mike DeWine and Jon Husted and now-indicted First Energy executive have come to light.

On the June 26, 2024 episode of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., we dive into messages which suggest a level of knowledge regarding FirstEnergy’s support for the DeWine-Husted ticket, that had previously been denied by the sitting governor. Cleveland.com reporter Jake Zuckerman goes into detail breaking down his reporting on the story that just won’t go away. Plus, Case Western Reserve University School of Law Professor Michael Benza discusses relationships between DeWine’s closest political circle and FirstEnergy, along with the role dark money plays in Ohio politics.

We also look at the 2nd anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that returned the issue of abortion rights to the states. We hear from a doctor who performs abortions, and look into the Ohio US Senate race, sharing current Sen. Sherrod Brown’s and candidate Bernie Moreno’s take on abortion rights.

And as Pride month comes to a close, we get the landscape on LGBTQ+ political issues from the Buckeye Flame editor Dr. Ken Schneck, who gives us a primer on House Bill 8.

Watch this week's Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/_2QTO9atU1Q

Watch every episode of Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SLtTChKczKqXFI_ZvzC9nuEFetXAaJX&si=SiYEmn6Zz85Ffpwi

Read Jake Zuckerman's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/06/dewine-husted-sought-as-defense-witnesses-for-firstenergy-exec-accused-of-bribery.html

Read The Buckeye Flame's Dr. Ken Schneck's article on House Bill 8 here:
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2024/06/25/parents-bill-of-rights-will-destroy-education/

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end. 

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

On the June 19, 2024 edition of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., we dive deeper and deeper into the details leading up to the FirstEnergy House Bill 6 bribery scandal. Text messages from 2018 show conversations between Mike DeWine, Jon Husted and First Energy executives Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling, showing what appears to be a close relationship that Husted refers to as a friendship.

Stephanie and Mike are joined by Ohio Capital Journal reporter Marty Schladen to break down how Tony George, who is embroiled in the relationships involved in the scandal, is now connected to Ohio’s Senate race. Plus, Common Cause Ohio Executive Director Catherine Turcer chats with them about why it’s taken so long for text messages between DeWine, Husted and then-FirstEnergy executives to come out.

Ohio Capital Journal Megan Henry also joins the show to give us a rundown of what’s been happening with the Ohio General Assembly.

Watch Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/38A-FMaY2sk

Read Marty Schladen's reporting here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/13/moreno-blasted-rivals-over-scandal-now-hes-welcoming-a-big-players-support/

Read Jake Zuckerman's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/06/call-mike-dewine-on-the-500k-governors-text-sparked-dark-money-payment-texts-show.html

Ready Megan Henry's reporting on a House Bill related to natural hair here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/13/bill-banning-discrimination-of-natural-hair-in-k-12-schools-passes-in-ohio-house/

Ready Megan Henry's reporting on a House Bill related to pregnancy support and another related to feral pigs here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/14/ohio-house-passed-bills-oking-feral-pig-open-season-and-another-to-help-pregnant-women-babies/

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California. 

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

On the June 12 edition of Ohio Has Issues, Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr. round up the political talking points from around the state.

NBC Cleveland investigative reporter Lynna Lai shares which Ohio cities are banning recreational marijuana sales, now that applications to sell the products are open for medical dispensaries.

Plus, Cleveland.com’s Jeremy Pelzer joins the show to break down an impressive amount of money coming to Northeast Ohio, while PolitiFACT’s chief correspondent and the Center For Politics Sabato’s Crystal Ball senior columnist Louis Jacobson explains the importance of the 3 races for Ohio’s Supreme Court that voters will decide in November.

We also share the results of the special election for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, tell you where US Senator Sherrod Brown and his candidate Bernie Moreno stand on a bill that would help protect contraception access, and share reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal about Moreno’s claims that he was responsible for AT&T bringing 5G internet to our area.

Watch Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/tWvgyOshStw

Read Sarbina Eaton's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/06/us-senate-republicans-kill-right-to-contraception-legislation-in-politically-charged-vote.html

Read Nick Evans' reporting here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/07/bernie-moreno-claims-blockland-conference-convinced-att-to-bring-5g-to-cleveland/

Read Jeremy Pelzer's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/06/lawmakers-are-now-looking-to-give-more-than-140-million-to-northeast-ohio-projects-heres-who-stands-to-get-a-share.html

Read Lou Jacobson's column here:
https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/the-state-supreme-court-skirmishes/

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

It's an Ohio roundup edition of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., on June 5.

First up, Ohio politicians react to former President Donald Trump's felony convictions in New York.

Then, we talk with Cleveland.com's Andrew Tobias to break down the results of the Ohio General Assembly's special legislative session, and what that means for President Joe Biden making it onto Ohio's ballot in November.

We close things out with Cleveland.com's Jake Zuckerman, who explains what deadline is about to pass related to the FirstEnergy House Bill 6 bribery scandal, and which group is about to evade prosecution because of it.

Watch Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtu.be/hlCew_AK_jc

Ready Marty Schladen's reporting here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/05/31/donald-trump-is-a-convicted-felon-some-ohio-leaders-react-with-fury-others-silence/

Read Andrew Tobias's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/06/gov-mike-dewine-signs-bills-expanding-ban-on-foreign-contributions-fixing-biden-ballot-issue.html

Read Jake Zuckerman's reporting here:
https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/06/firstenergy-the-center-point-of-a-bribery-plot-could-officially-beat-the-rap-this-summer.html

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike hosts "Front Row Friday" which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

What do Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio's Democratic Party Chair, the Democratic National Committee and a law professor have in common? They all have their take on why Ohio Has Issues when it comes to getting President Joe Biden on the ballot.

Watch Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/FEAZzVJkWys

On the May 29 edition of Ohio Has Issues with Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr., we unravel what led to the DNC having to take pandemic measures to nominate President Joe Biden, in order to ensure he could be certified in time to appear on Ohio's November ballot, despite DeWine calling a rare special legislative session to try to accomplish just that.

We hear from Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters, who sets the stage for explaining what one major factor was that kept Ohio's General Assembly from doing what it's done multiple times in the past: adjusting Ohio's candidate certification deadline to accommodate the date of the Democratic National Convention. 

Case Western Reserve University School of Law professor Jonathan Entin goes into great detail about Ohio Republican's proposed ban on foreign contributions to ballot measures, further unraveling what kept Ohio lawmakers from being able to fix this issue themselves.

Plus, as always, Mike and Stephanie give you the latest information on what's happening in Ohio's US Senate race between sitting Senator Sherrod Brown and challenger Bernie Moreno.

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike co-hosts "Front Row Friday" with Laura Caso, which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.

From legalizing marijuana to redistricting, to how President Joe Biden won't end up on the Ohio ballot, the issues in Ohio are smoking hot leading up to the November presidential election.

On the May 22 edition of Ohio Has Issues, Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr. take a deep dive into what's happening with the effort to reform gerrymandering through a citizen-led redistricting amendment. Their guests on this topic are former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown, 98-year-old activist Elinor Polster, and Brennan Center for Justice's Dr. Kareem Crayton, with reporting from NBC Cleveland investigator Lynna Lai.

Plus, in an update on the US Senate race in Ohio, they share what the candidates are saying about federal legalization of marijuana. In the roundup of other Ohio news, Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry has the latest comments from state legislators on whether they'll act to make sure President Joe Biden is on the ballot in our state, and NBC Cleveland reporter Matt Rascon gives the details on a big win for Ohio cities who want to be able to control tobacco sales at the local level.

Watch Ohio Has Issues here:
https://youtube.com/live/SnKAPgIztRs

Read Megan Henry's reporting here:
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/05/21/ohio-legislative-leaders-say-biden-ballot-fix-wont-happen-through-lawmakers/

Read Matt Rascon's reporting here:
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/ohio/judge-rules-ohio-law-banning-cities-tobacco-regulation-unconstitutional-cleveland-health-director/95-121537e3-efa9-4b46-b909-83dc8b2129c1

Read the Brennan Center for Justice's study results here:
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/ohios-gerrymandered-state-house-districts-lack-electoral-competition

"Ohio Has Issues" is recorded in Cleveland, out of WKYC Studios. New episodes typically stream live every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on the WKYC YouTube page and the WKYC+ streaming app. "Ohio Has Issues" is also available wherever you listen to podcasts, with episodes dropping after the livestreamed recording sessions end.

Stephanie is the digital anchor and legal analyst at WKYC. She produces and hosts VERIFY fact check segments and is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and California.

Mike is an anchor, commentator and editorialist at WKYC. Mike co-hosts "Front Row Friday" with Laura Caso, which airs every Friday at 7 PM on 3News and on WKYC+.