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Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution grants the power of the pardon to the president--probably the most absolute power granted in the document. Designed as a tool for justice and mercy, it has at times sparked intense public controversy. The recent pardon of President Biden’s son, Hunter, and the commutations granted to federal death row inmates has, once again, rekindled the need to reexamine this power.

The concept of the pardon was adopted from the British monarchy, where it was a royal prerogative rooted in the belief that sovereigns could temper justice with mercy. In Federalist No. 74, Alexander Hamilton defended the power by arguing that the pardon was necessary to provide “exceptions in favor of unfortunate guilt” and to serve the public good, especially during times of rebellion or unrest.  

A broad  coalition of democratic organizations from across the state have mobilized to protect free speech rights from a secretive attempt by right-wing lawmakers to make public criticism of the state of Israel illegal in the state of Ohio.

This is the story of how they did it – how people of all different backgrounds came together on short notice, learned to navigate the convoluted cutlure of the Ohio statehouse, and faced down a powerful lobby determined to shield the state of Israel and its supporters in the US government from accountability for the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Faten Odeh, the executive director of the Cleveland chapter of The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH), had heard rumblings of states intending to codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism into law, but could have never anticipated how fast legislation around the definition would develop in Ohio. Perhaps a bigger surprise was how quickly she, along with Ann Ghazy, Jawhara Qutiefan, and a myriad of other organizers were able to mobilize large numbers of people to help protect free speech from government overreach.

Once again, the Ohio legislature has gifted the oil and gas industry with an amendment stuffed into an unrelated bill during its last committee hearing of the lame duck session with no public notice or chance to comment -- this time extending leases to frack our public lands up to eight long years. And once again, Gov. Mike DeWine has signed such a bill against the wishes of Ohio citizens, of whom 98% commenting on fracking Salt Fork State Park were opposed.

Ohioans do not want to see our beloved state parks and wildlife areas turned into industrial zones by out-of-state corporations, ruining our beautiful natural spaces for oil and gas profits. We do not want to see our freshwater sold for one-third of one cent per gallon to the oil and gas industry, turned into toxic and radioactive waste by fracking, removed from the water cycle forever, and injected into wastewater wells where it can easily migrate.

In an ongoing struggle for free speech, a dedicated coalition of Ohioans from across the state have worked diligently to defeat legislation that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism and ties it to heightened criminal penalties. Lawmakers attached the same provisions to multiple bills in a deceptive legislative bundling maneuver to fast-track controversial measures by contributing to ‘Christmas Tree’ bills during the lame duck session. Wednesday night December 18 marked the end of the 135th General Assembly and advocates remain energized and committed to protecting First Amendment rights in 2025. 

After nearly one year to the day when a signed agreement was made between City Attorney Zach Klein and the Whitehall City Attorney’s office for Whitehall to investigate Mayor Ginther’s exparte communication with Judge Stephanie Mingo, Whitehall City Attorney Brad Nicodemus finally disclosed his investigation report.

Mr. Nicodemus, in what many will view as a predictable biased decision, found that “with insufficient probable cause for obstruction of official business and interference with civil rights, neither charge will be filed with the court.”

The logic of his decision is not sound. Ginther obstructed justice and violated the constitutional rights of the parties by contacting the judge. In my opinion, the decision appears to be politically biased in favor of Mayor Ginther. This means the Mayor is free to interfere with any pending case.

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The Mayor’s Office has never officially called Columbus a sanctuary city, but unofficially since 2017 conservatives and MAGA have attacked it as such. This was the year of new immigrant friendly policies enacted by the Mayor’s Office, such as ordering Columbus police to never ask anyone whether they are undocumented.

Back then, police were instructed to “don’t ask, don’t tell” – and do not alert ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), unless in response to a court order. No local tax dollars would be used to enforce federal immigration policy either, while services will be offered to all immigrants who are in need.

This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame

As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Columbus is in for major changes in the coming years—and local queer community leader Densil Porteous wants to be a part of the conversation to fill the vacant District 7 representative on city council.

“We know we are going to continue to grow, and we have to be thoughtful, strategic and intentional about that growth,” he said.

As a queer Black man, a parent and a two-decade Columbus resident, Porteous believes he will bring a much-needed perspective to Council to ensure a bright and equitable future for the city. His platform is centered on affordable housing, inclusive economic growth, environmental justice and community-centered safety solutions.

A diverse coalition of Ohioans from across the state, including a caravan from Cleveland, is headed to Columbus today to testify against Senate Bill 297 (SB 297), a controversial piece of legislation being rushed through during the lame-duck session. The bill, endorsed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, seeks to encode the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state law, attaching this definition to heightened criminal penalties.

Opponents argue that while the bill is framed as a measure to combat antisemitism, it is, in fact, a thinly veiled attempt to stifle criticism of the Israeli government and suppress advocacy for Palestinian rights and attention away from the genocide in Gaza. The urgency of the situation has prompted grassroots organizations, student activists, civil rights groups, and faith-based organizations to mobilize in defense of free speech and the right to protest.

Touring German Village during the holidays at night has become a tradition for many, and just in time for this weekend’s German Village Lights the new mixed-used monstrosity “Jaeger Square” has opened for business – or at least started offering leases for its $1,000-a-month 350-square feet studios replete with Murphy beds.

Those German Village homeowners who spent years, a lot of money, and sweat equity building the character of Central Ohio’s most unique neighborhood have begun to speak out online. The five-story 261-unit apartment building (pictured above on left) with retail space is at the corner of Whittier and Jaeger Streets, a short walk to Schiller Park, and built by The Pizzuti Companies. And while Jaeger Square is actually in Schumacher Place and not German Village – a neighborhood that has stricter zoning codes and a historical commission that would have put up a tougher fight and more resistance – what’s done is done.

The Ohio Coalition To End Qualified Immunity (The OCEQI) announces serious concerns regarding Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s repeated public hostility toward the proposed initiative aimed at ending qualified immunity, prosecutorial immunity, sovereign immunity, and all statutory immunities enjoyed by the government to the detriment of the people.

Over the past two years, Secretary LaRose has engaged in a pattern of false and disparaging statements about the initiative and its sponsors, referring to it as an “assault on our state constitution” and accusing its backers of being financed by “the radical left.” In an article by the Toledo Blade on August 10, 2023, Secretary LaRose claimed the initiative “threatens to unleash a flood of frivolous, politically motivated lawsuits against the brave men and women trying to protect our communities.”