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☆ Abortion rights advocates fight waiting periods and other limits amid political fallout of Roe reversal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Longstanding abortion restrictions like waiting periods and provider regulations are now under legal attack in states where Roe v. Wade’s reversal prompted voters to amend their state constitutions to protect abortion rights. But the success abortion rights advocates have had in passing such measures in purple states and even Ohio – where Republicans have dominated recent elections – is notable. Anti-abortion activists say that abortion rights advocates are stretching the constitutional amendments beyond their meaning, suggesting that voters in other states should be wary. Abortion rights advocates say that the legal landscape differs state by state, so it’s difficult to predict the litigation that could come out of the proposed amendments if adopted. There are campaigns for initiatives to expand abortion rights in several other states, but only in a few states so far have abortion rights advocates cleared the required hurdles to guarantee the proposals will be on the ballot.

Persons: Roe, ’ pushback, Dobbs, ’ ”, Rabia Muqaddam, ”, Meagan Burrows, Katie Daniel, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Dana Nessel, Eric Restuccia, “, ” Genevieve Marnon, Casey –, Dave Yost, ” Yost, Casey, Yost, Jessica Arons, “ We’re, ” Arons Organizations: CNN, ACLU, Jackson, Health, Center for Reproductive Rights, Republicans, Democrat, Democratic, Republican, “ Voters Locations: Ohio, Michigan, In Ohio, Michigan and Ohio, California, Florida , Arizona , Missouri, Dobbs, Roe, Arizona

In a court filing, Yost said the July 3 cutoff for the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” to make the fall ballot is a false deadline. Ballot campaigns are often mounted in presidential election years in order to take advantage of high turnouts or to motivate certain voter groups. He issued the decision even while acknowledging that his office had previously certified identical language, including a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights would enshrine in the state constitution the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely and require automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. It also follows a fight last summer over the threshold for passing amendments to the Ohio Constitution.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, Relators, ”, . Philip Randolph, shouldn’t Organizations: — Republican, “ Ohio, . Philip Randolph Institute, NAACP, Ohio, The Ohio Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

At issue is a Jan. 25 finding by Yost that the proposed constitutional amendment's title — “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” — was “highly misleading and misrepresentative” of the measure’s contents. It certified a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The coalition behind the amendment — which includes the NAACP's Ohio chapter, A. Philip Randolph Institute and Ohio Organizing Collaborative — filed suit Thursday. In his rejection letter, Yost cited “recent authority from the Ohio Supreme Court” giving him the ability to review petition headings, as well as text summaries. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights would enshrine in the state constitution the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely and require automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, ” —, Philip Randolph, — Organizations: Republican, Ohio Supreme, “ Ohio, Ohio, Philip Randolph Institute Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A coalition of voting-rights groups is vowing to fight on after Ohio Republican Attorney General Dave Yost issued his second rejection Thursday of petition language it has submitted for a proposed constitutional amendment. It certified a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights calls for enshrining the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely in the state constitution. The proposed amendment includes automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. “In the past, this Office has not always rigorously evaluated whether the title fairly or truthfully summarized a given proposed amendment,” Yost wrote the coalition's attorney.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, ” —, “, ” Yost, . Philip Randolph, —, ”, ’ Organizations: Ohio Republican, “ Ohio, Ohio, The Ohio, Ohio Unity Coalition, . Philip Randolph Institute Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

A federal appeals court has paused enforcement of a federal government regulation that allows abortion providers to receive federal family planning money — but only in Ohio, where state health officials said the policy took money away from them. Since 1981, federal policy has changed several times regarding whether programs receiving family planning funds can provide abortions or refer patients to such services. Circuit Court of Appeals overruled that in a decision Thursday — but only as it applies to how the federal government distributes the grants in Ohio. And when that happened, the award to the state's health department decreased by $1.8 million. But a court blocked enforcement, and voters last month adopted an amendment to the state constitution enshrining the right to abortion.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, — Joan Larsen, Amul Thapar, Donald Trump —, Dave Yost, Karen Nelson Moore, Bill Clinton, Roe, Wade Organizations: Circuit, Republican, Ohio, Democratic, U.S, Supreme Locations: Ohio, U.S, Cincinnati

☆ Dollar General must pay $1 million after charging customers too much at checkout
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ohio's attorney general said last year that Dollar General overcharged customers for items like groceries. Under the settlement, Dollar General will pay $750,000 to the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Many Dollar General stores are so cluttered with merchandise that fire marshals have ordered them to close. Dollar General is taking $95 million in write-downs on surplus merchandise as well as deploying "smart teams" to stores that need cleaning up. Do you work or shop at Dollar General and have a story idea to share?

Persons: —, Dave Yost, doesn't, Hannah Hundley, NBC4 Organizations: Service, Columbus TV, Ohio, Dollar, Employment Opportunity Commission, US Occupational Safety, Health Administration Locations: Ohio, Butler, Southwestern Ohio, Columbus, The Tennessee

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — The eight Ohio police officers who fired scores of shots that killed Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man, after a car and foot chase last year are back on active duty, officials said. Michael Miller, in a statement, cited a state investigation and an Ohio grand jury's decision against indicting any officers in the June 2022 shooting death of Walker. Some of the officers first used Tasers to try and stop Walker, but he reached toward his waistband and raised a hand as officers were chasing, Yost said. The officers, whose identities haven’t been released, were put on leave following the shooting and then reinstated to desk duty in October 2022. Attorneys for the eight officers released a statement earlier calling the shooting a tragedy for the entire community, including Walker’s family and all of the officers who were involved.

Persons: Jayland Walker, Akron Capt, Michael Miller, Walker, ” Miller, Bobby DiCello, WKYC, Dave Yost, Yost, Steve Mylett, Anthony Pierson, ” Pierson Organizations: Ohio, ” Police, Summit Locations: AKRON , Ohio, Akron, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Supreme Court justices vigorously questioned the state's lawyer Wednesday about a legal strategy that Ohio is attempting in hopes of reviving its law banning on abortions except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. The state is also challenging whether Preterm Cleveland and other Ohio clinics have the necessary legal standing to sue. The legal battle over the law comes as a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access in Ohio will go before voters in November. Preterm's attorney, B. Jessie Hill, argued that the state's decision to appeal the stay at the Ohio Supreme Court defies “long-standing, well-established rules" on such actions. Ohio clinics then brought their challenge to state court, arguing that a similar right to the procedure exists under the Ohio Constitution.

Persons: Benjamin Flowers, peppering, Flowers, Christian Jenkins, Mike DeWine, Jenkins, ” Flowers, Dave Yost's, Jessie Hill, Hill, they’re, Roe, Wade, ”, Jennifer Brunner, “, “ It's, Yost Organizations: —, Republican Gov, Supreme, AP VoteCast, Ohio Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, — Ohio, Ohio, Cleveland, Hamilton, U.S

Norfolk Southern announced new details Monday about its plan to compensate East Palestine residents for lost home values since the fiery derailment disrupted life in the eastern Ohio town in February. Already, the railroad estimates that the cleanup will cost more than $800 million, which includes $74 million that Norfolk Southern has pledged to East Palestine to help the town recover. “This is another step in fulfilling our promise to East Palestine to make it right. “I intend to keep the pressure on Norfolk Southern to make things right for the community,” he said. Senators who proposed a package of railroad safety reforms after the derailment that is still awaiting a vote, said he remains skeptical of Norfolk Southern.

Persons: it's, ”, Alan Shaw, Texas Sen, Ted Cruz, JD Vance, Vance, “, Jami Wallace, hasn't, ” Wallace, Wallace, It’s Organizations: Norfolk Southern, Ohio Attorney, Republican, Norfolk, U.S, Senators, Unity Council Locations: Palestine, Ohio, East Palestine, Norfolk Southern, Texas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Efforts by the Biden administration to limit pollution from automobile tailpipes — a major source of planet-warming emissions — face a crucial test as legal challenges brought by Republican-led states head to a federal appeals court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will hear arguments Thursday and Friday on three cases challenging Biden administration rules targeting cars and trucks. The cases before the appeals court will test a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency rule that strengthened tailpipe pollution limits and a 2022 EPA decision that restored California’s authority to set its own tailpipe pollution standards for cars and SUVs. The court cases come as the Biden administration pushes the auto industry to quickly adopt electric vehicles as part of its climate agenda. “Far from doing something unexpected or novel'' in the tailpipe pollution rule, "EPA merely tightened existing standards,'' Kim wrote.

Persons: Biden, Ken Paxton, Joe, ”, Paxton, Dave Yost, Peter Zalzal, ″, Pete Huffman, Todd Kim, “, Kim, Zalzal Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, U.S, Appeals, District of Columbia, Biden, Transportation, Supreme, Environmental, Agency, EPA, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Texas, GOP, Texas Senate, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, NHTSA, Justice Department's, Natural Resources, General Motors, Ford, GM, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, EV, Auto Innovators, Department, EDF Locations: U.S, California, Russia, Ukraine, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia

☆ Josh Sills: Philadelphia Eagles lineman is acquitted on rape and kidnapping charges in Ohio
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Artemis Moshtaghian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A player for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles who was accused of raping and kidnapping a woman in 2019 has been acquitted of the charges, according to documents filed in Guernsey County Court in Ohio. Offensive lineman Josh Sills had been indicted by a grand jury on January 31 and was placed on the NFL’s commissioner exempt list, preventing him from practicing, playing or travel with the team. “We are aware that the legal matter involving Josh Sills has been adjudicated and he was found not guilty,” the team said. Sills’ lawyer, Michael Connick, said the acquittal “ends a nearly four-year nightmare for the Sills family, and particularly Josh,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. CNN has reached out to Sills’ legal representation for further comment.

Persons: Josh Sills, “, Sills ’, Michael Connick, Sills, Josh, ”, Dave Yost, ” Yost, ” Sills Organizations: CNN, NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Guernsey County Court, Eagles, Philadelphia Inquirer, Oklahoma State Locations: Guernsey County, Ohio, America

☆ FCC issues historic $300 million fine against the largest robocall scam it has ever investigated
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday cracked down on a massive illegal robocall operation responsible for billions of auto-warranty scam calls in recent years, with regulators imposing a record $300 million fine on what authorities said is the largest such network it has ever investigated. The globe-spanning illegal operation violated US telecom laws by making more than five billion robocalls to more than half a billion phone numbers over the course of just three months in 2021, the FCC said in a release Wednesday. But the campaign had been in existence for even longer, the FCC added. At the same time, the FCC directed US voice providers to stop carrying calls originating from providers used by the network. “We know the scam artists behind these calls are relentless — but we are coming for them and won’t stop until we get this junk off the line,” Rosenworcel said.

Persons: —, Roy Melvin Cox Jr, Aaron Michael Jones, Dave Yost, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel Organizations: CNN, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Ohio, of, Justice Department Locations: United States, Ohio, of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, New Mexico

☆ FTC, U.S. regulators crack down on illegal robocalls, telemarketing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 18 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Tuesday announced a nationwide crackdown to stop companies from inundating people with billions of unwanted and illegal robocalls and telemarketing calls. "We don't know too many people out there who enjoy getting scam calls," Samuel Levine, director of the FTC consumer protection bureau, told reporters. In addition to targeting telemarketers, the crackdown targets Voice over Internet Protocol providers that facilitate robocalls, which often come from outside the country. In a statement, the company said it shared the FTC's concerns about robocall technology, and is confident its telemarketing consent practices are legal. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Samuel Levine, Dave Yost, Jonathan Stempel, Aurora Ellis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Authorities, Republican, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington, New York, Ohio

☆ Family sues Akron and 8 officers who shot Jayland Walker
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Rich Mckay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A spokeswoman for the city told the Akron Beacon Journal that there would be no comment on the litigation from the city. The officers pursued Walker on foot after an attempted traffic stop in June 2022 and shot him dozens of times, including five times in the back, police officials said. "Only then did the officers fire believing Mr. Walker was firing again at them," said Yost, whose office was asked by local prosecutors to investigate the shooting. State law allows officers to use deadly force against a deadly threat to themselves or others, he added. A media lawsuit seeking the names of the officers is pending before the Ohio Supreme Court.

Persons: Jayland Walker, Daniel Horrigan, Stephen Mylett, Bobby DiCello, Walker, DiCello, Dave Yost, Yost, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Walker's, Pamela Walker, Rich McKay, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Northern, Northern District of, Police, Reuters, Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio, of Justice, DOJ, Ohio Supreme, Thomson Locations: Akron , Ohio, U.S, Northern District, Northern District of Ohio, City, Akron, State, United States, Minneapolis, Louisville , Kentucky, Ohio, Atlanta

☆ Drug Middlemen Accused of Price Fixing by Ohio Attorney General
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Jared S. Hopkins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A price-fixing lawsuit that Ohio filed Monday against several firms that manage billions of dollars in drug benefits ratchets up scrutiny of the companies while shining a spotlight on their new tactic using overseas subsidiaries. The lawsuit filed Monday by the Ohio attorney general in a state court alleges Cigna Corp., Humana Inc. and Prime Therapeutics LLC shared pricing and other information gathered by a Swiss subsidiary to gain leverage during negotiations with drugmakers for rebates.

☆ Schumer pushes National Transportation Safety Board to expand rail safety probe beyond Norfolk Southern
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday urged the National Transportation Safety Board to broaden its rail safety investigation beyond Norfolk Southern to other large rail companies after last month's derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Hours before Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw appeared at a congressional hearing last week about the Ohio derailment, another of the company's trains derailed in Calhoun County, Alabama. It was the third derailment involving Norfolk Southern since last month. They can tell us how many fatalities there were — 2,768 — but not why or if company policies could have prevented them." The Ohio Attorney General's office on Tuesday sued Norfolk Southern in federal court, alleging it was negligent for causing the derailment.

REUTERS/Gaelen MorseCompanies Norfolk Southern Corp FollowMarch 14 (Reuters) - The state of Ohio sued Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) Tuesday over the Feb. 3 derailment of a freight train that released over a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants into the environment around the town of East Palestine. Since the Ohio derailment caused cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride and other hazardous chemicals to spill and catch fire, Norfolk Southern has been under pressure over a number of train derailments. Last week, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw was sharply questioned at a U.S. Senate hearing and will appear at another March 22 rail safety Senate hearing. Those suits claim Norfolk Southern was negligent and has created a nuisance for residents, among other claims for liability. Last week, Norfolk Southern agreed to create a new first responders training center and expand a training program in Ohio.

☆ We believe Norfolk Southern needs to be held accountable: Ohio AG Dave Yost
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe believe Norfolk Southern needs to be held accountable: Ohio AG Dave YostOhio Attorney General Dave Yost joins 'Squawk on the Street' to break down the Norfolk Southern train derailment and why he thinks the company needs to be held accountable.

☆ Eagles' Sills indicted on rape, kidnapping charges ahead of Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Rookie offensive lineman Josh Sills of the Super Bowl-bound Philadelphia Eagles has been indicted on rape and kidnapping charges, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Sills was indicted by a Guernsey County Common Pleas Court grand jury on one count of rape and one count of kidnapping, both first-degree felonies. The crime was immediately reported, and the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation. The Eagles did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the team or Sills. Sills has been issued a summons to appear in Guernsey County Common Pleas Court on Feb. 16, four days after the Eagles are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

Meanwhile, abortion-rights advocates and the ballot initiative groups they’re working with said preliminary efforts are also underway in Florida, Missouri and other states. Meanwhile, voters in two Democratic states, California and Vermont, chose to officially protect abortion rights in their constitutions. “Reproductive rights is a winning issue. The Dobbs decision had a huge impact,” said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which works with progressive organizations to help advance citizen-led ballot measures. “And what we know — that about a majority of Americans actually support reproductive rights and abortion access — means we have an incredible opportunity.”

Human remains found in a shallow Ohio grave in 1991 are of a missing Columbus man, officials said Tuesday, marking another cold case homicide broken open by advancements in DNA and genealogical research. The dead man found more than 31 years ago is 21-year-old Robert Mullins, who had vanished two or three years earlier, state prosecutors and Pickaway County Sheriff's deputies said. "Thirty-one Christmases have come and gone and I was thinking about the headstone with no name on it," Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told reporters. Pickaway County Sheriff's Office via FacebookA pair of hunters stumbled upon Mullins' skeleton north of State Route 56 just west of State Route 159, in Pickaway County on Nov. 1, 1991, state and local officials said. “We would also like to thank Robert’s genetic relative matches who volunteered their time (and) family information,” Strawser said.

An Ohio man accused of helping his family plan, carry out and cover up the killing of eight members of another family was found guilty of murder Wednesday. Both Wagner brothers as well as their parents, Angela Wagner and George “Billy” Wagner III, were charged in the killings. Angela Wagner pleaded guilty to a role in helping to plan the killings in exchange for a 30-year sentence. Edward "Jake" Wagner speaks to an attorney at the Pike County Courthouse in Waverly, Ohio, on Nov. 27, 2018. Jake Wagner said his brother froze and did not fire, leading Jake to kill the man himself, according to WLWT.

☆ 2 right-wing operatives must spend 500 hours registering voters after pleading guilty to running a 2020 voter suppression campaign
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two right-wing operatives pleaded guilty to running a robocall scheme before the 2020 election. On Tuesday, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were sentenced to work 500 hours at a voter registration drive. The men set up thousands of false robocalls that targeted mostly Black neighborhoods. Both Wohl and Burkman have a history of coming up with unfounded claims and conspiracy theories targeted at Democratic Party politicians. A Daily Beast report at the time found that both Burkman and Wohl tried to convince several young Republican men to make similar accusations.

☆ Dollar stores getting penny-wise
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Dollar stores are fighting to retain pricing power, but a new lawsuit suggests it might get tougher. Ohio Attorney General David Yost sued Dollar General (DG.N) on Tuesday for deceptive practices after some customers complained about coughing up $2 on occasion rather than a buck. For now, raising prices at $57 billion Dollar General seems to be working. Such stores certainly have in the past as consumers seek cheaper options. Unlike in previous economic slumps, where dollar stores could shrink the size of, say, a bag of chips and stick with the $1 price tag, charging more now could mean that products already have been fully condensed.

☆ Right-wing operatives plead guilty to 2020 election robocall scheme
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Zoë Richards | Zoë Richards Is The Evening Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A pair of right-wing provocateurs pleaded guilty on Monday to telecommunications fraud stemming from robocalls made shortly before the 2020 election. Jacob Wohl, 24, and Jack Burkman, 56, each pleaded guilty to one felony count, a spokesperson from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed. Both men were indicted in October 2020 on eight counts of telecommunications fraud and seven counts of bribery in connection with trying to influence voters through robocalls on Aug. 26, 2020, that contained disinformation about mail-in voting ahead of the November election. The remaining charges were dismissed Monday, according to Wohl’s attorney, Mark Wieczorek, who declined to comment on his client's guilty plea. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney James Gutierrez said Burkman and Wohl were "held accountable" for infringing on voters' rights.

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