An elected member of the Ohio Statehouse is under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for repeatedly confronting and threatening constituents and fellow lawmakers during his time in office.

State Rep. Elliot Forhan, a Democrat from South Euclid, is being investigated for nearly a dozen documented confrontations with the public or other elected officials while serving in his official capacity as a state lawmaker.

An incident in May involved a citizen who was trying to discuss a bill Forhan was sponsoring. Forhan was ordered to undergo implicit bias training. Forhan also behaved “erratically” during that training, fellow lawmakers said.

Less than a month later, Forhan was the subject of more complaints from union officials in Cuyahoga County that he was using vulgar language and threatening people if challenged on his views by constituents.

Forhan then showed up unannounced at another state representative’s home in June to get help in dealing with those incidents.

Forhan’s actions came to a head in November when he shouted and cursed at another state representative before heading into a meeting at the statehouse.

Party leaders stripped Forhan of his house committee assignments and last week restricted his access to the statehouse while he is being investigated.

An elected member of the Ohio Statehouse is under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for repeatedly confronting and threatening constituents and fellow lawmakers during his time in office.

State Rep. Elliot Forhan, a Democrat from South Euclid, is being investigated for nearly a dozen documented confrontations with the public or other elected officials while serving in his official capacity as a state lawmaker.

An incident in May involved a citizen who was trying to discuss a bill Forhan was sponsoring. Forhan was ordered to undergo implicit bias training. Forhan also behaved “erratically” during that training, fellow lawmakers said.

Less than a month later, Forhan was the subject of more complaints from union officials in Cuyahoga County that he was using vulgar language and threatening people if challenged on his views by constituents.

Forhan then showed up unannounced at another state representative’s home in June to get help in dealing with those incidents.

Forhan’s actions came to a head in November when he shouted and cursed at another state representative before heading into a meeting at the statehouse.

Party leaders stripped Forhan of his house committee assignments and last week restricted his access to the statehouse while he is being investigated.

A surprisingly divided U.S. Supreme Court beat back Florida’s attempt to temporarily enforce a new state law that makes it a misdemeanor to take a child to a drag show.

Florida was seeking to enforce the law while it was being challenged in a U.S. District Court by a restaurant owner in the state.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch signaled they supported the state’s application to grant the stay and enforce the law.

But Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored an official statement supported by Justice Amy Coney Barrett that said the court was denying the request by the state because the justices are unlikely to hear the overall case challenging the law.

Kavanaugh noted that while Florida “strongly disagrees” with any conclusion that the law violates the First Amendment, the state “does not raise that issue” with the Supreme Court.

Florida was seeking through the court enforcement of the law and Kavanaugh concluded the court was not the right vessel for such a matter.

The Protection of Children Act was signed into law in Florida in 2023 and makes it a misdemeanor to have a minor attend “adult live performances” containing “the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation of genitals or breasts.” The law largely targets drag shows.

A surprisingly divided U.S. Supreme Court beat back Florida’s attempt to temporarily enforce a new state law that makes it a misdemeanor to take a child to a drag show.

Florida was seeking to enforce the law while it was being challenged in a U.S. District Court by a restaurant owner in the state.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch signaled they supported the state’s application to grant the stay and enforce the law.

But Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored an official statement supported by Justice Amy Coney Barrett that said the court was denying the request by the state because the justices are unlikely to hear the overall case challenging the law.

Kavanaugh noted that while Florida “strongly disagrees” with any conclusion that the law violates the First Amendment, the state “does not raise that issue” with the Supreme Court.

Florida was seeking through the court enforcement of the law and Kavanaugh concluded the court was not the right vessel for such a matter.

The Protection of Children Act was signed into law in Florida in 2023 and makes it a misdemeanor to have a minor attend “adult live performances” containing “the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation of genitals or breasts.” The law largely targets drag shows.

A woman who was sentenced to seven years in prison for illegally transporting drugs over the U.S.-Mexico border will argue before the Supreme Court her rights were violated by a government witness.

The court agreed this week to hear the merits of the drug-trafficking case which stems from the arrest of Delilah Diaz for transporting 28 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in the car.

Diaz said she was not aware the drugs were in the car, which belonged to her boyfriend. In her defense, Diaz’s attorneys claimed she was a “blind mule.”

Here’s where Diaz said she was wronged:

The federal government had to prove Diaz knew she was transporting drugs. To prove their case, prosecutors called in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent as an expert witness.

That agent testified drug couriers know when they are carrying drugs across the border and rarely use “blind mules.” Diaz was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Diaz is arguing that the agent’s testimony violated the Federal Rules of Evidence, which prohibit expert witnesses from stating opinions about a defendant’s mental state to commit a crime.

An appeals court rejected her claim. The Supreme Court agreed this week to hear arguments some time next year.

A woman who was sentenced to seven years in prison for illegally transporting drugs over the U.S.-Mexico border will argue before the Supreme Court her rights were violated by a government witness.

The court agreed this week to hear the merits of the drug-trafficking case which stems from the arrest of Delilah Diaz for transporting 28 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in the car.

Diaz said she was not aware the drugs were in the car, which belonged to her boyfriend. In her defense, Diaz’s attorneys claimed she was a “blind mule.”

Here’s where Diaz said she was wronged:

The federal government had to prove Diaz knew she was transporting drugs. To prove their case, prosecutors called in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent as an expert witness.

That agent testified drug couriers know when they are carrying drugs across the border and rarely use “blind mules.” Diaz was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Diaz is arguing that the agent’s testimony violated the Federal Rules of Evidence, which prohibit expert witnesses from stating opinions about a defendant’s mental state to commit a crime.

An appeals court rejected her claim. The Supreme Court agreed this week to hear arguments some time next year.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced wild details of a drug-trafficking ring that fit a Hollywood movie script.

The feds said Ohio prisoner Brian Lumbus Jr., of Maple Heights, operated a worldwide drug ring while incarcerated with the help of an Italian con man. Lumbus is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for stealing more than $1 million in 2013.

Lumbus used known con man Giancarlo Miserotti to import drugs from Italy, China, India and Mexico, according to the government.

Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson said the joint state and federal investigation spanned three continents. Wilson also added he has formed a new unit within his department to focus on organized drug trafficking inside Ohio’s prisons.

Lumbus and Miserotti used their connections to traffic in fentanyl and other drugs. At least one person died of an overdose because of their scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced wild details of a drug-trafficking ring that fit a Hollywood movie script.

The feds said Ohio prisoner Brian Lumbus Jr., of Maple Heights, operated a worldwide drug ring while incarcerated with the help of an Italian con man. Lumbus is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for stealing more than $1 million in 2013.

Lumbus used known con man Giancarlo Miserotti to import drugs from Italy, China, India and Mexico, according to the government.

Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson said the joint state and federal investigation spanned three continents. Wilson also added he has formed a new unit within his department to focus on organized drug trafficking inside Ohio’s prisons.

Lumbus and Miserotti used their connections to traffic in fentanyl and other drugs. At least one person died of an overdose because of their scheme.

It appears the Supreme Court is set to rule on a highly anticipated, closely watched case for gun enthusiasts and gun control advocates. Justices signaled they will likely uphold federal law that bars someone who has been served a restraining order for domestic violence from possessing a gun.

This week the justices heard more than 90 minutes of oral arguments United States v. Rahimi. After oral arguments several justices expressed concerns about the pandora’s box that could be opened by undoing the federal law.

Zackey Rahimi was served with a protection order in 2020 in Texas after he physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child. Rahimi also fired a gun at a witness during the incident.

The restraining order banned Rahimi from going near his girlfriend and from having a gun. Several months later police searched Rahimi’s home after he became a suspect in a series of shootings. They found a pistol and a rifle, in violation of his protection order not to possess guns.

Rahimi sought to have the charge against him dismissed, arguing that the law is unconstitutional.

It appears the Supreme Court is set to rule on a highly anticipated, closely watched case for gun enthusiasts and gun control advocates. Justices signaled they will likely uphold federal law that bars someone who has been served a restraining order for domestic violence from possessing a gun.

This week the justices heard more than 90 minutes of oral arguments United States v. Rahimi. After oral arguments several justices expressed concerns about the pandora’s box that could be opened by undoing the federal law.

Zackey Rahimi was served with a protection order in 2020 in Texas after he physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child. Rahimi also fired a gun at a witness during the incident.

The restraining order banned Rahimi from going near his girlfriend and from having a gun. Several months later police searched Rahimi’s home after he became a suspect in a series of shootings. They found a pistol and a rifle, in violation of his protection order not to possess guns.

Rahimi sought to have the charge against him dismissed, arguing that the law is unconstitutional.

Here’s another gun issue raging in Ohio: In Columbus, City Attorney Zach Klein wants to charge criminals with a misdemeanor for not storing guns properly. The city can only charge for misdemeanors because of Ohio law. Felonies must fall under state statutes.

The case is born out of an incident involving a man named Abdalla Abdalla whose 3-year-old son found a loaded handgun and shot himself. Abdalla faces several charges, including child endangerment.

Klein wants to hold gun owners accountable, while the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is telling the city prosecutor he needs to stay in his lane.

The state has made several attempts to block Columbus’ new gun storage ordinance, calling it unconstitutional. Klein said he intends to take the fight over proper storage of guns to the Ohio Court of Appeals.

Stay tuned.

Here’s another gun issue raging in Ohio: In Columbus, City Attorney Zach Klein wants to charge criminals with a misdemeanor for not storing guns properly. The city can only charge for misdemeanors because of Ohio law. Felonies must fall under state statutes.

The case is born out of an incident involving a man named Abdalla Abdalla whose 3-year-old son found a loaded handgun and shot himself. Abdalla faces several charges, including child endangerment.

Klein wants to hold gun owners accountable, while the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is telling the city prosecutor he needs to stay in his lane.

The state has made several attempts to block Columbus’ new gun storage ordinance, calling it unconstitutional. Klein said he intends to take the fight over proper storage of guns to the Ohio Court of Appeals.

Stay tuned.

There are nearly 24,200 police officers among 850 law enforcement agencies in Ohio. Training them all with the latest best practices can be a challenge.

And while larger departments in Ohio can easily meet the annual 24-hour training requirements set by the state for existing officers, smaller departments with less than a few dozen full-time officers struggle.

In July an officer with the Circleville Police Department was terminated after releasing a police dog to attack a man who had his hands up after a traffic stop by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Police chiefs in smaller departments said those types of incidents can be avoided with ongoing training, but they are strapped for manpower and money.

There are nearly 24,200 police officers among 850 law enforcement agencies in Ohio. Training them all with the latest best practices can be a challenge.

And while larger departments in Ohio can easily meet the annual 24-hour training requirements set by the state for existing officers, smaller departments with less than a few dozen full-time officers struggle.

In July an officer with the Circleville Police Department was terminated after releasing a police dog to attack a man who had his hands up after a traffic stop by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Police chiefs in smaller departments said those types of incidents can be avoided with ongoing training, but they are strapped for manpower and money.

There are daily media reports about political dysfunction between Republicans and Democrats, but all sides are united on one thing: Meta is harming our kids.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has been sued by Ohio and 32 other states for creating addictive features that greatly affect the mental health of teens of younger children.

Specifically, Meta is creating platforms that allow for infinite scrolling of things children are not searching for and could be harmful to them.

The lawsuit comes after several credible reports of a mental health crisis among children being fueled partly by consumption of online material. Teen suicide rates have also been on the rise.

There are daily media reports about political dysfunction between Republicans and Democrats, but all sides are united on one thing: Meta is harming our kids.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has been sued by Ohio and 32 other states for creating addictive features that greatly affect the mental health of teens of younger children.

Specifically, Meta is creating platforms that allow for infinite scrolling of things children are not searching for and could be harmful to them.

The lawsuit comes after several credible reports of a mental health crisis among children being fueled partly by consumption of online material. Teen suicide rates have also been on the rise.

The U.S. Supreme Court next month is expected to hear arguments on whether those with restraining orders filed against them should be restricted from carrying certain firearms.

Earlier this month a group, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, released a study that found homicides committed by intimate partners went up 22 percent in states with softer gun regulations, according to gun-related deaths from 2018 to 2022.

The group seeks to require background checks for firearms sales to anyone. The study found that 782 people were killed by their current or ex partner in 2022. That was up from 642 in 2018.

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the U.S. v. Rahimi case on November 7. The case respondent, Zackery Rahimi, is arguing that his right to possess firearms is being violated due to a restraining order filed against him.

Read more here.

The U.S. Supreme Court next month is expected to hear arguments on whether those with restraining orders filed against them should be restricted from carrying certain firearms.

Earlier this month a group, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, released a study that found homicides committed by intimate partners went up 22 percent in states with softer gun regulations, according to gun-related deaths from 2018 to 2022.

The group seeks to require background checks for firearms sales to anyone. The study found that 782 people were killed by their current or ex partner in 2022. That was up from 642 in 2018.

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the U.S. v. Rahimi case on November 7. The case respondent, Zackery Rahimi, is arguing that his right to possess firearms is being violated due to a restraining order filed against him.

Read more here.

The Office of the Attorney General of Ohio prepared and released these analyses of the two issues on Ohio’s November ballot.

Issue 1: Pro-Abortion Rights Amendments to the Ohio Constitution

Issue 2: Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

The Office of the Attorney General of Ohio prepared and released these analyses of the two issues on Ohio’s November ballot.

Issue 1: Pro-Abortion Rights Amendments to the Ohio Constitution

Issue 2: Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

Imagine receiving a startling phone alert from your bank that a mortgage payment had been made that was never authorized. Nearly 13,000 were stunned to get that message from banks in 2021.

This week Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and 49 of his colleagues in other states made those responsible pay for those unauthorized withdrawals.

Payment processor ACI Worldwide is being forced to pay $10 million for creating hysteria and financial hardship for those Ohioans.

Ohio will receive $342,803 from the settlement which will be shared among the victims. Read more here.

Imagine receiving a startling phone alert from your bank that a mortgage payment had been made that was never authorized. Nearly 13,000 were stunned to get that message from banks in 2021.

This week Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and 49 of his colleagues in other states made those responsible pay for those unauthorized withdrawals.

Payment processor ACI Worldwide is being forced to pay $10 million for creating hysteria and financial hardship for those Ohioans.

Ohio will receive $342,803 from the settlement which will be shared among the victims. Read more here.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has made improving policing and supporting officers one of his top priorities while in office.

He has helped enact training standards at police academies across Ohio and helped departments purchase protective equipment to help them better serve Ohioans.

Recently Yost met with law enforcement officers in Greene County to discuss the challenges and successes they have had in policing.

“Really good discussion!,” Yost said. “Thanks to our law enforcement heroes.”

Kurt Holden, director of public safety at Wright State University said it was a “great meeting.”

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has made improving policing and supporting officers one of his top priorities while in office.

He has helped enact training standards at police academies across Ohio and helped departments purchase protective equipment to help them better serve Ohioans.

Recently Yost met with law enforcement officers in Greene County to discuss the challenges and successes they have had in policing.

“Really good discussion!,” Yost said. “Thanks to our law enforcement heroes.”

Kurt Holden, director of public safety at Wright State University said it was a “great meeting.”

It was a great week for the good guys as Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the arrests of 160 sexual predators who were intending to illegally buy sex in Ohio.

Operation “Buyer’s Remorse” was a statewide assault by law enforcement on human trafficking criminals and was also meant to identify and help victims of human trafficking.

The operation was led by AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC). The arrests occurred Sept. 25-30 in the Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown areas.

Yost also in the last week announced the permanent shuttering of an organic waste facility that was nothing more than a stinky mess for neighbors.

The dump was operated by a company called Renergy which claims to make a liquid byproduct from a process where bacteria is used to treat manure and other organics which are then converted into methane gas for electricity use.

Renergy sells that liquid byproduct to use as fertilizer on farms. Ohio EPA found Renergy was polluting the environment by accepting excessive amounts of waste it could not handle.

It was a great week for the good guys as Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the arrests of 160 sexual predators who were intending to illegally buy sex in Ohio.

Operation “Buyer’s Remorse” was a statewide assault by law enforcement on human trafficking criminals and was also meant to identify and help victims of human trafficking.

The operation was led by AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC). The arrests occurred Sept. 25-30 in the Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown areas.

Yost also in the last week announced the permanent shuttering of an organic waste facility that was nothing more than a stinky mess for neighbors.

The dump was operated by a company called Renergy which claims to make a liquid byproduct from a process where bacteria is used to treat manure and other organics which are then converted into methane gas for electricity use.

Renergy sells that liquid byproduct to use as fertilizer on farms. Ohio EPA found Renergy was polluting the environment by accepting excessive amounts of waste it could not handle.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued his legal opinion on the legal impacts of Issue 1, advising voters that, if passed, it does more than just allow for abortions.

If passed, the measure would make Ohio one of the most aggressive pro-abortion states in the country by eliminating the state’s Heartbeat Bill, relax partial birth abortion laws and would end the 24-hour wait period required to get an abortion.

Yost said his legal opinion, which is a standard practice of the attorney general’s office on ballot measures, is meant to inform voters without bias.

“Ohio voters deserve an impartial resource that offers an objective analysis of the legal implications of both citizen-initiated initiatives,” Yost said. “The decision regarding which policy path is best for Ohio lies with voters, not with me.”

For more information on Yost’s legal opinion of Issue 1 click here.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued his legal opinion on the legal impacts of Issue 1, advising voters that, if passed, it does more than just allow for abortions.

If passed, the measure would make Ohio one of the most aggressive pro-abortion states in the country by eliminating the state’s Heartbeat Bill, relax partial birth abortion laws and would end the 24-hour wait period required to get an abortion.

Yost said his legal opinion, which is a standard practice of the attorney general’s office on ballot measures, is meant to inform voters without bias.

“Ohio voters deserve an impartial resource that offers an objective analysis of the legal implications of both citizen-initiated initiatives,” Yost said. “The decision regarding which policy path is best for Ohio lies with voters, not with me.”

For more information on Yost’s legal opinion of Issue 1 click here.

Democrats in Congress erred in passing The First Step Act in 2018, which extended pardon powers previously held solely by the President of the United States to the judicial branch, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio’s Solicitor General detail in the latest edition of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

In the article, Yost and Ohio’s SG, Ben Flowers, argue that the act sought to give criminals more chances at mercy. Protecting the public and the framework of the Constitution takes precedent Yost argues. The journal entry lays out the background of the law and why Yost believes it is bad public policy.

“Mercy is a virtue … Mercy is an act that overlooks a wrong and acts humanely, with compassion and with a view toward restoration. But mercy is not the only virtue. And it can work at cross-purposes with others, especially in government. Consider prudence. Exhibiting mercy to a criminal defendant generally means exposing the public to some risk of injury. Prudence may counsel against imposing such risks on innocent third parties. But the zealous distributor of mercy may forget this”

Yost argues that historically presidents have been careful when commuting sentences because of the societal and political risks. The judiciary does not consider some of those factors, which is why the Constitution gave sole pardon authority to the president.

Protecting the public throughout the judicial process has been a top priority for Yost. In 2022 he supported an Ohio ballot measure that required judges to consider public safety risks when setting bail amounts for those charged with a crime.

That ballot measure passed in November of 2022 and became law in 2023.

Democrats in Congress erred in passing The First Step Act in 2018, which extended pardon powers previously held solely by the President of the United States to the judicial branch, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio’s Solicitor General detail in the latest edition of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

In the article, Yost and Ohio’s SG, Ben Flowers, argue that the act sought to give criminals more chances at mercy. Protecting the public and the framework of the Constitution takes precedent Yost argues. The journal entry lays out the background of the law and why Yost believes it is bad public policy.

“Mercy is a virtue … Mercy is an act that overlooks a wrong and acts humanely, with compassion and with a view toward restoration. But mercy is not the only virtue. And it can work at cross-purposes with others, especially in government. Consider prudence. Exhibiting mercy to a criminal defendant generally means exposing the public to some risk of injury. Prudence may counsel against imposing such risks on innocent third parties. But the zealous distributor of mercy may forget this”

Yost argues that historically presidents have been careful when commuting sentences because of the societal and political risks. The judiciary does not consider some of those factors, which is why the Constitution gave sole pardon authority to the president.

Protecting the public throughout the judicial process has been a top priority for Yost. In 2022 he supported an Ohio ballot measure that required judges to consider public safety risks when setting bail amounts for those charged with a crime.

That ballot measure passed in November of 2022 and became law in 2023.

The federal government’s attempts to curtail free speech during the COVID-19 pandemic violated federal law, according to an amicus brief filed before the U.S Supreme Court by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Yost is asking the high court to deny the federal government’s request to pause a U.S. District Court injunction prohibiting federal government officials from pressuring social media platforms into deleting user content protected by the First Amendment.

Public statements and records in published media reports show the U.S. Department of Justice and members of President Biden’s cabinet contacted social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook demanding posts related to COVID-19 and vaccines be removed.

That was an abuse of power, Yost argues in front of the court.

The federal government argued misinformation was harmful to the public in its efforts to pressure social media platforms to remove certain posts, a move Yost said was an attempt to remove other viewpoints contrary to those held by the executive branch.

“If the government gets to decide which opinion is acceptable, the next unacceptable opinion will be yours,” Yost said.

In the brief Yost asks the court to deny Biden’s request for a stay in the case.

“The facts underlying this case reflect the federal government’s tendency to wield its power to target people and speech specially disfavored by those in power,” the brief states.

The federal government’s attempts to curtail free speech during the COVID-19 pandemic violated federal law, according to an amicus brief filed before the U.S Supreme Court by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Yost is asking the high court to deny the federal government’s request to pause a U.S. District Court injunction prohibiting federal government officials from pressuring social media platforms into deleting user content protected by the First Amendment.

Public statements and records in published media reports show the U.S. Department of Justice and members of President Biden’s cabinet contacted social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook demanding posts related to COVID-19 and vaccines be removed.

That was an abuse of power, Yost argues in front of the court.

The federal government argued misinformation was harmful to the public in its efforts to pressure social media platforms to remove certain posts, a move Yost said was an attempt to remove other viewpoints contrary to those held by the executive branch.

“If the government gets to decide which opinion is acceptable, the next unacceptable opinion will be yours,” Yost said.

In the brief Yost asks the court to deny Biden’s request for a stay in the case.

“The facts underlying this case reflect the federal government’s tendency to wield its power to target people and speech specially disfavored by those in power,” the brief states.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana judge Terry Doughty ruled that a lawsuit against the federal government can continue, finding that the plaintiffs do have legal standing and allowing the case to continue.

The lawsuit, State of Missouri et al v. Biden et al, alleges that national government officials and agencies collaborated with online social media platform companies such as Twitter to stifle the free speech of medical professionals disagreeing with conventional wisdom regarding the COVID-19 virus during 2020 and 2021.

Judge Doughty wrote in his March 20 decision that “the Court finds that the Complaint alleges significant encouragement and coercion that converts the otherwise private conduct of censorship on social media platforms into state action, and is unpersuaded by Defendants’ arguments to the contrary.”

The State of Ohio is a plaintiff in the case, as are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, Utah, and Texas.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana judge Terry Doughty ruled that a lawsuit against the federal government can continue, finding that the plaintiffs do have legal standing and allowing the case to continue.

The lawsuit, State of Missouri et al v. Biden et al, alleges that national government officials and agencies collaborated with online social media platform companies such as Twitter to stifle the free speech of medical professionals disagreeing with conventional wisdom regarding the COVID-19 virus during 2020 and 2021.

Judge Doughty wrote in his March 20 decision that “the Court finds that the Complaint alleges significant encouragement and coercion that converts the otherwise private conduct of censorship on social media platforms into state action, and is unpersuaded by Defendants’ arguments to the contrary.”

The State of Ohio is a plaintiff in the case, as are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, Utah, and Texas.

A U.S. Department of Commerce rule forcing captains of charter boats to install tracking devices on their vessels was struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana.

The court’s ruling in the case, Mexican Gulf Fishing Company, et al. v. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, et al., found “serious concerns that the GPS requirement violates the Fourth Amendment in this circumstance, given the Supreme Court’s instruction that members of the public have a ‘reasonable expectation’ of privacy in the whole of their movements.”

The rule, first proposed in 2018, required charter-boat captains to install 24-hour vessel monitoring systems allowing U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration systems to always track charter boats’ locations. Captains were also required to file planned for-hire trips with the National Marine Fisheries Service in advance and install tracking equipment at their own cost.

A U.S. Department of Commerce rule forcing captains of charter boats to install tracking devices on their vessels was struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana.

The court’s ruling in the case, Mexican Gulf Fishing Company, et al. v. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, et al., found “serious concerns that the GPS requirement violates the Fourth Amendment in this circumstance, given the Supreme Court’s instruction that members of the public have a ‘reasonable expectation’ of privacy in the whole of their movements.”

The rule, first proposed in 2018, required charter-boat captains to install 24-hour vessel monitoring systems allowing U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration systems to always track charter boats’ locations. Captains were also required to file planned for-hire trips with the National Marine Fisheries Service in advance and install tracking equipment at their own cost.

A group of campers are suing a federal government contractor, fed up with processing fees tacked onto reservations made through Recreation.gov, a website for reserving federal-owned campgrounds throughout the country.

The plaintiffs in the case Robyn Wilson, et al. v. Booz Allen Hamilton, et al., a group of camping enthusiasts, allege that Booz Allen Hamilton is improperly collecting administrative fees tacked onto reservations for camping on national park grounds made through Recreation.gov. Booz Allen Hamilton is contracted to administer and operate the government website. Plaintiffs allege that the Recreation.gov fees, the proceeds of which go directly to Booz Allen Hamilton, are not permitted by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia judge Patricia Tolliver Giles heard arguments on May 18 from the defendant, consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., who seeks to have the lawsuit dismissed.

A group of campers are suing a federal government contractor, fed up with processing fees tacked onto reservations made through Recreation.gov, a website for reserving federal-owned campgrounds throughout the country.

The plaintiffs in the case Robyn Wilson, et al. v. Booz Allen Hamilton, et al., a group of camping enthusiasts, allege that Booz Allen Hamilton is improperly collecting administrative fees tacked onto reservations for camping on national park grounds made through Recreation.gov. Booz Allen Hamilton is contracted to administer and operate the government website. Plaintiffs allege that the Recreation.gov fees, the proceeds of which go directly to Booz Allen Hamilton, are not permitted by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia judge Patricia Tolliver Giles heard arguments on May 18 from the defendant, consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., who seeks to have the lawsuit dismissed.

With the help of one of Ohio’s largest healthcare systems, the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a new initiative to train Ohio doctors and healthcare providers to spot signs of human trafficking.

The new statewide initiative, produced by the Attorney General’s office and Mount Carmel Health Systems, will educate healthcare workers about warning signs of human trafficking that may come up when working with patients.

Mount Carmel Health System donated experts to present in the training videos, and volunteered the company’s Center for Innovative Learning facility as a stage for the training videos.

With the help of one of Ohio’s largest healthcare systems, the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a new initiative to train Ohio doctors and healthcare providers to spot signs of human trafficking.

The new statewide initiative, produced by the Attorney General’s office and Mount Carmel Health Systems, will educate healthcare workers about warning signs of human trafficking that may come up when working with patients.

Mount Carmel Health System donated experts to present in the training videos, and volunteered the company’s Center for Innovative Learning facility as a stage for the training videos.

Five federal lawsuits seeking to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule will likely continue, even after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a case on the legal authority on which the rule is based.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling in the initial case, Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in its 2023 term. The question of whether the EPA has the legal authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate local lakes, streams, and wetlands as “navigable waters.” Plaintiffs argue that EPA is improperly expanding its authority by misapplying legal definitions.

In addition to Sackett, 26 states participating in five lawsuits also challenging the current WOTUS rule issued by the Biden administration. Ohio is not participating in Sackett or the five related cases, but the state filed amicus curiae briefs supporting a similar challenge to the federal rule in 2017.

Five federal lawsuits seeking to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule will likely continue, even after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a case on the legal authority on which the rule is based.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling in the initial case, Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in its 2023 term. The question of whether the EPA has the legal authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate local lakes, streams, and wetlands as “navigable waters.” Plaintiffs argue that EPA is improperly expanding its authority by misapplying legal definitions.

In addition to Sackett, 26 states participating in five lawsuits also challenging the current WOTUS rule issued by the Biden administration. Ohio is not participating in Sackett or the five related cases, but the state filed amicus curiae briefs supporting a similar challenge to the federal rule in 2017.

Ohio is getting a clearer picture on the number of victims of human trafficking- and the results, while encouraging, are still sobering.

A new study from the University of Cincinnati identified over 1,000 individuals that were confirmed victims of the industry, and over 4,000 that were at risk of meeting the same fate. State officials have pledged to continue combating human trafficking, with ideas for how to improve the process.

One of the most challenging facets for the state is that the various agencies working towards a solution all use differing platforms to track information on victims, making it difficult to transfer data from one agency to another.

For the full report, check out the article from the Columbus Dispatch:

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190327/more-than-1000-ohio-human-trafficking-victims-found-in-new-studyhttps://fedsoc.org/commentary/blog-posts/should-legal-outcomes-reflect-the-truth

Ohio is getting a clearer picture on the number of victims of human trafficking- and the results, while encouraging, are still sobering.

A new study from the University of Cincinnati identified over 1,000 individuals that were confirmed victims of the industry, and over 4,000 that were at risk of meeting the same fate. State officials have pledged to continue combating human trafficking, with ideas for how to improve the process.

One of the most challenging facets for the state is that the various agencies working towards a solution all use differing platforms to track information on victims, making it difficult to transfer data from one agency to another.

For the full report, check out the article from the Columbus Dispatch:

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190327/more-than-1000-ohio-human-trafficking-victims-found-in-new-studyhttps://fedsoc.org/commentary/blog-posts/should-legal-outcomes-reflect-the-truth

Exciting news: two candidates dedicated to the rule of law have been approved by the Senate to join the US 6th District Court!

Eric Murphy took the seat vacated by Alice Moore Batchelder after being confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2019.  He received commission on March 11, 2019.

Chad Readler now occupies the seat vacated by Deborah L. Cook. He was confirmed by the Senate on March 6, 2019, and received his commission on March 7, 2019.

For further information on both men, be sure to check out the full write-up from the Columbus Dispatch:
https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190306/senate-confirms-former-columbus-attorney-chad-readler-to-federal-appeals-bench

Exciting news: two candidates dedicated to the rule of law have been approved by the Senate to join the US 6th District Court!

Eric Murphy took the seat vacated by Alice Moore Batchelder after being confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2019.  He received commission on March 11, 2019.

Chad Readler now occupies the seat vacated by Deborah L. Cook. He was confirmed by the Senate on March 6, 2019, and received his commission on March 7, 2019.

For further information on both men, be sure to check out the full write-up from the Columbus Dispatch:
https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190306/senate-confirms-former-columbus-attorney-chad-readler-to-federal-appeals-bench

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly will be speaking at the Justice Scalia Tribute on February 13!

To hear more from Justice Donnelly on the topic of fictitious plea bargains, be sure to check out his article in the American Bar Association’s Litigation magazine here, along with his commentary from The Federalist Society!

https://fedsoc.org/commentary/blog-posts/should-legal-outcomes-reflect-the-truth

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly will be speaking at the Justice Scalia Tribute on February 13!

To hear more from Justice Donnelly on the topic of fictitious plea bargains, be sure to check out his article in the American Bar Association’s Litigation magazine here, along with his commentary from The Federalist Society!

https://fedsoc.org/commentary/blog-posts/should-legal-outcomes-reflect-the-truth

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Although it might sound like something that could never affect you or your family, the sad truth is that Ohio is actually a hotbed of the human trafficking industry.

Ohioans for Justice is trying to raise the awareness of human trafficking in our communities to better keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe.

To learn more about what to watch for and how you can help:

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Although it might sound like something that could never affect you or your family, the sad truth is that Ohio is actually a hotbed of the human trafficking industry.

Ohioans for Justice is trying to raise the awareness of human trafficking in our communities to better keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe.

To learn more about what to watch for and how you can help:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made comments suggesting that she is prepared to defend the rule of law- even against the highest authorities in the land.

While Justice Department guidance has for decades suggested that sitting US presidents should not be indicted while in office, Speaker Pelosi said that this suggestion cannot be a categorical rule.

No one should be above the law- our elected officials are to uphold the rule of law and our Constitution.

For the full story:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made comments suggesting that she is prepared to defend the rule of law- even against the highest authorities in the land.

While Justice Department guidance has for decades suggested that sitting US presidents should not be indicted while in office, Speaker Pelosi said that this suggestion cannot be a categorical rule.

No one should be above the law- our elected officials are to uphold the rule of law and our Constitution.

For the full story:

The US Senate is considering two Ohio nominees for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals after they were nominated by President Trump in June.

Eric Murphy, who previously spoke at the Ohioans for Justice event honoring Justice Scalia, has defended the state from litigation concerning some of the most polarizing political issues of the decade, including gay marriage, voting rights, and abortion.

Chad Readler is the assistant AG over the U.S. Justice Department’s civil division, and represented Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016 to defend against a voter-intimidation lawsuit filed by the Ohio Democratic Party.

While the US Senate is split on their confirmation, both men care deeply about the rule of law and how it affects Ohioans, and their actions have proven they can be trusted to uphold the Constitution.”

For the full story:

The US Senate is considering two Ohio nominees for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals after they were nominated by President Trump in June.

Eric Murphy, who previously spoke at the Ohioans for Justice event honoring Justice Scalia, has defended the state from litigation concerning some of the most polarizing political issues of the decade, including gay marriage, voting rights, and abortion.

Chad Readler is the assistant AG over the U.S. Justice Department’s civil division, and represented Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016 to defend against a voter-intimidation lawsuit filed by the Ohio Democratic Party.

While the US Senate is split on their confirmation, both men care deeply about the rule of law and how it affects Ohioans, and their actions have proven they can be trusted to uphold the Constitution.”

For the full story:

Auditor Dave Yost is helping keep Ohio college students safer! His new initiative with Ohio’s public universities to improve crime statistics reports on their campuses will help students and administrators identify weak spots in their safety programs and fix them as soon as possible.

The new program streamlines the current process, making it easier for schools to comply with federal law on important public safety matters.

For the full story:

Auditor Dave Yost is helping keep Ohio college students safer! His new initiative with Ohio’s public universities to improve crime statistics reports on their campuses will help students and administrators identify weak spots in their safety programs and fix them as soon as possible.

The new program streamlines the current process, making it easier for schools to comply with federal law on important public safety matters.

For the full story: