Judge Blocks Voter Citizenship Rule

A federal judge Tuesday blocked Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for people registering to vote while applying for a driver’s license or state ID, finding that a signed citizenship attestation is sufficient under federal law.

U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. issued a preliminary injunction after concluding the requirement likely conflicts with the National Voter Registration Act because it demands more than the minimum information necessary to determine voter eligibility.

The order also requires the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to offer voter registration to driver’s license applicants even if they don’t obtain a license, unless they indicate they aren’t U.S. citizens.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose filed an immediate appeal, saying the ruling would force the BMV to offer registration forms to applicants who can’t verify their citizenship.

Ohio Lands $319 Million Meta Settlement

Ohio is expected to receive more than $319 million over the next decade under a proposed $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over allegations involving child and teen safety on Facebook and Instagram.

The agreement would require new protections for children, including a combined two-hour daily limit, mandatory scrolling pauses, overnight access restrictions, stronger age verification, and tighter parental controls.

Attorney General Andy Wilson called the deal the largest big tech settlement in history. The safeguards will be reviewed by independent auditors, and the settlement still requires court approval.

Ohio Honors Dolly Parton

Ohio leaders are remembering Dolly Parton for a legacy that reached far beyond music, especially through the Imagination Library program, which mails free books each month to children from birth through age 5.

Ohio first lady Fran DeWine, who helped expand the program statewide, praised Parton’s devotion to children’s literacy following the country music icon’s death Tuesday.

The program reached all 88 Ohio counties by November 2020, and more than 1 million Ohio children have received nearly 28 million books through the effort.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland also honored Parton, who was inducted into the Cleveland institution in 2022.

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➤ Statewide: House Bill 417 would allow counties to create public “Do Not Adopt” registries for convicted animal abusers while adding ownership bans, mandatory fines, and other animal cruelty provisions. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Ohio joined 15 other states in questioning the Big Four accounting firms over climate and ESG commitments that the attorneys general say could conflict with professional standards. (More)

➤ Franklin County: The Justice Department sued Franklin County Municipal Court over a rule restricting federal immigration arrests at or near the courthouse. (More)

➤ Pataskala: City Council rejected a proposed 200-megawatt data center after months of debate. Voters will decide in November whether to ban similar projects. (More)

➤ Northeast Ohio: State Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, is asking regulators to hold public hearings before approving the $10.7 billion sale of the electric utility AES. (More)

➤ Lakewood: Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips opened a Madison Avenue restaurant Wednesday, bringing the chain, which once nearly vanished, up to four Northeast Ohio locations. (More)

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➤ Akron graduate Martin Alan Whims II won the Zips’ viral “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” contest and will help coach Joe Moorhead script the opening drive against Robert Morris. (Watch Video)

➤ Hamilton West Side rolled past Alabama 11-2 last night at the Little League World Series, advancing to the U.S. semifinals against Davenport, Iowa, at 9 a.m. today. Hamilton must win to stay alive in the tournament. (More)

➤ The Big Ten adopted rules barring football players from returning to teams within the conference if they declared for the NFL draft without withdrawing, appeared on an NFL roster, or signed a professional contract. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | U.S. Open | Soccer | Little League World Series

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➤ A massive 8-gigawatt AI campus planned in Pike County could rank among the world’s largest. It’s expected to be leased to OpenAI once finished, and Nvidia is set to be the supplier of computer chips for the facility. (More)

➤ A federal audit questioned $20.9 million in costs and faulted weak oversight in Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, recommending that federal officials consider ending the award and recovering those funds. (More)

➤ Kroger and Instacart launched a service allowing customers to order groceries and eligible prescriptions together for home delivery through Kroger’s websites and apps. (See Details)

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➤ River Reach Construction workers in Barberton rescued a kitten trapped in an excavator, named her Sue after the Komatsu machine, and made her the crew’s shop cat. (Watch Video)

➤ Ohio farmers have been shipping hay to drought-stricken Virginia, where dry conditions have cut yields and driven prices higher. (More)

➤ Ohio’s fall hunting calendar opens Sept. 1 with squirrel and dove seasons. Early Canada goose and teal seasons follow Sept. 5-13, with statewide deer archery opening Sept. 26. (See Dates)

➤ America 250-Ohio is launching a free 25-mile walking challenge today, giving participants through Sept. 30 to log their miles and earn a commemorative prize. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Is a joint bank account the key to a happy relationship, or a trap? (Hear Debate)

➤ One of Wall Street’s best-known investors admits his headline-grabbing op-ed attacking the Treasury secretary was written with AI. (Hear Details)

➤ Hackers tied to China’s military allegedly spent years hiding inside some of America’s most sensitive government networks. (Listen Now)

What should the daily social media limit be for children?

1. Zero social media
   
2. Less than one hour
   
3. Less than two hours
   
4. No set limit

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite Dolly Parton hit song?

1. I Will Always Love You: 37%
2. Jolene: 15%
3. 9 to 5: 14%
4. Islands in the Stream: 12%
5. Coat of Many Colors: 11%
6. Here You Come Again: 9%
7. Other: 2%

What award did Ohio-born Vice President Charles G. Dawes receive in 1925?

Show me the answer