State Democratic Party Chair Resigns

Liz Walters, chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, resigned to join TargetSmart, a Democratic data firm in Washington, D.C. Walters had led the party since 2021.

Under Walters’ leadership, the party went through two statewide election cycles marked by major Republican victories. The party fared better on ballot issues, with voters passing abortion rights and legalized recreational marijuana.

The party’s search for a new leader comes ahead of a 2026 election that features a governor’s race, state executive offices, and Vice President JD Vance’s former U.S. Senate seat, now held by Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.

State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, voiced interest in the party chair job.

Hospitals Graded on Patient Safety

Twenty-eight hospitals in Ohio received “A” grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization. The grades are available here.

Among states, Ohio ranked No. 33 in the nation, with 24.8% of the state’s hospitals receiving an “A.” The state’s ranking trailed neighbors Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana, and surpassed Kentucky and West Virginia.

Ohio hospitals receiving “A” grades included several within the Cleveland Clinic, Kettering Health, Miami Valley, and Ohio State University systems. The ratings are based on medical errors, infections, and injuries.

Sand Dunes to Become Nature Preserve

The Girdham Road Sand Dunes in Oak Openings Preserve Metropark will be designated as Ohio’s newest state nature preserve in June.

Located in Swanton, the dunes are part of the Oak Openings Region ecosystem, stretching over 1,300 square miles across Ohio and Michigan. The area features rare plant communities, including black oak lupine barrens and Midwest sand barrens.

The designation will ensure permanent protection for the region’s unique habitats. It will be the state’s third nature preserve within a metropark.

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➤ State: A federal appeals court upheld racketeering convictions of former state House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges in a $60 million bribery scandal. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Cory Bowman, half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, will challenge Mayor Aftab Pureval in Cincinnati’s November mayoral election. (More)

➤ Steubenville: Ralph Petrella held a 10-vote lead over Kimberly Hahn in the Republican mayoral primary, with final results expected by May 22, pending the count of mail-in ballots. (More)

➤ Fairborn: Twelve K-8 students received full-tuition scholarships to Wright State University through the Big Hoopla STEM Challenge and a basketball competition. (More)

➤ Toledo: The city council adopted a five-year plan to reduce gun violence, focusing on community engagement and public health strategies. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Fire Station No. 30 closed due to water leaks, mold concerns, and an odor, with firefighters relocated to other stations as the city conducts safety tests. (More)

➤ Akron football was banned from postseason play for 2025 due to a four-year Academic Progress Rate of 914, the lowest among Football Bowl Subdivision programs. (More)

➤ Centerville graduate Emma Schutter has set seven University of Dayton softball records, including career hits and stolen bases. (See Records)

➤ The Cleveland Monsters were eliminated from the American Hockey League playoffs after a 4-1 loss to top-seeded Laval. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ ZipZone Outdoor Adventures in Columbus earned a spot on USA Today’s 10 Best Aerial Adventure Parks list for the third straight year. (Watch Video)

➤ Breeze Airways announced six new destinations from Akron-Canton Airport starting in the fall: Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Key West, and West Palm Beach in Florida; and Wilmington, North Carolina. (Details)

➤ The International Hot Rod Association acquired Kil-Kare Raceway in Greene County and upgraded the complex with a new timing system, concrete drag strip, and enhanced amenities. (More)

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➤ Springfield Township police in Summit County found a raccoon holding a meth pipe in a car during a traffic stop, leading to drug charges for the driver. Chewy the raccoon was unharmed. (See Photo)

➤ A 9-year-old’s accidental Amazon order of cat food was donated to Columbus Humane, providing support for shelter cats. (More)

➤ A headstone for John Brown, a formerly enslaved Union soldier who settled in Toledo, will be completed with the addition of his dates of birth and death, part of Forest Cemetery’s community history initiative. (Watch Video Report)

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Have you ever tried ziplining?

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2. No
   
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Yesterday’s Results:

Who’s your favorite CLUE character?

1. No preference: 18%
2. Colonel Mustard: 15%
3. Miss Scarlett: 14%
4. Professor Plum: 14%
5. Mrs. Peacock: 13%
6. Mr. Green: 13%
7. Mrs. White: 13% 

What is the official state song of Ohio?

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