Max Miller

Rotunda Rumblings

Calling him out: U.S. Rep. Max Miller’s contentious divorce is spilling further into campaign season, Sabrina Eaton writes. A labor-backed PAC is airing robocalls featuring abuse allegations Miller denies, while the Cleveland-area congressman says the attacks won’t distract him or cost him reelection.

Case commitment? Only one of Ohio’s attorney general candidates is pledging to, if elected, continue the renewed state public-corruption case against former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, Democrat John Kulewicz says he has “every intention of moving forward” with the case, while Republican Keith Faber says he doesn’t want to commit himself to anything until he reviews the matter after taking office. Ohio’s next AG will take office next January, a few days after jury selection begins in the trial.

Read more Ohio politics stories

The Ohio auditor speaks: Chris Ronayne broke the law on new jail spending: Today in Ohio

Ohio Statehouse News Quiz for Friday, July 24, 2026

How students built a new radio station from scratch after CSU gave away WCSB

Read this: The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has hired 50 reaching coaches, who will work alongside teachers to help them improve their teaching skills. There are now 148 reading coaches statewide as the state continues to push the instructional method known as the science of reading, which heavily emphasizes vocabulary, Laura Hancock reports.

Bills on ice: An Ohio Democratic lawmaker wants to freeze utility rate increases for a year, saying families need relief from rising electric bills. The proposal would halt pending rate cases while lawmakers debate longer-term solutions to rising energy costs, including the impact of data centers. Anna Staver reports that critics say the freeze could delay needed investments in the electric grid.

Keep off the grass: A new state-backed public education campaign aims to discourage pregnant women from using marijuana, Mary Frances McGowan reports. The new $250,000 initiative, from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, is the first phase of a broader $20 million campaign on the health and safety risks of marijuana use announced in May. The campaign highlights the risks of using marijuana while pregnant. It also suggests a variety of other ways to relieve anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, and other common pregnancy discomforts, ranging from eating high protein snacks to pajama parties with friends.

Loose lips? A member of Vice President JD Vance’s Secret Service detail is under investigation over allegations tied to a suspected news leak about frustrations within his protective team, the Associated Press reports. The Secret Service said the investigation is tied to a report from MS NOW saying that some agents had privately expressed frustration over last-minute travel requests from the Cincinnati Republican and his family, such as a planned military helicopter ride to one of his children’s golf lessons. The agency says the employee faces an internal investigation and possible criminal inquiry over alleged operational and information security breaches.

Smith in crosshairs: U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican, has asked the Justice Department to prosecute former special counsel Jack Smith, accusing him of lying to Congress about evidence gathered during the Trump investigations, The Washington Post reports. Smith’s attorneys deny the allegation, calling the referral an effort to weaponize the justice system. Congressional referrals carry no legal obligation for the Justice Department to act.

Buckeye Brain Tease

Question: Where was the hottest temperature ever recorded in Ohio taken?

Email your response to [email protected]. The first correct respondent will be mentioned in next week’s newsletter.

Last week’s question: What was Ohio’s nickname before it was known as the Buckeye State?

Answer: Early on, Ohio was called the “Yankee State” because settlers from New England and New York moved in after the American Revolution. This was especially true in the Western Reserve region near present-day Cleveland.

Unfortunately, no one wrote in with the correct answer.

On the Move

Tracey Tackett, an independent candidate for Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, has been endorsed by the Clark County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 209.

Birthdays

Saturday, July 25: Martin L. Davey, Ohio’s 53rd governor (1884-1946)

Sunday, July 26: Ex-state Sen. Dave Burke; Frank Strigari, president of ZHF Consulting and attorney for Zaino Hall & Farrin LLC; Robert Van Kirk, senior legislative assistant, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno’s office

Straight from the Source

“Typically, people don’t ask for money in the first week. Part of their cover story is being independently wealthy.”

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, a Springfield Republican, speaking Thursday about the rise of romance scams in the state.