There's not a lot of empathy for Ohio children who are raped and need abortions – at least not from many Republicans in the Buckeye State. The case of the 10-year-old who was forced to go out of state for a medical procedure because of Ohio's new abortion law made national news as the ramifications of Roe v. Wade's reversal become clearer. But this week was packed with other news, too, including a big announcement from the founder of one of Cincinnati's most beloved events. Catch up on the major headlines below.
Man Charged With Rape of 10-Year-Old Ohio Girl Who Was Forced to Travel to Indiana for Abortion
The girl's story became a national headline in the wake of the Supreme Court's June 24 reversal of Roe v. Wade and Ohio's stringent six-week abortion ban taking effect. After casting doubt on the rape, Ohio attorney general Dave Yost claimed that the girl could have stayed in the Buckeye State and gotten an abortion under one of the vague exceptions to the Ohio law, but doctors dispute that could have happened with the way the law is currently written. Read CityBeat's story about the man charged with raping the child and what doctors are trying to get Yost and other Republicans to understand.
Ohio Bill Would Allow Impregnated People to Sue Over Unintended Pregnancy
After the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent implementation of Ohio's six-week abortion ban, State Senator Tina Maharath is looking for a new way to support women and those who can become pregnant. "The average cost of giving birth in our state is over $15,000, and can rise substantially if there are complications. Too often, this cost is solely the mother’s to bear, especially in the case of an unintended pregnancy," Maharath said in a statement. "However, the father shares equal responsibility for the pregnancy and it is only right that he pays equally for it." Read CityBeat's story about what's in Maharath's Senate Bill 262.
Ohio's Newest Anti-Abortion Bill Could Lead to a Birth Control Ban
On July 12, State Rep. Gary Click introduced House Bill 704, which packs a lot of questions into three sentences, the length of the entire bill. The bill hinges on a moment of "conception" but does not define it (and medical experts have not weighed in), putting birth control, in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and more into jeopardy. Read CityBeat's story about how Click's bill might affect much more than just abortion.
BLINK Cincinnati Founding Partner Brave Berlin Will No Longer Be Involved in Festival
The lights are down for one of BLINK Cincinnati's founders. Brave Berlin has announced it is pulling out of the popular arts festival. The announcement came just one day after the festival announced plans to expand into Northern Kentucky and 92 days before for its Oct. 13-16 run. In a Facebook post, Brave Berlin cited "creative direction" and "open hostility" as reasons for the split. Read CityBeat's story about Brave Berlin leaving BLINK, plus see BLINK's plans for expanding into Northern Kentucky.
National Weather Service Says There Were Actually Three Tornadoes in Greater Cincinnati Earlier This Month
Locals are still dealing with the aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Goshen Township on July 6, but many people in Greater Cincinnati may not realize that there also were tornadoes in Loveland and Lake Lorelei that day. The damage in Brown and Clermont counties was so extensive that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has declared a state of emergency. Read CityBeat's story about damages in the area and how DeWine says the state will help.
Elsmere City Council Passes LGBTQ+ Fairness Ordinance
Led by council member Aaron Moore, Elsmere City Council voted 4-1 to approve a fairness ordinance that protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Elsmere is the fourth city in Kenton County to adopt the ordinance. Read CityBeat's story about other Kentucky cities that have adopted the fairness ordinance.
Controversial Yellow Springs Resident Dave Chappelle Gets Emmy Nominations for Netflix Special with Anti-Trans Jokes
Chappelle's Netflix stand-up special The Closer, which was released in October and quickly came under fire for transphobic language, is nominated for two Emmy awards: Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special. Read CityBeat's story about Chappelle's history of "jokes" against marginalized communities.
Rare Chinese 'Magic Mirror' Artifact Rediscovered at the Cincinnati Art Museum
We all have an item that we'd lost and then found years later, right? The Cincinnati Art Museum has one of those, too, but on a much greater scale. The museum’s curator of East Asian art, Dr. Hou-mei Sung, found that a “plain-looking” bronze mirror from the 16th century under “special lighting” reflects an image of a Buddha “surrounded by numerous emanating rays of light.” It was initially developed during the Han dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE). Read CityBeat's story about how the museum found the mirror and when visitors can view it.
Cincinnati Bengals to Get New White Helmets and Beer with Local Dirt
The Cincinnati Bengals announced that the team would introduce a white tiger-style helmet to the mix for the 2022-2023 season, one year after debuting the "new stripes" uniforms. And if you're a Bengals fan who wants to kiss the ground that quarterback Joe Burrow walks on, cracking open a can of Miller Lite that's brewed with Bengals practice field dirt might be the next best thing. Read CityBeat's story about what the Bengals' new helmets will look like and why Miller Lite is making the "dirty" brew.
Cincinnati Burger Week Winds Down
It's the final weekend for deals on amazing burgers throughout Greater Cincinnati. Through July 17, more than 80 restaurants are offering discounted burgers in honor of Cincinnati Burger Week, which celebrates area businesses and provides ample opportunities to find new culinary delights. Patrons can enjoy $6 to $7 gourmet burgers – both traditional and plant-based – as well as Samuel Adams drink specials. Get the scoop on the Cincinnati Burger Week website and check out CityBeat's annual Burger Issue for favorites from staff and local chefs.
Cincinnati Bengals to Get New White Helmets and Beer with Local Dirt
The Cincinnati Bengals announced that the team would introduce a white tiger-style helmet to the mix for the 2022-2023 season, one year after debuting the "new stripes" uniforms. And if you're a Bengals fan who wants to kiss the ground that quarterback Joe Burrow walks on, cracking open a can of Miller Lite that's brewed with Bengals practice field dirt might be the next best thing. Read CityBeat's story about what the Bengals' new helmets will look like and why Miller Lite is making the "dirty" brew.
Cincinnati Burger Week Winds Down
It's the final weekend for deals on amazing burgers throughout Greater Cincinnati. Through July 17, more than 80 restaurants are offering discounted burgers in honor of Cincinnati Burger Week, which celebrates area businesses and provides ample opportunities to find new culinary delights. Patrons can enjoy $6 to $7 gourmet burgers – both traditional and plant-based – as well as Samuel Adams drink specials. Get the scoop on the Cincinnati Burger Week website and check out CityBeat's annual Burger Issue for favorites from staff and local chefs.
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