When it comes to responding with compassion in the case of a 10-year-old rape victim, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost just can't get it together. The AG has a messy timeline of comments and action about the case, and now he's not saying what many expect to be the obvious: "Sorry." In other reproductive rights news, Ohio men have started responding to the cascade of Roe ramifications by booking vasectomy appointments. But this week was packed with other news, too, like more than 90 dogs being rescued from one home in Indiana, and how you can help give at least one a home.
After Raising Doubts About Rape Victim, Ohio AG’s Office Won’t Say if he Supports Abortion Law
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost first questioned the legitimacy of the story of a 10-year-old rape victim needing to flee Ohio for abortion care. Then he walked back his statement saying the victim could have had an abortion in Ohio (the same state where he pushed through a restrictive ban on the procedure that does not include an exception for rape). Now he’s sowing more confusion after issuing an “explainer” on the law with no clarity on cases of child rape. Read CityBeat’s story about the AG’s messy timeline of inconsistent thoughts on the case.
There’s a High Level of Community Spread of COVID-19 in Greater-Cincinnati Counties, New Data Shows
COVID-19 is once again on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple Cincinnati-area counties, including Hamilton County, have reached the highest level of community spread designated by the CDC. With the upgrade comes recommendations from the agency to mask indoors, but no mandates from the state. The CDC is predicting a large spike in hospitalizations across the country. Read CityBeat’s story about the spread and ways to protect yourself from COVID-19.
Boxers, pit bulls, pit mixes – more than 90 dogs were removed from a home in Salt Creek Township, Indiana by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. No charges have been filed against the owners, but an investigation into the couple who housed the dogs is ongoing. Read CityBeat’s story about the rescue and how you can adopt one of the dogs, Jasper.
988 Hotline Now Connects Callers with Mental Health Professionals in Cincinnati, Ohio and Kentucky
People struggling with mental health emergencies now have a more simplified process to get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now accessable by just dialing 988. Currently, the Cincinnati 988 program is available 40 hours per week and will later expand to 60 hours per week. Almost all calls made to the lifeline are resolved over the phone with trained counselors. Read CityBeat’s story about what it took to get 988 up and running across the region.
Cincinnati Zoo’s Rare Corpse Flower will Bloom Soon
What’s that smell? Why it’s the incredibly rare (and rank) imminent blooming of a corpse flower! The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens currently has the massive flower (aptly named Morticia) on display while she slowly blooms, which only happens once every five to ten years. Morticia will be available to view during regular zoo hours at the zoo’s Discovery Forest. Read CityBeat’s story for a description of the corpse flower’s strange smell as described by zoo workers.
Ohio, KY Governors Announce Revised Plans for Brent Spence and Companion Bridge
Plans for relief from the hell that is Brent Spence-related traffic is starting to take shape. Ohio and Kentucky leaders previewed some revised plans for the Brent Spence Bridge and its new companion bridge, including new lane configurations, wider shoulders and plans to silo local and thru highway traffic. The bridge has carried a lot of drama for years. Read CityBeat’s story about the bridge and how plans to improve the entire eight-mile corridor will help ease the backup blues.
ACLU Calls Out Cincinnati Schools, Police for ‘Over-Policing' of Black Students, Lack of Accountability
A study conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Young Activists Coalition found that Black students at Cincinnati Public Schools were disproportionately more likely to be disciplined or removed from class and placed in “alternative learning centers.” YAC organizers said the group has “continually” made the district aware of racial disparities. Read CityBeat’s story on the study and what recommendations the ACLU has for CPS.
More Greater Cincinnati Men Seek Vasectomies as Birth Control Becomes Uncertain in a Post-Roe Nation
The Roe v. Wade decision has upended reproductive choice for people across Ohio and the nation, while also creating a cascade of doubt for future access to birth control. Now, as more patients seek a vasectomy as a means of family planning, doctors want to dispel the myths associated with the procedure. Read CityBeat’s story about just how reversible a vasectomy can be for patients and what other rights might be on the chopping block as a result of Roe's reversal.
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