Well, 2024, you outdid yourself. Reflecting on the social and political impacts of the year, Cincinnati and Ohio broadly raised the bar for highs and lows. As CityBeat’s Editor-in-Chief Ashley Moor pointed out in her review of the publication’s top cover stories of the year, 2024 was marked with history-making moments: Middletown native JD Vance becoming vice president-elect, police identifying the dismembered North Fairmount Jane Doe, the “shitstorm” involving WCPO’s Steve Raleigh. This year kept our heads spinning and our keyboards clacking, and there are plenty more news stories that defined our year beyond the diet soft drink headlines spurred on by Vance. Ohio’s abortion care landscape continued to reshape with big wins for patient advocates while gender-affirming care for transgender youth saw a major civil rights rollback. 

These are the 2024 news stories CityBeat readers couldn’t read fast enough, perfectly encapsulating the wind-shifting cultural and political moment of today.

This story is featured in CityBeat’s Dec. 25 print edition.

“A Race Against Time: The Hidden Cruelty of Ohio’s 24-Hour Waiting Period Abortion Rule,” by Madeline Fening Ohioans may have passed Issue 1 in 2023, enshrining the right to abortion care in the state’s constitution, but patients and abortion rights advocates aren’t out of the woods yet. CityBeat’s Madeline Fening interviewed a patient who experienced the painful impacts of Ohio’s 24-hour waiting period law, which requires patients to wait 24 hours before receiving abortion care. A single day might sound like a short wait, but abortion providers told CityBeat the requirement puts stressful and harmful consequences on patients. But in August, Ohio’s 24-hour waiting period law was put on pause by a Franklin County judge, effective immediately. This was due to a filing from the American Civil Liberties Union to pause the rule while ACLU lawyers seek a permanent removal of the law in court. The case is expected to continue into 2025. Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio told CityBeat that the 24-hour rule pause started to benefit patients almost immediately, especially out-of-state patients who make up more than half of Ohio’s abortion patients following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Photo: Lydia Schembre
“The Pride Issue: How Transgender Kids Navigate Ohio’s Hostile Politics, While Still Remaining Kids,” by Madeline Fening While Ohio’s tides of health justice have been turning in a positive direction for abortion care advocates, Ohio lawmakers targeted transgender youth with bills that may drive some families out of the state. In addition to a bill that targets which bathrooms trans kids can use, the Republican-dominated Ohio Legislature passed House Bill 68, the “Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act,” which prevents transgender youth from starting hormone therapy and puberty blockers, and stops transgender athletes from playing middle and high school sports. The Ohio House and Senate voted in January to override Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s surprising veto on the legislation – he cited conversations with impacted families as his reason for opposing the bill. In March, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed a lawsuit challenging a provision in HB 68 that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas responded to the lawsuit by issuing a temporary restraining order blocking all provisions in HB 68. But in August, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas ended up rejecting the ACLU’s challenge to the gender-affirming care ban, allowing the law to go into effect immediately. The ACLU’s lawyers filed an appeal – the outcome of which is still pending. In CityBeat’s Pride Issue, reporter Madeline Fening highlights the children and family members forced to navigate this twisting and turning legal landscape, how parents raise their kids amid political vitriol, and why doctors are confident that gender-affirming care is truly life-saving medicine. Photo: Lydia Schembre
“CPD Captain Under Investigation for Alleged Off-Duty Strangulation at Washington Park,” by Madeline Fening A witness video shared with CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening shocked thousands on Instagram after Fening shared the video in December. The scene reflects an alleged off-duty assault involving a high-ranking Cincinnati Police officer from October, and it’s still under investigation. According to heavily-redacted records from CPD, Captain Brian Norris, commander of CPD’s Special Services section, is listed as the suspect in an assault investigation from Oct. 24, with the offense listed as “strangulation.” One of the witnesses at the scene spoke with CityBeat about the incident, recalling in detail how Norris allegedly dragged the women in a chokehold to Washington Park, throwing her on the ground and restraining her while she yelled for help. This witness told CityBeat she confronted Norris, who repeatedly told witnesses “she knows what she did,” about the woman on the ground. CPD and the City of Cincinnati Law Department have requested a bilateral investigation into the alleged assault by an outside prosecutor’s office, which is currently underway. CPD confirmed to CityBeat that Norris has not been charged with any crime and still has police powers at this time. Photo: Screen grab of provided witness video
“Cincinnati City Council Passes Temporary Ceasefire Measure After Weeks of Public Comments,” by Madeline Fening The deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israeli citizens on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited an even deadlier war against Palestinians in Gaza, sparking a global discussion on the decades-long Middle Eastern conflict. While Cincinnati feels worlds away, advocates, politicians and students put Gaza’s future on the local agenda, oftentimes through tense conversations. In March, a resolution calling for a six-week ceasefire from Cincinnati City Council newcomer Anna Albi passed 7-1, while a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire from council member Meeka Owens failed 4-3, needing 5 to pass. Criticism from the gallery was repeatedly lodged against Albi’s resolution, which offered support for six-week ceasefire negotiations, while Owens’ resolution called for an immediate longstanding ceasefire. Rabbi Ari Jun, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, addressed council to urge against a ceasefire resolution on Feb. 7, saying council was being asked to make “an impossible decision to either support or condemn a distant war that has fundamentally divided our community.” Jun returned to council on March 6, telling CityBeat that Albi’s resolution represents a compromise. Cincinnati’s elected leaders have no control over the negotiations taking place for peace in the Middle East. Still, one guest speaker told the council that their messaging on the topic sends a signal to the community about safety and peace. Photo: Lydia Schembre
“Evan Nolan Sits Down with CityBeat to Discuss New City Council Appointment, Backlash,” by Zurie Pope Evan Nolan became the newest member of Cincinnati City Council after Reggie Harris resigned in September to join the Biden administration. An attorney for law firm Katz Teller with extensive ties to the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Nolan was selected by council member Meeka Owens, but Owens’ decision was met with some criticism. On Oct. 15, Cincinnati’s chapter of the NAACP issued a statement saying they were “deeply disappointed” by Owens’ decision to appoint Nolan. Former council member Chris Seelbach also questioned the decision, writing on X, “Appointing a cis-gender, straight, white man to fill the term of Cincinnati’s first openly gay man of color is disappointing and a setback for our city.” A protester even interrupted the annual State of the City address to criticize Owens for choosing Nolan as Harris’ successor. CityBeat’s news intern Zurie Pope sat down with Nolan and Owens to discuss the backlash, with Owens saying of her pick: “Identity politics don’t serve us well. So when I was thinking about what’s most important to me and my colleagues and the city of Cincinnati is someone who is ready on day one.” Photo: Via Katz Teller