Let's face it — June was especially chock-full of grim headlines. For starters, in a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to reverse Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal protection of a patient’s right to decide to terminate a pregnancy. However, out of Cincinnati comes just a few flashes of hope, including Cincinnati City Council's decision to introduce a policy that would provide reimbursement for expenses city employees' incurred while traveling to get an abortion. Catch up on the latest headlines from the month of June below.
Cincinnati City Council Lifts Ordinance Restricting Elective Abortion Healthcare Coverage
During the June 29 council meeting, Cincinnati City Council member Meeka Owens introduced a resolution denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to reverse Roe v. Wade and affirming the council's unequivocal support for people who choose any type of abortion care as part of their healthcare. Later during the Cincinnati City Council meeting, council approved an ordinance submitted by Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval to repeal a 2001 ordinance that restricts the city from covering elective abortions in its Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan. Read CityBeat's story to find out which council member found the resolution too "extreme."
The name of a man who owned enslaved people and willed his land to the city for the creation of a college "for the education of white boys and girls" has been stricken from the University of Cincinnati campus. On June 28, UC's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to remove Charles McMicken's moniker from buildings and other locations on campus. Read CityBeat's story to find out which UC campus spaces will be renamed
Procter & Gamble, Kroger Join Other Cincinnati and Ohio Companies Providing Abortion Travel Funds
In a June 28 statement, Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble says it will provide travel resources to employees seeking "a broad range of medical care." The company says that its employee healthcare plans in the United States will expand on Jan. 1 to cover "travel support for travel expenses incurred to receive covered medical care when a provider is not available within a 50-mile radius." Earlier in June, Kroger announced that it had instituted an employee benefits package that could be used to fund travel for a variety of reproductive care, including abortion. Kroger said that employees can take advantage of up to $4,000 in reproductive-related benefits. Read CityBeat's story to learn more about the other companies offering abortion travel funds.
According to Instagram, Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow Is Pro-Choice
On June 27, Joe Burrow shared something that points to the Super Bowl runner-up as being pro-abortion. In an Instagram story – the method that's separate from the photo feed and typically disappears after 24 hours – Burrow reposted static slides from podcaster and account executive Jenna Caine Parris. The slides feature text that has been circulating for at least a few years about supporting different types of abortion and the people who have them. The text also puts the focus on the person who could be forced to carry pregnancies to term no matter the danger. Read CityBeat's story to find out more about Burrow's pro-choice statement.
Downtown Cincinnati Starbucks Becomes First in City to Unionize
As of June 23, the Starbucks at 401 Vine St. downtown is the first of the coffee mega-giant's local stores to unionize. The workers at the Vine Street Starbucks first filed for a union representation election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in April. In May, Starbucks locations in Columbus and Cleveland became the first in the state to unionize. Read CityBeat's story to discover the reasons behind the unionization of Starbucks employees.
Here's What Ohio's New Fireworks Law Means for You — and Your July 4 Party
Looking to make a big boom at your Fourth of July party this year? Now you can — legally — thanks to a new state law that goes into effect in July. Starting July 1, 2022, Ohio House Bill 172will allow people to set off consumer-grade fireworks on private property on select holidays each year. Prior to the bill, Ohioans were allowed to buy consumer fireworks, also known as 1.4G fireworks (professional fireworks are labeled 1.3G), from a licensed manufacturer or store but were not allowed to detonate them in the state. Read CityBeat's story to find out which holidays are fair game for your at-home fireworks display.
John Oliver Calls Out Cincinnati's Huge Increase in Monthly Rent Rates on 'Last Week Tonight'
During the June 19 episode of HBO's Last Week Tonight, comedian and host John Oliver noted the housing crisis the United States finds itself in. During a segment on his show, Oliver spoke about how the Queen City was among a group of metros with rate hikes of more than 30% over May 2021. Read CityBeat's story to find out what Oliver said about the housing crisis in Cincinnati.
Historic Wolf Statue Gifted from Benito Mussolini Is Stolen from Eden Park Overnight
The Capitoline Wolf statue, which has sat in Eden Park since 1931, has been stolen, and the city is now offering a $50,000 reward for its return. The statue — a bronze work depicting a she-wolf nursing two young boys — was a gift from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. According to an incident report from the Cincinnati Police Department, the statue was taken around 8 p.m. on June 16. Read CityBeat's story to find out how the vandals made away with the statue.
Cincinnati Will Not Be a 2026 FIFA World Cup Host
FIFA, which oversees world soccer, announced its World Cup host cities on June 16. Announcers said that some decisions about host cities were made that day. Cincinnati was among cities or metro regions in North America vying to host FIFA World Cup matches in 2026. For the first time in history, 48 teams will compete in World Cup in contests held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, rather than the current 32-team competition. Quarterfinal matches will be played in the United States. To the dismay of many, Cincinnati was not selected as one of the hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Read CityBeat's story to find out which cities will serve as FIFA World Cup hosts, and then see what both Cincinnati officials and fans have to say about the Queen City's snub.
Cincinnati Public Schools Won't Allow Teachers to Carry Guns, Bucking New Ohio Republican Law
On June 13, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the armed-teacher bill into law. The bill grants boards of education authority to decide whether to allow their teachers and other school workers to carry guns. It also says that school boards must require just 24 hours of training (with room for fewer) from teachers before they can carry; locally, schools could mandate more training, but it's not required.The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution during its June 13 meeting slamming Ohio HB 99 and prohibiting educators from carrying firearmsRead CityBeat's story to see what else CPS said about guns in the classroom.
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