Author: Beth Lear

Ohioans Share Why Trump Support Among Black Voters is Soaring

Beth Lear

The Washington Examiner revealed polling data this week that found President Trump has a 34% approval rating with African Americans. The Ohio Star spoke with four African American Trump supporters in Ohio and asked them why they support the President. State Representative Candidate Bobby Mitchell of Canal Winchester, Columbus entrepreneur Tyrone Jackson and Pastor Walter Moss of Canton gave their insights about the phenomena.

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Government Lobbyists Oppose House Bill Requiring Levy Transparency and Clarity

Beth Lear

Multiple government lobbying groups spoke in opposition to House Bill 76 in the Senate General Government and Agency Review Committee. The bill, “Enacts the Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act for tax levies.”

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Delaware County Citizens and Fellow Ohioans Join Wreaths Across America 2019 to Honor Veterans

Beth Lear

Ohioans joined Americans from sea to shining sea to honor veterans during the annual Wreaths Across America event. Two locations in Delaware County held noon ceremonies – one at Kingwood Memorial Park in Lewis Center and another at Oak Grove in Delaware.

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Columbus Native Walter Blanks Celebrated at White House School Choice Event

Beth Lear

Walter Blanks is a 24-year-old from inner-city Columbus who found himself being celebrated for as a school choice success story at a White House on Monday

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Notorious Abortionist Who Lost License Got It Back from DeWine-Appointed Department of Health Director

Beth Lear

Ohio Pro-Life groups expected to see Dr. Martin Haskell’s abortion clinic in Dayton closed for good. The abortionist notorious for claiming to have invented partial-birth abortion, failed to abide by the law requiring his facility to have a transfer agreement with a local hospital and as a result, had his license to operate denied. Haskell fought the revocation from 2014 all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court and lost on appeal twice.

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Counselors Blame Common Core, Over Testing and ‘Trophy Culture’ for College Student’s Increased Mental Health Demands

Beth Lear

The Associated Press (AP) investigated the state of student mental health on the largest college campuses in America and found students receiving mental health treatment has increased by 35% since 2014. The news service cites reduced stigma for seeking help, increased anxiety, depression and disorders as some reasons for the jump.

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Oberlin Students Stage Memorial for Islamic Jihad Terrorists and Palestinians Killed by Israel in Military Strikes

Beth Lear

Oberlin College is in the news again. Three years ago it was a racism charge by students, staff and faculty against a 100+ year old bakery. The business filed a defamation suit after losing half its income due to the accusations. Last week the anti-Zionist Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine erected a memorial on campus to honor the Palestinians who were killed by Israel in recent military strikes. More than a dozen of the Palestinians were Islamic Jihad terrorists.

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AG Yost Tells OptumRx ‘We’ll See You in Court’ for Overbilling the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Millions

Beth Lear

Attorney General Dave Yost announced Monday he amended his lawsuit filed against pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) OptumRx, claiming the PBM excessively charged the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation for generic drugs. The overcharge totaled nearly $16 million. It is now “significantly more.”

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Statehouse Gun Rights Advocates Concerned Purpose of Senate’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ Bill May Be to Force Compromise on ‘Gun Control’ Plan

Beth Lear

Statehouse sources are questioning the recent introduction of a Senate version of “Stand Your Ground.” The sponsor of Senate Bill 237, newly appointed Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), calls the bill the “Ohio Duty to Retreat Act.” Concerns were expressed to The Ohio Star that the legislation may be used to force a compromise between anti-gun groups and Second Amendment supporters to help the Senate move the Governor’s gun-control plan, Senate Bill 221.

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Youth At Risk for Human Trafficking Are Criminalized by the System Designed to Help – Expert Suggests Better Way

Beth Lear

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dr. Karen Countryman-Roswurm from the Center for Combating Human Trafficking exposed how flaws in the current system designed to help actually lead to the criminalization of children and teens at an Ohio Adolescent Health Centers (OAHC) event last Monday.

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Traditional Districts, Republican Senator Lehner and State School Board President Complain About Increase in EdChoice Vouchers

Beth Lear

Changes to the law for the EdChoice voucher program in this year’s state budget resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of school buildings whose students are eligible for the state-funded scholarship to attend participating private schools. State Board of Education President Laura Kohler plans to push lawmakers to “revisit” the issue. One Legislator already agreed it is a concern – Republican Senate Education Chair Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering).

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Kasich Is in ‘Serious Talks’ to become Ohio State’s New President

Beth Lear

Rumors began that former Governor John Kasich is being considered as a replacement for current Ohio State University (OSU) President Michael Drake a day after he announced his retirement. 

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Proclaiming Justice to the Nations’ Ohio Chapter Gives Rabbi’s Warning to American Christians and He’s Not the Only One

Beth Lear

Proclaiming Justice to the Nations’ Ohio Chapter shared Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s serious warning to Christians in the United States on its Facebook Page.

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Ohio Republicans and Democrats Express Different Takes on Ambassador Volker’s Impeachment Inquiry Testimony

Beth Lear

  As the impeachment inquiry continued this week, several members of the Ohio Congressional delegation spoke out on social media. Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) shared his thoughts on Twitter and with The Ohio Star. Republican viewpoints varied, while the Democrats all appeared to be reading from the same page. Davidson tweeted…

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Ohio State Superintendent’s Salary Raised to Over $200,000 Despite Opposition

Beth Lear

A split State Board of Education voted to retroactively raise the State Superintendent’s salary to $210,000 with a $20,000 bonus. Some members expressed their disagreement, believing Paolo DeMaria had not earned the increase or bonus. The final vote was eleven to five.

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Professor George Barna: America’s Post-Modern Culture is ‘Diametrically Opposed to a Biblical Worldview’

Beth Lear

During a recent gathering of Christian educators in Ohio, George Barna shared the overwhelming evidence that America’s Christian foundation is close to crumbling because of a shift in worldview.

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The Right and the Left Dig In Their Positions on ‘Life at Conception Bill’

Beth Lear

Supporters of abortion and most of the media responded quickly to State Representatives Candice Keller (R-Middletown) and Ron Hood (R-Ashville) introduction of House Bill 413 last week which, if passed, will identify the unborn as “persons” for legal purposes from the moment of conception.

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Congressman Davidson is Concerned About Americans’ Online Privacy, Calls It a ‘Civil Liberties Issue’

Beth Lear

Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) has been speaking up for the right of Americans to own their data and information for years. Last week he tweeted about the 4th Amendment issue, noting the most recent assault on privacy by Google through “Project Nightingale.” Davidson is supporting legislation, like Senate Bill 806, to provide privacy protections to personal information.

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Senate Passes House Bill 2, a TechCred Bill That Caused Words Between the Two Legislative Leaders

Beth Lear

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Last week the Speaker of the Ohio House and the Senate President exchanged a few words via the media. The Speaker expressed frustration that the House priority bills, House Bills 1 through 14, were not moving fast enough in the Ohio Senate. The most recent bill to cause Householder concern was House Bill 2. It passed the Senate Wednesday.

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Four Bills Pass in the Ohio House Including Democrat-Opposed Religious Freedom for Students Bill

Beth Lear

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The legislative calendar in the Ohio House contained four bills Wednesday, all of which passed. However, two bills revealed a clear, partisan split. One of those required screening for tuberculosis in childcare and preschool workers; the other supports student religious expression in public schools.

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Mark Fraizer Joins the Ohio House of Representatives

Beth Lear

The Ohio House of Representatives decided quickly which candidate they wanted to replace Scott Ryan in the 71st House District. Rep. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark), a former page and current city councilman from Newark, won the appointment to the job Wednesday.

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Congressman Davidson Calls Impeachment ‘a Sham’ and Says ‘There’s No There There’

Beth Lear

Congressman Warren Davidson took to Twitter following the first public hearing of the impeachment inquiry Wednesday night. He called the process a “sham,” pointed out the witnesses had no first-hand knowledge of the phone call that is the basis for the inquiry and stated, “There is no there there.”

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Congressman Jordan Asked Key Questions During Impeachment ‘Show’

Beth Lear

The impeachment inquiry began in Washington Wednesday. Recent appointee to the committee, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04), asked key questions during the hearing which Fox News referred to as “the show.”

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National Commander of the American Legion Visits Sunbury Veterans’ Breakfast

Beth Lear

The National Commander of the American Legion, James W. “Bill” Oxford, visited Sunbury on Wednesday. He joined local veterans for a breakfast hosted by John Self and Donna and Glenn Evans at Self’s Big Walnut Grill.

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Some Ohio Politicians Praise Lordstown Sale, Senator Portman Expressed Skepticism, Brown Says Union Support Necessary for Success

Beth Lear

Most elected officials praised the reported sale of the Lordstown plant last week. Senator Portman expressed skepticism and Senator Brown told the new owners they needed to partner with the union if they wanted to be successful.

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After Ohio State Speaker Householder Accused Senate of Stalling House Bills, State Senate President Obhof Announced Sentencing Bill as Top Priority

Beth Lear

Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) expressed his displeasure with the Senate last week. He told reporters, “We’ve got bills over in the Senate that we’d like to see the Senate move. We’ve got several priority bills that we’ve waited for quite some time on and don’t really understand why we’re having a problem over there getting bills to move.” In response, Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) discussed his priorities with Gongwer.

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AG Yost Weighs In on Whistleblower Lawsuit Which Could Affect Ohio’s Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

Beth Lear

Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a “friend of the court brief” with the Ohio Supreme Court regarding a federal lawsuit filed by an employee of the Geauga County Health Department. Rebecca Buddenberg, a “whistleblower” who claims the county retaliated against her for reporting, “…unequal pay practices and potential ethical violations by County Health Commissioner Robert Weisdack,” resigned in May 2017. She filed her lawsuit in March 2018.

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Delaware Celebrates Veterans’ Day with a Parade, More Events in Central Ohio Scheduled

Beth Lear

Veterans were honored with a parade filled with bands, scouts, first responders, antique cars, a queen and of course, military heroes from World War II to the War on Terror in Delaware on Sunday. More events are planned throughout Central Ohio on Monday.

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Another Ohio Grown Terrorist in a Long List Pleads Guilty

Beth Lear

Another Ohio-grown terrorist pled guilty this week to federal charges that included, “…attempting to provide support to a terrorist group and threatening to kill President Trump and his family.” Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts, also known as Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, was indicted in January on those charges which included scouting locations for a possible July 4th attack in Cleveland.

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As Predicted, Jim Jordan Joins Intelligence Committee to Fight Impeachment

Beth Lear

Rumors began to swirl this week that Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) would be appointed to the Intelligence Committee to fight the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. The Ohio Star reported the story on Thursday. On Friday the announcement was made that Jordan had been assigned to the committee.

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EXCLUSIVE: Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan Talks Common Core Failure and School Choice Expansion

Beth Lear

Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan, who was raised in Cincinnati, came back to Ohio Monday for the Ohio Christian Education Network’s InspirEd Conference. Brogan was one of the keynote speakers. He also participated in a press conference announcing Senate Bill 199, Sen. Matt Huffman’s (R-Lima) legislation which will allow families to participate in a federal tax credit program called Education Freedom Scholarships that has been introduced, but not yet passed, at the federal level.

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General Motors Sells Lordstown Assembly Plant to an Electric Car Company

Beth Lear

Auto maker GM announced Thursday that indeed – as President Trump tweeted in May – the Lordstown facility in Ohio would be sold and reopened to manufacturer the Workhorse electric vehicle called the Endurance. GM declared their intent to idle the plant a year ago, and shut the lights out on March 6th after 52 years of business. 

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Grocery Giant Kroger Continues Far Left March with New ‘Gender Fluid’ Customer Survey Option

Beth Lear

A central Ohio Kroger shopper was shocked to read one of the questions on the online survey the company offers at the bottom of their receipts. The Ohio-based grocer has expanded the list of gender options from two, male and female, to four, including “gender fluid/non-binary” and “prefer not to answer.” It is not the first time Kroger has embraced far-left progressive sexuality.

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Governor DeWine Signs Tyler’s Law Intended to Make Fair Rides Safer

Beth Lear

  Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 169 Thursday. The legislation expands government oversight of amusement rides, gives greater rule making authority to the Director of the Department of Agriculture, increases fines, adds safety regulations and requires additional government employees to handle the increased inspection load. The bipartisan measure – known…

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EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Pollster, Researcher and Executive Director of American Culture and Faith Institute George Barna

Beth Lear

George Barna, author, sociologist, pollster, researcher and culture warrior was the keynote speaker at Ohio Christian Education Network’s inaugural InspirEd Conference on Monday. Following his speech to the crowd, The Ohio Star caught up with Barna and he agreed to take some questions.

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Quentin Smith Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Two Westerville Police Officers

Beth Lear

Late Wednesday the jury returned the verdict in the case of Quentin Smith. Smith was found guilty last week of purposely killing Westerville Police Officers Anthony “Tony” Morelli and Eric Joering. While the charges carried death penalty specifications, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous agreement on the sentence of death, but they did agree to life without the possibility of parole.

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Mark Your Calendars: 2020 Election Less Than a Year Away

Beth Lear

The 2020 election is less than one year away. Between now and then are many significant dates and deadlines that candidates and voters need to know.

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Jim Jordan Addresses Rumor He May Be Temporarily Added to the House Intel Committee to Push Back on Impeachment

Beth Lear

During an interview with Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) made big news when he was asked whether he was going to be added to the House Intelligence Committee. Jordan, who is currently on House Oversight, responded, “We’ll see. That’s a call for Leader McCarthy. If Kevin and ranking member Nunes want that to happen, I just want to help our team.”

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EXCLUSIVE: National Security Expert Matt Mayer Supports President’s Call for ‘War’ on Drug Cartels

Beth Lear

Matt Mayer, the president of Opportunity Ohio and national security expert, spoke exclusively with The Ohio Star about his support for President Trump’s call for “war” on the drug cartels following news of a group of nine Americans were killed Monday.

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Senator Huffman, CCV and USDOE’s Asst Sec Frank Brogan Discuss Ohio Bill to Implement Future Fed Tax Credit Program

Beth Lear

Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values joined with State Senator Matt Huffman and U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan to discuss an Ohio bill designed to take advantage of a yet-to-be-passed federal plan. That federal plan would create a tax credit program that would provide up to $5 billion for scholarships for disadvantaged children.

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First Annual InspirEd Conference Boasts George Barna and Assistant Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan

Beth Lear

The Statehouse Atrium was filled with Christian educators, concerned citizens and major players in education policy for the first InspirEd Conference Monday. Hosted by The Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) –  a subsidiary of Citizens for Community Values (CCV) – the four-hour event included keynote speeches by pollster and culture analyst George Barna as well as Assistant Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Frank Brogan.

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Columbus Zoo Announces Wildlights 2019 Schedule

Beth Lear

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced their schedule for popular Wildlights 2019. A holiday tradition in central Ohio for more than thirty years, the event will run from November 15, 2019 through January 5, 2020.

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Ohio’s Public Employees Losing Retirement Benefits

Beth Lear

The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) plans to cut benefits to future state employees beginning with those hired after January 1, 2022. Ohio Police & Fire Pension (OP&F) already started their cuts, the Dayton Daily News reported.

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Trump Victory’s National Week of Action Kicks Off

Beth Lear

The Republican National Committee’s Regional Communications Director Mandi Merritt announced in an email Saturday – exactly one year from Election Day 2020 – that “Trump Victory kicked off a National Week of Action in Ohio and throughout the country to engage with supporters and activate our army of volunteers.”

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Two Pro-Life Bills Up for Possible Vote in the Ohio Legislature

Beth Lear

Two pro-life bills in the Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee will be heard this week. Chairman Dave Burke (R-Marysville) has scheduled Senate Bills 155 and 208 for their fourth hearings and for a possible vote.

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Opportunity Ohio Finds Right-to-Work States Dominate the Recovery, Ohio Not Among Them

Beth Lear

Matt Mayer, president of the the pro-growth advocates Opportunity Ohio, crunched the numbers and graphed the results of private sector job growth in all the states and the District of Columbia. The news for Ohio, a compulsory union state, is that it continues to lag behind those states that have embraced worker freedom.

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