Valley corruption seems puny

July 24, 2020

One lesson I’ve learned covering politics is when something leaves you wondering why, follow the money. That’s what federal prosecutors did in uncovering what they said could be the largest public bribery scheme in Ohio history. When the state Legislature chose last year to bail out two failing nuclear power plants with $1.3 billion coming from ratepayers while ending requirements that utility companies use more wind and solar, it made little sense. Some legislators told me they supported it to save jobs at two nuclear plants, but that was a flimsy argument because it cost ...

Cheerleading won’t save Ohioans

July 17, 2020

Those who were expecting Gov. Mike DeWine to make a major pronouncement — such as mandatory face masks or rolling back some of the business reopenings — as Ohio faces record numbers of COVID-19 cases were likely disappointed at his pep talk Wednesday, urging people to be careful. But with pressure from members of DeWine’s own Republican Party who don’t want any more restrictions — some believing the pandemic is a hoax or an exaggeration — and business owners who don’t want to shut down or scale back, the contents of his speech, little more than a plea for Ohioans to make ...

My brief time in the jury pool

July 10, 2020

I’ve long wanted to serve on a jury, and the idea of being part of secret grand jury proceedings is even more intriguing. But to do it during a health crisis didn’t sound good. So when a letter arrived in late May stating I was chosen for grand jury selection with the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court — the first new grand jury since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — I wasn’t thrilled. About a week later, a sheriff’s deputy came to my door — without a mask and seemingly oblivious to social distancing — with a summons ordering that I appear as a possible grand ...

Adventures with Mike Pence

July 3, 2020

It’s always exciting covering presidential or vice presidential visits, and my time as pool reporter for Mike Pence’s recent stop in the Mahoning Valley fit the bill. I’ve been selected as “pool reporter” about a dozen times and have never been a fan of it. The pool reporter’s responsibilities are — to quote the White House Correspondents’ Association — to be “eyes and ears of the press corps.” You travel in the motorcade and go to certain restricted events. You then write reports as quickly as possible and send them to other media who may quote you verbatim ...

Police reform likely a nonstarter

June 26, 2020

Just as he did with his gun reform plan last year, Gov. Mike DeWine isn’t going to get a warm welcome from the state Legislature to his proposed changes to law-enforcement policies. It appears the latest proposals aren’t being embraced by his fellow Republicans, who have super majorities in the state House and the Senate — or even by Democrats in the Ohio Legislature. DeWine is dealing with Republicans who seem to lack interest in making sweeping changes when it comes to gun or police reforms. He also has to deal with vocal gun-rights advocates and police organizations, that ...

Backlash, stress fueled Acton’s exit

June 19, 2020

Shortly after COVID-19 hit Ohio, part of my work routine was to cover then-daily news conferences of Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton on the number of cases and related deaths. It’s been difficult at times as the pandemic has killed thousands of people and greatly impacted daily routines of everyone I know. This is historic, and despite our short attention spans, I hope it won’t be forgotten. The news conferences are now about two days a week with Acton serving as a calming presence — someone who shows compassion and helps us better understand what’s happening. She ...