Democratic group assails Balderson on ECOT campaign cash

An independent organization backing Democrats launched a digital TV commercial against U.S. House Republican candidate Troy Balderson for not giving up $10,000 in campaign contributions to the founder of defunct online school ECOT. The 30-second commercial, which can be seen on Facebook and other digital platforms, charges that Balderson, the Republican nominee for the 12th Congressional District in central Ohio, has refused to return contributions from Bill Lager, whose Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow collapsed in January, forcing around 12,000 students to enroll in other schools.

Ohio inmate claims innocence in slaying of 3, wants retrial

This July 14, 2010, file photo, shows Kevin Keith, who is on death row at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, Ohio. Keith, an Ohio inmate who has long maintained his innocence in the 1994 slaying of three people is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a new trial based on evidence never heard by a jury.

Kasich shores up bipartisan credentials, arriving in NH

Republican Gov. John Kasich restored Ohio's membership in the National Governors Association as he seeks to shore up credibility for bipartisan deal-making that could bolster a 2020 bid for president. An invoice produced in response to a public records request shows Ohio rejoined the bipartisan policy group in January for the first time in eight years.

Tribute To Ted Strickland Will Celebrate Lifelong Service Of Former Governor, Congressman

On Saturday night, Democrats and progressives from across Ohio will gather at The Renaissance in downtown Columbus to pay tribute to former governor and congressman Ted Strickland. The event, " A Tribute to Ted Strickland ," is being presented by Buckeye State policy think tank Innovation Ohio Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. A reception prior to the dinner will be hosted by Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.

Gentile Talks About Italian Heritage

The 35th-annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival officially kicked off on Wednesday at the McLure Hotel in Wheeling as nearly 200 festival supporters gathered for a dinner to honor the 2017 Italian-American of the Year, former Ohio Sen. Lou Gentile. Gentile was introduced by former U.S. Rep. Zack Space, who is currently running as a Democrat for Ohio auditor.

Biden, mourners pay tribute to John Glenn, American hero

The nation's vice-president and a retired Marine Corps general were among the dignitaries, family members and other mourners who choked up Saturday during a memorial tribute to the late space hero John Glenn. Roughly 2,500 people gathered at Mershon Auditorium on the Ohio State University campus for "a celebration of life" for the former fighter pilot, history-making astronaut and longtime Democratic U.S. senator from small-town Ohio.

Ohio inmate loses appeal to block 2nd attempt at execution

This undated file photo provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction shows death row inmate Romell Broom, whose 2009 botched execution was called off after two hours. The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a condemned Ohio killer who said the state should not get a second chance to put him to death after he survived a botched execution.

Gallia ballot rundown –

As election day finally approaches this Tuesday, voters will decide the fate of the country in what is arguably the most contentious presidential election in recent American history. While being a presidential election year, the public should also remember a variety of local issues being voted upon in their home counties as well.

Portman, Strickland debate

Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Democratic challenger Ted Strickland have sparred over their parties' presidential nominees in their second debate and traded jabs that they're each bending the truth to get an edge with voters. Portman and Strickland often spoke directly into the camera Monday night at a Columbus television station.

The Latest: Portman calls Trump groping video final straw

Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman says a video showing Donald Trump boasting about groping women was the last straw for him and why he pulled his endorsement. Portman said in a debate with Democratic challenger Ted Strickland on Friday in Youngstown that those comments by the GOP nominee for president were offensive and demeaning to women.

Obama: Republicans deserve no credit for disavowing Trump

President Barack Obama insisted Thursday that Republicans who are disavowing Donald Trump deserve no credit for their sudden change of heart after having "stood by silently" for so long. He accused Republicans of filling a "swamp of crazy" by allowing unfounded and hate-filled rhetoric to go unchallenged within the party for years.

Strickland slams Portman for not retracting Trump endorsement

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ted Strickland assailed his Republican opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, today for not retracting his endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the wake of lewd comments by Mr. Trump caught on tape in 2005. "I would say that after seeing this video that Donald Trump is unfit to be the president of the United States of America and as a result of Rob Portman's continued support of him, Rob Portman is unfit to be a senator from the state of Ohio," Mr. Strickland said in an interview today with The Blade.

Robert Reich: Don’t overlook Donald Trump, and don’t give Republicans a free pass

The Clinton campaign is relentlessly focusing on the defects of Donald Trump rather than the defects of the Republican agenda. That's understandable, and it could be a winning strategy.

Why labor and conservation are joining forces again

As the heads of two different kinds of organizations, we take immense pride in the long history of cooperation between the labor and environmental movements. Indeed, in 2016 more than ever before, we believe we are stronger together.

The Latest: Ryan confirms that debate prep helps

House Speaker Paul Ryan appeared Wednesday before the Economic Club of Washington to discuss economic policy and, inevitably, politics. Two days earlier, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump debated Hillary Clinton and was panned for a poor performance and inadequate preparation.