Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new statewide mask order and stricter rules for gatherings in an address to the state Wednesday night. The new mask order makes businesses responsible for ensuring that customers wear masks. It also requires businesses to post a sign stating wearing a face covering is required. DeWine said a new Retail Compliance Unit, composed of …

The fourth installment of our 2020 edition of Vote Ohio. Digital reporter Anna Azallion talks about how the judicial election process works and who you’ll see on the ballot in 2020.

The third installment of our 2020 edition of Vote Ohio. Digital reporter Anna Azallion discusses the races for Congress, Ohio Senate and Ohio House.

The second installment in our 2020 edition of Vote Ohio. Digital reporter Anna Azallion talks about what you can expect when you arrive at the polls this November.

The Ohio University Student Senate officially began its 2020-2021 Senate session during its first general body meeting Wednesday night. The Senate appointed Soren Starkey as an associate justice to the Student Senate Judicial Panel. Walter Milhoan, chief justice emeritus of the panel, spoke highly of Starkey.  “I have the fullest confidence that the acting chief justice was right in putting …

President Donald Trump addressed thousands of supporters about multiple issues, most notably the Supreme Court vacancy, at a rally at the Toledo Express Airport on Monday evening. During his approximately hour and fifteen minute long speech, Trump announced he will nominate a woman to fill the Supreme Court seat formerly held by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. …

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in The New Political’s summer magazine. Ohio’s presidential primary was held largely by mail because of  COVID-19. Voter turnout in Athens County was just over 21%, down more than 20% from the 2016 primary. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the move to mail-in absentee voting late on March 16, the day before the …

The Midwest Coalition of the American Association of University Professors published a letter July 15 calling for universities to further address systemic racism on campuses. A virtual press conference held July 23 further addressed the concerns outlined in the letter. AAUP openly asked for university administrators to realize the racial inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the “systematic …

The state representative for Athens County and majority whip in the Ohio House of Representatives commented Friday on the arrest of House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford), and said he has not been contacted by investigators related to the case. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) said he was shocked to learn of the allegations against Householder. Edwards was elected majority whip for the …

Ohio University announced Wednesday all study abroad and programs and travel experiences are canceled for the upcoming fall semester.  In an email sent to students in the Scripps in D.C. fall 2020 semester program, Keely Davin, associate director for the Office of Global Opportunities, broke the news.  “Based on this situation, we are regretfully writing to inform you that Ohio …

Ohio University will eliminate 81 university positions because of the budget crisis and financial challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a Tuesday press release. Ohio U expects to rehire 23 of the positions as a result of divisional reorganizations in the College of Arts and Sciences.  The Ohio U Board of Trustees approved civil service reform …

Dominic Detwiler is a senior at Ohio University, studying sociology through the Honors Tutorial College.  I am a senior here at Ohio University, and I support Ohio U’s classified employees in their efforts to unionize and ask that President Duane Nellis and Ohio U voluntarily recognize their union. These workers have put in the work and come together.  The university …

City Councilmember Pat McGee gave a speech Friday about the nature of justice at Athens’ Arts West. City Councilmember, longtime student defense lawyer and part-time alchemist Pat McGee spoke about justice and performed medieval songs on a harp Friday at Arts West, the Athens community arts facility. The speech — titled “The Alchemy of Justice” — was part of The …

Opinion writer Maddie Kramer argues that while Bernie Sanders has some great ideas, his divisiveness endangers Democrat’s hopes of winning the presidency, and he should step aside in favor of a young, fresh challenger. Sen. Bernie Sanders made waves in 2016, shaking up the Democrat party with ideas of socialism and a very progressive platform. The independent from Vermont announced …

Improperly stored vaccines caused infections in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, but the issue in Ohio is not as widespread as it has initially been reported. Improperly stored vaccines are causing infections among business employees in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, but the issue in Ohio is now under control according to health officials. The Kentucky Department of Public Health said in …

After a Ohio Supreme Court ruling of 5-2 in favor of the Cincinnati Reds, the team will not pay taxes on merchandise bought to resell.

Happy Thanksgiving! How much do you know about this national holiday? Take this quiz to find out: 

Opinion writer Madeline Kramer claims Michigan’s move to legalize recreational marijuana will provide a model for other Midwestern states to follow. Michiganders voted “Yes” on Proposal 1 during this year’s election, making recreational marijuana legal for adults age 21 years or older. The proposal passed by a wide margin, making it clear that Michigan is ready to take their current …

This is the sixth installment in The New Political’s Athens scandals quiz series. Take last week’s quiz about the Roger E. Ailes newsroom name here. This week, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of the scandal concerning newly-elected city council member Sarah Grace and her payment of PTO taxes. 

On Monday, Michael Mayberry, an organizer of the Baker Center sit-in, was found not guilty of criminal trespassing. Mayberry is one of 70 individuals whom Athens law enforcement arrested on Feb. 1 at a Baker sit-in protest. He was the first to go to bench trial, which is trial by judge, not jury. In Ohio, criminal trespassing is a fourth-degree …

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the author and Ohio University Students for Liberty. They do not reflect those of The New Political or its editorial team. ________________________________________________________________________________ By Conor Fogarty This week, an additional 400 American military personnel, mostly in special forces, went overseas to Syria in an effort to wrest control of Raqqa …

The International Women’s Day Festival took place this Sunday, celebrating Women’s history and empowerment. It welcomed vendors, performances and speeches from many influential members of the community, including Mayor Steve Patterson, who labelled the month of March as International Women’s Month. Bukky Shaba was one of the events hosts. She is a graduate student at Ohio University and an international …

By the numbers: Candidates who have rejected WH communications job: 2 Sanders-Cruz debate ratings: 2.46 million Obama executive orders revoked by Trump: 0 Gorsuch speaks out against Trump’s comments on fellow Judge In case you forgot, Trump lashed out against Judge Robart after he put a nationwide stay on the administration’s immigration order. Trump took to Twitter calling him a …