August 4, 2023 

Recreational marijuana: Legalization campaign submits last batch of signatures to qualify for Nov. 7 ballot

Cleveland.com, August 3, 2023 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The medical marijuana businesses backing a proposal to legalize recreational, adult-use cannabis submitted another 6,545 signatures Thursday, in its last opportunity to qualify for the Nov. 7 ballot.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol needs 124,046 valid signatures from registered voters in at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties to get on the ballot.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said last week that the campaign’s first batch of submitted signatures was short by 679 signatures, kicking off a 10-day “cure period” that allowed the campaign to make up the shortfall.

The cure period ends Friday but the campaign submitted the signatures Thursday. Since the new signatures are almost ten times the number of the shortfall, the campaign feels confident it will have enough to qualify for the ballot, said Tom Haren, a Cleveland attorney with the campaign.

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Norfolk Southern estimates $803M will be spent

The Vindicator, August 4, 2023

EAST PALESTINE — It’s been six months since the Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical spill turned East Palestine and surrounding areas upside down and the cost of the cleanup and concerns of people living in those communities continue to mount.

In April, Norfolk Southern said it anticipated the derailment to cost the company $387 million. Last week, the company doubled that amount to nearly $1 billion, estimating $803 million will be spent when the railroad’s second-quarter earnings report was released. The bulk of those costs are expected to go to environmental remediation with legal expenses and community assistance.

So far, Norfolk Southern has pledged $63 million to East Palestine but residents like Misti Allison say it’s not enough and the true cost of the derailment cannot be measured in dollars. She said conflicting information and a lack of transparency from responding agencies have made many mistrustful of the narrative put forward, and people fear the long-term consequences the rail disaster will have on public health.

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Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 92,000 vehicles and tell owners to park them outside due to fire risk

AP, August 3, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 92,000 vehicles in the U.S. to park them outside because an electronic controller in an oil pump can overheat and cause fires.

The affiliated Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles and also are telling owners to park them away from structures until repairs are made.

The recalls cover certain 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Palisades, as well some 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona vehicles. Affected Kias include the 2023 Soul and Sportage as well as some 2023 and 2024 Seltos vehicles.

The affiliated Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles and also are telling owners to park them away from structures until repairs are made.

The recalls cover certain 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Palisades, as well some 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona vehicles. Affected Kias include the 2023 Soul and Sportage as well as some 2023 and 2024 Seltos vehicles.

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Baby Boomers rule Ohio's delegation to Congress

Axios Columbus, August 4, 2023

Baby Boomers make up nearly half of Congress — despite that generation representing just 21% of the American population, according to data from Quorum.

- It's an even higher ratio for Ohio lawmakers.

Why it matters: The post-World War II generation has disproportionate control over U.S. policymaking, including emerging technologies like AI and social media.

The big picture: The average age of members in this congressional term is one of the oldest in U.S. history, spurring debates about fitness for office, term limits and ageism, Axios' April Rubin writes.

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