Weekly Political Recap — Week Ending April 3, 2026
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Ohio News
Trial Date Set in Bryan Davis Corruption Case
A trial date of October 5, 2026 has been set for former Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis and his wife Lorinda, who together face more than two dozen felony charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office, and money laundering. The charges stem from an alleged kickback scheme involving the Southern Ohio Port Authority. The case has seen repeated delays since their indictment, making this the first firm trial timeline in the high-profile local corruption case.
Should legislature have more JobsOhio oversight? Two lawmakers say yes
A bipartisan bill introduced this week — House Bill 779 — would require JobsOhio to disclose its sponsorships and media partnerships annually and submit to biennial state audits. The bill was introduced by Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood), following a podcast scandal tied to a $60,000 JobsOhio contract that contributed to the resignation of Ohio State University's president. Pizzulli noted that when he sought JobsOhio resources for his own district, he was told there was no money available.
ACLU decries expanding ICE partnerships with Ohio law enforcement
The number of Ohio counties with formal ICE contracts has more than tripled — jumping from two at the end of 2024 to at least six by the end of 2025 — raising alarm among civil liberties advocates. The ACLU of Ohio is calling attention to the trend, warning that such agreements increase the risk of civil rights violations and could discourage immigrant communities from seeking help or cooperating with local police.
Firearms a leading cause of death for Ohio children, compounded by a lack of support for prevention
A new report from Children's Defense Fund Ohio finds that gun violence is now a leading killer of children in the state, yet funding and programming for prevention remain inadequate. The report comes as Ohio legislators have focused on banning drag performances rather than addressing the gun violence crisis — a contrast critics say reflects a troubling set of priorities.
National News
Trump removes Pam Bondi as attorney general
President Trump ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — Trump's former personal lawyer — named as acting attorney general. Bondi's 14-month tenure was marked by controversy over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and criticism that she failed to successfully prosecute cases against Trump's political opponents.
Federal judge finds Trump violated free speech by ordering NPR and PBS defunded
A federal district court judge ruled this week that President Trump's executive order to claw back $1.1 billion in previously approved public media funding violates the First Amendment. The ruling, which permanently blocks enforcement of the order, found that using the government's spending power to punish disfavored speech is unconstitutional — though the Trump administration has signaled it will appeal.