A Ukrainian family built a community in Cleveland. Now, they face deportation; The Guardian, June 21, 2026

 Stephen Starr , The Guardian; A Ukrainian family built a community in Cleveland. Now, they face deportation

"Tamila Vashchuk and her husband, Mykola, are minor celebrities in this corner of Ohio.

The Ukrainian couple have appeared on the cover of local magazines and been invited onto morning television shows. En route to building a successful pierogi food business, they’ve met with the governor. A recent law graduate from Cleveland State University, Mykola is hoping to do his bar exams someday. Most Sundays, they volunteer at the local church.

But now, the family faces an immigration court hearing they believe could see them deported back to Ukraine, where they would struggle to treat their son’s illness and where Russia’s ferocious assault has increased in recent weeks."

DeWine vetoes library material restriction in Ohio budget; WFMJ, July 1, 2025

  

WFMJ; DeWine vetoes library material restriction in Ohio budget

"Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Monday vetoed a controversial provision in the state's new budget that would have imposed restrictions on public libraries regarding the placement of materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

The veto came as DeWine signed the state budget bill. In his statement, the Republican governor expressed concerns about what he described as the "vague restrictions" proposed for libraries.

"No child should have access to inappropriate materials or to materials that their parents or guardians deem inappropriate," DeWine said. "In Ohio, we have strong laws on obscenity and material harmful to juveniles, and the DeWine-Tressel Administration expects those laws to be enforced. Therefore, a veto of this item is in the public interest."

The provision, which had drawn strong opposition from library systems across the state, including the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, would have required libraries to segregate such materials so they were not visible to patrons under 18.

Library advocates, including the Ohio Library Council (OLC), argued that the language was "overly vague and broad" and "ultimately unworkable." Aimee Fifarek, CEO and director of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, previously warned that complying with the mandate could force libraries to "close down" to review and re-code materials, potentially leading to "unconstitutional censorship."

UC shutters diversity programs, departments in response to new Ohio law; FOX19NOW, June 24, 2025

Dan Horn, FOX19NOW; UC shutters diversity programs, departments in response to new Ohio law

"The University of Cincinnati shuttered its diversity, equity and inclusion programs June 24 in response to a Republican-led change in Ohio law that banned such programs and threatened to withhold money from schools that fail to comply, our partners at the Cincinnati Enquirer report.

In an email to students and faculty, UC President Neville Pinto said the university will close its Equity and Inclusion Office, its LGBTQ Center, its Women’s Center and four Identity Centers that offer programs supporting diverse student populations. UC also will rename the African American Cultural & Resource Center the “Cultural Center.”

Pinto said he recognized the changes would be difficult for many UC students who relied on the centers and programs for academic and peer support. Some students have described the programs as essential to their college experience because they offered a sense of belonging to minority and LGBTQ students who might otherwise feel isolated.

“I recognize that unwinding deeply rooted efforts around inclusion will undoubtedly challenge core feelings of belonging for many in our community,” Pinto wrote. “My message to you is unequivocal: You belong here.”"