Adventures with Mike Pence

July 3, 2020

It’s always exciting covering presidential or vice presidential visits, and my time as pool reporter for Mike Pence’s recent stop in the Mahoning Valley fit the bill. I’ve been selected as “pool reporter” about a dozen times and have never been a fan of it. The pool reporter’s responsibilities are — to quote the White House Correspondents’ Association — to be “eyes and ears of the press corps.” You travel in the motorcade and go to certain restricted events. You then write reports as quickly as possible and send them to other media who may quote you verbatim ...

Police reform likely a nonstarter

June 26, 2020

Just as he did with his gun reform plan last year, Gov. Mike DeWine isn’t going to get a warm welcome from the state Legislature to his proposed changes to law-enforcement policies. It appears the latest proposals aren’t being embraced by his fellow Republicans, who have super majorities in the state House and the Senate — or even by Democrats in the Ohio Legislature. DeWine is dealing with Republicans who seem to lack interest in making sweeping changes when it comes to gun or police reforms. He also has to deal with vocal gun-rights advocates and police organizations, that have ...

Backlash, pressure led to Acton’s exit

June 19, 2020

Shortly after COVID-19 hit Ohio, part of my work routine was to cover then-daily news conferences of Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton on the number of cases and related deaths. It’s been difficult at times as the pandemic has killed thousands of people and greatly impacted daily routines of everyone I know. This is historic, and despite our short attention spans, I hope it won’t be forgotten. The news conferences are now about two days a week with Acton serving as a calming presence — someone who shows compassion and helps us better understand what’s happening. She ...

Campaign reports give insight

June 12, 2020

There were several interesting developments from the post-primary campaign finance reports of state Legislature incumbents and candidates from the Mahoning Valley. State Rep. Gil Blair, D-Weathersfield, in the Ohio House’s 63rd District was the only incumbent in the area to face challengers in the April 28 primary. Blair was appointed to the seat in June 2019, filing a vacancy left by the resignation of Democrat Glenn Holmes. Blair, like most incumbent legislators, largely relies on political action committee money to fund his campaign. Nearly all of the $14,038 he raised Jan. 1 ...

Independents draw controversy

June 5, 2020

For most independent candidates, getting on the ballot largely consists of two things: getting enough valid signatures and not voting in the partisan primary held after they file. But in the Mahoning Valley things are rarely simple, and there’s a case in each of Trumbull and Mahoning counties to show that. Signatures play a large factor in the eligibility of Dennis Malloy of Bazetta, who is seeking to run for a Trumbull County commissioner seat. Malloy turned in petitions with 952 signatures with the Trumbull County Board of Elections initially deeming 704 were valid. He needs ...

Study highlights bipartisanship

May 29, 2020

Bipartisanship is such a rarity in national politics that when it occurs, it’s news. We live in an era when many people see things as black and white, even though most things are shades of gray. It’s common to criticize the mainstream media, yet plenty of people believe the most ridiculous and fake things they read online. Here’s a helpful hint: just because someone posts a wild conspiracy theory on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s true. If you don’t support the president, you’re labeled a socialist or your patriotism is questioned. On the other end, if you agree with the ...