Ohio gender-affirming care, West Coast waves, and NYE

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Today’s Big Story

Ohio’s Republican governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) threw out a bill on Thursday that would have stopped gender-affirming health care for minors and prevented transgender girls from playing on school sports teams.

• The latest: DeWine is one of only two Republican governors to say "no" to rules limiting gender-affirming care. He's also part of a small group opposing bills that try to restrict transgender athletes. In 2021, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson blocked a similar care bill, and last year, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) turned down proposals targeting trans athletes. Only a small number of trans athletes in Ohio would have been affected by the law, out of nearly 400,000 athletes in 7th-12th grade sports.

• Catch up: The bill was supported by Baptist pastor and state Rep. Gary Click as well as religious groups and a college swimmer who competed against trans athletes. Its opponents included medical organizations, children's hospitals, and LGBTQ+ rights advocates. DeWine had previously said that trans sports issues should be handled by athletic associations and not the government.

• What’s next: Although DeWine vetoed the bill, he agreed with GOP lawmakers that gender-affirming surgeries shouldn’t be done on minors and asked state agencies to draft rules to prevent them from getting such surgeries in the state. Nonetheless, his veto can be overridden by Republicans with a 60% majority vote, given their legislative control in both chambers.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said if she is elected president she would pardon former president Trump if he is convicted of a crime. She said that it would be in the country’s best interest to pardon him so “the country can move on and stop talking about him.” (More)

• Strong Pacific storms are creating towering waves on the West Coast and Hawaii, causing flooding and dangerous tides. Waves higher than 20 feet crashed over seawalls, injured several people, and swept others out to sea. A high surf warning for parts of Northern California said incoming waves would range from 28 to 33 feet and up to 40 feet at some locations. (More)

• L'Oréal heiress and businesswoman, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the first woman to reach the $100 billion net worth mark. Bettencourt Meyers and her family own a 35% stake in the company which is valued at $241 billion. (More)

• Taxpayer-funded health insurance programs for immigrants are gaining traction in the U.S. Over 1 million low-income immigrants have full health insurance coverage in eleven states and Washington D.C. regardless of their legal status. The number in expected to double by 2025 as at least seven states begin or expand coverage. (More)

• The Biden administration bypassed congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel for the second time this month. The emergency classification means the $147.5 million purchase will forego the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Emergency sales are rare but not unprecedented when countries in dire need of weapons can’t wait for approval. (More)

• Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones at Ukraine, killing at least 30 civilians and injuring 144 across the country. An unknown number of victims are buried under ruble. The attack is biggest aerial assault of the war. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• In Tempe, Arizona, nonprofit Treasures 4 Teachers is helping teachers deal with the high cost of classroom supplies by providing a warehouse with affordable or free items, like pens, pencils, art supplies, and recycled goods. Teachers usually spend around $600-700 of their own money each year on these materials, and the initiative is easing that financial burden. (More)

• Since its creation in 2014, the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program has cut in-school arrests by 91% over five years. Focusing on offenses like marijuana possession, the program allows students to stay in school while addressing bad behavior through alternatives like counseling or suspension. In 2022, only 147 in-school arrests were reported, down from nearly 1,600 in 2013. (More)

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working on creating new rules for technology that stops drunk and impaired driving. The goal is to make the technology a standard feature in all new cars and tackle a problem that leads to thousands of deaths in the U.S. every year. (More)

• UNICEF reports that approximately 12 million girls may become child brides this year. VOW for Girls, a nonprofit founded in 2018 by Princess Mabel Van Oranje, is working to end child marriage by providing educational and economic opportunities. Collaborating with 177 global communities, the organization encourages couples to create charitable wedding registries, giving 100% of proceeds to grassroots efforts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America dedicated to ending child marriage and empowering girls. (More)

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