There is a possibility we’ll see a federal gas tax holiday this summer.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., announced Wednesday that House Democrats intend to pass legislation addressing high gas prices in the coming weeks.

“it's a day-to-day or week-to-week, certainly a month-to-month expense. and it's going to require a comprehensive response. That comprehensive response is in the works. And the sooner we can get it done, the better, hopefully over the next few weeks,” Jeffries said.

When asked about a possible gas tax holiday, Jeffries said, “It’s part of the discussion, and the discussion is ongoing.”

However, last month, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said a gas tax suspension was not plausible, as there is no way to ensure gas companies will pass the savings on to customers.

Democrats will likely try to address gas prices in other forms,

Jeffries suggested Wednesday that it is possible there will be a vote on gas price legislation by the end of May before Congress takes a recess for Memorial Day. But they’ll need cooperation from Senate Republicans for that to happen.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A proposed law would completely criminalize abortion without exemptions for rape and incest. The bill states it would make an exemption for saving the life of the pregnant person, but that was debated at the Statehouse on Wednesday.

The Human Life Protection Act, House Bill 598, is a trigger ban. If this bill passes the Legislature and Gov. Mike DeWine signs it, it would only come into effect if the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) "wholly or partially upholds a state’s authority to prohibit abortion." For this, the bill would require either an issuance of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion or an adoption of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Roe v. Wade was the 1973 landmark decision in which the Supreme Court ruled that the constitution protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion. The Supreme Court is set to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization — which is Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban.

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade by upholding Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, then HB 598 would immediately begin.

The bill's sponsor Rep. Jean Schmidt, a Republican from Loveland, gave her sponsor testimony and answered questions for an hour.

The bill

• Prohibits a person from purposely causing an abortion by using a "substance" or an "instrument" or other means.
• Makes criminal abortion a felony in the fourth degree.
• Prohibits any person from making, selling or advertising tools to cause an abortion.
• Makes "promoting" abortion a first-degree misdemeanor.
• Creates the crime of abortion manslaughter, which is when a person takes the life of a child born from an attempted abortion who is alive when removed from the pregnant person's uterus.
• Makes abortion manslaughter a felony of the first degree.

The penalties

• Minimum of four to seven years and a maximum of 25 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000 for abortion manslaughter.
• Minimum of one-half to two years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500 for criminal abortion.

However, the bill does grant immunity from prosecution for abortion manslaughter, criminal abortion or promoting abortion to the person who attempted an abortion or succeeded in an abortion. This individual would also be able to sue for wrongful death for violation of crimes of abortion manslaughter, criminal abortion or promoting abortion.

The bill also allows for an affirmative defense to a criminal abortion charge, but only if the physician performed or induced the abortion, or attempted to do so, under the determination that it was necessary to prevent the individual’s death or a serious risk to the pregnant individual.

This would be an "exemption," according to Schmidt. In the case of a medical emergency for the pregnant person, two doctors not professionally related must sign off on the abortion. Unless it is determined the mother is at risk of death or injury, they must take every precaution to save "both the child and the mother." If the premature child is alive, the doctors must provide care for it.

"The goal is to save both lives and treat both patients," Schmidt said in her testimony.

Democrats were ready to ask questions, with most of them coming from Reps. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester), Dr. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Tavia Galonski (D-Akron). However, Majority Floor Leader Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) jumped in.

The intense back and forth between Brown and Schmidt revolved around the lack of exemptions for rape and incest.

"So under this bill, if a 13-year-old girl, let's say, was raped by a serial rapist, broke into her house, or maybe more likely raped by a family member, which occurs frequently — unfortunately, this bill would require this 13-year-old to carry this felons fetus to term, regardless of any emotional or psychological damage or trauma that may be inflicted upon this 13-year-old girl to deliver this, felons a fetus. Is that right?" he asked.

Schmidt responded and said that rape is a difficult issue.

"It's a shame that it happens, but there's an opportunity for that woman, no matter how young or old she is," she said.

The opportunity — which would be the only option — is to deliver that baby.

"She can choose to raise the child, she can choose to give that child to a loving family member or to give it to someone else — and that child can grow up and be something magnificent, a wonderful family person, cure cancer," she said. "Just because you have emotional scars doesn't give you the right, right to take the life."

Brown followed up.

"You earlier said every life is important — the life of a 13-year-old girl in my hypothetical is important," he added.

He then brings up the pregnant juvenile going to middle school, saying that kids are "mean, they're evil and they're going to say all kinds of bad things to their classmate about her condition."

"I think this girl has rights every bit as much as the zygote that has rights under your bill," he said. "This girl has rights, and I don't believe we can lose sight of the rights of the person who was raped."

Supporters of the bill, like Ohio Right to Life, say just because someone commits a crime, doesn't mean we should have the right to “purposely” end a life.

"They can live a dignified life that shows them that they can overcome certain circumstances," said Elizabeth Whitmarsh, a spokesperson for the organization. "That might seem impossible in the moment, but they're able to get through it."

Pro-Choice Ohio, who was also at the hearing, said everyone should be entitled to make their own health care decisions without government mandates.

"It doesn't matter what that person's reason is for having an abortion, they need to have access to abortion in their community without stigma, judgment or delay," said Jaime Miracle, deputy director for the group. "They need the abortion that they have decided is best for them and their family."

Another argument that was brought up by legislators on each side was how the bill was too open for interpretation.

Liston, a physician, lead the questioning on the medical concerns. She started by bringing up the language in the bill surrounding the "exemption" for an individual whose health is in danger.

"How I read this is that a physician could defend themselves against a murder charge with what's called an affirmative defense, in the case of it being life-threatening if they follow provisions A, B, C, D, E and F, which includes a lot of different things, made a lot of documentation, a lot of provisions on what's available at a facility," the doctor said. "Physicians cannot terminate a pregnancy — period. They can defend themselves from it, from a charge in the setting of life-threatening complications if they follow these specific steps is."

Schmidt didn't answer the question, but rather reiterated the language in the bill.

Liston continued on to give examples of different circumstances in pregnancy that will result in the death of a pregnant person, such as partial or incomplete molar pregnancies, severe preeclampsia and ectopic pregnancies.

"The longer one waits before terminating the pregnancy, the more risk there is to a woman," she said. "There's no good outcome here — there's no live birth."

Liston then brings up how there are no non-ICUs in the world that can resuscitate before 22 weeks. For extreme preemies, there are only three in Ohio — Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland.

That, mixed with needing to get two different doctors that aren't affiliated with each other, can make this incredibly difficult to actually get an abortion, Liston said.

"The three hospitals that you mentioned are level one trauma centers," Schmidt said. "When you are a traumatic patient, it is the obligation of the rescue unit to take you to the most appropriate place and those would be, in certain cases, level one centers."

Liston said they don't want it to get to the level of an emergency life flight.

"That is a really difficult gray line that's being created with the threat of jail to doctors that are working with their patients," she said.

She then raises a hypothetical about breast cancer patients and how she wouldn't be able to get treatment because the interacting drugs could be seen as "abortion" drugs.

"Representative Liston, I'm not a doctor," Schmidt said. "But I have read stories of women that have had breast cancer, gone through the treatment and have had normal children. So I can't answer that."

The other main line of questioning was bipartisan confusion on what the trigger for the bill actually was.

Brown and Seitz went back and forth, agreeing on the same question to ask for clarification. Brown had asked a question about what happens when SCOTUS doesn't totally overturn Roe v. Wade, but still makes an assertion on it.

"Ranking member Brown and I don't often agree on very much, but I want to go back to his question," Seitz said. "So, if the Supreme Court says only that the 15-week ban imposed by Mississippi is constitutional and Mississippi can ban abortions after 15 weeks — I think Representative Brown's question, and I kind of agree with him if this is what it means, I would say that your bill would kick in to ban all abortions, even those at less than 15 weeks."

He continued that Ohio has already banned abortion after a heartbeat can be detected at six weeks. He then asked if Schmidt was following his logic, and she said: "in part."

"If the Supreme Court, in part, returns to the states the question of whether to ban abortion after 15 weeks, then your bill should be clarified to say the trigger has not been met," he said. "Would you agree with that?"

"I would be amenable to that kind of an amendment if that clarification is needed," she said.

DeWine's spokesperson said the governor agreed to sign this bill, or a bill similar to this, in a campaign survey to Ohio Right to Life. His team reiterated he is pro-life but has already signed the six-week abortion ban, so he would rather legislators stop putting this type of legislation out until the SCOTUS decision is finalized.

Follow statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma House has given final approval to a Texas-style abortion ban that prohibits abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

The bill passed Thursday by the GOP-led House now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it within days.

The bill prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in the fetus.

Experts say that’s typically about six weeks into a pregnancy, which is before many women know they are pregnant.

Like Texas, the bill allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion for up to $10,000.

Stitt has said that he wants to "outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma.” Earlier this month, he signed a bill that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Oklahoma's battle against abortion is likely to face legal challenges.

A scary moment occurred during a little league game in South Carolina.

People began running for cover as dozens of gunshots were fired near a ball field in North Charleston.

At first, the children look around in confusion as the gunshots go off.

Players and coaches then dropped to the ground for safety and parents called for their children.

No one was hurt, but several cars in the parking lot were hit by gunfire.

Police arrived quickly but the suspects had already left the area.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information in the case.

CINCINNATI — Skyline Chili is suing two suppliers after a failed business operation that has allegedly cost the restaurant more than $1 million.

In an April 15 lawsuit with the Hamilton County Pleas Court, the Cincinnati-style chili eatery claims that contractor Advanced Ammonia Refrigeration Design Corporation (AARDCO) and subcontractor Cryogenic Equipment & Services Inc. (CES) conducted a deal in 2017 with Skyline where the two companies partook in a construction project for the restaurant — a project that allegedly never became operational.

Skyline claims that it paid the companies $1.1 million for the manufacturing of a spiral freezer system, as well as a building to house the system. However, Skyline says the freezer never worked and it has lost the ability to use the newly constructed building for the freezer.

Skyline is suing for compensatory damages for the freezer, property damage caused by the freezer, loss of the additional building, labor costs and future damages to business operations. Otherwise, Skyline is suing for restitution of what the company has paid, including litigation expenses and attorney fees.

The business deal came about, according to the lawsuit, after Skyline experienced malfunctioning with its existing plate freezer — something Skyline had experienced before — used to store chili products. According to the lawsuit, Skyline and AARDCO discussed a major construction project that would involve a new mechanical spiral freezer system as well as the construction of a new building that would house the new freezer system.

As the two companies began the necessary steps to begin construction, CES was contracted to "design, manufacture and install the spiral freezer system," according the lawsuit.

From there, the lawsuit claims that Skyline began paying invoices for supposed work on the project, and ultimately spent $1.1 million. Other than the $1.1 million, Skyline also says it continues to lose profits due to a lack of functionality from the freezer.

After the completion of the freezer, Skyline claims there has been a "myriad of ongoing problems," including insufficient speed, jams and misalignment, excessive frost, lack of stabilization, lack of durability and more defects.

A court hearing is currently scheduled for July 18.

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HARRISONBURG, Va. — Authorities in Virginia say the death of James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett has been classified as an apparent suicide.

Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told the Associated Press Wednesday that "an investigation into the death is continuing" and the medical examiner's official report is pending.

The 20-year-old sophomore's death was announced Tuesday in a news release by JMU President Jonathan Alger and athletic director Jeff Bourne.

"College athletics is great because of the people with whom we get to interact every day," they said. "We are a tight family. We are grateful that Lauren has been part of our JMU Athletics community and will always consider her to be a Duke. We will miss her dearly."

No other details were provided.

Statement from President Alger and Jeff Bourne on the loss of one of our own: pic.twitter.com/A5JBuR5RUg

— James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) April 26, 2022

The news outlet reported that the Pennsylvania native had been named the Colonial Athletic Association player of the week on Monday.

News of Bernett's death comes as the University of Wisconsin-Madison mourns the loss of a cross-country star who died by suicide earlier this month.

Stanford is also grieving the loss of a soccer star who died by suicide in March.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

CINCINNATI — Ohio's primary election is May 3 and although state house and congressional races will be omitted from the ballots because district maps remain unapproved and uncertain, there are still several elections on the ballot for voters to consider.

The following are races in which candidates are not running unopposed for their party; unopposed candidates move on to the general election, so WCPO is highlighting only the races in which there is more than one candidate running. Likewise, independent candidates do not participate in primary elections and will be on the ballot for the general election in November, so they are not represented in this list.

Voters can find their polling location here.

Gubernatorial Primary

Democrat candidates:

John Cranley

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Cranley’s no stranger to Cincinnati. The Price Hill neighborhood native and St. Xavier High School alum served as Cincinnati’s mayor from 2013 to 2022. Cranley touts positive population growth for the first time in 60 years under his leadership, the Milken Institute’s title of best performing city, poverty reduction, and spearheading an effort to invest in solar energy. Cranley picked Sen. Teresa Fedor as his running mate for Lt. Governor.

Cranley leans on his legal experience which includes co-founding and directing the Ohio Innocence Project, which aims to free wrongfully convicted people.

Cranley’s platform points include:

• Expanding options for early learning

• Creating 120,000 jobs that pay at least $60,000 a year

• Legalizing and taxing marijuana

• Creating access to universal Broadband, Internet, and WiFi

You can read Cranley's full platform, titled "Ohio's Comeback" here. To learn more about Cranley, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Nan Whaley

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Many folks in the Tri-state are also familiar with Whaley. She was elected Dayton’s mayor in 2013. She ran unopposed in 2017. It was the first time in the city’s history where a mayoral race ran uncontested. Whaley became known to a wider audience in 2019, when a shooter killed 9 people and hurt several others at a bar in Dayton. Whaley is the only woman running for Governor in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Whaley picked Cheryl Stephens as her running mate for Lt. Governor. She is the only candidate in both the Democratic and Republican primaries to have a person of color as a running mate. This is Whaley’s 2nd time running for Governor. She announced her candidacy in 2017, but dropped out in January 2018.

Whaley’s platform points include:

• Defending a woman’s right to choose

• Fighting for paid family leave for all Ohioans

• Investing in Ohio’s Appalachian Communities

You can read Whaley’s full platform here.

To learn more about Whaley you can check out her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Republican candidates include:

Incumbent Mike DeWine

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Gov. DeWine has held office since 2019 and has a long political record. He served as Greene County's prosecutor from 1977 to 1981. From there, he became an Ohio senator, representing the 10th district from 1980 to 1982

He was then elected to congress and represented Ohio's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991. He served as Lt. Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1994, U.S. Senator from 1995 to 2007 and, most recently, as Ohio's attorney general from 2011 to 2019.

DeWine was endorsed by former President Trump in the 2018 election, but Trump has not endorsed anyone in the Gubernatorial race this year.

DeWine’s platform points mostly tout his accomplishments in office. That includes:

• Creating jobs by brokering a deal with Intel to invest $20 billion in Ohio

• Cutting $2.2 billion in taxes, calling it “the largest tax cut in history”

• Reducing crime by investing millions into law enforcement agencies

• Signing the heartbeat bill into law, which bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected

You can read his full platform and office accomplishments here. To learn more about DeWine, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Joe Blystone

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Blystone brands himself as a “constitutional conservative,” but has no political experience and has never run for public office. He founded Blystone Farm in 2004 and created a non-profit Blystone Agricultural Inc. in 2019 aiming to teach people about food and farming.

Blystone picked author Jeremiah Workman as his Lt. Governor.

Blystone’s platform points include:

• “Protecting the American Dream”

• Revising state, local, and business taxes

To learn more about Blystone, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Jim Renacci

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Renacci has a longstanding political background but is recovering from a recent stumble. Renacci served the city of Wadsworth as mayor, city council president, and the Board of Zoning Appeals from 1994 to 2008. From 2011 to 2019, he served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 16th Congressional District. He’s been on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Financial Services committees. In 2018, he lost his senate bid to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) by just under 7 points. Former President Trump endorsed him for that race. He was the sole Republican to lose statewide that election cycle.

Renacci picked filmmaker Joe Knopp as his Lt. Governor.

Renacci’s platform points include:

• Using energy resources like coal, natural gas and oil “to their full capabilities”

• Protecting religious liberties

• Supporting law enforcement

• Making Ohio a family destination

You can read more about Renacci's platform here. To learn more about Renacci, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

U.S. Senate Primary

Democrat candidates include:

Morgan Harper

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Harper has never been elected to public office, but she’s no stranger to politics. She served in the Obama Administration as a senior advisor at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Harper’s legal experience is largely focused on consumer protection, but she’s also used her knowledge of the law in the non-profit arena as a director of policy and advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project, which aims to break up corporate monopolies.

Harper’s platform points include:

• modernizing public transportation

• debt-free public education

She also has a jobs plan laid out, which you can read here. To learn more about Harper, you can visit her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Traci "TJ" Johnson

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Johnson has a long history of public service, elected to the position of Franklin County Ward Committee Woman. She held the position for more than 20 years. She’s also worked in several Ohio State offices including the Department of Administrative Services, Office of Budget & Management, Attorney General’s Office, and Environmental Protection Agency.

Johnson currently works as an information technology executive and the president of an IT solutions company. She’s also been hired as a general manager for two major corporations.

Johnson’s platform points include:

• improving the state’s digital infrastructure

• restructuring student loans

• protecting women’s reproductive rights

• supporting small and minority owned businesses.

Johnson laid out her vision for Ohio titled “Our Plan: New Future For Ohio.” You can read that in full here.

To learn more about Johnson, you can check out her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Tim Ryan

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Ryan is the political juggernaut in this democratic primary, with analysts saying it’s his election to lose. Ryan has served 10 terms as a U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 13th district. Ryan’s touted his passion for the economy, which related to his service on the House Appropriations Committee, which controls federal spending. He’s also the co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus. In previous years, Ryan served in the Ohio State Senate.

Ryan’s platform points include:

• curbing dependence on foreign oil

• increasing access to opioid addiction treatment

• family faming (which he’s written a book about)

If you’d like to see Ryan’s voting record in comparison to his platform points you can click here.

To learn more about Ryan, you can check out his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Republican candidates include:

Matt Dolan

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Dolan currently serves as an Ohio State Senator representing the 24th district. His term is set to end in December of 2024. In 20204, Dolan was elected to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 98th district. Dolan was re-elected twice in 2006 and 2010. In January 2010, he resigned to run for Cuyahoga County executive and lost. He took a break from politics to work in the Cleveland Guardians before his successful campaign for state senator. Dolan has also served as assistant state attorney general and later chief assistant prosecutor for Geauga County.

Dolan’s platform points include:

• supporting law enforcement

• strengthening national security

You can read more about his platform here. To learn more about Dolan, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Mike Gibbons

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Gibbons is fairly new to the political realm. He’s more so an entrepreneur, starting his own business at the age of 37. Brown Gibbons Lang & Company provides strategic and financial advice to businesses. He’s also worked as managing partner of the Cleveland Crunch, co-owner of Cheboygan Tap & Tool, and co-owner of Northern Lake Properties.

Gibbons has been a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump. He served as Trump’s Ohio finance co-chair in 2016. He decided to dive headfirst into politics shortly after that in 2017 with an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate. He lost to Jim Renacci in the primary, who’s now running against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary.

Gibbons' platform points include:

• Healthcare reform through state-based systems

• Banning critical race theory

• Instating congressional term limits

You can read about Gibbons' full platform here. To learn more about Gibbons, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Josh Mandel

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Mandel is hoping to continue his run of successful campaigns into a winning strategy to nab the win in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He’s recently finished two terms as Treasurer of the State of Ohio. He was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Mandel also served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives representing the 17th district from 2007 - 2011. The Marine Corps veteran served on the Veterans Affairs, Public Utilities, Finance and Appropriation, and Alternative Energy Committees. Mandel ran for a U.S. Senate seat in 2018, but withdrew four months before the primary citing his now ex-wife’s health.

Mandel’s platform points include:

• Defunding Planned Parenthood

• Advocating for parental choice in education

• Finishing the U.S/Mexico border wall

• Expanding rights afforded by the Second amendment

You can read about Mandel's full platform here. To learn more about Mandel, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Neil Patel

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Patel has more of an entrepreneurial background, but has had a taste of the political world.

Patel touts his decades of experience in creating successful business relationships. Patel immigrated to American from India and was granted citizenship in 1994. Patel cites his time working on Sen. Joe Manchin’s transition team is what helped him realize he was a conservative Republican. Patel also serves as a Republican Delaware County Central Committee Member.

Patel’s platform points include:

• Tax cuts supported by former President Trump

• Reigning in spending and social programs

• Reducing spending on elections and simplifying the process of elections

• Finishing the U.S./Mexico border wall

You can read about Patel's full platform here. To learn more about Patel, you can visit his website and Facebook.

Mark Pukita

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Pukita touts himself as “an authentic Ohio voice, not one of them,” citing his “lower working-class roots.” Pukita started a company called Fast Switch in Columbus in 1996. He ultimately sold most of the business to his executive team.

On his website, Pukita says he was never a fan of Portman’s voting record and decisions.

Pukita’s platform points include:

• Uniting the U.S. in an “America first vision”

• Protecting Constitutional rights, particularly the 1st, 2nd, 10th, and 14th amendments

• Tightening border security

You can read about Pukita's full platform here. To learn more about Pukita, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Jane Timken

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Timken is the only woman running for U.S. Senate in the Republican Primary. Timken is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump. Timken was elected vice chairwoman of the Republican Party of Ohio in May 2010, and in 2017 was elected as chairwoman. She’s the first chairwoman of the Ohio GOP. During that time, Trump won the state but lost the election. Timken was endorsed by retiring Sen. Rob Portman.

Timken is a Cincinnati native, but now lives in Stark County.

Timken’s platform points include:

• Protecting Ohio’s economy through low taxes and less regulation

• Supporting Ohio’s farmers

• Returning to “America First” immigration policies

You can read about Timken's full platform here. To learn more about Timken, you can visit her website, Twitter and Facebook.

J.D. Vance

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Vance, who bills himself as a “conservative outsider,” nabbed former President Trump’s endorsement. Despite his negative comments on Trump and his supporters in the past, Trump said in a statement, “[Vance] is our best chance for victory in what could be a tough race.”

Vance is a Middletown native, Marine Corps veteran and was brought to prominence to a wider audience after releasing his book Hillbilly Elegy, which Netflix turned into a movie in 2020.

Vance’s platform points include:

• Restoring America’s manufacturing base

• Raising taxes on companies that send jobs overseas

• Breaking up Big Tech monopolies

You can read about Vance's full platform here. To learn more about Vance, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Secretary of State Republican candidates

The democrat candidate in this race is running unopposed in the primary and will automatically be on the ballot in the general election in November.

Incumbent Frank LaRose

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LaRose is the incumbent in this race and received the endorsement from former President Trump. The U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret Veteran was elected to the position in 2018. Before that, he served two terms in the Ohio State Senate.

As the incumbent, LaRose’s platform points mostly tout his accomplishments:

• Securing elections with audits showing a nearly 100% accuracy rate

• Spearheading legislation creating a civilian “Cyber Reserve” to respond to cyber attacks against the government

• Advocating for small businesses

• Advocating for a limited and efficient government

To learn more about LaRose you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

John Adams

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Adams has a long history of public service, representing district 85 in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2014. He also served as Majority Whip for six years. Adams ran for the Ohio Senate to represent district 12 in 2016, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Matt Huffman with nearly 64% of the vote.

The Navy SEALs veteran has also served on the Shelby County Republican Central Committee.

Adams platform points include:

• Ensuring the integrity of Ohio’s elections

• Promoting "common sense" Voter ID laws

To learn more about Adams, you can visit his website and Facebook.

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Republican candidates

The democrat candidate in this race is running unopposed in the primary and will automatically be on the ballot in the general election in November.

Steven Goodin

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Goodin is no stranger to Cincinnati politics. He was appointed to City Council after a corruption scandal brought down some of its most prominent councilmembers. His bid for a seat in the 2021 election was unsuccessful. Goodin’s also served on the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission.

The U.S. Army veteran describes himself as an “experienced litigator” and worked as a prosecutor.

Goodin’s platform points include:

• Providing easier access to bond information

• Creating a help center for small businesses who can’t afford attorneys

To learn more about Goodin, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Pakkiri "Raj" Rajagopal

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Rajagopal has a varied resume. He started his venture into public service as a Hamilton County deputy sheriff. He says that helped him make great relationships with judges and learn the intricacies of the court system. In all, Rajagopal has more than 40 years experience in the court system. In 2017, Rajagopal was elected to a four-year term as a Colerain Township Trustee.

In 2012, Rajagopal made a bid for the Ohio House of Representatives in district 29, he was defeated in the Republican primary by Louis Blessing III by nearly 63%.

To learn more about Rajagopal, you can visit his website, Twitter and Facebook.

Clermont County Auditor

Linda Fraley

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Fraley is the incumbent in this race, boasting more than 30 years of experience in accounting and business management. She touts her office receiving the Ohio Auditor of State’s Award of Distinction, with her website citing it’s given to fewer than 5% of all Ohio government agencies. Fraley has also served three four-year terms on the Clermont County Board of Education and served four years as president.

During her last re-election campaign, Fraley faced controversy with allegations of nepotism connected to hiring her stepson in 2002, but they were dismissed in April 2018 by the Clermont County municipal court. It was levied by her competitor in that primary.

To learn more about Fraley, you can visit her website and Facebook.

Tim Rudd

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Rudd has political experience in the county, getting elected as the clerk of municipal court for 18 years. According to Rudd’s website, he was also the bookkeeper for the office that saw anywhere from an upwards of $8 million.

Rudd was also the chair of the Clermont Republican party for 16 years.

To learn more about Rudd you can check out his website.

Warren County Commissioner Republican Primary

The democrat candidate in this race is running unopposed in the primary and will automatically be on the ballot in the general election in November.

Amy Brewer

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Brewer is a fixture in Lebanon where she’s served as mayor for 20 years. Before that, she was elected to city council and served as vice mayor for 12 years. Brewer has also held leadership positions with Main Street Lebanon and Citizens for Quality Lebanon Schools.

Brewer’s platform points include:

• Supporting law enforcement and first responders

• Expanding economic development in Warren County

• Addressing the workforce crisis

• Make access to mental health resources easier for residents

To learn more about Brewer, you can visit her website and Facebook.

Tom Grossman

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Grossman is the incumbent in this race, serving Warren County commissioner. He was elected in 2014. He won his first ever election in 2001, when he was elected to Mason City Council and served until 2009 and served again from 2011 – 2014. Grossman was also elected Mayor of Mason. He’s served as the chairman of the Warren County Republican Party from 2002-2010.

Grossman also has experience in the private sector working as a lawyer, primarily in corporate law and litigation.

To learn more about Grossman, you can visit his website and Facebook.

Authorities in Florida say three correctional officers face murder charges for allegedly beating a handcuffed inmate who threw urine at one of them.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests of 29-year-old Christopher Rolon, 34-year-old Kirk Walton, and 24-year-old Ronald Connor on Thursday.

In a news release, the department said the alleged incident occurred on Feb. 14 while the inmate was being removed from his cell so he could be transferred from a mental health unit at a Miami-Dade County prison to another prison.

After the inmate allegedly threw urine at one of the officers, he was placed in handcuffs.

Once they removed him from his cell, the officers began to beat him, the department said.

"The inmate was beaten so badly he had to be carried to the transport van," the department said. "Once inside, he was placed in a secure compartment by himself."

As they made their way to the other prison, the officers made a stop in Ocala. It was there they discovered the inmate had died.

According to the medical examiner's office, the inmate's death was caused by a punctured lung leading to internal bleeding.

According to the ME's report, the inmate also suffered injuries to his face and torso consistent with a beating.

The agency said the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office would prosecute the case.

NORWOOD, Ohio — This was quite the week for the Norwood High School athletic department.

Norwood saw a total of four no-hitters thrown on the diamonds for the school's baseball and softball teams overall this week.

The Norwood baseball team earned three consecutive no-hitters from Tuesday through Thursday this week.

Senior Hannah Green had a softball no-hitter Wednesday in a shutout win over Withrow.

The Norwood athletic department started a #NorwoodNoHitterClub on its Facebook page and celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes for three consecutive days with photos and statistics.

Junior Murphy Peter threw a no-hitter in a 4-3 baseball win against Goshen on Tuesday. He had seven strikeouts in the complete game win. He also had the walk-off hit in the game.

Senior Ryan Peter, Murphy's cousin, threw a no-hitter against North College Hill on Wednesday. Ryan Peter struck out 11 batters en route to a 21-0 win in five innings.

Then, junior Dillon Cole threw a no-hitter in an 11-0 win over Hughes on Thursday. He struck out 12 batters in five innings. Murphy Peter hit a two-run home run as Norwood (8-8) won its fourth consecutive game.

"It's pretty cool," Norwood athletic director Chuck Richardson said. "One no-hitter is great. Two no-hitters are fantastic. Three no-hitters are otherworldly. It tough to wrap my brain around that."

Norwood baseball coach Steve Bosch, who has been coaching in the program for at least a dozen years, said he isn't aware of another time the program had three consecutive no-hitters.

"The pitching has definitely been our staple this season," Bosch said. "I'm just happy for their success. Their hard work and dedication has paid off for them."

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Green earned a no-hitter on Wednesday. Green had nine strikeouts in five innings for Norwood (8-6, 4-2 Miami Valley Conference).

"We are proud of Hannah," Richardson said. "She has not shied away from the challenge of being our ace this year and flourished in the role."

Also Thursday, Richardson was presented two Southwest Ohio Athletic Directors Association awards including as athletic director of the year and in sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

Richardson is completing his first school year at Norwood. Prior to Norwood, Richardson worked in the Trotwood-Madison athletic department since July 2018. Richardson was previously the Western Hills athletic director for two years after being in the Taft athletic department for two years.

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Major League Baseball announced Friday that they are suspending Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for two seasons for violating the league's joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy.

The pitcher will not receive any pay while he's suspended.

Bauer's team released a statement following news of his suspension.

"Today, we were informed that MLB has concluded its investigation into allegations that have been made against Trevor Bauer, and the Commissioner has issued his decision regarding discipline," the team said. "The Dodgers organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault. We’ve cooperated fully with MLB's investigation since it began, and we fully support MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy and the Commissioner’s enforcement of the Policy. We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner’s decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete."

Bauer issued a statement, saying he would appeal the league's decision.

"In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy," Bauer said on Twitter. "I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings."

In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence & sexual assault policy. I am appealing this action and expect to prevail. As we have throughout this process, my representatives & I respect the confidentiality of the proceedings.

— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 29, 2022

A woman accused the 2020 National League Cy Young winner of punching and choking her during two sexual encounters.

Bauer has repeatedly claimed he and the woman had consensual "rough sex."

A judge, who previously rescinded a restraining order the woman had against Bauer, has stated that the woman's testimony confirmed the Dodgers player followed the boundaries the woman had set for him during their sexual encounters.

He hasn't appeared in a game since June 2021.

LVIV, Ukraine — The mayor of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol says those hiding at a massive steel mill are running out of food, water and medicine.

Vadym Boichenko described the situation at the Avozstal steel plant as dire. The steel mill is the last position held by Ukrainian fighters, who also are with civilians.

The Soviet-era facility has a vast underground network of bunkers able to withstand airstrikes. But the situation has grown more extreme after the Russians dropped a series of so-called “bunker buster” bombs and unguided munitions.

“Locals who manage to leave Mariupol say it is hell, but when they leave this fortress, they say it is worse,” Boichenko said, according to a translator. “They are begging to get saved.”

He added: “There, it’s not a matter of days, it’s a matter of hours.”

Boichenko said he hoped a cease-fire would allow those inside the steel mill to safely leave. Russia earlier offered a truce that was rejected by Ukrainians, who said Moscow previously broke other agreements.

“We hope there’s a slight touch of humanity in the enemy,” the mayor said.

Boichenko spoke Friday in a government-organized video conference.

President Joe Biden discussed efforts to address the unprecedented flow of migration along the U.S. southern border in a Friday afternoon call with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Biden and the Mexican leader spoke for 52 minutes, the White House said. Press secretary Jen Psaki called the conversation was "very constructive" and said it focused on coordination around migration and economic issues.

The planned end on May 23 of the public health ban on asylum seekers could lead to a rush of migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border. Lopez Obrador tweeted that the conversation was "cordial" and focused on "issues of interest to the bilateral relationship."

López Obrador said, “It’s important that there’s this communication, to listen to President Biden who has treated us with respect, as President Trump also treated us with respect, and we have to ensure a good relationship."

López Obrador is scheduled to visit Central American countries along with Cuba next week. He plans to speak to counterparts about economic development and social programs.

ESPN anchor Sage Steele is suing the network because they violated her right to free speech by sidelining her last year for controversial comments she made on former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's podcast.

USA Today reported that Steele filed the lawsuit Thursday in Connecticut.

According to NBC News, while on the podcast "Uncut with Jay Cutler," which aired Sept. 29, 2021, Steele complained about ESPN's COVID-19 vaccination policy, calling the mandate the company had in place "sick."

She also questioned former President Barack Obama's racial identity.

The Wall Street Journal reported that her controversial comments drew criticism, which led the network to force her to apologize. She was also suspended last October, the suit alleges.

ESPN denies suspending the SportsCenter anchor.

Steele also alleged the network never corrected reports that she was suspended because it “stood to benefit from the public perception that it had punished [her] for her remarks."

She said she didn't do anything wrong in her lawsuit, and the First Amendment protects her comments.

She is seeking damages due to lost revenue and business opportunities.

TONAWANDA, N.Y. — Authorities in New York helped rescue a man before his vehicle burst into flames.

On Thursday, Tonawanda Police officers pulled a man out of his vehicle moments before it burst into flames.

Around 1:45 p.m., officers responded to a crashed vehicle near Parker Boulevard and Faraday Road.

The car hit a pole and drove through a fence onto Adams Field.

Officers pulled Saverio Depinto, 46, from the vehicle after attempting to smash the window.

Officer Alyxander Pasquale successfully got Depinto to unlock the door and pulled him to safety.

Officers Jacob McCormick, Sarah Heft, and Pasquale are being credited for their decisive actions in the performance of lifesaving actions.

Witnesses said that moments before the crash, Depinto was driving fast and ran a stop sign at Parker Boulevard.

Depinto showed signs of impairment and was charged with reckless endangerment, driving while ability impaired - drugs, reckless driving, and several traffic infractions.

Andrew Murphy at WKBW first reported this story.

(DUBAI, United Arab Emirates) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appears to have dismissed the need for the United Nations to help secure humanitarian corridors out of Ukraine’s besieged cities, striking a tough line a day after the U.N. chief toured war-wracked Kyiv with that very aim.

As an interviewer at Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV tried to ask Lavrov about U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians, Lavrov cut him off.

“There is no need. I know, I know,” an irritated Lavrov said. “There is no need for anybody to provide help to open humanitarian corridors. There is only one problem … humanitarian corridors are being ignored by Ukrainian ultra-nationals,” he said.

“We appreciate the interest of the secretary-general to be helpful,” he added. “(We have) explained … what is the mechanism for them to monitor how the humanitarian corridors are announced.”

During the hour-long interview, Lavrov also accused the West of sabotaging Russia’s peace talks with Ukraine. He claimed that thorny negotiations in Istanbul last month had been progressing on issues of Russian territorial claims and security guarantees until Ukrainian diplomats backtracked at the behest of the West.

“We are stuck because of their desire to play games all the time,” Lavrov said. “Because of the instructions, they get Washington, from London, from some other capitals, not to accelerate the negotiations.”

When asked about the risks of war spilling into neighboring Moldova after a series of explosions rattled a breakaway border region within the country, Lavrov struck an ominous tone.

“Moldova should worry about their own future,” he said. “Because they’re being pulled into NATO.”

(WASHINGTON) -- A senior U.S. defense official said on Friday the Russian offensive is going much slower than planned in part because of the strength of the Ukrainian resistance.

“We also assess that because of this slow and uneven progress, again, without perfect knowledge of every aspect of the Russian plan, we do believe and assess that they are behind schedule in what they were trying to accomplish in the Donbas,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military’s assessment.

He said the U.S. believes the Russians are “at least several days behind where they wanted to be” as they try to encircle Ukrainian troops in the east.

As the troops try to move north out of Mariupol so they can advance on Ukrainian forces from the south, their progress has been “slow and uneven, and certainly not decisive in any, in any event,” the official said.

The U.S. Department of Justice is challenging an Alabama law making it a felony for doctors to treat transgender people under age 19 with puberty blockers and hormones to affirm their gender identity.

The Justice Department on Friday filed a motion seeking to intervene in an ongoing lawsuit challenging the law and seeking to block it from taking effect on May 8. The Justice Department said the law discriminates against minors by denying them access to medically necessary care.

Alabama Republicans who support the law say it's needed to protect children. A spokeswoman for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said her office is prepared to defend the legislation.

“The law discriminates against transgender minors by unjustifiably denying them access to certain forms of medically necessary care,” the complaint states. “As a result of S.B. 184, medical professionals, parents, and minors old enough to make their own medical decisions are forced to choose between forgoing medically necessary procedures and treatments or facing criminal prosecution."

LAS VEGAS — Wrapping up the team's selects, the Cincinnati Bengals picked Jeffrey Gunter in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

During Gunter's 2021 season at Coastal Carolina University, the edge rusher had 12 starts. During the overall season, Gunter had 41 tackles — 10 for loss — 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

His pick in the seventh round marked the overall 252nd select in the draft, and the Bengals final choice.

During the fifth round, the Bengals selected Toledo's Tycen Anderson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

Anderson was the 166 overall pick in the draft.

The Toledo, Ohio, native was received first-team all-conference honors in 2021, despite a knee injury during fall camp. With eight starts, Anderson had 44 tackles — two for loss — with two pass deflections and one sack in the past season.

Anderson played five full seasons with Toledo and overall he ended his career with 233 tackles — nine for loss — two interceptions, 16 pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

The former Toledo player marks the second safety and third defensive back the Bengals have drafted — with Daxton Hill selected Thursday night in the first round.

In the fourth round, the Bengals also selected North Dakota State offensive tackle Cordell Volson.

A Balfour, North Dakota, native, Volson played tackle majority of his career at North Dakota State, but has experience all over the offensive line.

In the third round, the Bengals selected Florida defensive tackle Zachary Carter.

A Tampa native, Carter had 32 tackles — 11 for loss — with eight sacks and two pass breakups in his final season with the Gators. NFL
analyst Lance Zierlein said Carter has the ability to play defensive end in an odd or even front, or he could move inside as a rusher in nickel packages.

Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was selected in the second round. Cincinnati traded its 63rd and 209th picks to the Buffalo Bills for the 60th pick.

Taylor recorded 11 pass breakups, 51 tackles — three for loss, one interception and a blocked kick in his senior year. The 5-foot-11 Montgomery, Alabama native was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and 2021 and tied for fourth in the FBS with four forced fumbles.

Nebraska is, of course, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor's alma mater. Taylor broke the school record for passing yards in a season in 2005 and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year his senior season.

Ahead of draft day, most analysts believed the Bengals had defense on their mind after picking up some veteran offensive linemen in free agency. Cincinnati followed through on expectations, picking Michigan safety Daxton Hill with the 31st overall pick Thursday night.

Taylor said he was surprised to see Hill on the board so late in the first round, noting his athleticism and versatility.

"Felt like Dax was a premier player sitting right there that we took," Taylor said.

While many expected the team to pick up a cornerback in the first round, Taylor hinted during a press conference the team would fill that need later in the draft. Now, they have one. Taylor-Britt has played some safety as well.

All seven rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft will air on WCPO.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned again that the North could preemptively use its nuclear weapons if threatened.

His latest comments came as he praised his top army officials for a massive military parade in Pyongyang this week. State media reported on Saturday that Kim expressed "firm will" to continue developing his nuclear-armed military so that it could "preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary."

The parade on Monday came after a spate of missile tests that underscored Kim's willingness to force the United States to accept the North as a nuclear power and remove crippling economic sanctions.

A police officer is dead and two other police are injured after a shooting in North Dakota that also left the suspect dead.

The incident occurred in the city of Fargo on Friday.

The two injured police officers are in critical condition, according to the Fargo Police Department. Two involved civilians also sustained serious injuries.

Initial reports said that a crash happened at an intersection, and that one person was suffering from a bloody nose, according to KFGO Radio. Around a dozen officers and emergency personnel responded to the scene.

Shannon Nichole said she was driving when she saw the incident, then stopped and got out of her vehicle. Moments later, her car was hit by gunfire.

"I saw the traffic stop and as soon as I drove, shots were fired and I saw the cops go down," Nichole told KFGO. "My airbag went off and the bullet went through my driver's door." 

Another witness, Chenoa Peterson, told the Associated Press that she was driving with her 22-year-old daughter when she saw a man pull out a gun and begin shooting at police. 

"He proceeds to aim it and you just hear the bullets go off, and I'm like, 'Oh, my God! He's shooting," Peterson said. 

An investigation remains ongoing and identities have not yet been released. 

"We sincerely are asking for your patience and our community's patience and understanding as the Fargo Police Department works through this incident," said Gregg Schildberger, the city's chief communications officer, according to AP. 

"This is very difficult on all of us," he continued. "We appreciate all the messages from the community that have been given to us in support of our officers." 

Fargo police said they will hold a press conference Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to provide additional information.

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Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Forest Hill School District's board of education decided Turpin High School's diversity day will no longer happen during school hours, use school resources or be paid for by taxpayers.

During a special meeting Sunday, the board voted 4-0 to put the event on hold. The decision comes one month after the long-running event was postponed by the school board so parents could review the agenda and speakers.

Board member Leslie Rasmussen said she refused to vote.

"You all lied about the reason for interfering with diversity day,” Rasmussen said during the meeting. “You said it was because of the process. That people didn’t have enough information on these permission slips.”

She accused the board members of canceling the event because of the content.

Students who were part of the planning process of the event said the vote was a huge disappointment.

“It's just been a whole disregard of the effort put in by students and that passion that we have,” Turpin senior Casey Lupariello said. “We want to make this event happen and succeed."

Senior Claire Mengel also helped plan the event. They said the vote was a letdown and fears things will only get worse from here.

“There have been multiple suicides in the district in the past few years. We are in the middle of a mental health crisis that this board is actively worsening by promoting hate in the community,” Mengel said. “I’m just worried about what will happen next and worry about students coming to school and not feeling accepted or safe."

The event has been held for several years and is described as a day to highlight cultural and racial issues. Students must have their parents' permission to attend. The event is for junior and senior students and is optional. It includes activities and guest speakers.

Board member Sara Jonas read questions from one of the activities planned that included questions on if students faced economic or racial disparities.

Here are some of the questions Jonas read:

“Have you ever been embarrassed or ashamed of your clothes, house or family car growing up?”

“Do you have immediate family members who are doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers or other white-collar professionals?”

“Has pimping or prostitution, drugs or other illegal activities been a major occupational alternative in the community in which you were raised?”

“Has any woman or man in your family, including yourself been physically or sexually assaulted in any way?”

“Does your family have health insurance?”

After reading Jonas said, "To me, I don't understand how this is the business of students, staff or leaders in this exercise. It’s also important to note one of the guest speakers. On their mission statement, it states ‘unite and ignite people for racial justice'.”

Jonas said she believes this is political indoctrination to the students. She also claimed that students could not afford to minimize the additional instructional time during the school day.

Students who are part of the event do not agree. They said it's not about politics, it's about broadening their peers' perspective of life outside their community.

“We don’t discuss issues pertaining to political parties or political issues," Casey Lupariello said. "The day itself is only focused on reflecting on how diversity looks in our lives and how it looks outside of the Turpin High School/Cincinnati bubble, giving students a much more informed way of issues regarding diversity in the real world.”

According to Lupariello, the area and the district are not diverse and are predominantly white.

No plan for rescheduling the event outside of school has been released.

Vice President Kamala Harris has tested negative for COVID-19, according to her press secretary.

Harris plans to return to work at the White House on Tuesday.

The vice president had been working from home since she tested positive for the virus last week.

While at the White House, Harris' press secretary said the vice president will follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. The guidelines say a person who is recovering from COVID-19 should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days.

The vice president was reportedly not experiencing symptoms on the day she tested positive. However, she was treated with Pfizer's Covid-19 antiviral pill, Paxlovid.

Harris is vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

The post positions have been announced for the 148th Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks.

These are the following post positions for Kentucky Derby 148:

1) Mo Donegal
2) Happy Jack
3) Epicenter
4) Summer is Tomorrow
5) Smile Happy
6) Messier
7) Crown Pride
8) Charge It
9) Tiz the Bomb
10) Zandon
11) Pioneer of Medina
12) Taiba
13) Simplification
14) Barber Road
15) White Abarrio
16) Cyberknife
17) Classic Causeway
18) Tawny Port
19) Zozos
20) Ethereal Road

Morning line odds currently put Zandon as the favorite at 3-1 to win the Kentucky Derby.

The Derby is limited to 20 runners, but up to 24 may enter, with a limit of four on the also-eligible list. Horses on the also-eligible list can draw into the field if there's a scratch by 9 a.m. Friday.

These are the following post positions for Kentucky Oaks 148:

1) Secret Oath
2) Nostalgic
3) Hidden Connection
4) Nest
5) Goddess of Fire
6) Yuugiri
7) Echo Zulu
8) Venti Valentine
9) Desert Dawn
10) Kathleen O
11) Cocktail Moments
12) Candy Raid
13) Shahama
14) Turnerloose

Morning line odds currently put Nest as the favorite at 5-2.

The draw for Friday's $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks is limited to 14 runners, but up to 18 may enter, with a limit of four on the also-eligible list. Horses on the also-eligible list can draw into the field if there's a scratch by 9:00 a.m. ET Friday.

This story was originally published by Jordan Mickle of WLEX in Lexington, Kentucky.

It's the trial that has everybody talking.

Actor Johnny Depp is suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel over a 2018 op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post about her being a victim of domestic abuse.

The piece does not name Depp, but his attorneys say the implications are defamatory, and he claims her allegations cost him his career, as Disney dropped him from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise just days after the article was published.

Depp concluded his testimony in the $50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard.

He said he filed the lawsuit against Heard because it was his best chance to reclaim his reputation.

While on the witness stand, Depp spoke about Heard demeaning him and sometimes slapping or shoving him.

She has accused him of physically and sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions.

Depp calls those accusations "false and heinous."

Heard said the actor first assaulted her in 2013 when he slapped her for making fun of his "Wino Forever" tattoo.

Depp told jurors in a Fairfax, Virginia, courtroom about his rough childhood, his rise to fame, and what his relationship with Heard was like after meeting her in 2011.

The couple went on to get married in 2015, only to divorce a year later.

Although social media says he has already won, will the jury side with him?

Criminal Defense and Entertainment Attorney, Darryl Cohen, talks to Newsy and explains what to expect when Heard takes the stand next week as the first witness for her defense.  

Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here: https://bit.ly/Newsy1