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Ohio's voter ID amendment could have lasting consequences

Supporters cite election security, while critics warn of barriers to voting access.

Election

The biggest consequences of Ohio&#x27;s newly approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voter ID amendment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/20/ohio-issue-3-voter-id-amendment-explainer-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="ee8876bc-0cbc-490f-a1d6-8031b2d0513f" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s voter ID amendment could have lasting consequences" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/20/ohio-issue-3-voter-id-amendment-explainer-election-2026" target="_self">voter ID amendment</a> may not be felt for years, if future lawmakers seek to make voting more accessible.Why it matters: The rules at the polls aren&#x27;t changing, but the legislature could have fewer options to make voting easier for people who struggle to get the right ID.

Voters pass levies for Cincinnati schools, county children's services

Cincinnati Public Schools' request for $66 million in additional annual funding got approval from voters Tuesday despite a contentious campaign that drew opposition from local business leaders and a dark-money group.

Politics

Cincinnati Public Schools&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="request" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/08/05/hamilton-county-levy-cincinnati-public-schools-2026-ballot" data-vars-content-id="1645dcc3-f73a-44fd-985f-c2525f4b055b" data-vars-headline="Voters pass levies for Cincinnati schools, county children&#x27;s services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/08/05/hamilton-county-levy-cincinnati-public-schools-2026-ballot" target="_self">request</a> for $66 million in additional annual funding got approval from voters Tuesday, per unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections that showed 100% of precincts reporting.Why it matters: The outcome will shape the future of Ohio&#x27;s second-largest school district, which has already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cut more than 100 positions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox19.com/2026/07/28/cincinnati-public-schools-board-puts-earned-income-tax-levy-fall-ballot/" data-vars-content-id="1645dcc3-f73a-44fd-985f-c2525f4b055b" data-vars-headline="Voters pass levies for Cincinnati schools, county children&#x27;s services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox19.com/2026/07/28/cincinnati-public-schools-board-puts-earned-income-tax-levy-fall-ballot/" target="_blank">cut more than 100 positions</a> to help close a $58 million budget gap.

Where and how to vote in Hamilton County

Check your polling place, bring the right ID and know the rules before heading out.

Polls opened at 6:30am across Hamilton County, and we&#x27;ve got everything you <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="need to know" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/27/2026-election-voter-guide-candidates-issues-hamilton-county-ohio" data-vars-content-id="f542a5bb-85a1-4f24-af23-60c68724e0eb" data-vars-headline="Where and how to vote in Hamilton County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/27/2026-election-voter-guide-candidates-issues-hamilton-county-ohio" target="_self">need to know</a> before casting your ballot.Why it matters: A little preparation can help you avoid Election Day headaches.

Bengals vibe check: Give your midseason predictions

The Bengals have had their ups and downs. Now, it's time for you to weigh in.

Sports

It&#x27;s time for a temperature check. Before the season, we asked how far you thought the Bengals would go. Now that we&#x27;ve seen them in action, have your expectations changed?

Clearing up Cincinnati's last-place air quality ranking

The region had just 95 good air days, but stricter EPA standards help explain the ranking.

Environment

Greater Cincinnati had just 95 good air quality days last year, per EPA data, ranking last among 20 peer regions.Why it matters: Air pollution <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="can pose health risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="407bce1b-7e55-4ac8-8fd6-e4d29d8c6857" data-vars-headline="Clearing up Cincinnati&#x27;s last-place air quality ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">can pose health risks</a>, especially to children, older adults and people with existing health problems.<ul><li>The region&#x27;s air quality is affected by industrial emissions and ozone pollution, though most days that aren&#x27;t considered &quot;good&quot; still fall within the EPA&#x27;s &quot;moderate&quot; category rather than unhealthy.</li></ul>

Avondale health center is getting a major upgrade

The renovation will bring medical, pharmacy and dental services under one roof.

Health

The Ambrose Health Center&#x27;s major renovation and expansion will put medical, pharmacy and dental care under one roof in Avondale.Why it matters: Access to affordable, nearby health care is especially important in a neighborhood where nearly half of residents live below the poverty line, per a U.S. Census estimate.

Cincinnati's lead pipe challenge isn't just the pipes

Greater Cincinnati Water Works has replaced 10,000 lead service lines since 2018, but getting homeowners to say yes remains a huge hurdle.

News

Cincinnati is a national model for not only replacing lead service lines but also for figuring out how to get homeowners to agree to the work.Why it matters: Lead service lines remain a public health concern nationwide, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="EPA estimates roughly 4 million remain in service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-service-lines" data-vars-content-id="6bd24e66-1ec4-437e-a5b9-205f4e94bf26" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati&#x27;s lead pipe challenge isn&#x27;t just the pipes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-service-lines" target="_blank">EPA estimates roughly 4 million remain in service</a>.<ul><li>But some cities have struggled to resolve the issue, with a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 2037 federal deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nlc.org/initiative/lead-and-copper-rule-series/" data-vars-content-id="6bd24e66-1ec4-437e-a5b9-205f4e94bf26" data-vars-headline="Cincinnati&#x27;s lead pipe challenge isn&#x27;t just the pipes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nlc.org/initiative/lead-and-copper-rule-series/" target="_blank"> 2037 federal deadline</a> looming to replace them. </li></ul>

Freestore Foodbank responds to rising hunger 

Food insecurity is up in Greater Cincinnati, per a new Feeding America report.

Greater Cincinnati&#x27;s largest food bank is investing more money to feed local families this summer amid rising food insecurity, especially among children.Why it matters: Even working families have little cushion for rising costs or unexpected expenses, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replacing food spoiled" data-vars-click-url="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-cincinnati-1d3d524f-d43e-4d73-862a-1aa3d6d2695f.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" data-vars-content-id="749f1966-2b3b-4a90-920e-4dd240272082" data-vars-headline="Freestore Foodbank responds to rising hunger " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axios.com/newsletters/axios-cincinnati-1d3d524f-d43e-4d73-862a-1aa3d6d2695f.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" target="_self">replacing food spoiled</a> by a power outage.

Former Northside church grows into health hub

A historic church is taking on new life through food, fitness and community.

Culture

A 47,000-square-foot former Presbyterian church on Hamilton Avenue is quietly becoming one of Northside&#x27;s most ambitious community health projects.Why it matters: Heart of Northside is part event venue, part urban farm, and part future home for cardiac rehabilitation services.<ul><li>Local cardiologist Florence Rothenberg wants to make it &quot;so easy to be healthy in Northside that you can&#x27;t not be healthy&quot; — and hopes the model can eventually be replicated in other neighborhoods.</li></ul>

New Xavier medical school aims to ease Ohio doctor shortage

It's one of several schools in the region looking to expand their medical education.

Xavier University is moving closer to opening Ohio&#x27;s first new medical school in nearly 50 years.Why it matters: The new school is part of a broader regional effort to keep more physicians in Greater Cincinnati as statewide and national shortages grow.

Axios North of Cincy

Flu season doesn't care that it's 80 degrees

North of Cincy

Axios Future of Health Care

Axios Vitals

Axios Cleveland

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Cleveland

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

Health 🩺

Clearing up Cincinnati's last-place air quality ranking

Flu season doesn't care that it's 80 degrees

Avondale health center is getting a major upgrade

Cincinnati's lead pipe challenge isn't just the pipes

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline