Mayor from Ohio waving the national flag of the United States of America. (Stock photo from Getty Images.)
Each morning in the Ohio Capital Journal’s free newsletter, The Eye-Opener, we round up the news and commentary from across Ohio, the country and the world that catches our eye. We call this feature Catching Our Eye and have published it here.
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Catching our eyes
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Medicaid. Anna Staver of Cleveland.com reports: “As Ohio targets Medicaid fraud, older Ohioans and people with disabilities fear losing their independence.“
Allegations that Medicaid is losing billions of dollars to fraud have Ohio Republicans rushing to modernize the state’s home care system before the holiday break.
But as conservatives rush to propose a sweeping reform bill, critics wonder whether lawmakers are moving too quickly to understand how the changes could harm elderly and disabled Ohioans whose independent lives depend on this type of care.
“Neither member has really had a chance to read the bill,” said Rep. Jason Stephens, a Lawrence County Republican and former House speaker. “I think we need to spend a lot more time discussing this issue. There’s no way we can do anything of value.” -
Foster care graduates. Erin Glynn of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports: “Hamilton County Foster Care has its largest ever high school graduating class.“
With teenagers gathered in the sunshine, colorful tinsel and balloons, and Kendrick Lamar and Jack Harlow blaring from the speakers, it was a completely different party for high school graduates this summer – except this party was hosted by Hamilton County.
This year, the largest ever group of high school graduates entered foster care in Hamilton County. Ninety-seven students graduated and the agency welcomed them June 4 to the Maple Ridge Lodge in Mount Airy Forest.
“We want to celebrate them the way every graduate should be celebrated,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus. “We want to let them know we support them and want them to succeed.”
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Ohio communities. NPR reports: “In Ohio, the Sikh community is passing on traditions to the next generation.“
Since 2023, Akash Pamarthy has been documenting the lives of followers of the Sikh religion in the Ohio area. The Sikh faith originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of northwestern India, but the Sikh population has emigrated and settled throughout the world. In Ohio, Pamarthy found a community that embraced her Sikh Indian roots and a recent generation combining their faith with their American identity.
“Sikhism has always fascinated me,” Pamarthy said. “The Sikh faith is deeply community-oriented, based on equality, resilience and service. Sikhs stand proud and support each other through every challenge.”
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