Ohio

Ohio Parents Indicted in Tragic Death of 11-Year-Old Son at Hotel; Charged with Multiple Offenses

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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — An 11-year-old boy’s death at an Ohio hotel has led to serious criminal charges against his parents, authorities said. The boy, identified as Hunter Towne of Warren, Ohio, died earlier this year under circumstances that have sparked an investigation revealing troubling details about his living conditions and care. A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury formally indicted John Towne and Ahhra Pugh, Hunter’s parents, following his death in January at the Extended Stay America Premier Suites in Independence. The charges include murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and multiple counts related to child endangering. Hunter, … Read more

Family Sues School District Over Alleged Hazing Abuse at Ohio High School Football Camp

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MASSILLON, Ohio — A disturbing lawsuit has surfaced involving a former high school football player who alleges he was subjected to a degrading hazing ritual at Massillon Washington High School. The legal action, filed in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, implicates multiple officials from the Massillon City School District, including the superintendent, the high school principal, and the head football coach. The lawsuit revolves around an incident reported during a football practice camp session in June 2023. According to legal documents, the then-17-year-old player was assaulted during a practice commonly known in the … Read more

Trial Set to Begin for Ohio Man Charged with Multiple Murders and Kidnappings in Summit County

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Summit County, Ohio — Jury proceedings are set to commence Monday for Elias Gudino, a man facing multiple charges including aggravated murder and kidnapping involving four victims, three of whom were fatally shot. The trial will be overseen by Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands. Gudino, whose legal entanglements stem from a series of grisly incidents, has been formally charged with six counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count of tampering with evidence, and one count of possessing weapons … Read more

New Voting Hurdles for Ohio College Students: State Law Changes ID Requirements, Impacting Out-of-State Voter Participation

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Columbus, Ohio — Voting in Ohio for out-of-state students is becoming increasingly challenging due to newly implemented ID requirements under a law introduced in 2023. Previously, attending the polls required minimal effort from these students, who could use various documents as proof of residency. Now, the acceptable forms are restricted to Ohio state IDs, driver’s licenses, passports, and military-related IDs. Under the umbrella of Republican-sponsored HB 458, these changes mark a significant pivot from former leniencies that assisted student participation in elections, which included frequent shuttle services provided by campuses to usher students to polling … Read more