Cincinnati City Council

A proposed ordinance would set city-level gun regulations in Cincinnati. It would prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence from legally possessing a firearm, and would require safe storage of firearms around children.

Cincinnati will spend $3 million to purchase the now-empty location of the former Saks Fifth Avenue Downtown. The department store permanently closed at the end of last year.

But Christopher Smitherman, the former council member who suggested it, questions whether the audit went far enough.

The process for outside organizations to get funding from the city of Cincinnati is changing ahead of the next budget. The new process requires organizations to formally apply for a one-time grant, instead of lobbying council members directly, like they do now.

Thirteen people are already collecting signatures to run for a seat on Cincinnati Council. It will be the first election since council established new rules to prohibit some campaign donations.

Cincinnati officials are proposing significant changes to the city’s residential tax abatement program. Mayor Aftab Pureval and Council Member Reggie Harris announced their plan for a more equitable system Thursday.

Cincinnati Council is expanding an anti-corruption ordinance that limits campaign donations to council members and the mayor. The update also allows for small easement requests to get approved without a Council vote.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a bill last week that would have prevented communities from regulating tobacco in any way. Cincinnati Council Member Victoria Parks says she will propose a local ban on flavored tobacco products.

As of Dec. 23, 266 people have been hit by drivers in the city. That’s about 37% less than a peak in 2018.

Ohio lawmakers approved hundreds of changes to state law on the last day of the lame-duck session, including one that local developers say will be disastrous for housing projects.