What's In and Out for Cincinnati in 2024

OUT: Frank LaRose

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose had a 2023 that could rival any supervillain’s, from blurring ethical lines in his run for U.S. Senate to pushing ballot language for the November election’s Issue 1 (reproductive rights) that was unfair, inaccurate and obviously GOP-strewn. But perhaps his biggest misdeed of 2023 was the other Issue 1 — LaRose’s ham-handed attempt at preventing abortion rights from standing a chance on the November ballot. In an August special election (which, mind you, had effectively been eliminated under an early 2023 law from Ohio Republicans) Ohio voters had to decide whether, going forward, constitutional amendments on the ballot would require 60% of the vote instead of a simple majority of 50% plus one vote. In an election that normally would see very low turnout, 38% of Ohio voters came out to vote on Issue 1, with 57% rejecting it. In a job that LaRose previously bragged was all about being partisan, all of that seems pretty partisan to us, Frank. And remember: LaRose is running for U.S. Senate in 2024. Make sure you're registered to vote.

IN: Cincinnati Public Library’s Archive Photos of Coney Island

While you can no longer physically visit Coney Island, you can still take a trip down memory lane and see the park through its many decades, thanks to the Cincinnati Public Library’s digital photo archives. The library already has a collection of old photos of Coney Island on its website, and according to a recent Facebook post, it's looking to add more. If you have original photos of Coney Island, you can submit digital copies for possible inclusion in the archive by direct messaging the library on social media or emailing [email protected]. The library asks you to include any known dates, names and descriptions.

OUT: Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern got a lot of heat after a February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The derailment ignited a chain of events that ended in a controlled burn of the train’s toxic load of chemicals, mainly vinyl chloride, and released numerous chemicals into nearby waterways. The plume of thick black smoke soared above homes and waterways, painting a dark picture for the weeks to come. And just a few months later, another train derailed not far from East Palestine. In 2023, as Cincinnati voters were preparing to vote on Issue 22, which would approve the sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway (CSR) to Norfolk Southern, some voters raised concerns about future safety if the city relinquished control of its railway to a company that has lobbied against safety regulations that some believe ultimately caused the fiery explosion in East Palestine.

IN: …Getting much-needed cash from Norfolk Southern

If we're going to hand over our own rail line to ultra-capitalist Norfolk Southern, we better start seeing some improvements around town. Cincinnati voted in November to sell CSR for a $1.6 billion trust that the CSR board will manage. The city estimates it would see an annual return on the investment ranging from $50 million to $70 million, almost three times what the city earns from leasing the railroad to Norfolk Southern now. Legally, earnings from the sale could only be spent on maintaining existing city facilities like roads, rec centers and fire stations, which city leaders say is crucial given the city's $300 million deficit.

OUT: Joe Burrow getting injured

On Nov. 16, 2023, the Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow injured his wrist during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. The team went on to lose the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates the following week before rallying to win three straight games, which kept playoff hopes alive. However, those hopes were officially dashed after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on New Year’s Eve. And while games can’t be won by a single player, in 2024, we need to protect Burrow at all costs.

IN: Talking about how the Bengals will win it all next season

The only bright spot with the football season coming to an end and the Bengals not moving forward is Cincinnati is uniquely equipped to handle this disappointment. Our sports teams have been cursed for decades, and this has built up a resilience in us that few others could understand. We have endless optimism when it comes to next season and the building anticipation makes it that much sweeter. And with news that Burrow will make a full recovery in time for the 2024 season — watch out everyone: Bengals fans are going to rightfully earn that title for most annoying NFL fans.

IN: The Rainbow Wave elected in Ohio in 2023

Ohio’s political leadership got a little more colorful and diverse after the November 2023 election. In total, more than 15 out LGBTQ+ candidates were elected to public office across major cities, small villages and townships in Ohio. Those elected from the Tri-State area included Connor Moreton (pictured above) for St. Bernard Village Council, Reggie Harris for Cincinnati City Council, Sam Bowling for Norwood City Council and Melody N. Mayle and Charlotte Bruewer for Golf Manor Village Council.

OUT: The Heartbeat Law

In June 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Ohio’s six-week ban on abortion, or the so-called Heartbeat Law, went into effect, severely reducing Ohioans’ access to safe, legal abortion. While enforcement of the bill has been paused since October 2022, and Ohio voters decisively voted for Issue 1 in November, which codified reproductive rights in Ohio’s Constitution, abortion rights advocates say they aren’t resting as a number of abortion restrictions remain on the books in Ohio, including the Heartbeat Law. The Ohio Supreme Court is currently hearing the case on the Heartbeat Law and in December ordered both sides to submit briefs explaining how Issue 1’s enactment would affect the case.

IN: Safe, legal access to abortion

Despite the legal woes, as of December, access to safe and legal abortions is available to Ohioans up until fetal viability, or about 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions for the health and safety of the mother. While anti-abortion advocates vowed efforts to repeal and replace the constitutional amendment, in November, a majority of Ohio voters made it very clear how they feel about reproductive rights. Nearly 57% of voters voted for the amendment, which beyond abortion access also encompasses contraception, miscarriage care and fertility treatments.

OUT: Kid Rock

Kid Rock joined a cancel culture crusade against Bud Light in 2023 when he flipped out over the beer brand partnering with trans activist and influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who attended the University of Cincinnati. He got his panties in a twist because Anheuser-Busch sent Mulvaney a can with her face on it to celebrate her first “365 Days of Girlhood.” In fact, that flimsy aluminum beer can upset the little snowflake so much that he posted a video of himself shooting cases of the beer with a semiautomatic rifle while looking like he was going to cry — an incident made even funnier when the hillbilly rocker was seen a few months later enjoying a Bud Light at a Colt Ford show in Nashville.

IN: Dylan Mulvaney

We loved University of Cincinnati alum Dylan Mulvaney before Kid Rock’s hissy fit, but the way she’s handled herself after the Bud Light fallout and resulting transphobia just makes her even more of a gem in our book. Mulvaney took to TikTok in June to say, "What transpired from that video was more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined. For months now I’ve been scared to leave my house, I’ve been ridiculed in public, I’ve been followed, and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone." Despite everything, Mulvaney persists in being her authentic self and reminding the world trans people exist and deserve to take up space. Dylan Mulvaney for president, 2024.

OUT: Dangerous drivers

For some reason, since the pandemic, a lot of Cincinnatians seem to think red lights and speed limits are just suggestions. It’s dangerous for other drivers, but also for pedestrians and cyclists who also have to contend with litter and debris in the roads. In 2024, let’s all look out for each other and say “yes” to slowing down and “no” to crashing into record stores.

IN: Better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists

But while we wait for drivers to stop being crappy to one another, Cincinnati is working on ways to make life better and safer for pedestrians and others who get around without cars. In April 2023, U.S. Rep. and former Cincinnati City Council Member Greg Landsman submitted 15 community projects around Greater Cincinnati for consideration for federal funding. The projects included things like remodeling Central Parkway into a “Complete Street” that would add dedicated pedestrian sidewalks, bicycle tracks and a grassy median in the street and making improvements to bus stops.

OUT: The Adams County police officers suing Afroman

Rapper Afroman, known for his 2000 hit “Because I Got High," is being sued by seven members of the Adams County Sheriff's Office for publishing security footage of a raid on his home by the department from August 2022. The raid recovered only cash, a few joints, a vape and some hemp. Officials at the time said the raid was part of an “ongoing investigation” into possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, money and weapons associated with drug trafficking and kidnapping. No charges were ever filed.

IN: Afroman

Not only did Afroman publish security footage of the raid on his home, which he says caused extensive damage, he’s also making money from it by using the footage on Instagram, t-shirts and music videos for a new album called Lemon Pound Cake. He also had to go to court for this case on April 20 (yes, 4/20). The case is ongoing, and we can’t help but root for Afroman and the perfect, karmic nature of the universe.

OUT: Backwards policies at Forest Hills School District

In December, the Forest Hills School Board voted to rescind a controversial resolution that prohibited teachers from creating assignments that asked students to consider societal factors such as race, socioeconomic class, religion, gender identity or sexuality. The decision came in the aftermath of a December lawsuit settlement linked to the resolution, deceptively named the Resolution to Create a Culture of Kindness and Equal Opportunity. The district, while denying any wrongdoing, said it opted to resolve the matter to sidestep distractions from the "important business of educating children" and to mitigate the financial burden of ongoing litigation on taxpayers.

IN: Cincinnati ranking high in LGBTQ+ equality survey

While that local school board grapples with what it actually means to be kind, Cincinnati as a city is practicing it, earning top marks in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) LGBTQ+ Equality Survey. HRC released its twelfth edition of the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive assessment by HRC and the Equality Federation Institute. The index evaluates municipal policies, laws and services concerning LGBTQ+ equality. In the 2023 MEI, 129 cities, including Cincinnati, scored a perfect 100. The perfect scores in the 2023 report are an eightfold increase from 2022, and Cincinnati was one of eight “all-star” cities on the list.

OUT: Outdated recreational weed laws

In 2023, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol successfully brought Issue 2, which aimed to legalize recreational marijuan, to the November ballot thanks to a successful state-wide signature collection campaign. On Nov. 7, over 57% of Ohio voters agreed it was time to legalize the plant, closing out a chapter of outdated laws. However, we’re still waiting to see what legal recreational weed will look like in Ohio after the state senate passed House Bill 86, a restrictive law that would change the way voters get to enjoy recreational marijuana.

IN: Legal weed (eventually)

House Bill 86 is a far cry from the law voters passed on Nov. 7. It would reduce home grow from 12 to six plants, decrease THC levels in products and raise taxes. Smoking would also be limited to private residences, and even vapes could be outlawed. The changes are steep, which is why the House is currently blocking HB 86 from going into effect. That means weed laws as voters passed them are on pause until lawmakers finalize their changes. Buying or selling recreational weed won’t be legal until lawmakers greenlight immediate recreational sales at existing medical dispensaries and start issuing additional licenses come Aug. 7. As for smokers (or vapers, or whatevers), the only technically legal avenue for weed in Ohio right now is to grow your own. But once the legal issues shake out, we think 2024 will be a smoking-hot year for recreational weed consumers.