Matthew Rand

2 weeks ago | wosu.org | Matthew Rand

As central Ohio home values continue to climb, so do tax bills, straining household budgets and stirring debate about funding for schools, public safety and other local services. There are several local levies on the May 6 primary ballot. How might rising property taxes affect support for those measures? Bevan Schneck is Director of Public Affairs for the Ohio Municipal League, a statewide association that serves the interests of Ohio municipal governments at the Statehouse.

1 month ago | wosu.org | Matthew Rand

Ohio libraries are gearing up to fight a Republican-backed proposal in the Ohio House that threatens the funding structure that has supported libraries across the state for decades. The plan would eliminate the Public Library Fund and replace it with a flat direct appropriation. Library groups say the move would result in millions of dollars in cuts, jeopardizing library programs, materials and services across the state.

1 month ago | wosu.org | Matthew Rand

A rare artifact from the Civil War is set to go up for auction later this month in Columbus: a regimental battle flag of the 11th Virginia Infantry, which was captured during Pickett's Charge. The desperate maneuver on the third and final day of the Battle of Gettysburg was a disaster for the Confederacy and a turning point in the war.

2 months ago | wosu.org | Matthew Rand

Food prices in the U.S. remain stubbornly high, having grown by more than 20% since the start of the pandemic, outpacing inflation. Now hunger relief organizations warn a potential shutdown of the federal government could mean disruptions and delays for Ohioans who rely on federal aid through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Food Stamps. Joree Novotny is executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

2 months ago | wosu.org | Matthew Rand

When a person hears someone talk, it usually doesn’t take long for them to key in on that person’s accent. In just a few syllables, the person who is listening might already be forming assumptions about the speaker’s geographical, social or ethnic background. But how do we do this? A new study, part of a long-term project by researchers at Ohio State University, provides some clues. Kathryn Campbell-Kibler is an associate professor at OSU’s Department of Linguistics.