The iOpener: DeWine Delays Execution Again; Voters Can Check Purge Status

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Friday, August 2, 2019. Cuyahoga County's Sheriff, Clifford Pinkney, retires today.   

Gov. Mike DeWine is asking lawmakers to consider allowing other methods of execution, due to the state’s inability to buy new drugs for lethal injection. The Republican governor again delayed the execution date of the next death row inmate scheduled to be put to death, from Sept. 12 to May 14. Earlier this year, DeWine ordered a review of Ohio’s death-penalty method, after a federal judge suggested it was unconstitutional.  Advocates against the death penalty are stepping up demands that the state overhaul the process and reconsider a state panel’s earlier recommendations for reform. 

Voters can now check online to see whether they are at risk of being purged from the registration rolls. Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office has put together a searchable database based on information from county boards of elections. Officials sent out “last-chance” notices Monday to about 236,000 voters   

President Trump’s speech in Cincinnati drew plenty of cheers and chants from the crowd who came to see him, but there were no racially-charged cries of “send her back.” One of the largest reactions from the crowd came when several African-Americans displayed T-shirts reading “Republicans are not racist” and “Blacks for Trump.”

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish has agreed to add a sitting judge to the advisory committee that has been formed to help with the search for a new sheriff. His move came after Administrative and Presiding Common Pleas Court Judge John Russo released a statement saying he was “astounded” that the committee didn’t include an active jurist. The county plans to hire a firm to conduct a national search for a new sheriff. In the meantime, the county has named Lt. Bryan Smith as the temporary replacement for Clifford Pinkney, who, as mentioned earlier, retires today. The sheriff's department has been under scrutiny following a spate of inmate deaths and a report of "inhumane conditions" at the county jail.  Pinkney has said he had no say over major decisions affecting the jail.

The Houston Astros beat the Indians 7-1, spoiling the Cleveland debut of Yasiel Puig and the return of Danny Salazar. Houston’s Gerrit Cole pitched one-run ball over seven innings and extended his winning streak to a career-best nine games. Salazar allowed two runs in four innings in his first appearance in the majors in 661 days. His fastball clocked in at just 88 mph.  The Indians say he complained of groin pain, which may have affected his velocity, and he’ll be evaluated.

Weather forecast for Cleveland: Sunny, high 82.  Tonight, mostly clear, low 73.  Tomorrow,  sunny, high 83. Sunday, mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers before 2 p.m. High 82.  Monday, another pleasant, summer day, with plenty of sunshine and a high near 83.