Disconnected Democracy is an examination of Ohio’s democracy and its service to our citizens – from their perspectives. We are profiling people from across the state and representing diversity of perspective, location, experience, socio-economic status, education, race and more. These stories dig deeper than partisan affiliation and get to the root of what's important to people in Ohio. We’re also uncovering the ways that people work with their community - and sometimes within the democratic process - to solve their most important challenges. prompt dialogue and to build awareness of and perhaps empathy for people who have different perspectives during the primaries and heading into November elections. Our series of stories begins airing on WKSU and publishing here on April 25.
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For the Ohio Newsroom's "Disconnected Democracy" series, Ideastream Public Media, WOSU in Columbus and WVXU in Cincinnati explore the issue of whether democracy is working around the state. -
Design by Lauren Green/photo courtesy of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society/Ideastream Public MediaThe Black church has always been a place where the community could be themselves and have agency in articulating that voice.
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Deliberative town halls are a solution meant to help elected officials and their constituents bridge the communication gap at a time of heightened polarization. -
Public education in Ohio has become polarized over the last few years as Ohio lawmakers debate bills to restrict how teachers address topics such as race, sexuality and gender. Teachers say the political debate is adding tremendous pressure to what’s already a pretty stressful job, some fearing for democracy as a result. -
Every election, dozens of races across the state at nearly every level of government lack competition. Whether there is a one-party dominated Congressional district or an entrenched incumbent in a state general assembly seat scaring off challengers, many voters heading to the polls will find at least one race where their vote is symbolic only. -
Betty Jacobs is the executive director of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County. She hosts support groups, counsels families and advocates to elected officials. But it's hard work to do alone. -
Small businesses all over Ohio have suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But they’ve also struggled with big decisions – often with political overtones – about how to keep their customers and employees safe. -
When voters head to the polls, they pick representatives responsible for making decisions on taxing. Those decisions can be anything from funding services in local governments to tax loopholes for corporations and tax breaks for the wealthy. -
Lauren Kelley stepped onto the Springfield political scene after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. At a time when tensions were soaring nationally, her goal was to help establish a working relationship between the police and the Black community. -
Over the last couple decades, rural Ohio has turned into a reliably Republican part of the country, but there are a couple blue dots in that big red sea. Take, for example, Shelly Hayes. -
These days it can feel like politics - and politicians - are more divided than ever, but an interesting thing is happening in University Heights.
