These four stories stood out because of their impact, their humor and the way they challenged us as writers.

We explain what bills passed, which ones failed, and why you probably won't be able to use a utility bill as identification the next time you go vote.

We explain how natural gas got labeled green energy, why Republicans want to change who oversees education, how ballot initiative became the new battleground, and whether transgender girls can play on female teams.

Further restrictions on abortion and transgender medical for minors are unlikely to pass this year. But criminal justice reform and a plan to make it harder to amend Ohio's constitution are moving forward.

Ohio's state lawmakers are back to legislating in Columbus, and hundreds of people flooded the capitol in opposition to a bill to restrict the kinds of care transgender children can receive. The House approved new rules for using cell phones will driving, and Senate Republicans unveiled a plan to restructure how the Ohio Department of Education works. We break down what it all means In this week's episode of Ohio Politics Explained. A podcast created by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau to catch you up on the state's political news in 15 minutes or less. This week, host Anna Staver was joined by reporter Laura Bischoff.

We're dissecting how JD Vance won the U.S. Senate race, why Republicans swept the statewide offices, the new supermajorities in the statehouse, and what's on the table for lame duck.

This week we dissect the closing messages in the U.S. Senate race, what early voting can tell us, how Ohioans are feeling as they go to the polls and new numbers on abortion.

This week our entire dream team is in studio to walk you through all the races on your November ballot. From U.S. Senate to who's running for state treasurer, we've got you covered.

We explain how Ohio's youth prisons are struggling with violence, why Republicans are outraising Democrats, how lawmakers plan to spend our COVID cash, and whether abortion will be banned at conception this year.

We explain how Honda gave Gov. DeWine a fantastic October surprise. What the Senates said during their first debate. How the state board of education feels about Title IX changes, and why Josh Mandel's divorce records might soon be unsealed.

This week we detail what ideas Ohio's governor has to make the state more friendly for expectant parents. Why all eyes are on Toledo. How far those at the March for Life rally want to go on abortion, and when is the last day to register to vote.

What more students missing class means for Ohio's children. Why the overhaul of unemployment is going to take even longer, and when we will finally see the U.S. Senate candidates debate.

This week's podcast tackles the opposition to Title IX changes, state Issues 1 and 2, the latest changes to abortion access in Ohio, and the new candidate ordered to be on November's ballot.

An Ohio judge pressed pause on the state's abortion law. Polling puts Gov. Mike DeWine way ahead of Democrat Nan Whaley. Most people don't know the name Larry Householder, but they do want to see debates.

Donald Trump is coming to Ohio to support JD Vance. Abortion clinics shift their cites on a county court judge, and Ohio's GOP gets into a fight over who's in charge.

Dayton's only abortion clinic is closing, but newly registered female voters could change that in the future. Did Democratic candidates flip-flop on student loan forgiveness? And why is Ohio searching for thousands of abandoned oil wells?

This week President Joe Biden announced plans to cut student loan debt for up to 45 million borrowers, Ohio lawmakers announced plans for added protections of the thin blue line flag, USA TODAY launched a national voting rights guide and Ohio's annual liquor lottery is about to wrap up. Join Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker and political reporter Laura Bischoff as we break down what it all means on this week's episode of Ohio Politics Explained. Read More: Ohio Politics Explained: Student loan debt, Ohio may protect thin blue line flag

One Ohio Republican takes another chance on finding gun reforms his party will accept. President Joe Biden announced a visit and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted reacted to text messages about his efforts to pass a nuclear bailout. We break down what it all means on this week's episode of Ohio Politics Explained. It's a podcast from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau where we catch you up on the state's political news in 15 minutes or less. This week, host Anna Staver was joined by reporter Jessie Balmert.

New text messages confirm how hard the DeWine administration lobbied for a nuclear bailout. A new study shows a spike in youth anxiety. Ohio lawmakers react to the FBI on Trump's home, and Tim Ryan's pitch down the middle.

We explain how low turnout impacted Ohio's second primary, what the Kansas abortion vote means, where gun laws stand three years after Dayton, and how a bill to help veterans stalled in Congress.

Ohio's governor says he won't ban contraception. A billionaire bets on JD Vance. Cannabis is floated as a treatment for opioid addiction, and Intel's plans for Ohio get a boost from Congress.

Sen. Rob Portman will co-sponsor a bill protecting gay marriage. Democrats call on the attorney general to resign. Ohio's Court rejected another Congressional map, and what's happening two years after Larry Householder's arrest?

This week we explain the evidence in the rape case of 10-year-old girl who recently had an abortion and the political reaction to his arraignment. Why a Republican wants to make sure you can pay in cash, and how inaction on redistricting might impact public education.

Will the latest police shooting finally move a bill on police reform. How a 10-year-old's abortion became national news. Republicans joke about impeaching Ohio's chief justice. And the confusion over who is running where in the August primary.

We're explaining four ways the overturning of federal abortion protections impact Ohioans from the current six week ban to the legality of abortion by mail and whether Ohio could amend its own state constitution.

This week we explain the wait for a decision on abortion. Why the governor won't suspend gas taxes, how to renew your license online and why one Republican state senator still believes in post-Trump politics.

We explain how Ohio's new conceal carry law works. Whether federal gun control legislation will pass. How Columbus might try to work around the state's gun laws, and what the Biden Administration's executive orders mean for LGBTQ Ohioans.

Ohio's new chief of education is out. Doctors question proposed exams to play sports. How Ohio's U.S. representatives voted on gun control, and why some candidates sued over the August primary.

We explain how the rules might change for teachers who want to keep guns in their classrooms. Why Ohio is giving Intel $1 billion. The results of our very own statewide poll. And why transgender girls might be banned from playing on female sports teams.

This week we're giving a brief history of Ohio's gun laws, explaining why we retain third-graders, what constitutional changes might be on your ballot in November and redistricting, again.

This week we explain who is Matt Huffman, how an abortion ban got delayed, whether non-citizens vote, and why you might see fewer traffic cameras.

This week we explain why one Ohio Republican wants to take a page from California's playbook. Why food stamps benefits are being cut. How a vote in Congress to protect abortion access failed, and the influence Donald Trump had in our May primary.

This week we explain the primary race results. What a leaked Supreme Court ruling on abortion means for Ohio, and why some nursing homes are charging $800 to install a camera.

We explain how misinformation might be shaping renewable energy policy in Ohio. Why one former lawmakers suggesting hunting feral cat. How Frank LaRose balances Ohio's election integrity against claims of voter fraud, and why a comment about rape and abortions is making national headlines.

In this special election edition, we explain who is on the ballot for governor and U.S. Senate. Why the statehouse primaries aren’t happening until August, and why you should pay attention to those local levies at the bottom of your ballot.

We explain why redistricitng might finally be done. The chances for recreational marijuana. Why 400,000 Ohioans might lose their healthcare, and a lawsuit over the conscience clause.

Former President Donald Trump looks ready to endorse in Ohio's Senate race. Democrats keep pushing on education. The Ohio Supreme Court tossed another set of legislative maps, and a pension finds itself in the middle of a surprisingly contentious election.

We're tackling a controversial education bill nicknamed "Don't Say Gay," one Democrat's personal fight to change sexual assault laws, what's up with redistricting and the mountain of bills lawmakers passed before leaving Columbus.

This week we breakdown the muddled mess that is redistricting, what happened at the Senate and gubernatorial debates, how Republicans want to change cash bail and why disabled parents are unhappy with Ohio's family court system.

This week we explain the governor's wish list of ideas for Ohio, how the Holocaust might derail an education bill, the in your face primary moments and how to participate in the next primary debate.

This week we explain how a political group chat became public, when the new conceal carry law will take effect, what's up with the May primary and how Larry Householder tried to kill a bill from his living room.

This week our podcast explains why DeWine turned down a primary debate, what's happening with the May primary, the ongoing fight over home rule and how Jane Timken is trying balance all sides of the GOP.

We breakdown the latest sets of maps from the redistricting. Why you might not need a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Ohio's reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And the latest lawsuits and legislation on abortion.

This week we break all the redistricting news. The new rules Republicans want for short-term rentals. Ohio's reaction to Russia invading Ukraine, and when Trump actually endorsed a candidate for governor.

This week we explain how redistricting might impact your kid's education. Whether a proposed law is anti protest or anti riot. Who did and didn't get endorsed this week, and how Larry Householder is still opining on legislation.

Anna Staver speaks with Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this episode we discuss how the Ohio Supreme Court rejects another set of maps. Republicans punt on recreational marijuana, and chronic absenteeism rose during the pandemic.

This week we explain how the medical freedom movement found its footing during COVID, which U.S. Senate candidates are self-funding their campaigns, who is and out of state races and what's inside an 1,800 page criminal justice reform bill. Read More:Vaccine opposition, campaign cash and the 2022 election

This week we explain why we still don't know what Ohio promised Intel. Why the fight over redistricting is headed back to court. What it will mean if Larry Householder goes on trial during the 2022 election, and what a series of Republican retirements says about the Ohio GOP.

Gannett politics reporters Laura Bischoff and Haley BeMiller discuss the latest in politics around the state of Ohio on the newest podcast episode of Ohio Politics Explained. During this edition we discuss how Emilia Sykes is running for Congress, talk about why the name Jim Obergefell sounds familiar, and how a big deal for a semiconductor plants approval is for New Albany. Finally, we mention how some nursing homes have halted admissions due to COVID-19 and the surge of the newest Omicron variant.

This week we explain what Ohio's Supreme Court did to our legislative maps, why Jim Jordan won't testify about Jan. 6, who is Ohio's newest Democrat leader and why a public school district suing over busing.