Creating content for the East Side of Cincinnati and putting the "1A" back in "A1A." It's grassroots, editorialized, left-leaning journalism, that's both informative and entertaining.
Amid the Signal 99-manufactured controversy over juvenile detention procedures and the spread of online misinformation, Eastside Informer sat down with Britt Born, Court Administrator for Hamilton County’s juvenile justice system.
Carolyn Adams, who runs the Signal 99 Facebook page, guessed correctly that I would be speaking with Ms. Born. But if you want information about what is going on in the juvenile detention center, you talk to the Court Administrator — no matter what judge is in charge. I have never interacted with Ms. Born before this and appreciate her agreeing to speak with me
The goal was to clarify facts about the so-called “Unofficial Charges,” address public concerns, and discuss the real mission of juvenile justice in our community. The following is a verbatim interview, organized for clarity.
We are seeking to help two Haitian pastors, Reverend Adrien and Reverend Dumano, who have been detained. One thing that makes a big difference is phone banks. The need is URGENT. Haitians are quietly being detained and relocated almost every day in Springfield without due process.
Please consider contacting Governor DeWine, Springfield Representative Mike Turner, and Senators Husted and Moreno today. You can do so by scanning the QR code below or by clicking this link on your phone. Once you enter your phone number, it will connect you to each elected official. After you leave a message with the first one, either stay on the line or press pound, and you’ll be connected to the next one. Continue to leave messages and press pound after each one.
Thank you for reading this far and considering whether you would like to do this. Also, if you want, please share this post with a friend (or 10 friends!) and/or consider calling again the next day. Many calls make an impact!
Phone banking script for callers:
My name is (insert your name and any affiliation). I am calling to urge you to intervene immediately in the detention of Rev. Adrien and Rev. Dumano, two Haitian pastors from Springfield, Ohio, and to do all you can, both privately and publicly, to facilitate their release. These two pastors are significant peacemakers and provide critical support for the Haitian community in this time of trauma and uncertainty. These pastors have been removed from the community, and we demand that they be returned and provided due process.
Let’s talk about Cincinnati politics. Specifically, the latest episode of “Law and Order: Political Propaganda Unit” starring our very favorite Republican blow-hards. You might have noticed they’re suddenly obsessed with crime. Why? Well, it just so happens we have a record number of judges up for election in November. Coincidence? As likely as finding a parking spot at Findlay Market on a Saturday.
If you’re not at least a little frustrated with the state of the government right now, you probably live in an alternate universe where healthcare is a human right, public schools are funded by wizard spells, and potholes fill themselves. For the rest of us mortals — especially those of us in the Buckeye State — it’s time to turn our collective “ugh, politics” into a battle cry (or at least a polite, strongly worded email to Speaker Matt Huffman).
You might consider yourself “nonpartisan,” or “non-political,” because you need a handy excuse for why you don’t pay attention or vote regularly. But here’s a big ol’ secret: NOT being involved in democracy is STILL a political decision. Seriously! When you don’t participate at all, you’re basically letting that weird neighbor who thinks every problem can be solved with an American flag and a Truth Social post decide who is going to screw you over for four years. Just because you don’t want to talk about politics. It’s less like “Jesus,” and more like “Brenda, take the wheel!”
Here’s the deal: Local elections are where the magic happens. These are the folks deciding how many potholes you dodge, whether your neighbor’s rooster makes too much noise, and why your recycling bin mysteriously vanished last Tuesday. They also decide what laws you will be governed by and how much of your taxes go where. Your everyday life? Decided by people who count on you not showing up— because, statistically, most people don’t. Only 47% of people voted in the 2022 midterms. So, let’s ruin their day… and vote. Or do better and volunteer!
Restaurateur and Jay Edwards donor Bobby George is suing leaders of the Ohio Senate for cutting a state economic development grant to his business after he was arrested on serious, life-threatening felony charges.
When then-State Representative Jay Edwards chaired the Ohio House Finance Committee, he approved a $3.5 million grant to support George’s project in Cleveland in 2024.
George’s lawsuit claims that the Republican Senate leaders unlawfully rescinded an economic development grant in 2025, after Bobby George was charged with attempted murder, rape, and kidnapping.
Bobby George has been a long-time friend and donor to former Representative Jay Edwards. Overall, the George family donated over $100,000 to Jay Edwards’ campaign between 2016 and 2022:
Bobby George: He donated $37,400 between 2016 and 2022.
Tony George: He donated $31,704 between 2016 and 2022.
Kristine George: She is also listed as donating $31,704 between 2016 and 2022.
FLOCK cameras are AI-powered cameras on the side of the road that automatically log every car that passes them — make, model, color, plate number, time, direction. They’re not just recording footage you’d have to review like a normal security camera manually. They’re building a searchable database of every vehicle’s movements across a city.
Law enforcement says they help solve crime. Citizens say they are infringing on their right to privacy. Who is right? Probably a little of both. But is high-tech, AI-fueled crime solving worth unconsensually giving up your privacy? Yeah, that’s gonna be a NO from me, dawg.
Coming on the heels of the Tribeca Film Festival, Team Walsh, the campaign to elect Seth Walsh as Ohio’s next Treasurer, announced its own film award for the Republican candidate for Treasurer, acknowledging his status as a “Famous Movie Star You Didn’t Know Was Running for Office.”
Former State Representative Jay Edwards was one of only a handful of state legislators with a featured role in the HBO docuseries Dark Money Game: Ohio Confidential, part one of a two-part docuseries that explores the use of dark money in American politics. Though Edwards has not been charged with any crime in connection with the HB 6 corruption scandal, he’s referred to as “Representative 8” in the FBI files.
On March 27th, 2019, the FBI secretly recorded a four-hour dinner in Columbus. Then-State Representative Jay Edwards was at the table. You can hear him on the recording, strategizing with Larry Householder, who is now serving 20 years in federal prison.
The late lobbyist Neil Clark, who was also caught on FBI recordings, described Edwards as the go-to guy for anyone who wanted to move the Speaker. His exact words: “He’s clearly influenced by his friends who have money.” Before his death by suicide, Clark identified Edwards as “Representative 8” in the federal affidavit supporting Householder’s indictment, according to a 2020 interview with the Athens News.
Acclaim for the scandal’s staggering grandeur came from both political insiders and film critics.
“Likely the largest bribery, money laundering scheme ever perpetrated againstthe people of the state of Ohio.” — U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers
“For anyone worried about how gerrymandering and one-party dominance oflegislatures may have made it easier for politicians to ignore the will of the people, Gibney’s films offer a potent argument tracing the problem to an avalanche of dark money easily hidden from the public’s view.” — Eric Deggens, NPR Film Critic
Today, Jay Edwards is starring in a supporting role as the Republican nominee for State Treasurer.
I’ve noticed a rise in over-the-top U.S. patriotism, as if to co-opt national pride for one party over another. It became more prevalent after 2015-16 and the rise of MAGA. The message was clear: I love America MORE than YOU …
Obviously, that is just a fantasy cooked up in the minds of adult toddlers still reading at a (generous) 4th-grade level. The truth is, they just don’t like the way OTHER people love America.
These same people were all for local control and small government during a global pandemic, because wearing a mask hurt their feelings. But when THIS administration wants to strap up and control how people vote, instead of leaving it up to the states, followers line up and kneel to their idol. Hypocrisy is amazing sometimes.
Patriotism is gratitude for and pride in the gifts of one’s nation, not an assertion of a nation’s indefectibility or destined greatness. That, in fact, is idolatry —America Media/The Jesuit Review
Let’s talk about Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Kari Bloom’s Summer of Discovery program. Because honestly, it’s one of those ideas that makes you wonder why we aren’t doing this everywhere. I recently sat down with Judge Bloom, the driving force behind this court-ordered initiative for juveniles, and it’s so much more than just checking boxes for the court. The program gets kids signed up for library cards and community rec centers, and even asks for their grade cards, all as part of a broader push to help them reconnect with resources and opportunities that many of us take for granted.
Judge Bloom broke it down for me: this program isn’t about punishment, it’s about real rehabilitation and support. The focus is on kids who have committed non-violent offenses, whether they’re detained at the Hamilton County Youth Center or on probation. The whole idea is to address the root causes — like homelessness, hunger, and lack of access to community programs that can make a difference.
As someone who’s spent a lot of time thinking about young folks who’ve been incarcerated, I found myself rooting for everything the program is about. We got into how libraries are often the only safe spaces for unaccompanied youth, but even that comes with its own set of challenges, especially when there is little to no parent supervision. Judge Bloom was clear that it’s going to take community intervention and real support to help these kids find their footing.
Hey friends and neighbors! Can you believe it’s almost time for the Eastside Pride Family Picnic again? We’re gearing up for our biggest, brightest celebration yet! And honestly, it just wouldn’t be the same without you. Whether you’ve been to the picnic in years past or you’re thinking about joining in for the first time, Eastside Pride would be thrilled to have you as part of the magic this year.
It doesn’t matter if you’re the life of the party, a master of logistics, or someone who prefers to hang out on the sidelines — there’s a place for you here. Maybe you love face painting, or maybe you’d rather help set up tables, make bracelets and bookmarks, or welcome folks with a smile. Eastside Pride 2026 needs all kinds of helpers, for a little while or a long while. Every small act adds up to something special.
And if you’re thinking, “I’m not crafty,” or “I always end up with glue in my hair,” trust me … you belong here. Some of our best memories come from the most unexpected places (and people). Whether you’re great at organizing, cleaning up, or laughing at Pinterest fails, there’s a spot with your name on it.
Oh! And this year, Eastside Pride is officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means teens can volunteer and earn service hours. So if you’ve got teenagers at home (or know some who need hours), have them sign up! It’s a win-win: help out, meet new people, and give back to our local LGBTQ+ community.
If you’d like to pitch in (even just for a bit), fill out the volunteer form (button below) and let Eastside Pride know what sounds fun to you. And if you’re on the fence or have questions, reach out. We’re all friends here.
Let’s make this year’s Eastside Pride Family Picnic the best one yet — together!
