Good afternoon, and welcome to this edition of The Rundown. This biweekly newsletter serves as the most important political and cultural news for Christians in Ohio. Don't forget to forward The Rundown to those who would be interested. Thanks for reading!

What's Happening

• Transgender transgression: A man identifying as a woman was charged in Xenia Municipal Court with three counts of public indecency—three underage girls were present during one alleged incident—after several complaints of a naked man in the women's locker room at the Xenia YMCA. This is a huge opportunity for women's and girls' rights to safety and privacy to be properly recognized.
  

• Objection! On Monday, the Biden administration proposed a new rule that would remove moral exemptions for providing contraceptive coverage to employees. But even if employers object to contraception on religious grounds, the rule would also create an "independent pathway" for women to access free birth control. This news continues more than 10 years of confusion and court cases resulting from the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act. To review or comment on the proposed rules during a 60-day public comment period that begins Thursday, February 2, visit the Federal Register.
  

• School choice wins: Iowa and Utah became the second and third U.S. states, respectively, to pass universal school choice. When at full capacity, both states will offer every K-12 student close to $8,000 to pursue the educational environment that best suits his or her needs. Ohio continues to move toward implementing universal school choice that doesn't discriminate based on a family's income or zip code.
  

• Protecting children: Utah also passed a law to protect children from medical experimentation in the form of surgeries and wrong-sex hormonal treatment for the purpose of gender transitioning. In Ohio, the last General Assembly session considered a similar bill known as the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act. The bill is expected to be re-introduced and hopefully will pass before the current two-year session ends on December 31, 2024.
  

• State of the State: Yesterday, Governor Mike DeWine presented the annual State of the State Address at the Ohio Statehouse. Some of the goals mentioned included prioritizing the well-being of children and mothers, expanding EdChoice, and increasing housing accessibility for families. You can watch the recording on the Ohio Channel.

Listen Up

If you've paid attention to the news over the last several years, you can't help but question what's driving the nationwide surge in violence. Why are massacres occurring more frequently than ever? How can a person who commits such a heinous act turn off their God-given restraint to kill a fellow human?

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman joins CCV Communications Director Mike Andrews and Policy Director David Mahan to share his expertise on the psychology of violence.

Don't miss this insightful episode, available anywhere you get your podcasts!

Don't Miss

• Prayer at the Statehouse on Thursday, May 18, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Register today to join us in prayer!
  

• Save the date for the 2023 Ohio March for Life on Friday, October 6, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Check out the details we have so far.

Prayer

Scripture calls us to pray for those in authority and to have confidence that God hears our prayers. Join the CCV team this week in praying for the below intentions.

• Our elected officials: U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Brian Baldridge, and U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty.
  

• The 135th General Assembly got off to a hard start, and Satan is working overtime to sow division and disrupt plans for good. Continue to pray for unity and clear vision for our elected Ohio House Representatives and Ohio Senators to pass legislation that protects religious freedom, families, and children—especially the unborn. 
  

• Continue to pray for the complete failure of the legalized abortion ballot initiative. Pray that the Lord would confuse the plans of the Enemy and bring to light the evils of abortion. If you're able to, we also encourage you to add prayerful fasting to your intercession on this critical issue.

That’s all we have for this week. Be sure to keep an eye out for our next edition, and don't forget to share CCV's Rundown with others.