Action Alerts

$7 billion Solar for All program canceled

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday terminated a $7 billion grant program intended to help pay for residential solar projects for more than 900,000 lower-income U.S. households.

The funding, part of the Biden-era's Solar for All program, was awarded to 60 recipients for redistribution, including states, tribes and regions for investments in rooftop and community solar.

Only $53 million of the original $7 billion awarded has been spent so far, according to a tally by the research firm Atlas Public Policy. A number of policy insiders contend that the EPA has no legal authority to terminate grants already appropriated by Congress. The issue is now headed to the courts for resolution.

Solar panels from India latest to face tariffs

Thursday, August 14
 6:00 PM
WSYX, 1261 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215

In the last 18 months, over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza while risking everything to tell the truth.

Around the world, journalists speak out when one of their own is killed—yet ABC6, FOX28, CW Columbus, and their parent companies have stayed silent. This silence fuels impunity and erases the lives of those who paid the ultimate price for press freedom.

On Thursday, August 14, we will gather outside their shared Columbus location to remember these journalists, honor their courage, and demand that our local media break their silence.

Bring banners, and your voice. Let’s show that their lives—and their work—will not be forgotten.

State Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) will be hosting a Prevent, Listen, Act, Navigate (P.L.A.N.) town hall with several other state legislators Tuesday, August 19th at 9:15am at the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. This event engages community members in a conversation about gun violence, firearm safety, survivor support, and legislative actions.

Also planning to attend are State Rep. Munira Abdullahi (D-Columbus), State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus), and State Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus). 

The P.L.A.N. Ohio initiative aims to:

• Prevent gun violence through education and firearm safety.
• Listen to what the community needs when it comes to life-saving trauma response techniques.
• Act through advocacy and civic engagement; and
• Navigate resources for mental health, youth programming, and victim support.

House Democrats are hosting P.L.A.N. Ohio events across Ohio to help spread awareness about gun violence, provide resources for constituents, and create safer communities for all Ohioans.

• Requires “documentary proof of citizenship” to be presented in order to register to vote or update your voter registration.
• Eliminates the use of voter registration forms, prohibits registering through QR codes at local events or drives, and ends online voter registration.
• Requires Ohioans to register or update their registration by going to the Board of Elections and bringing required proof of citizenship. Most people do not carry the required forms of identification when they go to the BMV to renew their license.

Senate Bill 153 requires your ID to match your voter information exactly, and forces you to vote provisionally if any of the following applies:

Sunday, August 10, 1-5pm
Worthington Village Green, corner of S.R. 161 and High St., Worthington, Ohio

Join us for our community’s favorite celebration of summer and save the date for Sunday, August 10 for our End of Summer Fair! This year, we’re joining forces with our friends at Worthington Interfaith Neighbors [WIN] to include their annual Festival of Faiths and Nations event!

We’ll have carnival games, two great live bands, live entertainment, delicious food specials at our local restaurants, shopping specials, treats, and more treats. It will be a great activity for the whole family — right before the kiddos head back to school!

Our DORA [Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area] is every day, which means that you can get a beverage “to go” and enjoy the shops and the neighborhood.

Hosted by The Worthington Partnership and Worthington Interfaith Neighbors [WIN].

Facebook Event

Join us for a variety of community conversations at this in-person Free Press Second Saturday Salon

Saturday, August 9 from 6:30-9pm
at Lynn Stan's house
952 Bryden Rd.

Facebook Event

Potluck dishes welcome!

We'll talk about upcoming elections, local festivals, immigration solidarity and more!

Co-hosted by Simply Living.

Sign up for the Saturday, August 9, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30 PM Hands Along High Street event 

Join the final big resistance event of the summer before the beginning of the new school year!

With your participation, we will form a human chain of resistance 8 miles long on the public sidewalk along the west side of High Street from Route 161 in Worthington to downtown Columbus, delivering the message that WE STAND UNITED in defense of fundamental American values and against the corruption and tyranny of the Trump administration. 

This is a two step sign up process! Sign up for the event via Mobilize HERE, plus also pick a spot along the route via Sign Up Genius HERE. 

Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 6:00 PM
University Baptist Church, 50 W. Lane Ave., Columbus 43201

Featuring Rocco Di Pietro, Composer and Concert Organizer.  The event is in support of the Columbus Campaign for Arms Control annual commemoration of Hiroshima/Nagasaki Bombings.

Contact Mark D. Stansbery, 614-252-9255, walk@igc.org. 

Oregon Passes Landmark Microgrid Legislation

There are currently no community-owned or operated microgrids in Oregon. Two new laws recently passed are designed to make it possible for communities to plan, build, and own local microgrids and connect them to the larger utility system. This development is unique in the nation, as most microgrids are owned by utilities, governments, or private businesses. 

The state budget process in Ohio this year was long, confusing, and frankly one of the cruelest examples of how far our legislature will go to score points with their political base while simultaneously screwing over people in our state. We’ll have more to share about the final version of the bill next week. But recently some news was released that stopped us in our tracks: the final version of the state budget gave the Department of Children and Youth less funding for various programs and certain goals were having to be adjusted.  

One of the goals listed for adjustment was Ohio’s dismal infant mortality rate. Under the initial version of the budget proposed by Governor DeWine, their goal was to reduce the rate from 7.1 per 1,000 births to 4.4 per 1,000 births. But because of the cuts the legislature made to the Governor’s budget, that goal was instead reduce from 7.1 to 6 deaths per 1,000 births. The so-called “pro-life” party reduced program funding to the point where the department had to reduce the number of lives that could be saved. How “pro-life” of them!