Five things to know for Thursday, Oct. 9

DeWine to ‘soon’ call Ohio Redistricting Commission

Gov. Mike DeWine said he will “soon” convene the Ohio Redistricting Commission to develop new congressional maps for Ohio. The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission has until the end of October to adopt a plan, which must be approved by both Democrats and Republicans on the ORC.

“You know, I was waiting for that question,” the Republican governor quipped when asked during a Wednesday media briefing. He declined to clarify what he meant by soon.

“I still am hopeful — that’s hopeful; don’t know; I’m not putting any odds on it — that something can be worked out,” DeWine said. “As you know, these things, if they get worked out — if they get worked out — they don’t usually get worked out in a public meeting. They get worked out before, and then there’s a public meeting, and it gets … legally taken care of.”

Cleveland sues transportation department over Browns permit

The city of Cleveland has sued the Ohio Department of Transportation after the state agency’s Office of Aviation granted a permit allowing the Cleveland Browns to build a new stadium in Brook Park next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The suit was filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Cleveland Magazine reported.

The city’s Department of Port Control owns the airport, along with Burke Lakefront Airport. The city has been a vocal opponent of the Browns’ move out of the city.

Bill would extend ‘Son of Sam’ law to crowdfunding platforms

State Reps. Mike Odioso, R-Green Twp., and Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, introduced a measure to modify Ohio’s “Son of Sam” law to include crowdfunding platforms. The bill, which follows the May 2 death of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson, would ban people accused or convicted of violent crimes from profiting from online fundraisers.

Following Henderson’s death, a GiveSendGo fundraiser raised nearly $54,000 for the accused driver, Rodney Hinton Jr., who authorities charged with aggravated murder. While other platforms removed similar campaigns, GiveSendGo did not.

Senate approves Toepfer as federal prosecutor in Northern District

The U.S. Senate has approved the appointment of David M. Toepfer as the federal prosecutor for the Northern District of Ohio. Trump appointed Toepfer to the post in July.

According to Cleveland.com, the Senate’s signoff ends the longest-ever stretch in the district without a Senate-confirmed federal prosecutor.

Analysis: Ohio’s auto loan interest rates increased the 18th most in the country

Ohio’s auto loan interest rates increased the 18th most in the country, with the average rate at 10.74% in the second quarter and a 1.19% change from the first quarter to the second quarter.

The finding is from the new WalletHub report, “States Where Auto Loan Interest Rates Are Increasing the Most.”