Morgan Trau

Award-winning & losing #Ohio Statehouse reporter @WEWS @WCPO, words in @OhioCapJournal. Newhouse. Described as "edgy" & "nosy." 🕵🏻‍♀️ [email protected].

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

"Unrelenting."

Humbled to win Best Investigative Reporting & an award for Business Reporting from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for my coverage of HB6 FirstEnergy corruption scheme & the STRS scandal.

Got a tip? [email protected], Signal @ MorganTrau01 or dm.

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: Ohio's $4 billion capital budget is made up of millions for community projects, with much of it going to the arts and infrastructure.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/xR5hHpyA5I

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

Karen and I talked to Smith after.

I asked him if he had a message for Householder.

“No. I’ve moved past that. That’s his cross to bear, not mine.”

[Karen Kasler @karenkasler]

Former Ohio House Speaker Ryan Smith with his official portrait unveiled this evening. Smith served from June 2018 till Jan 2019, after Cliff Rosenberger resigned and before being ousted by Larry Householder, who’s in federal prison. Current Speaker Matt Huffman also on hand.

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: Ohio residents testified for hours in front of a panel of lawmakers, arguing that the state either needs a data center moratorium or steep regulations.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/ccFroxAcBQ

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

We have 62 opponents, 58 interested parties & 1 supporter.

First, chemical engineer Stephen Petty said he is worried about chemicals impacting residents.

Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) isn't having it. Asked him if he was paid to be here. Petty said no. Arguing ensuing.

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NOW: Ohioans have come from all over the state to protest at the Select Committee on Data Centers.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is expected to hear 30+ in person testimonies.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: Ohio residents will get the chance to speak their mind about the growing number of data centers at a committee hearing at the Statehouse this Monday.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/32NRMREbV6

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

@stacey_hauff my queen

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

The opposition doesn't come from requiring ID itself, but rather the fact that lawmakers want to put it in the Constitution.

Dems say it's a distraction and a way to juice turnout. Conservatives say it doesn't do anything new or address absentee ballots.

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

Liberal & conservative Ohioans have come together to oppose a proposal to require photo ID to vote.

HJR9 would enshrine existing law into the constitution — but GOP leaders deny any shenanigans to boost turnout.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/fzvgjRDTBA

[Michelle Jarboe @mjarboe]

Gov. Mike DeWine has asked the head of the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to hold off on considering any new sales-tax breaks for data centers while a joint legislative committee examines the issue. This follows separate reporting from @WEWS and @SignalOhio on forgone revenue.

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers wants to know how private schools are using taxpayer dollars, but Republican leadership likely won't require the EdChoice program to have more transparency.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/zJxa5A2F2s

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: Federal Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz is supporting Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after other state leaders accused him of allowing rampant fraud.

The allegations of a widespread issue are currently unproven.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/5baXzO3uNK

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NOW: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Medicare & Medicaid Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz meeting with stakeholders before their joint event in Dublin.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

Beautifully written by my friend and incredible colleague @megankhenry. Alzheimer's is heartbreaking, and I admire Megan's strength. 💙

[Megan Henry @megankhenry]

My dad passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning on May 10, 2026, ending his nearly 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Often called the long goodbye, it is such a terrible disease that steals someone long before they are physically gone.

https://t.co/wGiQhWQDkq

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: AG Dave Yost's surprise decision to resign shook the Ohio political world. Today, he spoke about his decision — addressing his next steps, while also giving a sharp message to his opponents.

I recommend watching:
@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/ztFOYZNzR6

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy wants to overhaul the state Medicaid system to combat unproven allegations of fraud, as GOP leaders blame Gov. Mike DeWine for a lack of oversight.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/KtesDxpqQU

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NOW: Ohio GOP nominee for governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, is hosting a press conference about alleged Medicaid fraud with LG candidate Rob McColley, House Speaker Matt Huffman and others.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

NEW: A newly introduced bill would ban Ohio public officials and their employees from "trading" in prediction markets.

@WEWS @WCPO @OhioCapJournal
https://t.co/BMgO2P5JPp

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

@stacey_hauff POV: this picture was actually my POV

[Morgan Trau @MorganTrau]

@SarahEDon @Colebehr_report Not me crying earlier this week bc I was so excited for u