Politics

  The mayor of a city can be considered its chief executive officer. But the power that office holds is determined by a city’s rules or charter, which defines what a mayor can, and cannot, do. Cincinnati adopted a “strong mayor” system of government 15 years ago. Now Cincinnati Councilman Christopher Smitherman is exploring another change, to what some call an “executive mayor” system.

  Sworn in as mayor just under five months ago, John Cranley fought and lost the streetcar battle, successfully stopped the city’s parking lease agreement, proposed a fix for city’s pension plan and called for Cincinnati to be more immigrant friendly. Mayor Cranley sat down with Jay Hanselman to discuss those and other issues, and the challenges and opportunities he sees in the city’s future.

  Will Cincinnati be the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention? Last Friday local Republicans and officials from the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau came away feeling confident after making their presentation to the Republican National Committee’s selection committee.

  Some legal experts say the country is entering a new phase in the battle over same-sex marriage, and that fight is taking place in various forms in the tri-state.