News
New federal sick leave law – who’s eligible, who’s not and how many weeks do you get
On March 18, President Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law. The legislation is an emergency intervention to provide paid leave and other support to millions of workers sidelined by school closures, quarantines and caregiving. An obvious question you’re probably wondering is, “How will it affect me?” The bad news is […]
Bills to prevent utility shutoffs, evictions and foreclosures introduced in Ohio House
Two separate bills have been introduced in the Ohio House to address economic hardships stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, including one to prevent evictions and foreclosures and the other to prevent utility shutoffs. On Sunday, state Reps. David Leland, D-Columbus, and Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma, introduced a bipartisan bill to put a stop to evictions and […]
Chamber releases business resources as Small Business Administration loans open up
As small businesses navigate the complicated environment of the coronavirus pandemic, local agencies and national companies are providing resources to guide owners through the process. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce launched a Coronavirus Business Resource to serve as a hub for all the happenings during the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio. This includes business regulations and […]
AG’s office orders stop on ‘non-essential’ abortions; legislators, advocates condemn move
Legislators and advocates around the state are reacting after the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office ordered two Planned Parenthood clinics in Ohio to stop performing surgical abortions during the coronavirus outbreak, calling them “non-essential and elective.” In a letter to Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio’s Cincinnati Surgery Center on March 20, Deputy Attorney General […]
Health dept. issues stay-at-home order; Ohioans to shelter in place through at least April 6
The director of the Ohio Department of Health issued a “shelter in place” or “stay at home” order Sunday — basically closing all non-essential state businesses and ordering people to stay home to curb the transmission of the increasingly prevalent COVID-19 disease. The order takes effect Monday evening at midnight and is set to last […]
COVID-19 outbreak reported at Miami County senior living facility; 32 suspected cases
The novel coronavirus has penetrated a Miami County senior assisted living center, leaving a trail of 32 people showing symptoms, 11 presumptive positives, nine people hospitalized and one person dead. Miami County Health Commissioner Dennis Propes said at a Friday press conference, broadcast by WDTN News, that test results are still pending on the deceased […]
Stuck at home? Use your time wisely and fill out the U.S. Census.
Ohioans are being encouraged to make productive use of their time spent at home by completing the U.S. Census. The census, undertaken every 10 years, happens to be coinciding with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, residents can fill out the Census form online, by phone or through the mail. Here are a few things to […]
Blood banks warn of ‘severely declining’ blood supply amid COVID-19 pandemic
Blood banks are growing increasingly worried about a looming shortfall in the nation’s blood supply. They say coronavirus-driven cancelations and closures at major blood drive sites — universities, high schools, and large employers — are threatening a shortage down the line. As the infected population in Ohio continues to grow, the restricted blood supply represents […]
Can Ohio’s divided congressional delegation find common ground on coronavirus?
WASHINGTON — How much paid leave are Ohio employers required to provide under new federal law? Will they be reimbursed? What benefits will workers get if they aren’t eligible for paid sick leave? How do restaurant and bar owners get in on the state’s liquor buyback program? Ohio U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-6th) answers these […]
Internet providers commit to keep Ohioans connected during self-isolation, school closures
The closure of schools has caused disruption to students’ schooling and every day routine, so some internet providers are committing to help. Several high-speed internet providers in the start have joined with the Federal Communications Commission’s “Keep Americans Connected” Pledge. With the commitment, internet service providers say they “will not terminate service to any residential […]
At least 2 members of Congress have coronavirus
WASHINGTON — Two members of the U.S. House announced Wednesday that they had tested positive for COVID-19, leading other lawmakers to announce their own self-quarantine plans and increasing uncertainty about how far the illness has already spread on Capitol Hill. Florida Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart issued a statement Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. […]
Ohio voting rights groups take issue with LaRose’s election orders
Days after the Ohio Primary Election was postponed, it is still unclear how (or when) voting will proceed. Despite that, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is not waiting on the courts or the legislature to decide. LaRose has announced a new June 2 voting date on his official government website. Not only that, but […]