Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCorrection: An earlier version incorrectly listed a ZIP Code because of inaccurate information provided by the Ohio governor's office. The correct ZIP Code is 45238. COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that novel coronavirus trends in Southwest Ohio are "worrisome."He cited Hamilton, Warren, Montgomery, Greene and Clark counties as areas where COVID-19 cases are rising while .Why is Southwest Ohio a problem? "The answers are all over the place," said DeWine, adding that there is likely community spread in those areas.  test...…Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCorrection: An earlier version incorrectly listed a ZIP Code because of inaccurate information provided by the Ohio governor's office. The correct ZIP Code is 45238. COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that novel coronavirus trends in Southwest Ohio are "worrisome."He cited Hamilton, Warren, Montgomery, Greene and Clark counties as areas where COVID-19 cases are rising while .Why is Southwest Ohio a problem? "The answers are all over the place," said DeWine, adding that there is likely community spread in those areas.  test...WW…

Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will allow high school sports to continue this fall.Both contact and non-contact sports will be permitted to move forward, but they could look quite different. DeWine's administration will issue an order this week offering more details. "It's not going to be your typical Friday night football in Ohio," DeWine said. "But the young people are going to get to play." Some changes include:Now school leaders, coaches and parents will face their own decisions. DeWine advised that schools in areas with greater...…Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will allow high school sports to continue this fall.Both contact and non-contact sports will be permitted to move forward, but they could look quite different. DeWine's administration will issue an order this week offering more details. "It's not going to be your typical Friday night football in Ohio," DeWine said. "But the young people are going to get to play." Some changes include:Now school leaders, coaches and parents will face their own decisions. DeWine advised that schools in areas with greater...WW…

Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday night threatened to cut off COVID-19 vaccines to teachers and staff if schools aren't committed to returning to in-person classes, at least part-time, by March 1. Ohio is in the middle of vaccinating its 334,000 school teachers and staff as part of DeWine's plan to return students to in-person classes by next month. School officials signed pledges to skip the line on Ohio's vaccine rollout, which has largely prioritized older Ohioans. But some schools, including those in Akron and...…Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday night threatened to cut off COVID-19 vaccines to teachers and staff if schools aren't committed to returning to in-person classes, at least part-time, by March 1. Ohio is in the middle of vaccinating its 334,000 school teachers and staff as part of DeWine's plan to return students to in-person classes by next month. School officials signed pledges to skip the line on Ohio's vaccine rollout, which has largely prioritized older Ohioans. But some schools, including those in Akron and...WW…

Cincinnati Enquirer COLUMBUS  Thursday marked the worst day for new COVID-19 cases reported in Ohio since the pandemic began. The state health department reported 3,590 new COVID-19 cases between Wednesday and Thursday, shattering a previous record of 2,858 cases reported on Oct. 24.Now 78% of Ohioans, including all residents in the greater Cincinnati area, live in a county where novel coronavirus exposure and spread is labeled "very high."There was some good news Thursday: Hamilton County and two others . At the level 4 or purple status, residents would...…Cincinnati Enquirer COLUMBUS  Thursday marked the worst day for new COVID-19 cases reported in Ohio since the pandemic began. The state health department reported 3,590 new COVID-19 cases between Wednesday and Thursday, shattering a previous record of 2,858 cases reported on Oct. 24.Now 78% of Ohioans, including all residents in the greater Cincinnati area, live in a county where novel coronavirus exposure and spread is labeled "very high."There was some good news Thursday: Hamilton County and two others . At the level 4 or purple status, residents would...WW…

 A Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled Friday that Ohioans can send their applications for absentee ballots via email or fax.In late July, the Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit, saying Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, should accept Ohioans' mail-in ballot applications via email or fax.Currently, Ohioans who want to vote via the mail must fill out a paper application and send it to their county board of elections by mail or in-person at board offices.Democrats argued that nothing in Ohio law prohibits LaRose from allowing Ohioans to email their...… A Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled Friday that Ohioans can send their applications for absentee ballots via email or fax.In late July, the Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit, saying Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, should accept Ohioans' mail-in ballot applications via email or fax.Currently, Ohioans who want to vote via the mail must fill out a paper application and send it to their county board of elections by mail or in-person at board offices.Democrats argued that nothing in Ohio law prohibits LaRose from allowing Ohioans to email their...WW…

 On Tuesday, Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which oversees utilities such as FirstEnergy, to audit the Akron-based company.A federal investigation alleges an energy company, believed to be FirstEnergy and its affiliates, spent nearly $61 million to secure a $1.3 billion bailout for two northern Ohio nuclear plants.But whose money paid for the scheme?The Ohio Consumers' Counsel, a ratepayer watchdog, wants to make sure utility customers didn't foot the bill.On Tuesday, Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston asked the Public Utilities...… On Tuesday, Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which oversees utilities such as FirstEnergy, to audit the Akron-based company.A federal investigation alleges an energy company, believed to be FirstEnergy and its affiliates, spent nearly $61 million to secure a $1.3 billion bailout for two northern Ohio nuclear plants.But whose money paid for the scheme?The Ohio Consumers' Counsel, a ratepayer watchdog, wants to make sure utility customers didn't foot the bill.On Tuesday, Ohio Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston asked the Public Utilities...WW…

Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS - Michael Brown. Tamir Rice. John Crawford III. Sam DuBose. George Floyd. After each death of a black man or boy at the hands of police, officials propose a similar remedy: more training. In the wake of Floyd's death, on everything from de-escalation – police techniques used to reduce the need to use force – to implicit bias – stereotypes that all people have without conscious knowledge. From police officers to protesters, everyone seems to agree that a better trained, more professional police force can improve officers'...…Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS - Michael Brown. Tamir Rice. John Crawford III. Sam DuBose. George Floyd. After each death of a black man or boy at the hands of police, officials propose a similar remedy: more training. In the wake of Floyd's death, on everything from de-escalation – police techniques used to reduce the need to use force – to implicit bias – stereotypes that all people have without conscious knowledge. From police officers to protesters, everyone seems to agree that a better trained, more professional police force can improve officers'...WW…

Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS – Summer might be a little more fun with aquariums, art galleries and zoos able to reopen as soon as next week.Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that several entertainment venues could open as soon as Wednesday, June 10, if they follow safety and hygiene guidelines.Those locations include: Day camps and residential camps may reopen at any time, DeWine announced Thursday.Cincinnatians will soon be reunited with Fiona and the other zoo animals. But it : Outdoor areas and exhibits will be open but indoor exhibits will remain closed.The...…Cincinnati EnquirerView CommentsCOLUMBUS – Summer might be a little more fun with aquariums, art galleries and zoos able to reopen as soon as next week.Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that several entertainment venues could open as soon as Wednesday, June 10, if they follow safety and hygiene guidelines.Those locations include: Day camps and residential camps may reopen at any time, DeWine announced Thursday.Cincinnatians will soon be reunited with Fiona and the other zoo animals. But it : Outdoor areas and exhibits will be open but indoor exhibits will remain closed.The...WW…

 COLUMBUS - While Republicans work to curb the Ohio Department of Health director's power to issue orders, one conservative group is urging lawmakers to pump the brakes: abortion opponents.That's because the director has the authority to order abortion clinics closed. Greater Columbus Right to Life worries that if changes passed by the Ohio House take effect, orders to close abortion clinics would last only 14 days or would need approval from a legislative panel.“While we in no way believe that the cleanliness of a surgical abortion facility legitimizes...… COLUMBUS - While Republicans work to curb the Ohio Department of Health director's power to issue orders, one conservative group is urging lawmakers to pump the brakes: abortion opponents.That's because the director has the authority to order abortion clinics closed. Greater Columbus Right to Life worries that if changes passed by the Ohio House take effect, orders to close abortion clinics would last only 14 days or would need approval from a legislative panel.“While we in no way believe that the cleanliness of a surgical abortion facility legitimizes...WW…