NEW!6,816sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - An unidentified caller told state Rep. Emilia Sykes she must resign from office or her father, state Sen. Vernon Sykes, would be killed, according to an Akron Police Department report released Friday.When ringing Emilia Sykes, the man was able to make the call look like it was coming from her father’s phone number, and she answered.“The suspect told Emilia he had her father and he would kill him,” the report stated. “He repeatedly told Emilia to ‘step aside’ referring to her political stance, telling her to resign from office, or he would kill her father. The...…NEW!6,816sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - An unidentified caller told state Rep. Emilia Sykes she must resign from office or her father, state Sen. Vernon Sykes, would be killed, according to an Akron Police Department report released Friday.When ringing Emilia Sykes, the man was able to make the call look like it was coming from her father’s phone number, and she answered.“The suspect told Emilia he had her father and he would kill him,” the report stated. “He repeatedly told Emilia to ‘step aside’ referring to her political stance, telling her to resign from office, or he would kill her father. The...WW…

Facebook ShareTwitter ShareBy COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The agents who inspect Ohio bars and restaurants for violations of their liquor permits -- an issue that has come to the fore during the coronavirus pandemic -- are plain clothes officers.Most of the time, they slip in and out without the businesses even knowing they were there. That’s because they’ve found no problems.But occasionally, and increasingly during the pandemic, they’ve found employees not wearing masks and serving drinks past 10 p.m., or patrons not social distancing, Sometimes they even find illicit drug use or determine...…Facebook ShareTwitter ShareBy COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The agents who inspect Ohio bars and restaurants for violations of their liquor permits -- an issue that has come to the fore during the coronavirus pandemic -- are plain clothes officers.Most of the time, they slip in and out without the businesses even knowing they were there. That’s because they’ve found no problems.But occasionally, and increasingly during the pandemic, they’ve found employees not wearing masks and serving drinks past 10 p.m., or patrons not social distancing, Sometimes they even find illicit drug use or determine...WW…

NEW!7,158sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Board of Pharmacy is holding off on a new rule generally banning hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, heeding a request from Gov. Mike DeWine.The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against use of the drug outside a hospital setting or clinical trial, due to the risk of heart rhythm problems.A pharmacy board statement said the decision was “a result of the feedback received by the medical and patient community and at the request of Governor DeWine.”“This will allow the Board to reexamine the issue with the assistance...…NEW!7,158sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Board of Pharmacy is holding off on a new rule generally banning hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, heeding a request from Gov. Mike DeWine.The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against use of the drug outside a hospital setting or clinical trial, due to the risk of heart rhythm problems.A pharmacy board statement said the decision was “a result of the feedback received by the medical and patient community and at the request of Governor DeWine.”“This will allow the Board to reexamine the issue with the assistance...WW…

NEW!343sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine inexplicably canceled his expected Tuesday afternoon briefing on coronavirus, the first scheduled since the state hit a record number of newly confirmed cases.DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney didn’t provide a specific reason for the cancellation, though denied there was an emergency when asked. Tierney also offered that DeWine had not tested positive for coronavirus following reporters’ questions.Tierney said DeWine’s schedule is “in flux” and did not provide a specific date for the next briefing, though said Thursday was likely. On Thursday the...…NEW!343sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine inexplicably canceled his expected Tuesday afternoon briefing on coronavirus, the first scheduled since the state hit a record number of newly confirmed cases.DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney didn’t provide a specific reason for the cancellation, though denied there was an emergency when asked. Tierney also offered that DeWine had not tested positive for coronavirus following reporters’ questions.Tierney said DeWine’s schedule is “in flux” and did not provide a specific date for the next briefing, though said Thursday was likely. On Thursday the...WW…

NEW!4,475sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday morning that he is requesting the Ohio Board of Pharmacy halt implementing a new rule generally banning hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a coronavirus treatment. DeWine said in a statement he agreed with Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Steven Hahn that the decision about the prescription should be between a doctor and patient. “Therefore, I am asking the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to halt their new rule prohibiting the selling or dispensing of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of...…NEW!4,475sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday morning that he is requesting the Ohio Board of Pharmacy halt implementing a new rule generally banning hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a coronavirus treatment. DeWine said in a statement he agreed with Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Steven Hahn that the decision about the prescription should be between a doctor and patient. “Therefore, I am asking the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to halt their new rule prohibiting the selling or dispensing of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of...WW…

NEW!3,611sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - Confirmed and probable coronavirus cases have increased 1,525 from the state’s report a day before to a total of 62,856, according to the Ohio Department of Health on Friday.This is the highest report of new cases from the state since the outbreak began in Ohio.Ohio’s previous record was April 19, when there were 1,380 new cases. But at that time the state was heavily testing in prisons.The seven-day rolling average in the past week for new daily cases was up to a record of 1,150. For comparison, the average was 381 new cases on June 12.Friday’s figure...…NEW!3,611sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - Confirmed and probable coronavirus cases have increased 1,525 from the state’s report a day before to a total of 62,856, according to the Ohio Department of Health on Friday.This is the highest report of new cases from the state since the outbreak began in Ohio.Ohio’s previous record was April 19, when there were 1,380 new cases. But at that time the state was heavily testing in prisons.The seven-day rolling average in the past week for new daily cases was up to a record of 1,150. For comparison, the average was 381 new cases on June 12.Friday’s figure...WW…

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State officials are re-evaluating whether to kick workers off unemployment benefits if they don’t return during the pandemic, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Kimberly Hall said.“No benefits are being denied right now as a result of a person’s decision not to return to work while we continue to evaluate the policy," Hall said on Monday.Hall’s announcement comes after news that a hacker developed code to muck up a section of the Ohio unemployment system in which employers were to report workers who didn’t return to work during the pandemic.The anonymous...…COLUMBUS, Ohio - State officials are re-evaluating whether to kick workers off unemployment benefits if they don’t return during the pandemic, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Kimberly Hall said.“No benefits are being denied right now as a result of a person’s decision not to return to work while we continue to evaluate the policy," Hall said on Monday.Hall’s announcement comes after news that a hacker developed code to muck up a section of the Ohio unemployment system in which employers were to report workers who didn’t return to work during the pandemic.The anonymous...WW…

NEW!4,520sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - After protesters showed up at Dr. Amy Acton’s house and , Gov. Mike DeWine spoke out Monday during his daily briefing.“I don’t usually comment about demonstrators,” DeWine said. “And the reason I don’t comment on demonstrators is because I’ve been in public office for 40 years, I have great respect for their constitutional right to demonstrate," he said. “I’ve had demonstrators demonstrate against me in most of the offices, if not all of the offices I’ve ever held. They’ve done it at many places, many locations. They’ve done it against me many, many different...…NEW!4,520sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio - After protesters showed up at Dr. Amy Acton’s house and , Gov. Mike DeWine spoke out Monday during his daily briefing.“I don’t usually comment about demonstrators,” DeWine said. “And the reason I don’t comment on demonstrators is because I’ve been in public office for 40 years, I have great respect for their constitutional right to demonstrate," he said. “I’ve had demonstrators demonstrate against me in most of the offices, if not all of the offices I’ve ever held. They’ve done it at many places, many locations. They’ve done it against me many, many different...WW…

NEW!3,621sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio -Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday announced a new 21-day coronavirus protocol for Ohioans to follow, which will last through the holiday season, to prevent overwhelming hospitals and health care providers.The protocol didn’t come with any new mandates or bold steps. It includes the usual social distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing advice.“The next three weeks will really be the most important three weeks in this pandemic,” DeWine said. “We’re heading into the biggest holiday season of the year.”That is a familiar refrain he has sounded in the past, when talked...…NEW!3,621sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio -Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday announced a new 21-day coronavirus protocol for Ohioans to follow, which will last through the holiday season, to prevent overwhelming hospitals and health care providers.The protocol didn’t come with any new mandates or bold steps. It includes the usual social distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing advice.“The next three weeks will really be the most important three weeks in this pandemic,” DeWine said. “We’re heading into the biggest holiday season of the year.”That is a familiar refrain he has sounded in the past, when talked...WW…

NEW!4,391sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio -Despite concerns about separation of church and state, the Ohio Senate passed a bill that would allow public school students to pray, attend religious clubs and “” gatherings, distribute religious material, wear religious clothing and turn in work expressing their faith beliefs. passed the Senate 32 to 0.Unlike in the House,, in the Senate, it passed with no opposition.That’s because on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers added 18 amendments to the bill to accommodate schools during the coronavirus pandemic.The changes were crammed through because...…NEW!4,391sharesCOLUMBUS, Ohio -Despite concerns about separation of church and state, the Ohio Senate passed a bill that would allow public school students to pray, attend religious clubs and “” gatherings, distribute religious material, wear religious clothing and turn in work expressing their faith beliefs. passed the Senate 32 to 0.Unlike in the House,, in the Senate, it passed with no opposition.That’s because on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers added 18 amendments to the bill to accommodate schools during the coronavirus pandemic.The changes were crammed through because...WW…