Ohio News & Current Events | Public News Service

About three in five kids in foster care return home to their parents or other family members.<br />(avtk/Adobe Stock) — About three in five kids in foster care return home to their parents or other family members.
(avtk/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 3: The Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In a system plagued by a history of disparities, Ohio's child-welfare workers and children's advocates say it is time to reimagine …

Poverty can be misconstrued as neglect. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 2: The Present

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As policymakers and child-welfare leaders move to transform the foster-care system, advocates say there are misconceptions about …

Black children represent 36% of the children in foster care in Ohio, while they represent 14% of children in the general population. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 6, 2021

The Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 1: History

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Children Services is tasked with protecting the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and families, but some experts say …

At the start of 2020, nearly 25,000 Ohioans had been diagnosed with HIV, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Telehealth Makes HIV Care More Accessible

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Today marks World AIDS Day, observed internationally to remember those lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and raise awareness about the …

Without health-care coverage, children are more likely to have unmet health needs and a regular source of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br /> — Without health-care coverage, children are more likely to have unmet health needs and a regular source of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

New Research Highlights Child Health Benefits in Build Back Better

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would improve Medicaid and the …

Vicki Harder-Thorne is honoring 30 years of sweat equity her parents put into restoring 80 acres of land in Ottawa County. (Harder-Thorne)<br /> — Vicki Harder-Thorne is honoring 30 years of sweat equity her parents put into restoring 80 acres of land in Ottawa County. (Harder-Thorne)

Farm Succession: Honoring the Past While Protecting Land for the Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Succession is an inevitable process for Ohio farmers, and it can also be an opportunity to re-imagine the land. Vicki Harder-…

Research suggests that the earlier in life teens use alcohol, the more likely they are to abuse it. (Adobe Stock)

Talking with Teens about Good Choices During the Holidays

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The holiday season has officially started, and one group is encouraging Ohio parents to make a special effort to check in with their …

Oil and gas companies dispose of liquid waste in injection wells. (eleonimages/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Ohio Needs to Strengthen Rules for Oil and Gas Waste

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Groups say new draft rules proposed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) do not go far enough to properly regulate …

The last execution in Ohio was in 2018, leading some to believe the state might be headed toward abolishing the death penalty. (AdobeStock)

Death Penalty Debate: Are Ohio Lawmakers Listening?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Legislation to abolish the death penalty in Ohio is set to have a fourth hearing today. The House Criminal Justice Committee will …

Social-emotional skills help kids learn, since they improve attendance and also decrease the need for disciplinary referrals. (Adobe Stock)

Schools Work to Give Ohio Kids a Safe Space to Learn

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio schools continue to adjust to the evolving impacts of COVID-19, which means addressing both the academic and mental-stress …

Older workers are more likely to experience serious medical conditions that require a family member's care. (AdobeStock)

Paid Leave Policies Not Just About Working Moms

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Congress is close to passing the Build Back Better plan, and policy groups are hopeful a provision to ensure more Ohioans can …

About 83% of Ohio nursing-home residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (AdobeStock)

COVID Vaccine Booster: Questions for Nursing Facilities

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As the Food and Drug Administration works to expand eligibility for the COVID-19 booster shot, AARP Ohio is working to eliminate any …

Fewer than 5% of demonstrators in the United States in the summer of 2020 engaged in violence. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Protest Bill: Anti-Civil Disorder or Anti-Civil Rights?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio bill dubbed by opponents as "anti-free speech" is up for a possible vote. House Bill 109 increases the penalties for …

Peak enrollment for federal marketplace plans in Ohio was in 2016, when more than 243,000 people signed up for insurance coverage. (Adobe Stock)

More Navigators On Hand for 'Healthcare.gov' Enrollment

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The federal health insurance marketplace is now open, and this fall, there's more help to guide Ohioans through the process of …

In Ohio, 33 Republican legislators are cosponsoring a bill that would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers. (Fibonnaci Blue/Flickr)

Newly Introduced Ohio Bill Mirrors Texas' Abortion Ban

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio again is jumping into the national debate over abortion access, with a new bill introduced that mirrors Texas' strict abortion …

More Ohioans voted in the 2020 presidential election than in any election in state history. <br />(Ohio SOS) — More Ohioans voted in the 2020 presidential election than in any election in state history.
(Ohio SOS)

Ohio Election Day 2021: "Off" Years Still Important

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2021 general election in Ohio may not have the same level of excitement as the 2020 presidential election, but the end results …

The Home Weatherization Program returns an estimated $2.78 in non-energy benefits for every $1.00 invested. (Adobe Stock)

45 Years of Making Ohio Homes Warmer and Safer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As chilly autumn temperatures set in around the state, and National Weatherization Day arrives tomorrow, a program helping Ohioans …

According to the Urban Institute, extending the Child Tax Credit expansion through 2025 would reduce child poverty by 40%. (Adobe Stock)

Clock's Ticking to Get Advanced Child Tax Credit Payments

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The clock is ticking for Ohio families to ensure they get the benefits of Child Tax Credit payments for 2021. The American Rescue …

A majority of Ohio's housing stock was built prior to the prohibition of lead-based paint. (AdobeStock). <br /> — A majority of Ohio's housing stock was built prior to the prohibition of lead-based paint. (AdobeStock).

"There's No Safe Level of Lead in Kids"

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There is a heightened effort this week to inform Ohio families about the dangers of a silent poison. Because lead is invisible and …

One vial of insulin to manage diabetes can cost as much as $300 without health insurance. (AdobeStock)

Budget Reconciliation Plan Could Lower Rx Prices for Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Congress has an opportunity to help lower prescription-drug costs for Ohioans, who, along with other Americans pay roughly three …

Co-Chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, represents the gerrymandered "duck district," an area that touches 14 counties. (All on the Line Ohio)

Fair Map Groups Hold People's Redistricting Hearing at Statehouse

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Demands for fair maps and a transparent congressional redistricting process are getting louder in Ohio. Despite a looming Oct…

Many of the same Ohio workers who were most likely to have their jobs destroyed by COVID-19 also weren't covered by state benefits if they did lose work. (AdobeStock)

Senate Bill Would Help Ohio Workers Shut Out of Unemployment

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new report found a U.S. Senate bill would expand eligibility for unemployment benefits to nearly 600,000 Ohio workers. The …

Rev. Sharon Risher struggled to forgive after her mother was killed in a mass shooting by a white supremacist. (Courtesy of Rev. Risher)

Death-Penalty Abolitionist Speaks on Faith, Forgiveness

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohioans across religious traditions have come together as one voice this week to speak out against capital punishment. Dozens of …

Agency registration is a low form of voter registration in Ohio, but accounts for many of those rejected. (AdobeStock)

Red Flags Raised Over Voter-Registration Rejections in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A high percentage of rejected voter registrations in three of Ohio's biggest counties is raising some red flags. According to the …

A survey found that increased SNAP benefits during the pandemic helped families eat healthier foods. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — A survey found that increased SNAP benefits during the pandemic helped families eat healthier foods. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Assistance Programs a Lifeline for Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A new survey of Ohioans confirms assistance programs have been a lifeline for families reeling from the effects of the pandemic…

Some school-based health centers are traditional clinics. Others are mobile clinics, or offer telehealth services from a fixed site at the school. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Groups Make the Case for School-Based Health Care

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Children's advocacy groups are making the case that school-based health centers are a worthy investment for Ohio's kids. Tracy …

Abortion providers in Ohio could face criminal charges for not reporting a child who lives after a failed abortion attempt. (AdobeStock)

Botched-Abortion Bill Gets Third Hearing in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With the national debate over reproductive rights approaching a boiling point, an abortion-related bill had its third hearing in …

The statute of limitations in cases of rape in Ohio is currently 25 years. (Adobe Stock)

OH Advocates Urge Eliminating Statute of Limitations; Spousal Exemption

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Ohio advocates are hoping to see legislation passed that removes barriers to …

In Ohio in the past year, 121 people were injured or killed by a person with a gun in a domestic violence incident. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Domestic Violence Deaths Rise 62% Over Two Years

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Deaths linked to domestic violence continue to rise in Ohio, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network's sixth-annual report …

Resource officers in schools have not been shown to protect students against school shootings, according to The Sentencing Project report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rescue Plan Could Help OH Schools End Retributive Justice

CINCINNATI -- Ohio has received more than $4 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to go toward education, and a recent report from The Sentencing …

The Build Back Better plan would support both workforce training and the creation of clean-energy jobs, such as in the solar industry. (Adobe Stock)

Sustainable Businesses to Congress: "Pass Build Back Better"

CLEVELAND -- As Congress gears up to vote on the Build Back Better plan, President Joe Biden's climate and social policy agenda, a letter from …

Since Section 232's implementation, U.S. steel producers have announced the reopening of facilities in at least 15 states. (Adobe Stock)

OH Groups Say International Steel Tariffs Key to Leveling Playing Field

TOLEDO, Ohio -- As the Biden administration engages in talks with the European Union about dropping tariffs on its steel exports, many U.S.-based …

Ohio health-insurance costs through the marketplace have increased by a modest amount since last year. (Adobe Stock)

Health Insurance Tips for Ohioans Ahead of 2022 Open-Enrollment Season

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Health insurance open enrollment will begin later this fall for many Ohioans and people across the country, and medical experts say …

More than 200,000 children under 18 in Ohio live with grandparents or other relatives, an arrangement known as kinship care. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Kinship Advocates Say Caregivers Need More Support

COLUMBUS, Ohio - September is Kinship Care Awareness Month and, in Ohio, advocates for family caregivers say they'd benefit from more assistance from …

Approximately 3% of the 1,500 students in Montgomery County who were screened for behavioral health indicators were found to be at risk of substance use. (Adobe Stock)

OH County Working to Treat Stressors that Lead to Youth Marijuana Use

DAYTON, Ohio -- An Ohio county is taking a trauma-informed approach to its work on preventing marijuana use in teens. As marijuana policy changes …

Almost three-quarters of nursing homes said their workforce situation had worsened since 2020, according to a recent survey.(Adobe Stock)

How Ohio Became the No. 1 State for Nursing Home Assistant Shortages

By Savanna Strott for Eye on Ohio, The Ohio Center for Journalism Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Ohio News Connection. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio …

Pasture grazing cattle is a climate-friendly practice by cycling nutrients in the soil. (Drausin Wulsin)

Budget Bill Could Boost Climate-Friendly Practices in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the contributor of 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture has had a profound impact on climate change. Legislation in …

Male survivors of sexual assault sometimes feel shame or self-doubt that prevents them seeking help. (AdobeStock).

Sexual-Violence Prevention: Patriarchal Ideas a Barrier for Men

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Anyone can become a victim of sexual violence, and work is underway in Ohio to ensure that men feel welcome in the anti-violence …

Islam is the second-largest religion in the world behind Christianity. (AdobeStock)

20 Years Later, Muslims Still Face Post 9/11 Hate

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the nation marks the 20th anniversary of the Sep. 11 attacks, Muslim groups are reflecting on progress in the treatment of …

The stress police officers experience can result in serious health complications, such as PTSD. (AdobeStock)

State Legislators Eye Emotional-Intelligence Training for Police

By Troy PiersonBroadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Last summer's …

More than 63% of Ohioans age 18 and older are vaccinated against COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Vaccine Outreach a Catalyst for Improving Health Equity

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- COVID-19 vaccine outreach is serving as a catalyst for improving health equity in some of Ohio's lower-income communities. The …

A former regulator took more than $4 million from FirstEnergy to further the company's interests. (Adobe Stock)

Critics Continue Calls for Big-Picture Review of FirstEnergy's Dealings

By Kathiann M. Kowalski for Eye on Ohio, The Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann for Ohio News Connection…

Supporters of raising the minimum wage say it would boost productivity and worker morale, but opponents say it would hurt small businesses. (AdobeStock)

What Would Raising Minimum Wage Mean for Small Businesses in Ohio?

By Kennedi CombsBroadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio's minimum wage is …

More than 111,000 people were served by Ohio's domestic-violence programs in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Boosts Funding for Domestic-Violence Survivors

COLUMBUS, Ohio - More money soon will be available to help survivors of domestic abuse in Ohio. State lawmakers earmarked $7.5 million for domestic-…

Allowing teens to voice their opinions and have make decisions builds trust, experts say.. (AdobeStock)

Talking, Trusting Key to Easing Back-to-School Stress

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With new teachers, classmates and expectations, back to school is full of uncertainties and anxieties. Stressful transitions …

There are 31 LGBTQ individuals holding elected office in Ohio. (AdobeStock)

LGBTQ Ohioans Look for Fair Representation

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio leaders are drawing new voting district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political …

Many Ohio universities are offering in-person, hybrid and fully online options for the fall semester. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Public Universities Approach Another COVID-19 Fall Semester

By Kennedi CombsBroadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the Delta …

An adjustment to the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan goes into effect on October 1st. (Adobe Stock)

OH Groups: Make Programs that Support Families Permanent

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio food security advocates welcomed news last week of the largest permanent increase to SNAP benefits coming this fall and they …

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