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Tag: Chrissa Loukas

  • Kickstarting the holidays with a race benefiting young readers

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — A race that’s been around for almost two decades has created a new tradition of physical fitness and charity for many Ohioans on Thanksgiving.

    What You Need To Know

    • On Thursday, Ohioans gathered for the Flying Feather Four Miler, an event where people run and walk while supporting young readers through the 2nd and 7 Campaign

    • Former OSU football player Ryan Miller is the founder of 2nd and 7 Campaign, which helps promote reading and positive role models

    • Organizers said they have about 3,000 participants per year, and this is the 19th race.

    It’s one of the largest events in central Ohio.

    On Thursday, Ohioans gathered for the Flying Feather Four Miler, an event where people run and walk while supporting young readers through the 2nd and 7 Campaign.

    Organizers said they have about 3,000 participants per year, and this is the 19th race.

    “Well, I was thinking what is a family tradition that we could start today that would facilitate like health and wellness,” Madi Collins, participant of the race, said. “And I think something that gets you out moving and moving your body on Thanksgiving Day, and also benefiting the community.”

    The race is on a flat surface through the Glacier Ridge Metro Park at Corazon Club, and people can bring their kids and their dogs. 

    But the biggest thing is that this event benefits children.

    Former OSU football player Ryan Miller is the founder of 2nd and 7 Campaign, which helps promote reading and positive role models.

    The campaign plans to open Ohio’s first free book bank.

    At the end, organizers say it’s all about being grateful for the children of the world.

    “Happy Thanksgiving,” 7-year-old Gabriel and 5-year-old Lillian Lancianese said.

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    Chrissa Loukas

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  • Grassroots effort to prevent AEP rate hike

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    OHIO — The holidays are around the corner with Christmas songs on radio and movies decorated in red and green shiny colors, and while it’s a joyous time for many people, for others the holidays may be jarring.

    Julia Orban is a community advocate who said, this holiday season, there’s a problem brewing.

    What You Need To Know

    • A community advocate says families right now are having to choose between whether they pay their rent or their utilities or food for their kids, and an unprecedented amount of people are coming to her with disconnect notices
    • AEP is asking for a 2.14% increase in distribution base rates
    • Its media relations team says in a statement that if this rate increase is approved, an average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month would see their monthly bill increase by $3.95
    • A grassroot campaign is fighting back by asking working families and small businesses to sign a petition and speak up during the December hearings

    “People are really struggling right now. I work with a lot of families that are having to choose between whether or not they pay their rent or their utilities or food for their kids,” Orban said. “There’s a woman who was on oxygen, she requires, to live and she had her power turned off.”

    Orban said that woman couldn’t afford to pay her electric bill, and she’s not the only one.

    “It’s been an unprecedented amount of people coming to me with disconnect notices really struggling,” Orban said. “And I’ve been trying to help them get connected to assistance, but a lot of the assistance programs that were out for different things are starting to go away.”

    In the meantime, there’s another threat to higher bills lurking around the corner.

    The American Electric Power or AEP has filed a request with the state to increase its distribution base rates.

    The company told Spectrum News 1 they would not provide an interview but they sent a statement as a response to the story.

    “AEP Ohio has requested the PUCO approve a 2.14% increase in distribution base rates,” according to AEP Ohio Media Relations. “Those rates cover the costs of equipment like power poles, lines and transformers, and pay the salaries of the line workers who restore power after storms and other outages and of those people who manage the electric grid to keep the lights on. AEP Ohio’s distribution rates have been essentially flat for the last 10 years — distribution rates like the one before the commission now are not the reason energy costs have been increasing for our customers. If this rate increase is approved, an average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month would see their monthly bill increase by $3.95.”

    Morgan Harper is the co-founder of grassroots organization Columbus Stand Up, and she said they’re fighting back.

    They have a petition and are knocking on doors asking people to attend the public hearing to testify against the increase.

    “So, we launched a campaign called lights out on AEP to prevent the public utilities commission of Ohio from allowing AEP to raise electricity prices,” Harper said. “Even for people who are making decent money, they’re noticing that their price, their bills are getting up to $600, $700 a month they’re like, ‘I don’t know that I can continue to take this.”

    Harper said there’s also another concern regarding the request for the increase.

    “Look at the public utilities commission of Ohio staff report,” Harper said. “They’re also asking for more money to be able to improve the fitness center and the executive compensation retirement packages.”

    AEP Media Relations explained how customers get billed within their statement:

    “AEP Ohio customers’ bills are made up of three parts: generation, transmission and distribution. Ohioans are seeing increased energy costs for two primary reasons: generation costs and transmission costs. Generation costs are those that cover electricity generation to meet a person’s energy needs — the power plants, wind farms and other generation sources that provide electricity to the system. Transmission costs are the costs of building and maintaining high-voltage lines that move energy over large distances, from generation sources to communities. Simply put, there is not enough electricity being generated in Ohio to meet our state’s electricity needs, creating an imbalance in the supply of energy and the demand for it. That imbalance is now forcing Ohio to import electricity from other states through high-voltage transmission lines. As generation supply has decreased, both generation and transmission costs have increased. AEP Ohio shares our customers’ concerns about the imbalance between the supply of energy and demand for it, and we are frustrated, too. In Ohio, utilities like AEP Ohio are legally prohibited from building new generation sources. We sincerely hope the market will respond soon with additional generation sources in Ohio to help alleviate this burden for our customers.”

    “We serve Ohioans in 61 counties, and we care about them and their communities — we live in these communities, too. If customers are struggling with their electric bills, AEP Ohio can help. We offer programs to spread out the costs of electricity over multiple months, which can help families budget, and we can connect customers with programs that cover parts of their electric bill, depending on their income. Our energy dashboard can help customers understand how much energy they are using, and find ways to use less energy, which can help them save money. Customers can learn more about those programs or log in to view their personalized dashboard at AEPOhio.com/Savings/Home, or they can call us at 800-672-2231 for more information.”

    “Finally, we wanted to mention that we know energy bills can be complicated, and we hope to clarify those for our customers by providing more transparent and easier to understand information on bills. We have started sending weekly emails to customers to help them track their electricity usage, and we have filed a separate request with the PUCO to create a more transparent and easy-to-understand bill. We hope that request will be approved to help our customers better understand their bills.”

    But Orban said the assistance programs that are meant to help are often really hard to get. 

    And while the holidays are supposed to be a time of hope, Orban said her hope is for the state to hear their testimonies at public hearings, starting on Dec. 3

    “There was a woman that I was just working with a couple weeks ago, she’s a single mom, she has a five-year-old son, she’s fighting breast cancer and works full time at a school. She makes like $50 more, too much to qualify for the assistance programs,” Orban said. “I’m planning and just sharing just how hard it is for people right now.”

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    Chrissa Loukas

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  • Lakewood offers SNAP Relief Program with food drive, gift cards and more

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    LAKEWOOD, Ohio — The City of Lakewood has announced the details on their SNAP Relief Program, amid concerns over the suspension of benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

    What You Need To Know

    • The City of Lakewood is offering a SNAP Relief Program

    • This comes amid concerns about SNAP benefits during the government shutdown 
    • The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced they will distribute partial SNAP benefits as early as Wednesday

    • The program includes gift cards, a food drive, community meals and more

    The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced Monday they will distribute partial SNAP benefits as early as Wednesday, and according to the release, nearly all recipients will receive less than 65% of their normal benefits.

    Over the weekend, a federal court instructed the department to reduce the amount each household can receive in November. The decision to distribute benefits is following a new federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program.

    The City of Lakewood said they are partnering with the Lakewood Foundation and Lakewood Community Services Center (LCSC).

    Lakewood residents who are receiving SNAP benefits will be getting $50 Aldi gift cards, the distribution of which is being handled by the Department of Human Services.

    “Working through established community partnerships, this effort will provide support to more than 1,000 Lakewood households,” the website reads. “A limited number of cards will also be made available at the Cove Community Center on a first-come basis for eligible residents. Distribution will begin the week of November 17, with additional details to be shared in advance.”

    You can also make a donation to The Lakewood Foundation here. You can also donate food and other items to collection bins at City Hall, Lakewood Police Station, Cove Community Center and city fire stations.

    Here’s what they’re requesting:

    • “Cereals
    • Canned soups
    • ‘Meal in a can’ options (chili, ravioli, beef stew)
    • Nutritional drinks like Ensure/Boost
    • Canned or dried fruits
    • Snack items
    • Foil-pack proteins such as tuna or chicken”

    They are also requesting other non-food items like toilet paper, toothpaste diapers and similar items.

    “The City of Lakewood will begin hosting a once-a-month community meal at the Human Services building at Cove Community Center with expected capacity to feed in excess of 150 Lakewood residents,” the website reads.

    The first such community meal will be at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. A drive-through option will also be available.

    The Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end as a small group of Democrats ratified a deal with Republicans despite searing criticism from within their party.

    The 41-day shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Chrissa Loukas, Cody Thompson

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  • Lawmakers respond to judge pausing intoxicating hemp ban

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    OHIO — Ohio’s lawmakers are now responding to a judge’s ruling to temporarily lift the governor’s ban on intoxicating hemp products.

    Governor Mike DeWine recently banned those products for 90 days, but a Franklin County judge has put that ruling on hold for two weeks.

    The Republican speaker of the Ohio House said when it comes to intoxicating hemp he’s concerned with two things: where it can be purchased and the dosage. On the other side, Democratic leaders are hoping to pass a bill that takes a middle-of-the-road approach.

    But for now, Ohioans can continue to buy hemp gummies and drinks from any store in the state that wants to sell them.

    What You Need To Know

    • The judge temporarily paused the governor’s ban on intoxicating hemp products in response to a lawsuit filed by three businesses.
    • There’s bipartisan support to regulate Hemp when it comes to keeping children safe.

    • Stores need guidance as this ban and lifting it is causing uncertainty as to what they’re supposed to do with their products and staffing.

    The judge temporarily paused the governor’s ban on intoxicating hemp products in response to a lawsuit filed by three businesses. 

    But in his ruling – he specifically urged lawmakers to regulate hemp and to do so without delay.

    House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D) joining lawmakers from both parties in agreeing that legislation needs to be put in place.

    “We already know how to do it we do it for tobacco, we do it for alcohol,” Isaacsohn said “So, we have to also do it for intoxicating hemp for marijuana there’s clearly an opportunity for a bipartisan compromise here.”

    It’s something House Speaker Matt Huffman (R) expects will get done in the next few weeks – but he said figuring out the details seems to be what’s holding it back.

    “Everyone sort of starts off with a comment, ‘we don’t want Delta eight products being sold to children in stores,’ that’s of course everybody agrees,” Huffman said. “There’s a lot of other details that need to be worked out, so I think that perhaps that a 14 day TRO only muddies the water, worse than it was before.”

    Over in the senate, Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D) said she wants to make sure there’s clear guidance for the stores that sell that product while protecting children.

    “I’m hoping some of my other colleagues are hearing from business owners who are saying ‘what am I supposed to do? how do I follow the law? what do I do with my product?’” Antonio said. “I got a call from someone ‘do I have to lay off my staff? I don’t know what to do.’”

    The judge has scheduled a hearing for October 28 to decide whether the governor’s ban will go back in place.

    But for all the lawmakers Spectrum News 1 spoke — including Senate President Rob McColley – they said protecting Ohio’s children should be the top priority.

    “Just for the safety of children generally, we need to make sure that we put some very basic protections in place,” McColley said. “To make sure that it’s truly, if we’re going to allow this to be sold it’s only adults that are purchasing this and it’s not in containers that a child, children can get into.”

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    Chrissa Loukas

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  • How redrawing congressional districts may affect the results

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    OHIO — The Ohio General Assembly is facing a deadline of Sept. 30 to pass a new congressional map with bipartisan support.

    If they don’t meet that deadline, the task turns over to the state’s redistricting commission, which would have just one month to draw the maps that will be in effect for next year’s elections.

    What You Need To Know

    • Republican chairman of Summit County hopes the GOP gains the seat back, after several decades being led by Democrats
    • Democratic chairman of Summit County is concerned of politicians redrawing maps but is optimistic with their Democratic representative
    • District four is another one that gets heat because of its boundaries
    • The Democratic Chair says they’re fighting its gerrymandered lines, but the Republican Chair disagrees and says most voters are conservative in the area regardless of the lines

    Political experts say redrawing maps can affect results, and one example is district 13 in northeast Ohio, which is one of the most competitive ones. Bryan Williams, the Republican chairman of Summit County, hopes to get that seat back.  

    “We have not had our own county district since really 1970,” Williams said. “When Bill Ayres, a Republican, represented Summit County and since then, over the next 50 years, the state during the redistricting process has cut us up in as many as four parts at one point, so I’d like to see Summit County stay whole.”

    Democratic Congresswoman Emilia Sykes currently represents district 13.

    Mark Derrig, the Democratic chairman of Summit County, said things get heated there, especially when they redraw maps.

    “I think everyone is concerned when politicians decide it’s their job to pick voters instead of voters picking them,” Derrig said. “We already have redrawn maps in Ohio numerous times, and every time we end up in court and so on.”

    David Niven who’s a professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati said there’s an opportunity for the Republican party to take back the seat in District 13 for the first time in decades.

    “The key question, as the lines get redrawn, is are they going to borrow a few voters from the surrounding district to make this district that is the slightest advantage to Democrats into an advantage for Republicans,” Niven said.

    Williams, from the Republican party, said he doesn’t think the average voter really looks at the district boundaries to decide how to vote.

    Bryan Williams, Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party, works at his office. (Spectrum News 1/Chrissa Loukas)

    What constituents are looking at, Williams said, is who would represent their interests from a fair and balanced viewpoint.

    “I think Kevin Coughlin does that very well,” Williams said. “I would submit that Emilia Sykes is very polarizing, is very good representative of the left wing of her political party, not really the center of the party, and when you have a competitive district, you really have to be able to govern for the entire district.”

    Derrig, from Summit County’s Democratic party, said constituents all over the district from Summit to Stark County want a member of Congress who’s approachable and meets their needs.

    Some of the biggest needs have to do with housing, Derrig said, and things that would help them with their daily lives and their commutes to work.

    In the meantime, there are more than 1.5 million registered republicans and more than 800,000 registered democrats in Ohio, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.

    “We have maps that are drawn 13 to 2 and we’ve picked up three seats just because we have better candidates than they do that are out there delivering for their constituents,” Derrig said. “Summit County is the fourth largest county in the state, and this is the first time in many, many years where we’ve had one representative from Congress, and I think that’s paid dividends and the people see that and realize that.”

    But whether you’re in a blue district or at a red leaning place like in Shelby County, the process of redrawing maps can impact people across the state.

    And the fight continues in Shelby County, which is in the fourth district, one that’s been represented by Republican Jim Jordan since 2007.

    Yet, political professor Niven said, there’s a way to get a fair map.

    “Four runs all the way from the outskirts of the Cleveland metropolitan area all the way over to the outskirts of the Dayton metropolitan area, and the problem with that, of course, is the folks at either end of these districts don’t have a heck a lot in common,” Niven said. “States including Michigan and Colorado have chosen to use an independent redistricting commission, which basically means two things: One, politicians don’t draw their own lines and two, those commissions are balanced by parties so that neither party can choose the map.”

    Chris Gibbs is the chairman of the Democratic party in Shelby County and also a farmer.

    Gibbs said he used to be a Republican for about 20 years, up until 2019, which was the year he lost about 20% of his product.

    Gibbs said this district is gerrymandered and doesn’t meet agricultural needs.

    “We have a whole host of folks that do not have a voice in their government,” Gibbs said. “Because we’re not able to break through to have a congressional representative that represents all of the people, not just 60% of them.”

    Dan Cecil is the chairman of the Shelby County Republican party.

    He’s now retired after 30 years in the Air Force.

    Cecil disagrees about this district being gerrymandered and said it does meet people’s needs. 

    “We’re still like nine Republicans to one Democrat in Shelby County as far as people that are registered to vote,” Cecil said. “But it’s even higher than that for the way people vote when they vote in general elections, so no I don’t think it’s gerrymandered at all in this area.”

    Cecil said Democrats have also been using redistricting to their advantage, and it’s not only the Republican party.

    “I think Republicans are just fed up with it and have decided that we’re going to make the best of it that we can,” Cecil said.

    In the meantime, the General Assembly has until the end of the month to redraw maps.

    They need 60% to vote yes, and they need at least half of the minority party to be on board. 

    But Gibbs said, even though outnumbered, they’re not backing down.

    “The gerrymandering fight is what’s in front of us and we’re going to continue to punch,” Gibbs said. “We’re going to continue to punch all the way down, if it’s down to the bottom and we’re going to land blows because this is unfair, and it can’t stand.”

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    Chrissa Loukas

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