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Tag: COLUMBUS

  • Muslims join for community prayer on Ohio State’s campus

    Muslims join for community prayer on Ohio State’s campus

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hundreds of Muslims came together in prayer Friday on The Ohio State University’s South Oval.

    Some Muslim students on OSU’s campus told Spectrum News 1 they felt their First Amendment rights were violated on April 25, when their prayer service was broken up by police who were responding to the pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the school’s campus. Hundreds of people returned to that same spot where the encampment was and where dozens of people were arrested on campus.

    What You Need To Know

    • A community prayer was held on Ohio State University’s South Oval Friday 

    • Hundreds of Muslims in the Central Ohio community came together to “reclaim their sacred space and stand in solidarity against hate and violence.”

    • Dr. Yasir Qadhi, a nationally renowned speaker and American Muslim scholar, led the Khutbah (sermon) and prayer

    • While their latest community prayer was happening, Ohio treasurer Robert Sprague announced that the state is buying an additional $30 million worth of Israeli bonds

    Friday is considered the most significant day of the week in Islam. Normally, Muslims would be inside a mosque, but on May 3 students, faculty and community members decided to hold the prayer publicly.

    Jamil Aboushaar, a junior at OSU and a member of the Muslim Student Association on campus, said the event was about coming together as a community to advocate for peace overseas and to motivate everyone to stay strong in their faith. 

    Jamil Aboushaar, a junior at OSU and a member of the Muslim Student Association. (Spectrum News 1/Taylor Bruck)

    “Message of unity, a message of peace,” Aboushaar said. “We’re not anti-Semitic. We’re not anti-Semitic by calling for an end to genocide. Rather, we’re advocating for humanity more than anybody else is, more than the other side is. We’re advocating for, you know, just justice and peace for everybody, no matter their religious background, no matter their cultural background, no matter their ethnic background.”

    Yasir Qadhi, a nationally renowned speaker and American Muslim scholar, led the Khutbah and prayer.

    “It is high time that we, not just the Muslims of this land, but people of conscience, people of integrity, people who care about their country and that’s all of us, it is high time that we change the realities of what our country is doing over there,” Qadhi said. “All Muslims, and people of all faiths, we shall not and we cannot tolerate hatred and preaching hatred of another faith tradition. And we will not tolerate anti-semitism…We will not allow voices of anti-semitism or voices of Islamophobia to be given a platform. However, we will not be intimidated when criticism of a country is falsely accused of being anti-semitic.”

    Muslims join for community prayer on Ohio State’s campus on May 3.

    Muslims join for community prayer on Ohio State’s campus on May 3. (Spectrum News 1/Taylor Bruck)

    While their latest community prayer was happening, Ohio treasurer Robert Sprague announced that the state is buying an additional $30 million worth of Israeli bonds.

    The move comes as pro-Palestinian protests continue to ask schools and universities to divest from companies doing business with Israel.

    That decision is not sitting well with Aboushaar, who said he doesn’t want Ohio’s tax money being spent overseas.

    “It’s just as concerning every time I read it,” Aboushaar said. “Where there’s more bills being passed, more money being sent over and, you know, that’s why we’re out here. We’re out here to advocate and to stop that. We’re tired of our money that we put we put into the system to be used against us overseas. And not even just against us, but to all, like all genocides, all killing any, any funding of, you know, weapons or anything worldwide that America takes place in, we’re against all of it.”

    Spectrum News 1 reached out to both the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Jewish Columbus to get their reaction to the announcement, but neither provided us any comments. Meanwhile, we asked the treasurer’s office whether it has any concerns that this purchase will be seen as an inflammatory move by those who are opposed to investments in Israel during a time of war. They too did not respond.

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    Taylor Bruck

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  • Miami University celebrates alumni entrepreneurs

    Miami University celebrates alumni entrepreneurs

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    OXFORD, Ohio — Being a start-up business can be challenging, but owners don’t have to go through the growing pains alone. Across Ohio, there’s a new collaboration that is bringing businesses together and celebrating their success stories.

    What You Need To Know

    • Miami University announced its inaugural RedHawk50 list of the fastest-growing companies started by Miami graduates 

    • The hope is to celebrate these businesses and get them involved with students 

    • The owners of Rooted Grounds say they are honored to be included in the list

    • COhatch is the ninth fastest-growing company on the RedHawk50 list 

    Patsy and David Knopf have perfected the cup of coffee. It’s nine years in the making, and they’ve come a long way after starting in their garage.

    “It was great; we’d come home from work and then we’d be like it smells so wonderful in our garage!” Patsy said. “And now we have to come here to smell the smells.”

    And a lot of Rooted Grounds’ success is thanks to their alma mater, Miami University, like first jobs and communities that paved their way.

    David and all employees of Rooted Grounds do blind taste tests on coffee batches to make sure everything tastes just right. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “I think that gave me my experience that enabled us to survive being entrepreneurs. It’s hard,” David said.

    “That kind of helped me understand the importance and the roots of being involved in a community,” Patsy said. “And that’s a lot of the basis of our company where we’re rooted in the community in every market that we serve.”

    And thanks to their experiences and success, Rooted Grounds was named one of the 50 businesses in the inaugural RedHawk50, which celebrates the 50 fastest-growing companies built by former Redhawks.

    Rooted Grounds roasts their coffee in small batches in-house. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “We felt honored and excited and we, you know, we were curious, like who were all the other companies,” Patsy said. “And we just kind of thought, that’s such a neat thing to be able to meet all these other Miami alums just to see what they did and what they’re doing.”

    With 360 companies nominated in the first year, leaders at Miami are excited to see how this program can grow and help current students succeed.

    “Bringing alumni back who have succeeded at taking a risk and starting something new provides the opportunity for students, a 20-year-old, to look and see what seems like, an impossibility become possible,” Tim Holcomb the chair of the department of entrepreneurship at Miami University and director of the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship said.

    Alumni like Matt Davis, the CEO and Co-Founder of COhatch out of Columbus. The co-working business has grown so much in the last eight years, with 30 locations and more in the works. He’s glad to be an example to students.

    Matt Davis has grown COhatch to 30 locations and counting. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “I think the more examples you give people and obviously the network allows them to connect and we want people to be a part of what we do, but the more visibility it can create to the programs that they’re doing, the more success stories you can have in entrepreneurship will inspire the next generation for sure,” Davis said.

    While Davis is proud of the growth of his company, he’s even prouder to be a RedHawk and named to the RedHawk50 list. He sponsors a scholarship program and goes back to Oxford to speak to the senior capstone class each year.

    COhatch is more than a co-working space- it’s a community to connect with others. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

    “It’s probably one of the more rewarding things that we do,” Davis said. “Especially if I can drag my kid and make them listen too!”

    The inaugural RedHawk50 list included both COhatch and Rooted Grounds, along with 48 other companies. It’s a way to pave the way for current RedHawks.

    “It’s really, really important to us, almost on a selfish basis, to have that engagement, to bring the alumni back to campus and have them get involved with our program,” Holcomb said.

    Miami University has already announced that they will make this an annual list and will start accepting nominations for the second list in June.

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    Katie Kapusta

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  • City of Akron expands free doorbell camera program in phase two

    City of Akron expands free doorbell camera program in phase two

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    AKRON, Ohio — Residents in Akron will again be eligible for free doorbell cameras as part of the second phase of the city council’s Pilot Doorbell Camera Safety Program, with applications available May 1.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents in Akron will again be eligible for free doorbell cameras as part of the second phase of the city council’s Pilot Doorbell Camera Safety Program

    • Applications are available May 1

    • In the first phase of the ARPA-funded program, more than 400 cameras were sent out across wards three, four and five

    • The second phase of the program is available for all Akron residents, including renters and homeowners

    In the first phase of the American Rescue Plan Act-funded program, more than 400 cameras were sent out across wards three, four and five, according to a release from the council president’s office. A total of 724 people submitted applications.

    “As a crime deterrent, the doorbell camera will provide residents and law enforcement with added visibility into neighborhoods,” the release reads. “Recently, an Akron resident’s doorbell camera provided video evidence in a string of thefts.”

    It notes that the second phase of the program is available for all Akron residents, including renters and homeowners. The release specifies that they have allotted 300 cameras for each ward and that distribution will occur “on a rolling basis at council ward meetings.”

    Those who received a camera during phase one are not eligible for phase two.

    Residents can apply for the camera as part of phase two here.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Columbus Metropolitan Library opens new branch in Reynoldsburg

    Columbus Metropolitan Library opens new branch in Reynoldsburg

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Metropolitan Library officially opened its Reynoldsburg branch this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

    The 39,200-square-foot facility includes an interactive children’s area, a preparation area for help preschoolers get ready for kindergarten, a study space for young teens and much more. 

    The library, located at 1402 Bryce Rd., will operate the following hours:

    • Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    The Columbus Metropolitan Library now has 23 locations throughout central Ohio. 

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • DeWine signs bill into law that excuses breast-feeding mothers from jury service

    DeWine signs bill into law that excuses breast-feeding mothers from jury service

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has signed House Bill 34, which excuses breat-feeding mothers from jury service, into law.

    The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, R-Haviland, and Angela King, R-Celina.

    “A signed affidavit that a prospective juror…provides to the judge and states that the prospective juror is a mother who is breast-feeding her baby is satisfactory documentation to support the prospective juror’s request to be excused based on undue or extreme physical or financial hardship,” the bill reads.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson transferring to Alabama

    Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson transferring to Alabama

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    Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson plans to transfer to Alabama.

    The former Miami of Ohio All-American, who won the award as the nation’s top placekicker last season, announced his commitment Sunday on social media.

    Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer is looking for a replacement for Will Reichard, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.

    Nicholson made 27 of 28 field goals last season for the RedHawks and all but one of his 36 extra-point attempts. He’s the first Lou Groza Award winner from the Mid-American Conference.

    Nicholson made a career-long 52-yarder against Bowling Green and scored 113 points last season, fourth-most in program history. The three-year starter made a Miami career record 84.5% of his field goal attempts.

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    Associated Press

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  • All of Us Research tour looks to close medical gaps

    All of Us Research tour looks to close medical gaps

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    OHIO — The “All of Us Research Program” is making its way through Ohio. It’s part of the National Institutes of Health initiative which aims to improve health outcomes, especially for those underrepresented in medicine. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Anyone living in the US, whether you have health insurance or not can participate 
    • Researchers will use data from participants to study diseases and conditions
    • The goal is to help researchers determine why people get sick and  why others stay healthy 

    Sheila James, program officer and engagement specialist for the program, said one of the biggest problems researchers face is a lack of data.

    “Up to now, most research is conducted by people who are of European ancestry and without diverse data, we are unable to make medical breakthroughs that are individualized and that are pertinent and help individuals,” said James.

    This means that information on file is limited in scope, in that it only reflects some parts of the US population instead of everyone.

    James noted that it’s important for researchers to understand how, for example, taking an aspirin may impact one person to the next. Ultimately, James said as they look to engage more than a million participants, the new data “Will reflect the rich diversity of the country so that we can learn about our environment, where we live and how we live.” 

    The next stop for the tour is the Columbus Metropolitan Library at the Karl Road Branch. The schedule is from Tuesday to Friday, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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    Tonisha Johnson

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  • Browns pleased with QB Watson’s progress after surgery

    Browns pleased with QB Watson’s progress after surgery

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    BEREA, Ohio (AP) — While Deshaun Watson’s rehab from right shoulder surgery is on a conservative track, the Cleveland Browns are expecting the quarterback to be ready for their season opener.

    What You Need To Know

    • Watson suffered a fracture to the glenoid bone in his throwing shoulder and had his second season with Cleveland end after just six starts

    • The 28-year-old Watson has played in 12 games since the Browns acquired him in a 2022 trade from Houston and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract

    • Watson, who was in and out of the lineup for several weeks with shoulder issues before an MRI revealed the fracture, said he’s been able to throw at full speed but didn’t provide many other specifics about his physical limitations

    “We feel really good about it,” general manager Andrew Berry said Thursday at his annual pre-draft news conference. “I’m not going to make any predictions, just because you just never know. But that’s certainly our expectation.”

    Watson suffered a fracture to the glenoid bone in his throwing shoulder and had his second season with Cleveland end after just six starts.

    The 28-year-old Watson has played in 12 games since the Browns acquired him in a 2022 trade from Houston and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.

    Earlier this week, Watson said his recovery is going well. He’s following a rehab regimen prescribed by his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who repaired his glenoid socket and a partially torn labrum on Nov. 21.

    Watson, who was in and out of the lineup for several weeks with shoulder issues before an MRI revealed the fracture, said he’s been able to throw at full speed but didn’t provide many other specifics about his physical limitations.

    Berry said Watson threw 40-yard passes this week as the Browns began their voluntary offseason conditioning program.

    “He’s in a pretty good spot,” Berry said. “I don’t want to put the cart in front of the horse, but he’s progressing as appropriate. We’re really, really pleased with the work that he’s put in and really pleased with how the shoulder’s responding.”

    “But we’re still in the middle of a rehab process, so we know that it can take different left and right turns, but we’re pretty optimistic in terms of what we’ve seen so far,” he said.

    Watson said a decision about whether he participates in OTAs next month hasn’t been made. He also indicated there’s a chance he won’t play in preseason games.

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    Associated Press

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  • CMHA board approves $25 million in housing investments

    CMHA board approves $25 million in housing investments

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus will soon be home to more than 100 new affordable apartments specifically for seniors and families with supportive services, thanks to $25 million in investments approved by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) Board of Commissioners.

    What You Need To Know

    • Columbus will soon be home to more than 100 new affordable apartments specifically for seniors and families with supportive services, thanks to $25 million in investments approved by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) Board of Commissioners

    • There will be an 82-unit senior housing community constructed at Cobblestone Manor

    • Twenty-five apartments at Dering Family Homes will also receive voucher assistance for 25 apartments for $9 million

    • Finally, the Housing Stability First Program, which works to reduce evictions and housing instability, will be receiving an investment of $1 million

    “This significant investment underscores CMHA’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our community members in Columbus and Franklin County,” said James Ervin Jr., CMHA board chair, in a press release.

    There will be an 82-unit senior housing community constructed at Cobblestone Manor, thanks to the sale of $17 million in bonds, according to the release. Twenty-five apartments at Dering Family Homes will also receive voucher assistance for 25 apartments for $9 million.

    Finally, the Housing Stability First Program, which works to reduce evictions and housing instability, will be receiving an investment of $1 million.

    “As we embark on these investments, we are not just building apartments; we are building hope and stability for the individuals and families we serve,” CHMA CEO Charles Hillman said in the release.

    The release cites data from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio noting that there are “only 29 affordable housing units are available for every 100 extremely low-income households in the Columbus and Franklin County area” and that, for 54,000 low to moderate income families, more than half their income goes toward housing.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • ODOT funding $2.8 billion for Ohio infrastructure projects

    ODOT funding $2.8 billion for Ohio infrastructure projects

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    OHIO — The Ohio Department of Transportation kicked off National Work Zone Awareness Week by announcing it was investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects. 

    Of the 950 projects, 39 have been classified as “major projects,” valuing above $10 million.

    What You Need To Know

    • The 2024 construction program contains 176 safety projects, laying nearly 5,700 miles of pavement and repairing or replacing 885 bridges across the state

    • ODOT officials highlighted the safety of ODOT workers, noting 43 crews have been struck since January

    • In 2023, 56 ODOT crews were hit through the entire year with 14 ODOT workers, nine contractors injured and one contractor killed

    • Ohio had 4,098 work zone-related crashes with 36% occurring when workers were present

    “Investing in efficient infrastructure is an investment in quality of life,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Once complete, these projects will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve roadway safety.”

    The 2024 construction program contains 176 safety projects, laying nearly 5,700 miles of pavement and repairing or replacing 885 bridges across the state. 

    “While the orange barrels that are synonymous with summer may be a source of frustration and inconvenience for some, they are a sign of progress and improvement for all who live in Ohio and who travel through it,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

    ODOT officials highlighted the safety of ODOT workers, noting 43 crews have been struck since January. In 2023, 56 ODOT crews were hit through the entire year with 14 ODOT workers, nine contractors injured and one contractor killed. The top work zone crash type is rear-end crashes.

    “Driving requires all your attention, but that is especially true in work zones where things can change quickly. Drop the distractions, obey the speed limit, and allow extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you,” said Marchbanks.

    Ohio had 4,098 work zone-related crashes with 36% occurring when workers were present. From the work-zone related accidents there were 1,433 injuries with 110 of them being classified as serious. Nine people were killed, including the contractor. 

    Summit County had the most work zone crashes with 576, followed by Cuyahoga County with 521 and Lucas County with 413.

    ODOT funded projects for 2024 include:

    Northwest Ohio

    Northeast Ohio

    Central Ohio

    Southwest Ohio

    Southeast Ohio

     

     

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Seasonal allergies on the rise for pets

    Seasonal allergies on the rise for pets

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s springtime and that usually means allergy season, not just for humans, but animals too.

    What You Need To Know

    • Seasonal allergies for pets are on the rise in central Ohio

    • Experts recommend looking for excessive licking and rubbing to determine possible allergies

    • Secondary infections can come from allergies

    “Typically, allergy season is always busy in central Ohio,” said Dr. Kim West, a veterinarian at Health & Harmony Animal Hospital. “I think if you’re a veterinarian here, you know that we are always busy. It’s definitely ramping up now because we’re getting into, like, spring, so everything’s blooming.”

    According to the pet insurance company Trupanion, from 2019 to 2023, the number of allergy claims for insured pets in Ohio jumped by nearly 25%.

    “Think what’s happening is central Ohio has always been like a huge area for allergies,” West said. “And so what I think there’s probably a combination of it’s always kind of been bad, but we’re also realizing that we can do a lot more.”

    West noted that there are a few signs pet owners need to watch out for determining if a pet might have allergies.

    “You notice, like, licking is a sign that ‘I’m itchy.’ So if they’re licking excessively rubbing their face or if you’re noticing, like hair loss or anything like that, that can be a sign that you might want to get to your veterinarian,” West said. 

    Experts say pet owners can reduce the amount of allergens for their pets by taking a damp cloth and wiping pets down after they have been outside. Pet owners can also make sure they have clean air filters at home. Animals have the same allergies as humans.

    “We can have atopic dermatitis, which is basically anything that’s inhaled or like a contact allergy from the environment,” said West. 

    Veterinarians say if pet allergies are not treated early on, they can turn into secondary infections because their skin has been traumatized.

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    Kennedy Chase

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  • Bird flu is spreading to more farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe?

    Bird flu is spreading to more farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe?

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    A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has grown to affect more than two dozen herds in eight states, just weeks after the nation’s largest egg producer found the virus in its chickens.

    Health officials stress that the risk to the public is low and that the U.S. food supply remains safe and stable.

    What You Need To Know

    • A strain of bird flu has been found in dairy herds in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and South Dakota

    • This is the first time the virus, Type A H5N1, has been detected in cattle, though it has been found in other mammals

    • Only dairy cows, not beef cattle, have been infected, agriculture officials say

    • Scientists say there’s no evidence that people can get the virus from food that’s been properly cooked or pasteurized

    “At this time, there continues to be no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

    Here’s what you need to know about bird flu and food:

    Which states have found bird flu in dairy cows?

    As of Friday, the strain of bird flu that has killed millions of wild birds in recent years has been found in at least 26 dairy herds in eight U.S. states: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and South Dakota.

    The virus, known as Type A H5N1, has been detected in a range of mammals over the last few years, but this is the first time it has been found in cattle, according to federal health and animal agencies. Genetic analysis of the virus does not show that it has changed to spread more easily in people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

    How is bird flu affecting food production?

    Agriculture officials in at least 17 states have restricted imports of dairy cattle from states where the virus has been detected, but, so far, government agencies say it’s had little effect on commercial milk production. Officials believe cows likely have been infected by exposure to wild birds but said cow-to-cow spread “cannot be ruled out.”

    Farmers are testing cows that show symptoms of infection, including sharply reduced milk supply and lethargy. Animals that show signs or test positive for illness are being separated from other animals on the farms. The animals appear to recover within two weeks.

    U.S. egg producers are watching the situation closely after bird flu was detected in chickens in Texas and Michigan. Millions of birds have been killed, but the FDA said the risk of affected eggs getting into the retail market or causing infections in humans is low because of federal inspections and other safeguards.

    Does pasteurization kill bird flu?

    Scientists say there’s no evidence to suggest that people can contract the virus by consuming food that’s been pasteurized, or heat-treated — or properly cooked.

    “It’s not a food safety concern,” said Lee-Ann Jaykus, an emeritus food microbiologist and virologist at North Carolina State University.

    Two people in U.S. have been infected with bird flu to date. A Texas dairy worker who was in close contact with an infected cow recently developed a mild eye infection and has recovered. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program caught it while killing infected birds at a Colorado poultry farm. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

    Is grocery store milk safe from bird flu?

    Yes, according to food safety experts and government officials.

    U.S. producers are barred from selling milk from sick cows and must divert and destroy it. In addition, milk sold across state lines is required to be pasteurized, or heat-treated using a process that kills bacteria and viruses, including influenza.

    “We firmly believe that pasteurization provides a safe milk supply,” Tracey Forfa, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine told a webinar audience this week.

    Is raw milk safe from bird flu?

    The FDA and the CDC are less certain about unpasteurized, or raw, milk sold in many states, saying there’s limited information about the possible transmission of the H5N1 virus in such products.

    So far, no herds linked to raw milk providers have reported cows infected with bird flu, but the agencies recommend that the industry not make or sell raw milk or raw milk cheese products made with milk from cows that show symptoms — or are exposed to infected cows.

    U.S. health officials have long warned against the risk of foodborne illness tied to raw milk, which the CDC said caused more than 200 outbreaks that sickened more than 2,600 people between 1998 and 2018.

    Still, raw milk proponents like Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm USA in Fresno, California, said the outbreak of H5N1 in commercial cows appears to have spurred higher sales of the products, despite federal warnings.

    Can you catch bird flu from eggs or meat?

    Only dairy cows, not beef cattle, have been infected or shown signs of illness to date, agriculture officials said.

    The largest egg producer in the U.S. temporarily halted operations on April 2 after finding bird flu in its chickens. Cal-Maine Foods culled about 1.6 million laying hens and another 337,000 pullets, or young hens, after the detection.

    The company said there was no risk to eggs in the market and that no eggs had been recalled.

    Eggs that are handled properly and cooked thoroughly are safe to eat, said Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Center for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University.

    “A lot of people like runny eggs. Personally, if I eat an egg, it’s very well cooked,” she said.

    Still, Kowalcyk and others cautioned that the situation could change.

    “This is an emerging issue and clearly this pathogen is evolving and there’s a lot that we don’t know,” she said. “I do think that everybody is trying to figure it out as quickly as possible.”

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    Associated Press

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  • Will Biden be on the ballot in Ohio and Alabama? That’s up to Republicans

    Will Biden be on the ballot in Ohio and Alabama? That’s up to Republicans

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is wrangling with Republican-dominated state governments in Ohio and Alabama to assure he is listed on their fall ballots, as once-mundane procedural negotiations get caught up in the nation’s fractious politics.

    What You Need To Know

    • Democratic President Joe Biden’s campaign is wrangling with Republican-dominated state governments in Ohio and Alabama to assure he is listed on their fall ballots

    • Both states’ certification deadlines precede the Democrats’ August national convention

    • Biden campaign lawyers have asked the states’ election chiefs to accept provisional certification until his nomination can be formalized

    • The notion of striking a presidential candidate from a ballot began with last year’s legal campaign to remove Donald Trump from various state ballots over the U.S. Capitol riot

    Both states, which carry a combined 26 electoral votes, have deadlines for appearing on the ballot that precede the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago. Lawyers for Biden’s campaign have asked their secretaries of state to accept provisional certifications before the cutoff, which would then be updated once Biden is formally nominated.

    That’s where things have gotten sticky. Election chiefs in both states have identified solutions that are putting Democrats in the tenuous position of asking Republicans for help. Though former President Donald Trump is favored to win both states, any absence of a sitting president from the ballot could sway faith in the electoral outcome.

    It also raises the question: Will the divided parties be able to cooperate for the sake of voters?

    Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told The Associated Press that he will not accept a provisional certification because he does not have legal authority to do so. Allen said he sent a letter to the Alabama Democratic Party notifying it of the date problem as a “heads up” so it could address the issue.

    “I’m not denying anybody. I’m just telling them what the law is,” Allen said. “I took an oath to uphold Alabama law and that’s what I’m going to do.”

    The state’s Democratic Party chair, Randy Kelley, accused Allen of “partisan gamesmanship,” pointing out that Alabama has made adjustments to accommodate late Republican conventions in the past.

    Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a similar letter to the Ohio Democratic Party last week. The letter suggested the party needed either to reschedule its convention or obtain a legislative fix by May 9 to get Biden on the Nov. 5 ballot.

    The notion of striking a presidential candidate from a ballot began with a legal campaign last year to remove former Trump from various state ballots by citing a rarely used clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment prohibiting those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. After Democratic-dominated states including Colorado and Maine did so, Republicans warned they could counter by barring Biden from ballots in red states if the Supreme Court didn’t reverse the actions.

    The high court did just that last month, ruling that individual states can’t bar a candidate running for national office under the constitutional provision. But Alabama and Ohio have proceeded anyway, citing the technical conflicts between Biden’s official nomination and their own ballot deadlines.

    Biden’s campaign argues there is precedent in Alabama for accepting provisional certification, including when Republicans faced the same issue in 2020. In that year, the state both accepted a provisional certification for Trump and passed legislation containing a one-time deadline change. Democratic lawyers argue it was the provisional certification, and not the legislation, that allowed Trump onto the ballot.

    Regardless, Allen’s Republican predecessor as secretary of state, John Merrill, said Alabama worked it out for Trump and “absolutely the state should do the same” for Biden.

    “Everybody deserves the chance to vote for the major party nominees. That’s why it’s important for the state to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everybody in the state is properly represented,” he said.

    Republicans also submitted provisional certifications for Trump in Montana, Oklahoma and Washington in 2020, as did Democrats for Biden in those three states. On Thursday, the state of Washington agreed to accept a provisional certification for Biden to meet its pre-convention deadline. Oklahoma’s deadline also falls before the convention this year, but a spokesperson said its law already anticipates such occasions by allowing for provisional certifications.

    Since Ohio changed its certification deadline from 60 to 90 days ahead of the general election, state lawmakers have had to adjust it twice, in 2012 and 2020, to accommodate candidates of both parties. Each change was only temporary.

    Two Democratic lawmakers in Alabama’s Republican-controlled Legislature introduced legislation Thursday to push back the state’s certification deadline, and it looks like the party also will have to take the lead at Ohio’s GOP-led Statehouse.

    Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, a Republican, told reporters this week he does not plan to initiate a legislative solution in his state. He said it’s up to minority Democrats, who control only seven of the chamber’s 33 seats.

    “I think it’s a Democratic problem. There will have to be a Democratic solution,” Huffman said. “That hasn’t been proposed to me.”

    That could leave Biden’s fate in Ohio to LaRose, whom Democrats sharply criticized all spring as he competed in a bitter U.S. Senate primary.

    Democrats are weighing all their options. If pleas for provisional certification or legislation both fail, they could consider litigation or call a portion of their convention early to formalize Biden’s certification.

    A Biden campaign lawyer said that the president already is the presumptive nominee and that keeping him off ballots will strip voters of their constitutionally protected rights.

    “President Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris will be the Democratic Party’s candidates for the 2024 presidential election,” Barry Ragsdale, an attorney for the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Convention, wrote in his Alabama letter. “They have already secured the requisite number of pledged delegates through the state primary process. There is no ambiguity on this point.”

    Some Republicans in both states support working with the Biden campaign to assure he is on the ballot.

    Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, the chamber’s Republican leader, said, “My attitude would be trying to be accommodating, if we can, in regards to a topic that’s important for everyone across the board.”

    Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance, of Ohio, said that he doesn’t believe anything “malicious” is going on in his state and that he expects an accommodation to be made for Biden. Vance told The Boston Globe he hopes Ohioans will support Trump, and expects they will, as they did in 2016 and 2020.

    “But the people of Ohio get to make that choice,” he said, “not some weird ballot quirk.”

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  • Will Biden be on the ballot in Ohio and Alabama? That’s up to Republicans

    Will Biden be on the ballot in Ohio and Alabama? That’s up to Republicans

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is wrangling with Republican-dominated state governments in Ohio and Alabama to assure he is listed on their fall ballots, as once-mundane procedural negotiations get caught up in the nation’s fractious politics.

    What You Need To Know

    • Democratic President Joe Biden’s campaign is wrangling with Republican-dominated state governments in Ohio and Alabama to assure he is listed on their fall ballots

    • Both states’ certification deadlines precede the Democrats’ August national convention

    • Biden campaign lawyers have asked the states’ election chiefs to accept provisional certification until his nomination can be formalized

    • The notion of striking a presidential candidate from a ballot began with last year’s legal campaign to remove Donald Trump from various state ballots over the U.S. Capitol riot

    Both states, which carry a combined 26 electoral votes, have deadlines for appearing on the ballot that precede the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago. Lawyers for Biden’s campaign have asked their secretaries of state to accept provisional certifications before the cutoff, which would then be updated once Biden is formally nominated.

    That’s where things have gotten sticky. Election chiefs in both states have identified solutions that are putting Democrats in the tenuous position of asking Republicans for help. Though former President Donald Trump is favored to win both states, any absence of a sitting president from the ballot could sway faith in the electoral outcome.

    It also raises the question: Will the divided parties be able to cooperate for the sake of voters?

    Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told The Associated Press that he will not accept a provisional certification because he does not have legal authority to do so. Allen said he sent a letter to the Alabama Democratic Party notifying it of the date problem as a “heads up” so it could address the issue.

    “I’m not denying anybody. I’m just telling them what the law is,” Allen said. “I took an oath to uphold Alabama law and that’s what I’m going to do.”

    The state’s Democratic Party chair, Randy Kelley, accused Allen of “partisan gamesmanship,” pointing out that Alabama has made adjustments to accommodate late Republican conventions in the past.

    Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a similar letter to the Ohio Democratic Party last week. The letter suggested the party needed either to reschedule its convention or obtain a legislative fix by May 9 to get Biden on the Nov. 5 ballot.

    The notion of striking a presidential candidate from a ballot began with a legal campaign last year to remove former Trump from various state ballots by citing a rarely used clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment prohibiting those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. After Democratic-dominated states including Colorado and Maine did so, Republicans warned they could counter by barring Biden from ballots in red states if the Supreme Court didn’t reverse the actions.

    The high court did just that last month, ruling that individual states can’t bar a candidate running for national office under the constitutional provision. But Alabama and Ohio have proceeded anyway, citing the technical conflicts between Biden’s official nomination and their own ballot deadlines.

    Biden’s campaign argues there is precedent in Alabama for accepting provisional certification, including when Republicans faced the same issue in 2020. In that year, the state both accepted a provisional certification for Trump and passed legislation containing a one-time deadline change. Democratic lawyers argue it was the provisional certification, and not the legislation, that allowed Trump onto the ballot.

    Regardless, Allen’s Republican predecessor as secretary of state, John Merrill, said Alabama worked it out for Trump and “absolutely the state should do the same” for Biden.

    “Everybody deserves the chance to vote for the major party nominees. That’s why it’s important for the state to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everybody in the state is properly represented,” he said.

    Republicans also submitted provisional certifications for Trump in Montana, Oklahoma and Washington in 2020, as did Democrats for Biden in those three states. On Thursday, the state of Washington agreed to accept a provisional certification for Biden to meet its pre-convention deadline. Oklahoma’s deadline also falls before the convention this year, but a spokesperson said its law already anticipates such occasions by allowing for provisional certifications.

    Since Ohio changed its certification deadline from 60 to 90 days ahead of the general election, state lawmakers have had to adjust it twice, in 2012 and 2020, to accommodate candidates of both parties. Each change was only temporary.

    Two Democratic lawmakers in Alabama’s Republican-controlled Legislature introduced legislation Thursday to push back the state’s certification deadline, and it looks like the party also will have to take the lead at Ohio’s GOP-led Statehouse.

    Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, a Republican, told reporters this week he does not plan to initiate a legislative solution in his state. He said it’s up to minority Democrats, who control only seven of the chamber’s 33 seats.

    “I think it’s a Democratic problem. There will have to be a Democratic solution,” Huffman said. “That hasn’t been proposed to me.”

    That could leave Biden’s fate in Ohio to LaRose, whom Democrats sharply criticized all spring as he competed in a bitter U.S. Senate primary.

    Democrats are weighing all their options. If pleas for provisional certification or legislation both fail, they could consider litigation or call a portion of their convention early to formalize Biden’s certification.

    A Biden campaign lawyer said that the president already is the presumptive nominee and that keeping him off ballots will strip voters of their constitutionally protected rights.

    “President Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris will be the Democratic Party’s candidates for the 2024 presidential election,” Barry Ragsdale, an attorney for the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Convention, wrote in his Alabama letter. “They have already secured the requisite number of pledged delegates through the state primary process. There is no ambiguity on this point.”

    Some Republicans in both states support working with the Biden campaign to assure he is on the ballot.

    Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, the chamber’s Republican leader, said, “My attitude would be trying to be accommodating, if we can, in regards to a topic that’s important for everyone across the board.”

    Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance, of Ohio, said that he doesn’t believe anything “malicious” is going on in his state and that he expects an accommodation to be made for Biden. Vance told The Boston Globe he hopes Ohioans will support Trump, and expects they will, as they did in 2016 and 2020.

    “But the people of Ohio get to make that choice,” he said, “not some weird ballot quirk.”

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    Associated Press

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  • Powell student wins prize in C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition

    Powell student wins prize in C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition

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    POWELL, Ohio — Competition for C-SPAN’s 20th annual StudentCam was tough. Thousands of students from 42 states participated. They took on tough topics while showcasing their video-making skills, and one of the prize winners is from Ohio. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ben Kurian from Powell, Ohio wins 2nd place in the 2024 C-SPAN StudentCam middle school division and ‘fan favorite’

    • He covered ‘career exploration’ in his winning video submission

    • Kurian shot and edited the entire video, even making the music for it

    • Kurian won $1,500 from the judged competition, and an additional $500 from winning ‘fan favorite’

    Thirteen-year-old Ben Kurian plays piano and chess, oh, and he also placed in C-SPAN’s Nationwide StudentCam Competition two years straight.

    Kurian’s video won first place in the middle school division last year, and this year, his video won second and ‘fan favorite.’

    “I thought I had a decent chance to make it a pretty good video,” Kurian said.

    He picked career exploration as his topic for the video.

    “Twenty-five percent of 15-year-olds could not name what job they wanted to have at 30,” Kurian said. “It creates something called the career exposure gap, and that, that’s something that we really don’t want to see in our youth. It’s really important that we know what jobs are out there and what we are capable of.”

    Kurian shot and edited the entire video, even making the music. 

    “I got the opportunity to compose my own piece and soundtrack for this documentary,” he said.

    In his video, it poses the question ‘Who do I want to be?’

    If Kurian had to answer that, he said, “personally, I want to go into the medical field, a psychiatrist maybe because I think their service is really much needed in our community.”

    As for his future in video editing, he plans to continue making informational videos. 

    But until then, he’ll continue entering the StudentCam competition, hoping for more wins.

    Kurian won $1,500 from the judged competition, and an additional $500 from winning ‘fan favorite’. He said he plans on saving his winnings for college. 

    To watch Kurian’s full documentary, go here.

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    Aliah Keller

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  • DeWine orders flags at half-staff for Ohio lieutenant

    DeWine orders flags at half-staff for Ohio lieutenant

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    PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered all state and U.S. flags on all Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections facilities to fly at half-staff in honor of a lieutenant who was killed at a firing range Tuesday. 

    According to State patrol Sgt. Tyler Ross, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Lt. Rodney Osborne was killed during an incident at the correctional training academy in Pickaway County. No other details have been released, and the investigation is ongoing. 

    Flags will remain at half-staff until the day of Osborne’s funeral, which details of haven’t been announced. 

    “We are heartbroken to announce the sudden loss of Lt. Rodney Osborne from Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. Lt. Osborne was shot today during a training exercise on the firing range at the Correctional Training Academy,” The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections wrote on its Facebook page. “The incident appears to be a tragic accident but is being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. We ask you please keep his family and team members in your prayers.”

    The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections said he’s been an employee for 13 years. He was on the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility’s honor guard and statewide Special Tactics And Response team. He was just named the SOCF’s employee of the year last week.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Small businesses prepare for NCAA women’s championship game

    Small businesses prepare for NCAA women’s championship game

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    CLEVELAND — Coffee is brewing at Ready Set Coffee Roasters as the anticipation grows for the NCAA Women’s Final Four. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Coffee is brewing at Ready Set Coffee Roasters as the anticipation grows for the NCAA Women’s Final Four



    • David Gilbert, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, said he expected more than 25,000 visitors will be in the northeast region for just the Final Four



    • Jonathan Ernest, assistant professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University said small businesses can improve their profit through several strategies


    Chris Allen, co-owner of Ready Set Coffee Roasters, said he is prepared for a steady stream of customers.

    “It’s about person by person,” Allen said. “You know, if there’s a big line, it’s about their experience at that particular time.”

    Allen said he is excited for new visitors from across the country, no matter how much coffee experience they have.

    “We want this to be a welcoming place for people,” Allen said. “And whether you’re a total connoisseur and want to know more or you don’t know anything, and you want to just enjoy a simple cup of coffee and a bagel.”

    David Gilbert, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, said he expected more than 25,000 visitors will be in the Northeast region for just the Final Four. 

    “We are doing a number of things,“ Gilbert said. “One is making sure they’re incredibly welcome, that their experience from the minute they get off the plane till they get back on the streets of our downtown in our hotels is a great one. We want them feeling fantastic about Cleveland.”

    Jonathan Ernest, assistant professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University, said small businesses can improve their profit through several strategies.

    “So one of the really great things about small businesses is they can adapt, adjust and change really quickly,” Ernest said. “When we realize that we have this, you know, trifecta of activities that you could participate in this weekend, they can tailor their offerings to that. They’re much more adaptable and available to, you know, put out specific advertisements, fliers, host themed parties, whatever they want to do, to try to draw those people in.”

    Allen said Ready Set Coffee Roasters partnered with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission to provide coffee with a special basketball touch to it.

    “In terms of, you know, giving them some ideas, coming up with a fun name, which then it being buzzer beater and kind of working within again, especially with some of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission that really has their brand identity in place. It’s really easy to make that and turn that into something that’s that’s a coffee bag,” Allen said. 

    As the weekend concludes, Ready Set Coffee Roasters plan to continue brewing shots of espresso as the total solar eclipse and the Cleveland Guardians home opener are set for Monday.

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    AJ Hymiller

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  • NWS confirms tornadoes from Tuesday’s storms in Ohio

    NWS confirms tornadoes from Tuesday’s storms in Ohio

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    Ohio — The National Weather Service confirmed at least five tornadoes touched down during Tuesday’s storms. 

    The NWS said one tornado was an EF-1 which touched down near West Union, Ohio, in Adams County. The tornado began near the intersection of Brier Ridge Road and Robinson Hollow Road, then lifted near Adams Lake State Park. NWS said more information will be released on this tornado in the near future.

    Another tornado, rated an EF-0, touched down in Gratiot in Licking County. It was on the ground for seven minutes, stretching 5.3 miles, with a maximum wind speed of 75 mph. 

    The third tornado touched down near North Zanesville in Muskingum County. NWS said it will release more information on this tornado as it becomes available. 

    Another EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Lawrence County around 10:26 a.m. on April 2, with peak winds of around 90 miles per hour. It started near Aid-Oak Ridge Road and travelled northeast. It eventually crossed Symmes Creek and blew off the roofs of two houses and another building, in addition to rolling over a trailer by State Route 141.

    An EF-2 tornado was confirmed in the north portion of Jackson County, starting around 8:47 a.m., with wind speeds up to 115 miles per hour.

    It started along Erwin Hollow Road, uprooting and snapping trees, before heading northeast over the forest where it weakened. It caused damage to a home from a fallen tree.

    Many areas of Ohio are dealing with damage after Tuesday’s storms. Areas such as Ironton and Proctorville in Lawrence County in southeast Ohio got hit particularly hard, with fallen trees on houses and some flooding.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Glass Animals tour coming to Ohio

    Glass Animals tour coming to Ohio

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    OHIO — Known for their hits like “Heat Waves” and “The Other Side of Paradise,” Glass Animals announced a tour on Thursday with two stops slated in Ohio. 

    “Tour of Earth” will be coming to Blossom in Cuyahoga Falls on Aug. 21, and also to Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Aug. 25. 

    Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 11 both on glassanimals.com and livenation.com. Presale starts April 9.

    Additional, the group announced its fourth studio album, “I Love You So F****** Much,” which comes out July 19. 

    For a full list of tour dates, click here.

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    Lydia Taylor

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  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce makes funds available to Logan County businesses

    Ohio Chamber of Commerce makes funds available to Logan County businesses

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Small businesses in Logan County that were affected by the March 14 storms and deadly tornado will be eligible for grants thanks to fundraising by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation, according to a press release.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation making funds available to Logan County small businesses

    • The funds, which will be allocated by the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, will be given in amounts up to $5,000 for “out-of-pocket expenses needed to resume business operations”

    • Central Ohio was struck by severe storms last month, with the area of Indian Lake hit particularly hard by an EF-3 tornado

    • Amber Fagan, the president and CEO of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said they are happy to help

    “There were numerous businesses impacted by the severe weather in March,” Ohio Chamber CEO Steve Stivers said in the release. “As an organization that supports the Ohio business community, we wanted to set up an emergency fund to make sure we are helping business owners when they need it the most.”

    The release specifically calls out the following organizations has having “generously donated” to the funds: Huntington Bank, Grange Insurance, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Westfield Insurance, Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation, the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce.

    The funds, which will be allocated by the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, will be given in amounts up to $5,000 for “out-of-pocket expenses needed to resume business operations.”

    Central Ohio was struck by severe storms last month, with the area of Indian Lake in Logan County hit particularly hard by an EF-3 tornado. The storms resulted in three deaths, dozens of injuries and significant property damage. In addition to these grants from the Chamber, the Gov. Mike DeWine is working to make state and federal funds available to those affected in the region.

    Ben Vollrath, the president and CEO of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, said they are excited that businesses can use these funds from the Chamber and its donating partners to bounce back.

    “A grant like this can be the difference between a local business getting back up and running immediately or having to wait several weeks or even months while waiting for insurance or federal program assistance to become available,” Vollrath said in the release.

    Amber Fagan, the president and CEO of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said they are happy to help.

    “We know owners and staff have been without work and revenue,” Fagan said. “We are here to help and find every way we can to support our businesses.”

    Grant applications are available here, and donations can be made here. 

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    Cody Thompson

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