Unemployment claims continue decline
Fewer Ohioans applied for first-timer unemployment benefits last week, the sixth decline out of the last seven weeks.
Local – COVID 19
Mask mandates dropping
The public health agencies in Columbus and Franklin County are both loosening mask mandates as COVID-19 cases fall.
UPDATE: Federal masking guidelines lifted
Even as the federal government prepared to ease mask guidelines, Ohio health leaders are preaching optimistic caution about the future of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Omicron surge waning in Ohio
Central Ohio’s largest hospital systems began loosening some of their COVID restrictions Thursday as the surge caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus appeared to be easing.
Time may be approaching to ditch the masks
As more cities, businesses and sports venues across the U.S. lift pandemic restrictions, city leaders from Columbus and some of its surrounding communities hinted that mask mandates and other health precautions may be lifted in the not-too-distant future.
Weekly jobless claims rise for the first time in over a month
First-time claims for unemployment benefits in Ohio and across the nation climbed for the first time in a month.
DeWine resumes State of the State as he vies for reelection
Governor Mike DeWine is resuming his annual State of the State address after a two-year hiatus as he heads into a reelection year.
Weekly jobless claims fall again
First-time claims for unemployment benefits in Ohio dropped for the fourth straight week as layoffs slowed and workers continued to find jobs in the state’s recovering employment market.
Lawmaker apologizes to Beatty over vulgar remark
A senior Republican lawmaker has apologized for using an expletive when Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Columbus asked him to put his mask on while in the Capitol.
Weekly jobless claims drop in Ohio
First-time claims for unemployment benefits dropped by 32% last week, the steepest weekly decline in nearly a month as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic recession, despite increases in cases of COVID-19 due to the omicron variant.