Kent State University

Graduating from college is a milestone worth celebrating but for those lacking financial stability it might be soured by the cost of the cap and gown.

Commemorations for the last two years were shifted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The property on Transport Road in Cleveland is a former oil refinery and many who spoke during the public comment period question the need for a new jail; Columbus City Attorney sues the state over 'medical conscience clause'; Kent State gets grant to expand services for Black babies; and more stories.

Ohio House Democrats on failed to block amendment that shortens the required amount of time an overseas or military voter has access to a ballot and extends the return date; College students rallied against a so-called “divisive concepts” bill; a former Westlake financial adviser has been convicted for running a Ponzi scheme; and more stories.

The Ohio Supreme Court has given the Ohio Redistricting Commission until Wednesday to show why it shouldn’t be held in contempt for ignoring a deadline; Ohio reported fewer than 1,000 COVID-19 cases two days a row for the first time since last August; The Cleveland Clinic is relaxing its visitation policy; and more stories.

COVID-19 testing remains in high demand amid the omicron surge; Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, one of former President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, has rejected a request for an interview by the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection; Northeast Ohio college students are returning to campus for the start of the spring semester with COVID protocols in place; and more stories.

December 30, 2021, marks the 40th anniversary of when WKSU's nightly progressive and alternative music show ended its decade-long run.

Ohio recorded 12,500 cases Tuesday, highest single-day tally of the pandemic; the first day of the free COVID mass testing site in Cleveland did not go as planned; many local entertainment venues have canceled performances this week; and more stories.

The state’s three-week COVID-19 case average is at around 6,000, the highest it's been since October; Akron is the latest district to announce bussing delays due to a driver shortage; Ohio wrapped up its latest COVID-19 vaccine lottery, awarding five $100,000 college scholarships; and more stories.

Covid-19 has been with us for more than a year and touched all aspects of public life, including that of students and staff at Kent State University. We spoke with Dr. Manfred Van Dulmen, an Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies at Kent State University to highlight the current safeguards and strategies that Kent State University has in place regarding the pandemic.