Legislative redistricting

The joint committee is the latest step toward reaching a deal before the next constitutional deadline.

Public transit busses are still running throughout Summit County as Metro RTA union employees decided to hold off on a strike set to begin Thursday; Summa Health System says about 91% of its employees have complied with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate; Ohio Democrats are strongly objecting to the new map of congressional districts released today by House Republicans; and more stories.

The task of drawing a new Congressional district map will go back to the Ohio House and Senate.

A new federal study shows the COVID vaccines have been extremely successful at preventing hospitalizations and deaths among Ohio seniors; nurses at Columbus City Schools have declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the rate of new coronavirus cases in Ohio continues to show signs of slowing; and more stories.

Ohio officials say they are seeing early indicators that COVID-19 cases appear to be peaking and starting to decline; a new report ranks the Cleveland Clinic worst in the nation when it comes to investing in the community; jurors have heard opening statements in a federal opioid trial involving two Northeast Ohio counties and major pharmacy chains; and more stories.

Electric vehicle maker Lordstown Motors has finalized an agreement with Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn to share space in the startup’s sprawling plant near Youngstown; Ohio's COVID-19 transmission rate dropped for the first time in 12 weeks; Ohio’s minimum wage will rise 50 cents on January 1; and more stories.

Groups are beginning to file legal challenges against the state legislative district maps.

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) says the maps are the only ones introduced are were constitutional.

Gov. Mike DeWine has offered a new college scholarship incentive program aimed at boosting the number of young people receiving the coronavirus vaccine; the head of Akron's I Promise School is on paid leave after being accused of slapping a student; a new lawsuit challenges Ohio’s newly drawn state legislative districts as giving an extreme and unfair advantage to the Republican Party; and more stories.

And the Democrats say Republicans on the Redistricting Commission ignored their constitutional duty to draw fair maps that Ohio voters demanded.