Brandi Davis

Ohio’s COVID-19 case rate is steadily rising to 718 per 100,000 residents; Columbus has agreed to pay $5.75 million to people injured during last year's racial injustice and police brutality protests; Ohio’s Attorney General has rejected the petition summary that was submitted by people who want to require state lawmakers, or possibly voters, to end vaccine mandates; and more stories.

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.

Today is the first day of school for about 240 Akron students who are attending what’s being called an experimental school. And it’s being backed by one…