CARES Act

In the first State of the County address since 2019, County Executive Ilene Shapiro addressed how the county spent its millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief, and how it plans to allocate future funds. Among the priorities is a major broadband expansion, she said.

It’s been more than three months since the federal government ended its tax credits for employers who provide paid sick leave if an employee contracts COVID. Now, as the omicron variant delivers a spike in coronavirus cases around Northeast Ohio, employers and workers are sparring over who pays for time off when a worker gets sick or has to quarantine. It’s a challenge for health officials who are trying to slow the spread of the virus.

Hundreds of families have been evicted from their homes in Akron since the start of the pandemic, including Virginia LaForce and her family.

Funding from the CARES Act will help connect those who are experiencing mental health, behavioral health or substance abuse issues with programs and services.

The new federal coronavirus relief bill awaiting President Trump’s signature includes $54 billion for K-12 schools nationwide. The amount is four times more than schools received through the CARES Act, passed in March, but far less than what Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Eric Gordon asked Congress for this summer.

Ohio's next vaccine shipments are behind schedule; the fate of tainted legislation looming over the Ohio Statehouse since July will carry over to next year; the number of deaths from COVID-19 in Ohio continue to climb; and more stories.

The governor is continuing to urge Congress to pass an additional relief bill as the pandemic rages on and might prompt him to issue more mandates.

Ohio recorded 98 COVID-19 deaths in a 24-hour period on Tuesday, the second-highest number in a single day since the start of the pandemic; Gov. Mike DeWine says the state should be getting its first batch of up to 30,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine by Dec. 15; the Ohio High School Athletic Association says parents will still be allowed to attend high school sports through the end of year; and more stories.

The county executive says more state and local aid is needed to deal with the pandemic next year.

Rep. Kent Smith estimates 150 music venues throughout the state could benefit from the financial aid.