COVID-19 safety measures

The state heath department recommends students and staff still isolate if they feel sick and mask up for as long as they test positive; Columbus teachers are on strike for the first time in five decades; Akron community organizers push for police reform during Jayland Walker Week of Action ... and more stories.

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.

After speculation that it would drop its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, The University of Akron is keeping it in place but with relaxed requirements; a Holmes County missionary group is calling for a day of prayer in support of 17 members who were abducted by a Haitian gang 12 days ago; an Akron man convicted of setting fires that killed nine of his neighbors has been sentenced to nine consecutive life terms in prison without parole; and more stories.

Ohio House Republicans have put the brakes on a fast-tracked bill limiting employers' ability to require that workers receive the coronavirus vaccine as a condition of employment; two friends from Ohio have been sentenced to 45 days in jail for storming the U.S. Capitol together in January; an Ohio fish is one of 23 species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is set to declare extinct; and more stories.

Students at the Akron School of the Arts are loving being back in person after almost a year of remote learning. And the staff is doing everything they can to make sure the kids remain COVID safe.

The ongoing pandemic has led to some changes for fans at the stadium, including masking, ticketing, parking, and concessions.

Ohio health officials say they don’t plan to mandate masks in schools this fall but strongly recommend students and staff wear face coverings if they aren't vaccinated against COVID-19; a hedge fund has thrown a $400 million lifeline to troubled electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors; the Cleveland Clinic is the second best hospital in the country in this year’s U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings; and more stories.

One pediatrician says she's afraid Ohioans "will learn the hard way" about how dangerous COVID is for children.

According to their unions, teachers want to have a say in what safety measures, including face masks, will be required.

The school district also will continue previous COVID-19 safety measures, including social distancing, personal protective equipment and sanitation of buildings.