Juneteenth

President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a proposal by fellow Republicans to repay fines to companies cited for violating public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic; Summit MetroParks’ new Nature Center is officially open at Akron’s Summit Lake; the venture capitalist and author of “Hillbilly Elegy” has joined the crowded Republican race for an Ohio U.S. Senate seat; and more stories.

State employees get Friday off in observance of the new federal Juneteenth holiday; the College of Wooster says it will require all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the fall semester; more COVID restrictions and orders end Friday in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine says the state of emergency, which streamlined the purchasing process for things like PPE, will be lifted, along with more state restrictions on nursing homes and assisted living centers. DeWine says just under 47% of Ohioans are vaccinated. He says that number doesn't include those who were vaccinated in other states, or through the VA.

Cleveland nonprofit Twelve Literary Arts will release its debut album, “In Search of the Land,” June 19. The release, which includes contributions from more than 40 Black artists in Cleveland, will fall on Juneteenth.

Cleveland nonprofit Twelve Literary Arts will release its debut album, “In Search of the Land,” June 19. The release, which includes contributions from more than 40 Black artists in Cleveland, will fall on Juneteenth.

A longtime Cleveland City Council member accused stealing $127,000 of city and federal money has been indicted on multiple federal charges; new coronavirus cases ticked up Tuesday to more than 2,700; shares of Canton-based TimkenSteel soared on Tuesday following a “buy” recommendation from a stock analyst; and more stories.

Juneteenth is the day commemorating the end of slavery for African Americans in the U.S.The commemoration was born after the end of the Civil War in Texas…

Here are your morning headlines for Friday, June 19:"Worrisome" rise in southwestern Ohio coronavirus casesWarrants issued for suspects in Na'kia Crawford…

Juneteenth events have additional meaning this year, a month after the death of George Floyd.