Morning Headlines

After less than 2 years on the job, FirstEnergy CEO Steve Strah is retiring today and also resigning from the board of directors; Northeast Ohio schools show some recovery from pandemic; and more stories.

Judge Christian Jenkins has issued a two-week pause on Ohio's so-called "heartbeat law," expressly recognizing that Ohio's constitution confers greater rights in the abortion context than the U.S. Constitution; Goodyear has agreed to settle 184 labor lawsuits filed by migrant workers at its factory in Malaysia ... and more stories.

A local Akron activist was appealing a case dismissal lawsuit his charity brought against the Akron Board of Zoning, but now he is considering appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court; Akron's police union is demanding the state's investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of Jayland Walker be immediately ceased; A Canton City councilman doesn't believe the shooting death of a Black man by a white police officer was racially motivated ... and more stories.

After 11 years, Gordon said in a press release that the timing and conditions were right for a transition to a new school leader; Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has proposed an ordinance to create a civilian review board; and more stories.

A new Ohio Senate poll shows that Ryan has only a slight edge over Vance with 6% voters still being undecided; The Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled that Eric Brunner, the wrongfully imprisoned Canton man, is entitled to a new criminal trial in light of conclusive DNA evidence; Discussions between Akron Police and community members at a recent community event shows massive distrust between the two ... and more stories.

Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered all flags on public buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day the Queen Elizabeth II is interred; Akron City Council has approved a ballot measure for a charter amendment to create a civilian police review board, but there are still concerns; The ACLU of Ohio and six clinics in Hamilton County are seeking a temporary restraining order blocking Ohio's recent six-week abortion ban called the heartbeat law; and more stories.

The officer who shot and killed James Williams, a Black man who was celebrating New Year's Eve in his own backyard, will not face charges and has returned to the force; The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority has released body camera video of the night an officer tasered and shot a man who is seen charging at him in the video; and more stories.

The charter amendment is a proposed ballot initiative and supporters said a key part of this board would be to strengthen the role of the police auditor; A Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police officer fatally shot a man he says attacked him after flagging the officer down for a loud music complaint on the city's West Side; and more stories.

A spokesperson from the Ohio Department for Taxation has said this kind of forgiveness is not taxable under Ohio law; An E. coli outbreak possibly linked to Wendy's sandwiches with romaine lettuce has led to reports of illnesses across the Midwest including Ohio ... and more stories.

The boosters target the new omicron variants and are anticipated at Northeast Ohio health departments within the next week or more; Attorney for Donovan Lewis' family is calling for police accountability and has said there was no justification for the shooting ... and more stories.