Ohio unemployment

New coronavirus cases shot up in Ohio on Tuesday to nearly 5,000 -- 35% over the three-week average; a coalition of philanthropies have announced plans to launch a nonprofit newsroom that will provide coverage of Cleveland; the Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Gov. Mike DeWine had the legal ability to end the state's participation in a federal pandemic unemployment aid program; and more stories.

Akron arts and culture magazine The Devil Strip is hosting a meeting this week for co-op members to ask questions related to how it folded abruptly last week; All six GOP U.S. Senate candidates gathered at forum near Columbus Sunday; Ohio’s employment picture continues to improve; and more stories.

The Unemployment Modernization and Improvement Council Issued a report that identifies ways the state agency can improve its system.

The city of Akron has chosen a military veteran with decades of law enforcement experience to be the city’s next police chief; after slowing to a trickle, the number of new coronavirus cases in Ohio appears to be on the rise; a central Ohio hospital system says it will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and more stories.

Adding those who are experiencing unemployment would round out the panel that includes lawmakers, employers and union reps.

Ohio’s unemployment rate is 5%, just slightly higher than it was before the double-digit spike from the pandemic last year. “Help Wanted” and "Now Hiring” signs are common sights, especially at restaurants and retail stores. And some businesses are actively advertising they’ll pay well above Ohio’s minimum wage of $8.80, along with signing bonuses. So why aren’t they finding workers? The answer may surprise you.

The state credits the P3 Project, a partnership between public and private organizations, with a reduction in claims for unemployment compensation.

It’s becoming clear that the recent rise in new coronavirus cases is more than a blip; Gov. Mike DeWine says beginning next week, college campuses in Ohio will begin offering vaccinations to students before they break for the summer by May 1; Cleveland State University says it’s planning for a “normal” fall semester; and more stories.

Over 120,000 claims for traditional unemployment were filed in Ohio in the last week. At least 21,000 are suspected to be fraudulent, bringing the total of claims flagged for fraud to 127,000 in the last month. But it may be a while before it’s known how big the fraud really is, and who can be blamed for it.

Gov. Mike DeWine has dropped the minimum age eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to those 50 years or older; the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and its teachers union have reached an agreement to return to the classroom on Wednesday; Tuesday marks one year since Ohio confirmed its first three coronavirus cases; and more stories.