Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Consumer advocates say this isn't the right time to add additional charges to customer bills.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state's utility regulator violated its duty in allowing FirstEnergy to create a subsidiary without a deeper investigation into the matter; the state released the Ohio School Report Cards Thursday and reports scores were down statewide; new coronavirus cases in Ohio remain high, but have declined compared to the peak seen a few weeks ago; and more stories.

One bill would do away with subsidies for two coal plants, and the other would restore the renewable energy standards for Ohio.

A mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland is up and running smoothly; high school students will have the ability to earn a diploma in Ohio based on course grades rather than final exams, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine; Akron-based FirstEnergy said in a regulatory filing it shouldn't have to refund customers $30 million; and more stories.

The statewide curfew has been moved back one hour, to 11 p.m.; University Hospitals officials say new forms of COVID-19 that spread much faster are already circulating in Northeast Ohio; after hinting that he might run for U.S. Senate in 2022, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted says he’s going to keep his current job; and more stories.

The post remains unfilled after former Chair Sam Radazzo resigned last fall.

The number of new cases of coronavirus in Ohio rose Wed. to more than 6,300 after a short downward trend; a Columbus area pharmacy is being kicked off the state’s list of vaccine suppliers after allowing nearly 900 doses to go to waste; Gov. Mike DeWine faced swift criticism from consumer advocates Wednesday after he rejected the entire slate of candidates nominated to replace a former top state utility regulator tainted by a $60 million federal bribery investigation; and more stories.

As moratoriums that staved off utility disconnections cascade to an end, some families face a long winter unsure how they will keep the lights, heat and water on.

The governor says he has not heard that Randazzo is under investigation.

Akron City Council on Monday night passed legislation that will temporarily limit the size of private gatherings in the city to six and mandate face coverings at those gatherings at all times; The city of Cleveland says it can’t keep up with the “unprecedented” number of COVID-19 cases flooding in; Gov. Mike DeWine signaled new COVID-19 health orders could be coming Tuesday; and more stories.