vaccine requirement

Officials did not say how long those placed on leave would have to change their minds and get the shot before being officially fired.

Ohio’s COVID-19 case rate is steadily rising to 718 per 100,000 residents; Columbus has agreed to pay $5.75 million to people injured during last year's racial injustice and police brutality protests; Ohio’s Attorney General has rejected the petition summary that was submitted by people who want to require state lawmakers, or possibly voters, to end vaccine mandates; and more stories.

Updated: 5:14 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals have reversed their employee COVID-19 vaccination mandates and will allow unvaccinated caregivers to keep their jobs after the federal order was blocked earlier this week by the courts, officials said in statements Thursday.

Today is Election Day, and there are some high-profile races on the ballot in Ohio; Akron-based FirstEnergy has agreed to refund customers of its three Ohio electric companies $306 million for collecting significantly excessive profits over a three-year period; unionized teachers in Akron are responding to an uptick in student violence and other disruptive behavior; and more stories.

The five employees are suspended without pay for two weeks for failure to cooperate with the hospital's mandatory vaccine requirement, while 12 other employees quit.

Republican leaders say they want to see movement on this issue soon.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called it an "important public health measure."

Political newcomer Justin Bibb won the Cleveland mayoral primary, and Council President Kevin Kelley finished second; Gov. DeWine says he can't implement a statewide school mask mandate because of a new state law; GOP lawmakers are trying to fast-track a bill banning mandatory vaccinations, and more stories.

The bill to ban all vaccine mandates and "vaccine passports" hasn't been scheduled for another hearing.

Cleveland voters on Tuesday will decide the two mayoral candidates who will face off in November; The Cleveland Clinic is tightening visitation policies at all its hospitals as COVID surges in Ohio; Attorney General Dave Yost is looking into possible action against President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees; and more stories.