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In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million people in the United States were living with diabetes, a disproportionate share of them Black or Asian, according to Policy Matters Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Insulin price gouging continues despite attempts to rein in the industry

Nearly one million Ohioans have been diagnosed with diabetes, but the cost of insulin continues to be a barrier for people needing the medication…

In 2023, the USDA Forest Service and AmeriCorps signed a five-year agreement to establish the Forest Corps, which aims to create Job opportunities that reduce wildfire risk, support reforestation and make national forests and grasslands healthier and more resilient. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Biden’s Climate Corps could bring jobs to Appalachian Ohio

A Biden administration program called the American Climate Corps aims to hire and train 20,000 people in conservation, climate and clean-energy jobs…

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

USDA's climate action fellows to help Ohio farmers/small businesses access clean energy funds

Ohio will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

Black Americans have lost their jobs or had job offers revoked because of hair discrimination, according to the Legal Defense Fund. (Adobe Stock)

CROWN Act would ban discrimination based on Black hairstyles in Ohio

By Faith Fistler for Kent State NewsLab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan. The first time Tyana Barton was singled out because of her hair was …

A proposed amendment in Ohio would permit same-day voter registration during early voting and on Election Day, allow

Push is on to add Voters Bill of Rights to Ohio Constitution

Ohioans may have the chance to add a new Voters Bill of Rights to the state Constitution to support ballot access. Voting rights' advocates said …

A 2023 statewide survey of Ohio by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks found 68% of households had to choose between purchasing food and transportation or gas. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio foodbanks say Thriving Families Tax Credit could help reduce hunger

Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would implement a statewide refundable child tax credit. Regional food banks say the bill would help …

By 2030, more than 1 in 5 Americans will be at least 65 years old and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older globally is expected to double to more than 2 billion. (Cala Serrano/Adobe Stock)

Older adults and climate advocacy

While scientists say extreme climate changes are happening more frequently, a new study aims to link aging adults to its risks and their potential to …

Research shows people living in rural areas and communities of color are more likely to worry about exposure to air pollution. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Cleveland expands local air monitoring program

The City of Cleveland wants new community air advisers to help expand air monitoring in historically redlined neighborhoods. Christina Yoka…

Between the summers of 2021 and 2022, more than 500 children spent at least one night in county government offices because they had nowhere to go, according to the Public Children Association of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio agencies work with churches to strengthen supports for foster children

More than 3,500 foster children are available for adoption in Ohio, and state agencies are connecting with local faith congregations to help recruit …

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 at New York City's 92nd Street YMCA and is now observed in every country in the world. (OntheRun Photo/Adobe Stock)

Groups hoping Ohioans are feeling philanthropic on Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday tomorrow, donating money isn't the only way to support the groups and causes you care about. The global Giving Tuesday movement …

Ohio is home to an estimated 60,000 English learner students. Spanish is the main language of almost 40% of Ohio's English learners, along with 90 other home languages, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Ohio schools haven’t kept pace with growing number of English learners

Ohio schools are stepping up to meet the needs of a growing number of English learners. Nearly 40% of around 60,000 English learners in the state …

Families in Early Head Start have stable home environments and less involvement with the child welfare system, according to the National Head Start Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Congress proposes slashing funding for Head Start programs

More than 3,000 Ohio children could lose access to Head Start programs under budget cut proposals now being considered by Congress. From birth …

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau research from 2021 showed consumer credit records reflected $88 billion worth of medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

Akron is Latest OH City to Retire Medical Debt

Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, a number of cities and counties in Ohio and around the nation have used ARPA funding to …

Ohio and many other states have recently passed DEI-related legislation, calling into question what can be taught in classrooms. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Educators Concerned About Impact of DEI Legislation

By Nya Brunson / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Central State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Higher education …

About 173,000 women are incarcerated in local, state, youth, tribal, military or federal correctional facilities, nationwide, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Aims to Address Access to Feminine Hygiene Products in Ohio Prisons

By Faith Fistler / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. While Christina Ray was …

There are 37 public colleges and universities in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education.(Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Community Colleges Boost Graduation Rates

Three community colleges in Ohio increased their graduation rates by 50% over the past six years under a new program called Accelerated Study in Assoc…

Adults ages 65 and older make up approximately 16.8% of the U.S. population, or more than 55.8 million adults, and are estimated to comprise 21% of the population (73.1 million) by 2030, according to a new report from UnitedHealthcare. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More of Ohio’s Older Adults Living in Poverty

By 2030, more than one in five Americans - more than 73 million people age 65 and over - will be of retirement age, as the last of the Baby Boomer …

Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million students of all races, backgrounds, genders and abilities, but diversity is not reflected in the state's education workforce, according to the Ohio Education Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio College Programs Seek to Boost Black Teacher Workforce

Ohio's historically Black colleagues and universities are working to produce a pipeline of diverse teachers. Black students make up nearly 17% of …

In 2022, there were more than 37,000 dollar stores in the United States, up by 1,500 from the previous year, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

In Toledo, Dollar Stores Leave Trail of Neighborhood Disinvestment

New research found more communities are rejecting the expansion of so-called "dollar stores" into their areas, and even enacting local laws to limit …

One billion people currently need assistive technology products, and more than two billion people around the world are expected to need at least one assistive technology product by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. (Adobe Stock)

Americans With Disabilities Act Website Gets User-Friendly Upgrades

The Americans with Disabilities Act website has gotten a makeover, with updated navigation tools and easy-to-find answers to common questions on …

Midterm voter turnout declined in Ohio from around 55% in 2018 to around 51.1% in 2022, according to data from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. (Adobe Stock)">

Ohio Governor Signs Citizenship-Status Voter ID Bill

In a few months, Ohio voters will no longer be allowed to vote with utility bills or other non-photo documents as proof of identification, when a new …

The Ohio Supreme Court could lose its power to review factors used in setting bail if Issue 1 is passed by voters. (Adobe Stock)

Issue 1 Puts Public Safety, Bail Before Ohio Voters

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment are putting public safety on Ohio's ballot this Election Day. Issue 1 came about after the Ohio …

One in five Ohioans surveyed said threats to democracy are a top concern before the 2022 midterms.(Adobe Stock)

Ohio SOS Launches New Election Investigation Unit

Instances of voter fraud are few and far between, but Ohio election officials want to ensure voters have confidence in the integrity of the system…

Black students account for about 10% of nursing school graduates in Ohio, compared to 12.6% of the general population. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: Better Diversity in Nursing Improves Access to Care

Nurses are on the forefront of patient outcomes, and experts say a workforce that better reflects the population it serves can help reduce healthcare …

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee won a collective-bargaining deal covering workers on tomato farms in Ohio in 1983, after an eight-year campaign and boycott. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farm Workers Still Shut Out of Federal Labor Protections

An organization defending the rights of thousands of farmworkers in Ohio and other states is creating its road map for the future. The Farm Labor …

Ohio's labor market has recovered quickly after COVID-19, but the number of jobs in the state remains below the year 2000 level. (Adobe Stock)

New Ohio Labor Report Highlights Improvements and Challenges

A new report on working in Ohio offers a mixed picture of labor in the state. The annual State of Working Ohio report is out for 2022 and while …

Ohio's 11 death row exonerees spent a collective 216 years in prison for crimes they didn't commit. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans Mark 4 Years Since Last Execution with 'Day of Hope'

Ohio's last execution was four years ago today, and advocates for ending the death penalty are hopeful it remains the last. At noon, people at …

Ohioans can no longer register for the Aug. 2 special primary, but the deadline to register for the November general election is Oct. 11.

Voters Encouraged to Partake in Ohio's Rare Second Primary

A rare August election is just a couple of weeks away, and Ohio voters are encouraged to cast their ballot early. They'll select candidates for the …

Research suggests Black women are more often targeted by corporate grooming policies. (Adobe Stock)

CROWN Act Aims to End Discriminatory Policing of Hairstyles

Some Ohio lawmakers are following in the footsteps of federal legislators with a bill to ban the policing of hairstyles based on racial stereotypes…

Several anti-protest laws have been passed in the United States in retaliation to the growing movements for racial justice and other issues. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Anti-Protest Bill Still on the Table in Ohio Legislature

By Halena Sepulveda at Kent State UniversityBroadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

A permanent absentee voter would reduce the paperwork needed to vote by mail. (Adobe Stock)

Measure Aims to Streamline Absentee Voting in Ohio

There's a new effort at the statehouse to make it easier for Ohioans to vote by mail by creating a permanent absentee voter list. To vote absentee …

Un votante ausente permanente reducir�a el papeleo necesario para votar por correo. (Adobe Stock)

Proyecto de ley busca simplificar el voto en ausencia en Ohio

Hay un nuevo esfuerzo en la cámara estatal para facilitar que los habitantes de Ohio voten por correo mediante la creación de una lista perm…

Early, in-person voting is slated to start Apr. 5 for the May 3 Ohio primary election. (Tim Evanson/Flickr)

Ohio's 2022 Primary: Groups Urge New Date, Not Two Dates

With just five weeks before the May 3 primary election - and Ohio's legislative redistricting debacle still not settled - voting-rights groups say it'…

La votaci�n anticipada en persona est� programada para comenzar el 5 de abril para las elecciones primarias de Ohio del 3 de mayo. (Tim Evanson/Flickr

Primarias de Ohio 2022: grupos instan a una nueva fecha, no dos fechas

A solo cinco semanas de las elecciones primarias del 3 de mayo, y la debacle legislativa de redistribución de distritos en Ohio que aún no …

If confirmed, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement. (H2rty/Wikimedia Commons)

SCOTUS Hearings: Black Leaders See Attacks as Disheartening

Black leaders are speaking out about what they see as racially charged lines of questioning during this week's Supreme Court confirmation hearing for …

There currently are 131 people on death row in Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Death-Penalty Repeal Efforts Move Closer to Goal Line

Efforts to end executions in Ohio have reached a historic point. An invitation-only hearing will be held by the House Criminal Justice Committee …

Columbus ranks 62nd among the top 100 cities for the best public transportation. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Group Urges Expanded Transit for "Silicon Heartland"

With Intel's plans to make central Ohio the Silicon Heartland, public-transportation advocates are calling on leaders to ensure development plans …

Helping the one in eight Ohioans whose family is food insecure is one way to build more equitable communities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Volunteers Strive for Unity through Service

Ohioans from all over the state will answer Martin Luther King, Junior's call to action today. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a …

In the new survey, 38% of Black men surveyed in Ohio reported either being denied care or being provided inferior care in a medical setting. (Adobe Stock)

Health-Care Disparities: A Way of Life for Black Ohioans?

A new report suggests discrimination in medical settings affects the quality of care for many Ohioans. In a survey of more than 800 people, …

Black children represent 36% of the children in foster care in Ohio, while they represent 14% of children in the general population. (Adobe Stock)

The Evolution of Ohio's Children Services System, Part 1: History

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Children Services is tasked with protecting the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and families, but some experts say …

The last execution in Ohio was in 2018, leading some to believe the state might be headed toward abolishing the death penalty. (AdobeStock)

Death Penalty Debate: Are Ohio Lawmakers Listening?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Legislation to abolish the death penalty in Ohio is set to have a fourth hearing today. The House Criminal Justice Committee will …

Fewer than 5% of demonstrators in the United States in the summer of 2020 engaged in violence. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Protest Bill: Anti-Civil Disorder or Anti-Civil Rights?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio bill dubbed by opponents as "anti-free speech" is up for a possible vote. House Bill 109 increases the penalties for …

More Ohioans voted in the 2020 presidential election than in any election in state history. <br />(Ohio SOS)

Ohio Election Day 2021: "Off" Years Still Important

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2021 general election in Ohio may not have the same level of excitement as the 2020 presidential election, but the end results …

One vial of insulin to manage diabetes can cost as much as $300 without health insurance. (AdobeStock)

Budget Reconciliation Plan Could Lower Rx Prices for Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Congress has an opportunity to help lower prescription-drug costs for Ohioans, who, along with other Americans pay roughly three …

Resource officers in schools have not been shown to protect students against school shootings, according to The Sentencing Project report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rescue Plan Could Help OH Schools End Retributive Justice

CINCINNATI -- Ohio has received more than $4 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to go toward education, and a recent report from The Sentencing …

Male survivors of sexual assault sometimes feel shame or self-doubt that prevents them seeking help. (AdobeStock).

Sexual-Violence Prevention: Patriarchal Ideas a Barrier for Men

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Anyone can become a victim of sexual violence, and work is underway in Ohio to ensure that men feel welcome in the anti-violence …

A former regulator took more than $4 million from FirstEnergy to further the company's interests. (Adobe Stock)

Critics Continue Calls for Big-Picture Review of FirstEnergy's Dealings

By Kathiann M. Kowalski for Eye on Ohio, The Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann for Ohio News Connection…

An adjustment to the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan goes into effect on October 1st. (Adobe Stock)

OH Groups: Make Programs that Support Families Permanent

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio food security advocates welcomed news last week of the largest permanent increase to SNAP benefits coming this fall and they …

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OH: Social Justice