Gov. Mike DeWine included the word “children” 44 times in his prepared remarks when he introduced his two-year budget proposal. A little more than five months later, DeWine signed a $191 billion, two-year state budget into law that gives him much of what he asked for regarding children. The new state budget appropriates a total of $8.4 million over the next two years to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all students who already qualify for reduced-price meals. It eliminates state sales taxes on baby diapers, car seats, cribs, strollers and more. But the legislature didn’t fulfill DeWine’s goal of expanding eligibility for lower-income Ohioans to receive government-funded childcare to 160% of the poverty line. Instead, the budget nudges the limit up 3%, from 142% to 145% ($43,500 annually for a four-person family). The original expansion would have paid for 15,000 more Ohio children to attend childcare centers. -- Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Ohio’s new budget takes some steps to address the affordability of childcare, though it doesn’t go as far as childcare advocates would have liked. (Gus Chan, Plain Dealer file photo) |
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Children’s budget: The two-year Ohio budget gives Gov. Mike DeWine much of what he proposed regarding children. And before passing the budget, state lawmakers inserted a number of their own proposals, including offering breakfast and lunch for free to all students eligible for reduced-price school meals, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Today in Ohio: How often does a bull get loose in Cleveland? Police wrangled one on the lam. We’re talking about the bull -- and the start of voting for Issue 1 -- on Today in Ohio. |
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Householder appeal: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder says he has submitted an appeal challenging a bribery conviction that left him with a 20-year prison sentence, Jake Zuckerman reports. In July 2020, prosecutors accused Householder of secretly operating a nonprofit that accepted $60 million from Akron electric company FirstEnergy Corp. Gas leak: A Columbiana County gas well has steadily belched unknown quantities of methane gas into the air since 9 a.m. Tuesday after a worker hit a well head with his truck, reports Jake Zuckerman. State and county officials have since imposed a one-mile evacuation zone around the well pad, operated by Houston-based Hilcorp, a major oil and gas producer. FBI: FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday defended his agency from a barrage of Republican criticism led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who accused the bureau of letting politics interfere with its law-enforcement mission. Sabrina Eaton reports the Champaign County Republican kicked off the hearing by alleging the FBI improperly used its power to silence opponents of coronavirus vaccinations and lockdowns. Medical marijuana: The State Medical Board of Ohio unanimously approved medical marijuana for patients with irritable bowel syndrome on Wednesday afternoon, making it the 26th ailment for which registered Ohioans can obtain the drug. Laura Hancock reports the medical board unanimously rejected marijuana for obsessive-compulsive syndrome and autism. |
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Outdoor dining: City Council is poised to approve an overhaul of Cleveland’s rules for outdoor dining and seating areas in the public right-of-way for restaurants and other businesses, reports Courtney Astolfi. Some of the city’s goals are to allow businesses to have year-round access to sidewalk and parking lane patios, get away from the ugly concrete barriers used to protect and delineate such spaces throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and enable larger outdoor seating areas in parking lanes. Theater help: Cleveland City Council is expected to approve spending a portion of its COVID-19 stimulus dollars to support the country’s oldest Black theater, Karamu House. Lucas Daprile reports the theater could be awarded $500,000 from Cleveland’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to help close the book on a renovation to its theater wing as a multimillion remodel nears completion. Homeless veterans: Cleveland City Council is expected to set aside $750,000 in COVID-19 stimulus dollars to improve housing for homeless veterans, reports Lucas Daprile. The project would be led by the nonprofit Union-Miles Development Corp., which would partially finance construction of 11 housing units for veterans on Harvard Avenue in Union-Miles Park. Hydrangeas: Many Northeast Ohio gardeners have been quietly befuddled by hydrangeas. Susan Brownstein explains the basic kinds and the best way to care for them. |
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Home prices: Cuyahoga County in June saw the largest increase in the median single-family home price so far this year. Countywide data collected by cleveland.com showed that median single-family home price rose by $22,000, from $170,000 in May to $192,000 in June, reports Megan Sims. The increase came after a $3,000 decrease from April to May. Avoiding grifters: There’s no shortage of cons or grifters in tourist spots. Sean McDonnell explains how to spot – and avoid – scams so you can hang on to your precious vacation dollars. Money Talks: A bill for a rebuilt transmission at $3,774.32 nearly broke Darnell Mayberry. That’s when he decided he was done riding his lifelong financial rollercoaster. TikTok star: The Cleveland Heights neurologist who earned a spot in the book of Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest practicing physician just before his 99th birthday has managed yet another trip around the sun. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports Dr. Howard Tucker celebrated his 101st birthday with a small gathering of close family and friends. |
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Cedar Point sued: A Michigan woman and her family sued the parent company of Cedar Point on Wednesday, accusing the park of negligence for an accident involving the Top Thrill Dragster that the lawsuit says left the woman with traumatic brain injuries. The lawsuit, filed in Erie County Common Pleas Court, says Rachel Hawes’ medical expenses have exceeded $2 million and are expected to reach more than $10 million because of additional treatments and surgery. Case carjacking: Case Western Reserve University police issued an alert Wednesday afternoon that warned the school’s students and staff of an employee who was carjacked on campus, reports Molly Walsh. Doctor indicted: A Summit County grand jury handed up an indictment Wednesday that accuses a former doctor of sexual assault, reports Olivia Mitchell. Mahmud Kara, 57, of Hudson, was indicted on charges of rape and sexual battery. Pellet shooting: Several people were struck Wednesday afternoon by pellet gun bullets in the Flats, Molly Walsh reports. Joseph Morford, managing partner at Tucker Ellis LLP, said “several pedestrians,” including one of the law firm’s employees, were shot by a suspect in a passing car while outside the office during their lunch hour. Social Security shooting: A federal grand jury on Wednesday handed up an indictment accusing a man of possessing a gun used to fire bullets through a Social Security Administration office in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood. DeFranco Allison Jr., 27, of Bedford Heights, is charged with possessing a weapon with a felony record, reports Adam Ferrise. |
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Monsters: The Cleveland Monsters have unveiled new team logos and colors ahead of the 2023-24 American Hockey League season, reports Zach Mentz. The three new logos feature an updated color palette, including “lake blue,” “Bessie black” and “monster eye gold.” 'GMA': “Good Morning America“ will be back in Cleveland today, broadcasting from the West Side Market, Paris Wolfe reports. Playboy Carti: Playboy Carti, the popular Atlanta rapper, will perform at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Oct. 15, reports Malcom X Abram. Isabela Merced: Cleveland native Isabela Merced has been cast in DC Studios’ upcoming “Superman: Legacy.” The 22-year-old actress will play Hawkgirl, reports Joey Morona. |
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Coast Guard suspends search on Lake Erie for man who fell from boat Read more U.S. marshals arrest man accused of shooting 41 times into home on Cleveland’s East Side Read more Man uses can of Diet Pepsi to attack Dollar General worker, police say Read more Woman dies in car crash on Cleveland’s East Side Read more Akron Public Schools move forward with building new $60M Kenmore High School Read more Richmond Heights hopes to cut down on loud Airbnb parties Read more Olmsted Falls police and fire departments host Junior Fire Academy Read more Cox Communications awards grants to Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood City Schools Read more Lakewood begins $26 million project to alleviate flooding Read more |
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