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GOP lawmakers give DeWine first override over health bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — GOP lawmakers on Wednesday made good on their promise to check the authority of fellow Republican Gov. Mike DeWine by issuing the first override of his term after a yearlong battle over how the state should respond during a health emergency. The Republican-controlled House and Senate voted after short debates in each chamber to reject DeWine’s veto of legislation restricting the state including local health departments’ ability to respond to emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation simply gives lawmakers the power to review orders ...

COVID vaccines up statewide, cases ‘plateau’

COLUMBUS — Ohioans ages 16 and older can get vaccinated against COVID-19 where vaccines are available, and nursing homes will have new visitation opportunities — but the state is not out of the woods yet. Gov. Mike DeWine covered these and other COVID-19 announcements during his Monday press conference. This marks the first full week Ohioans 40 and older will be eligible for the vaccine, along with those who have a wider range of ailments, such as cancer, renal failure and obesity. After talking to health departments and providers, DeWine said while there are many instances where ...

Hawaii gets tourism surge as coronavirus rules loosen up

HONOLULU (AP) — Tourists are traveling to Hawaii in larger numbers than officials anticipated, and many are wandering around Waikiki without masks, despite a statewide mandate to wear them in public. Hawaii’s “Safe Travels” program reported that about 28,000 people flew into and ...

Colleges tout hopes for return to new normal this fall

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Colleges throughout the U.S. are assuring students that the fall semester will bring a return to in-person classes, intramural sports and mostly full dormitories. But those promises come with asterisks. Administrators say how quickly campus life comes back will depend on the success of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the ability to avoid widespread outbreaks. Universities saw their budgets hammered during the coronavirus pandemic, which emptied dorms and led to declines in enrollment, and are facing pressure to reopen fully. A flood of ...

Biden expands ‘Obamacare’ by cutting health insurance costs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — President Joe Biden pledged Tuesday that his $1.9 trillion rescue package would build on the promise of the Affordable Care Act, the hallmark legislation of Barack Obama’s presidency that became law 11 years ago. Biden’s COVID-19 relief law pumps up ...

DeWine vetoes 2nd GOP-backed effort to limit health orders

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would limit Ohio governors’ ability to issue orders during a public health emergency, a move promising a showdown with members of his party who have vowed to override him. DeWine made good on his ...