Is Ohio ready to ramp up coronavirus vaccinations? The Wake Up for Monday, Jan. 11, 2021
Updated Jan 11, 2021;
Posted Jan 11, 2021
The early rollout of the coronavirus vaccine was marred by delays and a lack of planning, leaving some worried that the state isn't ready to scale up administering doses. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
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Weather
It will be partly sunny today and highs will stay in the mid-30s. It will be partly cloudy and chilly overnight as temps drop to the mid-20s. Read more.
The headlines
State information: Outside of outlining the phases for who gets the vaccine, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health have not released much framework for the distribution of shots preventing the coronavirus. Local leaders expressed mixed feelings about how the rollout has been handled. But Seth Richardson reports there is a common thread: Information is coming at the last second, leaving little time to switch direction. Is Ohio ready to ramp up shots?
Gov. Mike DeWine does not regret supporting President Donald Trump: The Wake Up for Friday, Jan. 8, 2021
Updated Jan 08, 2021;
Posted Jan 08, 2021
Then gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine speaks at a rally featuring President Donald Trump at the IX Center, in Cleveland, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. On Thursday, DeWine said Trump was to blame for a throng of his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol. (Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press)AP
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Weather
Today again will be cloudy with highs in the mid-30s. But the sun will peak through the clouds on Saturday and Sunday as highs remain in the mid-30s. Overnight lows will be in the mid-20s throughout the weekend. Read more.
The biggest issues facing Ohio in 2021: Capitol Letter
Updated Dec 29, 2020;
Posted Dec 29, 2020
Trimmed with holiday greenery, the west entrance of the Ohio Senate Building is modeled after the famed staircase in the Paris Opera House.
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Phew, 2020 is almost over. That, of course, means 2021 is almost here. Today, Andrew Tobias looks at the biggest issues we’ll be writing about in the new year in Ohio government and politics, with the caveat that we could be totally wrong. (Who could have possibly predicted what we went through this year? We sure didn’t.)
Recovering from COVID-19
COVID-19 upended the country in 2020, and from where we sit, we’re hoping that 2021 will be about getting things back on track.
DeWine makes masks mandatory in 7 Ohio counties: Capitol Letter
Posted Jul 08, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday issued mandatory mask or facial covering orders covering seven Ohio counties. (Office of Gov. Mike DeWine)
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Rotunda Rumblings
Run for (face) cover: After months of demurring over making masks mandatory, Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new health order that will require them in the seven Ohio counties that are classified as red under the state’s new coronavirus warning system. DeWine said that Ohioans weren’t initially ready to be compelled to wear a mask, but can be more accepting of the orders when they watch the dangerous spikes in Texas and Florida, Laura Hancock reports.
Gov. Mike DeWine wants students back in classes ... but with a brief pause after holidays: The Wake Up for Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.com
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There will be no Wake Up newsletter on Christmas Day. It will resume on Monday, Dec. 28.
Weather
Rain this morning will change to snow by the early afternoon as temperatures fall into the 20s by the late afternoon. One to 2 inches of snow could fall during the day, with another 7 inches possible overnight as temps dip into the teens. It will be breezy. Read more.
Who’s next in line for Ohio coronavirus vaccines: Capitol Letter
Updated Dec 24, 2020;
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Rotunda Rumblings
Vaccines, Phase 2(?): Gov. Mike DeWine released some of the details of the next phase of coronavirus vaccinations during his Wednesday briefing. On the list are Ohioans over 65 years old and staff members at schools that plan to return in-person or stay in person, Emily Bamforth reports.
A holiday buffer: DeWine said that after conversations with medical professionals, he’s recommending that schools consider pushing back the start of school a week after the New Year to prevent coronavirus spread after the holidays. Bamforth reports this is not an order, just a recommendation.
Ohio behind on vaccine shipments, but new doses on the way: The Wake Up for Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
Posted Dec 23, 2020
A total of 6,733 people in Ohio have received the first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
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Weather
Breezy conditions are expected today, with wind gusts up to 32 mph. It will be mild, though, as highs will approach 50 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Wind gusts will reach nearly 40 mph overnight and there will be rain showers. Temps will be in the low 40s. Read more.
The headlines
Vaccines: Ohio is behind on receiving tens of thousands of coronavirus vaccine shipments, but officials say a new shipment will arrive Christmas Eve, with more doses than originally expected. A total of 6,733 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, representing 0.06% of the state’s population, Laura Hancock reports. About 312 health care workers who live in other states got shots in Ohio.
Ohio lawmakers fail to address tainted House Bill 6: Capitol Letter
Rotunda Rumblings
6 feet under: The 133rd Ohio General Assembly will end its two-year session without passing any legislation that in any way addresses House Bill 6, the nuclear bailout law at the center of an enormous bribery scandal. As Jeremy Pelzer writes, the reason for such a stunning failure is that legislative Republicans, who dominate both the Ohio House and Senate, are split about whether to keep, repeal, or reform the law.
Sine die? The Ohio House won’t hold any more voting sessions this year, sources said, unless the Senate votes to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of Senate Bill 311, which would strip the governor of his power to issue statewide coronavirus orders. The Senate didn’t hold an override vote, though as Laura Hancock reports, it amended a tax bill to prohibit Ohio governors from closing stores during an infectious disease outbreak in a way that would hurt small businesses because big box stores carrying essentials could remain open.