The state of Ohio is preparing to deliver its defense of the current Congressional district map in federal court. Plaintiffs say the map is unconstitutional because Republicans drew the map to favor their party, through what’s known as partisan gerrymandering.

The ACLU of Ohio, League of Women Voters, and other voter rights groups say they want a new map drawn next year, though a map created with a more bipartisan process is set to be drawn for 2022. 

Ohio’s jobless rate has ticked up slightly, after six months of unchanged numbers. But there are some concerns about other figures in the latest state unemployment report.

The University of Akron is considering a partial reorganization that would create new colleges such as a College of Polymer, Chemical and Biological Sciences and an Innovation College.

In a letter to the university community, Interim President John C. Green described three reasons for the proposal: making options clearer for students, fostering faculty collaboration and creating financial stability.

Akron Public Schools, the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the National Parks Service announced they will partner to create the district’s newest college & career academy at Ellet High School.

The last car rolled off the assembly line at the General Motors Lordstown plant Wednesday and nearly all employees worked their last shift Friday.

Lordstown GM team member John DeGarmo has worked at four GM plants over the last thirteen years. He said working for the company is in his blood.

“But I look around and, you know, I’m in the Lordstown facility right now because it’s my last day of work, and, you know, it’s turning into a ghost town," he said. "And then nobody’s holding these companies accountable.”

Akron used to be home to three shopping malls. Of the three, one is gone. Rolling Acres Mall shut its doors a little over 10 years ago and the property is being redeveloped. One appears to be doing well. Summit Mall maintains an attractive assortment of stores. The third is failing.

Children services officials are celebrating a proposal from Gov. Mike DeWine that nearly doubles the amount of state funding that goes towards their cause. They say this is the first indication in a long time that the state is taking issues like foster care seriously. 

DeWine wants to pump $74 million into the family and children services fund, bringing the total annual amount to $151 million.

More than 5,400 Ohioans have purchased cannabis since sales began at dispensaries in mid-January. 

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy says 5,465 patients have purchased medical marijuana. And that’s only about 28 percent of the number of patients registered for the program. One reason why so few are buying it could be due to the fact that only nine of the 56 dispensaries approved for operation are open. Most are in Eastern or Northeastern Ohio. And product is limited because processors aren’t yet operational.