COVID-19 safety measures

Ohio House Republicans have put the brakes on a fast-tracked bill limiting employers' ability to require that workers receive the coronavirus vaccine as a condition of employment; two friends from Ohio have been sentenced to 45 days in jail for storming the U.S. Capitol together in January; an Ohio fish is one of 23 species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is set to declare extinct; and more stories.

Students at the Akron School of the Arts are loving being back in person after almost a year of remote learning. And the staff is doing everything they can to make sure the kids remain COVID safe.

The ongoing pandemic has led to some changes for fans at the stadium, including masking, ticketing, parking, and concessions.

Ohio health officials say they don’t plan to mandate masks in schools this fall but strongly recommend students and staff wear face coverings if they aren't vaccinated against COVID-19; a hedge fund has thrown a $400 million lifeline to troubled electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors; the Cleveland Clinic is the second best hospital in the country in this year’s U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings; and more stories.

One pediatrician says she's afraid Ohioans "will learn the hard way" about how dangerous COVID is for children.

According to their unions, teachers want to have a say in what safety measures, including face masks, will be required.

The school district also will continue previous COVID-19 safety measures, including social distancing, personal protective equipment and sanitation of buildings.

Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a proposal by fellow Republicans to repay fines to companies cited for violating public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic; Summit MetroParks’ new Nature Center is officially open at Akron’s Summit Lake; the venture capitalist and author of “Hillbilly Elegy” has joined the crowded Republican race for an Ohio U.S. Senate seat; and more stories.

Gov. Mike DeWine issued 14 line-item vetoes in the new state budget; a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish minimum staffing levels for care for Ohio’s nursing homes is one step closer to making the ballot; the Akron Beacon Journal Building is among projects receiving historic preservation state tax credits; and more stories.

Progressive Field, Canal Park and Akron and Cleveland zoos are dropping masks; the state on Tuesday reported another 100 Ohio residents died with COVID-19 since Friday; a coalition of Black ministers, lawmakers, and national activists have announced a new effort to end the death penalty in Ohio; and more stories.