Terry Francona

The rate of new coronavirus cases in Ohio is accelerating; former Akron City Councilman and mayoral candidate Joe Finley has died; Summit County Public Health will offer $100 gift cards this week to people getting their first COVID-19 shot; and more stories.

Francona's latest setback in a series of health problems has Cleveland's baseball team uncertain whether the skipper will be able to return next season.

The Cleveland Indians manager says he will focus on ongoing health issues and recovery from an upcoming hip replacement and foot surgery.

For the first time since June, total COVID-19 cases in Ohio have climbed above 50 per 100,000 residents; Ohio’s Dave Yost is among 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade; the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant near Toledo is undergoing a special inspection following a series of diesel generator failures and an automatic reactor shutdown; and more stories.

A visual centerpiece of the pandemic is going away; FirstEnergy has fired an executive for her “inaction” regarding an amendment to a company consulting contract with someone who was later appointed as the state's top utility regulator; President Joe Biden is warning opponents in Congress not to “get in the way” of his big infrastructure plans; and more stories.

Commentator Terry Pluto reflects on Paul Dolan's Akron Roundtable discussion last week, which touched on everything from changing the team’s name to the future of ownership.

Commentator Terry Pluto reflects on Paul Dolan's Akron Roundtable discussion last week, which touched on everything from changing the team’s name to the future of ownership.

An outdated reporting system that led to the undercount of more than 4,200 COVID-19 deaths in Ohio will now be retired; two new health orders are now in effect that relax rules for Ohio professional and youth sports as well as wedding and entertainment venues; an Akron-based call center is closing, eliminating 150 jobs; and more stories.

Terry Pluto explains why Francona remains dedicated to the team despite more health setbacks.

Terry Pluto explains why Francona remains dedicated to the team despite more health setbacks.