Support has more than quadrupled overnight for a petition to allow firearms at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. The petitioners, who claim a “God-given” right to carry, suggest that armed, law-abiding citizens will make the event more secure in a city full of crime. “These guys should work with my other favorite charity —…

All parents worry about their children’s futures – some call it part of the job. But for parents of children with special needs, the worry can be even bigger. Some of the biggest concerns special needs parents have are financial. Mapping out your child’s financial future can seem like a daunting task, but having a…

A more lethal opiate that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin Overdose deaths increased from 84 in 2013 to 502 in 2014 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a report examining the increase in unintentional fentanyl-related drug overdose deaths in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requested CDC’s…

On Wednesday, March 16, President Obama said, “In putting forward a nominee today, I am fulfilling my constitutional duty. I’m doing my job. I hope that our Senators will do their jobs, and move quickly to consider my nominee. That is what the Constitution dictates, and that’s what the American people expect and deserve from…

Wyoming High School graduate sentenced to 15 years hard labor    Today Governor John R. Kasich called on North Korea to immediately release Otto Warmbier, the college student from Cincinnati who was detained there on January 2.  North Korea recently sentenced Warmbier to 15 years of hard labor. “North Korea should immediately release Otto Warmbier and…

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Laboratory has begun Zika virus surveillance testing to identify suspected Zika virus infection in individuals within seven days of symptom onset. The genetic material of the Zika virus often can be detected in blood specimens collected within seven days of symptom onset. The ODH Laboratory is using a test…

Flu-Related Hospitalizations Top Over 200 First Time This Season Flu Vaccination Still Available Across Ohio   Columbus, Ohio – Influenza-like illness is now widespread throughout Ohio, and the numbers of associated hospitalizations took a big jump for the first time this season. Last week (week 8), there were 203 new confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in Ohio compared…