Five things to know for Friday, Dec. 12
Unemployment claims rise in Ohio
Ohioans filed 57,752 unemployment claims for the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, including 47,653 continued unemployment claims, 5,129 more than the previous week, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said.
Ohioans filed 10,099 initial unemployment claims, 2,863 more than the previous week. Roughly 1,488 of those were identified to ensure they are not fraudulent.
DeWine wants kratom designation. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine wants the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to use an emergency rule to designate synthetic kratom compounds and other compounds derived from Kratom’s active ingredient as illegal drugs through. DeWine also wants the Board of Pharmacy to pursue regulations through the rulemaking process for scheduling mitragynine, or natural kratom.
DeWine likely to endorse Ramaswamy. DeWine told reporters he expects to endorse likely Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. “He and I have had some discussions about policy, and I’ve enjoyed those discussions and I hope he has enjoyed them as well. I hope to have some more discussions about policy with him, but I fully expect to endorse the Republican nominee for governor.”
Franklin County schools lose $84 million. The Franklin County auditor released a report showing the district lost more than $84 million this year due to tax breaks granted to developments, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The audit follows a Columbus City Schools decision to cut more than $50 million from its budget.
DeWine to unveil stance on death penalty. DeWine plans to announce his position on the death penalty, Cleveland.com reported. However, interested Ohioans will have to wait until next month. “I’m going to spend a little time at Christmas writing my statement. We’ll be talking to you in January,” the governor told reporters, per the report.
