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Stockpiles of solar modules threatening Ohio industries

For one of Ohio’s more promising emerging industries, a familiar threat looms. Solar manufacturers are feeling the sting of unfair trade practices from China. As the Biden administration implements provisions meant to prevent importers from evading tariffs by stockpiling solar modules, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is right to want to know how U.S. Customs and Border Patrol plan to actually enforce the measures. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., backed Brown’s request for more information about those who hoarded the modules during a tariff moratorium that ended June 6. “According ...

Ohio State Fair ranks with the best in nation

Other states may have well-known state fair attractions — North America’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel in Wisconsin, or Big Tex in Texas, for example — but there’s nothing that matches Ohio’s most famous attraction. Sculpting has already begun on the 2024 butter cow, in addition to a butter calf and other sculptures to be unveiled. There’s more to our fair than that, though. This year’s fair runs July 24-Aug. 4 at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair Grounds in Columbus. It has been showcasing the best of Ohio agriculture and providing entertainment for fairgoers since ...

Innovation hub could be a driver of change

Ohio development officials keep coming up with ideas purportedly designed to support the kinds of innovation (and employers) that will keep our economy growing and diversifying. Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine announced another such project, with the launch of the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub, at the Owens-Illinois campus in Perrysburg. It will be, as a WTOL report put it, “a place for industry and academia to come together.” With more than $31.3 million in state funding and more than $10 million matched by local companies, the possibilities are exciting — not just for ...

These numbers should be troubling for Ohioans

Numbers tell a story, and a recent batch of numbers should be raising some eyebrows. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says both initial and continued unemployment claims increased in the last week of June. In fact, initial claims increased by 725 from the previous week, for a total of 5,879 initial unemployment claims files. Continued claims for that week were at their highest level in two months — the 8-week average is 39,377 continued claims filed. Meanwhile, Ohio’s unemployment rate for May was higher than the national average, at 4.2%; and the labor force ...

A kitten’s diary

Dear Diary; Dad is helping me write this because though I know a lot of words, like my name, which is Fanny, and “No,” which I hear a lot, usually together, like, “No, Fanny,” I don’t know how to type words on Dad’s computer. I do type when I walk on the keyboard but Dad said those aren’t real words. Anyway, Dad said I should write a diary to help me remember what I feel like and things I do now, when I’m 11 weeks old. I don’t think I’ll forget anything, but he said he forgets things all the time. I think he’s the one who should write a diary. So, Hello, I am ...

Lawmakers should push through House Bill 230

House Bill 230 is now on its way to the Ohio Senate, and lawmakers should give careful consideration to the measure, which would, among other things, authorize law enforcement to collect saliva from those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. The saliva would be used in a rapid test that would help an officer determine next steps — similar to the manner in which a Breathalyzer is used for checking blood alcohol levels. “They can do a swab of your mouth, test your saliva, and get an immediate result to know if you’re under the influence of drugs or not,” said state ...