Senate Bill 83: How will it affect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Senate Bill 83: How will it affect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Ohio Senate Bill 83, also known as the Ohio Higher Education Advancement Act, is a piece of legislation meant to reform and regulate public universities across Ohio. Introduced by Ohio Senator Jerry C. Cirino (R-District 18), the bill has gained controversy for its language attacking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. The bill restricts universities from requiring DEI training for students and faculty. Despite the bill taking a stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion, it does not outright ban it from…

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Rising postage rates and stamp accessibility ahead of March primary election

Rising postage rates and stamp accessibility ahead of March primary election

Sealed and delivered with ease was a gray area for Kent State University when the Kent Student Center Post Office closed this year. With the closing of the Contract Postal Unit, for financial reasons, according to Kent Mail Service’s Matt Staveski, Kent State temporarily did not have stamps available for purchase. These stamp accessibility issues and campus post office closure come as postage rates have continued to rise. At the end of January, The United States Postal Service increased stamps…

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House Bill 68: What It Means for Ohio Transgender Children Going Forward

House Bill 68: What It Means for Ohio Transgender Children Going Forward

Last month, both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House voted to override Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, which could lead to the restriction of puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries, along with the outlawing of transgender girls participating in female sports in the state. Amanda Cole is the executive director at Plexus LGBT and Allied Chamber of Commerce and she said that when Governor DeWine vetoed the bill, she was pleasantly surprised. “In no way did I…

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Program Cuts at Youngstown State University Spark Public Outrage

Program Cuts at Youngstown State University Spark Public Outrage

The future of liberal arts programs at Youngstown State University is being threatened as program cuts and uncertainty causes both staff and students to worry.  Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music will be celebrating its 155-year anniversary in October of 2024. Despite being a cornerstone of music education for well over a century, many locals worry that the school may be closing soon.  On November 16, 2023, Ohio Congressman William (Bill) Johnson was chosen to be the tenth president…

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Dog Shelter Overflow: Adoption and Why It Is Important

Dog Shelter Overflow: Adoption and Why It Is Important

Dog shelters across the country fill up every month. As dogs are adopted and reclaimed to their previous owners, more dogs are coming in, keeping shelters full constantly. The Portage County Dog Shelter experiences this and wants people to know the importance in adoption. Not only is adoption extremely cheaper than purchasing from a breeder, but it is beneficial for more than just the person buying the dog. Adoption gives the shelter dogs a chance at a life outside of…

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The dangers of caffeine overconsumption

The dangers of caffeine overconsumption

Each person metabolizes caffeine differently. For instance, some people may consume only half a can of Red Bull before they start to feel jittery and anxious. While others can drink a whole can and feel perfectly fine. Caffeine tolerance looks different for everyone. How can students safely consume caffeine during the day? TV2’s Erin Sullivan has more on how you can stay safe when getting your caffeine fix.

Ohio AG Dave Yost Suing the NCAA: How a local athlete has been affected by the transfer portal

Ohio AG Dave Yost Suing the NCAA: How a local athlete has been affected by the transfer portal

On December 7th, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced he was suing the NCAA over their transfer eligibility rules. Yost’s efforts were joined by Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Most recently Minnesota, Mississippi, Virginia, and even the US Department of Justice have joined Yost’s lawsuit. “The ‘AA’ in NCAA might as well stand for ‘arbitrary and atrocious,’” Yost said in a December press conference. “The transfer eligibility rule needlessly curtails the fundamental rights of college…

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Police shortages: A growing concern across America’s communities

Police shortages: A growing concern across America’s communities

In recent years, police shortages have become an increasing issue across the United States, with communities struggling to deal with the implications of understaffed law enforcement agencies. Cities close to home, such as Akron, Ohio, are no exception to the shortage in law enforcement officers. The city is finding it more and more challenging to endure safety to those who live and work in the area. “Retaining officers is a new challenge” Ohio State Highway Patrol Officer Jim Callahan Akron…

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Mental Health Issues are on the Rise: Why and How Universities Across Ohio Can Help.

Mental Health Issues are on the Rise: Why and How Universities Across Ohio Can Help.

The United States is seeing a mental health crisis in communities across the country. College students in particular are standing out as one of the biggest groups who are reaching out for help.  According to the American Psychological Association, six in ten college students meet the criteria for mental health issues.  Jared Mueller, an independently licensed social worker in Ohio with 23 years of experience spoke with me about why college students may face difficult times.  “College students face a…

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From FOMO to Focus: Why College Students’ Need a Screen Timeout

From FOMO to Focus: Why College Students’ Need a Screen Timeout

Traditionally, the college experience conjures images of late-night study sessions fueled by caffeinated bonding. Yet, a troubling trend has surfaced: students increasingly rely on their screens, resulting in negative impacts. A study by Frontiers in Psychology shows a concerning reality: 61.6% of young adults, a number climbing to 68.7%, struggle with smartphone addiction and report poor sleep quality. This problem is greater than just restlessness, with the study demonstrating a direct relationship between excessive screen exposure and decreased concentration, heightened…

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