Before the pandemic, Ohio’s arts and culture was a $41 billion industry, rivaling the travel business, and employing nearly 300,000 people. That all changed in March 2020 when the pandemic shuttered venues, closed museums and sidelined artists.

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people in Ohio since the start of the pandemic. It’s also had an immense economic toll and wreaked havoc on public affairs, from tax revenues to budget cuts.

This episode originally aired on Feb. 22, 2021. Nearly 2.7 million children in the U.S. have a parent behind bars. That’s one in every 28 children.

This episode originally aired on Feb. 16, 2021. A significant contingent of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 included people with a military background, from active duty personnel to veterans. Defense secretary Lloyd Austin has called for a military-wide stand down to address extremism within the ranks.

Former President Trump appeared last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference and called reports that he had considered founding a new party fake news. In his first public appearance since leaving office, he attacked Republicans who supported his second impeachment and again falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged.

This episode originally aired on Feb. 23, 2021. Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio’s educators have worked out a plan to get teachers vaccinated and kids back in the classroom by March 1. Now, some school districts are saying they will struggle to meet that deadline and get kids back in school, even in a hybrid model. DeWine has accused educators of reneging on their commitment.

The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday granted an emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. The vaccine is the third to be authorized for use in the U.S., and is unique in that it only requires a single dose.

For Ohio State graduates who depart college with debt, the average amount is $27,000. In her first state of the university address in February, Ohio State President Kristina Johnson pledged that would end over the next decade.

The pandemic has magnified economic and digital inequities and inspired groups to find innovative ways to bridge them. Neighbor Relief is one such initiative, and T-CETRA, a Dublin-based tech company, is helping to make it easier to match those in need with those who want to help.

A recent survey found that 10% of white adults and 19% of Black adults in Ohio were identified as at-risk or problem gamblers. Compulsive gamblers may repeatedly make wagers that lead to losses, hide their habit, rack up huge debts or even turn to theft or fraud to support their addiction.