U.S. retail sales fell a record 16.4 percent in April, nearly double the previous record drop of 8.3 percent set in March. Department stores and other retailers that were closed from mid-March to May to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are feeling the most pain.

This episode originally aired on June 4, 2020. Journalists face increased scrutiny of how they cover the demonstrations that have bloomed across the country in protest of the police killing of a black man in Minneapolis last week. In some cases, they have become part of the story, having been pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, struck by bottles and bricks and even arrested while they cover the demonstrations.

Primary voting in Ohio concluded April 28, after polls were abruptly closed hours before they were to open on March 17. Since then, voting rights advocates, state lawmakers and Ohio’s secretary of state have been at work on plans for November.

Ohio restaurants got the green-light to fully reopen May 21, just in time for the start of summer, and many welcomed diners back. But others either never will reopen or are taking a measured approach.

Public health experts warn that nationwide protests against police brutality likely will spark a resurgence of COVID-19. Close-quarter demonstrations, the shouting of slogans, and coughing from tear gas all play a role in the expected spread.

This episode originally aired on May 28, 2020. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled $300 million in K-12 budget cuts in early May, extending through just the end of June when the current fiscal year ends. Now school districts across the state have to figure out how to keep students safe from COVID-19 in class while tightening their belts.

Journalists face increased scrutiny of how they cover the demonstrations that have bloomed across the country in protest of the police killing of a black man in Minneapolis last week. In some cases, they have become part of the story, having been pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, struck by bottles and bricks and even arrested while they cover the demonstrations. On occasion, how they cover the story, the words and syntax of the telling, have attracted criticism.

This episode originally aired on March 26, 2020. What we eat matters to our health, to each other, and to the planet. Making conscious decisions about food can be a challenge, especially in the era of COVID-19.

As protests continue against racial injustice around the country, police departments have used a variety of tactics against the crowds. Some officers march and kneel with protestors, while some indiscriminately use pepper spray. Research shows that when police officers escalate the use of force, the situation worsens.

The protests and coronavirus pandemic have only highlighted the health disparity and systemic racism. Franklin County Health Officials and Columbus City Council have declared racism a public health crisis. But what does the crisis designation mean, will it change how we act and will it improve the health for people of color.