Good evening, Ohio. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Your Weather Planner
Rain and storms continue into the evening, with a few severe storms possible. Strong, damaging straight-line winds, along with frequent lightning, and downpours that could lead to flooding will be an issue.
Storms will wind down a bit this evening, but we'll continue to see showers and a few storms overnight into Thursday ahead of our next cold front that brings cooler temperatures starting tomorrow.
Tomorrow's Forecast
Cleveland | Columbus | Cincinnati | Dayton | Toledo
Today's Big Stories
1. As some call for vaccinated to mask up again, CDC sticks to its guidance
Just as many Americans are getting used to being unmasked again, the World Health Organization, Los Angeles County and Illinois’ governor — all concerned about the rapidly spreading COVID-19 delta variant — are urging even vaccinated people to cover their faces in public.
2. Akron passes law requiring speedy release of police video in use-of-force events
A new law in Akron requires police to expeditiously release footage from officers’ body and dash cameras for any incident in which deadly force is used or causes serious bodily injury.
3. Conventions, conferences key part of Cincinnati's economic recovery
Roughly 4,500 people will head to Cincinnati over Fourth of July Weekend for the 133rd annual International Moose Convention. From June 30 through July 4, the group will discuss the global operation of its lodges and fraternities.
4. Bill Cosby released from prison after court overturns sex assault conviction
Bill Cosby has been released from prison just hours after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his sex assault conviction Wednesday. The court found an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented Cosby from being charged in the case, allowing for his release from prison.
5. Biden increases federal firefighter pay to $15 per hour
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that the government will temporarily raise pay for federal firefighters to ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
- POTUS and FLOTUS visit Surfside, Florida in the wake of the condo collapse.
- Princess Diana statue unveiled in Kensington Gardens to mark what would have been her 60th birthday.
- Actress/activist Sophia Bush testifies to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus crisis.
- NBA Conference finals and Wimbledon continue.
- National Postal Worker Day.
Dear Ohio Podcast
Conspiracy-minded thinking rooted deep in America's history (Part 2)
Happy Birthday, America! As we near the 245th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’re going to take a look at what drives American exceptionalism.
Our national character is defined by optimism and a belief in the impossible, but what happens when that can-do spirit devolves into magical-thinking and a refusal to accept empirical evidence that’s contrary to one’s beliefs? Ohio recently became a powerful example of this kind of conspiracist thinking.
On this episode of Dear Ohio, Spectrum News 1 anchor Curt Jackson interviews Kurt Andersen, author of Fantasyland, who explains why sometimes rejecting reality can be as American as the 4th of July.