Orie Givens

State Asks Feds for National Response To Unemployment Fraud, Spends Nearly $13M To Combat Fraudulent Claims

OHIO — The state of Ohio is now asking President Joe Biden to help combat unemployment fraud, and is spending millions in new contracts to help bolster the state’s ability to process claims and reduce fraudulent activity. What You Need To Know The…

Year of COVID: Ohio's Ups and Downs

When the first COVID-19 warnings came out of China in December 2019, most Ohioans were still taking down Christmas decorations. But the Buckeye state was among the first in the nation to take the coronavirus threat seriously, announcing restrictions…

ODJFS to Partner With IBM, LexisNexis to Combat Unemployment Fraud, Improve Customer Service

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine and officials from the state’s Job and Family Services department (ODJFS) announced updates March 8 to improve the customer experience and fraud prevention efforts for the state’s unemployment program, nearly a year…

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Paid Fraudsters $332M in Fake Claim Overpayments

COLUMBUS, Oh. — Nearly a year after the coronavirus pandemic overwhelmed the state’s unemployment system with claims, the state’s Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is now working to clean up the mess of fraudulent benefit…

Sen. Rob Portman Announces He Won't Seek Reelection in 2022

COLUMBUS - Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), announced he would not seek an additional senate term in a statement released Monday, Jan. 25. “This was not an easy decision because representing the people of Ohio has been an honor,” the statement…

State Estimates 75 Percent of Frozen PUA Accounts Potentially Fraudulent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Department of Job and Family services says while it's Panemic Unemployment Assistance fraud investigation is still underway, the department knows more about the impact of potential fraud. Data requested from ODJFS reports that…

Ohio Approved for FEMA 'Lost Wages Assistance' Grant

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Wednesday announced approval for Ohio's application for the Lost Wages Assistance program. The program authorized by President Donald Trump gives $44 billion to states to bolster…

DeWine Talks Impeachment, Gun Control in Tuesday Briefing

Governor DeWine faced questions about impeachment over his handling of the coronavirus, and addressed the state and its media about the spread in rural counties. Ohio Republican legislators drafted articles of impeachment this week, but DeWine seems…

Managing Student Financial Aid During COVID-19

The national student loan debt is more than $1.5T. And the coronavirus pandemic is expected to impact how people will pay for college in the future and whether or not current borrowers will be able to make their payments now. Christine Roberts is the…

ODJFS Explains Delays in Fraud Investigation, Fed Benefits

Benefits are still on hold for thousands of Ohioans as the state continues its fraud investigation. Ohio Department of Job and Family services is also working to setup the new program to get funds to pay unemployed Ohioans an additional $300 a…

Columbus Announces Record Police Applicant Diversity

Ashley Slane says she wanted to see someone like her on the Columbus police force “There is a lot less females than males in the police department, the cadet says. “It makes it a bit more rewarding.” The west sider says she joined the department’s…

Gov. DeWine Negative for COVID-19 in Latest Tests

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine tested negative for COVID-19 in a two additional tests Thursday, according to a press release from the Governor's Office. What You Need To Know DeWine received a rapid test before meeting President Donald Trump…

Fraud Holds on Claims Keep Ohioans Waiting for PUA Benefits

SHARE COLUMBUS, Ohio — We first talked to Renee Mauk a few months ago when she was awaiting PUA benefits. What You Need To Know Benefits are on hold for thousands of people because of a nationwide PUA fraud investigation They don't have totals on the…

Extra $600 in Federal Unemployment Benefits Now Expired

SHARE The federal program meant to bolster the income for those unemployed because of coronavirus shutdowns ended on Saturday, and it is uncertain how much future benefits will be under the new stimulus package currently being debated in…

Following the Money Trail: Householder Allegations Shed Light on How Dark Money Can Move In Politics

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Follow the money – nearly $61 million, to be specific —and the trail from Company A, now reported as First Energy, to a web of operatives, campaigns and pockets of a group called the Enterprise. What You Need To Know Speaker of the…

Columbus Mayor Announces New Programs to Engage Youth, Curb Violence

SHARE COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus residents experienced the “tale of two responses” on Saturday from city officials, as the mayor laid out new plans to curb violence the same day police disrupted a protest calling for the resignation of city…

State Borrows From Feds To Pay Benefits As Claims Decline

SHARE Fewer people are applying for benefits in Ohio as continued claims dropped again this week. But, the onslaught of claims due to the pandemic dried up the state’s unemployment trust fund. And the state asked for permission to borrow up to $3.1…

City Council, Mayor Address Columbus On Police Reform

SHARE Columbus officials addressed the continued protests and forceful dispersal techniques used by protestors, the week the city hits a full 30 days of protests. Mayor Andrew Ginther promised change and reinforced previous plans, his City Council…

Reynoldsburg Bans LGBTQ, Hair Discrimination

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio ― The city of Reynoldsburg became the 31st Ohio municipality to pass antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ citizens, and also has banned discrimination based on hairstyle. What You Need To Know Reynoldsburg, an eastern Columbus…

Black LGBTQ Leaders Reclaim Pride For Black Liberation

This is LGBTQ Pride month and normally rainbow flags and parades would fill streets across the Buckeye state. But, with coronavirus risk postponing celebrations, and the continued protests against police brutality and racism, and for black…