News In Focus with Chris Long

Pressure is Building to Reopen Ohio's Economy

Pressure is Building to Reopen Ohio's Economy

Members of the Ohio General Assembly are hearing from their constituents of just how great a toll this COVID-19 closure is having on their personal lives and businesses. State Senator Steve Huffman has written a letter concerning the numbers projection. State Rep. Todd Smith has written a letter to the Governor detailing the severe problems that businesses are having in his district. Speaker Larry Householder has convened an economic task force to address the issues and to set forth a plan for reopening Ohio. Here to talk about it in detail is State Senator Andy Brenner from Ohio's 19th District. What most are saying is that now that we've flattened the curve, let's reopen Ohio for business before the economic damage becomes catastrophic. 

Part 2 - Encore presentation with Senator Rob Portman as he discusses the CARES Act, passed by Congress, that will provide financial relief to individuals, families, nonprofits, and small businesses. Senator Portman breaks down how financial relief is being provided in the CARES Act recently passed by Congress. He discusses the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and how it works. Tune in and tell a friend. 

Relief is on its way through the CARES Act as U.S. Senator Portman explains

Relief is on its way through the CARES Act as U.S. Senator Portman explains

This week on News in Focus we discuss the CARES Act, passed by Congress, that will provide financial relief to individuals, families, nonprofits, and small businesses. Senator Portman breaks down how financial relief is being provided in the CARES Act recently passed by Congress. He discusses the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and how it works. Tune in and tell a friend. 

Part 2 - Pastors Roundtable Discussion - What some churches around the state are doing for Easter Sunday morning services. Pastor Rodney Lord of Freedom Gate Church, Marietta OH, explains how three churches are coming together on Sunday in a drive-in-style gathering on Sunday to conduct a community Easter Sunday Morning service. Pastor Dana Gammill of Cathedral of Life in Canton will also have a drive-in outdoor service as three churches are joining together in Canton to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Pastor Jerry O'Brien of Faith Harvest Fellowship of Orrville shares how the social distancing shut down of public services has been both a challenge and an opportunity for the church to connect with one another. Without question, this has been a time of challenge for the church throughout the state of Ohio. Let's continue to pray for the Body of Christ through these difficult times. 

 

A Plea to Governor DeWine to Keep State Parks Open During COVID-19

A Plea to Governor DeWine to Keep State Parks Open During COVID-19

Ohio Christian Alliance wrote a letter to Governor DeWine this week, urging the Governor to keep State Parks open for the residents of Ohio during the COVID-19 shutdown. The importance of mental health issues was addressed in the letter to the Governor. Joining us to discuss it are State Rep. Todd Smith of Ohio's 43rd District, and Pastor Alfred Davis of the Richfield Bible Baptist Church. 

Part - 2  

COVID-19 Unintended Consequences Economic Downturn Affecting Many

Business leaders discuss the harsh reality for small businesses and those that they employ who are being severely affected as a result of the Ohio Health Department directives to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Greg Lawson, Senior Research Fellow at the Buckeye Institute and Larry Carlson, co-owner of The Original Mattress Factory (Ret), discuss the impact the closure of restaurants, stores, and small business is having on those who operate those businesses and those who are employed by them. 

 

COVID-19 Unintended Consequences Economic Downturn Affecting Many

COVID-19 Unintended Consequences Economic Downturn Affecting Many

Business leaders discuss the harsh reality for small businesses and those that they employ who are being severely affected as a result of the Ohio Health Department directives to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Greg Lawson, Senior Research Fellow at the Buckeye Institute and Larry Carlson, co-owner of The Original Mattress Factory (Ret), discuss the impact the closure of restaurants, stores, and small business is having on those who operate those businesses and those who are employed by them. 

Rob Walgate, Vice President of The American Policy Roundtable, breaks down the four-point press release that the Roundtable released earlier this week, addressing the unprecedented suspension of the Primary Election, the order for closure of businesses and the stay-at-home order by the OH Department of Health, and the need for expenditure of the Ohio Rainy-Day Fund to help with the Health Care Crisis. Click here to read the full release

 

Congressional Update on Coronavirus Health Crisis and Pastors Roundtable

Congressman Bill Johnson provides a Congressional update.

Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio's 6th District provides an in-depth analysis of the coronavirus health crisis. Congressman Johnson has been receiving daily briefings and shares with News in Focus what he has been learning and what we should prepare ourselves for. 

Part 2 - Pastors Roundtable on the coronavirus health crisis - how it is affecting churches and houses of worship across the State of Ohio. Joining me are Pastor Jason Williams of Columbus Church in the Wild, Pastor David Jones of the Millwood Church of Christ in Knox County, and Pastor John T. Coats of the Metropolitan Church of God in Christ in Columbus. Each of these pastors shares from their perspective on how people of faith are handling the health crisis and finding ways to reach out to others at this time of need. 

CORONAVIRUS Update from the Ohio Department of Health -This is an important program you do not want to miss.

CORONAVIRUS Update from the Ohio Department of Health

On this program, we discuss the coronavirus pandemic. We detail how it started, how it is spreading, and now that it has been confirmed in Ohio - what steps the Governor's office and the Ohio Department of Health are taking to combat the spread of the coronavirus here in Ohio. This program has updated information, along with Health Department guidelines and protocols to follow to help safeguard the communities and your family. There are now four confirmed cases in Ohio. Joining us from the Ohio Department of Health is the Director of Preparedness and Response, Ben Robison. This is an important, informative program that you must share with your family and friends. This information is updated and relative to the coronavirus crisis. - OCA President Chris Long

Tim Grendell Judge Geauga County Court of Common Pleas

Tim Grendell Judge Geauga County Court of Common Pleas

Judge Grendell discusses the caseload before his court in Geauga County. Judge Grendell also gives us an update on the opiate addiction crisis in Ohio and some of the progress he is seeing in his community. He discusses how local communities are coming together to address the problem and the importance of the faith community reaching out to those individuals and families afflicted with the opiate addiction problem. 

Religious Liberty Under Assault 

Religious liberty is under assault in Finland, United Kingdom, Canada, and now here in the United States. Franklin Graham is attempting to conduct evangelistic meetings in Britain, and is being met with fierce opposition from the LGBTQ radical community as they have urged seven venues to rescind their invitations because they say Franklin Graham promotes "hate speech".  What they consider hate speech is preaching the Bible and what it says about sin. A member of the Finnish Parliament is facing criminal investigation by the state for simply posting up Scripture verses that deal with homosexuality. The threats to religious liberty reach all the way here to America and our own state. 

Candidate Spotlight With Diane Grendell and Mark Romanchuk

Candidate Spotlight With Diane Grendell and Mark Romanchuk

Part 1 - Radio interview with Rep. Diane Grendell, candidate for State House District 76. Rep. Grendell discusses what it's like to return to the Statehouse after serving as a District judge. She discusses the issues that she's currently tackling in the Ohio Legislature. 

Part 2 Candidate Spotlight with Mark Romanchuk, Ohio Senate candidate for the 22nd District. Mark explains his initiative on workforce development through apprenticeship programs and training, helping to equip the next workforce for Ohio.

 

Religious Liberty Under Assault and Candidate Spotlight With Mark Romanchuk

Religious Liberty Under Assault and Candidate Spotlight With Mark Romanchuk

Religious liberty is under assault in Finland, United Kingdom, Canada, and now here in the United States. Franklin Graham is attempting to conduct evangelistic meetings in Britain, and is being met with fierce opposition from the LGBTQ radical community as they have urged seven venues to rescind their invitations because they say Franklin Graham promotes "hate speech".  What they consider hate speech is preaching the Bible and what it says about sin. A member of the Finnish Parliament is facing criminal investigation by the state for simply posting up Scripture verses that deal with homosexuality. The threats to religious liberty reach all the way here to America and our own state. 

Part 2 Candidate Spotlight with Mark Romanchuk, Ohio Senate candidate for the 22nd District. Mark explains his initiative on workforce development through apprenticeship programs and training, helping to equip the next workforce for Ohio. 

School Choice and Candidate Spotlight on This Week's News in Focus

School Choice and Candidate Spotlight on This Week's News in Focus

Greg Lawson of The Buckeye Institute helps us break down the Ed Choice voucher debate currently going on at the Ohio Statehouse. If you care about educational choice for your children or grandchildren, you need to hear this interview. Greg Lawson is the Senior Research Fellow at The Buckeye Institute, a conservative thinktank. 

Part 2 - Candidate Spotlight with Laverne Gore, candidate for Ohio's 11th Congressional District in the March 17th Republican Primary.  The 11th District covers portions of Cleveland, its Eastern suburbs, and portions of Summit County.