Portage County Legal News

Portage County Legal News.

Local

Akron Law faculty member receives Professionalism Award

When Joann Sahl became a member of the legal profession in 1986, she said she had one goal in mind, providing access to justice to low-income individuals.
It’s an objective she’s carried out in various capacities over the years, initially as a public defender and then as a legal aid attorney and currently as a facult ... (full story)

State

Workplace injury claim does not have to be resolved through arbitration

A maintenance worker severely injured at a Stark County dairy facility can sue his employer without first going through the grievance and arbitration process established by the company and its union, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled recently.
In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court concluded that Steven Sinley’s lawsuit claimi ... (full story)

Schools struggle to staff up for youth mental health crisis

Mira Ugwuadu felt anxious and depressed when she returned to her high school in Cobb County, Georgia, last fall after months of remote learning, so she sought help. But her school counselor kept rescheduling their meetings because she had so many students to see.
"I felt helpless and alone," the 12th grader later said. ... (full story)

Ohio Supreme Court puts brakes on taxing NASCAR

The money NASCAR makes from selling the rights to broadcast stock car races and merchandise to Ohio fans is not subject to the state’s commercial activities tax (CAT), the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled recently.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court rejected the Ohio Tax Commissioner’s order that NASCAR owes the ... (full story)

Supreme Court turns away school's appeal of sex-assault case

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a Virginia school board that says it shouldn't be held liable for the alleged sexual assault of a student by a classmate on a band trip.
The court without comment rejected the appeal from the Fairfax County School Board. The case will now go to trial ... (full story)

What to know if you've applied for student loan forgiveness

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden's plan to provide up to $20,000 in federal student loan forgiveness has been blocked by two federal courts, leaving millions of borrowers wondering what happens next. The Justice Department recently asked the Supreme Court to reverse one of the lower court decisions, warning that many Americ ... (full story)

Technology

Optimize your web page for voice search

Somewhere between 40% and 70% of people who are searching for you on the internet are doing so by using their voices (depending on the survey).
This could be on a smartphone, a computer or a smart device and using Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant.
You need to be able to reach those people. Voice search operates differently f ... (full story)