Statewide News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - It appears Ohio won't get $176 million in federal stimulus money to expand its unemployment benefits.

The federal government set aside $7 billion to give to states that expanded those benefits, and the deadline is Monday. Ohio's General Assembly would have to pass a law to make those changes, but no voting session was scheduled Monday.

A spokesman for Republican Gov. John Kasich says it's unwise to make changes that will cost the state in the long run in exchange for one-time money from the federal government.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Hundreds of home-weatherization jobs are expected to be lost in Ohio as federal stimulus money runs out for programs that help low-income and elderly Ohioans with home-energy improvements.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies in Columbus told the state this week that agencies providing services for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program expect to lay off about 700 employees in the next six months.

The state says Ohio's unemployment rate rose in July, the second straight monthly increase following a two-year decline.  The Department of Job and Family Services says Ohio's jobless rate increased to 9.0 percent last month, from 8.8 percent in June.

The state says the number of workers unemployed in Ohio in July was 529,000, up from 517,000 in June.  The U.S. unemployment rate for July was 9.1 percent, down slightly from 9.2 percent in June.

TOLEDO, Ohio - A trade group reports Toledo showed the most improvement among the state's six biggest housing markets during July.

The National Association of Realtors says Toledo had a higher increase in home prices, a bigger drop in homes on the market and a shorter average sale time than Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.

Toledo Board of Realtors President Ed Sitter tells The Blade the report confirms "positive signs," including agents saying some homes are drawing multiple offers.