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Regional roundup

Data processing

board of meet

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Data Processing board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the probate court conference room on the fourth floor of the courthouse.

FEMA to help counties hit by storms, tornadoes

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s governor says the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help four counties and the state cover some of the costs of responding to tornadoes and severe storms that struck in late May.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine says FEMA has opened its Public Assistance program to the state of Ohio and to Columbiana, Greene, Mercer and Montgomery counties. Local governments, state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations in those counties are eligible for federal funds to help cover expenses such as debris removal and infrastructure damage.

DeWine’s office says a preliminary damage assessment included about $12 million for debris removal and $6 million more in other eligible costs.

The storms led to 21 tornadoes across Ohio.

A disaster declaration from GOP President Donald Trump makes 11 Ohio counties eligible for federal assistance.

Ohio OKs financial

rescue of nuclear plants

COLUMBUS — The state Senate has approved legislation that would give Ohio’s nuclear plants up to $150 million a year by adding a fee onto consumers’ electricity bills, but the House vote was delayed.

The legislation cleared the Senate in a 19-12 vote Wednesday. The House recessed until Aug. 1 without taking up the bill.

Supporters of the bill in the House apparently lacked enough votes Wednesday to get the 50-vote majority needed to send it to the governor.

FirstEnergy Solutions has said it will be forced to close the two plants near Cleveland and Toledo by next year if it doesn’t get the financial help.

Opponents say the plants are outdated and providing a financial lifeline would give the nuclear industry an unfair advantage over other power plants and energy sources.

From staff and wire reports

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