Becca Costello

1 week ago | wvxu.org | Becca Costello

The city of Cincinnati is partnering with Fifth Third Bank to start college savings accounts for 150 preschool-age children, with an initial deposit of up to $553 in the first year. "We want to build a Cincinnati where every kid — no matter what their background is or how much money their family has — has the opportunity and the belief that they can achieve their dreams," said Mayor Aftab Pureval. Families making less than 300% of the federal poverty level will be eligible.

1 week ago | wvxu.org | Becca Costello

Cincinnati voters have chosen the two candidates to face off for city mayor in the November election. With nearly 80% of precincts reporting, incumbent Democrat Aftab Pureval won the most votes Tuesday with 83%. Republican Cory Bowman came a distant second with just over 12% of the vote. The race is nonpartisan and party affiliation is not listed on the ballot; the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election in the fall. Republican Brian Frank came third with 4.5% of the vote.

1 week ago | wvxu.org | Becca Costello

A city of Cincinnati employee who was fired in October after an "aggressive, derogatory, and disparaging" interaction with pro-Palestinian demonstrators has been reinstated to his job after mediation. A settlement agreement released to WVXU after a public records request says the city agreed to reduce the employee's termination to an 80-hour suspension; he was allowed to return to work starting Feb. 17, but will not receive back pay.

1 week ago | wvxu.org | Becca Costello

Cincinnati City Council is set to approve a job creation tax credit agreement this week, the fourth such agreement so far this year. Council member Jeff Cramerding is chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. He says tax credits like this are an important incentive. "We're foregoing a portion of our earnings tax for a few years, but in doing that, we are getting jobs to transfer to the city of Cincinnati," Cramerding told WVXU.

1 week ago | wvxu.org | Becca Costello

Cincinnati’s pension system still has a large unfunded liability, but the future outlook has improved. Actuaries from the firm Cheiron presented the 2024 annual report to the system’s Board of Trustees last week. Janet Cranna says if investment returns continue at the current pace, the pension will be fully funded in 2061. "You had a great return on market value this year: the market value of assets earned 9.73% this year, which is greater than the assumption of 7.5%," Cranna said.