Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Ohio rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 8,675 in the week ending January 31, up from 6,862 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 231,000 last week, up 22,000 claims from 209,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Mississippi saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 75.4%. Nebraska, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 70.7%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Former NFL linebacker and key member of Ohio State’s 2014 national championship football team, Darron Lee, was charged in his girlfriend’s murder after her body was found in a Tennessee home.

According to WTVC, deputies in Hamilton County went to a residence on February 5 on Snow Cone Way in Ooltewah to a report of CPR in progress. First responders located a female victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she died from her injuries.

Sheriff’s detectives said her death was the result of a homicide. Her boyfriend, Darron Lee, was identified as the suspect and taken into custody at the scene.

WTVC said the date of birth for Lee in the county booking system matches the ESPN profile of a former NFL linebacker of the same name.

Lee, a former OSU linebacker, was the defensive MVP of Ohio State’s unforgettable Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2015, paving the way for the Buckeyes most recent football title.

He played high school football at New Albany, and after leaving OSU early to declare for the NFL Draft, Lee was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets. He also played for Kansas City, with whom he won a Super Bowl, as well as Buffalo and Las Vegas.

Lee was arrested for assault and domestic violence in Dublin back in 2023. He pleaded guilty to a lesser offense in 2025, resulting in a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 days suspended. He was placed on probation through February 2027.

He has now been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in Hamilton County.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Travel conditions across Northeast Ohio are expected to deteriorate in waves Friday as an Alberta clipper and Arctic front move through the region, bringing multiple rounds of winter weather during both the morning and evening commutes.

While this is not expected to be a major snowstorm, the system is likely to create multiple periods of hazardous travel Friday. Widespread snowfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across Northeast Ohio, with an additional inch or two possible in the snowbelt east of Cleveland.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for all of Northeast Ohio through early Saturday, with forecasters emphasizing that the combination of snow, blowing snow and sharply falling temperatures — rather than just totals — will drive travel impacts.

Early morning: Freezing drizzle, light snow create slick start

Some areas of Northeast Ohio saw freezing drizzle around daybreak Friday, a setup that can quickly glaze untreated roads and sidewalks.

Snow is expected to overspread the area around 8 a.m. Forecasters say light to occasionally moderate snowfall will make roads snow covered in spots, particularly on secondary streets.

While snowfall rates are not expected to be extreme, the combination of cold pavement temperatures and early precipitation could slow the morning commute.

Within Northeast Ohio, lighter but steady snow is expected through late morning, while the heaviest snowfall rates are forecast farther southwest of the region.

Late morning into early afternoon: Snow tapers, brief lull

Snow is expected to ease or end from west to east late Friday morning into early afternoon, allowing road crews a window to improve conditions.

Forecasters caution that this lull will be temporary and should not be mistaken for the end of the event.

Evening commute: Arctic front brings burst of snow, squalls

The most hazardous conditions are expected late Friday afternoon into the evening as an Arctic cold front sweeps across Northeast Ohio between roughly 4 and 8 p.m.

A broken line of heavier snow showers or snow squalls are expected to accompany the front, producing brief but intense snowfall rates, rapidly falling visibility and a quick hit of snow on roadways. Wind gusts could reach 35 to 45 mph, leading to blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

Temperatures will drop sharply behind the front, allowing any moisture on roadways to freeze quickly and worsen travel conditions.

Overnight: Snow tapers, dangerous cold sets in

Snow showers will gradually diminish late Friday night, though localized lake-enhanced snow may linger in parts of the snowbelt.

Behind the storm, Arctic air will surge into the region, sending overnight temperatures down to between 5 and minus 5 degrees. Wind chills are expected to fall to 15 to 25 degrees below zero by early Saturday, prompting a cold weather advisory across the region through noon Saturday.