News

In the week's PoliticsOhio, Emily McCord speaks with Bill Coehn with the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau. Cohen breaks down the result of several of this week's Quinnipeac polls. It includes how Kasich's approval rate is sinking, mixed news on President Obama in the state, and how Ohioans feel about the new health care law. Also, Cohen reports on the national implications on collective bargaining. Ohio voters will decide its fate in November.

A new poll shows voters think it's ok to require Ohioans to show a photo ID when casting ballots.

In the latest Quinnipiac University poll, 93 percent of republicans, 77 percent of independents and 66 percent of Democrats said they'd support a law that requires voters to show photo id to vote. However, some lawmakers, including Ohio's Secretary of State Jon Husted, who support the bill don't like the way it was written and question its constitutionality.

The Ohio Parole Board says no mercy should be shown toward a condemned inmate set to die next month for killing a woman who was stabbed more than 100 times, then had her hands cut off.

The eight-member board voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend that Governor John Kasich deny clemency to 37-year-old Brett Hartman, whose execution is scheduled for August 16th.

Regional banking company Fifth Third Bancorp says its second-quarter earnings more than doubled as credit trends continued to improve.

The Cincinnati-based company reports net income of $328 million for April, May and June. That compares with earnings of $130 million in the same period a year ago. Some analysts expect earnings-per-share of 28 cents.

Fifth Third says it saw growth in mortgage banking, credit card and corporate banking revenue. They operate more than 1,300 banking centers in 12 states.

At least one state lawmaker isn't ready to toast plans for a new bar serving alcohol in the Ohio Statehouse.

Republican Rep. Rex Damschroder says the decision by the board overseeing the state Capitol building "sends a very negative message." The lawmaker from Fremont in northwest Ohio tells the board in a letter that he's not aware of any other U.S. statehouse with a fully operational bar.

Ohio Statehouse managers said recently that the full-service bar would open next month within an existing cafe.