Jo Ingles (Ohio Public Radio)

Now that Former Democratic Governor Ted Strickland has announced he won’t run again for Governor in 2014, the question turns to who the party will find to take on current Republican Governor John Kasich. Ohio Public Radio’s Jo Ingles reports on some of the possible contenders.

Democratic Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald is widely mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor in 2014, a move he says he’s considering.

It’s going to be a busy year at in the House, says Republican Speaker Bill Batchelder.

“Well, there’s no question. I think we’re going to see some exciting announcements this week, and I think we’re going to be looking at very important questions about the structure of state government,” says Batchelder.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says his office is investigating the alleged rape of a teen girl in Steubenville. The case has made headlines in recent days after the video of the alleged rape surfaced on the internet. DeWine says two defendants are set to face rape charges in juvenile court.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says he wants to give teachers the tools they need to prevent or deal with school shootings.

"The truth is that while we train first responders, the real first responders in these tragedies are teachers.  They are the ones who are there," says DeWine. "They are the ones who make the life and death decisions.  They are the ones who are going to do what they can do to save lives.  By the time the first responders get there, we may have a number of children killed."

There might be support for legalizing marijuana and allowing gay marriage in some states but a new poll shows both issues might lose if Ohio voters weighed in right now. 

Just last week, a Quinnpiac University National poll showed support for legalizing marijuana by a margin of 51 to 44 percent.  But a new Quinnipiac University Poll of Ohioans shows the issue is tied here in the buckeye state at 47 percent.