Statewide News

Pit bulls in Ohio will no longer be labeled as "vicious" dogs under a bill that's been signed into law by Gov. John Kasich.

The governor on Tuesday signed the bill that changes a law defining a vicious dog as one that has seriously hurt or killed a person, killed another dog or is among those commonly known as pit bulls. The new measure removes the reference to pit bulls from the definition and requires evidence to prove pit bulls are actually vicious.

It also specifies that the label does not include a police dog that has injured a person or has killed another dog.

Some dog wardens have opposed the measure because of frequent pit bull attacks. Others have said pit bulls are not inherently vicious.

Ohio's attorney general says only 13 of Ohio's 88 counties have used federal funds available for bringing back convicted sex offenders who flee the state without informing authorities.

An Ohio teen has pleaded not guilty to killing one man and attempting to kill a second in a deadly Craigslist robbery scheme that targeted older and single out-of-work men.

Brogan Rafferty, his ankles and wrists cuffed, made a brief appearance Friday in adult felony court in Akron on charges originally filed in Noble County, where the case unfolded.

Rafferty, dressed in a white T-shirt and orange jail pants, also has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder in juvenile court in Summit County. Prosecutors eventually hope to merge the cases in adult court in Akron.

A magistrate continued Rafferty's $1 million bond. His attorney says Rafferty cannot afford it.

The speed limit for cars and trucks on Ohio's interstate highways would increase from 65 mph to 70 mph under a bill passed by a House committee.