Statewide News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohioans across the state felt an earthquake centered in Virginia as office buildings swayed near the Statehouse and the press box shook at a Cleveland Indians game.

Some buildings were evacuated briefly Tuesday but no damages or injuries were immediately reported. Tremors were felt in the state's Appalachian region and stretched as far west as Dayton and north to Lake Erie.

Secretary of State Jon Husted says a new law should make it easier for all of Ohio’s military members serving abroad to cast ballots.  Under this new law, Husted says military members will receive a kit that gives them all of the information they need to vote in Ohio.  And he’s established a website, OhioMilitaryVote.com, that will provide those who serve the country abroad with the same information in the kit. Husted says this new process will make sure military members can get a ballot on the internet.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Child advocates are pushing for help for families adopting older foster children and those with serious behavioral and mental health issues.

Most states focus money on recruiting parents, but once a child is adopted, few funds are directed to supporting the new families.  Ohio's program offers adoptive parents up to $10,000 for services -- a drop from $20,000.