Statewide News

The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge aimed at blocking efforts by a group that's seeking to declare in the state constitution that life begins when a human egg is fertilized.

A proposed amendment from Personhood Ohio would expand the definition of a person to include every human being at every stage of biological development, including fertilization.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed an executive order creating a taskforce aimed at expanding job opportunities for the developmentally disabled.

The order creating the Employment First Policy and Taskforce notes that less than 6 percent of adult service funding is used to place and support those with developmental disabilities in the workforce. It also says people with such disabilities have some of the highest unemployment and poverty rates

Federal agriculture officials say they're spending $2 million to help farmers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana keep phosphorus from entering waterways in the western Lake Erie basin.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says projects include using new tools such as biofilters and controlled drainage. Officials say excessive phosphorus from manure causes blue-green algae to proliferate in rivers and streams, limiting oxygen concentrations in water.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to announce the effort today in Michigan.

A proposal in the Ohio House would require retailers to digitally track sales of some over-the-counter allergy and cold medications that are used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine.

The Dayton Daily News reports the bill sponsored by Republican state Rep. Terry Johnson of McDermott would allow real-time tracking of the medications through a national exchange.

The legislation would apply to pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, ingredients used in at-home and portable meth labs that can lead to explosions and fires.