Statewide News

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed an anti-bullying bill that requires schools to update policies to include harassment and intimidation sent electronically, such as over the Internet or mobile phones.

The Ohio Senate has passed a measure designed to crack down on the large-scale dog breeding operations
that critics call puppy mills.

Republican state Sen. Jim Hughes of Columbus says the bill he sponsored will send a message to bad breeders that they are not welcome in Ohio. It passed the Senate Wednesday on a 30-0 vote and now goes to the Ohio House.

Ohio's answer to Punxsutawney Phil is predicting a shorter winter - not that there's been much winter to speak of.

WMRN radio reports that Ohio groundhog Buckeye Chuck failed to see his shadow at dawn on Thursday under overcast skies in the central Ohio city of Marion. According to legend, no shadow means spring will arrive early.

Winter has barely made an appearance in Ohio. Temperatures have been warmer than normal and most spots have seen much less snow than usual.