Military

New figures from the Defense Department show sexual assault in the military is increasing, and that the vast majority of cases are going unreported. As WYSO’s Emily McCord reports Republican Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio’s 10th district is proposing legislation to encourage victims to come forward.

The Air Force has been struggling with cases of sexual assault. Nearly 800 cases were reported last year and military leaders say many more are going unreported. April is sexual assault awareness month and WYSO’s Emily McCord spokes with Congressman Mike Turner for an update on how the Air Force is working to eradicate the problem.       

The Ohio House and Senate has awarded the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction to the families of 28 Ohio soldiers who lost their lives while serving our country during the past year. Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder, at a Statehouse ceremony, said each has made a sacrifice to this state that will never be forgotten.

Fifteen military groups are opposing a federal lawsuit in Ohio brought by President Barack Obama's campaign because they say it could threaten voter protections offered to service members. 

Obama's campaign and Democrats argue the battleground state's law unfairly ends in-person voting for most Ohioans three days earlier than it does for military and overseas voters.  They say such disparate treatment is unconstitutional, and all voters should be able to vote on those days.

The Dayton Dragons, along with  the Dayton Development Coalition, will host the first of two “Hometown Heroes Celebration Nights” at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, when the Dragons host the Great Lakes Loons. The program is part of a season-long celebration to pay tribute to all service men and women associated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield Air National Guard Base.

DAYTON, Ohio(AP) - Public records show the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs paid out $940,000 in cases related to the deaths of eight Dayton VA Medical Center patients.

The center came under scrutiny last year after allegations of improper hygiene by a dentist at a clinic. Records requested and obtained by the Dayton Daily News reveal the center has faced 72 medical malpractice claims since 2007, including those related to eight deaths between 2005 and 2008. There are pending claims over two deaths in 2009 and 2010.