B Jim Nash of the Columbus Dispatch

Ohio's 1,573 state troopers made nearly 1.4 million traffic stops last year, investigated more than 70,000 crashes and seized nearly $54 million worth of illegal drugs — all on a budget that makes the State Highway Patrol one of the smallest state police agencies by population in the country. Full Article.

From the Toledo Blade

A new report has found a larger proportion of Ohio's population is living in poverty than at any time since the 1960s "War on Poverty." Full Article.

From the Columbus Dispatch

Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman of Cincinnati has taken himself out of consideration for the Republican nomination for Ohio attorney general, but he still has a variety of political options. Full Article.

From the Columbus Dispatch

Could we see a Democratic electoral strategy that doesn't view Ohio as vital this year? Full Article.

By Sabrina Eaton of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

U.S. Rep. David Hobson of south-central Ohio has directed millions of taxpayer dollars to two Ohio projects near real estate he owned, a Plain Dealer review of congressional, personal-finance and real estate records shows. Full Article.

By Stephanie Warsmith of the Akron Beacon Journal

Worried that a long wait on Election Day might prevent her from voting for the first time, Joelle Diane Baker went to the Summit County elections board early — the day before the March election — to vote absentee. Full Article.

By Jon Craig of the Cincinnati Enquirer

Next Friday, more than 80 women from across Ohio will attend The White House Project’s Go Run political training program in Columbus. Full Article.

By Aaron Marshall of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

A deal to pass an eight-state compact that would protect Great Lakes water imploded Thursday as House Democrats blocked a constitutional amendment Republicans wanted to ensure the agreement wouldn't hurt private property rights. Full Article.

By William Hershey of the Dayton Daily News

The House has given final legislative approval to a $1.57 billion bipartisan economic stimulus plan that now goes to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland for his consideration. Full Article.

By Jim Siegel of the Columbus Dispatch

A $1.6 billion economic-stimulus bill that Gov. Ted Strickland hopes will create 57,000 jobs in Ohio passed its final legislative hurdle yesterday, though a controversial anti-cloning provision probably won't survive. Full Article.