Public meeting to discuss Davis Besse cracks
The public will have a chance to hear more about the reason behind cracks found in the outer shell of the Davis Besse nuclear power plant along Lake Erie. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday accepted Akron-based First Energy’s findings that a blizzard nearly 35 years ago and a lack of exterior weatherproofing caused the concrete to crack. The NRC will hold a public meeting about the findings, but has not yet set a date. Regulators said Thursday they also approve of the utility's plan to apply a new coating and do additional tests at the plant near Toledo. The cracks were found while the plant was shut down for maintenance last fall and was allowed to reopen in December. Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a longtime opponent of the plant, says he doesn't believe that weather caused the cracks.

NRC chairman to tour problematic Perry plant
The chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is coming to Northeast Ohio Friday to tour the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. NRC spokeswoman Viktoria Mitlyng says Perry's Nuclear Generating Station is having performance problems, which prompted Gregory Jaczko’s visit. Jaczko will meet with reporters after his tour. The Commission downgraded Perry’s safety rating this spring, and ordered owner First Energy to come up with a plan to correct problems with procedures and training. The company says it has done so.

Anti-abortion group lacking signatures
It’s looking like there will be no fall ballot issue for a constitutional amendment declaring that life begins when a human egg is fertilized. The anti-abortion group pushing the measure says it has only about 5% of the roughly 385,000 signatures required by July 4 for the proposal to appear on November ballots.

Northeast Ohio leads home sale surge
Ohio home sales are rebounding, and Northeast Ohio is leading the recovery. According to the Ohio Association of Realtors, sales increased more 13% in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period last year. People have bought more than 13,000 homes the region’s 17 counties this year. That’s up nearly 20% over a year ago. In Northeast Ohio, Stark and Cuyahoga counties had the biggest increase in sales. Tuscarawas, Carroll and Summit counties had the biggest increase in average prices.  

First casino cheating cases filed
State agents are compiling Ohio's first casino cheating cases for potential prosecution, weeks after the first two casinos opened in Cleveland and Toledo. The Ohio Casino Control Commission says Agents monitoring casino floors have seen up to 25 cheating and other gaming-related cases between the two casinos.

Kasich defends controversial school board pick
Governor John Kasich says he’s confident in his controversial pick for the Ohio School board. Questions about Stanley Jackson’s qualifications and ties with a charter school promoted reporters to ask Governor Kasich why he appointed the former Ohio State quarterback to the post. Our education reporters at State Impact Ohio learned that Jackson attended Ohio State, but never graduated. The governor’s office could not provide a resume for Jackson. And the charter school that Jackson is affiliated with does not exist according to the Ohio Department of Education. Kasich says Jackson is "a man of great character" and that he "will be a great addition."

Managed care groups sue state
One of two managed care organizations that were tentatively awarded new Medicaid contracts is suing because Ohio officials revoked that decision. A review of applications changed how points were awarded and meant the contracts wouldn't go to Aetna Better Health of Ohio and Meridian Health Plan of Ohio. At stake is billions of dollars in work. Aetna wants its contract reinstated. The lawsuit also asks the court to stop the contract process while the matter is resolved.

Bomb suspect wants evidence excluded
One of five suspects charged with plotting to bomb the Route 82 Bridge in Brecksville wants to exclude trial evidence that he threatened to bomb his seventh-grade principal. The attorney for Douglas Wright of Indianapolis says information about the threat when Wright was 12-years old would prejudice the jury. The federal judge in Akron said Thursday he will take up the issue next month.