Obama leads Romney in new poll
A new poll shows President Barack Obama with a slightly larger lead over Republican Mitt Romney in Ohio compared with a similar survey nearly two months ago. The Quinnipiac University poll today finds Obama with 47% to 38% for Romney. The university's poll in early May had them nearly even in Ohio. The Quinnipiac poll taken over the last week shows Mr. Obama doing much better among women and independents. But it's almost an even split between those who say the president deserves a second term and those who think he doesn't deserve to be re-elected.

President to return to Ohio
President Obama reportedly will make another trip to Ohio next week, following the key Supreme Court decision on the his health care law. The Plain Dealer says a campaign spokesman confirmed the visit, but a location and date are pending. The Supreme Court ruling is expected to rule Thursday on the constitutionally of Mr. Obama’s Affordable Care Act. The president traveled to Strongsville in March 2010 to rally support for the legislation, which several days later passed through Congress.

Kasich signs ex-con workforce bill
Gov. John Kasich has signed 13 bills, including one to ease ex-inmates back into the workforce. The measure aims to reduce employment or professional hardships brought about by a person's conviction or decision to plead guilty to a crime. Ex-offenders could get a state certificate of employment or professional licensure lifting certain bars on employment. Kasich signed the bills in private on Tuesday. One bill would bar people from altering a vehicle to create or add a hidden compartment. Another measure would require scrap metal dealers to take a photograph of anyone who sells them scrap.

Feds to back female jail guards suing in Summit
A judge will allow the federal government to back female jail guards in their job discrimination lawsuit in Summit County. The women say they are effectively being demoted because county jail officials don't want them guarding male inmates while showering or being strip searched. The women claim the policy limits job options because they are mostly assigned to overseeing female inmates. A federal magistrate agreed Tuesday to let Washington weigh in on behalf of the guards. The government says the case is a matter of important public interest. 

Diocese to name pastors for shuttered churches
The reopening of nearly a dozen Catholic churches in Cleveland makes strides today. Cleveland Catholic Diocese Bishop Richard Lennon plans to announce the appointments of up to five pastors. The 11 churches reopening were among 50 closed by Lennon beginning in 2009 due to dwindling money, priests and parishioners. The churches appealed to the Vatican and won. 

Preservation tax credits go to Northeast Ohio projects
The state is doling out about $35 million in tax credits to help restore and renovate historic buildings and properties. In Cleveland, developers will use more than $3 million in credits  to build 111 apartments in the Truman and Rosetta Center buildings on Euclid Avenue downtown. The city of Kent is getting about $1 million in credits to turn the 1920’s-era Franklin Hotel into offices, apartments and a restaurant.

Kasich to sign human trafficking bill
Gov. John Kasich will sign a bill today that increases penalties for human trafficking and creates a fund to help victims. It would make human trafficking a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. That's tougher than the second-degree felony that the state Legislature established in late 2010 to tackle what's described as modern-day slavery.

Lakewood lawmaker to run for Ohio Supreme Court
Lakewood Democratic state Sen. Mike Skindell is running for the Ohio Supreme Court this fall. Skindell, an attorney, has been a central figure in Democrats' legal and policy battles over privatization and hydraulic fracturing or fracking in the state. An Ohio Democratic Party committee voted on his nomination Tuesday after the party's original candidate dropped out. Skindell would challenge Republican Justice Terrence O'Donnell.

Cleveland schools' CEO gets 3-year extention 
The Cleveland Board of Education is giving its CEO Eric Gordon a contract extension. Gordon, who took over the position one year ago, will remain CEO through June 2015. Gordon has been leading the district through hundreds of teacher layoffs and cutbacks to stave off a massive budget deficit. Gordon built into his contract salary cuts for himself as well as eliminating other CEO frills. One board member wanted to hold off on the new contract pending the release of graduation rates in August.

GM worker killed in accident
A worker at General Motors’ Parma plant reportedly has died after being pinned between two machines Tuesday. WEWS reports GM has confirmed the 52-year old man died Tuesday night after being taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. His name has not yet been released. GM tells the television station it will begin an investigation. The plant employs about 1,500 people.