Report says Ohio need to commercialize university ventures
A new Board of Regents report says the state is below average when it comes to taking university research and turning it into viable commercial products. The report proposes a statewide commercialization effort to create jobs, promote economic growth and increase wealth in the state. 

New poll numbers boost Obama in Ohio
In May, an independent poll on the presidential race in Ohio showed it was too close to call. But now, those same pollsters have found a surge of support for President Barack Obama. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has the latest numbers.

COHEN on poll numbers

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Protesting the "American Dream"

Local officials plan to protest today an upcoming “American Dream” event in Cleveland sponsored by a group called the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald and local police, housing counselors and others will be outside Public Hall this afternoon, where Neighborhood Assistance plans to hold a five-day event beginning tomorrow.

 The organization bills itself as helping people buy homes and refinance mortgages with no down payments and closing costs. But the local officials are skeptical. Fitzgerald says his protest is part of his effort to advocate “against foreclosure scams and this type of preying on our citizens.”

Pa. pricetag for winning the cracker: $1.7 billion 
Pennsylvania’s governor is pushing lawmakers to approve a $1.7 billion tax credit to lure a petrochemical plant to western Pennsylvania. But some tax experts say the break for Shell Chemicals is a bad idea.

According to the Associated Press, the Cato Institute says that instead of a credit to one company, it would be better to lower tax rates for all businesses.  And a public policy professor at George Washington University says studies show that the best tax systems have low rates and treat all businesses equally.

Shell plans to build the multibillion-dollar petrochemical refinery about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Ohio and West Virginia had been vying for the plant as well.

Teacher injured in Lake Erie drowning dies
A 46-year-old teacher who was trying to help one of her students get out of Lake Erie Monday morning has died.

Laura Recco was injured at Huntington Beach when she was trying to help a 9-year-old girl.  A lifeguard who went to save them also was overcome, and a bystander helped get the girl to shore. Other guards pulled Recco and the lifeguard out of the water, and Recco remained in critical condition until she was pronounced dead.

The National Weather Service had issued a rip-tide warning shortly before the incident.

Cavs prep for NBA draft 
The NBA draft is Thursday night, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are already planning to put their new talent to work. The Cavs have announced its draft picks will help unveil a new Family Room at the Cleveland Clinic on Friday.
The Cavs have the No. 4 and 24 picks in the draft, which is largely regarded as a weak one.