Universities recommended to go entirely smoke-free
Ohio higher education officials have voted unanimously to urge the state's public campuses to ban use of all tobacco products, both indoors and outdoors. The Ohio Board of Regents' resolution approved Monday comes after a review showed such policies help both smokers and nonsmokers and cut costs for education institutions. The Ohio Department of Health has prepared tool kits for universities and colleges to help them implement tobacco-free policies, though the decision will ultimately be up to each institution's board of trustees.

Akron to put school levy on the ballot
The Akron school board will ask voters to raise their property taxes about 18% this fall. The district will put a 7.9-mill levy on the November ballot, costing the average homeowner nearly $250 more a year. The levy would generate about $19 million a year fro the struggling district that has already made $22 million in cuts. Voters rejected a smaller levy last year. Last week, the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board voted to put a 15-mill operating levy on the fall ballot. 

Judge says there's no need to move bomb plot trial
A federal judge says he will not move the trial of five men charged with plotting to bomb the Route 82 Bridge in Brecksville. But Judge David Dowd in Akron said Monday it's possible that evidence of bias will emerge during jury selection, so he delayed a final ruling. One defendant had asked to have the trial moved to Toledo. The men are facing a Sept. 17 trial on charges of plotting to blow up the bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The men allegedly were working with an FBI informant who provided a dud explosive. All five have pleaded not guilty. 

Renacci returns contributions
Northeast Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci has returned $100,000 in campaign contributions under investigation by the FBI. The FBI has previously questioned how some of the 17 employees of Canton’s Suarez Corporation Industries could have come up with the money. Renacci of Wadsworth said in a statement Monday that he is returning 20 checks for $5,000 each now that the FBI has confirmed an investigation. In May, Ohio Treasuer and Republican Senate candidate Josh Mandel returned $105,000 in contributions from the Suarez Corporation.

Romney outraises Obama in Ohio
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romeny is outraising President Barack Obama in Ohio so far. The most recent campaign finance disclosures show Romney has raised $3.2 million in Ohio, including more than $400,000 in June alone. Mr. Obama has raised $2.5 million in Ohio, and about$300,000 in June. In metro areas, Romney has raised more than the president in Cincinnati, while Mr. Obama leads fundraising in Cleveland and Columbus.

Akron seeks to change council terms
The city of Akron is revisiting the idea of raising the terms for ward council members from two to four years. The charter amendment would require voter approval in November – and voters struck down the idea six years ago. Akron Mayor Don Pluquellic and council president Marco Sommerville say putting all elected municipal seats on the same cycle would save the city money by eliminating an off-year election. The proposal also would limit raises for the mayor and council.

Cleveland Clinic to partner with OSU
The Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University are forming a partnership aimed at getting more good ideas for patients into the field. The two institutions plan to provide details today of an alliance according to the Associated Press. Speakers include Mark Kvamme, president and chief investment officer of JobsOhio, the state's new semi-private economic development entity that has been pushing more commercialization. The research organizations said their collaboration will focus on improving and extending the lives of patients while improving Ohio's economy.