Dimora sentenced to 28 years

A former Ohio county commissioner convicted in a federal public corruption case has been sentenced to 28 years in prison. Prosecutors had asked for more than 22 years behind bars for ex-Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, who was convicted of racketeering, bribery and other counts. Read WKSU’s full coverage here.

Obama to visit Mansfield, Akron

President Barack Obama is back in Ohio today. Mr. Obama will stop at an Air National Guard base in Mansfield that has been targeted for cuts, and speak to supporters at Akron's convention center. The President’s afternoon visit to Akron today could cause traffic headaches during rush hour.  The Beacon Journal reports authorities, for security reasons, aren’t revealing the route the President’s motorcade will take.  Mayor Don Plusquellic says “it will be safety first and somebody’s ingress and egress second.”  Metro RTA issued a statement telling riders to expect delays this afternoon. The Air National Guard base in Ohio where President Barack Obama is scheduled to land today has been on a list of air guard bases around the country facing cuts. The Mansfield News Journal reports that the community has rallied in recent months to help save the base. The fate of the cuts is uncertain, and in May a U.S. Senate panel approved a measure to block funding cuts to Air National Guard bases around the country.

LaTourette announces resignation

Northeast Ohio Congressman Steve LaTourette will retire when his term expires in January. The moderate Lake County Republican made the surprise announcement yesterday that he’s dropping his re-election bid. LaTourette says he no longer feels he can make a difference in Washington because the once-valued skill of compromise is dead. Read WKSU’s full coverage here.

Twitter threat suspect suspended from KSU

Kent State has suspended a student who allegedly posted a message on Twitter saying he would be "shooting up" the campus. A judge had already ordered sophomore William Koberna to stay away from the school and from the school's president.

Kasich plans to close income tax loopholes

Governor John Kasich is looking at another way to cut income taxes. The Columbus Dispatch reports the Governor’s latest plan is to close tax loopholes that are part sales tax rules. But many of the credits and deductions in the Kasich’s sights are popular exemptions. And eliminating things like a tax exemption for prescription drugs or an income tax deduction for spouses and children could prove difficult. Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols says closing loopholes has always been a priority for the governor. His other proposal for cutting income taxes would be funded by raising taxes on oil and gas drillers.  That plan is stuck in the legislature.

Unions support redistricting coalition

A coalition pushing changes to the way Ohio draws legislative and congressional districts has raised more than $1.6 million, with the vast majority of donations coming from unions and union-backed groups. The Voters First coalition spent close to $1.5 million from January through June 30. The coalition's proposed constitutional amendment would take away map-drawing powers from elected officials and turn them over to a 12-person citizen commission. The measure initially fell short of the signatures needed to appear on the fall ballot. But organizers said Monday that they were confident the additional signatures they filed with the state will qualify the proposal.

Air National Guard base faces cut

The Air National Guard base in Ohio where President Barack Obama is scheduled to land today has been on a list of air guard bases around the country facing cuts. Wing vice commander Col. Michael Howard says C27-Js planes will be positioned at the base so the president sees them when Air Force One touches down. The community has rallied in recent months to help save the base and its aircraft. The fate of the cuts is uncertain, and in May a U.S. Senate panel approved a measure to block funding cuts to Air National Guard bases around the country.

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile found in 374 Ohio locations

The Ohio Dept. of Health says the number of mosquitoes this year found carrying West Nile virus is the highest in a decade. The Plain Dealer reports the latest were a small number of mosquitos in Shaker Heights testing positive. So far this year, 374 mosquito pools across the state have tested positive compared to 59 at the same time last year. In 2002 441 people came down with the mosquito borne West Nile virus, with 31 fatalities. So far this summer has only seen one confirmed case of West Nile in humans, an 85-year-old man hospitalized in southern Ohio.