Husted expected to rule on Dayton area elections officials
The state's elections chief is expected to decide today whether to fire two Democrats from an elections board in southwest Ohio after they pushed to extend early voting hours into the weekend. Secretary of State Jon Husted initially suspended Thomas Ritchie and Dennis Lieberman from their positions on the Montgomery County Board of Elections. He then temporarily lifted his suspension last week so the Dayton-area board could continue its work. A state hearing officer has recommended that Husted remove them from the board for failing to act consistently with his order all county boards in Ohio have the same voting hours on weekdays and no hours on the weekends.

Oil and gas drilling in Wayne National Forest approved
The U.S. Forest Service says the shale drilling technique for natural gas known as hydraulic fracturing can take place in a national forest in southeast Ohio. The Forest Service released its report Monday after a study of a land and resource management plan drafted in 2006 for the Wayne National Forest. Officials say that plan can adequately address any damage and risks to the forest from the gas extraction method also known as fracking. Local governments and environmental groups have objected to the proposed leasing of more than 3,000 acres of mineral rights for oil and gas drilling.

Key Tower evacuated
A downtown Cleveland office building was evacuated Monday following an electrical fire. Workers in the Key Tower had to evacuate the building’s 57 floors. Fire officials say there was a minor explosion in the basement electrical vault and it was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system. No one was injured.

Obama coming to Northeast Ohio ahead of Democratic convention
Northeast Ohio is getting another visit by President Obama. Mr. Obama is expected to visit the Cleveland area on Labor Day. The Democratic National Convention officially opens the next day in Charlotte. Details on the President's itinerary have not been announced. He’ll also visit Toledo that day.

Man who brought weapons to Westlake theater on house arrest
A Northeast Ohio man arrested with a loaded gun, ammunition and knives at a showing of the latest Batman movie will be on house arrest while awaiting trial. A prosecutor said 37-year-old Scott Smith will wear an electronic ankle bracelet while he awaits his next court date Sept. 24. He appeared in court last week. Smith will be examined to determine his sanity. Smith faces two concealed weapon counts and one of having a weapon under disability, alleged drug dependency. He was arrested at an Aug. 4 showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Westlake. His attorney says he had the weapons for protection in case someone tried to copy the Colorado theater shooting that left 12 dead.

Casino workers vote to unionize
Workers at Ohio's first casino want to join a union. The Plain Dealer reports that employees of the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland have voted to unionize and are ranking the issues they want to negotiate with management. The bargaining agent, the Cleveland Casino Workers Council, is actually an alliance of four unions that already represent casino workers in other states. The Cleveland Casino Workers Council includes 1,050 Horseshoe employees. An arbitrator certified the election results Aug. 16.

Seven Northeast Ohio businesses given tax breaks
A group of Northeast Ohio companies is getting state tax breaks to create jobs. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved seven projects in the region. Commercial kitchen equipment maker Cleveland Range will expand and plans to create nearly 200 jobs with its eight year, 55-percent credit against state income taxes. Toy and plastics maker Step2 headquartered in Streetsboro is also planning expansions with its credit, along with GrafTech International in Parma.

Cuyahoga County employee fired for falsifying reports
A Cuyahoga County employee has been fired for allegedly falsifying dozens of reports. 38-year old Lisa Rogers of Broadview Heights was a weights and measures inspector who is supposed to make sure scales and scanners are accurate at places like delis and checkout lines. An investigation found Rogers submitted inspection paperwork signed by nonexistent store managers. Rogers could face criminal charges. A report recommends the county re-inspect stores covered by Rogers.