Ohio Newspaper Poll shows Obama, Brown with leads
A new Ohio newspaper organization poll shows President Barack Obama with a five-point lead over Republican Mitt Romney in this crucial swing state. The poll out Sunday gives Mr. Obama a 51 percent to 46 percent lead. The Dispatch/Ohio Newspaper Organization poll included about 860 likely voters conducted Sept. 13-18. A combined 63 percent of likely voters said they were either better off or about the same as four years ago. In the same poll, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown holds a seven-point lead over Republican State Treasurer Josh Mandel among likely voters. Brown’s lead comes despite more than $18 million in outside money being spent against him. Brown has a 14-point lead among female voters while being virtually tied with Mandel among men.

Report: OSU president spends lavishly on entertainment, travel, housing
A newspaper investigation finds that Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee has spent $7.7 million on top of his record-setting compensation to travel, entertain, and maintain his mansion. The Dayton Daily News review published Sunday detailed spending by the 68-year-old Gee that comes on top of $8.6 million in salary and benefits he's collected since returning to Columbus to lead the university in October 2007. In a statement, the university said Gee’s travel and use of residence is paid for through endowments and private donations — not tuition or tax dollars.

Striking oil workers vote down new contract
Union leaders at an oil refinery in northern Ohio overwhelmingly have rejected the company’s latest contract  proposal continuing a strike that’s lasted nearly four months. Some 240 union members at Husky Energy in Lima voted on the new pact Sunday. They’ve been striking since May over safety issues and working conditions. A Husky spokesman said the final offer included substantial pay raises, increases in retirement benefits, and no changes in health care. But the union president tells the Lima News  the deal would not increase wages above any other American refinery and retirement isn't enhanced. Production at the refinery is continuing during the strike, with salaried employees doing the jobs of union members. The refinery puts out 155,000 barrels of oil a day.

Controversial uranium plant gets lifeline
A proposed controversial uranium enrichment plant in southern Ohio is getting $100 million that will keep the stalled project alive. The Senate has followed the House in passing the bill for the $5 billion uranium plant in Piketon. Both of Ohio’s senators, Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, have lobbied hard for the plant, which expects to employ a thousand people in Ohio’s Appalachian region.  But critics contend the investment in the experimental technology amounts to a bailout for a private company that is running out of money.

Attorney Generals’ office ready to help with foster child credit checks
Ohio's attorney general says his office is prepared to help public agencies meet a federal requirement that foster children who are at least 16 years old have their credit checked. Foster youth ages 16 to 18 must receive an annual credit check under the mandate, and any errors found on their credit report must be cleared. County public children services agencies will conduct the checks. And Attorney General Mike DeWine says an identity theft unit within his office will handle any problems with the foster children's reports.

Early mistakes sink Browns
The Browns fell short yesterday, losing to the Bills 24-14. Buffalo jumped out to an early lead while rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden and the offense were unable to get a first down until the second quarter. Rookie Running back Trent Richardson says the team needs to recover quickly. They play Baltimore on Thursday.