Dispatch Poll shows Obama, Brown with solid leads
A new poll shows President Barack Obama with a nine-point lead over Mitt Romney in swing state Ohio. The mail poll published Sunday by The Columbus Dispatch shows Mr. Obama leading Republican Romney 51 percent to 42 percent. The poll shows the president ahead among independent voters by three points and attracting slightly more GOP support than Romney is getting from Democrats. The first Dispatch poll had the two even at 45 percent just before the Republican National Convention in late August. Experts say as many as 40 percent of Ohio's voters will cast ballots before Nov. 6. The new poll shows Sen. Sherrod Brown has opened up a nine-point lead over Republican challenger Josh Mandel, 49 percent to 39 percent. In the first Dispatch poll Aug. 26, the two were tied at 44 percent. The mail poll of about 1,600 selected likely Ohio voters was taken from Sept. 19 through Saturday.

Presidential campaigns visiting Ohio again
There will be no shortage of political campaigning this week. Tomorrow, First Lady Michelle Obama will hold a rally in Cincinnati…the president will rally in Cleveland on Friday…Tickets are available at Cleveland area campaign offices tomorrow…but the exact location and time of the event have not yet been released. Mitt Romney has not yet announced his post-debate campaign plans. On Saturday, Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan attended the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Annual Rally in Columbus.

State senators camping out to cast first early votes
Several Democratic state senators plan to mark the start of early voting by sleeping outside local boards of elections offices tonight. Early voting for the Nov. 6 election starts on Tuesday. Ohioans can cast an early ballot by mail or in person without having to give a reason. State senators in some of the Ohio's largest counties plan to take part in what they're calling a "Sleep Out the Vote" campaign to raise awareness for early voting. At least five Democratic senators in counties including Cuyahoga, Mahoning, and Franklin plan to stay overnight at their local boards. About 30 percent of Ohio's total vote — or roughly 1.7 million ballots — came in ahead of Election Day in 2008.

“Bobby Thompson” identity to be revealed today
Federal officials say they have uncovered the identity of accused veteran’s charity scammer Bobby Thompson. A press conference is scheduled today. Thompson has been using that name  while he allegedly ran a scam collecting $100 million for veterans, including about 2-million from Ohioans.  Thompson was captured in Portland, Ore, in April after a nationwide manhunt.  Authorities had not been able to identify him through fingerprints and had filed a motion to get Thompson's palm prints and samples of his handwriting and DNA.

Ohio preparing to reveal gambling habits survey
State leaders are preparing to unveil a survey of gambling habits in pre-casino Ohio. The survey to be released today through Ohio for Responsible Gambling, a state government initiative, was designed to give policymakers a baseline idea of Ohioans' attitudes and behaviors toward gaming establishments before legalized casino gaming is fully up and running. The Ohio Casino Commission says the survey found Ohio is in line with national averages: three percent to five percent of residents are problem gamblers, one percent are compulsive gamblers. The results of the study will be used in two or three years to identify pockets of need around the state.

Treasurer’s office launches state-owned property database
Ohio's state-owned properties and buildings can now be searched online. A new interactive tool unveiled by the state treasurer's office pulls together statewide imaging and mapping software into a searchable database. The state hopes Ohioans will use the tool to provide feedback on any properties that might be underused or not used at all. Surplus properties may be taken off the state rolls and sold for extra revenue to taxpayers.

Gas prices holding steady
Ohio drivers will see gas prices holding steady as they begin the new work week. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the state is $3.72. That's just a penny higher than a week ago. The average gas price in Ohio was $3.89 a month ago.