Same-sex marriage amendment language approved for fall ballot
Supporters of the latest version of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at overturning Ohio's gay marriage ban can now gather signatures to get the measure on the ballot.

The Ohio Ballot Board agreed Tuesday that the proposed "Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment" contains a single constitutional amendment, clearing the way for the effort to move forward.

The updated amendment includes language requiring that all legally valid marriages be treated equally under the law. It also keeps clergy from being forced to perform a same-sex marriage.

The group FreedomOhio is seeking to repeal and replace Ohio's 2004 prohibition on gay marriage.

The amendment is not related to a federal judge's recent decision ordering Ohio authorities to recognize the marriages of gay couples performed in other states.

Renewable energy foe draws fire from witnesses
Opponents of a bill turning back Ohio's alternative energy targets are alleging the Senate utilities chairman has disrespected and offended witnesses during hearings on the measure.

A combat veteran who works for the Sierra Club wrote a letter of complaint about Republican Sen. Bill Seitz to the Senate president. He says Seitz mocked the Bataan Death March.

Other witnesses say Seitz walked out on a clergy member and pretended to shoot himself in the head when listening to the state's watchdog for utility consumers.

Seitz, of Cincinnati, says opponents are taking him out of context. He says he's allowed many hours of opponent testimony on the bill.


PA company tapped to handle Ohio's radioactive fracking waste
Regulators in Ohio have authorized a Pennsylvania company to handle radioactive waste from fracking operations.

The Youngstown Business Journal reports that Austin Masters Services of Pottsville Pennsylvania will conduct radioactive testing of waste generated by the oil and gas industry before disposal.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, brings up naturally occurring radioactive materials as part of the process.

Under current law nearly all radioactive wastes from fracking are disposed of in licensed landfills.

Pet dog shot with crossbow
Police in northeast Ohio are trying to find out who killed a golden retriever with a crossbow.

The Vindicator reports that the dog was shot Sunday night near the owner's Youngstown residence.

The owner said he heard "a loud snap and then a yelp" before finding the dog had been shot with an arrow that went all the way through the animal.

No charges have been filed.