WKSU News: Funding for NASA Glenn, RNC security included in omnibus spending bill deal

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Funding for NASA Glenn, RNC security included in omnibus spending bill deal Top headlines: Ohio Turnpike $143M construction plan biggest in over a decade; Cleveland "Rocks" New Year's canceled by WKSU's AMANDA RABINOWITZ and CORY YORK	Morning Edition Host Amanda Rabinowitz

Morning headlines for Wednesday, December 16, 2015:

Funding for NASA Glenn, RNC security included in omnibus spending bill deal

Ohio Turnpike $143M construction plan biggest in over decade

Attorneys ask DOJ to probe Tamir Rice police shooting

Cleveland "Rocks" New Year's canceled

Ohio graduation rates even with national average

Gov. Kasich toned down Trump attacks in debate

Health insurance rule to give Ohioans more information

Swenson's Galley Boy picked best burger in Ohio

Cleveland boy to become police chief for a day

LeBron greets Special Olympian during game, gives away shoes

Funding for NASA Glenn, RNC security included in omnibus spending bill
Ohio Senator Rob Portman says Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center will avoid 60 million dollars in budget cuts. Portman says the full funding was included in the deal for the Omnibus Appropriations Bill that was reached in the House late last night. The center faced cuts that amounted to 10 percent of its budget. Right now NASA Glenn is working on projects to develop cost-effective trips to Mars and asteroids.

Portman also says that the bill includes 50 million dollars for security detail for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Cleveland next July.

Ohio Turnpike $143M construction plan biggest in over decade
The Ohio Turnpike says its budget for replacing and repairing pavement and bridges in 2016 will be the biggest in 15 years. Toll road officials say spending for those projects will come in at $143 million. Half of the money will go toward replacing five-mile long sections of pavement in Lorain, Trumbull, Erie and Portage counties. Resurfacing work is slated for Fulton, Lucas and Wood Counties. Bridge repairs are scheduled for Williams, Fulton, Lorain, Portage, Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

Attorneys ask DOJ to probe Tamir Rice police shooting
Attorneys for the family of Tamir Rice are asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the killing and the conduct of the prosecutor in charge of the case. A grand jury has been meeting since October to decide if patrolman Timothy Loehmann or his training officer, Frank Garmback, should be charged criminally for the shooting of 12-year-old Rice in 2014. The family's attorneys say in a letter released Tuesday that the grand jury process has been corrupted and is unfair. A spokesman for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty says prosecutors aren't allowed to discuss what's said inside the grand jury room. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney in Cleveland said that office will review the request.

Cleveland "Rocks" New Year's canceled
Cleveland's downtown New Year's Eve celebration has been cancelled. Organizers say it came down to simple math...there's too many upcoming events vying for funds, like next summer's Republican National Convention. The event was to feature Drew Carey and actress and DJ Ruby Rose. Ticket refunds will be issued and organizers say they hope to bring the event back to Public Square next year.

Ohio graduation rates even with national average
A new U.S. Department of Education report says Ohio's overall high-school graduation rate of about 82 percent is even with the national average. The data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics shows that more U.S. students are graduating from high school than ever before. The 82 percent national rate and the state rates were calculated for the 2013-14 school year. The report shows that Ohio lags behind the nation in graduation rates for black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students. But it's higher than the national average for graduating students with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency.

Gov. Kasich toned down Trump attacks
Ohio Gov. John Kasich toned down his attacks on rival Donald Trump to focus on terrorism and climate change during last night's GOP debate in Las Vegas. Kasich called out rivals for “fighting and arguing” instead of uniting people to solve problems. He called for a coalition and swift action to fight ISIS.

LISTEN: Kasich on toning down attacks

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Kasich takes his presidential campaign to Utah today, joining Gov. Gary Herbert in Salt Lake City this afternoon. Then he'll participate in a town hall meeting in the early primary state of Iowa. Kasich is polling among the lower tier of candidates in the crowded GOP field.

Health insurance rule to give Ohioans more information
Ohioans will be able to get more information about health care-provider networks from health insurance companies beginning next year. The rule taking effect in January will require insurance companies to update their directories of those providers at least every three months. Insurance carriers' directories must note whether doctors and other providers are accepting new patients and give specific geographic locations where providers would be considered "in-network."

Swenson's Galley Boy picked best burger in Ohio
Swenson's Galley Boy is Ohio's best burger according to Business Insider. The website picked the best burger in each state based on awards, accolades and reviews. Back in July, LeBron James had his Trainwreck movie costars try a Galley Burger In a comedy skit for "Funny or Die"

Cleveland boy to become police chief for a day
Cleveland-based, A Special Wish Foundation is making a 6-year-old Cleveland boy's dream of becoming a police officer a reality for a day. C-J DeJohn was born with a rare congenital heart condition and is recovering from a recent stroke. Tomorrow, with the help of Cleveland Police, CJ will be chief for the day.

LeBron greets Special Olympian, gives away shoes
The Cavs dominated the Boston Celtics in Boston last night 89-77. LeBron James had 24 points, but made the most moves during a timeout when he went to the sidelines to greet a teen who suffers from severe brain damage. After the game James gave the 16-year-old the shoes off his feet.

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