Associated Press

Authorities investigating an alleged prescription drug trafficking operation in central Ohio and an alleged cocaine ring in northwest Ohio have started arresting dozens of people indicted in the cases.

An Ohio man arrested with a loaded gun, ammunition and knives at a showing of the latest Batman movie has been indicted on three weapons counts. 

A business funded group supporting GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is spending more than 10 million dollars on tv ads in Ohio and ten other states  criticizing President Obama's handling of the economy. 

A new independent analysis shows the Republican Governors Association spent more in Ohio in 2010 than in any other state, helping John Kasich beat Democrat Ted Strickland. The assessment of national political spending in states with disclosure was conducted by the National Institute on Money in State Politics. It found the Republican governors' group directed more than 11 million dollars against Strickland. The group got a 1-million dollar donation from Rupert Murdoch, Kasich's former employer at Fox.

Columbus police say they'd like to see the trademark lion sculptures returned to the perch outside of headquarters they've used since 1991. Mayor Micheal Coleman's decision to move the sculptures to the Central Police Precinct over the weekend is not sitting well with some officers who note they stand for every fellow officer who died in the line of duty. The city removed the statues unbeknownst to officers in the dead of night Sunday using heavy lifting equipment. 

A report by the Natural Resources Defense Council ranks Ohio second among the 50 states when it comes to toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The report ranks neighboring Kentucky as the worst state for pollution. Spokesperson John Walke says the report examined emissions from power plants in 2010, the most recent data available. 

More than 100 former and current Big Ten student-athletes and coaches represented 32 countries in 24 sports at the 2012 Olympic games, winning 35 medals. Michigan athletes won 12 medals, Penn State athletes secured five medals, Minnesota athletes won four medals, Northwestern and Purdue athletes claimed three medals each, while Illinois and Indiana athletes each brought home two. 

Michael Dokes, a former heavyweight boxing champion from Northwest Ohio, has died.

The storms that socked Ohio in June and July caused insured losses of at least $433.5 million.

Republican Mitt Romney campaigns in Ohio tomorrow with stops in Beallsville, Zainesville and Chillicothe. Romney's visit to the Buckeye State comes after his decision on a running mate -  Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says corn growers could end up with their lowest average yield in 17 years as the drought continues in Ohio and many other states. The Department is cutting its projected  corn production to 10.8 billion bushels from last month's forecast of nearly 13 billion bushels. The Department expects corn growers to average 123.4 bushels per acre, down 24 bushels from last year. That would be the lowest average yield since 1995. Soybean production is now forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, a 12 percent decline from last year.

Acting Ohio Schools Superintendent Michael Sawyers says he misused a Perry Local School district credit card two years ago. A State Education Department spokesperson says it was a mistake. John Charlton says Sawyers admitted it when he was hired as deputy State Superintendent in 2010. Charlton says it was not an issue then and is not an issue now. Sawyers says the district credit card looked similar to his personal card and he mixed them up. Sawyers is taking over today for Superintendent Stan Heffner, who resigned after he was found to have engaged in ethical violations. 

Columbus police officials say two officers were forced to shoot and kill an armed man overnight at a hotel near Busch Boulevard on the north side.  Police say 28-year-old James Hattersley threatened his wife, the clerk, and the officers before he was shot on the second floor of the hotel. Hattersley and his wife were seen arguing outside before the shooting, and she says he has a history of mental illness. Police say drugs and alcohol are also suspected to have been factors in the incident. 

The Centers for Disease Control reports a five-fold increase of cases of the H3N2 strain of swine flu. The number of people infected is now 158, thanks to a wave of new cases confirmed in Indiana and Ohio. Two people have been hospitalized.  

One day after snapping an 11-game losing streak, the Cleveland Indians fired pitching coach Scott Radinsky. Columbus Clippers Pitching coach Ruben Niebla was named an interim replacement Thursday. Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti says Niebla is in his 12th year in the organization, the last two in Columbus. Antonetti says the team has yet to name Nibla's replacement in Columbus.  

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien confirms Democratic State Representative Clayton Luckie is the subject of an ongoing investigation. But O'brien says the inquiry does not involve bribery as reported by the "Dayton Daily News." O'Brien did not specify what it involves or name the investigating agency. Luckie was appointed in 2006. 

Bond is set at 250-thousand dollars for the man charged with carrying a loaded gun, ammunition and knives into a showing of the latest Batman movie last weekend in Westlake. 37-year-old Scott Smith is due back in court on Tuesday to face charges of carrying concealed weapons and having weapons under disability.

Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott says more than 600 concealed-carry permits in Franklin and surrounding counties are invalid because three men issued falsified training certificates to the applicants. Deputies have arrested the trio on charges of complicity to falsification to obtain a permit. Scott says one sold signed training certificates to the others, who did not fully conduct training sessions. Scott has notified the effected permit holders.  

Ohio sheriffs issued nearly 19-thousand concealed carry permits in the first three months of the year, a 40-percent increase from the same period in 2010. Gun rights advocates are crediting recent law changes with making it more comfortable for people to carry concealed weapons in restaurants and bars that serve liquor, as well as in school safety zones. Ohio was ranked 11th last year in estimated total active permits and 25th in percentage of the population holding one. Ohioans have been permitted to carry concealed weapons since 2004. 

The foreclosure listing service Realtytrac says more U.S. homes started on the foreclosure path in July, as lenders tackled a backlog of unpaid mortgages as they pulled back on repossessions. The number of homes receiving an initial notice of default rose 6 percent last month compared to July of last year. Realtytrac says one in every 528 housing units in Ohio received an initial notice in July, the eighth highest figure among the 50 states. Akron is ranked 13th among Metropolitan areas in foreclosure activity.