Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) - The staff for a Republican congressman who was criticized after police seized two video cameras at an Ohio constituent meeting says future gatherings will be open to recording.

A Cincinnati police officer confiscated cameras from two Democratic activists at a Monday town hall by Rep. Steve Chabot. Video of the encounter was posted on YouTube, and Democrats complained of censorship.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's highway department says 14 companies are bidding to help guide the state with the possible lease of the Ohio Turnpike.

Gov. John Kasich said earlier this month that he wants to hire a team of private consultants to help the state determine how to get the best financial bang from the turnpike.

Ohio's Department of Transportation says bids came from 14 companies, including investment banks and law firms from across the country.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio competition challenging the public to create a new map of the state's legislative districts has been won - by an Illinois lawmaker.

Republican Illinois state Rep. Mike Fortner says he entered because redistricting is a hobby of his and Ohio's competition was the best he'd seen.

Illinois recently completed new maps, which are being challenged in court by groups charging that districts were illegally gerrymandered to benefit majority Democrats.

Ohio public schools have seen their graduation rates drop as districts nationwide move to a new federal formula for calculating students who finish high school.

For example, Dayton public schools have a 2010 graduation rate around 59 percent under the new formula, though the state's current calculation puts the district's graduation rate above 84 percent.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A survey predicts a 2 percent drop in Labor Day travel by Ohioans, compared to last year's holiday weekend.

Auto club AAA said Wednesday that the decline is anticipated because of recent uncertainty about the economy as well as rising air fares.

Gas prices are not expected to have much impact. AAA says 71 percent of people intending to travel around the holiday say the cost of gasoline won't affect their plans.