Statewide News

Ohio is joining the list of states to propose laws that require prompt reporting of missing children in response to public outrage over the acquittal of Casey Anthony.

Both chambers of Ohio's General Assembly have introduced so-called Caylee's laws, which would require parents to promptly report a missing child, usually within 24 hours. Both require the death of a child to be reported within an hour of discovery.

At least 15 other states have proposed similar laws, including Florida, where Casey Anthony was acquitted of killing her daughter Caylee.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The mayor of Ohio's capital city is calling for an end to a recent spike in violence against police locally and nationally.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said Tuesday that anyone who pulls a gun on officers should expect police to respond with deadly force.

Coleman says suspects pointed guns at Columbus police six times in August, and two suspects fired. Police shot and killed two young men last week in separate incidents. No officers were hurt.

Ohio gas prices are more than a dollar higher than they were a year ago just ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Today’s survey from auto club AAA and its partners shows regular-grade gasoline is averaging $3.64 a gallon statewide, compared to $2.62 last year at this time. Still, the cost of gasoline in the state has dropped since early May, when regular hit a record $4.16 per gallon.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio is providing shelter and support as Hurricane Irene aims toward the East Coast hundreds of miles away.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton is taking in military planes pulled out of the storm's expected path. The Dayton Daily News reports six twin-engine warplanes have arrived from North Carolina and dozens more aircraft are expected before tomorrow.

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.