COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State officials say a record number of concealed carry licenses for handguns were issued last year. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday that nearly 118,000 new permits were issued in 2016 along with 41,000 renewals. The total of 159,000 permits is the highest number since the state began issuing concealed carry licenses in 2004. The …

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say an Ohio State University student has died after falling from a parking garage. Police say Madison Paul fell from the top floor of a campus garage around 2 p.m. on Monday. Officials say Paul was taken to Wexner Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries. Paul’s age was not immediately available. Ohio …

MARION, Ohio (AP) — Health officials say a 9-year-old boy from Marion is the fifth child to die after suffering flu-related illness in Ohio this month. Relatives say his family initially thought the third-grader was suffering breathing problems related to his asthma. He was rushed to a Columbus hospital, where he died. Ohio previously reported four flu-related child deaths in …

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an open records dispute involving autopsy reports in the unsolved slayings of eight family members. At issue are lawsuits filed by Ohio newspapers seeking the full, unredacted copies of the reports on victims of the April 22 massacre in southern Ohio. The court gave both sides three …

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio lawmaker said she was stunned to learn that thousands of elementary students are suspended for disobedience or disruptions each school year and plans to introduce legislation that would ban such punishment except in cases where a student threatens to harm. State Sen. Peggy Lehner, a Kettering Republican who leads the education committee, said a …

WEST LIBERTY, Ohio (AP) — A 16-year-old boy who was shot at his school last month says a positive attitude has helped him cope as he continues a remarkable recovery from critical wounds. Logan Cole discussed his recovery in an interview this week with radio station WBLL in Bellefontaine, The Springfield News-Sun reported. He was hospitalized and required surgery after …

WEST LIBERTY, Ohio (AP) — A 16-year-old victim of an Ohio school shooting has returned to class less than a month after he was critically wounded. Julie Cole is the mother of victim Logan Cole. She says on her Facebook page that she dropped her son off at school Monday. She also praised her son as the “bravest kid” she …

GROVE CITY, Ohio (AP) — A convicted sex offender released from prison in November has been charged in the shooting death of a 21-year-old Ohio State University student. Grove City police say 29-year-old Brian Golsby was arrested early Saturday and charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery in the slaying of Reagan Tokes. Her nude body was found Thursday …

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. John Kasich repeated his belief in the importance of the free press Wednesday as tensions between the media and the administration of President Donald Trump remain high. The former congressman and 2016 presidential contender declined to directly take on Trump, who he refused to endorse, campaign with or vote for last year, while speaking …

COLUMBUS — State Sen. Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, recently introduced legislation that continues Ohio’s efforts to fight toxic algae and ensure clean drinking water for all Ohioans. “This science-based, holistic legislation takes further steps to help protect one of our most precious natural resources,” Hite said. “I appreciate the partnership of the agriculture and environmental communities in crafting this   important piece …