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Unemployment Benefits Threatened



COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - State officials say they are bracing for anger and confusion from tens of thousands of jobless Ohioans if extended unemployment benefits are cut off at the end of the month.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Douglas Lumpkin said Wednesday he is once again urging Congress to grant an extension of weekly benefits for those without work.

Ohio's unemployment rate is 10.9 percent and Lumpkin said more than 430,000 are receiving benefits.

The department estimates that without the extension between 25,000 and 30,000 Ohioans will begin losing benefits weekly beginning Feb. 27.

The state added two call centers since December, for a total of seven, and has increased employees at those sites from 275 to 350.

Rivalry Game Still Finale


Buckeye Nation breathes a sight of relief: the traditional rivalry game with the Team Up North will remain the last game of the football season.

A New Season


The 2010 OSU football season kicks off tonight and university officials have plans in place to move traffic along smoothly as a potential crush of fans headed to the game and commuters headed home pose traffic and parking challenges.

Ohio Political Roundup


The governor's race leans Republican…the candidates for Senate agree to debate…and a once-disgraced Congressman is back on the ballot.

Double Homicide


 Columbus police have two more homicides on their hands.

Dangerous Quarries


After two people drowned in local quarries over the summer,, Columbus police are cracking down on trespassing. in those areas.

$7.9 Million For Columbus Schools


The Columbus City Schools stand to get almost $8 million from a federal grant program to rehire, retain or create jobs for teachers and other personnel.

Baby Gorilla Recovering


A hard-luck gorilla at the Columbus is recovering after suffering a dislocated hip, the second injury for poor Misha, and she's not even a year old yet.

The Coach On The Game


Like a sure-footed runner eluding tacklers, Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel avoided weighing in on an ongoing controversy over rescheduling the OSU-Michigan game to some time other than the final weekend of the regular season.

Traficant Can Run


The elections board in Mahoning County says a former congressman who served time in federal prison has enough valid signatures to again run for a US House seat.

Chamber Backs Stivers


Republican Steve Stivers has picked up the endorsement of the US Chamber of Commerce in his race to unseat Columbus Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy in Congress.