Jackson taking wait and see approach on police shooting
Cleveland's mayor says he will back police in the shooting deaths of two people during a chase if procedures were followed, but there will be consequences if they weren't. The comments from Mayor Frank Jackson on Monday came as city hall deals with the fallout from Thursday night's shooting barrage of nearly 140 bullets that killed two people. 13 officers were placed on paid leave. No weapon or shell casings were found in the vehicle in which Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams fled downtown Cleveland after an officer heard a gunshot near police headquarters. The medical examiner said Monday that the victims were tested for gunpowder residue, but results could take weeks. Officers say the driver rammed a patrol car and nearly hit an officer.

Mandel rehires campaign staffers to the treasurer’s office
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has rehired several staffers from his unsuccessful run for US Senate. The Dayton Daily News reports Mandel re-hired his campaign political director Joe Aquilino as new deputy director of regional representatives - a job that pays 90-thosuand dollars a year. Jared Borg, Mandel’s Senate campaign political coordinator is the treasury’s new deputy director of regional representatives - a job that pays about $62,000 a year.  During the heated race, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown criticized Mandel for hiring friends and cronies. A Mandel spokesman said in a statement Monday that the treasurer has quote – great confidence in the staff he employs in the office and the work that they do on behalf of taxpayers across Ohio.

Appeals court strikes down payday lending law loophole
A state appeals court says payday lenders cannot get around caps on interest rates by using the state’s mortgage lending law. The 9^th District Court of Appeals sided with a Lorain magistrate in rejecting what amounted to an annual interest rate of nearly 250 percent. State law has capped rates on “payday,” loans at 28 percent since 2008. The parent company of Cashland had claimed that its mortgage lending license exempted it from the cap. The case is expected to be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Deer kills down during Ohio hunting season
Ohio hunters bagged fewer deer during this past week’s gun season. The nearly 90-thousand deer was down nearly four percent from the 2011 total. State wildlife officials say the harvest is down because of the state’s efforts to reduce the statewide herd by expanding hunting opportunities.

Lordstown GM plant shutting down a week early
General Motors’ Lordstown plant will shut down one week ahead of its regularly scheduled holiday break. Officials say the move is to help Chevy Cruze inventory heading into an expected slow period for compact car sales. Sales of the Cruze were up 27 percent in November, aided by car purchases following Superstorm Sandy.

Historical society unveils founding documents curriculum
The Ohio Historical Society is unveiling an educational program to help schools comply with a new state law requiring that students in grades 4-12 be taught the original texts of the state and U.S. constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and other documents. The Founding of America Documents Program launches in January. Through a grant, educators will have free access to relevant chapters of an online textbook and to professional development webinars meant to help them teach the topic.

Judge: Humane Society of the United States can challenge exotic animal law
A judge has ruled in favor of allowing the Humane Society of the United States to join the state in defending Ohio's new law regulating exotic animals. Four owners filed a lawsuit last month, contending the restrictions threaten their First Amendment and property rights. The Humane Society argued it has a significant interest in defending the law that it strongly supported.