OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: A report released Wednesday on payday lending practices in Ohio shows the industry is growing with such vigor that the number of locations, which as recently as last year outnumbered the combined Buckeye State outlets for fast-good giants like McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King, has expanded by another 76 units (or 5%) in one year and spread from mostly urban areas to rural Ohio, where economic conditions have soured the most.

OhioNews Bureau

ONB COLUMBUS: In a published report today citing growing disparities between state revenues and expenditures, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, the new captain of the ship of state that has drifted off course over 16 years of Republican rule and can’t seem to fix on a solid compass heading leading to smoother seas and brighter skies, has ordered his office of budget and management to slow the engines and stand ready to man the bilge pumps if economic waters roil more than they are now.

OhioNews Bureau

While out on the campaign trail in South Carolina on Thursday, Senator Edwards won two key endorsements, the first from the Communications Workers of America of the early primary state of Nevada, with the second from notable social activist, Harry Belafonte.

Nevada CWA Union Endorsement

As labor expert Jonathon Tasini predicted, the Nevada Communications Workers of America endorsed John Edwards.