A new report on Central Ohio’s economy shows the region gained more than 9,000 jobs in early 2012. The group, Columbus 2020, says despite the additional jobs the region’s unemployment rate increased from 6.8% to 7% percent as more discouraged workers give up their job search.

The Republican-controlled Ohio Senate is nearing approval of a pilot program that would tie welfare benefits to clean drug tests.

Ohio teens could not use cellphones or other electronic devices while driving under a bill sent Tuesday to the governor.

Researchers say the toxic blue-green algae in Lake Erie’s western basin likely will appear earlier this summer but remain less dense than last year’s record bloom, partly because of warmer, drier spring weather.