Daily Court Reporter - News Annual drug overdose report shows eight-year low in prescription opioid deaths and four-year low in heroin deaths in Ohio

United States and international law enforcement dismantle online organized crime ring operating out of Romania that victimized thousands of U.S. residents

Twelve foreign nationals extradited to the United States

State's highway budget shortfall has Ohio farmers concerned

As the nascent 133rd General Assembly of the Ohio Legislature begins meeting in regular sessions this month, the Ohio Farm Bureau has announced the legislative priorities its members have determined will make the difference in a successful year in agriculture.

Board of Professional Conduct issues 2018 annual report

The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has issued its 2018 annual report, highlighting the disposition of 83 disciplinary cases, a 30 percent reduction in pending caseload, and continued education and outreach efforts.

ABA partners with Tennessee group on film to raise awareness

The American Bar Association, and its Death Penalty Due Process Review Project, has partnered with the Tennessee Alliance for the Severe Mental Illness Exclusion (TASMIE), on production of a film titled “Too Ill to Execute,” detailing a movement to exclude those with severe mental illness from the death penalty.

Six people indicted for their roles in $48 million health care fraud conspiracy at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Austintown and Whitehall

Six people from Ohio were indicted in federal court for their roles in a health care fraud conspiracy in which Medicaid was billed $48 million for drug and alcohol recovery services which were not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation, or had other issues that made them ineligible for reimbursement.

ODNR Division of Forestry expands wildfire protection area

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is pleased to announce the expansion of the ODNR Division of Forestry’s Forest Fire Protection Area. The expanded area includes all parts of the following counties: Adams, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Fairfield, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Lucas, Knox, Meigs, Mahoning, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Portage, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington.

UT research looks at fiber as a trigger and cure for inflammatory bowel disease

New research from The University of Toledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences may give patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease a better roadmap for managing their symptoms by changing the type of fiber they eat during flare-ups.

How a cash-out refinancing loan can turn into a costly mistake

(BPT) After years of making regular mortgage payments, it feels good to watch your net worth make upward progress. That's especially true if your house is also gaining value. With a growing amount of equity comes peace of mind, knowing you have the option of tapping into it when you want.

Texas couple sentenced to prison; they were the most prolific dark net fentanyl vendor in the world at the time of their arrest last year

A San Antonio couple that was the most prolific dark net fentanyl vendor in the world at the time of their arrest last year have been sentenced to prison.

Ohio hunters Harvest more than 172,000 Deer during 2018-2019 season

Hunters checked 172,040 white-tailed deer throughout Ohio’s 2018-2019 deer season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Last year, 186,247 deer were checked during the 2017-2018 season.

ABA TECHSHOW2019 to showcase latest in technology for the legal industry

Elizabeth “Betsy” Ziegler, the first female CEO of 1871, the No. 1 ranked tech incubator in the world, will be the keynote speaker at the American Bar Association ABA TECHSHOW2019 to be held Feb. 27-March 2 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Ziegler will speak from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

Tackling the high cost of student loan debt

(StatePoint) There’s no way around it: Americans are drowning in student loan debt, collectively owing $1.5 trillion. Rising college costs mean that number isn’t likely to drop much in the next few decades.

'Launch into Law' bridge to the profession program prepares students for the law school application process and experience

The University of Toledo College of Law piloted the 'Launch into Law' bridge to the profession program this spring to increase the number of historically underrepresented students enrolled in law school. The free, weeklong program took place Jan. 7-11, 2019.

Home health care provider sentenced for fraud

The co-owner of Alpha Star Health Care Inc. was sentenced recently in federal court to 18 months in prison for running home health care fraud and tax fraud schemes.

ABA President Carlson defends judiciary, touts lawyer wellness

ABA President Bob Carlson gave a robust defense of the nation’s judiciary to House delegates on Jan. 28 when he said, “we can never stop defending our nation’s courts.”

6 tips for reducing your out-of-pocket medication costs

(BPT) When you're sick, the last thing that you want to worry about is how you're going to pay for your critical medical treatment. Even if you have health insurance, you may find that the prescription drugs you need the most are out of reach due to high out-of-pocket costs - the deductibles, copays or coinsurance that are not reimbursed by insurance. Many people find themselves choosing between paying bills and buying essential prescription medications.

Twelve people indicted for conspiracy to obtain large amounts of cocaine

Twelve people from Mahoning County were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to obtain large amounts of cocaine, which they sold in and around Youngstown.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice gets award for campaign against Issue 1

A leading force in defeating a measure that would have changed the Ohio Constitution received an award for her efforts last fall against Issue 1.

How to recognize and avoid college scholarship scams

(StatePoint) Average college costs have doubled in the last two decades, and this financial pressure along with new technologies makes today’s students particularly vulnerable to financial aid and scholarship scams.

Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for trying to recruit people to launch attacks on behalf of ISIS

Erick Jamal Hendricks, 38, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).