Privacy concerns have scuttled state plans to meet all federal “Real ID” standards, which could result in Ohio driver’s licenses not being accepted as sufficient identification to board airplanes and enter federal buildings.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-West Chester, said that Nelson Mandela “was an unrelenting voice for democracy and his ‘long walk to freedom’ showed an enduring faith in God and respect for human dignity. His perseverance in fighting the apartheid system will continue to inspire future generations.’’

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A school-bus driver has been arrested on rape charges that police say involve an 11-year-old student.

Ohio veterans and fraternal lodges have lost their bet that a new law could be passed before they had to shut down their illegal electronic-raffles machines. Attorney General Mike DeWine said yesterday that his office will begin cracking down on posts and lodges operating the illegal machines next week, possibly charging violators criminally or civilly.

Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Deborah K. Smalley, who resigned today after being charged with theft in office in October, said she expects to be indicted next month. State Auditor Dave Yost’s investigators have been looking into allegations that Smalley used employees on county time to perform political campaign work.

A Pickaway County woman died yesterday morning after her car crashed northeast of Circleville. Ann M. Immel, 33, of Circleville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6:10 a.m. crash on Rt. 188 west of Winchester Road, according to the sheriff’s office.

DELAWARE, Ohio — The Delaware Police Department is reviewing how its officers drive and deal with distractions after two police cruisers struck pedestrians in crosswalks in the past two weeks. “There’s a lot of distractions in cruisers,” said Chief Bruce Pijanowski. “We’ll review it internally, and we’ll make recommendations on what we need to do from here.”

Someone broke into the little brick church not once, but twice. The first burglar got away with a little bit of cash. “We were smart the second time,” said Carole Karshner, a member of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church in Ross County.

As lawmakers continue debate on election-related bills, voting advocates yesterday said legislative Republicans are now chipping away at voting access, instead of doing a wide-ranging bill like the one that was passed and later repealed in 2012.

The media company owned by Sen. Eric H. Kearney, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and his wife that piled up more than $825,000 in unpaid taxes and penalties also did not pay its Bureau of Workers’ Compensation premiums for nearly five years, a Dispatch analysis of BWC records shows.

This is the time of year when some motels, restaurants and gas stations in normally quiet, rural communities in central Ohio are so busy that they have to turn away business. It’s called white-tailed deer gun season.

Kroger’s net income fell nearly 6 percent during the third quarter, partly on the costs from the pending acquisition of Harris Teeter.

CUYAHOGA FALLS — Police say a northeast Ohio man who admitted setting off an explosive device in a window well at a post office is charged with felony arson and other counts. Cuyahoga Falls police say a 42-year-old resident walked into the department early today and reported he’d just set off the device.

Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Deborah K. Smalley, charged with theft in office, has resigned effective immediately. County Commissioner Steve Davis said commissioners received Smalley’s letter this morning. He said that the board of commissioners will meet Friday morning to appoint an acting clerk of courts.

Two Delaware city police officers are being investigated by the department after they each struck pedestrians in crosswalks with their cruisers. The two separate incidents occurred in the past week and both involved Ohio Wesleyan University students.

A portrait of Jesus and prayer could return to public schools if two state representatives persuade fellow lawmakers to pass the Ohio Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Rep. Tim Derickson, a Republican from Oxford and one of the co-sponsors, called the bill introduced yesterday “a preventive attempt” to block further encroachment on expression of religious freedom.

Toward the end of about 95 minutes of grilling from reporters about his company’s unpaid taxes yesterday, Sen. Eric H. Kearney was asked if those debts could become too much of a distraction for him to remain on the party’s 2014 ticket with Democratic governor candidate Ed FitzGerald.

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati’s city council halted spending on a $133 million streetcar project yesterday, citing concerns about the price tag despite already spending millions on construction that has been underway for months.

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — Police in northern Ohio say an 86-year-old man found dead in the basement of a burning home had been stabbed.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The University of Cincinnati is pumping more money into efforts to increase diversity, as some black students raise concerns about race relations on the urban main campus.

ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) — A county judge’s wife of 45 years has been charged with poisoning him with antifreeze. Carla Hague, the 71-year-old wife of Ashtabula County Common Pleas Juvenile-Probate Judge Charles Hague, was charged on Monday with felonious assault, according to Municipal Court records.

DAYTON — Ohio’s largest military base is expected to privatize more energy and utility operations as it tries to offset steep cuts in the federal defense budget.

The Cincinnati Archdiocese has reached two out-of-court settlements stemming from federal civil lawsuits brought by teachers who became pregnant while employed by Roman Catholic schools.

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — A prosecutor says the wife of a man charged with killing his father in southeastern Ohio has agreed to testify against her husband.

One by one, well-connected lobbyists urged an Ohio Senate subcommittee yesterday to reject a long-sought bill to require health policies to cover cancer-treatment pills the same as traditional intravenous chemotherapy. Republicans and Democrats listened intently and then blasted the lobbyists for their arrogance and indifference, before unanimously recommending passage of Senate Bill 99 — legislation that has been introduced in each of the past three legislative sessions but failed to win passage.