First Ohio’s clueless governor rejected $385 million in federal aid to create a passenger rail line between Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland — a project that would’ve created 16,000 jobs. Now Kasich has caused the stoppage (temporary, we hope) on casino construction here and in Cleveland.  

Last December Cincinnati City Council voted to stop its portion of funding for the city’s school nurse program, citing deficits. The program costs $3.5 million annually, with $2 million coming from the city. In an effort to save it, the Greater Cincinnati Health Foundation has proposed a revamped version that would replace some registered nurses with school health assistants.  

It’s common among men who are afraid of homosexuality to ignore its existence, convincing themselves that every Ricky Martin music video is just another example of a very attractive, well-groomed man who loves dancing and also his wife.   

We at WWE! have never found beauty pageants to be all that interesting — who wants to watch a bunch of models talk about changing the world when you can see real people eating donkey balls on three stations at any given time?  

The nonprofit center in North College Hill that helps blind and visually impaired people find employment and become self-sufficient recently was honored with a major award. The National Industries for the Blind gave its 2010 Employment Award to Clovernook for its success at helping blind people lead more fulfilling lives.   

Mayor Mallory didn't do it. Vice Mayor Qualls didn't do it. It finally was left up to the ex-TV news reporter-turned-city councilwoman — a first-termer — to present hard, cold facts and figures about staffing levels in the Police and Fire departments.  

Local "food" producer JTM today announced the introduction of two new products to its enthralling, mysterious line of meat products that people as locally renowned as Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo have sung songs about. After a process that probably is a lot like when you would use different shaped caps to squeeze out Play Doh and add in some filler, JTM now has a reduced fat macaroni and cheese dish and breakfast burritos.  

Procter & Gamble has long been a fine corporate citizen here in its hometown, whether it's by donating to charities or bringing fresh, creative young talent to live in the Queen City. The latest example is P&G's support for the city's expanded recycling program.  

In 2006, shocked by the city's highest recorded homicide rate and witness to a 300 percent increase in gunshot wounds at the Children's Hospital, Dr. Victor Garcia enlisted the help of a New York City criminology professor to create the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). Three years later, Garcia claims CIRV is "necessary, but totally insufficient."  

Federal transportation officials announced late last week that Cincinnati will receive a $24.9 million grant to help build a proposed streetcar system, while the NAACP's local chapter continues its strange disconnect from the organization’s national office.