Top 5 Stories to Start Your Day

Top stories for Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Sen. Sherrod Brown on "Fast Trac" Authority for Trade Agreement

NASHPORT, OHIO (WHIZ) – Congress is preparing to debate "fast track" authority for a NAFTA style trade agreement. Senator Sherrod Brown says he is standing by American workers and businesses to stop it. He says preservation is vital to the Southeast Ohio area.

Road Closure

ZANESVILLE, OHIO (WHIZ) – Market street from Underwood to Galigher Street in downtown Zanesville will close beginning at 8 A.M. till around 1 P.M. Today, weather permitting. If work is postponed due to weather conditions, the closing will be rescheduled for Monday, April 6th.

Buckeye Lake Dam Second Opinion

BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO (AP) – The Regional Chamber of Commerce at Buckeye Lake says it will seek a second expert opinion following a federal report warning of catastrophic dam failure. Leaders say that they’re not seeking to discredit the report, but hope a second opinion will nudge the state to replace the dam faster with less damage to local businesses.

Lake Levels to be Lowered

BUCKEYE LAKE, OHIO (AP) – The state today plans to begin lowering the water level on Buckeye Lake, holding it at winter lake levels until a deteriorating dam can be replaced. Officials tell the Columbus dispatch recent rains have put the lake more than 10 inches above winter level.

Gov. Kasich Uses Line-Item-Veto

COLUMBUS, OHIO (WHIZ) – Governor John Kasich has used his line-item-veto authority to strike a provision in the state’s transportation budget that democrats say would discourage out-of-state college students from voting in the swing state. The republican governor has left in place a 30-day deadline for new residents to get an Ohio driver’s license and register their vehicles here, along with the penalties drivers could face if they do not.