Bill Rinehart

Updated at 12:52 p.m., Friday

Cincinnati Public School Board members say they are not close to making a decision after hearing more testimony in favor and against an FC Cincinnati stadium proposal. The club proposed building a new stadium for the district on land it would buy in the West End along Ezzard Charles. In exchange, the team would build its own soccer facility where Stargel Stadium currently stands.

Updated at 2:37 p.m.

The Ohio River continues to rise. The National Weather Service says as of midday Tuesday, it was at 55.2 feet and expected to rise to 55.5 feet before cresting in the evening.  Earlier forecasts put the crest at 56.1 feet coming early Wednesday morning.

The Ohio River is rising.  Scott Hickman with the National Weather Service blames heavy rain.

Four men who were born in southwest Ohio went on to serve as President of the United States. They're remembered each Presidents' Day.

Hamilton County's sheriff has proposed reopening the Queensgate facility to alleviate jail overcrowding. Jim Neill says the Justice Center is currently housing about twice as many prisoners than it was designed for.

Public Defender Ray Faller is instead calling for bail reform for non-violent, non-sexual misdemeanor charges.

A sales tax increase is on the table as Hamilton County leaders warn of a $20-30 million budget deficit for 2019. County Administrator Jeff Aluotto says it will be the worst deficit since the great recession.

If FC Cincinnati gets a Major League Soccer expansion team, and if everything can be worked out with neighbors, the team could build its new home where Stargel Stadium currently sits in the West End. The team would, in exchange, build Cincinnati Public Schools a new stadium.

Hamilton County voters will have a levy request from the Cincinnati Zoo on the May ballot, but it's not what the zoo had hoped. County commissioners approved a renewal of the current levy. The zoo requested an increase.

Cincinnati ranks 39 out of nearly 300 American cities for traffic congestion. The study from INRIX indicates Cincinnati drivers spent about 26 hours a year during peak travel times in gridlock. INRIX Chief Economist Graham Cookson says seven percent of all driving time locally was in congestion.

The 1968 agreement for the operation of the Metropolitan Sewer District may need to be extended. The replacement agreement hinges on a measure that hasn't been approved by Ohio lawmakers.

The Banks Steering Committee meets Tuesday to talk about finding a developer for a concert venue.

Hamilton County's needle exchange program is fully operational. And officials are hoping it will do more than just allow people to trade dirty syringes for clean ones.

A 16-year-old gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo has died. On Facebook, the zoo reported Anju died from heart failure Wednesday.

Todd Portune wants to see more activity on the Banks. The Hamilton County Commission President doesn't just mean more people and business, but more participation in the development.

The Cincinnati Zoo should not ask for an increased property tax levy. That's the recommendation of a Hamilton County Tax Levy Review subcommittee. Chairwoman Jenny O'Donnell says while the zoo is an important part of the community, it isn't a life-sustaining priority.

The Cincinnati area now has a new sustaining brood of cicadas. In May 2017, insects associated with the Great Eastern Brood came out of the ground four years early.

The Transportation Security Administration expects 40 million people to go through airport security this holiday season. Regional spokesman Mark Howell says the agency starts planning early for security scheduling.

There will be some changes for drivers going through Newport starting Thursday. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is opening the northern section of the Kentucky 9 expansion project.

Hamilton County commissioners have approved a 2018 general fund budget. Board President Todd Portune says the $241 million spending plan is balanced and meets the county's obligations.

Hamilton County commissioners have several budget proposals and not a lot of time to reconcile them. Board President Todd Portune wants a vote on Wednesday. He turned in his ideas Monday morning, admitting they weren't complete.

Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco happily helped break ground for a new crime lab in Blue Ash.

Hamilton County commissioners have an eye on decreased state aid and unfunded mandates as they craft the 2018 budget. Board President Todd Portune wants to take a deep dive next year but is already identifying some numbers.

Demonstrators marched outside a Verizon store in Kenwood Thursday. They were part of a national protest against Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to repeal net neutrality.

Communities United For Action (CUFA) is unhappy with how the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is run. CUFA members complained about high sewer rates and slow response to sewer backups at Wednesday's Hamilton County Commission meeting.