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The iOpener: Flash Flood Watch, Again; Ohio Senate Votes on Budget

A car quickly goes on a puddle throwing out splashes and water from under wheels. [Penioners / Shutterstock.com]
A car quickly goes on a puddle throwing out splashes and water from under wheels.

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Thursday, June 20, 2019. Yes, you're waking up to rain and a forecast of more on the way.  Rumor has it sunshine and dry weather returns Friday.

A flash flood watch remains in effect until this evening due to another round of steady, and, in some areas, heavy rain.  An additional one to two inches of rainfall is predicted, with local amounts of up to three inches possible. 

Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has delayed a vote on a bill that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed guns without a permit. At issue is an amendment that would require firearms dealers to distribute a brochure on gun safety to gun buyers. Householder, in a Facebook post, said he had received many emails from the group Ohio Gun Owners urging him to block the vote on House Bill 178 because the brochure mandate “can get gun owners killed.”

Ohio’s Senate votes today on its final version of a two-year budget, as the deadline for a budget deal looms. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the budget with a unanimous vote, the first in that committee in more than a decade.  Changes to the Senate’s $69 billion spending plan include $8 million to pay for the medical care of children with severe disabilities and a rule change that helps parents maintain custody while getting state-funded treatment. Left unchanged was an across-the-board income tax cut of 8 percent. Senate Republicans also rejected Democrats' attempts to include more money for local governments.    

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter tonight’s NBA Draft with rumors swirling that they could trade All-Star Kevin Love. His star status makes him a valuable trading asset for a team looking to rebuild from a 19-63 season. The team will get two picks in the first round at No. 5 and No. 26 overall. 

The Indians’ explosive offense continued in their 10-4 victory against the Texas Rangers. Jason Kipnis hit two home runs and combined with Roberto Pérez to hit back-to-back homers during a five-run first inning.

Weather forecast: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall of up to three inches in parts of Northeast Ohio. High 70.  Tonight, a 50/50 chance of more showers. Low 58.  Tomorrow, mostly sunny (!), high 72.

Expertise: Hosting live radio, writing and producing newscasts, Downtown Cleveland, reporting on abortion, fibersheds, New York City subway system, coffee