Compiled from staff and wire reports

Jury still out in federal libel lawsuit

COVINGTON - There was still no verdict Wednesday in a libel lawsuit against Fox News, which is accused of defaming a professor at Northern Kentucky University.

The federal court jury of seven women and one man have now deliberated for three straight days, with the panel first beginning deliberations at 4 p.m. on Monday. Jurors have indicated to the judge voices have been raised in the jury room as they discuss the case.

NKU professor Clinton Hewan claims that he was libeled by a May 2, 2001, story that appeared on the news agency's Web site, Foxnews.com. The story described comments Hewan reportedly made during an April 19, 2001, student forum on race.

Teen accused of shooting bus, man

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday and charged with firing several shots at a Metro bus in the Fay Apartments on July 13.

The juvenile was charged with three counts of felonious assault in the incident that occurred at 12:05 a.m. in the 3700 block of President Drive, police said.

The juvenile lives in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, police said.

One of the five passengers on the bus was struck by one of the bullets, but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Janitor charged in gun at courthouse

A Hamilton County Courthouse janitor accused of bringing a .380-caliber handgun to work was indicted Wednesday.

A Hamilton County grand jury charged Jason Cornelius, 26, of Colerain Township, with carrying a concealed weapon and illegally carrying a weapon in a courthouse.

If convicted, Cornelius faces up to 21/2 years in prison.

He is an employee of American Building Maintenance, which is contracted to clean the courthouse at night.

No decision yet on charges in casino fight

VEVAY, Ind. - No decision has been made on whether to file criminal charges against a man involved in a fight at an Ohio River casino that left another man seriously hurt, a prosecutor said.

Michael A. Hartman, 43, of Cincinnati remained hospitalized Wednesday, more than a week after he was knocked unconscious during a fist fight near the cashier's cages at Belterra Casino.

Hartman was struck twice in the face by another man during the argument July 12 at the casino about 40 miles southwest of Cincinnati, police said.

Hartman was listed Wednesday in serious to stable condition in an intensive care unit at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

The man who threw punches that injured Hartman has been interviewed by state police investigators but has not yet faced charges, said Maj. Mark Mason, commander of the state police's Gaming Enforcement Division.

Chris Naylor, the prosecutor for Switzerland and Jefferson counties, said his office has been in contact with the state police and that the investigation was continuing.

Mason G.E. Credit Union robbed by two

MASON - Police are investigating the Wednesday afternoon robbery of a credit union.

Officers were called around 1:30 p.m. to the G.E. Credit Union at 6960 Tylersville Road. Employees reported two males wearing ski masks and dark clothing had entered the credit union and were armed with handguns.

The men demanded money and fled with an undetermined amount of cash. No one was hurt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Doughman at 229-8560, ext. 6012.

Ohio-to-Chicago rail line to be studied

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Rail Development Commission will study the feasibility of a rail line that would connect Columbus and Lima in northwest Ohio with Chicago.

The nine-month study will determine if the route should be added to a proposed network of rail lines that would link nine Midwest states.

It will look at travel time, ridership, revenues and construction costs for high speed train service.

Union sues over health care coverage changes

COLUMBUS - A public school employees' union sued its retirement fund board Wednesday, asking a court to stop changes made last week to health care coverage.

The Ohio Association of Public School Employees argued in the lawsuit that the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio breached its contractual obligations to the 93,000 active school employees and more than 50,000 retirees who receive benefits.

The lawsuit asks Franklin County Common Pleas Court for an injunction against the changes to health care coverage the board approved, saying they undermine retirees.