Ohio gov defends LeBron in a big way

You can count Ohio’s governor as a loyal member of King James’ court. Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, a minister, called a 120-foot tall billboard of Cleveland Cavaliers pro basketball superstar LeBron James “spiritual,” WKYC reports. Strickland stopped state efforts to remove the giant Nike promotional sign because, he said, because it’s more “art” than “ad” and thus doesn’t violate state and federal rules against huge billboards along interstates. James and the Cavaliers are playing the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA championship.

The Nevada Legislature came close – but not close enough – to finishing its spring session on time this week. Instead, lawmakers had to resort to what the Las Vegas Review-Journal called “an unwanted and embarrassing” four-hour special session Tuesday (June 5) to tie up loose ends. Their original deadline was 1 a.m. Tuesday. The special session cost roughly $25,000, including $8,608 for legislators’ salaries.

Pennsylvania law lets kids bowl in bowling alleys where beer is served, but it doesn’t let them shoot pool in halls where only soft drinks are on tap. The situation has a family-oriented game halls in a tight spot, The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News writes. They claim the prohibition is outdated. “The law about not allowing kids in poolrooms is like the law saying you have to tip your hat if you pass a lady on the street,” said one owner.

Shortly after he and his fellow Democrats blew a May 31 budget deadline, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich dispatched an aide to call on legislators to work five days a week in Springfield until an agreement is reached. But the governor had different ideas for himself, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald notes. Blagojevich, who has access to an executive mansion two blocks from the Capitol, has been flying back and forth to his home in Chicago every day since his aide announced the edict.