Ohio governor wants Republican Party to “come home”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s Republican governor says he’s frustrated with the GOP but can bring the party back to its traditional principles.

John Kasich appeared Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Kasich unsuccessfully challenged Donald Trump for the party’s 2016 presidential nomination and could decide to run again in 2020. Although there’s been some speculation he could run as independent, he said Sunday : “I’m still a Republican … the Republican Party left me.”

The second-term governor says his state has balanced budgets and added jobs, so he doesn’t understand it when people say he’s not conservative.

He has some Republican critics for expanding Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, but Kasich says Republicans “should care about people top to bottom, not just those at the top, but everybody.”

City becomes more butterfly-friendly

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Ohio officials have voted to make their city a little more butterfly-friendly.

The Blade reports the Toledo City Council voted unanimously last week to remove milkweed from the noxious weed designation under city municipal code. The native species plays a key role in monarch butterfly survival.

Councilman Nick Komives says he proposed the change to bring the city code up to date. He says he will plan to continue reviewing policies regarding the environment.

Toledo Zoo Conservation Director Ryan Walsh says he supports the change because it matches Toledo with state standards and stops labeling a native plant species as noxious.

Walsh says now anyone can plant milkweed in their yard and see the monarchs flutter in.