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Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson testified on Capitol Hill Thursday. He was part of a Senate panel addressing the increased use of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanyl, in the U-S. Less than six months into 2017, Gilson predicts an approximately 21 percent increase in total overdose deaths compared to last year in Cuyahoga County.

The monitors overseeing Cleveland’s police reform agreement are asking a federal judge to approve their plan for year two of the project. In December, the monitor asked for changes to the city’s plan for upgrading equipment. That plan must be revised and finalized in the coming weeks.

The Great Lakes shipping season officially kicks off Monday with the opening of the Welland Canal, the shipping channel that connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This is the earliest the Canal has opened – matching the March 20th opening in 2007. But since the winter has been so mild, shipping locally has continued throughout the region.

Starting Tuesday the speed limit on county roads in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will go down from 55 miles per hour to 35. From Ohio Public Radio station WKSU, Kevin Niedermier reports. The 20 mph reduction is an effort to make it safer for bicyclists, horseback riders, and pedestrians who share the curvy and hilly roads with cars.

Several on-line commentators from opposite ends of the political spectrum have joined forces to challenge the constitutionality of an Ohio law prohibiting internet harassment. From member station WOSU, Sam Hendren reports. The federal lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cleveland. It alleges that a prohibition against knowingly posting text or audio statements or images on a website or web page for the purpose of abusing or harassing someone violates the commentators' rights to free speech and expression.

Akron is again trying to find enough police recruits to keep its force at its authorized strength of 455 over the next two years -- when a number of officers are expected to retire. From member station, WKSU M.L. Schultze has more. A week from this Friday is the deadline to sign up for the entrance exam, and a team of four Akron officers has been hitting gyms, barbershops, schools and social media to find men and women with an interest. Sgt. Mark Murphy acknowledges the atmosphere nationally has made recruiting harder.

Environmental groups have filed a federal lawsuit, accusing the Environmental Protection Agency of violating the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit involves a dispute over whether western Lake Erie should be classified as an impaired waterway.

Opponents of Cleveland’s deal to fund the Quicken Loans Arena makeover are trying to put the issue to a citywide vote this year. The coalition includes faith group Greater Cleveland Congregations, the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus, Service Employees International Union Local 1199, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 268 and AFSCME Ohio Council 8.

Ohio law enforcement officials have formed a new task force to combat human trafficking in Cuyahoga County. From member station WKSU, Kabir Bhatia reports. At least one investigator for the task force will be on-call in Cleveland 24/7. This area is unique for trafficking due to its proximity to Canada, several expressways and also Michigan and Pennsylvania, according to Cuyahoga County Sherriff Clifford Pinkney.

As the opioid epidemic grows in Cuyahoga county, all Cleveland police cars are now equipped with medication needed to respond to an overdose call.