Ohio is one step closer to having a rail system that connects residents in northeast Ohio to those in southwest Ohio and a couple points in-between.

Amtrak has put a nearly $518 million price tag on Ohio’s plan to restore passenger train service to its major cities, a higher-than-expected cost driven by the need to buy new rail cars that challenges the state’s goal of running trains as early as 2011.

According to an Amtrak feasibility study, a high-speed rail system in Ohio would operate at an annual deficit of $17 million. Supporters are looking for ways to fund the gap.

A report says high-speed rail service would be used by nearly half a million people if it were running today. It’ll cost $342.6 million to get started and need $17 million each year to keep running.

Ohio high-speed rail advocates say Maine’s passenger rail system is a huge success and could be a good model for a system connecting Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Ohioans who are having trouble paying utility bills can get help during the summer months, too.

There’s a new partnership in Ohio aimed at helping students and business.