The Republican National Convention kicks off in Tampa, Florida Monday, but official events have been wiped out by Hurricane Isaac.
Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro is in Tampa with the Ohio delegation.
Ohio delegates are taking Tampa by storm as Isaac threatens the Republican National Convention. They're still checking in, eating breakfast, and networking - but they're doing it all while chatting about Isaac.
Helen Wagoner from Lucas county says, "Hoping that Tropical Storm Isaac remains a tropical storm and let's us have a wonderful convention. We're looking forward to it."
The wind is picking up - bustling the palm trees and the sky looks ominous but Ohio delegates say they won't be distracted from what they came here for - to get Mitt Romney nominated.
Helen Wagoner says, "Toledo has been hit hard; a lot of businesses. And Mitt Romney is the one who is going to get the businesses going and financially straighten things up."
Republican Senate candidate State Treasurer Josh Mandel stopped in Tampa for just a few hours. Even he's talking about Isaac.
"I hope the storm goes away or moves somewhere else." But Mandel quick to get back to the reason he's here - your vote. He wants Ohio Republicans to know that he represents change in Washington. "Over many decades a lot of these politicians in Washington on both sides of the aisle have let us down."
Some of the delegates here in the new center of the political universe say Mandel is the type of change they're looking for.
Helen Wagoner agrees, "Oh yes I think I am going to be voting for him. Absolutely.
Delegates say they feel confident voters in Ohio will elect Mitt Romney and Josh Mandel. They also said they feel calm about the threat of Isaac - saying, "Everything is going to be okay."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:06:15 GMT
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Many schools in our area do not have basements. We spent the
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:57 GMT
The Toledo area has a long history of tornados. Here is video from nearly 50 years ago. On April 11, 1965 - Palm Sunday - a series of twisters hit Ohio, killing 18 people locally. We are now nearing
We are nearing the three year anniversary of the June tornado outbreak in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan that killed seven people.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:12:54 GMT
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder. Fay was arraigned on two counts of aggravated murder
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:45 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:45:38 GMT
Three Toledo families are still begging the Russian government to lift its ban on adoptions. Those families' plans to adopt Russian children were blocked in January. Part of their fight led them to Washington,
Three Toledo families are still begging the Russian government to lift its ban on adoptions. Those families' plans to adopt Russian children were blocked in January. Senator Rob Portman says he is doing what he can to put pressure on the Russian government and get the Obama administration to focus on the issue.
Washington lawmakers are working to pass immigration reform, but there's a hurdle: the link between immigration and terrorism. 13abc’s Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro sat down with our nation's first homeland security expert.
There have been more than 4,000 changes to the nation's tax code over the past decade, according to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. They're working to reform the tax code, but first they want to hear from those it affects most -- taxpayers.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:13:08 GMT
The US Senate is considering more than 300 amendments filed on a huge immigration plan. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the amendments during several hearings before the bill goes to the full
The US Senate is considering more than 300 amendments filed on a huge immigration plan. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the amendments during several hearings before the bill goes to the full Senate.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:56:21 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:07:36 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Department of Transportation has revealed which sections of rural interstate highway will have a higher speed limit of 70 mph instead of 65 mph starting July 1. The department
The Ohio Department of Transportation has revealed which sections of rural interstate highway will have a higher speed limit of 70 mph instead of 65 mph starting July 1.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:10:50 GMT
A plan working its way through Columbus has local towns concerned. State lawmakers want to change how cities tax people and businesses. House Bill 5 would create a one-size-fits-all taxing system but
Perrysburg city council is considering a resolution opposing HB 5 which would give Ohio the right to create tax policy not individual towns.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:57 GMT
The Toledo area has a long history of tornados. Here is video from nearly 50 years ago. On April 11, 1965 - Palm Sunday - a series of twisters hit Ohio, killing 18 people locally. We are now nearing
We are nearing the three year anniversary of the June tornado outbreak in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan that killed seven people.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:06:15 GMT
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Many schools in our area do not have basements. We spent the
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:12:54 GMT
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder. Fay was arraigned on two counts of aggravated murder
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:10:03 GMT
The devastation in Oklahoma seems almost unimaginable. Hundreds of miles away, here in Northwest Ohio, the one question on many people's mind is: "how can we help?" Local Red Cross leaders are coordinating
Local Red Cross leaders are asking for support to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. You can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS, to 90999. Visit www.redcross.org to donate online or call 1-800 RED CROSS.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:12:43 GMT
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Okla., was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph. Spokeswoman Keli Pirtle said Tuesday the
The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Okla., was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:00 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:00:32 GMT
A Findlay City Council member is accused of stealing about $13 worth of vitamins from Walmart. Daniel K.C. Collette was arrested on a charge of petty theft. Walmart's loss prevention officer noticed
A Findlay City Council member is accused of stealing about $13 worth of vitamins from Walmart. Daniel K.C. Collette was arrested on a charge of petty theft.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:59:40 GMT
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - The fire chief in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado says the search for survivors and the dead is almost complete. Fire Chief Gary Bird said Tuesday that he's "98
The fire chief in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado says the search for survivors and the dead is almost complete.