OHIO

OHIO
Federal grant will helppreserve farmland
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Agriculture will receive a $1.7 million federal grant to help preserve productive farmland across the state. The grant from the USDA's Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program will be combined with $3.13 million in Clean Ohio funds to buy agricultural easements.
Under the Clean Ohio program, landowners voluntarily sell the development rights on their farm to the state, thereby ensuring that the land will be used for agriculture in perpetuity. The state received applications from 299 farms in 45 counties.
NATION
Martha Stewart's woeshave effect on magazine
NEW YORK -- Martha Stewart Living magazine is cutting its guaranteed circulation by 22 percent in the latest sign of how badly its founder's legal woes are hurting the business.
Beginning next year, the magazine will cut its rate base, the amount of circulation guaranteed to advertisers, from 2.3 million to 1.8 million, Suzanne Sobel, the executive vice president for ad sales, said Friday.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., the parent company of the magazine, has been battered by the scandal surrounding Martha Stewart, who was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice regarding her sale of ImClone Systems stock in December 2001.
Associated Press