Free Republic

(CNN) — Former Rep. James Traficant had a triumphant homecoming Sunday night, his first public appearance since being released from federal prison, a local paper reports. The Youngstown Vindicator said Monday a supporter-organized welcome home dinner for the former Democratic congressman, which drew the capacity crowd of roughly 1,200 Sunday, included performances by an Elvis impersonator and a polka band, as well as a speech from Traficant himself. The newspaper reported that Traficant was defiant, telling listeners that he'd "been hounded by some government people for a long time" and that the government "had to cheat to convict me."

YOUNGSTOWN — Not wanting questions to be raised about how it runs elections, the Mahoning County Board of Elections is spending about $20,000 for security improvements to its office and voting machines. Board Director Michael Sciortino and Deputy Director Thomas McCabe said there haven't been problems with compromised electronic voting machines in the county. But the improvements are needed to ensure the integrity of the voting process in the county, they said. "There hasn't been a problem, but let's be honest, the boards of election in Ohio will be closely watched and scrutinized," Sciortino said. "Just because there hasn't been...