Tana Weingartner

Local Catholic church officials are reacting to today's announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will resign at the end of the month.

In a statement, Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr writes:

“In announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has acted humbly and unselfishly for the good of the Church. That same spirit has characterized his entire life of service.

Bishop William Hughes, who the led the Covington Diocese for 16 years, has died. 

In a press release Friday, the Diocese said Hughes passed away February 7 at Carmel Manor in Fort Thomas.  He was 91. 

Hughes served the Roman Catholic church for 66 years and was a bishop for 38 of those years.  He was appointed bishop of the Covington Diocese in 1979 and served until 1995. 

A mass of Christian burial honoring Hughes' life will take place next Friday at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

All three Hamilton County Commissioners are optimistic about Governor John Kasich's proposed state budget.

Republicans Chris Monzel and Greg Hartmann call the plan bold and filled with a lot of changes that could affect county government. Hartmann adds the proposed budget has the potential to be revolutionary.

Democrat Todd Portune agrees. He especially likes the plans for Medicaid.

More on the budget from Ohio Public Radio:

Miami University isn't losing its appeal. The university says as of Wednesday 21,027 potential students have applied for the fall 2013 semester. That surpasses 20,314 applications received in 2012.

Miami says it expects this year's number to grow even higher by the February first enrollment deadline.