$500,000 of your tax money was spent to help attorneys defend suspected killers last year. When the defendants couldn't afford an attorney, taxpayer money kicked in, straining Franklin County's already tight budget. Action News found out how the state might help soften the blow.

New numbers in the Franklin County auditor's race won't come until tomorrow. But Tuesday was eventful for another reason: a disagreement between incumbent Zona Lenhart and Commissioner Brad Peck over who should be near the ballots.

KEPR Action News continues to track problems with budget cuts at the juvenile justice center. Young offenders keep getting let out early because there isn't enough staff to watch them all and the problem has only gotten worse in recent months.

More than two decades after the auto body shop slayings in Pasco, Franklin County prosecutors have to start all over again to take accused killer Vicente Ruiz to trial. The latest mistrial pushed the county's costs into the hundreds of thousands and there's no end in sight. Taxpayers can count on paying for a third trial.

Tuesday's meeting was both packed and heated. Most in attendance were in favor of a bicounty crisis center -- and of using some transit money to pay for it. The center would give mentally ill a place to go instead of jail.

On Monday, neighbors from the Ringold crowded into the Franklin County court house asking county leader to put a stop to a 100-bed farm workers facility.

The historic building's been through a lot. The hundred year old mansion went from home, to restaurant and then up in flames six years ago. Now a new owner and a new beginning.

State's only nuclear power plant is operational again after a week-long shutdown.