Questions should be directed to Alan Gordon at 404-536-6751 or e-mail coxnews@nytimes.com. NATIONAL FOUR-LOKO -- DAYTON, Ohio -- Phusion Projects' Four Loko malt beverage has been thrust into the center of a national controversy about the risks of consuming caffeinated alcoholic beverages. But the drinks, and the health concerns are nothing new. The Center for Disease Control's current alcohol and public health fact sheet cites studies going back to 2004 that conclude the caffeine in these drinks can mask the depressant effects of alcohol. 'This isn't a new or novel idea,' said Phusion co-founder and managing partner Chris Hunter. Hunter and two college friends from Ohio State University created their company in 2005 after noticing the popularity of mixing alcohol and energy drinks, such as vodka and Red Bull. (Wedell, Dayton Daily News) PIT-BULLS-OHIO -- DAYTON, Ohio -- State Rep. Barbara Sears wants Ohio to stop defining one breed of dog -- the pit bull -- as inherently vicious. 'That's as wrong as discrimination against anything else,' said Sears, the Toledo-area Republican who introduced a bill to remove the pit bull designation from the state's vicious dog law. Although the measure passed the Ohio House as part of a larger animal cruelty bill, it's not clear if it will reach the full Senate before the two-year legislative session ends in December. (Kissell/McCall, Dayton Daily News) COMMENTARY/OPED HERMAN-COLUMN -- LUBBOCK, Texas -- The end, thankfully, is penciled in for Tuesday. It looks like it will be a laugher, devoid of election night drama. It was certified as such by pollster Mickey Blum from her New York apartment (where a dog was barking) as she went through the numbers from her final pre-election poll. 'I think it's safe to say he's got a comfortable lead,' Blum told reporters from Texas papers, including the Austin American-Statesman, that paid her to poll the gubernatorial race. 'He' is Gov. Rick Perry, and Blum's numbers indicate 'he' will be Gov. Rick Perry for another four years. At least. (Herman, Austin American-Statesman) SCHULTZ-COLUMN -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Beware 'entrenched politicians,' not 'career politicians.' (Schultz, Palm Beach Post) KELSO-COLUMN -- AUSTIN, Texas -- Is it just me, or are the campaign photos plastered on the political mailers currently showing up in our mailboxes even uglier than usual? (Kelso, Austin American-Statesman) TECHNOLOGY TECHNOBUDDY -- ATLANTA -- Avoiding online ripoffs. (Husted, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) TECH-HELPDESK -- ATLANTA -- Q&A on technology issues. (Husted, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS BOOKS-WORTH DYING FOR -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Review of 'Worth Dying For,' by Lee Child. (Eyman, Palm Beach Post) EYMAN-ON-BOOKS -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Weekly books column. (Eyman, Palm Beach Post) SPORTS OUTDOORS-LEGGETT -- STONEWALL, Texas -- It's hot, humid, windy and cloudy not the best conditions for rattling for deer. But those were the conditions I had, so I anchored everything up in the tree and cranked up the horns. By hitting the horns together, I was trying to create the sound of bucks fighting in the distance. I didn't want to make too much noise. Just enough to carry on the breeze and maybe attract a curious buck into bow range. (Leggett, Austin American-Statesman) 