COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's governor has signed a bill imposing one of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine followed through Thursday on his pledge to sign the heartbeat bill. It cleared the state Legislature on Wednesday.

DeWine's signature makes Ohio the fifth state to ban abortions after the first detectable fetal heartbeat. That can come as early as five or six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant.
DeWine's support for the bill breaks with his predecessor. Former Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) twice vetoed it on grounds it was unconstitutional and would spark a costly court challenge.
Opponents in Ohio have already vowed to sue.
Related Content
- Ohio governor signs ban on abortion after 1st heartbeat
- Louisiana sends 'heartbeat' abortion ban bill to governor's desk
- Missouri's governor signs bill that bans abortion after 8 weeks
- Indiana governor signs bill mandating abortion information
- Mississippi governor signs 'heartbeat bill' into law. Next up: A legal fight
- Lawmakers advance fetal heartbeat bill
- Ohio governor opposes state barring local bans on plastic bags
- Bills that would ban abortions as early as 6 weeks await governors' signatures in Georgia and Ohio
- Georgia's governor signs a controversial abortion bill into law
- Ohio governor signs repeal of state sales tax on tampons