Summer storms bring summer blackouts. But some communities are seeing more power outages than they’ve ever seen before. While FirstEnergy blames tree branches and animals, officials are blaming a lack of investment by FirstEnergy. Barberton is the latest city to publicize their frustrations and demand change from the utility at the heart of Ohio’s biggest political scandal. In a letter, the Lakewood mayor, along with two Cleveland councilmen, called recent outages “clearly the fault of FirstEnergy’s corporate ineptitude and apathy.” The Public Utilities Commission launched an investigation. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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PUCO regulators are also investigating how FirstEnergy charged its customers nearly half a billion dollars for a so-called “equipment modernization fee,” only to fail to account for any spending of the fees. (cleveland.com file photo) |
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FirstEnergy: Officials in cities like Lakewood, Cleveland, University Heights and Fairview Park are expressing vexations either publicly or privately to their local FirstEnergy representatives over reliability issues with the company’s power grid. Now, Cory Shaffer reports, the state’s Public Utilities Commission has opened an investigation into the outages based on letters from city officials. SB1: Ohio’s public universities are spending millions to comply with Senate Bill 1 – with one school alone estimating annual costs of up to $2 million – as the sweeping law forces institutions to dismantle diversity offices, cut academic programs and overhaul operations, Laura Hancock reports. The law applies to all 14 public universities and 23 public community colleges. ICE arrests: In Ohio jails, the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrestees has tripled since Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump took office and set new policies for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Adam Ferrise talked to immigration lawyers, who say jailing people with no criminal history has ramped up in immigration court in recent months. Today in Ohio: After a week off, Today in Ohio returns this morning. |
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Human trafficking: Sen. Jon Husted introduced a bipartisan bill directing the Labor Department to train employees in identifying human trafficking during workplace inspections. Sabrina Eaton reports the legislation aims to help rescue victims and stop traffickers from exploiting vulnerable populations. Supreme Court: Ohio's Republican Supreme Court race is becoming increasingly competitive, with five candidates vying to unseat Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner. Jeremy Pelzer reports that incumbent Justice Pat Fischer's unprecedented move to run for a different seat has not deterred other Republican candidates. Trump celebration: U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli wants to mark the yearly anniversary of the day an assassin tried to shoot President Trump as a national “Faith and Defiance Day,” Sabrina Eaton reports. |
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Property taxes: The second half of Cuyahoga County property taxes are coming due this week, but 7% of homeowners have yet to pay the first half, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Most of the county’s 564,000 property owners are up to date on their tax payments. They’ve paid over $1.5 billion in property taxes, which provide revenue for local schools, cities, villages, townships, libraries and various county-level services. Lake Erie temperatures: Lake Erie has warmed rapidly, with surface temperatures about four degrees above average for mid-July. Ryan Cohick reports that while the swift temperature rise seems unusual, researchers say it's not necessarily worrisome. Browns lawsuit: A Cuyahoga County judge rejected the Browns' attempt to dismiss Cleveland's lawsuit over the team's planned move to Brook Park, allowing the case to proceed. Adam Ferrise reports the judge found merit in the city's arguments about potential lease violations. Fire hero dies: Cordale Sheffield, a 30-year-old Cleveland man, died after rescuing a child from a burning apartment, suffering burns over 90% of his body. Olivia Mitchell reports on Sheffield's heroic act during the Rainbow Terrace Apartments fire. Stormwater: North Ridgeville City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to address stormwater system deficiencies identified by the Ohio EPA, reports Hannah Drown. The new ordinance establishes regulations targeting illicit discharges into the city's storm-drainage infrastructure, prioritizing protection of local waterways including French Creek, Black River and Lake Erie. River access: Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks opened a new river access point called Northampton Point for paddlers along the Cuyahoga River. Megan Becka reports the $396,000 project includes parking, a boat launch and amenities to support river paddling, with approximately a six-mile paddle route. Ice cream outreach: The Lorain County Sheriff's Office launched the "Frosty Five-0" ice cream van as a community outreach initiative to build positive relationships with local families. Hannah Drown reports the van will distribute free ice cream during community events and special patrols. Euclid microgrid: Cuyahoga County is moving forward with a microgrid project in Euclid to provide more reliable and renewable energy to local manufacturers. Kaitlin Durbin reports the project will serve 10 initial customers and generate approximately $200,000 in annual revenue. Conversion therapy: Oberlin City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing conversion therapy, condemning the practice as harmful and unethical. Hannah Drown reports the council is considering pursuing a legal ban on the practice. Police oversight: Cleveland's Community Police Commission filled its last vacant seat with Luther Roddy, a 28-year veteran of the Cleveland Division of Police. Sean McDonnell reports the appointment completes the citizen-led commission's membership. |
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UH union: About 100 physicians, patients and community members rallied in Shaker Heights to support two University Hospitals pediatricians fired during union organizing efforts. Julie Washington reports the rally called for reinstating Dr. Lauren Beene and Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler, who claim they were terminated in retaliation for their union activities, while UH denies these allegations. |
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Fatal stabbing: A 32-year-old woman, Sharmaine Magan Forpahl, died after being stabbed multiple times during a domestic dispute in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood, Olivia Mitchell reports. Construction death: A construction worker, Joe Cunningham, died after being found underneath a forklift at the Sherwin-Williams global headquarters construction site in Cleveland. Olivia Mitchell reports that Cunningham, a 48-year-old member of Laborers Local 310, was pronounced dead at the site and the incident is under investigation. Doctor sentenced: A Northeast Ohio physician pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges in a Medicare fraud case. Prosecutors say the case involved fake orders for medical equipment, which Mohammed Ahmad, 38, of Avon, approved without ever examining patients, Kaylee Remington reports. Murder conviction: A Cuyahoga County jury convicted Aric Ward of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder for his role in a deadly shootout that killed two men in Cleveland's Union-Miles Park neighborhood. David Gambino reports that Ward faces up to 25 years in prison for the June 2024 incident. Abandoned baby: Police say they have learned the identity of a 3-month-old baby who was abandoned outside a home on Wayside Avenue, Cliff Pinckard reports. The baby, who reportedly is in good health, remains in the custody of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services. Shooting arrests: Police arrested four suspects and seized five firearms Friday following a monthlong investigation into a mass shooting at the Lee-Harvard Plaza, Olivia Mitchell reports. |
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'Superman' premiere: The "Superman" movie premiere in North Olmsted drew hundreds of fans with cosplay, memorabilia and special events. John Kuntz highlights the Greater Cleveland Film Commission's celebration, which featured a sold-out screening and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses. Rock Hall exhibits: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened three new exhibits Friday dedicated to 2002 inductee Tom Petty, 2013 inductees Public Enemy and the 40th anniversary of the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid, Malcolm X Abram reports. Cleveland Ballet: Cleveland Ballet returns to Vermilion’s historic Harbourtown Fine Arts Center on July 26 for the company’s annual summer performance, Paris Wolfe reports. Luke Bryan: Country superstar Luke Bryan delivered a full moon Friday night fever set at a hot, sweaty and boozy sold-out Blossom Music Center. John Benson has a review. Iron works: The Cleveland Museum of Art's new exhibition "Rose Iron Works and Art Deco" explores the city's metalwork legacy. Peter Chakerian explains the show, which celebrates Cleveland's artistic contributions through intricate ironwork from the early 20th century. Choco Nostra chocolate: Cleveland actor Michael Cipiti is taking his portrayal of crime boss Carlo Gambino from the screen to the sweet shop with the launch of a new chocolate brand, Choco Nostra, Paris Wolfe reports. In Forno: In Forno, a popular Neapolitan pizzeria in Avon, is changing ownership after 10 years. Alex Darus reports the Goodman family is selling the restaurant, with plans to maintain its current menu and style while pursuing a new culinary concept. House of the Week: Located in a corner unit in the College Club development of Cleveland Heights, this luxury three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home was built in 2020 and includes a two-car garage and a rooftop deck. Joey Morona reports it’s priced at $1.3 million and comes with a 13-year tax abatement. |
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Cain Park Arts Festival 2025: 144 artists showcase work in Cleveland Heights (photos) Read more Highland Heights council prohibits short-term home rentals of less than 30 days Read more Highland Heights will ask residents in November for 5.9-mill hike Read more |
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