Cleveland is shelling out $675 per hour to keep the Browns from packing their bags for Brook Park — and Mayor Justin Bibb isn’t blinking. He’s banking on the Modell Law, a legal relic from Art Modell’s betrayal in the '90s, to stop the team from ditching the lakefront. So far, the city’s spent more than half-million bucks in just four months — and the meter’s still running. Bibb’s hired one of Cleveland’s top law firms and the Browns have their own legal firepower. Cleveland’s already poured $573 million into the current stadium, and Bibb’s trying to protect that investment — or at least make sure the Browns don’t ghost the city without a fight. How this ends is still an open question. But one thing is for sure: The lawyers will get paid. We've got the breakdown of what’s at stake and why this standoff is about more than just football. — Leila Atassi |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The Browns and Cleveland are engaged in two separate lawsuits over the Modell Law, named after the former Browns owner who infamously moved the team to Baltimore in 1995. (John Pana, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Legal fees: Cleveland is spending $675 per hour in legal fees to fight the Browns' potential move to Brook Park under the Modell Law. Sean McDonnell reports the city already has spent over $566,000 in four months of litigation, with potential total legal costs expected to reach millions. Hospital closures: A federal budget proposal could force 11 rural Ohio hospitals to close by potentially capping Medicaid provider fees. Anna Staver reports on the potential financial impact, explaining that the change would create a $3 billion hole in Ohio's Medicaid funding and threaten health care services in rural communities. Today in Ohio: The Ohio Senate just dropped a $20 million proposal to teach men how to be better dads — complete with Bible verses, prayers and a whole lot of faith-based funding. On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about whether public dollars should fund pulpit-style programs while the state cuts funding for child care and new mothers. |
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Portrait moved: Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor's portrait has been moved to a lower-level area of the court, sparking controversy. Laura Hancock reports the relocation coincides with an upcoming exhibit and follows tensions between O'Connor and other Republican justices over redistricting. Nuclear fuel: Ohio Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Jon Husted and U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, are backing a new bill aimed at promoting nuclear fuel recycling — a move that could reduce waste and boost domestic energy production, Sabrina Eaton reports. Gun safety: Anna Staver reports that Ohio Republicans are pushing to deregulate gun suppressors, arguing they protect hearing and aren't truly silent, while critics warn the move could complicate law-enforcement responses during shootings. Academic showdown: A grassroots movement is racing against the clock to put Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino’s controversial higher education legislation to a public vote, and Today in Ohio hosts hope they get there. |
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Apartment explosion: A reported explosion Monday at an East Side apartment complex set off a massive fire, sending five people to the hospital and leading to the dramatic rescue of a baby who was dropped to onlookers by a woman from a third-floor window, Cliff Pinckard reports. Lake Erie: Ohio's H2Ohio program is showing early signs of success in reducing phosphorus runoff, despite proposed budget cuts by state legislators. Peter Krouse reports the program has helped farmers implement better fertilizer application practices, potentially reducing toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie. East Cleveland: The 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals is set to decide the leadership of East Cleveland following Mayor Brandon King's corruption conviction. David Gambino reports on the dispute between Council President Lateek Shabazz and interim Mayor Sandra Morgan over who should run the city. Fatal crash: An Illinois woman, Moriah Smith, died and three people were injured in a three-vehicle crash Sunday on Ohio 113 in Lorain County. The crash occurred when Smith reportedly failed to yield while turning, striking a Freightliner truck and then a Cadillac, resulting in her death and serious injuries to other drivers. Neighborhood support: Seventeen Greater Cleveland community development corporations will receive a combined $2 million in grants to support neighborhood operations and development. Megan Sims reports the funds will be distributed beginning July 1, with 58% going to Cleveland's most disinvested neighborhoods. |
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Blood transfusions: Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital is pioneering a new gene therapy for thalassemia that could eliminate the need for blood transfusions. Julie Washington reports the innovative CRISPR/Cas9 treatment, which modifies a patient's stem cells to produce more hemoglobin, offers hope for patients. |
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Ex-lawyer sentenced: A 14-year-old girl who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a former Cleveland attorney she met online pleaded with a federal judge on Monday to give her attacker a long prison sentence. U.S. District Judge David Ruiz listened and sentenced David Greulich to 30 years in prison for what Ruiz called “sadistic” sexual assaults on the girl, Adam Ferrise reports. Parma murder: A 27-year-old man named Dalonte Lamaur White was arrested and charged with murdering his cousin, Adrian D'Angelo Webb, in Parma on Saturday morning. Lucas Daprile reports police say they recovered multiple firearms and ammunition from White's apartment. Deadly shooting: A 37-year-old Akron man was found dead of a gunshot wound Saturday night in the driveway of a home in the North Hill neighborhood and no arrests have been reported, Cliff Pinckard reports. Central shooting: An 18-year-old Cleveland resident, Robert Littlejohn, was fatally shot Thursday near a housing complex in the city's Central neighborhood. Olivia Mitchell reports the shooting occurred around 5:40 p.m. at East 40th Street and Outhwaite Avenue. |
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Maroon 5: Maroon 5 announced their "Love Is Like" tour, stopping at Rocket Arena in November. Malcolm X Abram writes about the band's return, which includes a new single featuring LISA from Blackpink. JazzFest change: Award-winning Jazz singer Dianne Reeves, who was scheduled to appear at the 46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest on Saturday, will not perform due to a death in her family, Malcolm X Abram reports. Taking Reeves’ headlining spot will be The Baylor Project, the band led by the husband and wife team of singer Jean and drummer Marcus Baylor. Playhouse Square: Tony Award-winning Nicole Scherzinger will headline Playhouse Square's annual Center Stage Benefit on Nov. 8, performing Broadway favorites and pop hits to support arts education programs. Joey Morona reports on the upcoming fundraising concert. Siren's Curse: Cedar Point has added a pass-holder preview for Siren's Curse, its newest roller coaster, which will be North America's tallest, fastest, and longest tilt coaster. Susan Glaser writes about the upcoming attraction and its unique 61-foot tilting track. Collinwood market: The Food For All Friday Market returns to Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood, providing local fresh produce and pantry items under the iconic Euclid Beach arch. Alex Darus highlights the market's second season at the former Dave's Supermarket location. Retro diner: Brooklyn welcomes Rewind Diner, a new 1950s-themed restaurant in Biddulph Plaza Shopping Center, featuring checkered floors, red booths and a menu of smash burgers and milkshakes. Paris Wolfe reports on the nostalgic new dining spot. 'Spirit keeper': Terry Klausman, a self-described "spirit keeper," has visited over 200 ballplayers' graves, documenting their histories and sometimes purchasing headstones to preserve their memories. Marc Bona highlights Klausman's unique and reverent hobby. |
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Lorain man seriously injured in motorcycle-vehicle crash Read more Search continues for father after 5-year-old son dies in tubing incident on the Cuyahoga River Read more Orange Schools adopts unified Lion mascot logo Read more NEORSD explains Berea sewer and stormwater fees, offers ways to save Read more Cleveland Heights council OKs mixed-use development plan for Park Synagogue property Read more Pen pals since 1969, Middleburg Heights woman to meet longtime friend from England Read more Law enforcement shares child safety tips for summer outings in public spaces Read more New sculpture unveiled at Orange’s Juneteenth celebration Read more Ohio’s first Layne’s Chicken Fingers ready to open in Parma Read more |
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