Anonymous critics like to lodge complaints. (Remember when we had comments on cleveland.com?) It may not feel fair when you don’t get to face your accuser – which is why this month we didn’t report the details of a letter from 22 anonymous people ripping into the leader of the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency. But the First Amendment protects your right to free speech, anonymous or not. That’s a protection at stake in a lawsuit filed by Fortune 500 steel giant Cleveland Cliffs, which is asking a judge to unmask an online critic of the company and its CEO. The suit, Cleveland Cliffs’ second in a year, also raises the issue of emboldening powerful people to stifle criticism. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Rainy with falling temperatures |
|
|
Lourenco Goncalves, the chief executive officer of Cleveland-Cliffs. |
|
|
Anonymous suit: Cleveland-Cliffs has asked a judge to unmask an anonymous online critic of the company and its chief executive officer, Lourenco Goncalves. Cory Shaffer reports the company wants Yahoo Inc. to hand over personal identifying information of an account owner. Transgender care: Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal for additional regulations on transgender care for Ohioans of all ages is generating friction between medical leaders and the government. Health professionals are already bound by standards for best practices in transgender medicine established by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, reports Gretchen Cuda Kroen. But doctors say the new regulations don’t align with those standards and are ethically problematic. Today in Ohio: The Ohio Senate voted Wednesday to override a gubernatorial veto and prohibit local governments from enacting tobacco policies stronger than those of the state. We’re talking about how the ban keeps cities from protecting Black children from flavored tobacco on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
|
|
Voting access: Backers of a proposed ballot issue that would expand Ohio’s voting access laws are headed back to the drawing board, and looking for a new name for their proposal, following the latest rejection from Attorney General Dave Yost. Andrew Tobias reports that Yost on Thursday rejected language summarizing the proposed “Ohio Voter Bill of Rights” amendment that would appear on petitions circulating to qualify for the ballot. Airplane tax: A Republican state senator told a legislative committee Wednesday that Ohio ought to eliminate its tax on the sale of airplanes, a proposal state analysts say would cost the state tens of millions in lost revenue each year, reports Jake Zuckerman. Sen. Andrew Brenner said airplane sellers sometimes skirt the tax via a “fly away exemption” in which to sell an airplane from Ohio, they fly to another state that does not tax such transactions to seal the deal. Border security: U.S. Sen. JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican, on Thursday introduced legislation called the “State Border Security Act” that he said would “codify the right of every state along the U.S.-Mexico border to defend its own territory,” reports Sabrina Eaton. |
|
|
Snow total: Now that rain and temperatures in the 40s and 50s have melted away most of the snow that came from last week’s storm, where does it leave this winter season compared to previous years? Zachary Smith reports the National Weather Service has measured 15.2 inches at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. St. Ignatius donation: St. Ignatius High School announced Thursday it has received commitment for a $10 million gift toward the school’s new construction plans, reports Megan Sims. The donation is coming from 1980 graduate Fred DiSanto, former chairman of the Board of Regents, along with his wife, Brittan, as part of the school’s “Campaign for Vision ‘30,” which has a $50 million goal. Microplastics: Preliminary research findings indicate that water treatment plants getting their raw water from Lake Erie can remove significant amounts of microplastics found in the lake, reports Peter Krouse. John Lenhart, co-director of the Ohio Water Resources Center, and researchers are looking to see how well water-treatment plants are removing microplastics, especially the smaller nanoplastics so small they cannot be seen, and whether certain treatment configurations work better than others. Mummies on display: Playhouse Square’s "Mummies of the World" exhibition aims to be a serious-minded effort to share scientific discoveries, but it’s also unquestionably a piece of showbiz. Steven Litt writes that its displays raise uncomfortable questions about whether there’s a statute of limitations on our empathy for the departed, regardless of their antiquity or geographical origin. When is it OK to display the bodies of the dead, and in what context? ODOT plows: So far this winter, drivers struck have hit 16 ODOT plows across Ohio, reports Molly Walsh. During the winter of 2022-23, 26 trucks were hit. Mohican lodge: The popular lodge at Mohican State Park turns 50 years old this spring and the state is gifting the aging structure a major birthday present. Susan Glaser reports the lodge will close next week for several months, part of a $12 million capital improvement project that includes elevator repairs, heating, air conditioning and electrical upgrades, and more. |
|
|
Nippon Steel: Documents released Wednesday show that Tokyo-based Nippon Steel won a bidding war for the right to buy U.S. Steel, topping Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and several other suitors just days before the sale was announced. Sean McDonnell reports that Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel released a 239-page regulatory filing that details its plans to be acquired by Nippon Steel for $55 a share, or $14.1 billion. Airport passengers: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport welcomed 9.9 million passengers in 2023 – 14% more than a year ago, but just shy of the 10 million travelers who passed through the airport in 2019, reports Susan Glaser. The numbers roughly parallel the air travel comeback across the United States, as passenger volume has rebounded from the pandemic slump, but is still down slightly from 2019 highs. Mobile bank: PNC Bank is using a new strategy to reach people in Cleveland who have little or no access to traditional banking services. Sean McDonnell reports a new mobile branch already is serving Clevelanders at places like the West Park Salvation Army and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center. COVID numbers: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio showed another marked decrease, from 9,428 last week to 7,719 this week, reports Julie Washington. It was the third straight weekly decrease and the second time case numbers were below 10,000 since November. |
|
|
Bath salts: A former owner of a convenience store in Columbus will remain behind bars after the Ohio Supreme Court again has declined to overturn his lengthy prison sentence for selling so-called “bath salts.” Andrew Tobias reports the court unanimously found that Soleiman Mobarak already had lost his attempt to appeal a 35-year prison sentence in 2017 and, as a result, said he couldn’t appeal again. Dogfighting sentence: An Ohio man was sentenced Thursday to 21 months in prison on charges of dogfighting and drug distribution. Michael Valentine, 40, of Bidwell in southern Gallia County, pleaded guilty in May to raising and training 51 pit bulls to fight, Olivia Mitchell reports. Tattoo lawsuit: A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed claims brought by LeBron James’ tattoo artist against the makers of the “NBA 2K” video game franchise in a long-running lawsuit over copyright infringement. Adam Ferrise reports a judge sided with Take Two, saying Cleveland tattoo artist Jimmy Hayden had no legal claims of infringement for four of his six tattoos in the lawsuit. Death investigation A woman was found dead Wednesday near Edgewater Park’s pier, but authorities have not released details in the case, Olivia Mitchell reports. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Jordan Flynn, 22, of Cleveland, and stated that she was in a car when she was found. |
|
|
Orchid Mania: “Orchids Forever: Golden Hour” is one of the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s largest shows of the year. Paris Wolfe reports the idea behind this year’s exhibit is to immerse visitors in the colors of sunrise and sunset as an antidote to the winter blues. Browns concert: Cleveland Browns Stadium will be rocking this summer when Billy Joel and Rod Stewart team up for a co-headlining show on Sept. 13. Malcolm X. Abram reports the show will feature both Rock and Roll Hall of Famers playing full sets of their classic hits. Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez wonders if those who helped redesign bank interiors considered our privacy. She also wonders if it might be time to switch banks. DineDrinkCle: There’s a new Fairfax Market by Meijer in town and it’s got the crew of “DineDrinkCle: The Podcast” excited to talk about local markets both new and old. In their latest episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by reporter Paris Wolfe to get the inside scoop on the Fairfax Market. Things to do: From live performances to basketball games, many events are happening this weekend and beyond in Northeast Ohio. Alex Darus has 27 things to do this weekend in Greater Cleveland and beyond. |
|
|
Man on dirt bike dies after crashing into patrol car at Lorain crime scene Read more Gas station worker shot while trying to stop man from stealing tip jar Read more Ohio State University under investigation for response to incidents of antisemitism, reports say Read more Want to see improvements to North Main Street in Akron? Here’s how to give feedback Read more Middleburg Heights seeks applicants for Ward 4 council seat Read more Solon Community Living prepares to open doors to adults with special needs Read more Medina County District Library continues to add resources for adults Read more |
|
|
NEW! DINE DRINK CLE NEWSLETTER |
Get the latest news about Cleveland’s restaurant and bar scene. The latest on openings, closings, tastings and other events, plus features, guides, and recommendations from our team of writers and critics. Click here to sign up. |
|
|
Want the top headlines but don't have time to read? Listen to cleveland.com’s Today in Ohio podcast on Spotify, Google or Apple Podcasts. |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
Start today for $1 (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
Start today for $1 (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
|
