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| What you need to know Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 WEATHER
The warm temperatures continue, with highs in the low 80s today and mostly cloudy skies. There are chances of showers and thunderstorms during the evening. It will remain mostly cloudy overnight, with temperatures in the mid-60s. Read more. OVERNIGHT
HB6 lobbying: Prominent national law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP helped pass House Bill 6 by organizing lobbying efforts, setting up massive political donations, and even helping to write the scandal-ridden energy law, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Members of the firm wrote sworn declarations for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in order to get the final $1.2 million from $68 million in fees and expenses.
Tri-C: Alex Johnson will retire as president of Cuyahoga Community College in June 2022 after nearly a decade in the role, reports Cameron Fields. Johnson became the college’s fourth full-time president in July 2013, leading the college through a period of increased graduation rates, the reorganization of programs like nursing, creative arts and information technology, along with the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Brunner attack: The Ohio Republican Party wants Democratic Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner to recuse herself from lawsuits challenging the new GOP-drawn state legislative maps, arguing her history makes it impossible for her to consider the issue impartially. Andrew Tobias reports Republicans take issue with Brunner’s past comments on redistricting and affiliations, including an October 2020 fundraiser at which Eric Holder, who now chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, was a guest.
THIS WEEK IN THE CLE Washington, D.C., law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP organized lobbying efforts and communicated nearly daily with FirstEnergy Solutions and consultants about how to respond to “strenuous opposition” of House Bill 6 in an effort to pass the corruption-fueled nuclear bailout bill. How did this not strike members of the firm as out of the ordinary? We’re talking about the gross manipulation of voters’ will on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. STATEHOUSE & POLITICS Vaccine mandate bill: An anti-coronavirus vaccine mandate bill is in flux, Laura Hancock reports. House Bill 435, which would allow employers, K-12 schools and colleges to impose coronavirus vaccine mandates on workers and students, with broad exemptions, continues to be framed by many Republicans as allowing businesses to make people’s personal health decisions.
McConnell: Ohio’s leading Republican U.S. Senate candidates largely have been in lockstep with former President Donald Trump. But they’ve been less eager to join Trump in calling for Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s ouster, reports Andrew Tobias.
Social Security: Millions of older Americans will soon be getting a raise. Peter Krouse reports the Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that more than 70 million Americans collecting Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits will be getting a 5.9% cost-of-living increase beginning Dec. 30, while more than 64 million receiving Social Security benefits will see their increase in January. Some people receive both benefits.
BMV: New self-serve kiosks from the Ohio BMV would allow drivers to renew and print their vehicle registrations and license-plate stickers on the spot, helping them skip the current process of waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Andrew Tobias reports the agency is placing nine “Ohio BMV Express” kiosks across the state, with one at the Medina BMV the only Northeast Ohio location.
METRO Cleveland recycling: With less than 10 days left to sign up for Cleveland’s opt-in recycling program, about 9,300 households, or roughly 6% of the 150,000 eligible households in the city, have climbed on board, reports Peter Krouse. The key to success is having quality recyclers that minimize contamination, which is what caused the city’s program to break down in the first place.
Stimulus spending: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson’s plan for spending $26 million of the city’s first installment of American Rescue Plan stimulus money on public safety passed through City Council’s Safety Committee on Wednesday, but not without council members raising concerns, Robin Goist reports.
Cuyahoga vaccines: Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish lamented the fact that only 60% of county residents have been vaccinated against COVID during a virtual media briefing on Wednesday. In the last two weeks, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health has offered $100 cash cards to any individual who receives their first shot at one of the board’s community clinics. The county also has approved $100 bonuses for employees who show proof of vaccination through Nov. 12. But the incentives don’t appear to be spurring an uptake, Kaitlin Durbin reports.
Suicide rates: An alarming rise of suicide rates among young Black girls has emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, experts said during a mental health roundtable hosted by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood. The virtual roundtable on Wednesday focused on rising suicide rates across the U.S., and how state and national lawmakers can help to address mental health issues among youth, Alexis Oatman reports.
Hospital leadership: Two executive changes announced Wednesday will result in a new president of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, with the current president moving on to run the Sisters of Charity Health System that oversees St. Vincent. Dr. Adnan Tahir will become the new president of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center on Jan. 1. Janice Murphy will become the health system’s new president and CEO, also effective Jan. 1, Julie Washington reports.
Maltz center: A new addition to a Byzantine-style temple owned by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland has been completed, part of a years-long renovation of the near century-old building, Eric Heisig reports. The work on the north side of the 120,200-square-foot Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center now includes a 250-seat proscenium theater, a 100-seat studio theater, costume and scene shops, faculty offices, and a lobby with entrances off East 105th Street and Ansel Road.
CRIME Police shooting: An attorney for the family of a 19-year-old man shot to death by an East Cleveland police officer following a car chase said the case is expected to be presented to a grand jury this month, reports Adam Ferrise.
IRS: A retired Cleveland police officer owes the IRS more $235,000 in taxes from his security business that had hired off-duty officers for special events. Harry Gant, 71, of Mentor, pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, reports John Caniglia. Gant has long been known in Cleveland as the go-to person who would provide private security for entertainment and sports events.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Orchestra season: The Cleveland Orchestra has returned home to Severance, prepared to put on its first performance at the historic Euclid Avenue venue in more than 18 months. Anne Nickoloff reports the orchestra has an expansive schedule of shows slated at Severance for its upcoming autumn, winter and spring seasons, along with a few touring programs that will take the musicians out of state.
National parks: Peak fall leaf season is nearly upon us and there’s no better place to see nature’s show than our own Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The park last year attracted 2.76 million visitors last year, the most in more than a decade. Susan Glaser ranks the 10 most-visited national parks.
Cheesesteak: Harold Villarosa is challenged to grill up a homemade cheesesteak better than one he had delivered in this video from cleveland.com’s sister site, Bon Appetit.
GOAT: The Gold Over America Tour is a team of female gymnasts crossing the country, presenting an exhibition while sending positive messages, especially for young girls. Simone Biles is billed as the star, but every gymnast in the program is an accomplished champion at one level or another. Marc Bona speaks with Jordan Chiles. OTHER HEADLINES
3 teens among victims in string of shootings in just over 4 hours in Cleveland Read more
Bedford teen dies in shooting in Akron Read more
Akron to hold virtual Health Equity Summit Nov. 9-10 Read more
Fairview Park City Schools superintendent schedules four livestream town hall meetings Read more
After slight spike, Solon Schools to retain face mask mandate in all buildings Read more
Richmond Heights council plans vote on deer culling; approves Belle Oaks site plan Read more
Parma Heights Senior Center finding new normal during pandemic Read more
Parma Regional Dispatch Center to receive technology upgrade Read more
Material shortages blamed for increased cost to Brooklyn’s new City Center project Read more
Lakewood City Council expected to approve new electric vehicle charging fees Read more
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