Voters in 2015 overwhelmingly adopted a new system for drawing legislative maps, aiming to reset the tilted balance of political power in Ohio. But when the Republican-dominated Ohio Redistricting Commission went to work, they roundly ignored the rules. Then-Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor was the lone Republican judge who rejected the commission’s maps. Map after map, month after month, she told the commission to do better, to follow the state constitution. Members never did. Ohioans voted for representatives in November in districts still deemed unconstitutional. The Statehouse still does not reflect the political makeup of Ohio. Now O’Connor – a former Summit County prosecutor and lieutenant governor – is joining a grassroots fight against gerrymandering and to bring another constitutional amendment to Ohio voters. We can’t wait to watch. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio Thursday weather forecast: Sunny day with late snow showers |
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Former Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, pictured before her retirement, says she would like to lead an effort to reform redistricting. (Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press file photo) |
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Maureen O’Connor: Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said Wednesday a constitutional amendment to reform Ohio’s redistricting process could go before voters in November 2024. Laura Hancock reports the proposal would not include any elected officials on a redistricting commission. Rock Hall: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for the Inductee Class of 2023 on Wednesday. On the fairly eclectic ballot are Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Joy Division/New Order, Sheryl Crow, Warren Zevon, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest and Rage Against the Machine – many for the first time. Malcolm X Abram predicts who will make it in. Constitutional amendment: Republican state lawmakers will miss their first chance to pre-empt a planned abortion-rights ballot measure by asking voters to set a higher threshold to amend the Ohio constitution, reports Andrew Tobias. On Wednesday, a legal deadline passed for state lawmakers to propose constitutional amendments to voters for approval during the May election. That means lawmakers’ next chance to revive the proposal is in November, with a corresponding Aug. 10 filing deadline. Today in Ohio: Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons spent his own $18 million last year running for the U.S. Senate. Now Gibbons plans to spend his fortune to defeat new Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens when Stephens runs for reelection next year, as well as the 21 Republican Ohio state representatives who teamed up with Democrats to elect Stephens. Why? We’re wondering on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Householder trial: Prosecutors showed jurors an attack mailer Wednesday in former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s corruption trial, detailing how the money behind the ad started with FirstEnergy Corp. Jake Zuckerman reports lawyers used the ad to highlight a key aspect of the allegations against Householder: How the alleged conspirators used a maze of dark-money conduits to operate in secret as they hatched a cash-for-legislation scheme that helped Householder secure power and personally enriched those involved. Prosecutors also played three recordings that showed Householder discussing campaign contributions and legislation with a now-deceased lobbyist. Jim Jordan: Democrats had their chance to fix illegal immigration and drug smuggling problems at the nation’s southern border, says U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan. Sabrina Eaton reports that in his first hearing as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jordan invited an El Paso judge, an Arizona sheriff, and a man whose 15-year-old son died from a fentanyl overdose to discuss the scope of the problem and how to fix it. Meanwhile, Eaton reports there was a dispute before the meeting over the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. Ukraine aid: U.S. Sen. JD Vance said Wednesday that he’s going to continue pressing the Biden administration over American military support for Ukraine after a right-wing media personality asked him to push the White House for a formal war powers vote as a form of congressional oversight, Andrew Tobias reports. |
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Bibb budget: Unlike last year, Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposed 2023 general fund budget does not rely on deficit spending – a task accomplished, in part, by eliminating some 140 unfilled police officer positions, as well as 100 or so vacancies in other city departments. Courtney Astolfi reports Bibb's proposed cuts to the city’s budgeted staffing level for police is offset by raises approved last year by the city and police union. Taken together, city spending on police is still expected to increase to about $218 million in 2023 vs. $211 million in 2022. Apartment troubles: Tenants of a Cleveland apartment complex say their landlord refuses to fix leaks, mold and problems with heating, despite the frigid temperatures, Lucas Daprile reports. As a result, tenants of an apartment complex at 12500, 12600, and 12701 Shaker Blvd. are seeking to withhold rent from Shaker Heights Apartments Owner, LLC until the problems are remedied, city officials and others said at a Wednesday news conference conference. Mid-winter snow: Cleveland has seen 17.5 inches of snow since the first snow on Nov. 13, the fifth-lowest amount at this point of the year in the last half-century, as measured at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. Zachary Smith reports only the winters of 1979-80 (15.2 inches), 1982-83 (15), 2001-02 (10.8) and 2015-16 (8.8) saw less snow by Feb. 1. Lake Erie: On Monday, less than a half-percent of Lake Erie was covered with ice compared to 87.3% on the same date last year, reports Peter Krouse. The average date for maximum ice coverage on Lake Erie is Feb. 10, while maximum ice coverage has been declining on average by about 5% per decade. Council recommendations: Cuyahoga County Councilman Martin J. Sweeney is challenging his colleagues to make changes in the new year to improve internal operations and overall relations with the community, rousing both serious discussion as well as tensions. Kaitlin Durbin reports the three main recommendations included improving council’s visibility and brand in the community, conducting a “deep dive” on how the county charter and council’s role within it is working after 12 years, and having council set clear legislative priorities each year. Fan club: The Wahoo Club, a fixture for more than 60 years, is changing its name to the 455 Club, reports Marc Bona. The fan-based booster club regularly brings in past and current Cleveland ballplayers to speak at its monthly brunches. Its new name is a reference to the 455 consecutive-game sellout streak and honors the team’s No. 1 fan, John Adams. |
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COVID-19 letters: As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its fourth year, Cuyahoga County and some other local health departments in northern Ohio still use snail mail to tell COVID-19 patients how to isolate — even though many of the notices arrive after the five-day isolation period is up. Other departments use email or phone calls, reports Julie Washington. Life expectancy: COVID-19, among other things, has shortened American life expectancy. In the U.S. it has dropped more than two full years since the start of the pandemic and is now at its lowest point since 1996, reports Gretchen Cuda Kroen. Top Workplaces: Progressive Insurance and Union Home Mortgage Corp., already named some of best places to work in Northeast Ohio, are now lauded as some of the top workplaces in the U.S., according to the 2023 Top Workplaces USA survey. Sean McDonnell reports Progressive took the seventh spot on the list for employers with over 2,500 employees. Sherwin-Williams was 56th and Cleveland Clinic was 73rd. |
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Pinkey Carr: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that former Cleveland Municipal Judge Pinkey Carr is no longer in contempt of court for failing to file proper paperwork after her October suspension from practicing law, reports Cory Shaffer. Charge dropped: A city judge Wednesday dismissed an aggravated robbery charge that prosecutors brought against a man who was in jail when the crime occurred. John Tucker reports Cleveland Municipal Judge Ann Clare Oakar accepted a city motion, filed on Tuesday, to withdraw the charge. Drug shipment: A California shipping company owner used tractor-trailers to ship “substantial” amounts of drugs to Cleveland and elsewhere across the Midwest and Northeast, according to federal investigators. Adam Ferrise reports Nefer Ojeda-Elenes of Upland, California, is charged in Cleveland federal court with conspiracy to distribute drugs and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Eagles charge: Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Josh Sills was indicted Tuesday by a Southeast Ohio grand jury on charges of rape and kidnapping. A report from the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Department says Sills drove a woman, 21, and her cousin home in the early morning hours of Dec. 5, 2019. |
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Great Lakes Theater: The Great Lakes Theater’s 2023-24 season includes the Northeast Ohio premiere of a 12-time Tony-nominated musical, the return of a beloved holiday tradition and, of course, a play by William Shakespeare. Joey Morona reports “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” the critically acclaimed musical based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” opens the classic theater company’s 62nd season on Sept. 22, running through Oct. 8. |
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Cleveland Heights man gets over 2 years in prison for role in car-theft ring Read more Akron teen gets life in prison for 2021 fatal shooting Read more Gunmen open fire, wound man in parking lot of Lake County hotel, police say Read more Akron Community Foundation re-launches On the Table engagement event in new format Read more Shaker Heights gears up community engagement for new Van Aken Bikeway Plan Read more Residents of 444 Park Apartments in Richmond Heights describe poor living conditions Read more Akron’s Summit Lake Community Center to serve as warming center Friday with extended hours Read more Chagrin Falls residents can view Riverside Park playground designs Feb. 8 Read more Parma city officials unhappy about new vape store, promise to tweak retail operation ordinance Read more Parma City Schools returns, again, with consolidation tax on May ballot Read more Fairview Park working on Lorain Road Business District Plan Read more Lakewood tweaks ADA Transition plan study, continues resident survey Read more Lakewood City School District touts benefits of AP African American Studies class Read more |
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