THIS WEEK IN THE CLE

The Cleveland Guardians roller derby team is suing the former Indians in a legal fight over its name and trademark. Is the baseball team bullying a smaller sports team that has used the name for years? We’re talking about the lawsuit on This Week in the CLE, the half-hour news podcast soon to be renamed Today in Ohio.

STATEHOUSE & POLITICS

Redistricting: The Ohio Redistricting Commission held its first and only congressional redistricting meeting at the Ohio Statehouse on Thursday. And as expected, the commission didn’t approve, much less consider, an official map proposal. Instead, commissioners, including three who won’t be involved with the process anymore, heard from members of the public who touted their unofficial plans, reports Andrew Tobias.

Climate hearing: Democrats in Congress hoped to use a Thursday hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to highlight the oil and gas industry’s role in climate change and their efforts to cover it up as they grilled the CEOs of Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Shell, BP America and the American Petroleum Institute, Sabrina Eaton reports. The committee’s Republican members — including Champaign County’s Jim Jordan and Holmes County’s Bob Gibbs — had other ideas, portraying the industry as the victim of destructive policies implemented by President Joe Biden’s presidential administration.

Afterschool program: A new state program would make up to $500 per year available for qualifying families to pay for afterschool programs for their kids. Andrew Tobias reports students between ages 6 and 18 from families making up to 300% of the federal poverty level -- or $79,500 for a family of four -- are eligible for the money, which can be spent on things like tutoring, day camps, music lessons, study skills services, and field trips.

Spotted lanternfly: The Ohio Department of Agriculture issued quarantine guidelines for anyone traveling from Cuyahoga and Jefferson counties to reduce the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly. Cameron Fields reports the destructive plant pest has infested the two counties and can spread quickly over long distances if someone moves infested items or materials containing egg masses.

Infrastructure plan: White House officials on Thursday unveiled details of a $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better” tax and spending bill they said has enough support to be enacted. Whittled down from a $3.5 trillion proposal that some Democrats found too expensive, White House officials said the latest plan will “ensure our economy delivers for middle class families” by bringing a transformative investment in children and elder care, expanding affordable health care and fighting climate change, reports Sabrina Eaton.

METRO

HR resignation: Cuyahoga County’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jesse Drucker abruptly resigned Wednesday. Kaitlin Durbin reports Drucker emailed his resignation letter to County Executive Armond Budish and Chief of Staff Bill Mason at 11:15 a.m., but did not provide a reason for his departure.

Priest resigns: A priest at St. Clare Parish in Lyndhurst resigned Oct. 6 after an independent investigation found he skinny-dipped with three adults he knew from the seminary, reports Kaylee Remington. Father James Cosgrove resigned more than one year after the diocese first received a report detailing accusations against him.

Neighborhoods: Median household incomes in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood are the lowest, by far, among the city’s 34 neighborhoods. At $10,440 per household, Central’s median income is about one-third of the city’s overall median of $30,900. Courtney Astolfi has a list.

Mobile clinic: University Hospitals’ new Mobile Clinical Research Unit — a customized 38-foot Winnebago stuffed with medical equipment and emblazoned with the UH logo — is hitting the road at community events, nursing homes, churches and other gatherings where UH researchers might find diverse people willing to participate in medical research trials. Julie Washington reports you might even spot it among the tailgaters at a Cleveland Browns game.

COVID-19

Numbers decline: A measure of the rate of coronavirus transmission - cases per 100,000 residents - continued to decline on Thursday to 359, decreasting from last week’s 419.2. Laura Hancock reports Ohio’s transmission rate is improved from the peak during the delta wave. On Sept. 23, Ohio hit 698.7 cases per 100,000 residents.

COVID in schools: Columbus City Schools reported the highest number of new COVID-19 cases among students and staff in the Ohio Department of Health’s latest weekly update, but the numbers reported Thursday were generally lower than they have been in recent weeks, reports Cameron Fields.

Holidays: Doctors say it’s safe for Northern Ohio kids to trick-or-treat this weekend but they are worried about winter, when people head back inside and gather for the holidays, reports Julie Washington.

BUSINESS

Natural gas: Heating bills are likely to rise this winter, especially for natural gas users, because of a combination of supply and weather, reports Sean McDonnell. Natural gas prices are expected to rise by 30% compared to last year, and electricity by 6%. Less-commonly used propane and heating oil are expected to see even steeper rises.

Alaska flights: Alaska Airlines, consistently ranked among the nation’s top carriers, will start flying from Cleveland in June, with nonstop flights to Seattle, the first from Cleveland since 2014. Service will launch June 16, with once-per-day flights between Cleveland Hopkins and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, reports Susan Glaser.

Nexen Tire: Nexen Tire America is relocating its U.S. headquarters from California to Richfield, reports Sean McDonnell. Nexen, which currently has a 35,000-square-foot technical center on Wheatley Road, said moving to a central location will help it meet customer needs.

CRIME

Cybercrime: A Russian national has been extradited from South Korea and brought to Cleveland, where authorities accused him Thursday of working for a cybercrime network that struck computers worldwide and looted tens of millions of dollars from victims. John Caniglia reports that federal marshals picked up Vladimir Dunaev, 38, who faces a federal indictment that charges him with conspiracy for his role as a developer for TrickBot, a criminal scheme with origins in Russia.

Order rejected: A judge has rejected Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley’s office’s request to bar a man whose 1989 murder conviction was overturned and his lawyer from speaking publicly about his case until a new trial is held, Cory Shaffer reports.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Trivisonno dies: Longtime talk-show host Mike Trivisonno, 74, was remembered warmly as an influential colleague, great friend, wise guy and charitable donor Thursday afternoon after news of his death was reported. Radio and sports personalities on WTAM broke up while offering memories about their colleague, who wouldn’t pass up a poker game and supported many charities, Marc Bona reports.

Toronto: Canada’s largest city has been on Anne Nickoloff’s travel bucket list for years. And after the borders reopened, she took the easy jaunt from Northeast Ohio for a spontaneous trip on a budget.

Triathlon: The Ironman 70.3 Ohio will be held in Sandusky for the next three years beginning in the summer of 2022, Cameron Fields reports. Next year’s event will take place July 24, 2022, and athletes can register online starting Nov. 10. Competitors will have an opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Utah.

Rotisserie chicken: Chef Dan Giusti returns to show us just how much is possible with a couple of supermarket rotisserie chickens and some ingenuity. Watch as Dan prepares a day's worth of meals for $12 on cleveland.com’s sister site, Epicurious.

Things to do: It’s Halloween weekend! Whether you’re looking for a costume party, a family-friendly outing, a concert or some fear-filled fun, there are plenty of things to do in Northeast Ohio this Halloween weekend. Anne Nickoloff has 40 ideas.