Ohio is spending nearly $1 billion on private school vouchers now that it will cover nearly every student in the state with at least a partial scholarship. In Cuyahoga County alone, the number of students receiving at least partial tuition jumped from 2,500 students to nearly 9,200. Yet the county’s 31 public school districts didn’t see a corresponding loss of students – meaning most of the families were already enrolled in private schools, rather than fleeing a failing district. It’s hard to compare public and private schools, since private-school students and public-school students often take different tests. But under Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget, Ohio is continuing to invest in vouchers at the expense of public schools. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: More snow likely |
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The Legislative Service Commission’s new numbers and analysis show Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget could cut $103.4 million from traditional public schools in the next two years. (David Zalubowski, Associated Press file photo) |
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School vouchers: Projections from the legislature’s nonpartisan research agency show Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget would slash $100 million from traditional public schools over the next two years while costs for privately operated charter schools and voucher programs jump another $500 million, Laura Hancock reports. Police OT: Cleveland’s police officers worked 17% less overtime in 2024 after switching to 12-hour shifts. Despite that, the Division of Police still blew through its overtime budget. Sean McDonnell reports the dueling numbers are likely a result of two big changes Mayor Justin Bibb made to try to hire more police officers: longer shifts and increased pay. Today in Ohio: Nearly 771,000 Ohioans who receive Medicaid benefits under expanded rules could lose their coverage if the federal government makes cuts. We’re talking about whether to blame Gov. Mike DeWine or President Trump on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour podcast. |
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VA: The impact of the Department of Veterans Affairs' decision to cut 1,000 jobs is hitting home, with over 60 non-union employees across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana receiving pink slips, leaving many veterans and their advocates concerned. Julie Washington reports the dismissed probationary employees might translate to a handful of Northeast Ohio VA employees losing jobs. National Park: Five full-time employees at Cuyahoga Valley National Park are believed to have been let go as a result of President Trump’s job cuts across federal agencies, reports Peter Krouse. The status of another 40 seasonal workers at the park is up in the air. Illegal immigration: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted on Wednesday grilled President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Labor on whether she thinks illegal immigrants harm U.S. workers. At a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination to become secretary of labor, Husted said that making things in America could improve conditions for American workers, and illegal immigration has undermined their ability to earn higher wages, Sabrina Eaton reports. Coal subsidies: Over the past decade, a combination of legislative and regulatory decisions from the state has forced Ohioans to pay $679 million via fees on their power bills to cover losses on two money-losing coal plants, reports Jake Zuckerman. In 2024 alone, ratepayers gave nearly $172 million to the coal plants’ Ohio-based owners – American Electric Power, Duke Energy, and AES Ohio. Marijuana bill: Marijuana growers say proposed legislativechanges to Ohio’s recreational marijuana law would cost them millions, shut down businesses and spark lawsuits, reports Anna Staver. |
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Ohio salaries: Typically, the more formal education someone has, the higher wages they can fetch on the job market. This holds true for Ohio, where salaries generally increase from those with a high school diploma to those with a bachelor’s or graduate degree, reports Zachary Smith. East CLE: Suspended East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King posted a gofundme fundraising account that asked the public for $50,000 to assist him with legal counsel as he faces corruption charges. Olivia Mitchell reports the account has raised $3,655. Energy grant: The spigot has been turned back on for the $129 million climate change grant Cuyahoga County, Cleveland and Painesville were awarded last year, Peter Krouse reports. Access to the grant was shut down early last week after President Donald Trump’s administration moved to restrict federal spending. Cuyahoga County had only spent $14,000 of the funds and no money had been paid out to Cleveland or Painesville. Muni judge: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor to a vacant judge position in Cleveland Municipal Court, reports Lucas Daprile. Starting March 10, Christopher Woodworth will take the position vacated by Lauren Moore, who was recently sworn in as a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge. RTA: Ridership on RTA’s buses and trains increased for the second straight year in 2024, but it still lags far behind pre-pandemic levels, reports Rich Exner. RTA carried 24.9 million passengers in 2024, generating $32.9 million in fares, up from 22.1 million rides and $29.9 million in fares in 2023. Snowy owls: Local birders were all aflutter in December over snowy owl sightings along the North Coast. But the handful of owls spotted hanging out near Fairport Harbor and Conneaut soon split. Now, Peter Krouse reports, the binocular-toting bunches have something else to get worked up about: common goldeneye ducks. Foster care help: Ohio's Bridges program supports young adults who exit the foster care system up until they’re 21, as long as they are in school, working or in an employment program. It will pay rent and help with expenses. Now, Kaitlin Durbin reports, the non-profit Chair-ity will deliver furniture to those moving out of foster care into their own space. Family recruiter: Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, part of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, helps Cuyahoga County youth who linger in the foster care system find relatives and other connections, before they age out. Kaitlin Durbin reports the network of recruiters across the United States and Canada have helped 15,000 children get adopted over the past 20 years. Heritage Homes: Owners of older homes in Rocky River could now get a boost when it’s time to renovate their houses, reports Cory Shaffer. The city became the latest community in Cuyahoga County to join the Heritage Home Program, which offers owners of homes that are at least 50 years old free technical assistance and low-cost financing for home renovation and maintenance projects. Infill: Rebuild Cleveland, a real estate development firm that focuses on pre-fabricated modular house construction, and FutureHeights, a nonprofit community development corporation, are working together to address the need for in-fill housing in the city, reports Megan Sims. That’s when new housing is built in between existing homes, usually on a vacant lot. |
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AI: Cleveland Clinic patients receiving outpatient care soon will read appointment summaries generated by artificial intelligence, reports Julie Washington. The goal is to increase personal interaction between patients and care providers, and to decrease paperwork. |
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CWRU charges: Eleven people accused of causing $400,000 in damage to Case Western Reserve University in November during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war were indicted Wednesday on felony charges. David Gambino reports the group included six people affiliated with the university, but the school stopped short of identifying them as students. Prison stabbing: A lawsuit claims a Pennsylvania man was stabbed 11 times in a private prison in Youngstown and given substandard medical care afterward, Adam Ferrise reports. Jamal Knox, 30, was moved to a different location at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center shortly before he was attacked by three inmates. Sentencing: A Cleveland woman who was set to be sentenced Wednesday for her role in killing a 26-year-old mother tried to withdraw her guilty plea. David Gambino reports that Trinity Ford, 20, pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said she drove the car that chased Antwoina Carter on March 17. Aggravated murder: A Cuyahoga County grand jury is expected to consider the case of an East Cleveland father arrested Tuesday on a charge of aggravated murder, reports David Gambino. The man’s daughter also was arrested and charged in an unrelated case out of Barberton. |
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Broadway series: Playhouse Square has revealed the full lineup for its 2025-26 KeyBank Broadway Series, reports Joey Morona. “The Outsiders,” the 2024 Tony winner for Best Musical, joins the six previously announced shows: “The Notebook,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Stereophonic,” “Suffs,” “Water for Elephants” and “The Great Gatsby.” Each production is coming to Cleveland for the first time. Brite Winter: Brite Winter – the kid and family-friendly arts and live music festival that takes place annually in Cleveland’s Flats – is turning 16 this year. And, just as with humans reaching that pivotal age, Brite Winter 2025 – happening from 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday – has undergone some important physical changes, most notably a new location and more indoor spaces, reports Malcolm X Abram. Rock Hall: March is Women’s History Month and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is highlighting women in music with two special evenings, reports Malcolm X Abram. Theater grant: Cleveland Public Theatre received a big boost Wednesday with a $4 million matching grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, pushing the organization past the halfway point of its $12 million capital campaign. Joey Morona reports that the Mandel Foundation will contribute $1 for every $1.50 CPT raises. 'Black Panther': Costumes from the Marvel superhero movie “Black Panther” are on display in the lobby at Severance Music Center through April 6, reports Joey Morona. The exhibit is in conjunction with the Cleveland Orchestra’s performance of Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score from the movie at 7:30 p.m. on March 28-29. Sanibel: Two and half years after being devastated by Hurricane Ian, less than 50% of the overnight rental inventory on Sanibel Island, Florida, is back online and available for bookings. But Susan Glaser and her family find Sanibel still is one of the most magical places on earth, where they’ve bonded for years over sandcastles and shells. Best steak: Your first-place winner in the cleveland.com “Best of Cleveland – Steak” readers poll is Dean Martin’s Lanning’s in Bath Township. Open Mondays: When a Monday meal out is calling your name, Alex Darus lists 22 Greater Cleveland restaurants that are open on the day. |
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Boy, 14, arrested after being found with knife during large fight at Sky Zone Read more Medina City Schools presents Portrait of an Educator Read more Medina schools outline new policy for religious instruction release Read more Beachwood Truck Park closes: Owner focuses on other Cleveland-area businesses Read more Mayor Dennis Clough attributes Westlake’s success to hard work and dedication Read more Cleveland Heights prepares to reopen Cedar-Lee parking garage in wake of Marquee fire Read more Fairview Park author and former school board member celebrates release of first two picture books Read more Olmsted Falls receives NOPEC grants for HVAC, community events Read more Lakewood School District aims to protect students, staff amid uncertain times Read more Ohio college partners with Cleveland Browns to offer sports classes for credit Read more |
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