STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
Jan. 6 hearing: An ex-supporter of President Donald Trump from Warren, Ohio, on Tuesday told The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol how he answered the former president’s calls to come to Washington, D.C., and march on the U.S. Capitol, and how it changed his life, “definitely not for the better.” Sabrina Eaton reports Stephen Ayres said he was “very upset” by Trump’s false claims of election improprieties, became “riled up” by Trump’s speech, and followed the president’s instructions to march to the Capitol in hopes that Vice President Mike Pence would decline to certify the election results.
Abortion campaign: The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning national abortion protections is putting the spotlight on the sharply contrasting positions on the issue from Ohio’s two U.S. Senate candidates. Andrew Tobias reports Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan staked out a position that seems to put few, if any, limitations on when government should be able to prevent someone from having an abortion. Republican J.D. Vance, meanwhile, is opposed to abortion in nearly all instances.
ATF: The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved Ohio’s Steve Dettelbach to head the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, marking the first time since 2015 that the federal firearms law-enforcement agency has had a Senate-confirmed leader. Sabrina Eaton reports Republicans Rob Portman of Ohio and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in voting to confirm Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio who was the Democratic party’s nominee for Ohio attorney general in 2018.
METRO
ARPA spending: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on Tuesday announced broad-level plans for how the city should spend most of its $512 million in American Recovery Plan Act dollars. Lucas Daprile reports that Bibb’s announcement didn’t include funding or recommendations for any specific projects. Rather, it shows how much he hopes to spend across 10 general categories that he’s defined as his spending “priorities” for the federal aid.
Horse drowns: A horse drowned Monday night after running into a pond at MGM Northfield Park after a race, the CEO of the U.S. Harness Racing Alumni Association confirmed. The horse, named Alfred Hanover, got loose after a race and ran into the pond with its equipment on, Kaylee Remington reports. The track says it is “working directly with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Ohio Racing on this matter.”
Mushroom bricks: Mycelium -- the underground network of fibers that connects mushrooms - can be grown from the rubble of demolished buildings. And Lucas Daprile reports that private investment and potentially some COVID-19 stimulus dollars could help the eco-friendly building material construct homes in Cleveland and beyond, while also producing food.
Charging stations: The Ohio Department of Transportation has determined where federally funded charging stations should be deployed as part of $100 million spending in electric vehicle infrastructure. Peter Krouse reports the main component of the plan will be a network of alternative fuel corridors that crisscross the state along federal and state highways.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Quality Prize: University Hospitals’ emphasis on quality and patient safety has made it the 2022 recipient of the American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize, reports Julie Washington. The award recognizes leadership and innovation in improving quality and advancing health in communities.
Vitamins: A study finds vitamins aren’t necessary for Americans who are healthy and not pregnant, because there isn’t enough evidence they help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. Julie Washington reports that researchers wrote an editorial, published in JAMA, supporting new recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
BUSINESS
Lordstown Motors: Lordstown Motors is going through another leadership change, this time naming a familiar face to its CEO position. Sean McDonnell reports that Edward Hightower, the company’s president, will also take on the CEO role for the electric-truck maker. The former CEO, Dan Ninivaggi, will serve as executive chairman.
Factory closing: South Korean company Cosmax USA will close its factory and offices in Solon seven years after their grand opening. Sean McDonnell reports the closing will lead to 122 workers losing their jobs.
CRIME
Stolen lyrics: Three people have been charged in an alleged conspiracy involving the handwritten lyrics to multiple hits by the Eagles. Troy Smith reports one of those charged is Craig Inciardi, a curator and director of acquisitions for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation based in New York.
Opioid overdoses: The office of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner issued a public health alert Tuesday after 15 people died of suspected overdoses within four days, reports Olivia Mitchell. As of Tuesday, the county has recorded 30 overdoses in the first 11 days of the month. By comparison, April had 32 overdoses for the entire month.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Literary CLE: Literary Cleveland’s Inkubator writing conference will return to the downtown Cleveland Public Library in September for a hybrid in-person and virtual event. Annie Nickoloff reports three days of virtual programming will take place Sept. 6-8, followed by two days of in-person programming on Sept. 9 and 10, to kick off Cleveland Book Week.
Springsteen: The Boss is back. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band have announced its 2023 tour, which will stop at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 5, reports Troy Smith.
