Billionaire Elon Musk waved a chainsaw like a showman on stage last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference as part of his crusade to cut government spending and downsize the federal workforce with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. Ohio legislators want to borrow some of that cache, even if they aren’t wielding power tools. House Republicans have launched their own DOGE Caucus. The House DOGE Caucus has 25 Republican members so far, including Ashtabula County state Rep. Dave Thomas, who is leading the GOP’s work on property tax reform. Property taxes are an area the DOGE Caucus wants to focus on fixing. — Laura |
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Ohio state Rep. Tex Fischer, a Mahoning County Republican, says the DOGE Caucus will operate "in a totally different way" from the federal initiative. (Ohio House Republicans file photo) |
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Ohio DOGE: Anna Staver reports the goal for Ohio’s DOGE Caucus is to get “like-minded” legislators together regularly to talk about issues and ways to make state government more “smart, lean and cost effective.” Today in Ohio: How will your grocery bills jump because of President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports? On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, we’re talking about how prices for fresh foods could increase 25% very quickly. |
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Federal buildings: Cleveland’s Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building and Medina’s Donald J. Pease Federal Building are among 320 properties around the nation that the federal government identified Tuesday as potential candidates for disposal, deeming them not core to federal operations. Sabrina Eaton reports the General Services Agency put seven Ohio facilities on a list of properties it might sell to save money. DEI initiatives: An Ohio Senate bill would ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Ohio’s traditional public, charter and STEM schools, reports Laura Hancock. Senate Bill 113 would prohibit schools from continuing or establishing DEI departments or offices, from using DEI in job descriptions, from requiring DEI training, or from contracting with consultants whose role would be promoting or hiring diverse people. Moreno protest: About three dozen protesters gathered outside the Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse in Cleveland to protest a variety of Trump administration policies and to voice their concerns that Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno will not hold public meetings to hear their concerns. David Petkiewicz has photos of the protest, organized by Mobilize the Vote Northeast Ohio. |
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Cuyahoga homicides: Cuyahoga County had less than 200 homicides last year, the first time in five years that the numbers dipped below that level, reports Olivia Mitchell. In 2024, slayings dropped by 23% over the previous year. Authorities said 175 people were killed compared to 228 in 2023. Pop-up park: Greater Clevelanders this spring will be getting a new, albeit temporary, place to play on the waterfront, a small park north of the Browns football stadium designed to serve as a taste of things to come, Rich Exner reports. The North Coast Waterfront Development Corp., a nonprofit set up by the city, is describing the space as a “pop-up lakefront park.” The park will be called the North Coast Yard and it will be open from May through September. Landlord lawsuit: Companies that own three apartment complexes in Cleveland sued the city on Tuesday over a law that aims at giving city officials more teeth to fight blight and force absentee landlords to fix code violations. Sean McDonnell reports that the three limited liability companies who filed the lawsuit are challenging the legality of Mayor Justin Bibb’s “Residents First Law.” Soccer stadium: Cleveland Soccer Group has released new renderings and a video of a potential design for South Gateway Stadium, which would be located just south of Progressive Field, reports Tiim Bielik. Market gift: A new $3 million grant from the Connor Foundation means Cleveland Public Market Corp. soon will have enough money to begin construction on the West Side Market’s ambitious Transformation Project, reports Paris Wolfe. |
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JumpStart: JumpStart’s venture capital investment arm has secured nearly $25 million in the first close of its NEXT Fund III, marking a key milestone toward its $50 million target. Molly Walsh reports that the fund from JumpStart Ventures, which is backed by Ohio’s Small Business Credit Initiative, institutional and private investors, aims to provide money to Ohio-based technology startups. Flu deaths: Cuyahoga County has seen 22 deaths from flu-related illness as of March 1, reports Julie Washington. The number of deaths this season is nearly double the 12 flu-related deaths reported in county throughout the entire 2023-24 flu season, health officials said. Bird flu: The spike in bird flu cases that has ravaged commercial poultry operations in western Ohio appears to be decreasing, although detections at two backyard flocks in Northeast Ohio have been confirmed. Peter Krouse reports that in Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University sent out an alert about suspected avian flu in multiple geese. Red Cross: American Red Cross of Northern Ohio in March is providing blood donors free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and pre-diabetes, and a $19 Amazon.com gift card, reports Julie Washington. |
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Murder-suicide: Authorities say a man with a history of domestic violence shot and killed a woman Tuesday before taking his own life, reports Olivia Mitchell. Deputy charged: A Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputy was charged with assault Monday after an incident at his home in Strongsville. Sgt. David Perez, 49, appeared on the charge Monday in Berea Municipal Court. A judge set his bond at $2,500, Olivia Mitchell reports. I-480 shooting: Two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the shooting and killing of Johndiel Rivera on Interstate 480. Michael Alvarado, 21, and Michael Roman, 30, were indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury Monday on aggravated murder charges, David Gambino reports. Harassment charge: An Eastlake man pleaded not guilty to stalking and harassing women using security cameras that he installed at Cuyahoga County businesses, David Gambino reports. |
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Modern opera: When it comes to globally renowned Italian “popera” trio Il Volo, everything old is new again. Peter Chakerian reports the trio’s soaring vocals and modern take on classical-crossover music is breathing new life into a sound that has bridged generations of opera fans. Silent films: The library is a place where you’re supposed to be quiet. So it makes perfect sense the Cleveland Public Library and the Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium are teaming to present a series of classic silent films, reports to Joey Morona. Twyla Tharp: Twyla Tharp Dance is coming to Cleveland at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Paris Wolfe reports that it’s the first Cleveland performance in 23 years. Happy Hour: The French brasserie operated by Chef Kevin O’Connell, La Ville Lumiere, on Cleveland’s near West Side is a good spot for a girlfriends’ chat, casual business discussion or a blind date. In “The Happy Hour Project,” Paris Wolfe and Alex Darus will regularly visit independent restaurants in Northeast Ohio for happy hour and report back on the vibe, food and cocktails, and how they’ll impact your budget. Electric State: In “The Electric State,” the new sci-fi adventure from Cleveland-born directors Joe and Anthony Russo, you’ll see a cameo of The Plain Dealer with a headline declaring the start of a war against the robots. Joey Morona reports it’s a subtle shout out to their hometown by the brothers, who’ve never forgotten where they come from. Women businesses: Yelp Cleveland is hosting a free event this month in honor of Women’s History Month to celebrate women-owned businesses in Northeast Ohio. Alex Darus reports Night at The Roxy is set for 6 p.m. March 20 at Mahall’s 20 Lanes, 13200 Madison Ave. |
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