Ohio needs more power in order to meet the demand of data centers the size of stadiums. But the state hasn’t embraced the possibility of wind or solar energy. House Bill 6 gutted Ohio’s green-energy requirements, giving the state the least-stringent clean-energy requirements of any U.S. state with a renewable standard. A pilot project to bring wind power to Lake Erie faced so many challenges it pretty much sunk. And while Ohio counties have no legal right to ban coal or natural gas projects, Republicans in 2021 passed a law allowing local governments to ban wind and solar farms. Already, 24 of Ohio’s 88 counties have banned them in all or some of their lands. That’s not so in Cuyahoga County, where county government is working with local governments on a $129 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to install solar panels on local landfills, mothball a coal-fired power plant and more. But our local embrace of clean, renewable energy is clearly not influencing the rest of the state. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Indiana Pacers: Cavs’ winning streak snapped by Indiana Pacers, 108-93, as offense self-destructs Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Cold, colder, then really cold |
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| Signs opposing utility-scale solar energy like these dot rural areas around central Ohio (Jake Zuckerman, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Solar power: As the state grapples with an explosion in energy demand and an electric grid underequipped to handle it, the Ohio Supreme Court controls the fate of four utility-scale solar farms that together could power hundreds of thousands of homes, reports Jake Zuckerman. With the Ohio Power Siting Board, which regulates the placement of large-scale power projects, grants or rejects a permit, developers often find themselves dragged through years of litigation on accusations that their projects spoil local viewsheds, harm the environment, or fail to serve the “public interest, convenience and necessity,” an undefined phrase that state law requires. Birch Solar, a 2,300-acre, 300-megawatt proposal that was vociferously opposed by Republican political power in Northwest Ohio, just suspended development. Dettelbach farewell: After a two-year tenure that Republicans said trampled on gun rights, Cleveland native Steve Dettelbach is leaving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sabrina Eaton interviewed Dettelbach as Republicans began crafting plans to gut the agency in President Donald Trump’s second term. Acton campaign: How does Amy Acton, who rose to prominence as the state’s health director early in the COVID-19 crisis, and her supporters plan to win in Ohio, where Republicans have dominated for more than a decade? Jeremy Pelzer reports the 2026 general election is still nearly 21 months away and Acton is the first major candidate from either party to publicly launch a campaign for governor. It remains to be seen which other Democrats – and Republicans – enter the race. Today in Ohio: A Summit County judge has rejected a pre-trial request from former FirstEnergy execs accused of bribing a state utility regulator with $4.3 million. We’re talking about how grand jury transcripts won’t be released – and the case won’t be further delayed – on Today in Ohio. |
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Vance appointee: Gov. Mike DeWine says he’ll “probably” announce his appointee to Ohio’s newly open U.S. Senate seat sometime next week, reports Jeremy Pelzer. DeWine’s comments, made to reporters Thursday night alongside other Republican governors at president-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, came shortly after Republican JD Vance of Cincinnati formally submitted his letter of resignation from the U.S. Senate as he prepares to be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20. Substitute teachers: The number of background checks performed by the state for substitute teachers has skyrocketed in recent years after state lawmakers loosened requirements to enter the profession, reports Laura Hancock. Ohio no longer requires subs to have bachelor’s degrees, and the Ohio State Board of Education, the state agency overseeing teacher licensing, has seen a nearly 40% increase in requests from schools and districts to perform background checks in recent years. |
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Lakefront grant: The city’s hopes of reshaping its downtown lakefront have been given a boost after it was awarded a nearly $70 million federal grant for the ambitious project, reports Cliff Pinckard. U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown and Mayor Justin Bibb announced Friday morning the city would receive the $69.3 million grant for the North Coast Connector Land Bridge and Downtown Boulevard Project. Ronayne run: Halfway into his first term, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne already is eyeing four more years, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Ronayne publicly announced his intentions on Friday. Citizens Academy: When someone dies under unusual or potentially suspicious circumstances, it’s the job of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner. Kaitlin Durbin reports the office is offering a free citizens academy. Drought report: Ohio may soon be out of the woods regarding its historic drought, reports Zachary Smith. Drought conditions have improved in Ohio and are down to the lowest classification in the eastern Appalachian counties, which was once the most affected area in the state. Superintendent resigns: Longtime Rocky River City Schools Superintendent Michael Shoaf retired from his post Thursday, nearly a full year earlier than originally planned, reports Cory Shaffer. The announcement came at Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting. Shoaf said last year that he would step down at the end of 2025, agreeing to stay on through the first half of the 2025-26 school year to help his replacement transition into the job. Modell Law: The Browns have responded to Mayor Justin Bibb’s letter invoking the “Modell Law” with a clear message: We’re ready to hash this out in court. Sean McDonnell reports that Anthony White, who heads the Thompson Hine law firm that’s representing the Browns, wrote in a Thursday letter to the city of Cleveland’s lawyer that the team is looking to “expeditiously” resolve the dispute over the Browns’ intention to leave Cleveland through the lawsuit the team filed in October. Ward maps: Cleveland City Council’s decision to approve new ward maps without holding a public hearing or debate on the redrawn boundaries is drawing criticism from government watchdogs who accuse council members of drawing the maps in secret. Sean McDonnell reports council members voted 14-2 Monday night when they introduced and passed the new maps in a single session. The legislation redraws the political boundaries that place residents in wards and cuts two council seats. Train death: A Bay Village woman who was a student at a small college in Michigan was killed Saturday when she was struck by a train near the school’s campus in Holland, Mich., Cliff Pinckard reports. Hope College President Matthew Scogin described Jennifer Kasunick, who was a junior at the college, as “a well-loved member of our community.” |
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Spirit flights: Spirit Airlines, which has dramatically cut its flying from Cleveland Hopkins in recent months, will resume two of its most popular routes – but only for a few weeks this spring, reports Susan Glaser. The airline announced this week that it would resume flights in March from Cleveland to Orlando, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Buckeyes flights: Southwest Airlines is bulking up its flights between Ohio and Atlanta in advance of next week’s College Football National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame, Susan Glaser reports. |
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Officer lawsuit: A former Cleveland police officer who was fired after authorities notified the city of his suspected links to the Hells Angels has sued the city after he said Cleveland officials rescinded an offer for him to be hired as a paramedic. Adam Ferrise reports Shawn Simmons accused city officials of racial discrimination for taking back an offer for him to work in the city’s EMS department. Involuntary manslaughter: A Cleveland woman has admitted her role in the killing of a 26-year-old mother last year, reports Lucas Daprile. Trinity Ford, 19, pleaded guilty Thursday to involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said she was the driver of a car that chased Antwoina Carter on March 17. |
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DineDrinkCLE: In the latest episode of “DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast,” hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus return to kick off the new year with some major changes. First, they chat with Marc Bona about the permanent closing of Melt Bar & Grilled in Lakewood. Disney on Ice: Disney on Ice’s “Let’s Dance,” which had its global debut in August, will be in Cleveland from Wednesday through Sunday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, reports Joey Morona. WKYC journalist: Television news reporter and anchor Sia Nyorkor is returning to Cleveland, reports Joey Morona. The award-winning journalist, who spent nine years at WOIO Channel 19 before leaving in May, is joining WKYC Channel 3. Classic CLE: Peter Chakerian introduces the first installment of “Classic CLE” capsule reviews. Go out into the world, find these favorites, make your own memories with them and report back. We know you’ll love them and will understand why they’re worthy of being called classics. House of the Week: The Cloak Factory is an interesting residential and investment opportunity listing in downtown Cleveland, reports Joey Morona. Located at 635 W. Lakeside Ave. in the bustling Warehouse District, the collection includes five condominiums in the building: three two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom units, with four of the five residences already leased. The properties are priced as a package at $899,900. |
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Fatal workplace accident: Cleveland contractor dies in rail tanker in Summit County Read more Cleveland man threatens to shoot housekeeper at Middleburg Heights hotel Read more New head football coach appointed at Independence schools Read more 47th annual RV Show draws hundreds despite winter weather Read more Browns mixed-use development ranks high on Berea’s 2025 priority list Read more Berea clarifies residential property exterior maintenance standards Read more Berea ballot issue on tap for alcohol sales at Cleveland Metroparks venue Read more |
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