Medical debt: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to highlight consumer medical debt problems and urge the bureau to establish an ombudsman for consumer medical debt that would facilitate consumer complaint resolution and compliance with federal directives. Sabrina Eaton reports that at Tuesday’s hearing, Brown said an estimated 43 million Americans have $88 billion of medical debt on their credit reports, and the problem is growing.
Democratic debate: Democratic gubernatorial candidates Nan Whaley and John Cranley mostly agreed on what needs to change in Ohio during their first primary debate Tuesday, though they each laid out slightly different proposals on issues ranging from the state’s gas tax to police reform, Jeremy Pelzer reports. During the hour-long debate at Central State University, the two former mayors, who are personal friends, focused more on criticizing Gov. Mike DeWine than each other.
METRO
Fake news: Spotting misleading information can be more complicated than you think, reports Alexis Oatman. That’s why the nonprofit Civic Genius wants people to take part in a new initiative to combat digital disinformation in six metro areas, starting in Cleveland.
Gardening: With our short growing season here in Northeast Ohio, the first step in planning a vegetable garden is to find the outdoor space with the most sun and that a hose can reach. Susan Brownstein writes about how to build raised beds.
COVID-19 & HEALTH
Clinic London: The international healthcare industry is watching whether Cleveland Clinic London will attract enough high-paying patients to justify the Clinic’s $1 billion investment. Julie Washington reports a reduction in international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic and competition from other U.S.-based private hospitals are among the challenges facing the 184-bed state-of-the-art hospital near Buckingham Palace in central London.
Healthcare jobs: In Cuyahoga County, the healthcare industry employs the most workers, more than double that of the next largest industry, manufacturing. But which healthcare professionals receive the highest compensation and what do some of the other health jobs pay? Zachary Smith looks at the list.
PFAS: Some of the country’s major restaurant chains recently announced plans to phase out the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging worldwide by 2025, reports Julie Washington.
BUSINESS
College rankings: Multiple Ohio universities landed in the top 50 rankings for best graduate programs in the 2023 U.S. News Best Graduate Programs Rankings released Tuesday. Zachary Smith reports these include Case Western Reserve University - ranked in the top 50 for seven different programs - and the part-time law programs at Cleveland State (ranked 39th) and the University of Akron (ranked 49th).
CRIME
Juvenile murders: The number of juveniles charged with murder in Cleveland and surrounding suburbs spiked in recent years, hitting a four-year high in 2021 and continuing at a rapid pace so far this year, Adam Ferrise reports. Twenty-two juveniles were charged with murder in 2021, up from 13 in 2018. That trend has continued so far this year, with 11 juveniles, including a 12-year-old boy, charged with murder or aggravated murder.
Catholic lawsuit: A 19-year-old man has sued the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland over allegations that it failed to protect him from a former priest who was sentenced to prison for exploiting children. John Caniglia reports the man filed the lawsuit in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, alleging that Robert McWilliams raped and sexually molested him when he was 15.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FRONT: The second FRONT International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, delayed for a year by the coronavirus pandemic, is on schedule and ready to open on July 16 with more than 75 artists, reports Steven Litt. With previews starting July 14, their work will be shown through Oct. 2 in coordinated exhibits held at more than a dozen venues across Northeast Ohio in displays designed to flex the region’s prowess as a center for arts and creativity, spur cultural tourism and attract attention across the world of contemporary art.
Rock history: One of Cleveland’s most notable music venues will celebrate Northeast Ohio’s rich music history. Troy Smith reports Beachland Ballroom will host “A Celebration of Cleveland Rock ‘N’ Roll History” featuring Deanna Adams, author of “Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Venues,” and local emcee/radio host Ray Carr.
Rock science: The Great Lakes Science Center has a new exhibition called the Science of Rock N’ Roll. The new exhibition, which opened March 25, dives into the scientific innovations that shaped rock n’ roll through the years. Joshua Gunter has photos.
