WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025 |
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Six Ohio colleges and universities joined nearly 200 schools around the U.S. in signing a letter that condemns what they describe as President Donald Trump’s “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” at America’s higher-learning institutions. Ohio’s signatories were limited to smaller liberal arts schools – places like Oberlin and Kenyon. Noticeably absent were Ohio’s much larger public universities – Ohio State, Kent State, and the like. There’s a reason for that. Larger schools are more likely to rely on large sums of federal funding for biomedical research and similar endeavors. Smaller schools can lean more heavily on private donors. And unlike private schools, big state schools are subject to oversight from Trump-aligned lawmakers in Columbus, with trustees appointed by the Republican governor. While some state schools outside of Ohio signed on to the letter, they are largely located in states controlled by Democrats. — Courtney Astolfi |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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A student rides a bicycle on the campus of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin was one of six Ohio colleges that signed a letter objecting to "government overreach and interference" from the Trump administration. (Tony Dejak, Associated Press file photo) |
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Colleges decry Trump: Almost 200 presidents of colleges and universities, including six in Ohio, signed a letter objecting to the “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” emanating from President Donald Trump’s new administration, Jake Zuckerman reports. The release of the letter comes after Harvard University sued the federal administration, which has threatened to eliminate billions in federal funding for the Ivy League school. Voting rights challenge: The next time someone asks you to sign a petition, they might be wearing a government-issued badge, Anna Staver reports. Republicans say voters deserve to know when someone is being paid to gather signatures and that a badge will make the process more transparent. But voting rights groups say the changes will make it harder to bring issues before voters. Nuisance law crackdown: Cleveland is strengthening its nuisance law to make it easier for police to fine the “neighbors from hell” that are the subject of constant complaints, Sean McDonnell reports. Cleveland City Council unanimously approved new legislation Monday night that lowers the bar for police officers to declare a property a nuisance and slap fines on property owners. Marijuana reform proposal: Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chair Dave Joyce introduced legislation last week that would remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances and allow states to set their own policies on its use, Sabrina Eaton reports. Joyce said his STATES 2.0 Act, introduced with Bay Village GOP Rep. Max Miller, would “create a more logical approach to cannabis regulation that allows each state to put the policies in place that work best for their communities and unique needs.” |
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Police immunity: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Tuesday, effectively ending his two-year blockade of a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit legal protections for police officers accused of violating citizens’ constitutional rights, Jake Zuckerman reports. The Supreme Court’s order rejecting Yost’s appeal offered no reasoning. GOP primary endorsements: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy and other Republican statewide candidates are lobbying Ohio GOP leaders to award them state party primary endorsements next month, reports Jeremy Pelzer. The endorsements, if approved at the Ohio Republican Party’s State Central Committee meeting on May 9, would be an unusually early move by the state party to solidify its 2026 candidate slate with about a year to go before the state’s primary election. Supreme Court portrait: The Ohio Supreme Court moved the portrait of Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, the state’s first woman chief justice and longest-serving elected female statewide officeholder in Ohio history, to a lower level of the building, reports Laura Hancock. Previously the portrait had been in the Grand Concourse, a hall lined with historical portraits of political leaders that leads to the court’s chambers. |
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Real ID: The state of Ohio is expanding hours at its Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations in advance of the approaching deadline for Real ID, reports Susan Glaser. The more secure Real IDs, also called compliant driver’s licenses, will be required when flying domestically in the United States starting May 7. County jail proposal: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is asking County Council to extend the contracts of two consultants, purchase a small slice of land and borrow $40 million as work moves forward toward building a new jail in Garfield Heights, reports Rich Exner. The timeframe revised earlier this year calls for construction of the roughly $1 billion facility to begin late in the year, with completion in late 2028 or early 2029. Body found at marina: Police said they have recovered a body at Wildwood Marina, Lucas Daprile reports. Authorities made the discovery at the Euclid Creek Reservation at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, spokesman Jeff Tolman said in an email. It’s unclear if authorities suspect foul play. Fatal crash: A 30-year-old man died Monday in a two-car collision in Mentor, reports Olivia Mitchell. Authorities identified the victim as Ismael Rivera of Painesville. The crash happened about 4:50 p.m. on Heisley Road, just south of Tyler Boulevard, according to a news release from the City of Mentor. |
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Drug Take Back: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, reports Julie Washington. On Drug Take Back Day, communities throughout the country set up collection sites for the safe disposal of expired, unwanted or unused prescription medications. Several Northeast Ohio hospitals and drug stores are participating in this year’s event. |
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Lieutenant under investigation: A Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant has been on paid leave for two years – earning over $97,000 annually – amid an investigation into allegations that he groped a corrections officer, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The department’s Internal Affairs Unit, which investigates employees accused of criminal acts or policy violations, was also involved. ‘Urban predator’ indicted: A Cleveland man accused of kidnapping a woman from a bus stop on the city’s West Side and attacking her with a box cutter was indicted Tuesday by a Cuyahoga County grand jury, David Gambino reports. Rayshon Reese, 50, is charged with kidnapping, attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault in connection with the incident on April 15. Mother’s fentanyl lawsuit: The mother of a man who died of a fentanyl overdose in a private prison in Northeast Ohio has sued over her son’s 2023 death, Adam Ferrise reports. Bonnie Billings, of Canton, accused officials at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center of negligence and failing to provide a safe environment after Montel A. Williams' death. |
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Rock Hall vote: Phish won the 2025 Rock Hall Fan Vote, which concluded at midnight Monday, reports Malcolm X Abram. The final Fan Vote counts as one ballot in the official Rock Hall voting. This year’s class of inductees will be revealed Sunday on ABC’s “American Idol,” in an episode featuring the show’s contestants and guest mentors performing “iconic songs” by Rock Hall inductees. John Mulaney tour: Comedian John Mulaney is bringing his “Mister Whatever” tour to Playhouse Square this fall, Joey Morona reports. He’ll perform at the Connor Palace on Oct. 24. Tickets for the general public go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Friday. Eager fans can get a head start during a pre-sale today. Comedian trashes Cleveland: New York comedian Aries Spears had biting words about Cleveland after performing at The Funny Bone earlier this month, reports Peter Chakerian. During a podcast Spears said, “I’m officially retiring from doing standup in Cleveland. That city is America’s toilet bowl.” CMA statue transfer: The Cleveland Museum of Art has finalized an agreement to transfer ownership of small, ancient statue to the government of Libya, reports Peter Chakerian. The 2,200-year-old statue of a man, which has been in the museum’s collection since 1991, dates to the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt and is believed to have been looted from the Ptolemais Museum in modern-day Libya during World War II. Elvis Costello tour: Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Elvis Costello is bringing his band the Imposters plus guitarist Charlie Sexton for the “Radio Soul!: The Early Songs of Elvis Costello” tour that will stop at the Akron Civic Theatre on Sept. 27, Malcolm X Abram reports. The tour finds the celebrated singer-songwriter-guitarist reaching back into his storied catalog for a set focused on songs from his first 11 albums. Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Ninja City closure: Ninja City Kitchen + Bar in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood will close today for a weeklong renovation, Alex Darus reports. The Asian-fusion urban pub plans to introduce new dishes alongside some old favorites on its menu. The restaurant plans to reopen the first weekend of May to reintroduce itself to its longstanding customers. Fine Print Fair: The Print Club of Cleveland’s Fine Print Fair returns to the Cleveland Museum of Art for a 40th year, Paris Wolfe reports. The event runs Friday to Sunday in the Ames Family Atrium. |
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State Rep. Troy, appearing before Richmond Heights City Council, urges yes vote on state Issue 2 Read more Coventry PEACE tenants continue to find their way off campus after leases expired Read more Steffani Cicerchi returns to North Royalton Schools as pupil services director Read more Shaker council OKs design contracts for Winslow-Avalon sewers, City Hall renovations Read more Nearly half of all Lorain County high school students graduate with college credit -- at no cost to them Read more North Royalton police officers file two complaints against chief with Ohio Employment Relations Board Read more Cleveland Heights council looks toward HR consultant to gauge city workplace hostility Read more Brunswick to improve parking lots and athletic courts at city parks Read more Medina Schools superintendent says revamped state budget could be bad news for district Read more Medina council looking for public opinion on salaries for elected officials Read more Medina Parks and Recreation seeks grants for water polo, park benches Read more |
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