“The sky is falling.” Readers who spoke at cleveland.com’s first town hall vented anxiety and frustration over both federal and state governments. They came to be heard. Questions and comments covered budget cuts, health care, education, tariffs, climate change, immigration, veterans affairs, gerrymandering and the future of democracy. “My question, really, to the panel, to the people in this room, to – Jesus – people all over the country, what are you doing?” one woman asked. That was a prevailing sentiment over 90 minutes in the Sari Feldman auditorium of the Parma Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library: What is happening? What happens next? What should we do about it? Our panel of expert reporters explained the facts, whether about immigration court or Medicaid cuts. We can’t predict the future. As for what should we do about it, our newsroom is still mulling ideas. For now, though, keep informing yourselves – and speaking up. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunshine this weekend |
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A reader asks a question to a panel of reporters at a town hall at the Cuyahoga Public Library Parma Snow branch, where readers could ask questions about President Trump's first months in office. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com) |
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Town hall: The goal of the evening was to fill the gap left by Republican members of Congress, who have largely avoided similar forums for their constituents. Mary Frances McGowan reports that attendees civilly engaged with members of the newsroom about the issues on their minds. They also had questions for their government reps. Lacrosse death: A Bay High School lacrosse player has died after suffering injuries in a game, reports Lucas Daprile. The family of Dylan Veselic announced his death following an injury that left him in critical condition. A prayer service for Veselic was held Thursday evening at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Olivia Mitchell reports. New pope: Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV. Today in Ohio: Readers had frustrations to vent about government at cleveland.com’s town hall. We’re talking about their concerns — and what to do next — on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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School levies: Ohio voters remain wary of new taxes, approving 40% of new school levy requests Tuesday as they contend with rising property tax bills. While a majority of renewal levies continue to pass, new funding requests have struggled at the ballot box, likely because of rising property taxes, reports Anna Staver. Steel tariffs: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno on Thursday asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to expand tariffs on steel derivatives to include the steel in imported appliances. A letter from Moreno included trade data showing that since the original section 232 steel tariffs were imposed in 2018, imports of major home appliances have doubled from four Asian countries, reports Sabrina Eaton. Gaza debate: Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio took Democratic U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont to task Thursday for criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza, denouncing Sanders for “disparaging our greatest ally," Sabrina Eaton reports. College requirements: The state is waiving requirements for high school students to take free, career-technical college courses in high-demand fields, reports Laura Hancock. The students can enroll in Ohio’s dual-enrollment program, College Credit Plus, through a waiver that eliminates barriers that have prevented some high school students from participating. |
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Salary ranges: Cleveland is going to tell employers what they’re allowed to ask job applicants and how they must advertise job openings. And yes, it’s legal, reports Sean McDonnell. H.O.P.E. campus: Cuyahoga County’s H.O.P.E. Campus is promised to solve the longstanding placement crisis that for years has left vulnerable children sleeping in an office building, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The county broke ground on the welcome center last month. It’s expected to open in 2026. The Welcome Center will be the centralized hub where DCFS staff and child-serving nonprofits can partner to assess each youth’s needs and directly connect them to services, whether they’re staying on campus or not. Browns stadium: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has joined Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne’s earlier request that state senators help pay for a potential renovation of the city-owned Browns stadium on the lakefront. Rich Exner reports the two leaders ask state senators to reject the Browns’ proposal to help fund a new stadium in Brook Park and instead provide $350 million for a renovation. CPL: The Cleveland Public Library is throwing a party this weekend that’s been a century in the making. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its Main Library downtown at 325 Superior Ave., reports Peter Chakerian. Heights hall: Construction to replace the aging roof and repair the glass skylight at Cleveland Heights City Hall is set to begin Monday, reports Cory Shaffer. The month-long construction project is part of the city’s $25 million contract with Leopardo Energy to update several city buildings to make them more energy efficient. CSU donation: Cleveland State University has received a nearly $15 million donation from the estate of Katherine and Walter McCombs, the largest in the school’s history, Cliff Pinckard reports. |
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Cleveland-Cliffs: Cleveland-Cliffs temporarily is cutting hundreds of jobs after reporting a significant loss in the first quarter of 2025 and plans to close underperforming plants in multiple states as part of cost-cutting efforts. Molly Walsh reports the Cleveland-based steel manufacturer Wednesday reported a $483 million loss for the first three months of 2025. Measles case: A pediatric case of measles has been confirmed in Cuyahoga County, Julie Washington reports. Health officials are looking for people who were in the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital Atrium lobby at the same time as the child and may have been exposed to the highly contagious illness, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health announced Thursday. MetroHealth firing: MetroHealth’s board of directors fired former president and CEO Airica Steed last year because of poor performance and judgment, as well as insubordination, the board’s attorneys said in court filings. Adam Ferrise reports the filling marks the first time MetroHealth officials fully laid out a reasoning for the firing that happened just 20 months into Steed’s tenure. Office market: Fewer Cleveland-area offices are sitting vacant, although fewer businesses are signing leases and new office construction is limited. That’s the overview on the office real estate market during the first three months of 2025, reports Megan Sims. HOF: The company overseeing development around the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, which went public in 2020, announced Thursday that it has entered into a merger agreement to take the firm private. Susan Glaser reports the move is expected to shore up financial support for the fledgling company, which is developing the land around the football museum into a sports-themed entertainment zone. Stroke: Dr. Amanda Opaskar, stroke medical director at University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, will give a virtual talk about the signs and symptoms of stroke as part of a series of events for American Stroke Month in May. Julie Washington reports UH also will present free stroke screenings to help people assess their risk of stroke at various hospital locations and community sites through the rest of the month. |
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Aliza Sherman: A Cleveland law firm billed Aliza Sherman $100,000 to represent her in the contentious divorce case against her estranged husband in 2011. As the case proceeded, two of the partners of the Stafford Law Co. were suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court during her case, reports David Gambino. Sherman’s case was then handed to Gregory Moore, who has been charged in her murder. Hazing death: A warrant has been issued for a Westlake man who was convicted of multiple charges in connection with the 2021 hazing death of a Bowling Green State University student, Cliff Pinckard reports. Wood County Common Pleas Court records show the warrant was issued Thursday for Daylen Dunson, 25, whose address is listed in Westlake, after he failed to appear in court for a hearing for reportedly violating his terms of community control. Elkins lawsuit: A resident who helped lead a recall effort against Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday. Adam Ferrise reports the lawsuit says Elkins created a website that featured derogatory information about a resident who led a recall effort against him. The suit says the city’s police chief later arrested the resident on charges that a judge later threw out. |
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First Ladies: The First Ladies National Historic Site opened 25 years ago in downtown Canton, a trove of artifacts and written materials devoted to the women behind the men who governed the nation. Susan Glaser reports the museum this year is getting a jump on a more consequential anniversary – the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026. To celebrate, the museum this week unveiled a new wide-ranging exhibit, “The Eras Exhibit: 250 Years of First Ladies’ Progress and Power.” Ballet: The Cleveland Ballet will present “Impressions of Picasso” – exploring Pablo Picasso’s lifelong interest in and influence on ballet – at 7 p.m. May 31 at the Akron Art Museum, reports Paris Wolfe. Pet Symmetry: Chicago-based, emo-tinged power-pop-rock trio Pet Symmetry's name is a play on a Stephen King novel title. While also slightly askew, there’s nothing zombified about the band's moody, heartfelt songs. Peter Chakerian gives you “3 Reasons” to catch these shooting stars Sunday at The Roxy at Mahall’s in Lakewood. Orchestra Noir: Atlanta-based Orchestra Noir, making its Cleveland premiere today at the Agora with its “Y2K Meets ’90s Tour,” is neither formal nor staid, reports Malcolm X Abram. Things to do: This Mother’s Day weekend, Northeast Ohio is alive with a variety of events, from baseball and library history to theater performances, concerts, parks programs and more. Marc Bona lists 42 games, concerts, family activities and other events. House of the Week: NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal lived in Richfield’s Glencairn Forest development when he played for the Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season. Now, Joey Morona reports, the expansive six-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath, one-indoor basketball-court home can be yours for $2.75 million. |
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Warren man found dead at abandoned home in East Cleveland was murdered, medical examiner says Read more Man checks out 100 books from Beachwood Library, then burns them in social media post Read more Dog abandoned in cage on sidewalk in Berea Read more Wanted man with pit bull arrested after fighting with police in Berea Read more Brook Park to reopen long-closed indoor pool, mayor announces Read more Big day at Belle Oaks: Meijer opens, ground broken on two apartment buildings, leasing office gets ribbon cutting Read more Avon Lake among safest cities in Ohio, according to SafeWise Read more Avon Lake doctor continues his crusade for school bus seatbelts Read more AMF-Bruns of America breaks ground on new Stow production facility, plans to add jobs Read more Brook Park homeowners can get help with repairs through city’s grant program Read more |
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