Across the country, employment in U.S. cities grew nearly 4% between the start of the pandemic and March 2024. Cities overseen by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – which covers all of Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia – are generally doing worse. The Columbus and Cincinnati metro areas fare the best in Ohio, with 3.7% and 2.3% growth, respectively. But employment has shrunk .7% in Akron and 1% in Cleveland. That puts Cleveland (which the Census considers Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina and Ashtabula counties) among the worst for jobs in the United States for large metro areas. Worse than Cleveland, though? Buffalo, Pittsburgh and San Francisco. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: More snow, warmer temperatures |
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Cleveland has one of the slowest job recoveries in the country since the beginning of the pandemic. (John Pana, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Jobs numbers: The Federal Reserve says Cleveland’s job losses may be because of people moving to new locations after the pandemic, reports Zachary Smith. Rent help: Cleveland City Council is considering giving $1 million to the United Way of Greater Cleveland and seven other organizations to help renters with a range of housing issues. Sean McDonnell reports the $1 million would be split between the United Way and a group of partners for three years to bolster the work they’re already doing, whether that be providing legal services for tenants or emergency housing assistance. Today in Ohio: Cleveland has a low chance of wildfires, but could fires like those in California ever strike here? We’re talking about timber houses, strong wind and vegetation on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Gun laws: Two recently passed Ohio laws take preemptive action to help gun owners, from expanding legal immunity for using concealed handguns at houses of worship to prohibiting firearm ownership fees and barring public- and private-sector tracking of firearms owners. Jeremy Pelzer reports that House Bill 452 and Senate Bill 58, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last week without comment, are the latest steps by Ohio Republican lawmakers in their years-long effort to bolster gun rights in Ohio and loosen state gun-control measures. Moreno's support: Newly seated U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno on Wednesday defended president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought, from Democrats who fear he’ll ignore Congress’ spending decisions, Sabrina Eaton reports. Vought served as OMB director during Trump’s first presidential administration. Company sued: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing the United States Gypsum Co. for nearly $17 million, accusing it of failing to maintain underground mines and causing dangerous sink holes near Ohio 2 in Ottawa County. The suit, filed Monday in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court, seeks $16.8 million in costs incurred by the Ohio Department of Transportation to stabilize the roadway and prevent its collapse, Laura Hancock reports. Public housing: Ohio’s Department of Department of Disabilities is building up its supply of public housing across the state. Anna Staver reports state lawmakers approved $8.5 million for these kinds of local projects earlier this month at its Controlling Board meeting -- including $405,000 for two houses in Cuyahoga County. |
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Browns lawsuit: The Browns' legal challenge in federal court over the team's proposed move from downtown to Brook Park should be tossed out, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and City of Cleveland argued on Wednesday. Adam Ferrise reports the filing is the latest in the legal saga over where the Browns will play their home games after the 2028 season. Lowest income: East Cleveland has the lowest median family income in the United States as of 2023 among places with a population of 5,000 or more, reports Zachary Smith. According to the U.S. Census, the median family income in East Cleveland is $37,500, barely beating out Crowley, Louisiana ($37,693), and Parker, South Carolina ($37,905). Ronayne vs. Trump: President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday, has promised to roll back environmental regulations, carry out the biggest mass deportation in the nation’s history and cut federal spending, which could impact transportation and food assistance programs – everything that Cuyahoga County and its Democratic leader Chris Ronayne has been trying to guard against, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Bike trail: Plans to connect Sandusky and Port Clinton via a new pedestrian-bike trail across Sandusky Bay are a bit closer to reality with the announcement this week that the project has received a key federal planning grant, reports Susan Glaser. The 14-mile Sandusky-to-Port Clinton section of the trail is part of a larger effort to construct a 100-mile multi-use path connecting the communities around Sandusky Bay, from Vermilion and Huron to the east to Marblehead and Port Clinton to the west. Progressive lights: Progressive Field’s stadium lights have remained on practically 24 hours a day during phase two of the Guardians' off-season renovation project, prompting questions from fans and downtown observers. But the light towers soon will return to going dark around 9 p.m. as the project moves forward, reports Joe Noga. Top destination: “Equal parts grit and sophistication,” Cleveland has earned a top spot on Tripadvisor’s list of trending destinations for 2025, Susan Glaser reports. Cleveland finished third in the trending category among U.S. destinations, behind West Palm Beach, Florida, and Santa Barbara, California, and ahead of Kansas City and Memphis. I-71 crash: Authorities are investigating a Wednesday morning crash on Interstate 71 that killed a Bay Village man. Olivia Mitchell reports that Nicholas Rohn Sandman, 27, died in the accident that happened about 7:30 a.m. on the highway’s northbound lanes, just past Fulton Road. |
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Akram Boutros: Citing “insufficient evidence,” the Ohio Ethics Commission said it cannot determine if former MetroHealth System CEO Dr. Akram Boutros violated state ethics laws when he received $1.9 million in what the hospital’s board said were unauthorized bonuses taken without its knowledge or consent, reports Julie Washington. Variety Theatre: The Variety Theatre is again looking for a new owner after years of failed attempts to revitalize the Cleveland gem, reports Megan Sims. Hopes for the Lorain Avenue landmark in Cleveland’s Westown neighborhood included bringing live music back and redeveloping its storefronts and apartments. Fairfax Market: Fairfax Market – the mini-Meijer in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood – is bringing together 16 local makers to celebrate its one-year anniversary, reports Paris Wolfe. The store offers more than 2,000 products sourced from 150 local vendors from around Ohio. |
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Jazmir Tucker: An Akron police officer shot Jazmir Tucker three times, including twice in the back, during a fatal encounter on Thanksgiving, reports Lucas Daprile. Two of the shots entered Tucker’s torso, both of which were considered fatal, said Summit County Medical Examiner Lisa Kohler. Slavic Village homicides: Cleveland police are investigating a double homicide that happened early Tuesday in the city’s Slavic Village neighborhood, reports Olivia Mitchell. Both teens suffered gunshot wounds to the head. |
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LeBron & Kelces: Jason and Travis Kelce added more Northeast Ohio flavor to the latest episode of their New Heights podcast: LeBron James joined the show, dishing on the NFL, his 2016 championship with the Cavs and a special pickup game he played in as a 16-year-old, Marc Bona reports. Winery: Vincent William Wine -- a Madison inn with a restaurant, winery and eight overnight rooms -- was an immediate sensation when it opened a year ago. During the winter, the vibe is considerably more serene, reports Susan Glaser. |
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Winter storm could drop up to 5 inches of snow across Northeast Ohio; bitter cold on the way Read more Walmart shoplifter throws produce and her wig at officer chasing her through store Read more North Ridgeville receives $26M for Race Road railroad crossing Read more Lorain County Joint Vocational School named finalist in national work-based learning competition Read more Councilman launches Active Orange wellness program Read more Lakewood Public Library exhibit reveals untold stories of Muslims saving Jews during the Holocaust Read more North Olmsted invests in Community Park with new ballfields and concession stand Read more Brooklyn City Council to set new spending threshold in 2025 Read more Seven Hills zoning code overhaul aims to boost safety, aesthetics Read more Parma Heights Mayor Gallo appointed to Greater Cleveland RTA Board of Trustees Read more |
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