Democratic debate: Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles-area Democrat, was the target of choice for one of his fellow Democratic Senate hopefuls at Monday’s debate at Central State University in Wilberforce. Morgan Harper, an attorney who worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from Columbus, focused nearly all her answers on what she described as Ryan’s shortcomings during his two decades in Congress, reports Seth Richardson. Ryan was generally unapologetic about his record while shifting many of his answers to how the United States could compete with China.
Campaign ads: U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan purchased more than $3 million in advertising on Monday, the first ad buy in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Seth Richardson reports. The spot Ryan is airing focuses on China with a clear general-election focus, including verbiage that has been commonplace in the Republican primary.
GOP debate: Given a chance to address the ugly tenor of the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, the candidates on Monday offered little reflection on the state of the race, Seth Richardson reports. The Republican Senate contest has largely been defined by the candidates trying to outdo one another via controversial statements, with policy mostly taking a backseat in their everyday campaigning.
Budget proposal: President Joe Biden unveiled a $5.8 trillion 2024 spending plan for 2023 that would affect Northeast Ohio, including $340 million to fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative cleanup efforts and $55.8 million for repairs and alterations at Cleveland’s Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse, Sabrina Eaton reports.
Semi-conductor chips: The U.S. Senate moved forward on Monday with legislation that would promote American scientific research and competitiveness and includes $52 billion to subsidize semiconductor industry projects such as Intel’s plans to build a plant outside Columbus, Sabrina Eaton reports.
1950 census: Starting Friday, you can find out what your ancestors were doing in the 1940s by delving into a slice of U.S. history and learning more about how much the country has changed since the baby boom. After 72 years, the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1950 census is being released from the National Archives and Records Administration, reports Zachary Smith. If you think we had to answer too many questions for the 2020 census, you’re in for a surprise. In 1950, a total of 38 possible questions could be asked.
METRO
ADAMHS transparency: The board of directors who govern Cuyahoga County’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board are at odds with each other about whether they’re doing enough to be transparent and accountable for the work they do. After several tumultuous months, several board members sought to be more proactive in sharing a positive narrative, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The debate was apparently prompted by a Feb. 25 cleveland.com and Plain Dealer editorial that called for more oversight and transparency.
Stimulus priorities: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is seeking City Council’s permission to create a Center of Economic Recovery, which would help determine Cleveland’s spending priorities for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act. Courtney Astolfi reports the center would report to Bibb and his chief strategy officer, Bradford Davy. But it would largely be staffed by non-city employees, whose paychecks would be funded by philanthropic foundations, non-profits or other outside organizations.
County stimulus: Cuyahoga County outlined another $30.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act spending on Monday, reports Kaitlin Durbin. This batch is aimed at making the region more attractive, supporting small business and arts and culture industries, and improving conditions for the area’s homeless population.
Store closing: Dave’s Markets will close its store on Lakeshore Avenue in Collinwood on April 30, ending more than three decades in the commercial plaza across the street from the historic Euclid Beach archway, Robert Higgs reports. It will be a hardship for residents, Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek said. Large numbers of senior and disabled citizens live in apartment buildings that surround the shopping plaza where Dave’s is located.
Public Square: Cleveland lawyer Anthony Coyne is stepping down as chairman of the city’s nonprofit Group Plan Commission after 11 years, in which the organization led the widely hailed $50 million renovation of Public Square completed in 2016, the commission announced Monday. Steven Litt reports the commission also announced it is expanding its nine-member board of directors to include 12 additional downtown property owners and civic leaders.
Deshaun Watson: Although grand jurors declined to indict new Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson involving massage therapists’ claims, 23 have sued him in civil court over their allegations. Adam Ferrise reports on the strikingly similar details, including that court documents say Watson contacted women for massages, then exposed himself while the women tried to work.
BUSINESS
Parting Stone: A technology developed by a Hudson native is changing the way people keep their loved one’s ashes and is available at funeral homes in Greater Cleveland. Parting Stone takes the ashes created by cremation and turns them into 60 to 80 polished stones, reports Sean McDonnell. The company has worked with 3,000 families in the past two years.
CRIME
Club shooting: Four people were hurt in a shooting early Saturday at Medusa Restaurant and Lounge on St. Clair Avenue downtown, police said. Olivia Mitchell reports a 26-year-old woman suffered several gunshot wounds to the body.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Play House: Cleveland Play House announced an eclectic lineup of five plays, including two world premieres, two regional premieres and a solo show about the life of famous sex therapist Dr. Ruth, reports Joey Morona.
Machine Gun Kelly: After releasing his sixth studio album, “Mainstream Sellout,” last week, MGK is on track for his second consecutive No. 1, reports Troy Smith. The Cleveland rapper-turned-rocker is on pace for 90,000-100,000 in total activity (with a heavy emphasis on streaming) for “Mainstream Sellout,” which includes 45,000-55,000 albums sold.
