How do you get more Americans to have babies? How about tying the birth rate to federal highway funding? That’s one factor in President Trump’s official transportation planning, along with vaccines, mask mandates and immigration enforcement. The total American fertility rate is approximately 1.7 births per woman, well below the 2.1 level required to replace the U.S. population. Women are waiting longer to have kids, from a range of 25 to 29 in 2006 to 30 to 34 today. Birth rates ticked slightly upward in 2021, the first time since 2013, but Cuyahoga County saw another year of decreases. Across Ohio, the population is projected to drop 5.7% by 2050 if current rates of fertility, mortality and migration remain unchanged, according to a 2023 state report. Ohio is the seventh most populous state, but Georgia and North Carolina are expected to surpass Ohio by 2030 if trends continue. Birth rates matter because they affect the number of American workers, the country’s gross domestic product and taxes for local government. But publicly supported child care might be more of an incentive than a new lane of traffic. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs at Toronto Raptors: Cavs head into All-Star break on four-game winning streak after 131-108 win over Toronto Raptors Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Colder weather expected |
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The Trump Administration has issued a new order on factors to consider for federal transportation spending. (File photo) |
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DOT: The priorities were included in a DOT order “ensuring reliance upon sound economic analysis” for the department’s programs and activities, reports Rich Exner. Rock nominees: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday unveiled a relatively short list of 14 nominees for induction as performers in 2025, Malcolm Abram reports. The list includes two hitmaking women — Mariah Carey and Cyndi Lauper — one legendary hip-hop act — Outkast — and a Grammy Award-winning Mexican rock group — Maná — that is mostly unknown to English-speaking music fans. Joann’s: Hudson-based fabric and craft retailer Joann intends to close more than 500 stores across 47 states as a part of its bankruptcy proceedings, including most of its locations in Ohio. Of its 45 locations in the state, 33 of them are slated to shutter, including several Northeast Ohio locations, reports Megan Sims. Today in Ohio: President Donald Trump wants to tie federal transportation money to birth and marriage rates, as well as vaccines and immigration enforcement. Why? We’re talking about the absurdity on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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English language: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Westlake Republican, introduced legislation Wednesday that would designate English as the official language of the United States. Sabrina Eaton reports his “English Language Unity Act” would call for all official U.S. government functions to be conducted in English and require U.S. citizenship applicants to demonstrate the ability to read and understand the English language. SB1: The Ohio Senate passed a sweeping higher education bill Wednesday afternoon that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, faculty strikes, and require professors to post syllabi online, among dozens of other requirements. Senate Bill 1 passed 21 to 11, mostly along party lines, reports Laura Hancock. Antani campaign: Republican Niraj Antani’s campaign for Ohio secretary of state ended faster than it began, reports Anna Staver. The former Dayton area state senator announced on X his campaign’s suspension Wednesday, less than a month after announcing his plans for 2026. Tressel confirmed: Jim Tressel, a former Ohio State University football coach and university administrator, won quick confirmation from state lawmakers Wednesday as Ohio’s 67th lieutenant governor, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Greenland: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno on Wednesday called President Donald Trump’s discussion of acquiring Greenland “a very worthy conversation,” reports Sabrina Eaton. Trump has expressed interest in a U.S. purchase of Greenland, which is home to a large U.S. military base. Currently, it is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a U.S. ally and NATO member. Liquor profits: JobsOhio, the state’s economic-development nonprofit, will now control state liquor profits through 2053 under a 15-year lease extension approved by a state board Wednesday, Jeremy Pelzer reports. |
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Sensitivity training: City Council President Blaine Griffin has issued an ultimatum to his fellow council members: Take harassment and sensitivity training each year or risk losing committee assignments and around half-a-million dollars in discretionary funds allocated to each ward, reports Sean McDonnell. Lake ice: Lake Erie is more than 90% covered with ice – at least as of Tuesday – but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to be walking on the frozen water, reports Peter Krouse. Conditions are particularly hazardous for fishermen for at least the next few days as winter weather is expected to bring shifting winds that will blow the ice around. Council arrest: In protesting Cuyahoga County’s investments in Israel bonds, Rev. Regis Bunch has admitted that he intends to provoke change or an arrest. He achieved the latter goal at Tuesday’s County Council meeting, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Bunch was charged with disturbing a lawful meeting, obstructing official business, criminal trespass and resisting arrest. DEI grants: For the second straight year, Shaker Heights wants to fund projects in the city through micro-grants that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, reports Cory Shaffer. Shaker Heights City Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is accepting applications for the grants of up to $2,500 through March 28. Family support: The University Circle and Cleveland police departments will host an event aimed to provide coping tools for officers and their loved ones, reports Olivia Mitchell. The Family and Spouse Police Academy will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 9, 16, 23, and 30 at the Holy Rosary Church Community Hall. Train derailment: A Norfolk Southern train derailed late Tuesday in Northwest Ohio, spilling corn syrup and ethanol. Officials said 20 cars derailed and that the two substances spilled from the cars do not pose a health risk. Cleveland Marathon: The Cleveland Marathon announced Wednesday that University Hospitals will sponsor this year’s race weekend, which is May 17-18. The hospital system has been the official sponsor of the race since 2015, Cliff Pinckard reports. |
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Cleveland Clinic: Amid the Trump Administration’s push to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, a conservative group has launched a six-figure advertising campaign criticizing the Cleveland Clinic as “the wokest hospital in America” and one that “prioritizes politics over patients.” Julie Washington reports the first salvo in the campaign, backed by the conservative nonprofit Consumers’ Research, is a TV ad accusing the Clinic of prioritizing patients based on skin color, performing child sex changes and pushing transgender propaganda. Bird flu: A Mercer County farm worker has likely come down with the state’s first human case of the bird flu, the Ohio Department of Health reported Wednesday. The man had been in contact with dead poultry infected with the virus. Peter Krouse reports Ohio has led the nation recently in the number of commercial birds affected by bird flu. Lead screening: Better Health Partnership, a Northeast Ohio-based health collaborative, has been chosen to administer a $1 million grant program to increase lead screening and testing in Cleveland, reports Julie Washington. |
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Pepper Pike: Two people are dead in Pepper Pike after a suspected murder-suicide, Lucas Daprile reports. Authorities believe Aarti Jonnalagadda, 51, shot her son Rahul Jonnalagadd, 21, on Tuesday before taking her own life at the family’s home on Addison Avenue. Drug trafficking: Twenty Northeast Ohio residents are charged with running a large-scale drug trafficking operation out of Akron with drugs sourced from the Jalisco Cartel, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. David Gambino reports the group used guns to protect their distribution of meth, fentanyl, cocaine, and Xanax. Bond set: A Maple Heights man accused of fatally shooting a 10-year-old boy is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on a $2 million bond. Jeffrey Grant, 34, made his appearance Wednesday in Cleveland Municipal Court, where he is charged with aggravated murder in the fatal shooting of Kaden Coleman, Olivia Mitchell reports. |
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BAND: Beeping and bopping about Brett Hall at the historic downtown Cleveland Public Library, the BAND installation is a group of five, large friendly robots meant to spread joy. Paris Wolfe reports the Biodigital Autonomous Neuro Dancers were imagined by international artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandovall III of Friends with You in Los Angeles. Creators say they were “designed to inspire connection and compassion … and share healing power through sound and movement.” Creativity trail: Ohio's new Creativity Trail is filled with more than a hundred stops featuring public sites that celebrate art, music, writing and other creative endeavors. Susan Glaser reports the new trail is part of the state’s ongoing effort to honor Ohio’s role in American history as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026. Handel’s: Northeast Ohio staple Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a limited-edition flavor, Sticky Fingers. Alex Darus reports the flavor starts with peanut butter ice cream with a caramel ripple, brownie pieces and salted caramel truffles. Animal mating: Humans looking to hook up have their own set of mating rituals to follow, but nothing as bizarre as the sexual advances found throughout the animal kingdom. Peter Krouse reports you can learn all about them today when the Cleveland Museum of Natural History offers a valentine to the community called “Epoch: The Science of Attraction.” Kalahari: Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, has become a major player in the region’s tourism economy, drawing hundreds of thousands of overnight guests to Northern Ohio every year. Susan Glaser reports Kalahari has added slides, pools and other attractions; swapped out restaurants and retail shops for new concepts; and increased the number of overnight rooms to nearly 1,000. Hayes library: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont is offering complimentary admission on Monday, a savings of up to $20. Visitors can explore the museum, take a guided tour of the first floor of the Hayes Home and stroll the estate’s expansive grounds, reports Joey Morona. Beard awards: The nonprofit James Beard Foundation Awards champions our food culture annually and honors those who create meals and run restaurants. This year, a quartet of Cleveland chefs were named semifinalists in their respective categories. The food-and-dining team at Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer are profiling all four. Allie La Valle: Allie La Valle was named a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards as Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, reports Paris Wolfe. |
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University Circle, Cleveland police host event to support officers and families Read more Avon Lake elementary students to send Valentine’s Day cards to hospitalized children nationwide Read more Akron approves $380M Capital Budget; see which projects will be funded Read more North Ridgeville voters to decide on three renewal levies in May Read more A century of memories: Orange Alumni Association still collecting items for time capsule Read more No progress yet in elevator repairs at Richmond Heights apartment complex Read more North Olmsted’s South Interceptor EQ Basin project to provide flood relief Read more Water main breaks hit Seven Hills amid winter temperature swings Read more |
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