President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz as the nation's next Attorney General has sent shockwaves through the legal community, with former Justice Department officials in Cleveland reacting with dismay and disbelief.
Gaetz, known for his loyalty to Trump, has no law enforcement experience and faced a federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations, though he was never charged. For many DOJ veterans, Gaetz’s nomination feels like a deliberate shake-up of an institution he has publicly vowed to “gut.”
“It sure seems like Trump is putting super villains in charge of Gotham City,” said former assistant U.S. attorney and civil rights lawyer Subodh Chandra. He added that Gaetz wouldn’t pass a background check if he applied for a lower-level prosecutor position.
Trump has been outspoken about his desire to purge officials he accuses of weaponizing the DOJ against him and his allies, and Gaetz has championed that rhetoric. For Cleveland’s former DOJ officials, the nomination signals a potential shift away from the core values they say career prosecutors uphold—integrity, impartiality, and justice for all.
— Leila Atassi, Editor, Public Interest and Advocacy |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Port of Cleveland: Cleveland’s port is making good use of federal energy efficiency money to reduce the pollution it generates and other ports around the country should follow its example, says a new study from a pair of public policy organizations. Sabrina Eaton reports that a recent study says a $94 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded last month will help the Port of Cleveland reduce emissions, meet its climate goals, and make the air safer to breathe for nearby residents.
New jerseys: The Cavaliers have unveiled new interactive City Edition uniforms inspired by Cleveland Museum of Art which they will wear at six home games this season. Joey Morona reports the uniform features a two-tone blue design. Across the chest, “The Land” is displayed in a striped font inspired by the architecture of the museum’s west wing and its logo.
Today in Ohio: Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur from Ohio and one-time presidential hopeful, has been named by President-elect Donald Trump to co-run a new “Department of Government Efficiency.” We’re talking about the presidential appointment that took Ramaswamy out of the running to replace Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate, on Today in Ohio. |
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Elliot Forhan: An embattled state representative has sued some of his colleagues, accusing both Democratic and Republican state lawmakers of performing a “political hit job” that led to him losing his elected seat and a client at his law firm. Forhan, a Democrat, represents several East Side suburbs in Cuyahoga County and lists 18 defendants in his 110-page complaint that he filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, reports Sean McDonnell and Jeremy Pelzer.
Trump pick: Former Justice Department officials who worked in Cleveland reacted Thursday with shock over President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz as the next attorney general. The 42-year-old’s five terms in the House have been overshadowed by a Justice Department-led criminal investigation into sex trafficking and a House Ethics Committee probe into accusations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts, Adam Ferrise reports. |
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County budget: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne wants to use $5 million from the health and human services levy to patch the county’s widening budget gap for next year. Despite attempts to tighten the budget, the county’s two main bank accounts – the general fund and health and HHS levy fund – are now expected to end 2025 about $17 million in the hole – $4 million more than initially planned when the budget was passed last year, reports Kaitlin Durbin.
City council: Cleveland City Council member Jenny Spencer won’t seek re-election next year, marking the end of a five-year run as the representative for the Detroit-Shoreway, Cudell and Edgewater neighborhoods. Spencer, who represents Ward 15, announced her intentions Wednesday evening in a Facebook live video, reports Courtney Astolfi.
Child care: Local and state education leaders gathered at the Murtis Taylor Early Childhood Education Center in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood to share the impact of Ohio’s child care and early education initiatives. Megan Sims reports the state’s Childcare Voucher Program introduced earlier this year is already serving more than 5,000 kids in 3,400 families.
Drought conditions: An inch of rain fell in the last week through central and western Ohio, improving the drought in some of the state’s worst-affected counties for the first time in weeks. 84% of Ohio is under drought or dry conditions, a decrease from last week’s 89%. An estimated 5.1 million Ohioans are in affected areas, reports Zachary Smith.
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Lawsuit dismissed: A Stark County judge has dismissed a fraud lawsuit filed by the former owner of Primal Life Organics against a Canton-based e-commerce company that had purchased it. Judge Frank G. Forchione stated in his decision that the plaintiffs “were not tricked into anything and the terms were clear. They received generous compensation. While plaintiffs may not, at present, be satisfied with the outcome of the business transaction (it) does not necessarily render it fraudulent or create a Justiciable action.”
COVID numbers: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio dropped for the second week running, decreasing from 2,491 last week to 2,239 this week, the state reported Thursday. At this same time last year, the state reported just over 8,000 cases, reports Julie Washington. In early November 2023, Ohio’s weekly COVID-19 numbers began an upward curve that lasted through the holidays.
Expansion plans: Following Rising Star Roasters move to a standalone space, Abundance Culinary will expand into the entire diner car on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. The modern Chinese restaurant plans more seating, monthly subscription clubs and additional changes. Abundance intends to reduce its hours for the first three weeks of 2025 to perform renovations, which include adding seating as well as an aesthetic makeover. They also will expand patio dining options in the spring to include liquor service, reports Alex Darus.
Cedar Point: Carrie Boldman, who has led Cedar Point since 2021 as vice president and general manager, will retire at the end of the year. Boldman, a Huron native, took over the park reins in early 2021, after the COVID pandemic devastated the amusement park industry the year before. Susan Glaser reports her replacement has not been announced.
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Cleveland homicides: Police have investigated 93 homicides from Jan. 1 through Wednesday, according to city records. In 2023, Cleveland had 148 during that period, a drop of 37%. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb attributed the drop to strategic planning, as well as city officers working with local and federal partners, reports Olivia Mitchell.
Fatal accident: A West Salem man has been charged after authorities said he ran a stop sign and fatally struck a motorcyclist. Brandon Wellert was cited Thursday following last week’s accident, which led to the death of Thomas King of Akron, Lucas Daprile reports. Wellert is charged with vehicular manslaughter, a first-degree misdemeanor, and a stop-sign violation, according to Akron police
Student arrested: A 14-year-old student in Kent was arrested Wednesday and accused of threatening to shoot another student, police said. The teen, who attends Stanton Middle School, was transported to the Portage County Juvenile Detention Center. He is charged with making terrorist threats and aggravated menacing, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Officers cleared: A prosecutor Thursday cleared North Ridgeville police officers in the fatal shooting of a murder suspect who had fired at them in May. Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson said officers Omar Vasquez and Chad Siebeneck used reasonable force when dealing with Jason Norris, who was accused of homicide in Tennessee, reports Lucas Daprile.
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New museum: Next month, David Kaman's large collection of Cedar Point park memorabilia will become the centerpiece of a new museum. The Downtown Sandusky Cedar Point Historical Museum will be located inside the city’s Merry-Go-Round Museum. While not involved in the project, Susan Glaser reports Cedar Point did grant permission for the museum to use the park’s name.
Weekend calendar: Looking for something to do around Northeast Ohio this weekend? Paris Wolfe has a rundown of almost two dozen events taking place in our weekly calendar.
New restaurant: Move over Raising Cane’s, a new player selling fast-food chicken fingers is coming to town. Layne’s Chicken Fingers plans to open its first store in Parma by the end of the year. Paris Wolfe reports the shop will occupy a former Boston Market at 1350 Pleasant Valley Road.
Kalahari updates: Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, one of the largest indoor waterparks in the country, is in the midst of a $10 million upgrade, which includes two new restaurants, a revamped lobby and a new water slide dubbed “Dawn Breaker.” Susan Glaser reports the work should be completed by the end of the year.
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Who bought conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ InfoWars website? Read more Man arrested at Baldwin Wallace University after leading police on high-speed vehicle chase Read more Orange council members criticized for not engaging with residents in wake of Issue 32 failure Read more |
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