Transit aid: The U.S. Department of Transportation will supply more than $20 billion to support transit around the country in 2022, with Ohio’s share at $259 million. Sabrina Eaton reports Cleveland will get $65,192,461 and $12,283,925 will go to Akron.
METRO
Avian flu: The Akron Zoo and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are among many across North America that have moved birds indoors to protect them from the highly contagious avian flu. Evan MacDonald reports that 23 million birds have already died across the U.S., either from the virus itself or because they’ve been culled to prevent it from spreading.
Clean Water Act: It’s been 50 years since the passage of the Clean Water Act with the goal of cleaning up the country’s navigable waterways, and while there is cause to celebrate what the legislation accomplished, toxins are still fouling rivers and lakes. Peter Krouse reports that Jonathan Adler, law professor at Case Western Reserve University, and a host of experts on the milestone legislation will take part in a forum today exploring the act.
Black population: Warrensville Heights has the highest Black population in all of Ohio by percent, consisting of 94% of the community. Half of the top 25 places with the highest Black population by percent in Ohio are in the Northeast region, including East Cleveland (91%), Bedford Heights (83%), and Maple Heights (71%). Zachary Smith uses U.S. Census data to rank Ohio cities.
Youth and family: As Sonya Pryor-Jones sees it, setting Cleveland kids up for success means giving them ample opportunities and letting them decide their path in life. Courtney Astolfi profiles Pryor-Jones, who has spent two decades working with educators and non-profits to provide kids with opportunities, and is now Mayor Justin Bibb’s chief of youth and family success.
News quiz: It took a lot of money to keep third baseman Jose Ramirez with the Guardians. Remember how much it took? And for how many years? If so, you should show off your knowledge by taking this week’s cleveland.com news quiz.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
COVID cases: The state of Ohio on Thursday reported 3,828 new cases of COVID-19 in its weekly dashboard update. That averages to about 546 new cases per day over seven days, reports Julie Washington. The average for the week ending March 31 was just over 443 new cases per day.
BUSINESS
JetBlue: Two major U.S. airlines are fighting to acquire Spirit Airlines and however this love triangle ends, Cleveland travelers are likely to feel the effects. Susan Glaser reports JetBlue Airways revealed this week that it had made a $3.6 billion unsolicited offer for Spirit, after Spirit and Frontier airlines announced plans to combine into what would become the nation’s fifth-largest carrier.
Casinos' revenue: The state’s 11 casinos and racinos brought in $216.3 million in gambling revenue last month, beating the $215.9 million brought in during March 2021, Sean McDonnell reports.
Cavs CEO: Len Komoroski, a longtime fixture with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will step away from his role as CEO at the end of this season. Sean McDonnell reports that Komoroski joined the Cavaliers as president in 2003, ahead of Dan Gilbert’s purchase of the team in 2005. He has been the CEO since 2013.
CRIME & COURTS
Personal injury: An appeals court has ruled that a key portion of a class-action lawsuit against the Akron-based personal injury law firm Kisling, Nestico and Redick can proceed. Cory Shaffer reports a three-judge panel of the Ninth District Ohio Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a lower court’s decision that grants class-certification to former clients whom the law firm charged a $50 fee for investigative services that attorneys suing the firm say were never provided.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jimmy Malone: WTAM AM/1100 has hired a familiar voice to take over the morning time slot recently vacated by Geraldo Rivera. Jimmy Malone, who hosted the morning show on WMJI FM/105.7 for 30 years, will bring “The Jimmy Malone Show” over from Akron’s WARF AM/1350 starting April 12, reports Joey Morona.
Sedona: On a two-day visit, Susan Glaser visited Cathedral Rock, a stunning sandstone formation filled with spires and towers just south of Sedona, Arizona. The desert boasted views just like this all around – atop Chicken Point, Submarine Rock and Devil’s Bridge, among other locations.
Things to do: There’s no shortage of shows, festivals, games and educational events to check out this weekend in Northeast Ohio. Annie Nickoloff has 20 ideas.
