STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
FirstEnergy: A federal judge in Columbus on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a proposed $180 million settlement between FirstEnergy shareholders and a group of company executives who ran the Akron-based utility during the House Bill 6 scandal. But Jeremy Pelzer reports that U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley refused to halt companion settlement cases in the Northern District of Ohio and in Summit County Common Pleas Court. That makes Marbley’s order only a step toward ending the case, rather than a final resolution of the lawsuit.
Involuntary manslaughter: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a man prohibited from using guns but did so anyway can be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, even if there’s no proof his gun killed the victim. Laura Hancock reports the high court examined the case involving the 2018 shooting death of Gary Dickens in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
Unemployment: After unemployment rates in the seven counties making up Greater Cleveland skyrocketed during the first few months of the pandemic, it has been a slow and steady decline back to normalcy, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Zachary Smith reports unemployment trends in Greater Cleveland closely follow the unemployment rate for the rest of the country.
METRO
Global center: If Cuyahoga County helps invest $46 million to transform the empty Global Center for Health Innovation into a meeting hub, it will boost Cleveland’s profile as a competitive destination for conventions, Destination Cleveland’s CEO David Gilbert told council members on Tuesday. Gilbert said a “modest” $46 million investment could mean another $20 million in annual economic activity, if the number of convention bookings increases as predicted by a 2020 “highest and best use” study, Courtney Astolfi reports.
Trashed site: The under-construction site of the new Cleveland police headquarters on Opportunity Corridor is covered in garbage. Joshua Gunter has photos of the site that show mounds and mounds of trash, riddled with broken glass, sharp metal, old tires and bags of garbage. City officials say there is a "significant problem" with illegal dumping.
Libraries: The coronavirus closed public libraries across the country, preventing residents from accessing literary treasurers, music, games and programs. COVID-19 hindered all patrons, but it especially hit working-class residents who struggle to gain access to the internet and seek out classes and special programs. Now, Alexis Oatman reports, residents are returning to the places that have brought communities together for decades, though use hasn't reached pre-pandemic levels.
Garden beds: Good soil for raised beds includes compost, filler (such as peat moss or coconut coir), and grit (often vermiculite or perlite). This week, Susan Brownstein looks at different raised bed recipes, from prebagged mixes to completely do-it-yourself to options in between.
Tennis: During the pandemic, Laura Johnston turned to tennis to relieve stress. Hitting the snot out of a cheerful green ball made her feel much better. Every smack felt like a punch, expelling the pent-up anxiety of work and home and family.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Chest pain: The American Heart Association has found that women 18 to 55 waited longer to be evaluated for chest pain in the emergency room and received a less-thorough evaluation for a possible heart attack than men in the same age range, Julie Washington reports. People of color with chest pain waited longer before being seen in the emergency room than white adults with chest pain.
BUSINESS
KeyBank startup: KeyBank has bought another fintech startup, this time acquiring a company that works with people who have student loan debt. The Cleveland-based bank acquired GradFin, which offers counseling to people seeking help with student loan debt, reports Sean McDonnell.
CRIME
Corruption scheme: A federal judge on Tuesday spared a former city of Cleveland employee from prison for his role in helping then-Councilman Kenneth Johnson carry out a long-running corruption scheme. Cory Shaffer reports that Robert Fitzpatrick cooperated with the FBI investigation into Johnson, the man who took Fitzpatrick under his wing as a child only to use him as a pawn as an adult to illegally enrich himself.
Opioid trial: A Columbia University epidemiologist testified Tuesday that about 13,000 people in Lake and Trumbull counties suffered from opioid dependency, and scores of children are fighting the effects of having a parent with opioid addiction. Adam Ferrise reports from the opening day of the penalty phase in the two counties’ trial against three major pharmacy chains— CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Butterflies: Massive inflatable butterflies have landed at Crocker Park in Westlake as part of the Hope Soars Ohio fundraising exhibit benefiting the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The Excel TECC program helped Beachwood High School’s marketing/junior achievement students to develop their own marketing campaign to inspire hope and uplift local communities through a pop art installation. John Kuntz has photos of the exhibit.
Rock Hall concerts: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will kick off its annual Rock Hall Live summer concert series in July, bringing more than a dozen local and touring acts to the museum. Annie Nickoloff reports the lineup includes indie-rock band Guided By Voices, pop group Muna and singer-songwriter Adrian Belew.
