Homicide numbers: The number of police officers dedicated to investigating Cleveland homicides dwindled to 13. That’s nearly half the number promised by city officials in the wake of an expert’s determination that the city’s low rate of solving homicides is tied to understaffing. Cleveland.com’s Adam Ferrise reports that 15 detectives are assigned to the unit, but two aren’t working.

HB6: Today is the deadline to submit signatures for a proposed referendum on overturning HB6, Ohio’s $1 billion nuclear bailout law. Cleveland.com’s Jeremy Pelzer reports that Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts must submit at least 265,774 valid signatures from registered Ohio voters in at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties, in a quest that has led to controversial multimillion-dollar ad campaigns, lawsuits and even arrests for physical altercations.

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Opioid trial: An attorney representing Summit County said Sunday that his team plans to dismiss claims against a small health care and dental products distributor. Cleveland.com’s Eric Heisig reports the nation’s first federal opioid trial is set to begin with opening statements today in Cleveland, despite prolonged and last-minute settlement negotiations.

Power play: Cuyahoga County, the city of Cleveland, city-owned Cleveland Public Power and the Cleveland Foundation are searching for a developer to establish a microgrid that would provide businesses in downtown Cleveland with a backup source of electricity, heating and cooling during power outages. Cleveland.com’s Courtney Astolfi reports the group aims to create the first districtwide microgrid in the nation.

Internal auditor: The Cuyahoga County Audit Committee is recommending the former city auditor of Modesto, California, as the next internal auditor. Cleveland.com’s Courtney Astolfi reports that if confirmed, Monica Houston will take on a position that has been twice vacated this year.

Legal letters: Geauga County Common Pleas Judge David Ondrey has refused to publicly release dozens of letters from friends of former Highland Heights Mayor Scott Coleman, who stole more than $160,000 from U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce’s campaign. Cleveland.com’s Sabrina Eaton reports that while legal experts say such letters are routinely part of the public record, Ondrey put them under seal at the request of Coleman’s attorney. The attorney argued the letters contained “confidential personal information.”

Campaign embezzlement: Why did former Highland Heights Mayor Scott Coleman embezzle more than $160,000 from U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce’s campaign? Cleveland.com’s Sabrina Eaton reports a mental health counselor told the court that Coleman was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. Without a good support system or anybody to talk to about it, counselor Gary Echt said, Coleman was “unable to resolve or work through these issues, merely trying to push them down, which is rarely successful.”

Still getting paid: Two Cuyahoga County Jail corrections officers who pleaded guilty to pummeling an inmate strapped to a restraint chair are still getting paid. Cleveland.com’s Adam Ferrise reports county officials have taken no action to place the officers on unpaid leave or otherwise discipline them. They agreed to resign from their positions at their Dec. 12 sentencing.

CSU buyouts: Cleveland State University is offering buyouts to employees with more than 20 years experience. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kilpatrick reports the buyouts are part of its strategic plan to provide faculty and staff “a smooth transition” to retirement or other job opportunities.

Hiram investigation: A dead newborn baby was found in a garbage bag in a Hiram College dorm bathroom Friday, cleveland.com’s Mary Kilpatrick reports. Hiram cleaning services alerted Hiram Village police, which is investigating with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Intelligence.

OSU doctor: Seventy-eight people who said they were abused by former Ohio State University team doctor Richard Strauss called on the Ohio General Assembly to change the state’s statute of limitations law. They argued in an opinion piece that if the law were modernized, OSU employees who knew of the abuse and did nothing to stop it could be held accountable. Cleveland.com’s Laura Hancock explains the story.

House of the Week: Live like royalty in a piece of historic Northeast Ohio. Cleveland.com’s Joey Morona takes you on a tour of this Pepper Pike mansion constructed by the Van Swerigen Brothers that combines the best of the Roaring Twenties (complete with hidden bar) with the finest modern amenities.

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