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The Wake Up

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 2023

 

Ohio is already shaping up to be a huge market for sports betting. 

Ohio officials have yet to release exactly how many of the state’s 11.8 million residents are gambling. But in the first month that sports betting has been legal in the Buckeye State, more than 2.25 unique accounts are using gambling apps.  

Those might not all be owned by individual people, though. Ohio has at least 16 betting apps, which all went live at once. Many of the mobile sportsbooks offered promotions, which could entice someone to place bets on multiple gambling apps. 

We’re leading the country in bets right now – and our football teams aren’t even in the Super Bowl. 

 

- Laura 

 

 

Overnight Scores and Weather

Northeast Ohio Wednesday weather forecast: Another mix of sun and rain

 

 

Ohio already is shaping up to be a huge market for sports betting. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com file photo)

Top Stories

Gambling apps: More than 2.25 million unique accounts have used gambling apps in Ohio, and even Kentuckians are trying (and sometimes driving) to get in on legal sports betting. Sean McDonnell reports the data comes from GeoComply, a geolocation and anti-fraud company used widely across the legal sports gambling industry.

 

Today in Ohio: An FBI agent has testified that lobbyist Matt Borges gave a GOP consultant $15,000 and asked him to keep their talks secret. We’re talking about the dirty politics -- and threats -- unveiled during former House Speaker Larry Householder’s trial on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. 

 

 

Statehouse and Politics

Householder trial: The criminal trial of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and one alleged conspirator will resume today after a case of COVID-19 in the jury pool scuttled Tuesday’s session, Jake Zuckerman reports. 

 

Train derailment: A day after crews began burning toxic chemicals from several derailed train cars in East Palestine, Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday said his administration will discuss taking action to improve the condition of the state’s large rail network. Jeremy Pelzer reports the governor noted that railroad regulation is primarily the job of the federal government.

 

Wind turbines: The fate of a proposed 73-turbine wind project in Northwest Ohio near the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, a site that hosts a large birdwatching festival each year, could be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court. Laura Hancock reports the Emerson Creek Wind Project could generate 847,000 to 952,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year at a time when the average temperature in Ohio has increased by 2.7 degrees since 1970.

 

School vouchers: Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday defended his plan to significantly expand eligibility for publicly funded tuition vouchers for K-12 private schools, though he hesitated to back some lawmakers’ calls for universal vouchers. DeWine, speaking with The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com editorial board on Tuesday, said Ohio parents and students would benefit from the proposal in his state budget plan to raise the financial eligibility limit to receive EdChoice scholarship vouchers, Jeremy Pelzer reports.

 

Budget debate: The cost of materials to build and expand roads and bridges increased by 11.4% last year, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks told lawmakers Tuesday afternoon during a hearing in which he unveiled Gov. Mike DeWine’s transportation budget recommendations, Laura Hancock reports. Marchbanks presented details about DeWine’s budget proposal, which calls for spending $3.7 billion in state and federal money in each of the next two fiscal years.

 

 

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Northeast Ohio News

Deputy hurt: A Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputy has been released from the hospital after being injured in a crash Tuesday morning, reports Molly Walsh. The deputy, a 43-year-old man, was entering the northbound lane on Interstate 77 North near Snowville Road in Brecksville from the center median when a Jeep Renegade driving northbound crashed into his car. 

 

Milk seed pods: You can plant milk seed pods in a Northeast Ohio yard in one of three ways, writes Susan Brownstein. You need some cold weather, and maybe an old milk jug or a fridge. 

 

 

Business and Healthcare

Best hotels: U.S. News & World Report ranks two hotels in downtown Cincinnati as the very best in Ohio. Susan Glaser reports the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland is tops in Northeast Ohio and ranks as the third best hotel in the state. 

 

'Shrinkflation': The size of snacks and paper towel rolls at the grocery store are getting smaller. But “shrinkflation” is not happening as often as you might think. Sean McDonnell reports when it does happen, the economists tracking inflation are taking note.

 

 

Crime and Courts

Freeloading dentist: A federal judge called a Strongsville dentist “a freeloader” before sentencing him Tuesday to four years in prison for failing to pay taxes for at least two decades. Adam Ferrise reports U.S. District Judge Dan Polster also ordered Douglas Smith, a self-described “sovereign citizen,” to pay more than $726,000 in back taxes to the IRS. 

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

ESports: Cedar Point Sports Center, the popular athletic venue located a few miles east of the amusement park, plans to open the first phase of an esports center in May, with space for both casual and serious gamers, reports Suan Glaser. The venue, dubbed Cedar Point Esports, is smaller than what was initially proposed by Cedar Fair in 2021, although there are plans to expand it in the future. 

 

Hough Bakery: Archie Garner's family brought the legendary Hough Bakery back to life. Today, a steady stream of devoted customers arrive, intent on finding the smells and tastes of their childhood or to introduce a new generation to the tradition of a Hough cake, reports Brenda Cain.

 

Mac Throwdown: After being restricted by the pandemic, the 2023 Mac ‘N’ Cheese Throwdown will be back in person from noon to 3:30 p.m. on March 5. Paris Wolfe reports the event is a fundraiser for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, a local non-profit group that trains and provides mobility and autism service dogs to empower children with special needs throughout 35 counties of Northeast and central Ohio. 

 

 

You’re all caught up.

Thanks for joining us this week in our redesigned Wake Up format. We appreciate the feedback you provided about our new look.

Don't forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

 

— Curated by Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard

 

OTHER TOP STORIES

 

 

3 men charged, accused of string of carjackings over just a few days Read more

 

2 held up at gunpoint in carjacking at Akron gas station Read more

 

Man wanted on robbery charges in Cuyahoga County accused of murder in Canton Read more

 

Smoke still clearing on Cleveland Heights backyard pizza oven verdict Read more

 

Wetzel to retire in March as Richmond Heights police chief Read more

 

Proposed rezoning of 7.5 acres on Ohio 82 in Strongsville remains in limbo Read more

 

After missing the 45-day deadline, Cleveland Heights City Council appointment now up to mayor Read more

 

Cleveland Heights-University Heights ‘State of Our Schools’ outlines game plan for student success Read more

 

ODOT contribution toward Whitney Road covered bridge project rises to $1 million Read more

 

Solon council approves amended wage schedules for non-union employees Read more

 

 

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