Before 1974, proposed amendments to the Ohio Constitution appeared in their entirety on the ballot, meaning voters had to wade through pages of highly technical legal jargon. To make it easier on Ohioans, voters approved the state Ballot Board, a bipartisan group of five, led by the secretary of state, that would summarize proposed amendments in clear, neutral and factual language. Controversies weren’t unheard of, but lawsuits over language were rare. Until now, when Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the board have been sued three times in a little over a year – all over ballot measures named Issue 1. This time, LaRose is defending language describing a redistricting amendment. He wants to use the word “gerrymandering” in the anti-gerrymandering reform. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Members of the Ohio Ballot Board convene last week at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to consider language for a fall redistricting amendment. (Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press file photo) |
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Ballot Board: For the third time in a little more than a year, Secretary of State Frank LaRose is in court over ballot language he and other Republicans wrote describing a measure they oppose, Andrew Tobias reports. Today in Ohio: What could make Ohio’s electricity prices more expensive? It’s a capacity issue. We’re talking about the PJM Interconnection and capacity auctions on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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HB6: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Wednesday approved $105 million in charges to Ohio customers for coal plant subsidies to three utilities. These were part of a range of subsidy charges either approved by the PUCO this week or for which the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel or other advocates had argued for re-hearings, the Consumers’ Counsel said. EPA rule: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hit the brakes on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions rule for coal-fired power plants. Laura Hancock reports the attorneys general on Wednesday filed a request to the high court, asking it to freeze the rule, which requires the plants to capture and store 90% of carbon emissions or shut down within eight years. DNC: After the 2024 Democratic National Convention culminated on Thursday with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s presidential nomination, Ohio’s DNC delegates say they’ll be headed home energized and excited for the Nov. 5 election, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Marcia Fudge: Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge kicked off an early focus on housing policy during the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Jeremy Pelzer reports Fudge, an ex-congresswoman from Warrensville Heights, vowed that Vice President Kamala Harris, if elected president, would take action to build 3 million new homes and rental units, limit rent increases, and help first-time homebuyers make down payments. DNC dance: During this week’s Democratic National Convention, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign has been issuing criticisms of Democrats’ candidates, their policies ... and Josh Hickman’s dancing. The official Trump War Room account on X took notice, posting “Democrats are so cringe” along with a clip of Hickman’s dance moves, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Redistricting: Gov. Mike DeWine and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson are coming to Cleveland next week to raise money for the campaign working to defeat Issue 1, the state redistricting-reform amendment in November, Andrew Tobias reports. Ohio wine: The state government has approved spending tens of thousands of dollars to promote Ohio’s wine industry, reports Andrew Tobias. Earlier this week, the Ohio Controlling Board, a state spending panel, approved spending $55,000 on behalf of the Ohio Grape Industries Council, a state government-affiliated promotional group. Steel production: Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corp. is getting more than $19 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to electrify specialty steel production furnaces at its Butler Works plant in Pennsylvania, reports Sabrina Eaton. The $19,074,900 grant comes from the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Industrial Demonstrations Program. |
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SNAP: Most Cuyahoga County SNAP recipients will soon be automatically refunded a portion of their benefits to help them replace food lost during the major storm earlier this month, providing them with relief faster. Kaitlin Durbin reports that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients living in all but three county zip codes will see dollars added to their accounts, based on when they last received benefits. Nick Mileti: Nick Mileti was the most energetic and imaginative promoter in Cleveland sports history. He was president of the Indians, the Cavaliers, and two hockey teams, all at the same time. He founded the Cavaliers, put them into the National Basketball Association and built the Coliseum in Richfield Township. He passed away at age 93. Avon Lake plant: The former Avon Lake power plant will soon be for sale in the next step toward future redevelopment. Megan Sims reports the Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group has retained commercial real estate firm Avison Young to sell the 43-acre lakefront property. Terminal Tower: Cleveland’s Terminal Tower is the most recognized landmark skyscraper in the city and once was one of the tallest buildings in the world. More than 100 years have passed since the start of the construction project, which began with excavation on Sept. 29, 1923. Actual construction began later. Kaylee Remington has historical photos. Street repair: Euclid officials this week took the first step toward what Mayor Kristen Holzheimer Gail said will be the city’s most expansive residential street repair project in years, reports Cory Shaffer. City council at its Monday meeting approved two pieces of emergency legislation allowing Euclid to borrow $6.48 million for resurfacing projects specifically in residential neighborhoods. Majestic Meadows: Medina might not be the first place that people would describe as “exotic,” but a local farm is a hidden gem that’s home to several types of animals from around the globe. Majestic Meadows is an animal lover’s heaven. Alex Darus reports the 20-acre farm is open to locals so they can learn about, feed, pet and interact with more than 200 different animals. Drought: While dry conditions continue to improve in Northeast Ohio, extreme drought has exponentially spread throughout the southern counties, affecting more of the state than it has since records began in 2000. Zachary Smith reports several counties in Northwest Ohio are now classified as “abnormally dry” as conditions begin to worsen in the bordering states of Indiana and Michigan, according to this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor update. |
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COVID numbers: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio took another jump, from 7,347 last week to 8,352 this week, reports Julie Washington. New vaccine: U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, which means shots designed to more closely target virus strains currently in circulation will be available within weeks, Julie Washington reports. Mortgage rates: The average interest rate on a home loan in the U.S. continues to linger at just below 6.5%, Sean McDonnell reports. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.46% Thursday. Rates on a 15-year fixed mortgage were 5.62%. Top Thrill: It’s been more than three months since Cedar Point’s record-breaking roller coaster, Top Thrill 2, was shut down just days after its debut, reports Susan Glaser. It’s now the week before Labor Day Weekend – the unofficial end of summer – and it’s not clear the coaster is any closer to reopening than it was on May 11, the last day it launched riders up and over its 420-foot-high hill at 120 mph. |
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Bobby George: Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley has stepped aside from handling the attempted murder case of restaurateur Bobby George, whose family has contributed to O’Malley’s campaigns for years, records show. Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said she accepted the role as a special prosecutor after O’Malley’s office reached out to her. Carjacking: A Cleveland woman has been charged with aggravated robbery after police say she arranged a date with a man on an escort website, then carjacked him during the meetup. Summer Wood, 27, was charged Monday in Cleveland Municipal Court, reports John Tucker. Maserati carjacking: Several carjackers set up the driver of a Maserati by first ramming the back of the car, then attempting to rob the driver once they got out, reports Lucas Daprile. One of the men, Martino Eubanks, was charged federally with carjacking and using a firearm in the commission of an offense. Indictment: A Cuyahoga County grand jury on Thursday indicted a Cleveland mother in the death of her 2-year-old son who authorities say died earlier this month. Niesha Walls, 33, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault and three counts of child endangering. Brinks robbery: Authorities are investigating the attempted robbery of a Brinks truck Wednesday, an attack in which an employee of the armored car company was wounded. Murder sentence: A Cleveland man was sentenced to four life terms in prison Thursday for the slaughter of four family members last year. |
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Ask Yadi:What do you do when the neighboring table at a restaurant has really loud, unruly children? Yadi Rodriguez writes that it is OK to mention your discomfort to your waiter and ask if they can politely go up to that table and express that other diners are complaining about the noise level. Classic CLE: Peter Chakerian has three more “Classic CLE” burgers that you absolutely must find. Art Tremont: Just nine months after Art Tremont opened its doors, it has already become a fixture in the historic Tremont neighborhood. Yadi Rodriguez reports it’s an art supply store but also a place that showcases local artists. They come and help teach classes as well as have some of their art displayed. In Forno Pizza: A Greater Cleveland pizzeria has been getting great reviews, putting it in the top 10 Midwestern pizzas, according to a new ranking from Yelp. Paris Wolfe reports the East Coast-style Neapolitan pizzas at In Forno Pizza in Avon came in No. 6 on Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 Pizza Spots in the Midwest. Travis Kelce: Travis Kelce is set to headline “Loose Canons,” an action-comedy from Lionsgate produced by “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski, reports Joey Morona. Said to have “Lethal Weapon” and “Bad Boys” vibes, the plot centers on two unhinged cops forced to pair up due to budget cuts. Jolene’s: East Fourth Street might look a little more like Nashville next year thanks to the planned opening of Jolene’s Honky Tonk, a country bar taking over the space that formerly housed the Greenhouse Tavern. Alex Darus reports Jolene’s is the latest project from Hangry Brands, a partnership between Jason Beudert, Chelsea Williams and former Guardians manager Terry Francona. Hopeless Records: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will celebrate the spirit of independent record labels and the bands and fans they serve this weekend with the opening of a new exhibit dedicated to Hopeless Records, the influential Southern California-based record imprint that is marking its 30th Anniversary, reports Malcolm X Abram. Bubbles: Bubblers/bubbleologists are moving into the party scene, reports Paris Wolfe. We’re talking bubble drama like cube-shaped bubbles, smoke-filled bubbles, bubbles big enough to fit a person (or two) inside. Things to do: The kids may be back to school, but summer isn’t over. Get yourself to outdoor venues to make the most of the season. From the Cleveland Cultural Gardens to Century Village Museum in Burton, you can explore cultures and subcultures. Paris Wolfe has 21 things to do. |
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Shooting in Valley View leaves one dead, two in custody, reports say Read more Medina police chief urges motorists, pedestrians to exercise caution at crosswalks Read more In state-of-city address, Highland Heights Mayor Brunello tells of positive finances, pledges to remain fiscally responsible Read more Northeast Ohio road construction: Where are the new detours and delays? Read more Highland Heights council approves development deal with Park Place; company plans to bring $45 million payroll to the city Read more Akron Pride Festival to feature national headliners, equity march on Saturday Read more Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers free rides for veterans, military members, first responders Read more |
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