If you don’t take driver’s ed, you won’t be able to get your driver’s license until you’re 21. That’s one of the lesser-known changes stuffed into Ohio's $60 billion, 3,156-page budget law. While we’ve written plenty about the plan to borrow $1.7 billion from the state’s unclaimed property fund to help build new sports stadiums (a plan now being challenged in court), lots of other budget items will change Ohioans’ regular lives. Those include a near-total cellphone ban in K-12 schools, a mandate for age verification from users of online pornography sites, legalized online sales of fireworks, 5% annual pay bumps to many elected officials, and an overhaul of rules for handling elections violations. Do all of these directly fall under Ohio’s budget? Nope, despite the state’s single-subject rule. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Guardians at Houston Astros: Guardians end 10-game losing streak with 7-5 win over Houston Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny, more comfortable |
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| A litany of provisionsare in the enormous 3,156-page-long state budget law – many of which are controversial. (Courtesy of Gov. Mike DeWine's office) |
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Budget bill: Jeremy Pelzer highlights the wide-ranging impacts on Ohioans' daily lives in the state's budget. Billboard backlash: A billboard reading "Yes! I buy crack houses" on Cleveland's East Side was removed after backlash from residents and City Council President Blaine Griffin. Sean McDonnell reports the billboard, part of John Williams' advertising campaign, was seen as targeting predominantly Black neighborhoods with demeaning messaging. Today in Ohio: Today in Ohio will return Monday, July 14. |
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Free tickets: State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan proposes a bill to ban Ohio legislators from accepting free sports tickets, pointing to ethical concerns with public stadium funding. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the effort to close loopholes and restore trust in government. Moreno legislation: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio has pushed legislation that would benefit the auto industry, the same sector where he made his fortune before entering politics. Is there an ethical question inherent in the senator’s past and present interests? Sabrina Eaton reports Moreno was outraged by the question. Funding lawsuit: Two Democratic former state officials are challenging Ohio's plan to seize $1.7 billion from unclaimed property funds for a new Browns stadium. Jeremy Pelzer reports the lawsuit seeks to block the budget measure. Modell law: Dennis Kucinich, author of the Art Modell Law, joined the city of Cleveland last week in asking a judge to enforce the state law amid the Browns’ plans to build a new stadium in Brook Park, David Gambino reports. The NFL team and city of Cleveland are engaged in two separate lawsuits over the law. |
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Giant screen: Dan Gilbert's Bedrock is bringing Cosm, an immersive entertainment venue with a 100-foot screen, to Cleveland's Rock Block development. Rich Exner reports the venue will offer live sports, cinema and performances with a "shared reality" experience. Cannabis class: Kent State University has launched new cannabis industry certificate programs in partnership with Green Flower, offering five specialized online courses. Laura Hancock reports about the workforce development initiative targeting cannabis industry professionals. Industrial fire: Firefighters battled a massive industrial fire that spread across multiple buildings Monday on the city’s East Side. The fire required 28 units and at least 80 firefighters to contain the blaze, Olivia Mitchell reports. Big effect: President Trump's new budget bill could strip thousands of Cuyahoga County residents of food and health care benefits, potentially impacting 376,000 Medicaid recipients and 191,000 SNAP beneficiaries. Kaitlin Durbin reports on the potential dramatic changes, including new work requirements and more frequent benefit renewals. Kennel crisis: The Lorain County Dog Kennel is overwhelmed with stray dogs after the Fourth of July, operating at maximum capacity with 24 new dogs over the weekend. Hannah Drown reports only 25% of dogs have been reclaimed by owners and many are at risk of euthanasia. The Cleveland Kennel also is overwhelmed with dogs after the holiday weekend. Adoption fees have been reduced to $21 through July 13 to encourage community support. Fatal fire: A 73-year-old man died and a 56-year-old woman was hospitalized on Monday in a house fire in Euclid. Frederick Brown died in the fire, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. The 56-year-old woman was treated at University Hospitals. Adam Ferrise reports her condition is unknown. |
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Healthcare AI: Southwest General Health Center is adopting Notable, an AI platform to handle administrative tasks like appointment reminders and paperwork. Julie Washington reports the technology aims to streamline operations and improve patient experience across health care facilities. Chain Reaction: Cleveland Chain Reaction announced 22 semifinalists for its 2025 small business competition, with entrepreneurs competing for $70,000 in prizes. Paris Wolfe highlights the record 141 applications received this year. |
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Moore monitoring: Prosecutors are seeking GPS monitoring for Gregory Moore, a lawyer accused of killing his client Aliza Sherman in 2013, after his release on a $2 million bond. David Gambino reports prosecutors were unaware the bond conditions didn't include an ankle monitor. Suspect search: Police are searching for suspects after a mass shooting killed one and injured four others over the Fourth of July weekend, Lucas Daprile reports. Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said the shooting at Buckeye Plaza happened during a car meet-up, where large groups of people gather to show off their souped-up cars. Son-father shooting: A 43-year-old Tallmadge man, Ryan Vietmeier, is accused of murdering his 75-year-old father, Dennis Vietmeier, at their home on Sunday morning. Olivia Mitchell reports that police say Vietmeier called 911 and reported shooting his father, who later died at the hospital. Party shooting: Five people were shot and 10 others hit by cars during a chaotic late-night party in an Akron school parking lot. Adam Ferrise reports the incident occurred after more than 100 people were kicked out of a Waffle House, with injuries ranging from 14 to 20 years old. Slavic Village shooting: A man and woman were shot to death in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood early Saturday morning, reports Lucas Daprile. Akron shooting: An Akron man, Ar'mon Covington, was fatally shot while defending women from harassment at a BP gas station early Saturday morning. Olivia Mitchell reports that Covington intervened when a man was harassing women in the parking lot and was shot multiple times before the suspect fled. |
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Maritimes: A family road trip through Canada's Maritime provinces explores Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, reports Laura Johnston. Heights dining: There is no shortage of great local places to eat and drink in Cleveland Heights or University Heights. But which one is the best? That’s where your “Best of Cleveland” Team comes in. We are on the hunt for the absolute best places to go. Candy shop: Jeff Morsfield opens Jeff's Candy Shop in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood, featuring handmade toffee, hard candies and local products. Paris Wolfe writes about the entrepreneur's sweet journey from home experiments to brick-and-mortar store. 'Super' actress: Isabela Merced, who turns 24 Thursday, has come a long way since her first role: a munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz” at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood when she was 6. Joey Morona reports the Cleveland native plays Hawkgirl in the highly anticipated "Superman" movie in theaters on Friday. 'Superman' photo op: Carol and John's Comic Book Shop offers a "Superman" photo opportunity to celebrate the new movie's release. Joey Morona reports on the shop's 11-foot replica of Action Comics No. 1 and free comic book giveaway. Cavs tryouts: Auditions are open for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dance, cheer and drum-performance teams, Marc Bona reports. The team is holding auditions for the Scream Team, Wine and Goldies and 216STIX. All perform during breaks at Cavs games at Rocket Arena. County fair: The 128th annual Cuyahoga County Fair returns with attractions including a demolition derby, new rides, and various entertainment options. Marc Bona highlights the event's diverse lineup from Aug. 5 to 10. |
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Haitian refugees Ansly Damus and family still marked safe - in Canada Read more After 56 years of writing letters, Middleburg Heights woman finally meets her English pen pal Read more Man threatens to shoot bank manager before running off through yards in Mayfield Heights Read more Medina County Park District completes two improvement projects Read more Medina school board plans meet and greet July 10 Read more Berea Schools warns of major funding threat from proposed state legislation Read more Bay Village switches dispatch services to North Olmsted center Read more Summit County city improves traffic flow with adaptive signals Read more Flamingos to take center stage in Parma’s 2026 bicentennial Read more Lakewood City Schools sells Franklin building to Inner Peace Cleveland Read more |
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