After three years leading the Ohio Senate, Matt Huffman is leaving the legislative body this month because of term limits. The Republican is stepping right into the Ohio House of Representatives, which he will lead as House speaker. Is Huffman – a lawyer and grandfather from Lima who has already served four terms in the House – the most powerful Ohio politician of his generation? Of the last century? Huffman was unopposed in his November election. And he was unopposed for House speaker after laying the groundwork by raising money, building connections and aiming to unite the caucus fractured by a fight for speaker two years ago. Huffman has told reporters that he hopes House Republicans will set an “aggressive, conservative agenda” under his leadership. His counterpart in the Senate will be his protege, Rob McColley. And Gov. Mike DeWine has shown he’s willing to sign almost any bill that arrives from their supermajority legislative bodies. We’ll see what happens. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers: Jameis Winston throws 2 more picks, Dustin Hopkins misses 2 more kicks as Browns lose 27-14 to the Steelers Cavs at Miami Heat: Cavs can’t overcome injury to Evan Mobley in 122-113 loss to Miami Heat Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Mild temps and rain |
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Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman will join the House in January and is expected to be nominated speaker. (Joe Maiorana, Associated Press file photo) |
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Huffman’s power play: Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, is poised to move seamlessly into the role of Ohio House speaker next year, potentially making him a power broker on a level that Ohio hasn’t seen in decades, with near-unrivaled control to push a conservative agenda, Jeremy Pelzer reports. No to fracking: Nearly all the 600 public comments submitted to a state board say Ohio shouldn't allow more fracking in state parks, Jake Zuckerman reports. Drought analysis: Ohio’s historic levels of drought have finally subsided, thanks to a period of cool temperatures and, in some areas, snow, Zachary Smith reports. Today in Ohio: The Browns have released a study claiming that a $1.2 billion public subsidy to build a domed stadium in Brook Park would generate at least that much in economic activity for Northeast Ohio annually. On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about the study’s biased findings. |
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Road repair: An Ohio law that has been used to win judgments for vehicle damage from public agencies that don’t keep up with their roads doesn’t stop at the curb, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled. In a 4-3 ruling reversing a lower-court decision, the court said Summit County may be liable for damage to a woman’s Sagamore Hills home after part of a county road collapsed and the area started flooding, Laura Hancock reports. Energy agenda: Ohio Republican congressman Bob Latta is making a bid to chair one of the most powerful committees in Congress next year: the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over issues including healthcare, technology and energy, Sabrina Eaton reports. |
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Police recruitment: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on Friday announced that 46 recruits have agreed to join the city’s next police academy class beginning later this month. The latest class brings the total number of recruits to enter academy classes this year to 134, the most in any year since 2019, Cory Shaffer reports. Adoption success: Reyes and Lashaun Haley-Ivy never intended to become dads in their early 30s. But when their nephew faced the foster system, it was clear adoption was the answer, Kaitlin Durbin reports. |
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USPS rally: Just over a dozen United States Postal Service employees gathered at the Westlake post office with signs and a bullhorn to voice their disapproval of a tentative contract agreement reached in October between USPS and the National Associations of Letter Carriers, the union that represents mail carriers working in non-rural areas, Megan Sims reports. Hospital refresh: Patients visiting Southwest General Health Center will enjoy a recently renovated main lobby, made possible by a $1 million donation from a Southwest General urologist, Julie Washington reports. Gas prices: The national average of $3.03 for a gallon of gas in the United States this week marked the lowest in three years, Zachary Smith reports. |
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Jayland Walker: The city of Akron can continue to conceal the names of eight officers who shot and killed Jayland Walker in June 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled. In a ruling released Friday morning, the state’s high court said the city can withhold the names in records because they are still considered “uncharged suspects,” Sean McDonnell reports. Police officer indicted: ormer Newburgh Heights police officer Kyle Coyne, 34, of Sagamore Hills, was indicted Thursday on six charges, including attempted murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, strangulation, domestic violence and aggravated menacing, Lucas Daprile reports. Hospital employee: A fired Cleveland Veterans Affairs hospital employee is accused of threatening to shoot three of her co-workers, Adam Ferrise reports. Fatal shooting: Akron police say a 21-year-old man was found dead Sunday afternoon after a shooting at a park in the North Hill neighborhood, Cliff Pinckard reports. |
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Holiday traditions: Holiday traditions don’t have to date back decades or derive from other cultures. Doing the same thing, year after year, and reminiscing about past events is just plain fun, Laura Johnston writes in her column “Our Best Life.” CLE Eat & Drinks: Peter Chakerian is asking readers to share their best traditions and reflections – including any accompanying food customs – for a very special “Classic CLE Eats & Drinks” column. Foodie gifts: ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping, and spending your time and money at local foodie retailers is a good way to support the Greater Cleveland culinary community. Paris Wolfe and Alex Darus share 12 Northeast Ohio markets to shop for local food gifts. Blossom concerts: Classic rock band Styx will be teaming up with Kevin Cronin, former lead singer and primary songwriter of REO Speedwagon, and Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles, for the “Brotherhood of Rock” Tour that will stop at Blossom Music Center this summer, Malcolm X Abram reports. |
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Avon Lake man held on $1 million bond after admitting to stabbing his wife Read more Bar manager & customer, both wanted by police, arrested in Brook Park Read more Two tons of food collected by youngsters at Erieview Elementary School Read more Facing a stressful holiday? The YMCA is here to help Read more Final implosion date set for Avon Lake power plant Read more |
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