People are having fewer kids. Fewer young people are opting for prohibitively expensive college educations. And so, college enrollment is shrinking; colleges are hurting. In Northeast Ohio this year, Cleveland State University and Baldwin Wallace University announced budget cuts, Notre Dame College closed and Ursuline College signed a letter of intent with Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, to merge institutions. A report from the state auditor found Lakeland Community College is overstaffed and burdened with debt because of declining student enrollment. To combat the decline, administrators aim to offer more online degrees, change programs to better align with today’s jobs, consider selling buildings and collaborate with surrounding colleges to avoid unnecessary degree duplication. How that plays out at Ohio’s 14 public four-year universities is yet to be seen. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The enrollment drop occurring at colleges in Ohio and many other states is the result of changing demographics. (Gus Chan, Plain Dealer file photo) |
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College enrollment: The number of students attending Ohio’s community colleges and universities continues to drop, with the latest enrollment data showing each lost 11.4% between 2014 and 2023. Laura Hancock reports 509,714 students attended public universities in 2014 and 451,477 were enrolled in the fall of 2023. College rankings: Once again, Ohio State edged out Case Western Reserve as the best university in Ohio, according to newly released rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Ohio State is ranked 41st overall in U.S. News rankings for national universities, 10 spots ahead of Case Western Reserve, Zachary Smith reports. Today in Ohio: One of the biggest stories in the year in Ohio is the firestorm of political rhetoric over rumors of Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs. We’re back on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, and we’re trying to figure out how JD Vance could continue to double down on lies. |
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CSX: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants the CSX railroad company to reverse recently announced plans that would reduce train stops and crew members at its Collinwood Rail Yard in Cleveland. Sabrina Eaton reports that Brown asked CSX President and CEO Joseph Hinrichs to meet with the company’s Collinwood workers and speak to Brown. Redistricting reform: Republican critics of Issue 1 are portraying the Ohio redistricting reform ballot issue as an attempt by liberal groups outside Ohio to grab more power for Democrats, Jeremy Pelzer reports. But the backers of the proposed constitutional amendment say they’re not attached to any liberal puppet masters. |
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Toxic chemicals: Does more chemical emissions mean a higher risk to people who live near facilities that handle toxic chemicals? Not necessarily. Zachary Smith reviewed federal data across eight Greater Cleveland counties and found that some smaller handlers of toxic chemicals can be the riskiest for the surrounding areas, according to risks scores assigned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. IRS penalty: Cleveland City Council on Monday grilled members of Mayor Justin Bibb’s finance department after learning that the city will have to pay a $404,000 penalty to the IRS, Cory Shaffer reports. The payment, triggered by the city earning too much interest on unused tax-free bonds from 2019, highlighted what several council members called deeper issues with the city’s delays in paying bills on contracts funded by bond money. |
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Unemployment: Ohio’s labor market is slowing down, with the state losing jobs in August and its unemployment rate sticking at 4.5%, reports Sean McDonnell. Ohio lost 4,400 jobs in August, bringing total employment to 5,664,000 jobs, down from a revised 5,668,400. ODs: Drug overdose deaths in Ohio have fallen by nearly one-third in the past year, preliminary state data shows, marking a shocking reversal of a lethal surge in overdoses since the coronavirus pandemic. Jeremy Pelzer reports that state officials and anti-addiction leaders say they don’t know for sure why overdose deaths have dropped so quickly, though they surmise that greater access to the anti-overdose drug naloxone, state support for addiction treatment and recovery programs, and even a Mexican drug cartel’s brutally enforced ban on fentanyl production all could be contributing. Car seats: About 37% of American children aged 7-11 killed in a car crash were not using child car restraints, according to a new AAA analysis of government crash data between 2018 and 2022. Julie Washington reports about 74% of child car seats inspected in 2023 were improperly installed or used. |
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Drunken driving: Cleveland patrol officers are catching fewer drunken drivers on city streets, a move that some attribute to a shrinking police force that must respond to high-priority crimes of violence. Olivia Mitchell reports the city recorded 274 arrests for impaired driving from Jan. 1 through Sept. 17, a 35% drop from the same period in 2021 when police ticketed 421. Mail fraud: U.S. Postal Service carrier plucked mail from his route in Lakewood and sold it to counterfeiters, who cashed thousands of dollars in fake checks, according to federal prosecutors. Adam Ferrise reports Gregory L. Drake and four others have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. |
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Pets in costume: You have a cute outfit for your dog or cat ... or perhaps have thought about getting one for them. Well, it just so happens that cleveland.com is holding a photo contest to determine the Best Pet Halloween Costume. John Legend: More than six weeks ago, John Legend had a show with the Cleveland Orchestra cut short due to a lightning storm. The EGOT winner returned on Sunday -- sans his acclaimed backing musicians -- for “An Evening with John Legend” at Blossom Music Center. Theater preview: Cleveland is home to the first regional theater (the 109-year-old Cleveland Play House) and the oldest Black-producing theater in the country (Karamu House, also founded in 1915). That sort of creative spirit has spawned nearly 20 professional theater companies and more than 20 community theaters across Greater Cleveland. Joey Morona looks at what the regional’s professional theaters have in store for the 2024-25 season. Brewery closing: Pulpo Beer Co. announced it will be closing its Willoughby brewery at the end of the month, reports Alex Darus. |
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Man armed with handgun robs Family Dollar in Akron Read more Fire at Northeast Ohio dairy farm kills several cows Read more Orange school board considers revisions to policies related to visitors, animals on campus Read more Medina officials share details about EMS renewal levy on Nov. 5 ballot Read more Tri-C Foundation’s Presidential Scholarship Luncheon raises more than $1 million to support students in need Read more Motorcyclists install Midview stadium seat in memory of prisoners of war Read more Akron Public School district empowers students and staff to support mental health Read more |
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