TODAY IN OHIO
The Ohio Democratic Party is suing Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration, claiming a copy of the governor’s schedule it received via a public-records request was full of illegal redactions. We’re talking about the lawsuit, as well as thousands of records obtained from DeWine’s office regarding the House Bill 6 scandal and Sam Randazzo, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
Congressional redistricting: A national Democratic group tied to former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder is pressing the Ohio Supreme Court to reject Ohio’s Republican-drawn congressional map and appoint its own mapmakers to develop a new one. Andrew Tobias reports that the National Democratic Redistricting Committee say the map is disproportionately slanted in favor of Republicans, in violation of new anti-gerrymandering language contained in the state constitution. In a separate filing, a different set of groups agrees the Ohio Supreme Court should reject the map, but doesn’t argue the court should appoint its own mapmakers.
METRO
Public safety: Cuyahoga County’s chief of Public Safety and Justice Services is resigning to become the safety director in Parma, a week after the county sheriff resigned. Kaitlin Durbin reports that Robert Coury was picked to lead the department two years ago, and one of his chief roles was working with the sheriff on reducing the inmate population and making jail operations more efficient.
Wake problems: Large, speeding power boats that create hazardous wakes have become a problem for other craft, big and small, that also use Cleveland’s increasingly busy harbor. Peter Krouse reports that members of the boating community say they have witnessed in recent years a greater number of boaters operating in an unsafe manner in Cleveland’s outer harbor and upon entering the Cuyahoga River.
Baby names: This is the third year in a row that Olivia is the top girls’ name and the fifth year in a row for Liam among boys, reports Zachary Smith.
Hospital transformation: MetroHealth’s vision for turning its main campus on Cleveland’s West Side into a “hospital in a park” has taken another step, with the city’s Planning Commission approving conceptual plans for a 3-acre park along West 25th Street. Steven Litt reports the park is envisioned as a near-term, partial downpayment on the health system’s promise to create a 12-acre park along the street by 2026 as its green front door and as a major new amenity in the Clark Fulton neighborhood.
CSU prof: Cleveland State University announced that art historian Samantha Baskind has been named the institution’s first-ever distinguished professor, reports Steven Litt.
Home renovation: Nothing about home renovation is convenient. For months, you live in a construction zone, hoping the noise and mess, extra work and expense are worth it. Laura Johnston writes about living through her addition.
Nurse appreciation: During National Nurses Week – May 6-12 – we’re asking our readers to tell us about a nurse who made a real difference. Here’s your chance to pay tribute by nominating a nurse who became a hero in a difficult time in your life.
News quiz: Millions of Americans have had COVID-19 over the past two years. So what percentage of children have contracted the virus? Test your news smarts in cleveland.com's weekly news quiz.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Child vaccines: Almost one-third of parents who responded to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey said they will “definitely not” get their child vaccinated when the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for young children becomes available. Julie Washington reports that a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that about 11% said they will have their children vaccinated only if they are required.
BUSINESS
Florida flights: Allegiant Air plans to add nonstop flights between the Akron-Canton Airport and two popular Florida destinations, but not until fall. Susan Glaser reports that service to Orlando Sanford International Airport begins Oct. 6 and will run two times per week, and service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport starts Nov. 19 and also will run twice per week.
CRIME
Coronavirus fraud: A judge sentenced two Florida men to years in federal prison for leading a conspiracy to submit dozens of fake loan applications for $24 million in federal coronavirus relief funds. Adam Ferrise reports U.S. District Judge Pamela Barker sentenced Philip Augustin to 6.5 years in prison and James Stote, of Hollywood, Florida, one of Augustin’s partners, to 10 years in prison.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Winning jockey: On Saturday, Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby in a massive upset. Jane Morice reports the jockey who steered him to victory, Sonny Leon, might be a familiar name to northern Ohio horse racing fans. Leon has also raced nearly 90 times on the track at the JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall, his racing profile states; he’s tallied five wins on that track.
Comic books: Comic book fans were out by the thousands on Saturday around Northeast Ohio to celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2022. Joshua Gunter has photos.
Ingenuity Fest: IngenuityFest will return Sept. 23-25, bringing more art and innovation to Cleveland’s entertainment offerings, reports Annie Nickoloff. Taking on the theme of “Expo: Innovation,” the fest will feature large-scale art displays, live music and other types of performances.
Black Vanguard: “The New Black Vanguard” exhibit made its debut at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Friday with an opening-night gala that gave guests a chance to show off their own style. Dave Petkiewicz has photos of the gala honoring the exhibition, which examines Black fashion photography and design in the U.S., Europe and Africa.
House of the week: For 44 years, Cleveland’s only daily Polish newspaper was published and printed at 1017 Fairfield Ave. in the Tremont neighborhood. Joey Morona reports the historic, 3,800-square-foot property is now on the market, providing a unique opportunity for a prospective buyer looking for a distinctive and functional live-work space, with a price of $675,000.