When Donald Trump announced JD Vance as his running mate, he didn’t mention any of Vance’s government accomplishments. That could be because when Vance entered the U.S. Senate in 2023, he had never before held political office. He has little legislative history for voters to gauge his interests and effectiveness. But Vance has introduced more bills than the average freshman Senator in the minority party: 34 vs. 18. Vance sought rail safety improvements and health monitoring after a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, cosponsored a funding bill for Great Lakes restoration programs, and sought an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Act, which helped households access low-cost internet services. He also introduced bills to ban “X” gendered passports, dismantle federal DEI programs and make it a federal felony to provide “gender-affirming care” to minors. Said one political scientist, Vance is more “show horse” than “work horse.” — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, speaks with members of the media in February at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press file photo) |
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JD Vance: Passing legislation through the U.S. Senate can take years. Scoring political points there takes a few minutes. Ohio’s JD Vance has had way more success with the latter than the former in less than two years as a U.S. Senator, reports Sabrina Eaton. The Cincinnati Republican hasn’t passed any of his standalone legislation since taking office in 2023, but his use of the institution’s bully pulpit to excoriate Democratic President Joe Biden and extoll GOP candidate Donald Trump made Vance the vice presidential running mate for Trump. Eaton lists 13 of Vance’s legislative plans. Youth sports: How realistic is it that a student-athlete will be offered an athletic scholarship by a college, any college, in their chosen sport? About 7% of high school athletes go on to make a college team, reports Zachary Smith. Even among this select group, many don’t receive athletic scholarships, in large part because there are no athletic scholarships at the NCAA Division III level. Electricity prices: The PJM Interconnection and its role in our everyday lives isn’t something most electric customers think about. But because of a quirk in the system called capacity auctions, Clevelanders are likely to see noticeable increases in the price they pay for electricity, perhaps as much as 25%. Sean McDonnell reports it’s a capacity issue. Today in Ohio: Dr. Amy Acton, a mainstay of the early COVID-19 pandemic with Gov. Mike DeWine, is considering a run for governor in 2026. We’re talking about the hope Acton could bring to Ohio on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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DNC influencer: In 2018, John Russell was a central Ohio farmer who unsuccessfully ran for Congress. But today, he’ll be speaking at the Democratic National Convention, thanks to thousands of followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social-media platforms. Jeremy Pelzer reports Russell's speech is expected to center on “energizing young voters and encouraging their participation in the electoral process.” Cincy mayor: Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval got a moment – though not much more than that – in the national spotlight Wednesday, speaking at the Democratic National Convention about the Biden Administration’s efforts to fund public-works projects, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Recreational marijuana: Ohio dispensaries rang up $10.9 million in recreational marijuana sales in the second week it’s been on shelves, reports Laura Hancock. Sales for Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 were slightly lower than the first five days of sales, when Ohio adults purchased $11.6 million worth of recreational marijuana products. Pension help: A pension plan that covers more than 800 Northeast Ohio newspaper drivers is getting $31.6 million from the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. so it can pay full benefits to retirees. Sabrina Eaton reports the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. announced Friday that it approved an application submitted to the Special Financial Assistance Program by the Retirement Benefit Plan of the Newspaper and Magazine Drivers, Chauffeurs and Handlers Union Local 473. |
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Mayoral race: Former state Sen. Nina Turner said Wednesday she’s been approached about challenging Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb next year. And Turner isn’t the only one open to a 2025 mayoral run -- Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin also says he’s not ruling out the idea, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Medical examiner: The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office is among the first to respond to a death scene, but its investigation goes beyond an autopsy, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The office is offering residents a peek into how it operates through its citizens academy, a 10-week course exploring forensic pathology, toxicology, trace evidence, fingerprints and an autopsy demonstration. Summer camp: Cliff Pinckard learned the nuances of increasingly popular pickleball while taking introductory lessons offered in July by the Concord Township Recreation Department in Lake County, as part of our Summer Camp for Grown-ups series. About 36.5 million Americans now play the sport, an increase of 224% during the past three years. Fairmount cornice: After a huge decorative piece of the upper facade of the Heights Medical Building at Cedar-Fairmount in Cleveland Heights crashed to the sidewalk, businesses inside the building are regrouping, reports Alex Darus. The building dates back to 1911. Homeless shelter: Starting in September, some residents of Cuyahoga County’s homeless shelter for women will be temporarily relocating outside of downtown Cleveland, while the existing shelter is renovated, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Crankshaft storyline: “Crankshaft” is no stranger to serious. Tom Batiuk’s humorous and pithy comic strip has covered subjects such as adult illiteracy, Alzheimer’s disease and school violence in extended story arcs. Joey Morona reports that in a new series premiering Aug. 26 in over 300 newspapers, including The Plain Dealer, the strip is tackling the increasingly common and politicized trend of banning books. Teacher fired: A Lake Catholic High School teacher is accused of having inappropriate relationships with students, according to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Scott Posey, the music director and former director of performing arts, was fired after an investigation into the allegations. |
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Drive-thru dispensary: CERTIFIED Dispensary in South Euclid will have both medical and recreational cannabis, and it will be the first in Greater Cleveland to sell it through a drive-thru, reports Zachary Smith. Cedar Point: Cedar Point welcomed more than 4 million guests in 2023, making it the 12th most visited amusement park in the country, reports Susan Glaser. It was the most popular park that isn’t in Florida or California, and the most popular park that isn’t open year-round, according to the 2023 Theme Index, an annual report on the state of the industry. Nighttown: Nighttown, the longtime Cleveland Heights restaurant and bar, is closing Sunday, reports Marc Bona. The classic Irish pub-restaurant hosted a variety of jazz acts over the years and also was home to the Press Club of Cleveland. Clinic sleep: A new sleep disorder clinic launched recently in Cleveland Clinic’s Lutheran Hospital, aimed at providing relief for the local Hispanic community. Megan Sims reports that more than half of people in the national Hispanic community get less than seven hours of sleep each night. |
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Hulk Hogan: Hulk Hogan’s trip to a Medina Township bar began as a way to peddle his new beer. It ended with a woman getting nine stitches after being hit in the head by a beer can, reports Lucas Daprile. At about 5:30 p.m. Monday, a woman ran out of the Thirsty Cowboy, where the retired professional wrestler was promoting his Real American Beer. The woman told a township police officer that her mother had been struck in the head by a beer thrown from the stage and was bleeding. Police misconduct: A former Cleveland investigator who spent more than a decade probing police misconduct has sued the city and his former boss, claiming he was passed over for a promotion for a less-qualified candidate, then forced out of the job. John Tucker reports that David Hammons, a former investigator with the city’s Office of Professional Standards, alleges racial discrimination, retaliation and harassment. Road rage: A jury on Wednesday began deliberations in the trial of a Cleveland man who said he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a motorist after a road rage incident. John Tucker reports Amarion Sanders, 22, is facing aggravated murder charges in the killing of 39-year-old Derek Driskill. |
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Rooftop patio: By next summer, beer drinkers will get a new perspective on the West Side Market. That’s because Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood is adding a rooftop patio that looks onto the market hall and clock tower, Paris Wolfe reports. Alice Cooper: With a career that has spanned over five decades, Alice Cooper has mesmerized audiences with theatrical live performances, unforgettable hits and a persona that integrates horror and humor. Peter Chakerian catches up with the 76-year-old preacher’s-son-turned-rock-legend at a tour stop in Denver, Colorado. |
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Fire at Lake County home sends 2 people to hospital Read more Firefighters battle blaze at home in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood Read more Beachwood council continues to explore street lighting options, may try solar pilot program Read more Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park receives $3.8 million gift for Towpath Trail Read more Lake Erie College to host Fall into Health Fair Read more Court denies motions filed by Orange resident who opposes rezoning of New Song Church property Read more North Ridgeville Schools facing bus driver shortage Read more Cuyahoga County hosts ‘Tax Talk Tour’ in Maple Heights amid rising property values Read more |
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