At the beginning of February, our newsroom started getting emails. Constituents couldn’t reach their U.S. senators to voice their opinions on President Trump’s appointees and other matters. Voicemails were full or calls were cut off. “I have been trying to contact his office for a week,” one reader said about new U.S. Sen. Jon Husted. Constituents didn’t want to send emails, they said. They were afraid they wouldn’t be read. Turns out a massive volume of phone calls broke the Senate phone system. A notice said the Senate was “actively working to expand its server capacity to better handle extremely high call volumes.” Husted still might not answer your calls, since his office is still staffing up after his appointment by Gov. Mike DeWine. As for U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, who had two months to get his office in order, “ignored constituents” say they’re holding a protest today outside Moreno’s downtown Cleveland office. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Tina Husted puts the Senate pin on the jacket of her husband, Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, following a ceremonial swearing-in last month at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Rod Lamkey Jr., Associated Press file photo) |
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Husted office: In the U.S. Senate, newly elected Senators typically get several weeks after the election to put together a legislative and constituent service team - generally numbering between 30 and 40 staffers, reports Sabrina Eaton. But new Sen. Jon Husted started work without a single aide. By the end of last week, he had hired four people to help him juggle the responsibilities of his new job. ACLU: Northeast Ohio school districts and the ACLU of Ohio are considering how to protect students in an era of increased immigration enforcement, reports Laura Hancock. Though there have been no reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entering schools across the country, they are reviewing policies, sending letters to reassure concerned parents and working to understand when they must allow immigration agents into buildings. Downtown cleanup: For the past seven years, private businesses in downtown Cleveland have paid millions of dollars a year to help Downtown Cleveland Inc. clean up streets and run safety patrols, but now they’re saying they can’t afford it and don’t want to keep paying. Kaitlin Durbin reports the nonprofit is asking Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to join the district for the first time to help tip the scales in favor of renewal. Today in Ohio: Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel is Gov. Mike DeWine’s pick for lieutenant governor. On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, we’re talking about his qualifications, from beloved Buckeyes coach to state university president to state government. |
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Issue 2: The Ohio Ballot Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve ballot language for state Issue 2, which would provide billions of dollars for local government projects. Laura Hancock reports the bipartisan board led by Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose signed off on the language describing the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to issue $2.5 billion in state bonds over the next 10 years. Charging stations: Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration has embraced federal funding to install new electric-vehicle charging stations along highways around Ohio, erecting nearly a third of the 58 stations set up nationwide so far with the money. But Jeremy Pelzer reports it’s now unclear whether Ohio will build any more of the federally funded charging stations as President Donald Trump’s administration has directed all states to halt any new spending of the money, offered in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build a nationwide EV charging network. Canadian reaction: Canada has zero interest in being annexed as the 51st state, writes Laura Johnston. The threats are igniting Canadian patriotism and making consumers want to stop buying American. Sanctuary cities: Lawmakers are clashing over immigration and whether to defund Ohio’s “sanctuary cities,” reports Anna Staver. Republicans have introduced legislation to take away local government funds and homeland security dollars from local governments and police forces that ignore requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kindergarten readiness: A report shows fewer Ohio kindergarteners demonstrated readiness for school in the 2023-24 school year compared to 2020-21, before the coronavirus pandemic, reports Laura Hancock. The report reveals that the percentage of children demonstrating kindergarten readiness fell from 41.9% in 2020-21 to 36.5% in 2023-24. Stadium funding: Gov. Mike DeWine is open to giving the Browns the $600 million they want from the state to help build a new suburban stadium. But he doesn’t want to use state-backed bonds to do it, Jeremy Pelzer reports. He said the state should use cash to cover its share of those projects, citing ballooning interest costs from repaying the debt over time. Chinese programs: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce has introduced legislation that would block K-12 public schools from accepting money or entering contracts with the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party, and individuals tied to them, and would require schools to tell the Department of Education about any foreign funding or contracts they have. The “Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act” the South Russell Republican introduced with U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, a Salem Republican, is a reaction to the Chinese government’s “Confucius Classrooms” program, reports Sabrina Eaton. |
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Police commission: The membership overhaul of Cleveland’s dysfunctional Community Police Commission started in earnest Monday night with City Council voting to add seven new members to the civilian board that has broad authority over police discipline and policies. Sean McDonnell reports the vote leaves two of Mayor Justin Bibb’s nominees off the commission, meaning that the CPC still has more vacancies to fill. Hungarian garden: When you are a member of one of the largest ethnic populations in Cleveland during the founding of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, you are likely to be one of the first let into the collection. Zachary Smith reports this was the case for the Hungarian Cultural Garden, which was part of a 1934 ordinance that also established the Czech, Polish and Yugoslav gardens. Bird population: There are fewer birds in our Ohio yards and parks, writes Lois Rose. One reason for this is climate change, which can cause a mismatch between birds and their foods. |
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Flu levels: Ohio is among 19 U.S. states reporting high respiratory virus activity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Julie Washington reports that across the country, flu-related outpatient visits have surged to their highest levels since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, and the number of influenza-related emergency department visits are very high. True Value: True Value Hardware is closing its Westlake facility and preparing to lay off dozens of employees, months after it was bought by hardware wholesale competitor Do It Best Corp. Megan Sims reports that a notice sent to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services showed that 82 employees are facing layoffs at the 400,000-square-foot distribution facility on First Street, just north of Interstate 90. |
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Ruled competent: Bionca Ellis, the woman accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy in North Olmsted in June, is now competent to stand trial following inpatient treatment at a psychiatric clinic, David Gambino reports. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo announced the determination in court on Tuesday and scheduled Ellis’ trial for July 14. Police lawsuit: Bay Village police on Tuesday released body camera footage from a 2023 encounter that led to a lawsuit that accused an officer of permanently injuring a surgeon. Lucas Daprile reports the video of the Dec. 18, 2023, incident doesn’t clearly show the moments when officer Carlos Velez tackled Jerold Gurley in front of his home, shortly after Gurley’s son attempted to take his own life. His son died two days later. 3-year-old murdered: Two men were found guilty Tuesday of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 3-year-old Luis Diaz, reports David Gambino. At least five bullets struck a car in the driveway where Diaz sat with his mother and 11-month-old brother. Murder charge: A Cleveland man is accused of killing a 39-year-old woman and leaving her body in a car. Corey Sanders, 41, of Cleveland, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Briekethia Pruitt. Cleveland police arrested him on Monday, Olivia Mitchell reports. Suspect arrested: A 34-year-old man was arrested late Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 10-year-old in Cleveland’s Corlett neighborhood, Olivia Mitchell reports. Cleveland police say Jeffrey Grant, 34, fatally shot Kaden Coleman. |
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Ask Yadi: What should you do if your spouse is in the middle of their family conflict? When should you jump in? Yadi Rodriguez writes family dynamics are tough and just reassure your spouse that if they ever need you that you would be right there by their side. Papa Nick’s: Papa Nick’s, located on Cleveland’s West Side, has permanently closed its doors after more than 40 years in business, reports Alex Darus. 'White Lotus': On the third season of "The White Lotus," Emmy-winning showrunner Mike White shifts the focus to self-discovery, examining the inner conflicts people face as they strive for personal growth while trying to keep their base instincts at bay, reports Joey Morona. Romantic scores: The Cinematic Symphony Orchestra is bringing Hollywood’s most romantic cinema moments to life Saturday with “Love is in the Air: Romantic Movies in Concert,” a program of iconic film scores at the Maltz Performing Arts Center at Case Western Reserve University, reports Peter Chakerian. Good Pizza: Good Pizza, led by YouTube sensation turned full-time pizza chef Charlie Anderson, is the latest addition to downtown’s East Fourth Street, reports Alex Darus. Date night: Looking for a Valentine’s date night? Paris Wolfe reports the Cleveland Museum of Art has several options, from musical performances and a love-inspired art tour to a special meal and a comic opera exploring the emotional roller coaster of dating. Rib Cage: The Rib Cage Smokehouse and Bar permanently closed its location in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, but folks can still enjoy the brand’s style of smoked barbecue in Northeast Ohio, reports Alex Darus. NBA integration: The NBA integrated in 1950, when Earl Lloyd, a ninth-round pick of the Washington Capitols, took the court. It would take 18 more years for the league to put a Black referee on the court for a regular-season game, reports Marc Bona. It happened on Feb. 12, 1968, in Cleveland. Beard awards: For the last seven years, Jeremy Umansky and his wife Allie La Valle have owned Larder Delicatessen and Bakery in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood and earned a stack of nominations for James Beard Awards. Paris Wolfe reports that this year, Umansky is a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Great Lakes region category, which covers Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. And La Valle is a semifinalist in the bakery category. Club Room: Unless someone tells you, you may not realize the Fidelity Hotel has a dining facility. The Club Room restaurant and bar, which are accessed through the lobby, seat about 65 people. It’s a comfortable and intimate space with a casual elegance, reports Paris Wolfe. |
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See Cuyahoga County home sales, other property transfer details for January (searchable database) Read more Shaker Heights claims another $500,000 in forfeiture funds for police Read more Broadview Heights residents sound off about proposed new fire station Read more Broadview Heights may use $11.5 million in savings to build new fire station Read more Rocky River seeks public input on proposed trail project Read more Cleveland Heights empowers renters with new ordinance Read more Brecksville’s south side to get new Shell gas station Read more Orange High School pool remains closed after truck backs through window Read more Parents score win as Orange Schools agrees to create travel sports director role Read more |
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