Happy Fourth of July! We’ve nearly reached the hot holiday weekend, that red, white and blue high point of summer embodied by bike parades, barbecues and backyard fireworks. Ohio allows possessing and setting off fireworks on certain holidays, but individual cities can ban the devices. And most in populated Cuyahoga County have. A few where you can legally set off firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and fountains include Brooklyn, Fairview Park and Maple Heights. Just be careful. Every year, Independence Day results in a spike in heat-related illness, gun violence, runaway pets and firework-related injuries and fires. Enjoy a safe holiday! We’ll be back on Monday. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Guardians at Chicago Cubs: Guardians drop sixth straight in 5-4 loss to Cubs Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny and warmer |
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A 2022 law made it legal for adults to discharge consumer fireworks — including bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers — on private property with the owner's permission on specific holidays. Larger grade 1.3G fireworks are still banned for consumer use. (Getty Images) |
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Fireworks: Residents across Northeast Ohio planning their backyard celebrations this Fourth of July must also navigate a maze of consumer-grade fireworks laws created by a 2022 change in state law. The shift in decades of state policy left it up to officials in each city to weigh the desires of some residents to put on their own fireworks displays against the safety and noise concerns that often come with lighting the small-grade explosives in cities and towns, reports Hannah Drown. Special Olympics: Cleveland has moved a big step closer to landing the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games, reports Marc Bona. The Special Olympics North America site-selection committee has recommended Cleveland host the Special Olympics Games, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced to supporters Wednesday. Today in Ohio: The $60 billion Ohio budget grants a $1 billion tax cut to the state’s wealthiest residents. It also eliminates a guaranteed funding mechanism for libraries, allocates $20 million to a responsible fatherhood campaign and formally sets as state policy that only two sexes — male and female — are recognized. We’re talking about what’s in the massive spending plan on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Fundraising record: Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, highlights his record-breaking fundraising of $9.7 million in just four months. Jeremy Pelzer reports that Ramaswamy raised the money from over 40,000 donors and has driven other GOP rivals from the race. Sin tax: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is refusing to embrace a new state budget provision allowing a sin tax increase for sports venue maintenance. Today in Ohio discusses how Ronayne wants collections quadrupled and objects to state mandates, but critics argue he's being petulant and potentially harming taxpayers. Abortion rights: Ohio lawmakers introduced House Bill 370, which would grant legal personhood to embryos from fertilization, potentially challenging the state's recent constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. The Today in Ohio podcast hosts say the bill represents another attempt to circumvent voter-approved reproductive rights. Budget issues: Today in Ohio analyzes the state budget, criticizing its numerous constitutional violations despite Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's 57 pages of vetoes. The podcast hosts argue the budget disproportionately benefits wealthy individuals while potentially harming average Ohioans. |
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Holiday travel: Ohio highway officials project this afternoon as the busiest travel time for the Fourth of July weekend, with Rich Exner reporting that 3.1 million Ohioans will be driving. Travelers can expect lighter traffic Friday and Saturday, with reduced work zones on interstate highways. Casino money: Cleveland City Council is seeking to change rules for spending casino tax revenue. Sean McDonnell reports the proposed policy would expand eligible expenses and allow small contracts to be paid upfront, addressing longstanding complaints about fund usage. Boating tragedy: Authorities report a 65-year-old man died when a boat capsized in Lake Erie near Avon Lake, with emergency crews pulling his body from underneath the overturned vessel about a mile offshore. Fatal fire: Authorities are investigating a fatal fire in Lorain that killed Oscar Rios Roman, Lucas Daprile reports. |
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Health Scholars: University Hospitals celebrated a decade of its Health Scholars program, the initiative that inspires middle and high school students to explore medical careers. Julie Washington reports the program provides mentorship, clinical experiences and supports students' future healthcare aspirations. Balance work: A Cleveland balance center helps patients improve mobility and reduce fall risks, Julie Washington reports. Real estate sales: Two assisted living communities fetched the highest price tags for commercial real estate sales in Cuyahoga County in May, Megan Sims reports. |
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Body identified: George Cox Jr., a 32-year-old Cleveland man who was reported missing last fall, was found dead in the Huron River in Erie County, with his body discovered wrapped in a bedsheet and bound with marine rope. Lucas Daprile reports that officials identified Cox using DNA evidence and the investigation remains active. Rape charges: A 19-year-old Cleveland man has been indicted on nearly 40 felony counts after he was accused of kidnapping and raping a mother and daughter in East Cleveland, David Gambino reports. Prosecutors say Doyral Wynn Jr. held the victims at gunpoint, sexually assaulted them, and was linked to multiple shootings. Shooting arrests: Three suspects have been arrested and accused of fatally shooting a 15-year-old in Akron, Olivia Mitchell reports. Akron police and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Jaiden Trone, 18, and two teenage boys, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, in connection with the slaying of Javion Fort. Gun smuggling: A Warrensville Heights man is accused of smuggling more than 50 guns to the Ivory Coast, Adam Ferrise reports. Koffi Taregue hid the weapons in shipments of regular household items and sent them to a second person charged, Bile Assemian, and others in the West African country, according to federal prosecutors. Victim identified: Authorities have identified a woman who was shot to death Saturday in the city’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. Olivia Mitchell reports Janae Winnick, 46, of Cleveland, and a 15-year-old teenage girl were shot about 3:40 p.m. in the 6700 block of Schaefer Avenue. |
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Heart of Akron: Akron celebrates its 200th anniversary with the Heart of Akron Festival, featuring eight local bands performing over three days at Lock 3 Park. Malcolm X Abram reports on the musical lineup that includes genres from jazz to punk, with fireworks each evening. Dessert spots: Cleveland offers a variety of top-rated dessert locations, with Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian detailing the nine best spots according to Yelp. 'Chorus Line': Beck Center for the Arts will stage the Tony Award-winning "A Chorus Line" from July 11 through Aug. 10, celebrating the musical's 50th anniversary. John Benson reports that director Christopher Chase Carter highlights the production's significance for college students, offering them a professional theater experience while showcasing the talents of a 24-actor cast. CLE Pops: The Cleveland Pops Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 concert season, featuring seven diverse performances ranging from a holiday concert to tributes to film composers. Paris Wolfe reports the season includes special subscriber benefits and performances at Severance Music Center and Playhouse Square. Negro League art: Cleveland Institute of Art student Nicole Alvarez's exhibition at the Baseball Heritage Museum celebrates the Cleveland Buckeyes' 1945 Negro League championship. Peter Chakerian highlights the vibrant paintings capturing the team's history. Bastille dining: The Judith café in Cleveland will host a Bastille Day feast on July 13, offering a family-style French dinner with oysters, sardines and unique dishes. Alex Darus writes that the $80 event will feature live music and a public gathering after the ticketed dinner. 'Handle with Care': Great Lakes Science Center is opening a new 2,000-square-foot exhibit called "Handle with Care" for children ages 8 and younger, focusing on STEM learning and empathy development. Paris Wolfe reports the exhibit will replace the Polymer Funhouse and emphasize interactive, educational play. Living history: Greenfield Village offers a living history museum experience spanning 80 acres, featuring historic buildings from the Wright brothers, Thomas Edison, and soon a Civil Rights-era home. Susan Glaser writes about the immersive historical attraction near Detroit. |
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Solon Schools taps homegrown leaders to guide middle school students Read more Solon speech and debate teams earn national recognition in Iowa Read more Fraternity selects Woodmere mayor to lead voter education and mobilization efforts Read more Lakewood teen vies for Duck Tape scholarship with medieval suit of armor Read more Moen reverses flow, announces intentions to keep North Olmsted R&D center open Read more Construction continues on Fairview Park’s Gemini Center natatorium Read more Broadview Heights council approves scaled-down fire station Read more |
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