STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
Gun control: A bipartisan group of 20 U.S. Senators, including Ohio Republican Rob Portman, on Sunday announced an agreement on legislation aimed at keeping guns out of the hands people who might use them for violent purposes. Sabrina Eaton reports the deal would enhance background checks for buyers under age 21 and provide major funding to help states pass and implement crisis intervention orders known as red flag laws that allow law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from people who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Peterson campaign: The Rev. Niel Petersen, a Dayton-area pastor, is seeking to launch an independent campaign for Ohio governor this year, running on a conservative platform critical of many of Gov. Mike DeWine’s coronavirus policies. Jeremy Pelzer reports it’s still unclear whether Petersen will make this year’s ballot or what his candidacy would mean for the race.
Stand by: It was in Cleveland that then-President Donald Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.” Sabrina Eaton reports that might have laid the groundwork for an attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol.
Rental assistance: Some Cuyahoga County landlords say they’re growing impatient waiting for millions of dollars in rental assistance payments promised but not received, but CHN Housing Partners assures the money is coming. County Council approved $45.5 million in new federal funding to help keep tenants in their homes and as soon as that money is received, CHN is ready to start cutting checks, reports Kaitlin Durbin.
Jan. 6: Members of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol on Thursday called the riot an “attempted coup” by former President Donald Trump and said he devised a “sophisticated seven-part plan” to overturn the 2020 election and stop the peaceful transfer of power by spreading lies about election fraud. Sabrina Eaton lays out the first prime-time hearing and what’s to come.
Campaign finance: Republican Gov. Mike DeWine received $2 million in campaign donations over the past three months, giving him $7 million to use in his re-election bid this November. In general, Andrew Tobias reports, Republican candidates for statewide office generally will have a huge cash advantage heading into the general election in November.
Student spending: Ohio ranks 20th in the nation for money spent per pupil in public elementary, middle, and high schools, reports Zachary Smith. According to the U.S. Census, Ohio spent $13,805 per public school student in 2020. This is a 2% increase from 2019, when Ohio also ranked 20th.
METRO
Euclid Beach: The historic Euclid Beach arch will be restored and moved into the Metroparks as part of Cleveland’s $54 million capital budget, reports Courtney Astolfi. Mayor Justin Bibb intends to use $54 million in bond proceeds for 25 or so specific projects, plus dozens of other routine annual tasks, such as fixing roofs on city-owned buildings, replacing damaged playground equipment and repairing tree-damaged sidewalks.
Summit broadband: Summit County plans to create a $35 million broadband network meant to improve internet speeds for first responders and local governments, reports Lucas Daprile. If approved, the network, dubbed Summit Connects, will consist of a 125-mile “fiberoptic cable ring” that connects the county and its 31 municipal governments to ultra high-speed internet.
Irishtown Bend: The Port of Cleveland board of directors has voted unanimously to approve a settlement involving the acquisition of a key piece of Irishtown Bend as part of a project to stabilize the hillside and eventually create a large public park overlooking the Flats. Megan Sims reports a deal was reached with Mortgage Investment Group LLC, which has owned the lot since 2018.
Deadly explosion: Two men and a woman were killed Saturday in a home explosion in Garfield Heights, according to investigators with the Division of State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Bureau. The cause of the fire remains unknown, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Colors+: Kids lead the programming at Colors+, an LGTBQ nonprofit that serves kids in nine Northeast Ohio counties, reports Brenda Cain. The group now offers drop-in nights for LGBTQ+ kids, as well as trans and gender+ youth, inclusive sexual health classes, art therapy, a clothing affirmation program and drag programming – as well as family counseling and support groups.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Vaccines: Moderna said it will seek authorization for an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to protect against omicron subvariants. The pharmaceutical company called the updated vaccine its “lead candidate” for a fall booster, reports Julie Washington.
County colors: The CDC has dropped Cuyahoga and Mahoning counties from high to medium COVID-19 transmission, reports Julie Washington. Lorain County dropped from high to low COVID-19 transmission in the latest map.
BUSINESS
Seattle-bound: Alaska Airlines said ticket sales for the carrier’s new Cleveland-to-Seattle flights “are outpacing our expectations.” Susan Glaser reports Thursday marks the first time Clevelanders will be able to fly nonstop, year-round to Seattle since 2014. Cleveland Hopkins officials have been working for years to bring the route back.
Food prices: As the purse strings tighten with every trip to the grocery store, it’s hard to imagine how food prices have increased so drastically over such a short period of time, especially since the beginning of the pandemic saw some food items' prices stagnate or decrease. Kitchen staples like eggs, vegetables, fruit, meat, milk, and bread have all seen drastic increases since the beginning of the year, reports Zachary Smith. Eggs have jumped 31% in price since 2020.
CRIME & COURTS
Settlement: Cleveland will pay $750,000 to settle a lawsuit with the family of Thomas Yatsko, who was fatally shot by a Cleveland police officer outside a University Circle bowling alley in 2018. Adam Ferrise reports Sgt. Dean Graziolli was working as a security guard for the now-defunct Corner Alley Bar at the time of the shooting and retired in October 2020 after 28 years as a police officer.
Akron beating: Three men wanted for the fatal beating of an Akron teen were arrested Saturday, Olivia Mitchell reports. Deshawn Stafford, 20, Tyler Stafford, 19, and Donovon Jones, 21, all of Akron, are charged with murder and felonious assault in the fatal beating of Ethan Liming, 17, outside of the I Promise School in Akron on June 2, according to authorities.
Officer attacked: A man is accused of attacking an off-duty Cleveland police officer who was trying to stop him from robbing a Parma CVS last weekend, reports Kaylee Remington.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Deshaun Watson: The Browns are still all in on quarterback Deshaun Watson despite new civil suits and allegations, and aren’t looking to void his NFL-record, fully guaranteed $230 million contract or the trade with the Texans, reports Mary Kay Cabot. The Browns do have typical club protection in the five-year deal — and extra protection as first reported in April by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk — that would enable them to void the contract in the event actions take place after it was signed, or actions from beforehand that come to light that would prevent him from fulfilling his duties.
House of the Week: A 2019-built townhome in Duck Island in Cleveland has three bedrooms and five bathrooms in just under 2,500 square feet, reports Joey Morona. The asking price is $850,000, with 12 years of tax abatement remaining.
