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Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint

The May 22 concert at Rocket Arena is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

Music

Bruce Springsteen heads to Cleveland on Friday at yet another political inflection point.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concert at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" data-vars-content-id="ccc3928c-f516-4087-b51c-bb452d240b17" data-vars-headline="Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" target="_blank">concert at Rocket Arena</a> is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, with the anti-Trump rallying cry &quot;No Kings&quot; splattered across promotional posters.

Cleveland's Flock fight heads to city council

Bibb won't bypass lawmakers this time on the controversial license plate reader contract.

News

After pressure from Cleveland City Council members and activists, Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday said the administration would seek council approval for an extension of the city&#x27;s contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> for automated license plate readers.Why it matters: Bibb has drawn the ire of the council — especially the vocal safety committee chair, Mike Polensek — for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" target="_blank">extending contracts</a> through the city&#x27;s Board of Control, sidestepping council approval.

Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings

The Forest City continues to earn high marks for access and amenities, but hurt by below-average acreage

Environment

Cleveland has slipped from No. 30 to No. 31 in the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s ParkScore rankings. The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="a9bc4f57-fafa-4e4d-8fdc-3128adafe04d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Past ceremonies have featured guests including Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney.

One of the best parts of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn&#x27;t resist making our picks for who might show up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">class of 2026</a> on Nov. 14 in L.A.<ul><li>There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A LOT of inductees" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" target="_blank">A LOT of inductees</a> this year, so we&#x27;re only picking presenters for the honorees in the &quot;Performer&quot; category.</li></ul>

Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom

A Kent business owner says beef costs are up over 15% this year.

Business

U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beef" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/darden-beef-prices-steakhouses-longhorn" data-vars-content-id="5ab06216-a62b-4284-9dd1-be1864c05ac6" data-vars-headline="Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/darden-beef-prices-steakhouses-longhorn" target="_self">beef</a> supplies are shrinking, imports are rising and prices are stuck near record highs — with little relief in sight.Why it matters: The all-American hamburger is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming a luxury item" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/beef-prices-2025-cpi-inflation" data-vars-content-id="5ab06216-a62b-4284-9dd1-be1864c05ac6" data-vars-headline="Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/beef-prices-2025-cpi-inflation" target="_self">becoming a luxury item</a>, nudging consumers toward cheaper proteins like chicken and pork.

Cornhole, snowplows and other conferences coming this summer

Since the Huntington Convention Center expansion in 2024, Cleveland's summer conference scene has been booming.

Cleveland will welcome the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Cornhole League" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iplaycornhole.com/2526-open-cleveland#" data-vars-content-id="886451e1-0eb7-417e-ae0a-139945ae70f1" data-vars-headline="Cornhole, snowplows and other conferences coming this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iplaycornhole.com/2526-open-cleveland#" target="_blank">American Cornhole League</a> to the Huntington Convention Center this weekend for a signature event with $150,000 in prizes. Next week, nearly 2,000 public works professional will descend upon the convention center for the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North American Snow Conference," data-vars-click-url="https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/" data-vars-content-id="886451e1-0eb7-417e-ae0a-139945ae70f1" data-vars-headline="Cornhole, snowplows and other conferences coming this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apwa.org/events/north-american-snow-conference/" target="_blank">North American Snow Conference,</a>&quot; to learn about the latest in snow and ice management.

Ohio's shifting legal marijuana landscape

A new state law tightened rules on THC products and public use, but court rulings are already complicating enforcement.

Politics

It&#x27;s been exactly one month since Ohio&#x27;s legislature significantly altered the state&#x27;s marijuana rules, and recent legal challenges point to a rocky road of implementation.Why it matters: Senate Bill 56 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rolled back parts" data-vars-click-url="https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2026-01/Ohio%20reforms_SB56%20and%20Issue%202_January%208%202026_final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="35b447de-f80a-412d-9113-3a6bf7a7cc6b" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s shifting legal marijuana landscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2026-01/Ohio%20reforms_SB56%20and%20Issue%202_January%208%202026_final.pdf" target="_blank">rolled back parts</a> of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voter-approved Issue 2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/06/06/legalized-marijuana-ohio" data-vars-content-id="35b447de-f80a-412d-9113-3a6bf7a7cc6b" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s shifting legal marijuana landscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/06/06/legalized-marijuana-ohio" target="_self">voter-approved Issue 2</a>, which legalized recreational marijuana use in 2023. It adds restrictions on what, where and how Ohioans can consume.

Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook

Attorney General Dave Yost has been critical of Live Nation's stranglehold on the concert industry.

Ohio is among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/live-nation-ticketmaster-state-antitrust" data-vars-content-id="d7537b03-05d0-4bd2-b272-d923b57a32ef" data-vars-headline="Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/live-nation-ticketmaster-state-antitrust" target="_self">the states</a> refusing to let Live Nation off the hook, despite the U.S. government reaching a tentative settlement in its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="antitrust lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/ticketmaster-live-nation-settlement" data-vars-content-id="d7537b03-05d0-4bd2-b272-d923b57a32ef" data-vars-headline="Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/ticketmaster-live-nation-settlement" target="_self">antitrust lawsuit</a> against the concert titan last week.Why it matters: Live Nation has long been the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dominant concert force" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/02/new-amphitheater-live-nation-aeg" data-vars-content-id="d7537b03-05d0-4bd2-b272-d923b57a32ef" data-vars-headline="Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/02/new-amphitheater-live-nation-aeg" target="_self">dominant concert force</a> in Northeast Ohio, operating venues like Blossom Music Center, House of Blues and the recently proposed amphitheater along downtown&#x27;s riverfront.

End of an era: Saks Fifth Avenue to close at Beachwood Place

The parent company is closing 24 Saks and Nieman Marcus locations as it restructures in bankruptcy.

Saks Fifth Avenue is closing its Beachwood Place store as part of a nationwide pullback and company-wide restructuring.Why it matters: Saks has been a retail anchor in the Eastern suburbs since 1978, when Beachwood Place opened with Saks and Higbee&#x27;s as its flagship department stores.

Cleveland's concert scene faces shake-up as Live Nation expands downtown

Live Nation will operate a new, outdoor amphitheater similar to the AEG-run Jacobs Pavilion.

​​The fierce competition between the country&#x27;s two largest concert promoters is about to take center stage in Cleveland.Why it matters: Live Nation and AEG&#x27;s growing presence raises Northeast Ohio&#x27;s national concert profile, but could cause collateral damage in a saturated market where smaller, independent venues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are struggling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/12/11/cleveland-live-stages-niva-independent-music" data-vars-content-id="75581b17-7890-48cf-a138-70bacf589c31" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s concert scene faces shake-up as Live Nation expands downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/12/11/cleveland-live-stages-niva-independent-music" target="_self">are struggling</a>.

Supreme Court voids tariffs, leaving $4.2 billion question for Ohio

No one has any idea just yet who will get that money or when they might see it.

With the Supreme Court striking down many of President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="65539070-e056-4751-bb39-180b857a77c0" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court voids tariffs, leaving $4.2 billion question for Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">tariffs</a>, the question in Ohio and around the country is who — if anyone — gets the money back.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trade Partnership Worldwide" data-vars-click-url="https://tradepartnership.com/" data-vars-content-id="65539070-e056-4751-bb39-180b857a77c0" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court voids tariffs, leaving $4.2 billion question for Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tradepartnership.com/" target="_blank">Trade Partnership Worldwide</a> estimates $126 billion is at stake.

Cleveland might host a Super Bowl before the Browns play in one

The last nine NFL stadiums to be built have each hosted a Super Bowl.

Sports

Cleveland has hosted major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sporting events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/03/21/tourism-events-2024-eclipse-final-four" data-vars-content-id="00512de5-bf19-4e87-9182-a6573723f9fb" data-vars-headline="Cleveland might host a Super Bowl before the Browns play in one" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/03/21/tourism-events-2024-eclipse-final-four" target="_self">sporting events</a> like the Women&#x27;s Final Four and NBA All-Star Game, but what about a Super Bowl?Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Chamber of Commerce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uschamber.com/economy/how-the-super-bowl-creates-economic-impact-across-the-country" data-vars-content-id="00512de5-bf19-4e87-9182-a6573723f9fb" data-vars-headline="Cleveland might host a Super Bowl before the Browns play in one" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uschamber.com/economy/how-the-super-bowl-creates-economic-impact-across-the-country" target="_blank">U.S. Chamber of Commerce</a> estimates the big game could draw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="150,000 visitors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uschamber.com/economy/welcome-to-the-super-bowl-brought-to-you-by-american-business" data-vars-content-id="00512de5-bf19-4e87-9182-a6573723f9fb" data-vars-headline="Cleveland might host a Super Bowl before the Browns play in one" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uschamber.com/economy/welcome-to-the-super-bowl-brought-to-you-by-american-business" target="_blank">150,000 visitors</a> to a region and inject anywhere from a few hundred million to over a billion dollars into its local economy.

Meet Buddy, the killer unicorn that stole Sundance

The horror movie "Buddy" was produced by Cleveland's Low Spark Films.

One of the stars of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week&#x27;s Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/sundance-ends-utah-run-boulder-next" data-vars-content-id="a6ef6215-bca1-433c-a4df-9730d7cee551" data-vars-headline="Meet Buddy, the killer unicorn that stole Sundance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/sundance-ends-utah-run-boulder-next" target="_self">last week&#x27;s Sundance Film Festival</a> was an orange, humanoid unicorn that once called Cleveland home.State of play: &quot;Buddy,&quot; a horror movie shot in Cleveland last summer, made its debut with a sold-out screening on the festival&#x27;s opening night.

Northeast Ohio builds film momentum after "Superman" success

Since 2024, the region has attracted films with combined production budgets of $256.5 million.

How do you follow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the &quot;Superman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/09/superman-movie-northeast-ohio-film-release" data-vars-content-id="dfd1ffed-8b01-4c0f-8bb7-bf3950306fef" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio builds film momentum after &quot;Superman&quot; success" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/09/superman-movie-northeast-ohio-film-release" target="_self">the &quot;Superman</a>&quot; movie? It starts with a touch of &quot;Star Wars&quot; and &quot;Star Trek.&quot;Why it matters: The Greater Cleveland Film Commission aims to build on one of its biggest years yet by attracting more jobs, money and high-profile projects to Northeast Ohio.

Axios Columbus

Which Ohio cities collect the most weed taxes

Columbus

A bar chart that shows the top local recipients of marijuana excise taxes through February 2026. Columbus leads at $5.53 million, followed by Cincinnati at $2.97 million and Columbia Township at $1.82 million. Totals then fall to Dayton at $1.36 million and Lakewood at $888,898.96.

Top 10 marijuana excise tax recipients in Ohio

Data: Ohio Department of Taxation; Chart: Alissa Widman Neese/Axios

A U.S. map showing states suing to break up Live Nation/Ticketmaster. States are colored by attorney general party affiliation. The map shows 20 states + D.C. with a Democratic attorney general involved and seven with Republican AGs.

Business 🏦

Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom

Cornhole, snowplows and other conferences coming this summer

Ohio's shifting legal marijuana landscape

Which Ohio cities collect the most weed taxes

Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook