Cleveland

blue

Axios Cleveland Partners

Cleveland Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Cleveland with Sam Allard and Troy Smith.

Axios Cleveland

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Cleveland.

Axios Cleveland Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Cleveland Members

Membership

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is adding Montreal to its roster of direct international connections. 

Why it matters: Direct flights mean faster trips, fewer headaches and fewer opportunities to lose luggage. 

Montreal, the so-called Paris of North America, is a bustling, cosmopolitan destination that could be a perfect summer getaway for Northeast Ohio travelers looking to scratch a European itch.

Driving the news: Air Canada will launch nonstop service Friday on a 76-seat regional jet. 

The flight will depart daily from CLE at 2:45pm and arrive in Montreal (YUL) at 4:23pm.

The return flight will depart YUL at 4:30pm, arriving at 6:11pm. 

The big picture: The new route builds on Cleveland's limited international portfolio, which is headlined by the Aer Lingus route to Dublin and also includes routes to Cancun, Punta Cana and Toronto.

It also strengthens ties to Air Canada's international network, connecting local travelers to additional destinations through its Montreal and Toronto hubs. 

💭 Sam's thought bubble: I visited Montreal in the dead of winter in 2019, and managed to have a blast in sub-zero temperatures. 

I'd love to go back to tour Habitat 67, the brutalist concrete apartment complex designed for the World's Fair in 1967.  

🏎️ Local Formula 1 fans, take note! Montreal hosts the Grand Prix of Canada May 22-24. 

The bottom line: It's time for all of us to brush up on our French. 

Cleveland Hopkins launches direct flight to Montreal

Daily service will connect Northeast Ohio travelers with more of Canada and more of the world

Air Canada jet on tarmac in front of glass building with Montreal on it. Overcast sky. 

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is adding Montreal to its roster of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="direct international connections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/05/map-nonstop-international-flights-cle" data-vars-content-id="132042c2-4743-4620-830f-bd602b146d3f" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins launches direct flight to Montreal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/05/map-nonstop-international-flights-cle" target="_self">direct international connections</a>. Why it matters: Direct flights mean faster trips, fewer headaches and fewer opportunities to lose luggage.

Travel

Ohio voters head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election featuring a host of local issues and one contested judicial race in Cuyahoga County.

Why it matters: Primaries can fly under the radar and often feature contests with little drama.

Yes, but: The Democratic primary race between incumbent Judge William Vodrey and challenger James Gallagher, an assistant county prosecutor, has plenty.

The intrigue: There are 13 Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judicial races, but Vodrey is the only incumbent to draw a challenger.

What they're saying: Vodrey told Ideastream that he believes he has been targeted by Prosecutor Michael O'Malley for his handling of the New Era Cleveland trial last summer — a high-profile embarrassment for O'Malley's team.

"I know the county prosecutor's office has been very displeased with some of my decisions," Vodrey said.

The other side: Lexi Bauer, a spokeswoman for O'Malley, called Ideastream's questions on the subject "nonsensical" in declining to comment.

Between the lines: Vodrey has received exclusively "excellent" ratings from legal groups featured on Judge4Yourself and won endorsements from the county Democratic Party and Cleveland.com.

His challenger has one big advantage — an Irish last name.

Zoom out: Elsewhere on the ballot, Cuyahoga County Council will welcome at least one new member this year, as District 11 Councilwoman Sunny Simon is vacating her seat to run for county judge.

Three Democratic challengers are vying for the Democratic nomination Tuesday. The winner will be heavily favored in the November general.

School districts in Independence, Lakewood, Parma, Solon and Strongsville will vote on levy issues for facilities and operations.

🗳️ Stop by: Polls are open 6:30am-7:30pm.

Voters can find their polling place or sample ballot via the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

1 race to watch in Tuesday's primary

A contested judicial race between Judge William Vodrey and assistant prosecutor James Gallagher stands out in a low-drama primary.

Illustration of a voting booth with a curtain shaped like a judge's robes

Ohio voters head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election featuring a host of local issues and one contested judicial race in Cuyahoga County.Why it matters: Primaries can fly under the radar and often feature contests with little drama.

Politics

👋 Sam here. The best thing I ate this week was a bacon cheeseburger from LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City.

State of play: The Minneapolis-based burger spot opened a full-service location at the Intro complex on the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street late last year.

It's in the space formerly occupied by Pioneer. 

What they're saying: "Le Burger is what happens when fine-dining chefs get nerdy about burgers," the restaurant told Cleveland Scene's Doug Trattner. 

🍔 What I ate: "Le Boeuf," a bacon cheeseburger topped with fried onions and jalapeños, and an order of the light and crispy "thrice-cooked" fries. 

My wife and I split the fried cheese curds as a starter. We've been on the hunt for this exact appetizer ever since Banter shuttered its Detroit-Shoreway location last year. 

By the numbers: Burgers are $13.50–$16.50, with one elevated option — "La Royale" — topped with foie gras and black truffle aioli, for $23.50. 

Fries are $6.50, and can be dressed up for an additional cost. 

Draft beers, from Miller Lite to Head Hunter, are $6. 

And the "4304" in the name? That's a nod to the restaurant's Minneapolis address. 

Vibe check: The wooden surfaces and outdoor decor of Pioneer have been replaced by white-washed minimalism, a significant downgrade, in my view.  

But the no-frills presentation — burgers and fries arrive on cafeteria trays, wrapped in festive wax paper — lets the food do the talking. 

Verdict: A burger this good is worth the slightly higher price point.

🏃‍♀️ Fun fact: LeBurger also hosts a popular Tuesday night run club — Run With the Winners — where participants enjoy post-run discounts. 

LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries

The Minneapolis-based elevated fast casual joint has transformed the former Pioneer space at Intro

Two photos on a pink backdrop: left shows a sesame-bun hamburger with onions on a white plate and a yellow tray; right shows a plate of fried bites with ranch dip, herbs, and a phone in view.

LeBurger's no frills presentation lets the food do the talking. Photos: Sam Allard/Axios

👋 Sam here. The best thing I ate this week was a bacon cheeseburger from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBurger 4304" data-vars-click-url="https://www.leburgercleveland.com/" data-vars-content-id="37251dfa-cd08-4b77-939d-b513b627acb8" data-vars-headline="LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.leburgercleveland.com/" target="_blank">LeBurger 4304</a> in Ohio City.State of play: The Minneapolis-based burger spot opened a full-service location at the Intro complex on the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street late last year.

Food and Drink

State of play: After Cleveland defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-3 in a knock-down, drag-out best-of-seven series, the Cavs now advance to the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive year.

Like the Raptors, Detroit is one of basketball's most formidable defensive teams, with physical big men and one of the game's top individual players in Cade Cunningham. 

The Pistons are coached by J.B. Bickerstaff, who was Cleveland's head coach from 2020 through 2024. 

How to watch: Three of the Cavs' first four games will air on Peacock, so it might be worth a temporary membership if you're not already a subscriber.

Game 1: 7pm Tuesday, May 5 (Peacock/NBCSN)

Game 2: 7pm Thursday, May 7 (Amazon Prime) 

Game 3: 3pm Saturday, May 9 (NBC/Peacock)

Zoom in: Jarrett Allen was the unexpected superstar from Game 7 — the first Cavs player ever to post a double-double in a single playoff quarter. 

The defensive intensity from Max Strus and Sam Merrill off the bench kept the Raptors from clawing back. 

🤙 Sam's pick: The battle-hardened Cavs will break through to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in the Donovan Mitchell era. 

Go deeper: For those considering a quick trip to Detroit for Games 1 or 2, check out the Axios Detroit weekend getaway guide. 

Cavs take on Pistons in Eastern Conference semis

Cleveland heads to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive year.

A basketball player in black jersey #31 with red "C" on front raises arm to slam basketball through hoop.

Jarrett Allen was a monster in Game 7. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Next stop: Detroit. State of play: After Cleveland defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-3 in a knock-down, drag-out best-of-seven series, the Cavs now advance to the NBA&#x27;s Eastern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive year.

Sports

The first women's professional soccer team in Northeast Ohio has a name.

Driving the news: The Cleveland Astra will be a founding club in the WPSL Pro league, Cleveland Soccer Group revealed Monday.

The team will play its first games in spring 2028 in a planned downtown soccer stadium.

What they're saying: "Athletes from Greater Cleveland are playing in NWSL, Super League and top-flight leagues across the globe," Gina Prodan Kelly, chief marketing officer for Cleveland Soccer Group, said in a statement.

"Our team was created to inspire, embolden and support women to achieve their greatest potential – on or off the pitch."

The big picture: The Astra is the sister team to the recently announced Forest City Cleveland men's team, which will begin play in the MLS NEXT Pro league in 2027.

Fans can purchase merchandise and put down a deposit for season tickets on the Cleveland Astra website.

Cleveland Astra: Name revealed for women's pro soccer team

Gold-bordered shield on a starry purple space background; white text reads "Cleveland Astra". A purple panel shows a howling wolf silhouette beneath a star.

Image: Courtesy of Cleveland Soccer Group

The first women&#x27;s professional soccer team in Northeast Ohio has a name.Driving the news: The Cleveland Astra will be a founding club in the WPSL Pro league, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Soccer Group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandprosoccer.com/about-csg" data-vars-content-id="c7cb45c6-9230-4f24-b787-9e378dce71c2" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Astra: Name revealed for women&#x27;s pro soccer team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandprosoccer.com/about-csg" target="_blank">Cleveland Soccer Group</a> revealed Monday.

Sam Allard

Featured stories

1 race to watch in Tuesday's primary

Cavs take on Pistons in Eastern Conference semis

Cleveland Astra: Name revealed for women's pro soccer team

Cleveland Hopkins launches direct flight to Montreal

LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries