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Shakira, on her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, to Billboard Español.

Count Shakira among those who were surprised by her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination last month.

What they're saying: "I had to double-check, and then I just felt really grateful," she said last week.

"It's not something you expect. I'm so over the moon with my fans who've been supporting me for 30 years already, and they continue to accompany me and to make things like these that sound almost impossible happen."

The big picture: Shakira has been eligible for the Rock Hall since 2016 but received her first nomination this year.

She is the first native Colombian to be nominated and would be the first female inductee to hail from Latin America.

What's next: The class of 2026 will be announced next month.

Shakira surprised by Rock Hall nomination

She is the first native Colombian to be nominated for induction.

Female performer on stage with long, wavy hair blowing to the right, wearing a yellow-to-red crocheted dress, holding a microphone in her right hand against a dark background.

Shakira performs at the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella

<blockquote>&quot;I thought someone was joking with me.&quot; </blockquote><cite>— Shakira, on her Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame nomination, to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Billboard Español" data-vars-click-url="https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/shakira-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nomination-2026-1236201642/" data-vars-content-id="010932c9-de11-4707-a19a-6b58944d1484" data-vars-headline="Shakira surprised by Rock Hall nomination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/shakira-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nomination-2026-1236201642/" target="_blank">Billboard Español</a>.</cite>Count Shakira among those who were surprised by her Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nomination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/25/rock-hall-2026-nominees-ballot" data-vars-content-id="010932c9-de11-4707-a19a-6b58944d1484" data-vars-headline="Shakira surprised by Rock Hall nomination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/25/rock-hall-2026-nominees-ballot" target="_self">nomination</a> last month.

Music

Few artists in recent memory have embraced their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination as much as New Edition.

The intrigue: Each member of the group — Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant — has feverishly promoted the Rock Hall's Fan Vote on social media.

The Boston-born R&B act currently leads the annual poll by a solid margin over the likes of Phil Collins, P!NK and Luther Vandross.

What they're saying: "It's one of those bucket list things," Tresvant tells Axios.

"It's rare that all of the members in a group are still here to witness this happening. It'd be a blessing to stand up there all together for an honor like that."

Reality check: Winning the Fan Vote by no means guarantees induction.

The top seven vote-getters constitute a single "fan ballot" added to a pool of more than 1,200 voters.

Yes, but: Just the nomination caps an incredible six months for New Edition, a group that dominated the 1980s and became the archetype for the modern boy band.

State of play: Last year, the city of Boston declared Aug. 30 "New Edition Day." Boston renamed a portion of the street in the Roxbury neighborhood, where most of the members grew up, "New Edition Way."

The group even named its current tour "The New Edition Way." The trek stopped in Cleveland a few days before this year's Rock Hall nominees were revealed.

What's next: The members say they'll continue to promote the Rock Hall nomination and keep their fingers crossed for when the class of 2026 is announced next month.

"Some things come with patience," Bivins says. "The focus is on us now, and it feels just like it's our time."

New Edition is hoping for its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moment

The Boston-born R&B act currently leads the Rock Hall's Fan Vote by a solid margin.

Six men in black overcoats and sunglasses stand in a diagonal line against a dark, radiant backdrop; one wears a knit cap; they pose confidently with rings and necklaces.

The members of New Edition. Photo: Courtesy of Tre Media

Few artists in recent memory have embraced their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/25/rock-hall-2026-nominees-ballot" data-vars-content-id="7c325f17-894e-438a-ae87-62ba0b720f10" data-vars-headline="New Edition is hoping for its Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/25/rock-hall-2026-nominees-ballot" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> nomination as much as New Edition.The intrigue: Each member of the group — Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant — has feverishly promoted the Rock Hall&#x27;s Fan Vote on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/newedition/" data-vars-content-id="7c325f17-894e-438a-ae87-62ba0b720f10" data-vars-headline="New Edition is hoping for its Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/newedition/" target="_blank">social media</a>.

News

Culture

The war with Iran continues to drive one of the sharpest gas price surges in recent history, including in the Cleveland area.

Why it matters: Gas prices are approaching $4 per gallon, meaning a tank that might have taken $40-$45 to fill last month might cost over $60 this week.

Driving the news: Metro Cleveland was averaging about $3.86 as of Tuesday for regular gas, a month after it had averaged $2.84, per AAA.

The statewide average was $3.83 as of Tuesday, while the national average was $3.98.

Flashback: We're a far cry from early January, when Cleveland gas prices were at their lowest point in three years.

Zoom in: Prices vary significantly depending on your location in the Cleveland area, per GasBuddy, which crowdsources prices.

On Tuesday morning, gas was reported as $3.49 at the Gas USA station on West 177th Street and $3.29 at the EXBO location on Bellaire Avenue.

At the other end of the spectrum was the Shell location on Carnegie Avenue and the busy BP station across from Progressive Field, both priced at $4.09.

Yes, but: At least we aren't in parts of California, where prices have surpassed $6.

What they're saying: The White House insists prices will fall rapidly once Trump's military objectives in Iran are achieved.

"President Trump has been clear that these are short-term disruptions. Ultimately, once the Iranian regime is neutralized, oil and gas prices will drop rapidly again, potentially even lower than before the strikes" began, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement.

The other side: Some analysts say it could take weeks to months for prices to ease, even after the war begins to wind down. That could keep gas prices elevated into the summer.

Cleveland eyes $4 gas — ouch

The war with Iran is driving one of the sharpest gas price surges in recent history.

Illustration of a center hung scoreboard showing gas prices instead of game scores.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios; Photo: Getty Images

The war with Iran continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" data-vars-content-id="a59bd772-eb44-4307-9071-a12a34230eb3" data-vars-headline="Cleveland eyes $4 gas — ouch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" target="_self">drive</a> one of the sharpest gas price surges in recent history, including in the Cleveland area.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/09/cleveland-gas-prices-iran-strikes" data-vars-content-id="a59bd772-eb44-4307-9071-a12a34230eb3" data-vars-headline="Cleveland eyes $4 gas — ouch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/09/cleveland-gas-prices-iran-strikes" target="_self">Gas prices</a> are approaching $4 per gallon, meaning a tank that might have taken $40-$45 to fill last month might cost over $60 this week.

Money

Chicago

Axios Chicago

Clevelanders will rally Saturday alongside millions of Americans in a new wave of "No Kings" protests.

Why it matters: Thousands are expected to take to the streets to denounce the Trump administration's policies, from ICE's growing presence to concerns about the Iran war and its effect on gas prices.

The big picture: Organizers expect the nationwide demonstrations to surpass last year's No Kings rallies in June and October.

More than 3,000 events are planned nationwide.

Zoom in: The most prominent local rally will take place at 1pm at the Free Stamp in Willard Park on East Ninth Street and Lakeside Avenue.

More than 20 other protests will take place throughout Northeast Ohio at various locations, from Avon Lake to Ashtabula, extending to Cuyahoga Falls and Canton.

Flashback: Last October's protest at Willard Park drew approximately 15,000 people, according to organizers, including appearances by Mayor Justin Bibb and U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Cleveland).

Members of grassroots organization Mobilize the Vote NEO have continued to hold similar protests each Wednesday, weather permitting, at East Ninth Street and Lakeside Avenue.

Zoom out: The Twin Cities, which have been at the center of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign, will host the flagship No Kings rally.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen are scheduled to perform or speak at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

What they're saying: Cleveland organizer Ellen Brown said in a statement these events "celebrate our democracy and our constitution."

"[These rallies] demonstrate that We the People support an immediate end to foreign wars, ICE's terror tactics, the administration's unconstitutional power grab, covering up evidence of crimes against children and government for billionaires."

Anti-Trump "No Kings" protest in Cleveland: What to know

Organizers expect more attendees than last year's rallies.

A group of protesters holding signs with messages like "No Kings" and "No Kings America"Behind the protestors are x's and o's with arrows

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP, David McNew, Daniel Knighton, and Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images

Clevelanders will rally Saturday alongside millions of Americans in a new wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;No Kings&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="d99283f2-575a-49d3-8ffb-7a4b3c303264" data-vars-headline="Anti-Trump &quot;No Kings&quot; protest in Cleveland: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">&quot;No Kings&quot;</a> protests.Why it matters: Thousands are expected to take to the streets to denounce the Trump administration&#x27;s policies, from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/02/hundreds-rally-against-ice-in-downtown-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="d99283f2-575a-49d3-8ffb-7a4b3c303264" data-vars-headline="Anti-Trump &quot;No Kings&quot; protest in Cleveland: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/02/hundreds-rally-against-ice-in-downtown-cleveland" target="_self">ICE&#x27;s</a> growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="presence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/23/ice-agents-hopkins-cleveland-international-airport-trump" data-vars-content-id="d99283f2-575a-49d3-8ffb-7a4b3c303264" data-vars-headline="Anti-Trump &quot;No Kings&quot; protest in Cleveland: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/23/ice-agents-hopkins-cleveland-international-airport-trump" target="_self">presence</a> to concerns about the Iran war and its effect on gas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/25/gas-4-dollars-cleveland-iran-war" data-vars-content-id="d99283f2-575a-49d3-8ffb-7a4b3c303264" data-vars-headline="Anti-Trump &quot;No Kings&quot; protest in Cleveland: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/25/gas-4-dollars-cleveland-iran-war" target="_self">prices</a>.

Politics

Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella company for the Cavaliers and Rocket Arena, has delivered one of the better April Fools' Day jokes in recent memory.

Driving the news: On Wednesday, the company mock-unveiled the proposed name for Cleveland's new WNBA franchise — the Ohio Wolverines.

State of laughs: Not only does the team feature the same nickname as the Ohio State rival Michigan Wolverines, but it also has the exact same color scheme.

Dark navy background with large yellow OHIO above WOLVERINES; a yellow basketball arc sits over the text, and a small yellow wolverine mascot with a white cap appears below.

Photo: Courtesy of Rock Entertainment Group

What they're saying: In the spirit of April Fools, Allison Howard, Cleveland WNBA president of business operations, poured fuel on the fire.

"With all the polarization in politics and elsewhere in our country, we believe that ending a long-standing rivalry between Ohio and Michigan, which dates back many years, will serve as a great example of how people of different backgrounds and communities can come together despite a long history of conflict," she said in a statement.

Between the lines: A press release also urges Detroit to name its recently awarded WNBA franchise the "Michigan Buckeyes."

Fans are jokingly encouraged to purchase merchandise via "ohiowolverines.com," which doesn't actually exist, using the code APRILFOOLS.

What's next: Cleveland's WNBA franchise will make its debut in 2028.

No word yet on an actual name, but they could revive the "Cleveland Rockers" — one of the WNBA's original eight teams that played from 1997 to 2003 at Gund Arena.

Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools' Day joke for the ages

The people behind Cleveland's new WNBA team decided to have some fun with fans.

Red vertical banner with a white silhouette of a jumping basketball player dunking, and the letters CLE at the bottom.

Cleveland's new WNBA franchise will debut in 2028. Photo: Brian Kolin/NBAE via Getty Images

Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella company for the Cavaliers and Rocket Arena, has delivered one of the better April Fools&#x27; Day jokes in recent memory.Driving the news: On Wednesday, the company mock-unveiled the proposed name for Cleveland&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA franchise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/30/wnba-franchise-launch-2028-rockers-ohio" data-vars-content-id="db97384a-8a4d-4d0e-9d1b-45f2a8650bd6" data-vars-headline="Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools&#x27; Day joke for the ages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/30/wnba-franchise-launch-2028-rockers-ohio" target="_self">WNBA franchise</a> — the Ohio Wolverines.State of laughs: Not only does the team feature the same nickname as the Ohio State rival Michigan Wolverines, but it also has the exact same color scheme.<figure><img alt="Dark navy background with large yellow OHIO above WOLVERINES; a yellow basketball arc sits over the text, and a small yellow wolverine mascot with a white cap appears below." height="972" id="6561c38b-145a-4d13-9e61-02fc65cf195d" src="https://images.axios.com/JdTVuVVR3KwIU4IjUxFpAErYDRg=/2026/04/01/1775052412515.png" width="1500"/><figcaption>Photo: Courtesy of Rock Entertainment Group</figcaption></figure>What they&#x27;re saying: In the spirit of April Fools, Allison Howard, Cleveland WNBA president of business operations, poured fuel on the fire.<ul><li>&quot;With all the polarization in politics and elsewhere in our country, we believe that ending a long-standing rivalry between Ohio and Michigan, which dates back many years, will serve as a great example of how people of different backgrounds and communities can come together despite a long history of conflict,&quot; she said in a statement.</li></ul>Between the lines: A press release also urges Detroit to name its recently awarded WNBA franchise the &quot;Michigan Buckeyes.&quot;<ul><li>Fans are jokingly encouraged to purchase merchandise via &quot;ohiowolverines.com,&quot; which doesn&#x27;t actually exist, using the code APRILFOOLS.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Cleveland&#x27;s WNBA franchise will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make its debut" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" data-vars-content-id="db97384a-8a4d-4d0e-9d1b-45f2a8650bd6" data-vars-headline="Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools&#x27; Day joke for the ages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" target="_self">make its debut</a> in 2028.<ul><li>No word yet on an actual name, but they could revive the &quot;Cleveland Rockers&quot; — one of the WNBA&#x27;s original eight teams that played from 1997 to 2003 at Gund Arena.</li></ul>

Troy Smith

Featured stories

Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools' Day joke for the ages

Anti-Trump "No Kings" protest in Cleveland: What to know

New Edition is hoping for its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moment

Cleveland eyes $4 gas — ouch

Shakira surprised by Rock Hall nomination