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Ohio political blogger found guilty for sending naked Shrek image

D.J. Byrnes committed telecommunications harassment when he sent image to state senator, a jury ruled.

Politics

A jury in Willoughby found Ohio Statehouse political blogger D.J. Byrnes guilty of telecommunications harassment Friday for sending a sexually explicit image of Shrek to state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland).Why it matters: The defense failed to persuade the jury that Byrnes&#x27; texts, which mocked Cirino for failing to secure the Ohio Senate presidency, are protected under the First Amendment.

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

Cleveland's Winton Motor Carriage Co. was a pioneer of America's fledgling auto industry.

News

One of the most significant remnants of Cleveland&#x27;s early automotive history has been saved from demolition.Why it matters: Before Detroit became synonymous with cars, Cleveland was a center of America&#x27;s fledgling auto industry — and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winton Motor Carriage Co." data-vars-click-url="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" data-vars-content-id="dad115e0-4477-4c04-8dab-1b4927f03059" data-vars-headline="How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" target="_blank">Winton Motor Carriage Co.</a> was one of its pioneers.

Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image

D.J. Byrnes faces a criminal charge in a case testing the boundaries of political speech.

Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes is on trial for texting a state senator an explicit image of the cartoon character Shrek.Why it matters: The case has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attracted national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" data-vars-content-id="edfbe4c2-475a-43d7-9b82-1dc0a426dd27" data-vars-headline="Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" target="_blank">attracted national attention</a> from free speech advocates who argue that even vulgar criticism of elected officials is protected by the First Amendment.

The Who's loud, legendary "Tommy" concerts in Cleveland

The Who brought "Tommy" to Cleveland twice during its celebrated 1969-70 tour.

Music

A touring production of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Who&#x27;s Tommy&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/the-whos-tommy" data-vars-content-id="bdbbbc17-bdf7-4507-8542-0c4a08b9f524" data-vars-headline="The Who&#x27;s loud, legendary &quot;Tommy&quot; concerts in Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/the-whos-tommy" target="_blank">&quot;The Who&#x27;s Tommy&quot;</a> opens at Playhouse Square&#x27;s Connor Palace this week.Why it matters: Long before &quot;Tommy&quot; became a Broadway musical, Clevelanders experienced The Who&#x27;s rock opera the way it was originally intended: very, very loud.

Spirit Halloween haunts Cleveland's retail graveyard

Northeast Ohio Spirit stores have been everything from an Old Navy to a Forever 21 .

Business

Spirit Halloween is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haunting the shells" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="74bf3ce3-b3cd-42d9-b27f-6c2206ed8251" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween haunts Cleveland&#x27;s retail graveyard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self">haunting the shells</a> of former big-box stores again this fall as it opens 1,500 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locations" data-vars-click-url="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="74bf3ce3-b3cd-42d9-b27f-6c2206ed8251" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween haunts Cleveland&#x27;s retail graveyard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" target="_blank">locations</a> nationwide, including around 20 in Northeast Ohio.The big picture: The stores appear and vanish each fall, so finding this year&#x27;s Spirit often means relaying directions with neighbors in retail shorthand: &quot;Where the old Party City used to be.&quot;

Cleveland startup is fighting fire with sound

And it just raised $15 million to scale up its tech.

A Cleveland startup has raised $15 million to scale up a NASA-inspired technology that fights fire with inaudible sound.Why it matters: Sonic Fire Tech is developing fire suppression systems that look <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="almost like magic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLZ3yLeYIgk" data-vars-content-id="b2709939-44be-4926-9d3c-9a652871e9df" data-vars-headline="Cleveland startup is fighting fire with sound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLZ3yLeYIgk" target="_blank">almost like magic</a>. <ul><li>They use no water or chemicals to extinguish flames, with potential applications in homes, industrial facilities and forests.</li></ul>

Trump tariffs take $11 billion toll on Ohio

Ohio's estimated tariff tab amounts to about $2,274 per household.

Ohio has shouldered an estimated $11 billion in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="bbe1f414-0c9a-41b6-a005-3e46b15f9a17" data-vars-headline="Trump tariffs take $11 billion toll on Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">tariff</a> costs from President Trump&#x27;s trade actions since the start of 2025, the ninth-highest state.Why it matters: Ohio&#x27;s auto-heavy economy has put the state among those facing billions of dollars in tariff costs.

Federal audit blasts Ohio manufacturing program

A Commerce Department watchdog questioned $20.9 million in costs statewide, including millions by Cleveland-based MAGNET

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scathing federal audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oig.doc.gov/wp-content/OIGPublications/OIG-26-025-A_Final-Report-SECURED.pdf" data-vars-content-id="1d50d155-3c30-4376-aa1f-3ee4d3bb070b" data-vars-headline="Federal audit blasts Ohio manufacturing program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oig.doc.gov/wp-content/OIGPublications/OIG-26-025-A_Final-Report-SECURED.pdf" target="_blank">scathing federal audit</a> accuses Ohio development officials and manufacturing nonprofits of mismanaging millions of taxpayer dollars intended to help small and midsized manufacturers.Why it matters: The findings threaten the future of Ohio&#x27;s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). <ul><li>It&#x27;s a decades-old state and federal initiative whose Northeast Ohio affiliate, MAGNET, has already lost millions in funding under the Trump administration and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="laid off nearly half its staff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.advancedmanufacturing.org/states-of-the-industry/ohio/ohio-s-magnet-lays-off-half-its-staff-amid-funding-freeze/article_d741b34d-4568-4f21-ae4f-0e05284ccbf4.html" data-vars-content-id="1d50d155-3c30-4376-aa1f-3ee4d3bb070b" data-vars-headline="Federal audit blasts Ohio manufacturing program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.advancedmanufacturing.org/states-of-the-industry/ohio/ohio-s-magnet-lays-off-half-its-staff-amid-funding-freeze/article_d741b34d-4568-4f21-ae4f-0e05284ccbf4.html" target="_blank">laid off nearly half its staff</a> earlier this year.</li></ul>

Two Cleveland-area labor fights to watch

Workers at Lutheran Hospital and GE HealthCare are working toward contracts.

While a library <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/29/cleveland-library-workers-strike-date-seiu" data-vars-content-id="37284439-6088-47a0-8636-75b512542124" data-vars-headline="Two Cleveland-area labor fights to watch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/29/cleveland-library-workers-strike-date-seiu" target="_self">strike</a> has been forestalled for now, caregivers at Cleveland Clinic&#x27;s Lutheran Hospital are hoping a new contract will prevent their own walkout.Driving the news: Roughly 200 SEIU 1199-represented caregivers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voted overwhelmingly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/union-caregivers-cleveland-clinic-lutheran-hospital-vote-authorize-strike-contract-negotiations/95-33f67405-9a38-4f71-b2e1-30640ef0de0b" data-vars-content-id="37284439-6088-47a0-8636-75b512542124" data-vars-headline="Two Cleveland-area labor fights to watch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/union-caregivers-cleveland-clinic-lutheran-hospital-vote-authorize-strike-contract-negotiations/95-33f67405-9a38-4f71-b2e1-30640ef0de0b" target="_blank">voted overwhelmingly</a> in July to authorize a strike after months of negotiations, with a target date of Sept. 11.

Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future

The two franchises are in different stages of a stadium transformation.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Browns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/14/browns-quarterback-preseason-bears-shedeur-sanders-deshaun-watson" data-vars-content-id="dcbd95d4-74d0-4693-98a8-4aa65001b470" data-vars-headline="Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/14/browns-quarterback-preseason-bears-shedeur-sanders-deshaun-watson" target="_self">Browns</a> host the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preseason clash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/preseason-game-1-browns-v-bills-cleveland-ohio-08-22-2026/event/0500646D9CED8530?landing=c" data-vars-content-id="dcbd95d4-74d0-4693-98a8-4aa65001b470" data-vars-headline="Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/preseason-game-1-browns-v-bills-cleveland-ohio-08-22-2026/event/0500646D9CED8530?landing=c" target="_blank">preseason clash</a> featuring two of the NFL&#x27;s most devoted fanbases — and two franchises in different stages of a stadium transformation.Why it matters: Buffalo&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Highmark Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49583212/buffalo-bills-fans-first-look-new-highmark-stadium-practice" data-vars-content-id="dcbd95d4-74d0-4693-98a8-4aa65001b470" data-vars-headline="Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49583212/buffalo-bills-fans-first-look-new-highmark-stadium-practice" target="_blank">Highmark Stadium</a> offers Browns fans an early look at the opportunities (and trade-offs) that could come when Cleveland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaves the lakefront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/02/browns-brook-park-stadium-200-million-cost" data-vars-content-id="dcbd95d4-74d0-4693-98a8-4aa65001b470" data-vars-headline="Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/02/browns-brook-park-stadium-200-million-cost" target="_self">leaves the lakefront</a> for Brook Park in 2029.

Flashback: Forbes' "Under 30" era in Ohio

The state spent three years hosting the influential summit founded by recently ousted Forbes editor Randall Lane.

Ohio spent three years courting young entrepreneurs celebrated by Forbes&#x27; influential &quot;30 Under 30&quot; list, whose creator was fired last month for an ethical breach at the publication.State of play: The &quot;Under 30&quot; franchise was the signature creation of Randall Lane, Forbes&#x27; chief content officer who received a $6 million payment from the founder of a company that does business with Forbes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The New York Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/business/forbes-editor-fired.html" data-vars-content-id="d90c0e9b-05b8-405e-8197-2033a94237e8" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Forbes&#x27; &quot;Under 30&quot; era in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/business/forbes-editor-fired.html" target="_blank">The New York Times reports</a>.

Buc-ee's trademark fights could put Northeast Ohio stores on notice

The hyper-popular chain of mega-travel centers is planning to open a location in Mansfield.

Attention Northeast Ohio gas stations and convenience stores: If you have a logo that features a cartoon animal and the color red, you may want to call your lawyer.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://buc-ees.com/" data-vars-content-id="6823f074-062c-4707-8149-5e403246f81c" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s trademark fights could put Northeast Ohio stores on notice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://buc-ees.com/" target="_blank">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a>, the hyper-popular chain of mega-travel centers, is planning to open a location in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mansfield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/mansfield-city-council-unanimously-approves-plans-for-new-bucees-travel-center/530-941a6a29-9b6b-4d04-8172-041167c5150b" data-vars-content-id="6823f074-062c-4707-8149-5e403246f81c" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s trademark fights could put Northeast Ohio stores on notice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/mansfield-city-council-unanimously-approves-plans-for-new-bucees-travel-center/530-941a6a29-9b6b-4d04-8172-041167c5150b" target="_blank">Mansfield</a> in 2028.

Cleveland unemployment drops again

The low, declining figure is under the national rate and suggests its labor market remains solid.

Cleveland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unemployment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" data-vars-content-id="9ea3b549-46fa-4ba9-b566-04b9670ab512" data-vars-headline="Cleveland unemployment drops again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" target="_self">unemployment</a> rate edged lower in June in tandem with the national rate, dropping the metro area&#x27;s jobless rate to a seasonally adjusted 3.3%, new federal data shows.Why it matters: While nearly half of the country&#x27;s cities and metro areas tracked in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jobs report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" data-vars-content-id="9ea3b549-46fa-4ba9-b566-04b9670ab512" data-vars-headline="Cleveland unemployment drops again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" target="_blank">jobs report</a> posted higher unemployment rates, Cleveland&#x27;s low, declining figure suggests its labor market remains solid.

A bar chart showing the most common previous tenants in retail spaces that now host Spirit Halloween stores. The chart shows the 10 most common former tenants nationally, led by Joann (153 stores), Big Lots (103) and Party City (100). Local stores are also included. 

Spirit Halloween stores: What they used to be

Data: Axios analysis of Spirit Halloween store locator; Chart: Brad Jennings/Axios

Business 🏦

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

Spirit Halloween haunts Cleveland's retail graveyard

Ohio wants to embrace AI — now it needs workers to buy in

GE Aerospace bets big on Ohio's aviation future

Cleveland startup is fighting fire with sound