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Recall effort launched against Mayor Justin Bibb

Activists cite spending and transparency concerns, but history is on Bibb's side.

Politics

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is facing a formal recall effort, though if history is any indication, he shouldn&#x27;t be sweating.Why it matters: Recall attempts are rare in the city of Cleveland and have never succeeded, but they can signal political dissatisfaction.

From Oberlin to CIFF: Dickler's "Big Bass" hooks a personal story

The documentary short screens April 14 and 15 at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

News

Filmmaker Drew Dickler&#x27;s short documentary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Big Bass&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/big-bass-2026/" data-vars-content-id="76bb56fe-fc5d-4dc1-8add-75e61b5ea1c7" data-vars-headline="From Oberlin to CIFF: Dickler&#x27;s &quot;Big Bass&quot; hooks a personal story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/big-bass-2026/" target="_blank">&quot;Big Bass&quot;</a> starts with a striking, yet hilarious declaration about her childhood — &quot;I was so gay, my parents took one look at me and named me Drew.&quot;State of play: &quot;Big Bass&quot; recounts a formative moment in Dickler&#x27;s youth, involving a large plastic fish and the gym teacher who changed her life.

Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide

Starred restaurants for the new Great Lakes region will be revealed in 2027.

The world&#x27;s preeminent food reviewer is adding Cleveland to its guide. Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s food scene continues to turn heads and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notch accolades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/31/vinnie-cimino-james-beard-finalist-2026-cordelia-rosy" data-vars-content-id="e861e0b9-fea7-48b9-8c31-a389fa5e1207" data-vars-headline="Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/31/vinnie-cimino-james-beard-finalist-2026-cordelia-rosy" target="_self">notch accolades</a>, and a Michelin star would fully legitimize it.

Yost calls for ending Ohio's death penalty moratorium

The state AG criticized a "mockery of the justice system" as critics sound the alarm on systemic risks.

Attorney General Dave Yost has made a strenuous case for Ohio to restart executions in his eighth and final <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="capital crimes report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Reports/Capital-Crimes-Annual-Reports/2025-Cap-Crimes-Annual-Report_WEB.aspx" data-vars-content-id="3e3b9a62-5768-4b0f-aca2-3faf428b4e88" data-vars-headline="Yost calls for ending Ohio&#x27;s death penalty moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Reports/Capital-Crimes-Annual-Reports/2025-Cap-Crimes-Annual-Report_WEB.aspx" target="_blank">capital crimes report</a>.Why it matters: Ohio hasn&#x27;t carried out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an execution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" data-vars-content-id="3e3b9a62-5768-4b0f-aca2-3faf428b4e88" data-vars-headline="Yost calls for ending Ohio&#x27;s death penalty moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" target="_self">an execution</a> since 2018, under a de facto moratorium by Gov. Mike DeWine tied largely to the state&#x27;s inability to secure lethal injection drugs.

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.

Business

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.

Music

​​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.

Ohio workers set for New Year's pay bump as minimum wage rises to $11

The state's minimum wage automatically increases each year by the rate of inflation.

Ohio is one of 19 states where workers are in line for a raise when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="minimum wage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/08/ohio-minimum-wage-gets-inflation-boost-some-want-higher" data-vars-content-id="0d87e2ff-a20a-4e69-9c2a-66adc28e5cbc" data-vars-headline="Ohio workers set for New Year&#x27;s pay bump as minimum wage rises to $11" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/08/ohio-minimum-wage-gets-inflation-boost-some-want-higher" target="_self">minimum wage</a> increases take effect on New Year&#x27;s Day.Why it matters: Beyond those earning minimum wage, these increases often push employers to raise salaries for workers higher up on the income ladder.

Report: Ohio is a hotspot in dollar store overcharging scandal

A new Guardian investigation shows chronic price mismatches at Dollar General and Family Dollar.

A sweeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Guardian investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/customers-pay-more-rising-dollar-store-costs" data-vars-content-id="8619ac0e-2986-415d-b048-fef7d7cf5e3a" data-vars-headline="Report: Ohio is a hotspot in dollar store overcharging scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/customers-pay-more-rising-dollar-store-costs" target="_blank">Guardian investigation</a> has found Dollar General and Family Dollar frequently overcharge shoppers, with thousands of failed price-accuracy inspections nationwide. Why it matters: These chains market themselves as lifelines in low-income neighborhoods and rural towns where few other retail options exist.

Cuffs in Chagrin Falls among country's 50 best clothing stores

The family-owned boutique is the only privately operated Hermés location in North America and NYT recommends it.

The New York Times has dubbed Cuffs Clothing Co. in Chagrin Falls one of the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="50 best clothing stores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/30/style/best-clothes-stores-us.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share" data-vars-content-id="32c9071f-2567-4b1e-97f8-e62475d2ee77" data-vars-headline="Cuffs in Chagrin Falls among country&#x27;s 50 best clothing stores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/30/style/best-clothes-stores-us.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share" target="_blank">50 best clothing stores</a>. State of play: The upscale boutique is located in an Italianate townhouse in downtown Chagrin (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="18 E. Orange St" data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/maps/place/18+E+Orange+St,+Chagrin+Falls,+OH+44022/@41.4320083,-81.391654,19.26z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88311b2e8c089d23:0x7e6e22a0a64b69de!8m2!3d41.4324064!4d-81.3918186!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4dlp1f?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" data-vars-content-id="32c9071f-2567-4b1e-97f8-e62475d2ee77" data-vars-headline="Cuffs in Chagrin Falls among country&#x27;s 50 best clothing stores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/18+E+Orange+St,+Chagrin+Falls,+OH+44022/@41.4320083,-81.391654,19.26z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88311b2e8c089d23:0x7e6e22a0a64b69de!8m2!3d41.4324064!4d-81.3918186!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4dlp1f?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" target="_blank">18 E. Orange St</a>) and is home to the only privately operated location of Hermès in North America.

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.

States suing to break up Live Nation/Ticketmaster

Data: Axios reporting; Map: Axios Visuals

Axios Columbus

The O.H.I.O. Fund puts its money where its mantra is

Columbus

Axios Detroit

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the estimated value of IEEPA tariffs paid by state from February through December 2025. A grand total of $125.8b is estimated to have been paid, with $26.2b coming from California and $11.4b from Texas.

Business 🏦

Ohio among states refusing to let Live Nation off the hook

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

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

The O.H.I.O. Fund puts its money where its mantra is

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