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

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 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.

Cavs go down 2-0 in Eastern Conference Finals

Cleveland looked exhausted in another second-half meltdown as New York seized control of the Eastern Conference Finals

Sports

What&#x27;s the opposite of a Cavalanche? State of play: The Cavs are now down 2-0 to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals after another demoralizing loss (109-93) Thursday night.

Cavs face major offseason decisions after playoff collapse

Cleveland put up an abysmal performance during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

News

The proverbial brooms were out at Rocket Arena last night as the New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers from the NBA playoffs.Why it matters: The Cavs&#x27; abysmal performance in their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Eastern Conference finals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/18/cavs-eastern-conference-finals" data-vars-content-id="31ddf97d-db78-4e6c-9b0b-e89ee6a7aff4" data-vars-headline="Cavs face major offseason decisions after playoff collapse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/18/cavs-eastern-conference-finals" target="_self">first Eastern Conference finals</a> appearance since 2018 proves the team is not yet a championship contender.

Cuyahoga County's air quality report card isn't pretty

The Cleveland metro area ranked No. 12 nationally for worst annual particle pollution.

Cuyahoga County failed every pollution test in the American Lung Association&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the Air" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" data-vars-content-id="525a021f-b23c-4bdb-87b0-8b8e362f11ef" data-vars-headline="Cuyahoga County&#x27;s air quality report card isn&#x27;t pretty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" target="_blank">State of the Air</a> report released this week.Why it matters: The county is home to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of thousands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/states/ohio/cuyahoga" data-vars-content-id="525a021f-b23c-4bdb-87b0-8b8e362f11ef" data-vars-headline="Cuyahoga County&#x27;s air quality report card isn&#x27;t pretty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/states/ohio/cuyahoga" target="_blank">hundreds of thousands</a> of residents who face a higher risk of pollution-related health problems.

Polar vortex to hit Northeast Ohio during holiday travel rush

Temperatures in Northeast Ohio have a 40%-50% chance of being below normal through Sunday.

The National Weather Service warns the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polar vortex" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/24/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-cold-polar-vortex" data-vars-content-id="ecb3e9b7-884e-46c0-8d4d-9488ad072faf" data-vars-headline="Polar vortex to hit Northeast Ohio during holiday travel rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/24/thanksgiving-weather-forecast-cold-polar-vortex" target="_self">polar vortex</a>&quot; could bring &quot;cooler than normal temperatures&quot; across the Midwest the rest of this week.Why it matters: Frigid temperatures are set to coincide with a record number of Americans expected to embark on Thanksgiving holiday travel.

Fall forecast: Cleveland likely facing warmer-than-usual season

Ohio has a 40-50% probability of above-average temperatures this season.

Climate

Don&#x27;t get those heavy coats out of the closet just yet: Ohio and most of the U.S. is probably in for a warmer-than-usual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/fall-foliage-when-peak-2025" data-vars-content-id="ea936e9a-94ca-4d71-857b-29de365eb5bf" data-vars-headline="Fall forecast: Cleveland likely facing warmer-than-usual season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/fall-foliage-when-peak-2025" target="_self">fall</a>.Why it matters: After an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unusually mild August" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41616372.8974/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGltYXRlLm9zdS5lZHUvbW9udGhseS1jbGltYXRlLXN1bW1hcnktYXVndXN0LTIwMjU_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9jb2x1bWJ1cyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB8e22b768" data-vars-content-id="ea936e9a-94ca-4d71-857b-29de365eb5bf" data-vars-headline="Fall forecast: Cleveland likely facing warmer-than-usual season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41616372.8974/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGltYXRlLm9zdS5lZHUvbW9udGhseS1jbGltYXRlLXN1bW1hcnktYXVndXN0LTIwMjU_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9jb2x1bWJ1cyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB8e22b768" target="_self">unusually mild August</a>, September has been hot and dry — and the National Weather Service&#x27;s seasonal temperature outlook tells us we could see more of the same.

Northeast Ohio to enjoy rare, cooler summer temperatures

Cleveland experiences an average of two more annual heat streaks now than in 1970.

Celebrate the stretch of cool summer weather over the next few days, as it&#x27;s become an anomaly this season.Why it matters: Cleveland is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many U.S. cities" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/40911668.5988/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDcvMzAvaGVhdC1zdHJlYWtzLWNsaW1hdGUtY2hhbmdlLWNpdGllcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2NvbHVtYnVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBbcf6e5fd" data-vars-content-id="5bc0470d-a5ab-4e23-94f3-3308ee0325a4" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio to enjoy rare, cooler summer temperatures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/40911668.5988/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDcvMzAvaGVhdC1zdHJlYWtzLWNsaW1hdGUtY2hhbmdlLWNpdGllcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2NvbHVtYnVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBbcf6e5fd" target="_self">many U.S. cities</a> experiencing an increasing number of multi-day heat streaks each year.

Northeast Ohio's heat wave continues this week

Heat index values — or "feels like" temperatures — are expected to exceed 100 degrees.

It is the first week of summer and with it comes a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major heat wave" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/40348886.113/aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWF0aGVyLmNvbS9mb3JlY2FzdC9yZWdpb25hbC9uZXdzLzIwMjUtMDYtMTYtaGVhdC13YXZlLW1pZHdlc3Qtbm9ydGhlYXN0LWp1bmUtbmV3LXlvcmstY2hpY2Fnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBd7294545" data-vars-content-id="af8fd840-b65b-411c-bc3f-47e343811c2c" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio&#x27;s heat wave continues this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/40348886.113/aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWF0aGVyLmNvbS9mb3JlY2FzdC9yZWdpb25hbC9uZXdzLzIwMjUtMDYtMTYtaGVhdC13YXZlLW1pZHdlc3Qtbm9ydGhlYXN0LWp1bmUtbmV3LXlvcmstY2hpY2Fnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBd7294545" target="_self">major heat wave</a>.Why it matters: Extreme heat is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top weather-related cause of death" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/40348886.113/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2NpZW50aWZpY2FtZXJpY2FuLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2V4dHJlbWUtaGVhdC1pcy1kZWFkbGllci10aGFuLWh1cnJpY2FuZXMtZmxvb2RzLWFuZC10b3JuYWRvZXMtY29tYmluZWQvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBd17ab637" data-vars-content-id="af8fd840-b65b-411c-bc3f-47e343811c2c" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio&#x27;s heat wave continues this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/40348886.113/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2NpZW50aWZpY2FtZXJpY2FuLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2V4dHJlbWUtaGVhdC1pcy1kZWFkbGllci10aGFuLWh1cnJpY2FuZXMtZmxvb2RzLWFuZC10b3JuYWRvZXMtY29tYmluZWQvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBd17ab637" target="_self">top weather-related cause of death</a> in the U.S. It&#x27;s especially dangerous for older adults, children and people with chronic medical conditions.

Cleveland summer nights are heating up

Cleveland's nights saw a 4.6°F increase between 1970-2024, per a new Climate Central report.

Summer evenings are getting warmer across much of the U.S., including Ohio, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/17/summer-nights-warmer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="c8989374-0a57-4a08-bae5-c7e95fc9b45b" data-vars-headline="Cleveland summer nights are heating up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/17/summer-nights-warmer-climate-change" target="_self">a new analysis shows</a>.Why it matters: Higher overnight temperatures can have health consequences for vulnerable groups, as well as increase demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air conditioning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" data-vars-content-id="c8989374-0a57-4a08-bae5-c7e95fc9b45b" data-vars-headline="Cleveland summer nights are heating up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" target="_self">air conditioning</a>.

It finally feels like summer in Northeast Ohio

This summer has a 33% chance of being hotter than average in most of Ohio.

Peak outdoor season is finally set to begin following weeks of spring weather that felt more like fall.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hotter summers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/earth-hottest-summer-globe" data-vars-content-id="2317ce7b-2410-4162-8fc6-c5a868940566" data-vars-headline="It finally feels like summer in Northeast Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/earth-hottest-summer-globe" target="_self">Hotter summers</a> are one of the most tangible ways we experience climate change, and Northeast Ohio is about to heat up this week.

Cleveland seeks to improve air quality at a critical time

The city ranks as the 9th-worst metro area for year-round particle air pollution, per a new report.

Cleveland ranks as the ninth-worst metro area for year-round particle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="3f6d7e16-77c8-4d55-9702-645cbbe0941d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland seeks to improve air quality at a critical time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">air pollution</a> in the American Lung Association&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 State of the Air report" data-vars-click-url="http://lung.org/sota" data-vars-content-id="3f6d7e16-77c8-4d55-9702-645cbbe0941d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland seeks to improve air quality at a critical time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://lung.org/sota" target="_blank">2025 State of the Air report</a>.Why it matters: The report arrives as the city seeks to raise its air quality standards for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Cleveland rainstorms are getting more intense amid climate change

Rainfall is falling harder and faster across the country, a new report finds.

Rainstorms are getting more intense in Cleveland and across the U.S. amid human-driven climate change, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: More intense precipitation events can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flash-flooding," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/climate-change-flood-risk-standards" data-vars-content-id="5bd35e3e-84f0-427f-a8fa-2d51a04aaf52" data-vars-headline="Cleveland rainstorms are getting more intense amid climate change" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/climate-change-flood-risk-standards" target="_self">flash-flooding,</a> landslides, dangerous driving conditions and other potentially deadly hazards.

Bibb and Illinois' Pritzker named co-chairs of climate coalition

The Cleveland mayor is building a resume as a sustainability leader.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have been named co-chairs of the national climate coalition <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America is All In" data-vars-click-url="https://www.americaisallin.com/about" data-vars-content-id="01e405cf-21e6-4530-9afb-791c6a9f828a" data-vars-headline="Bibb and Illinois&#x27; Pritzker named co-chairs of climate coalition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.americaisallin.com/about" target="_blank">America is All In</a>. Why it matters: Coming off his chairmanship of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Mayors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/08/19/justin-bibb-climate-mayors-evs" data-vars-content-id="01e405cf-21e6-4530-9afb-791c6a9f828a" data-vars-headline="Bibb and Illinois&#x27; Pritzker named co-chairs of climate coalition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/08/19/justin-bibb-climate-mayors-evs" target="_self">Climate Mayors</a>, Bibb continues to build his national profile and resume as a sustainability leader.

Axios Pittsburgh

Axios What's Next

🌡️ Winters are getting warmer

Winters are getting warmer in Northeast Ohio

A symbol map of the U.S. showing the change in average winter temperatures from 1970 to 2025. Burlington, Vt. leads at +8.1 °F, while a few places have cooled, including Eureka, Calif. (-1.3 °F).

Change in average winter temperatures from 1970 to 2025

🏖️ Feels like summer for longer

Cleveland summers have gotten nearly a week longer

A symbol map of the U.S. showing the change in the number of days with lingering summer temperatures in 2024 compared to 1970. Wheeling, W. Va. leads with 52 more days, while Myrtle Beach, S.C. has 11 fewer days.

Climate 🌿

Cuyahoga County's air quality report card isn't pretty

Winters are getting warmer in Northeast Ohio

Polar vortex to hit Northeast Ohio during holiday travel rush

Fall forecast: Cleveland likely facing warmer-than-usual season

Cleveland summers have gotten nearly a week longer