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Are the Browns really this stupid?

The Browns are going with Deshaun Watson starting quarterback for Week 1.

Sports

Deshaun Watson has done everything he can to not be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but the Browns will head into Week 1 with him at QB1, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ESPN&#x27;s Adam Schefter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49711613/sources-browns-tab-deshaun-watson-not-shedeur-sanders-qb1" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49711613/sources-browns-tab-deshaun-watson-not-shedeur-sanders-qb1" target="_blank">ESPN&#x27;s Adam Schefter</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Network" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-deshaun-watson-starting-qb-week-1-2026-season" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-deshaun-watson-starting-qb-week-1-2026-season" target="_blank">NFL Network</a>.State of play: The news follows Watson being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booed by fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49695585/browns-watson-calls-fans-boos-personal-not-based-play" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49695585/browns-watson-calls-fans-boos-personal-not-based-play" target="_blank">booed by fans</a> at Huntington Bank Field during Saturday&#x27;s preseason game after he completed just 5 of 12 passes and threw an interception against the Buffalo Bills.

Downtown's grocery problem is complicated

Residents mourn Heinen's while acknowledging many traveled elsewhere for shopping trips.

News

Downtown Cleveland residents are distraught after the recent closure of the world&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most beautiful grocery store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/20/heinens-downtown-grocery-store-closure" data-vars-content-id="dd361c13-b79c-47f2-90dc-52714ca11cdc" data-vars-headline="Downtown&#x27;s grocery problem is complicated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/20/heinens-downtown-grocery-store-closure" target="_self">most beautiful grocery store</a>. Why it matters: Heinen&#x27;s departure exposes a tension in downtown living. Residents desperately want a full-service supermarket, but many admit they travel to the West Side Market or the suburbs for their primary weekly shopping, due to parking and accessibility.

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Ohio requires K-12 students to be fully protected against 10 vaccine-preventable diseases.

Health

Vaccination rates among Ohio kindergartners fell across all tracked vaccines during the 2025-2026 school year, mirroring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" data-vars-content-id="117a4312-2cd2-4c99-a4db-158fac425fe0" data-vars-headline="Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" target="_self">nationwide decline</a>.Why it matters: The drop-off has coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47112002.82/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDkvMjYvbW1yLW1tcnYtdmFjY2luZS1zaG90LXNjaGVkdWxlLWNkYy10cnVtcD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBf3269c19" data-vars-content-id="117a4312-2cd2-4c99-a4db-158fac425fe0" data-vars-headline="Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47112002.82/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDkvMjYvbW1yLW1tcnYtdmFjY2luZS1zaG90LXNjaGVkdWxlLWNkYy10cnVtcD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fBf3269c19" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a> and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47112002.82/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjIvbWVhc2xlcy1jYXNlcy1zdXJnZS1wYXN0LWxhc3QteWVhcj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB4b8c0df8" data-vars-content-id="117a4312-2cd2-4c99-a4db-158fac425fe0" data-vars-headline="Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47112002.82/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjIvbWVhc2xlcy1jYXNlcy1zdXJnZS1wYXN0LWxhc3QteWVhcj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB4b8c0df8" target="_self">measles cases</a> hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.

Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year

The freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has its next event Saturday.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freestyle wrestling promotion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" target="_blank">freestyle wrestling promotion</a> founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has grown significantly since making its global debut at the Wolstein Center in August 2025.Driving the news: Real American Freestyle (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RAF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" target="_self">RAF</a>) will celebrate its first anniversary at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" target="_blank">8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena</a>.

Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future

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

Business

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.

Readers sound off on Northeast Ohio's construction chaos

No one really likes construction, which appears to be taking place all over the region.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="We asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-cleveland-c8ee2c60-8b51-11f1-b855-3922feb92473.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" data-vars-content-id="d66cf348-6a04-432c-9c5c-423dba2a2eb3" data-vars-headline="Readers sound off on Northeast Ohio&#x27;s construction chaos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-cleveland-c8ee2c60-8b51-11f1-b855-3922feb92473.html?chunk=4&amp;utm_term=emshare#story4" target="_self">We asked</a> for your thoughts on Cleveland becoming The Land of Construction in 2026 — it seems most of you were happy to have somewhere to vent.What we learned: No one really likes construction, which appears to be taking place all over Northeast Ohio.

Consultants already want a bigger convention center

Just two years after a $52M renovation, a new report calls for another expansion and more hotel rooms.

Another Convention Center expansion? Are they serious?Why it matters: It&#x27;s been just two years since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a $52 million renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/07/30/huntington-convention-center-expansion-opens-praise" data-vars-content-id="c8a299ff-4a00-45eb-8717-9dd0dbc476fd" data-vars-headline="Consultants already want a bigger convention center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/07/30/huntington-convention-center-expansion-opens-praise" target="_self">a $52 million renovation</a> integrated the woebegone Global Center for Health Innovation into the Huntington Convention Center.<ul><li>Now, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new consultant&#x27;s report" data-vars-click-url="https://cccfdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.23-FINAL-CSL-2026-Space-Assessment.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c8a299ff-4a00-45eb-8717-9dd0dbc476fd" data-vars-headline="Consultants already want a bigger convention center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cccfdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026.07.23-FINAL-CSL-2026-Space-Assessment.pdf" target="_blank">a new consultant&#x27;s report</a> says Cleveland risks falling behind peer cities if it doesn&#x27;t keep its foot on the gas — adding exhibit space and hotel rooms.</li></ul>

After years of waiting, IKEA is coming

IKEA is the latest addition to Crocker Park in Westlake.

IKEA, the retailer known for its flat-pack, ready-to-assemble furniture (with a side of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swedish meatballs)," data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/stores/restaurant/" data-vars-content-id="f13e373d-9436-47dd-b1fa-24a9e502ee68" data-vars-headline="After years of waiting, IKEA is coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/stores/restaurant/" target="_blank">Swedish meatballs),</a> is finally coming to Northeast Ohio next spring.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IKEA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/ikea-new-small-stores-plan-and-order" data-vars-content-id="f13e373d-9436-47dd-b1fa-24a9e502ee68" data-vars-headline="After years of waiting, IKEA is coming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/ikea-new-small-stores-plan-and-order" target="_self">IKEA</a> was one of the few prominent retailers missing from the region and brings a powerful retail magnet to the west side.

Bibb pitches Cleveland in trip to London

The mayor spent last week courting aerospace and defense investment at the Farnborough International Airshow.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Justin Bibb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/22/cleveland-mayor-bibb-connects-with-influencers" data-vars-content-id="14561169-da84-4015-91b5-10547ef570c1" data-vars-headline="Bibb pitches Cleveland in trip to London" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/22/cleveland-mayor-bibb-connects-with-influencers" target="_self">Mayor Justin Bibb</a> spent last week in the U.K. at the Farnborough International Airshow, pitching Cleveland as a destination for aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing investment.Why it matters: Bibb told the security industry publication <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Defense One" data-vars-click-url="https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/07/defense-business-brief-dispatch-farnborough/414954/" data-vars-content-id="14561169-da84-4015-91b5-10547ef570c1" data-vars-headline="Bibb pitches Cleveland in trip to London" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/07/defense-business-brief-dispatch-farnborough/414954/" target="_blank">Defense One</a> the trip was about &quot;putting Cleveland in the conversation.&quot;

Cleveland's $3B lakefront vision gains momentum

From the land bridge to the Browns site to Burke, plans are finally moving toward construction.

Over $3 billion in public and private investment is converging on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland&#x27;s lakefront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/15/lakefront-development-plan-bibb-browns-stadium-lake-erie" data-vars-content-id="9adea04f-d1aa-49dc-a385-31c770fc8658" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s $3B lakefront vision gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/15/lakefront-development-plan-bibb-browns-stadium-lake-erie" target="_self">Cleveland&#x27;s lakefront</a>, and city leaders continue proselytizing about the once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconnect downtown with Lake Erie.Why it matters: Previous iterations of waterfront planning stalled out &quot;somewhere between the renderings and the fundraising,&quot; City Club of Cleveland CEO Dan Moulthrop said at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a summit this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cityclub.org/forums/2026/07/20/north-coast-era-2026" data-vars-content-id="9adea04f-d1aa-49dc-a385-31c770fc8658" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s $3B lakefront vision gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cityclub.org/forums/2026/07/20/north-coast-era-2026" target="_blank">a summit this week</a>.

East Side lands $10M grant to transform vacant lots

The Bezos Earth Fund grant will help turn 600 vacant East Side lots into parks, green spaces and gathering places.

Cleveland has landed a $10 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to transform hundreds of vacant lots into green spaces on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Side" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/09/cleveland-housing-innovation-district-east-side" data-vars-content-id="d3750ba8-55da-4665-aea1-0eb393b9fb6e" data-vars-headline="East Side lands $10M grant to transform vacant lots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/09/cleveland-housing-innovation-district-east-side" target="_self">East Side</a>.Why it matters: The investment targets Hough and St. Clair-Superior, where more than half of all parcels are vacant after decades of population loss and disinvestment.

New bike path will connect Edgewater to Cudell

Cleveland has secured $100,000 to begin planning the route in Wards 11 and 12.

Transit

Cleveland has secured $100,000 from the state to begin planning a shared-use path along West Boulevard connecting Cudell to Edgewater Park.Why it matters: The project aims to calm traffic while making it safer and easier for people to reach the lakefront without driving.

Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot

The 1,600-space lot marks the first phase of CLEvolution, the $1.6B modernization plan.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport broke ground Wednesday on the first piece of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion transformation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/04/clevolution-hopkins-airport-construction-project-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="e2298f1a-08cc-4afe-a046-0af89ead1b31" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/04/clevolution-hopkins-airport-construction-project-overhaul" target="_self">$1.6 billion transformation</a>.Why it matters: Work on the new 1,600-space Gold Lot marks the public launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CLEvolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/06/cleveland-hopkins-airport-terminal-project-clevolution" data-vars-content-id="e2298f1a-08cc-4afe-a046-0af89ead1b31" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/06/cleveland-hopkins-airport-terminal-project-clevolution" target="_self">CLEvolution</a>, the ambitious modernization plan that will culminate in a new terminal opening in 2032.

Development 🏗️

Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future

Downtown's grocery problem is complicated

Readers sound off on Northeast Ohio's construction chaos

Consultants already want a bigger convention center

After years of waiting, IKEA is coming