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Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy battle for Ohio governor

The candidates offer sharply different visions for Ohio's future as campaign spending approaches nine figures.

Politics

Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/14/obama-trump-ohio-midterm-rallies" data-vars-content-id="e0ef10ea-d14c-46a1-a96c-9b9d8576eaf1" data-vars-headline="Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy battle for Ohio governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/14/obama-trump-ohio-midterm-rallies" target="_self">race for governor</a> has become a slugfest — a fiercely contested, wildly expensive showdown between Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, the state&#x27;s former health director.Why it matters: The election will determine whether Ohio continues its run of Republican leadership or elects a Democrat for the first time since Ted Strickland in 2006.

Grateful Dead's 1970 Cleveland debut was nearly lost to history

The Oct. 17, 1970, concert captured the Dead at a pivotal moment for the Dead.

Music

The Grateful Dead made its Cleveland debut 56 years ago with a marathon show at Music Hall that would become one of the most sought-after recordings among devoted fans.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oct. 17, 1970, concert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/100063491171505/posts/october-17-1970cleveland-music-hall-cleveland-oh-no-tapes-circulated-until-one-s/325033602721589/" data-vars-content-id="5bc7e4ae-5f66-4de8-9eeb-19ad8cc6fa75" data-vars-headline="Grateful Dead&#x27;s 1970 Cleveland debut was nearly lost to history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/100063491171505/posts/october-17-1970cleveland-music-hall-cleveland-oh-no-tapes-circulated-until-one-s/325033602721589/" target="_blank">Oct. 17, 1970, concert</a> captured the Dead at a pivotal moment, transitioning from psychedelic pioneers into one of America&#x27;s most influential touring acts.

MAGA-linked super PAC funding Ohio's socialist senate candidate

The group has spent nearly $400,000 on mailers promoting Greg Levy in an apparent bid to split the Democratic vote.

A MAGA-linked super PAC is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting a socialist candidate, Greg Levy, in Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closely contested U.S. Senate race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/14/obama-trump-ohio-midterm-rallies" data-vars-content-id="51c8bb6b-467f-49df-af2f-951e4499ceea" data-vars-headline="MAGA-linked super PAC funding Ohio&#x27;s socialist senate candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/14/obama-trump-ohio-midterm-rallies" target="_self">closely contested U.S. Senate race</a>.Why it matters: The likely strategy is to siphon left-leaning voters away from Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown to benefit Republican Sen. Jon Husted.<ul><li>The tactic of boosting third-party candidates to divide an opponent&#x27;s support is an electoral maneuver used by both parties and has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="become more popular" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/07/2024-election-congress-controversial-tactic-third-party-00193124" data-vars-content-id="51c8bb6b-467f-49df-af2f-951e4499ceea" data-vars-headline="MAGA-linked super PAC funding Ohio&#x27;s socialist senate candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/07/2024-election-congress-controversial-tactic-third-party-00193124" target="_blank">become more popular</a> in recent cycles.</li></ul>

Monte Ahuja gives CSU another $10 million

The Cleveland entrepreneur's latest gift will overhaul business education with a focus on entrepreneurship and emerging tech.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland State University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/csu-law-prosecutor-training-program" data-vars-content-id="0417f9f4-21cc-4166-8f28-fb3d57c83863" data-vars-headline="Monte Ahuja gives CSU another $10 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/csu-law-prosecutor-training-program" target="_self">Cleveland State University</a> is getting a $10 million donation from alumnus Monte Ahuja and his family foundation to overhaul a business school that already bears his name. Why it matters: The mega-gift will support business curriculum changes across the board to emphasize entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Cleveland tourism spending reaches new high

Tourism remains a major economic driver for Northeast Ohio.

Business

Cleveland tourism hit a record $7 billion in visitor spending in 2025, according to new figures released by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Destination Cleveland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thisiscleveland.com/where-to-stay?utm_campaign=2025+paid+search&amp;utm_medium=paid-search&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_content=text+ad_leisure-stay&amp;adara_campaignid=22073632029&amp;adarapixelid=85475&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22073632029&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADmtyaZ7lGd7hPDH3FFVuhzNcNPvn&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoAKmSYYk9KAyXYA8oyXjgbG3QFyTV5hFs4I016FwFHzb45GF9evOThoCWn4QAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="811a9406-3edc-4027-abe9-337f4d861e6a" data-vars-headline="Cleveland tourism spending reaches new high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thisiscleveland.com/where-to-stay?utm_campaign=2025+paid+search&amp;utm_medium=paid-search&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_content=text+ad_leisure-stay&amp;adara_campaignid=22073632029&amp;adarapixelid=85475&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22073632029&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADmtyaZ7lGd7hPDH3FFVuhzNcNPvn&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoAKmSYYk9KAyXYA8oyXjgbG3QFyTV5hFs4I016FwFHzb45GF9evOThoCWn4QAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Destination Cleveland</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/08/destination-cleveland-brag-movement" data-vars-content-id="811a9406-3edc-4027-abe9-337f4d861e6a" data-vars-headline="Cleveland tourism spending reaches new high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/08/destination-cleveland-brag-movement" target="_self">Tourism</a> remains a major economic driver for Northeast Ohio, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions in spending at hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops.

Cleveland Hopkins prepares next phase of $1.6 billion renovation

The airport will soon solicit contractors for a redesigned terminal head house and major infrastructure improvements.

Travel

Cleveland Hopkins is preparing to solicit contractors for the next major projects in the airport&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion makeover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/01/hopkins-airport-project-clevolution-gold-lot" data-vars-content-id="8d286b3b-762f-40d2-b397-c9e4ed442b3e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins prepares next phase of $1.6 billion renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/01/hopkins-airport-project-clevolution-gold-lot" target="_self">$1.6 billion makeover</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CLEvolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/04/clevolution-hopkins-airport-construction-project-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="8d286b3b-762f-40d2-b397-c9e4ed442b3e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins prepares next phase of $1.6 billion renovation" 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">CLEvolution</a> is a sweeping overhaul of Hopkins&#x27; aging facilities, which routinely rank at or near the bottom in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passenger satisfaction surveys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/17/hopkins-jdpower-2026-ranking-airport" data-vars-content-id="8d286b3b-762f-40d2-b397-c9e4ed442b3e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins prepares next phase of $1.6 billion renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/17/hopkins-jdpower-2026-ranking-airport" target="_self">passenger satisfaction surveys</a>.<ul><li>The work includes a new terminal entrance, expanded parking, modernized security and improved ground transportation.</li></ul>

Cleveland seeks public input on data centers

Three hearings will help shape new regulations as a temporary moratorium on development nears expiration.

Cleveland City Council will hold three upcoming public hearings to solicit resident feedback on future data center development.State of play: The council passed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-month moratorium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/cleveland-data-center-moratorium" data-vars-content-id="6e54f455-896d-4bf1-86cb-cae9e1a88522" data-vars-headline="Cleveland seeks public input on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/cleveland-data-center-moratorium" target="_self">three-month moratorium</a> on new data center permits in July. That expires Oct. 20, but could be extended if regulations aren&#x27;t in place by then.

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.

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.

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>.

Development 🏗️

Cleveland tourism spending reaches new high

Cleveland Hopkins prepares next phase of $1.6 billion renovation

Cleveland seeks public input on data centers

Buffalo offers Browns fans a glimpse of their stadium future

Downtown's grocery problem is complicated