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Trump tariffs take $11 billion toll on Ohio

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

Business

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.

Everything you need to know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's new Bratenahl mansion

The 3.5-acre Gilded Age lakefront estate is one of the most expensive sold in Cuyahoga County in recent years.

Real Estate

The most famous pop star in the world and her husband have a new place to hang their stockings in Northeast Ohio.<ul><li>Newlyweds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-photos" data-vars-content-id="da7f9ea7-8d39-4a1a-9fdb-15a1b8407824" data-vars-headline="Everything you need to know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce&#x27;s new Bratenahl mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-photos" target="_self">Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reportedly dropped $5.3 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/travis-kelce-ohio-home-550ef5fc?st=7AbJiL&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="da7f9ea7-8d39-4a1a-9fdb-15a1b8407824" data-vars-headline="Everything you need to know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce&#x27;s new Bratenahl mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/travis-kelce-ohio-home-550ef5fc?st=7AbJiL&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">reportedly dropped $5.3 million</a> on a lakefront mansion in Bratenahl.</li></ul>Why it matters: Even if it&#x27;s only an offseason getaway, the home has a rich Cleveland history. And as Bratenahl is located within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the gaudy annual property tax bill will help support Cleveland schools.

Guardians enter September with playoff fate in their hands

Cleveland begins a seven-game homestand Tuesday against two teams chasing them.

Sports

The Guardians enter September with their playoff fate increasingly in their own hands.Why it matters: Cleveland opens a seven-game homestand Tuesday against two teams chasing it in the American League playoff race, giving the Guardians a chance to create separation with less than a month left.

City Club braces for backlash over DSA leader's visit

National DSA co-chair Ashik Siddique will speak Sept. 24 as democratic socialism gains political ground.

Politics

Ashik Siddique, the national co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), will speak at the City Club of Cleveland Sept. 24 during an election year when socialism is ascendant.Why it matters: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other DSA-aligned leaders across the country, including Cleveland Councilman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tanmay Shah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/03/18/tanmay-shah-launches-leftist-campaign-cleveland-city-council-new-ward-12" data-vars-content-id="76234be0-29a5-4f4d-b7ae-1f8af2548f53" data-vars-headline="City Club braces for backlash over DSA leader&#x27;s visit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/03/18/tanmay-shah-launches-leftist-campaign-cleveland-city-council-new-ward-12" target="_self">Tanmay Shah</a>, are emblematic of a generation disillusioned with establishment Democrats.

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.

Cirino wants university civic center classes to be mandatory

The new bill would broaden the authority of Ohio's controversial civics centers despite low enrollment so far.

Education

Cleveland State University&#x27;s Center for Civics, Culture and Society enrolled just 28 students during its pilot semester this spring.Why it matters: State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), the driving force behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio&#x27;s higher ed overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/27/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban-higher-education" data-vars-content-id="85cdfa7a-6414-45d5-859e-adee76265a8f" data-vars-headline="Cirino wants university civic center classes to be mandatory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/27/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban-higher-education" target="_self">Ohio&#x27;s higher ed overhaul</a>, now proposes to make it mandatory for every student at universities with civics centers to take at least one of their courses.

CSU Poetry Center faces uncertain future amid cuts

University officials call it restructuring. Authors and former staff call it the gutting of a beloved cultural export.

Another beloved cultural export from Cleveland State University appears to be on the chopping block, though CSU says that&#x27;s not what&#x27;s happening.Why it matters: For decades, the CSU Poetry Center has published award-winning books, hosted readings and given students rare hands-on experience in independent publishing.

Cleveland's best public records journalist is a "mom with a blog"

Polly Karr's Publicly Cleveland Substack has produced indispensable reporting on CMSD for two years.

Collinwood mom Polly Karr has become one of Cleveland&#x27;s most indispensable journalists, though she doesn&#x27;t see herself that way.Why it matters: Karr has amassed thousands of followers on her Substack, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Publicly Cleveland" data-vars-click-url="https://publiclycleveland.substack.com/" data-vars-content-id="eb07c9e1-815b-499b-be89-f5875b76ed8b" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s best public records journalist is a &quot;mom with a blog&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publiclycleveland.substack.com/" target="_blank">Publicly Cleveland</a>, which has produced a steady stream of scoops and rants about the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) since it launched two years ago.

Cleveland Teachers Union elects new president

Librarian Errol Savage unseated Shari Obrenski as CMSD prepares to close and merge dozens of schools

The Cleveland Teachers Union is getting new leadership just as CMSD prepares to implement a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweeping school consolidation plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/06/cleveland-school-consolidation-cmsd" data-vars-content-id="181c7f3a-9377-497e-abd1-88d1722a23bc" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Teachers Union elects new president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/06/cleveland-school-consolidation-cmsd" target="_self">sweeping school consolidation plan</a>.Driving the news: Errol Savage, a longtime school librarian, defeated incumbent CTU president Shari Obrenski in the election last week — 1,610 to 1,438.

Lawsuit filed over Cleveland State's transfer of student radio station

CSU's decision late last year drew widespread backlash and garnered national attention.

News

A new lawsuit​ is seeking to reverse the controversial transfer of Cleveland State University&#x27;s longtime student-run radio station, WCSB, to Ideastream.Why it matters: CSU&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-news/cleveland-state-university-kills-wcsb-transfers-license-to-ideastream-to-broadcast-smooth-jazz/" data-vars-content-id="3d7898b1-9e11-42fe-bf3b-ced84e6787b3" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit filed over Cleveland State&#x27;s transfer of student radio station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-news/cleveland-state-university-kills-wcsb-transfers-license-to-ideastream-to-broadcast-smooth-jazz/" target="_blank">decision</a> late last year to shut down the station and transfer its signal to another broadcaster drew widespread backlash from students and the college community, while garnering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.spin.com/2025/12/the-rock-and-roll-capital-killed-its-college-radio-station-for-smooth-jazz-and-the-students-are-fighting-back/" data-vars-content-id="3d7898b1-9e11-42fe-bf3b-ced84e6787b3" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit filed over Cleveland State&#x27;s transfer of student radio station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.spin.com/2025/12/the-rock-and-roll-capital-killed-its-college-radio-station-for-smooth-jazz-and-the-students-are-fighting-back/" target="_blank">national attention</a>.

Say Yes Cleveland releases first progress report

713 CMSD grads have earned degrees, but thousands more never enrolled despite free tuition.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Say Yes Cleveland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/21/say-yes-funding-scholarships" data-vars-content-id="75228193-27d5-4719-8a66-0138949ac57e" data-vars-headline="Say Yes Cleveland releases first progress report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/21/say-yes-funding-scholarships" target="_self">Say Yes Cleveland</a> says 713 Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates have earned a college degree or credential since the nonprofit scholarship program launched in 2019.Why it matters: The program debuted with enormous fanfare and sweeping promises — free tuition for all eligible CMSD graduates for the next 25 years.

Cleveland plans massive school consolidation

39 schools would close or merge as CMSD confronts steep enrollment drops and a $150M deficit.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Metropolitan School District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/09/19/cuyahoga-county-school-report-cards-2025" data-vars-content-id="aa52b69f-c90c-40b4-b1d9-ba16125314a1" data-vars-headline="Cleveland plans massive school consolidation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/09/19/cuyahoga-county-school-report-cards-2025" target="_self">Cleveland Metropolitan School District</a> plans to close or merge 39 schools under a sweeping consolidation plan unveiled Wednesday.Why it matters: The controversial move, more than a year in the making, would save the district at least $30 million per year — stabilizing finances amid enrollment drops and a looming budget deficit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that could reach $150 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ideastream.org/education/2025-02-25/cleveland-schools-consider-cuts-to-extended-year-calendars-as-deficit-looms" data-vars-content-id="aa52b69f-c90c-40b4-b1d9-ba16125314a1" data-vars-headline="Cleveland plans massive school consolidation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ideastream.org/education/2025-02-25/cleveland-schools-consider-cuts-to-extended-year-calendars-as-deficit-looms" target="_blank">that could reach $150 million</a>.

CMSD to announce school closure recommendations Wednesday

CMSD could shutter as many as 30 schools after years of shrinking enrollment.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is expected to announce recommendations for closing or consolidating 20 to 30 schools at Wednesday night&#x27;s Board of Education meeting, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Signal Cleveland reports" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cmsd-to-announce-school-closings-wednesday/" data-vars-content-id="29649335-a5e4-43c6-93ab-12f50f4fe84f" data-vars-headline="CMSD to announce school closure recommendations Wednesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cmsd-to-announce-school-closings-wednesday/" target="_blank">Signal Cleveland reports</a>. The big picture: The long-awaited plan follows months of community meetings and data reviews on enrollment, academic performance and building conditions.

CWRU students pay $350K to end criminal case, but fallout continues

The 11 students and activists had been indicted for pro-Palestinian vandalism on campus in 2024.

The 11 Case Western Reserve University students and activists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="indicted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/02/20/11-indicted-cwru-pro-palestinian-vandalism" data-vars-content-id="eac33002-d485-4b21-8f64-7da56d9c70b9" data-vars-headline="CWRU students pay $350K to end criminal case, but fallout continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/02/20/11-indicted-cwru-pro-palestinian-vandalism" target="_self">indicted</a> for pro-Palestinian vandalism on campus last year have paid more than $350,000 in restitution to the university to clear their names.Why it matters: The payments are part of a legal agreement with the Cuyahoga County prosecutor&#x27;s office under the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pre-trial diversion program" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/pretrial-diversion-programs-cuyahoga/" data-vars-content-id="eac33002-d485-4b21-8f64-7da56d9c70b9" data-vars-headline="CWRU students pay $350K to end criminal case, but fallout continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/pretrial-diversion-programs-cuyahoga/" target="_blank">pre-trial diversion program</a>. If all stipulations are met, the defendants&#x27; criminal records will be cleared.

Axios Future of Health Care

Axios Vitals

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

Education 📚

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Cirino wants university civic center classes to be mandatory

CSU Poetry Center faces uncertain future amid cuts

Cleveland's best public records journalist is a "mom with a blog"

Cleveland Teachers Union elects new president