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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.

Vinnie Cimino named James Beard Award finalist

The executive chef behind Cordelia and Rosy would be the third Clevelander to win best chef.

Food and Drink

Cleveland chef Vinnie Cimino has been named a finalist for the James Beard Awards for the second time in three years. Why it matters: Cimino, the executive chef at Cordelia and Rosy, could become the third Cleveland chef to win a James Beard in the Best Chef category, joining Michael Symon and Jonathon Sawyer.

Wave of business closures hits Ohio City

A buzzy stretch of Lorain Avenue saw abrupt closures, even as new arrivals move in.

A stretch of Lorain Avenue buzzing with new creative energy thanks to the arrival of Guitar Riot and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Visible Voice Books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/14/visible-voice-books-lorain" data-vars-content-id="5d471b63-157f-47b7-a70b-4dc9d7243b6b" data-vars-headline="Wave of business closures hits Ohio City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/14/visible-voice-books-lorain" target="_self">Visible Voice Books</a> in 2025 also saw two abrupt closures at the end of December.Zoom in: The businesses were across the street from each other.

Troubled waters in the Flats: Bar closures mount after September shooting

Inferno and Rum Runners on Old River Road have permanently closed.

Something may be in the water in the Flats East Bank as multiple bars announced closures this week.Driving the news: Inferno and Rum Runners — located near each other on Old River Road — posted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1363767079100207&amp;set=a.455448706598720" data-vars-content-id="7a2c8972-8cda-4058-80e2-cef1c63e7b5c" data-vars-headline="Troubled waters in the Flats: Bar closures mount after September shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1363767079100207&amp;set=a.455448706598720" target="_blank">social media</a> they have permanently closed.

6 holiday pop-up bars to visit in Northeast Ohio this season

Places to get your Christmas-themed snack and cocktail fix in Cleveland.

Heading to your favorite bar over the next few weeks? You might not recognize it.Why it matters: Holiday pop-up bars have become all the rage in Northeast Ohio over the past few years, giving nightlight scenesters a reason to venture out in the cold.

City Slice Pizzeria closes its flagship shop on Lorain

The home of the "mega" slice will now operate exclusively from a newer location in St. Clair-Superior.

City Slice Pizzeria abruptly shuttered this past weekend its popular Lorain Avenue shop, a west side storefront known for grab-and-go &quot;mega&quot; slices of 40-inch New York–style pies.Catch up quick: Founder Vanessa Reyes opened City Slice in 2022 and quickly built a loyal following of pizza lovers who enjoyed both jumbo slices and the festive, arcade game atmosphere for in-person dining.

Instacart data reveals Ohio's surprising favorite Thanksgiving pie

Some Ohioans prefer cherry pie over pumpkin, sweet potato or even peanut butter.

New Instacart data shared with Axios shows the most uniquely popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/27/healthy-thanksgiving-eating-tips" data-vars-content-id="e9a59531-75b9-4102-9237-200cc2d3bfc1" data-vars-headline="Instacart data reveals Ohio&#x27;s surprising favorite Thanksgiving pie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/27/healthy-thanksgiving-eating-tips" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a> pies by state, based on last year&#x27;s orders.What they found: Apparently, some Ohioans prefer cherry pie to traditional favorites like pumpkin, sweet potato or even peanut butter.

Bookhouse Brewing to close after seven years in Ohio City

The West 25th Street brewery, known for its wood-lined interior and literary flair, will close in December.

Bookhouse Brewing, a West 25th Street taproom known for its literary theme and low-key charm, will pour its final pints by year&#x27;s end.Why it matters: The brewery&#x27;s closure marks the end of one of Cleveland&#x27;s most distinctive small-batch beer haunts and another casualty of post-pandemic economic pressures.

Cleveland bakery heads to the "bread Olympics"

On The Rise will represent Team USA, putting local grains and culinary talent on the world stage.

On The Rise Artisan Breads in Cleveland Heights will represent the United States at the Mondial du Pain, an international artisan bread competition often called the &quot;Olympics of bread baking.&quot;Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major recognition for head baker and owner Brian Evans, a self-taught baker who learned his craft from On the Rise founder Adam Gidlow.

Noble Beast plans year‑round beer garden in Ohio City

The beloved local brewery plans a greenhouse‑style beer garden at long-vacant gas station site.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Noble Beast Brewing Co." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/13/brews-on-tues-noble-beast-in-the-wild" data-vars-content-id="84cc665f-d150-4027-ab17-48b0cbef9b4b" data-vars-headline="Noble Beast plans year‑round beer garden in Ohio City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/13/brews-on-tues-noble-beast-in-the-wild" target="_self">Noble Beast Brewing Co.</a> wants to transform a vacant gas station and historic building in Ohio City into a year-round beer garden.Why it matters: It would mark the first expansion for Noble Beast, which opened on Lakeside Avenue downtown in 2017 and quickly established a loyal following.

Axios Pittsburgh

💸 How Ohio stacks up on tipping

How Ohio stacks up on tipping

A choropleth map of the United States showing the average tip among restaurants on the Toast platform as of Q4 2025. The national average tip is 18.8%. California has the lowest average tip, 17.2%, while Delaware has the highest, 21.8%.

Average restaurant tip, Q4 2025

🇳🇵 The best thing I drank this week... 

Nepalese beers now available at Himalayan Restaurant

🍕 1 fun thing: Pizza time warp

"Pizza Hut Classic" locations in Northeast Ohio

A map shows Pizza Hut Classic locations across the United States. Most are in the Carolinas and the Midwest.

Food and Drink 🍽

Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide

How Ohio stacks up on tipping

Vinnie Cimino named James Beard Award finalist

Nepalese beers now available at Himalayan Restaurant

"Pizza Hut Classic" locations in Northeast Ohio