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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's Flock fight heads to city council

Bibb won't bypass lawmakers this time on the controversial license plate reader contract.

News

After pressure from Cleveland City Council members and activists, Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday said the administration would seek council approval for an extension of the city&#x27;s contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> for automated license plate readers.Why it matters: Bibb has drawn the ire of the council — especially the vocal safety committee chair, Mike Polensek — for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" target="_blank">extending contracts</a> through the city&#x27;s Board of Control, sidestepping council approval.

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.

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Past ceremonies have featured guests including Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney.

One of the best parts of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" 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/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn&#x27;t resist making our picks for who might show up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">class of 2026</a> on Nov. 14 in L.A.<ul><li>There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A LOT of inductees" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" target="_blank">A LOT of inductees</a> this year, so we&#x27;re only picking presenters for the honorees in the &quot;Performer&quot; category.</li></ul>

LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries

The Minneapolis-based elevated fast casual joint has transformed the former Pioneer space at Intro

Food and Drink

👋 Sam here. The best thing I ate this week was a bacon cheeseburger from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBurger 4304" data-vars-click-url="https://www.leburgercleveland.com/" data-vars-content-id="37251dfa-cd08-4b77-939d-b513b627acb8" data-vars-headline="LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.leburgercleveland.com/" target="_blank">LeBurger 4304</a> in Ohio City.State of play: The Minneapolis-based burger spot opened a full-service location at the Intro complex on the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street late last year.

Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom

A Kent business owner says beef costs are up over 15% this year.

Business

U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beef" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/darden-beef-prices-steakhouses-longhorn" data-vars-content-id="5ab06216-a62b-4284-9dd1-be1864c05ac6" data-vars-headline="Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/darden-beef-prices-steakhouses-longhorn" target="_self">beef</a> supplies are shrinking, imports are rising and prices are stuck near record highs — with little relief in sight.Why it matters: The all-American hamburger is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming a luxury item" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/beef-prices-2025-cpi-inflation" data-vars-content-id="5ab06216-a62b-4284-9dd1-be1864c05ac6" data-vars-headline="Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/beef-prices-2025-cpi-inflation" target="_self">becoming a luxury item</a>, nudging consumers toward cheaper proteins like chicken and pork.

Ohio brewers buck parts of craft beer's national decline

The industry saw a 5% decrease in production last year, a new high outside the pandemic.

The craft beer market continued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/29/craft-beer-on-the-decline-ohio" data-vars-content-id="db1412c3-3eec-42e5-a267-c0b0075ee379" data-vars-headline="Ohio brewers buck parts of craft beer&#x27;s national decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/29/craft-beer-on-the-decline-ohio" target="_self">its decline</a> in 2025, but there is room for optimism at a few craft breweries in Ohio.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="persistent downward trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" data-vars-content-id="db1412c3-3eec-42e5-a267-c0b0075ee379" data-vars-headline="Ohio brewers buck parts of craft beer&#x27;s national decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" target="_self">persistent downward trend</a> is startling the once-booming industry and forcing brewers to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages.

Finally! Birdtown Brewing opens in Lakewood

The brewpub in the former St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church hopes to buck local and national trends.

Birdtown Brewing in Lakewood opens Thursday after more than a decade of fits and starts.State of play: Named for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/219" data-vars-content-id="29ef3e02-44a6-429a-bb7e-b486d1fa4e2b" data-vars-headline="Finally! Birdtown Brewing opens in Lakewood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/219" target="_blank">historic neighborhood</a> just west of the Cleveland-Lakewood border, the brewpub is housed in the former St. Gregory the Theologian Byzantine Catholic Church on Quail Street.

Ben & Jerry's offering free ice cream April 14

Northeast Ohio ice cream lovers can grab a free scoop at local shops.

Things to Do

Tuesday is free cone day at Ben &amp; Jerry&#x27;s. Dig in: Northeast Ohio ice cream lovers can grab a free scoop (in a cup or cone) at Ben &amp; Jerry&#x27;s locations from noon to 8pm.

Five Cleveland restaurants that could earn a Michelin star

Michelin's reviewers are on the hunt for top Cleveland destinations after its Great Lakes expansion.

The Michelin Guide&#x27;s anonymous canvassers are scoping out Cleveland as part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Lakes expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/10/cleveland-joins-michelin-restaurant-guide" data-vars-content-id="775b631f-eee7-4dba-a2fc-5b3946381ef3" data-vars-headline="Five Cleveland restaurants that could earn a Michelin star" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/10/cleveland-joins-michelin-restaurant-guide" target="_self">Great Lakes expansion</a>. Zoom in: Here are five Northeast Ohio restaurants that we think could plausibly earn a Michelin star:

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.

Vinnie Cimino named James Beard Award finalist

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

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.

Food and Drink 🍽

Belgrade Gardens serves up Northeast Ohio’s unique fried chicken

LeBurger 4304 in Ohio City is serving up elite burgers and fries

Burger joints feel pinch of beef price boom

Ohio brewers buck parts of craft beer's national decline

Crowley's at Carroll may already be Cleveland's best college bar