Cleveland

blue

Axios Cleveland Partners

Cleveland Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Cleveland with Sam Allard and Troy Smith.

Axios Cleveland

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Cleveland.

Axios Cleveland Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Cleveland Members

Membership

Cleveland's influencers are becoming cultural tastemakers

Cleveland's most prominent cultural institutions are increasingly courting online content creators.

Culture

When the Cleveland Museum of Art opened its exhibition on world-renowned Japanese artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Takashi Murakami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/16/takashi-murakami-exhibit-cma-museum-art" data-vars-content-id="73f9438b-2c2f-41c4-abe1-1838e915c9bd" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s influencers are becoming cultural tastemakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/16/takashi-murakami-exhibit-cma-museum-art" target="_self">Takashi Murakami</a> in May 2025, it wasn&#x27;t just reporters and museum members driving hype — it was social media influencers as well.Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s most prominent cultural institutions are increasingly using online content creators to grow attendance and reach younger generations.

Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock

New restrictions aim to limit outside access to license plate reader data, but critics remain unconvinced.

Public Safety

Shaker Heights has signed an amended 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="3b7de941-419c-49e8-9436-db30c098057b" data-vars-headline="Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock" 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> that restricts access to data collected by the company&#x27;s automated license plate readers and imposes stricter controls on its internal use. Why it matters: The new contract comes after a grassroots opposition group obtained public records showing outside agencies <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were accessing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05/activists-uncover-hundreds-of-immigration-related-searches-that-ran-through-shaker-heights-flock-system.html" data-vars-content-id="3b7de941-419c-49e8-9436-db30c098057b" data-vars-headline="Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05/activists-uncover-hundreds-of-immigration-related-searches-that-ran-through-shaker-heights-flock-system.html" target="_blank">were accessing</a> local data for immigration-related searches.

Ohio gets pulled into the internet's "Obsession" craze

Social media hasn't stopped talking about the summer's hottest horror movie.

Ohio&#x27;s latest horror movie obsession is ... &quot;Obsession.&quot;Why it matters: The film, released last month, has become a viral sensation with the latest social media conversation centered on the possibility that it is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set in Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/13/horror-movies-ohio" data-vars-content-id="156c0d6f-faf0-416e-af13-f9bc0bbdc488" data-vars-headline="Ohio gets pulled into the internet&#x27;s &quot;Obsession&quot; craze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/13/horror-movies-ohio" target="_self">set in Ohio</a>.

Cleveland's hidden bridge returns for tours

The Veterans Memorial Bridge's historic streetcar level will open Saturday for the America 250 celebration

News

Cuyahoga County is reopening the lower level of the historic Veterans Memorial Bridge this Saturday for free, self-guided tours.Why it matters: Visitors rarely get access to the bridge&#x27;s original streetcar tracks, offering dramatic views and a glimpse into Cleveland&#x27;s transportation history.

Cleveland is dialing back parking rates

City Council reversed parts of Mayor Justin Bibb's parking overhaul, lowering rates and restoring free Sundays.

Cleveland City Council approved lower parking rates and shorter enforcement hours at its final meeting before the summer recess last week — and we have thoughts.State of play: Council members said downtown parking had become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too expensive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/28/parkmobile-parking-downtown-rates-2026" data-vars-content-id="0f4b726c-802a-4e0c-900a-4b56a0ff872e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland is dialing back parking rates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/28/parkmobile-parking-downtown-rates-2026" target="_self">too expensive</a> under Mayor Justin Bibb, who introduced new rates and eliminated free evening and weekend parking earlier this year.

Cleveland lands Rockefeller's biggest "Big Bets" event

The June 9 gathering will showcase local redevelopment projects and unveil major new funding commitments.

The Rockefeller Foundation is bringing its national &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Bets for America" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/fellowships-convenings/convenings/big-bets-for-america/" data-vars-content-id="d2823ac1-a705-4004-9a27-66081935a0b5" data-vars-headline="Cleveland lands Rockefeller&#x27;s biggest &quot;Big Bets&quot; event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/fellowships-convenings/convenings/big-bets-for-america/" target="_blank">Big Bets for America</a>&quot; series to Cleveland next week, and organizers say it will be the largest stop yet.Why it matters: The June 9 gathering will convene local and national political and philanthropic leaders to discuss topics like urban revitalization, while showcasing some of the city&#x27;s recent redevelopment efforts.

RTA launches long-awaited fare-capping system

The new payment method automatically gives riders the best deal — no advance purchase required.

Transit

RTA is rolling out a new fare system designed to make sure riders never pay more than they need to.Why it matters: The new SmartCard and fare-capping system removes a common burden for riders who can&#x27;t afford to buy weekly or monthly passes upfront.

Cleveland expert wants Congress to tackle stadium subsidies

Ken Silliman argues billion-dollar demands from pro sports owners have become a national problem.

Sports

Federal intervention is needed to curb the trend of sports team owners demanding public subsidies in excess of $1 billion for new stadiums, says local expert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Silliman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/07/ken-silliman-browns-deal-prediction" data-vars-content-id="b20c1fbe-86d8-429d-9148-dd2782bc37cc" data-vars-headline="Cleveland expert wants Congress to tackle stadium subsidies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/07/ken-silliman-browns-deal-prediction" target="_self">Ken Silliman</a>. Why it matters: Cash-strapped cities like Cleveland, with fewer resources for essential services, are effectively being held hostage by pro teams, who have used the threat of relocation to extract eye-popping sums, he writes.

Car ownership is taking a bigger bite out of budgets

Vehicle sticker prices have been climbing for years, including in Ohio.

Average monthly car payments in Ohio are now $716 for new cars and $504 for used cars, according to new data from car research site Edmunds.Why it matters: Cleveland hopes to increase active transportation like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/10/cleveland-transportation-plan-50-miles-bike-lanes" data-vars-content-id="9a243526-41f5-4027-8629-04520f610056" data-vars-headline="Car ownership is taking a bigger bite out of budgets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/10/cleveland-transportation-plan-50-miles-bike-lanes" target="_self">biking</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/07/20/cleveland-mandatory-parking-transit-corridors" data-vars-content-id="9a243526-41f5-4027-8629-04520f610056" data-vars-headline="Car ownership is taking a bigger bite out of budgets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/07/20/cleveland-mandatory-parking-transit-corridors" target="_self">walking</a> over the next few years, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overwhelming majority" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/hubfs/eBooks%20and%20Research/Transportation%20Mode%20Share%20Report/Transportation%20Mode%20Share%20Report.pdf?hsLang=en" data-vars-content-id="9a243526-41f5-4027-8629-04520f610056" data-vars-headline="Car ownership is taking a bigger bite out of budgets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/hubfs/eBooks%20and%20Research/Transportation%20Mode%20Share%20Report/Transportation%20Mode%20Share%20Report.pdf?hsLang=en" target="_blank">overwhelming majority</a> of Northeast Ohio residents still rely on cars.

Former Notre Dame College heads to the auction block

South Euclid has submitted a $7.9M bid to help shape the future of the prime 50-acre site

Real Estate

The former Notre Dame College campus is heading to auction Thursday, and the city of South Euclid wants in on the action. Why it matters: The lush, 50-acre site is a prime redevelopment opportunity in the eastern suburbs, with potential for housing, parks and senior living facilities.

Cleveland presses DigitalC over broadband numbers

City Council questions whether the nonprofit met its targets and if anyone can verify them.

Politics

Cleveland City Council is putting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nonprofit DigitalC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/23/digitalc-home-broadband-service" data-vars-content-id="f0c77611-9596-41b3-9bc2-16f8f9c43456" data-vars-headline="Cleveland presses DigitalC over broadband numbers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/23/digitalc-home-broadband-service" target="_self">nonprofit DigitalC</a> under the microscope, raising questions about the organization&#x27;s 2025 numbers. Why it matters: The nonprofit founded in 2015 received Cleveland&#x27;s largest single ARPA award ($20 million) to build a low-cost broadband network citywide.

Cleveland defends arts fund amid transparency concerns

Officials tout impact of $3M program as critics question how the money was tracked.

A Cleveland program that used federal pandemic relief dollars to fund art projects in historically disinvested neighborhoods is facing scrutiny for a lack of transparency and accountability.Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s Transformative Arts Fund (TAF) was one of the largest direct investments in working artists in the city&#x27;s history.

RTA's proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line

Hearings next week will shape a plan with only modest cuts, compared to the 12% reduction proposed last year.

Three underutilized transit routes are set to be discontinued under RTA&#x27;s proposed cuts to bus and rail service, though the public can give its say at hearings next week.Why it matters: Public transit is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/20/cleveland-rta-net-promoter-score" data-vars-content-id="473412b7-7230-41f2-ab6d-e1980b872a5d" data-vars-headline="RTA&#x27;s proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/20/cleveland-rta-net-promoter-score" target="_self">critical</a> in Cleveland, where more than 20% of households lack access to a car and need RTA to get to work, school and other needs.

Browns' Brook Park stadium gets $200 million pricier

Despite the Haslams' larger contribution, taxpayers are still helping to fund a private stadium district.

The Browns&#x27; new stadium in Brook Park just got more expensive, and the Haslams want credit for taking on an increased slice of the funding pie.Driving the news: The price tag for the domed facility and its surrounding development has climbed to $2.6 billion, up from $2.4 billion. The Haslams said last week these increases are tied to roofing upgrades that will enhance the natural light.

Money

Cleveland is dialing back parking rates

Cleveland lands Rockefeller's biggest "Big Bets" event

RTA launches long-awaited fare-capping system

Cleveland expert wants Congress to tackle stadium subsidies

Car ownership is taking a bigger bite out of budgets