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Trump heading to Northeast Ohio for Patriot Games

The White House's youth sports competition will bring athletes from all 50 states to Spire Academy.

News

Northeast Ohio will be in the spotlight next week when President Trump is expected to visit Geneva&#x27;s Spire Academy for the inaugural <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Patriot Games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump" data-vars-content-id="ca56d0d6-c6be-4594-9422-d770f870f67b" data-vars-headline="Trump heading to Northeast Ohio for Patriot Games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/americas-250-birthday-festivities-trump" target="_self">Patriot Games</a>.Why it matters: The White House-backed competition puts one of Northeast Ohio&#x27;s premier athletic facilities on a national stage.

MGK Day 2026 returns to Cleveland with Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent and more

This year's festivities include a festival, skate park contest, motorcycle ride and more.

MGK Day, the annual event celebrating Machine Gun Kelly&#x27;s love for Cleveland and vice versa, keeps getting bigger.State of play: This year&#x27;s festivities include a best trick contest at Crooked River Skate Park at 5pm Friday and a festival at North Coast Yard headlined by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MGK and Wiz Khalifa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/21/mgk-wiz-khalifa-blog-era-boyz" data-vars-content-id="e4826369-7458-4065-ae60-dd7c6b4c77f4" data-vars-headline="MGK Day 2026 returns to Cleveland with Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/21/mgk-wiz-khalifa-blog-era-boyz" target="_self">MGK and Wiz Khalifa</a> starting at 3pm Saturday.

Nearly 1 in 6 Northeast Ohioans faces food insecurity as SNAP changes loom

Greater Cleveland Food Bank plans to build a new resource center on Cleveland's west side.

Health

Nearly 300,000 residents in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greater Cleveland Food Bank&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/" data-vars-content-id="df8b2dc0-81d4-40df-ab63-f7ea093f37ae" data-vars-headline="Nearly 1 in 6 Northeast Ohioans faces food insecurity as SNAP changes loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">Greater Cleveland Food Bank&#x27;s</a> service area struggled to consistently access enough food in 2024, a new report shows.Why it matters: Rising <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food insecurity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/06/food-insecurity-united-states" data-vars-content-id="df8b2dc0-81d4-40df-ab63-f7ea093f37ae" data-vars-headline="Nearly 1 in 6 Northeast Ohioans faces food insecurity as SNAP changes loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/06/food-insecurity-united-states" target="_self">food insecurity</a> is putting more pressure on Northeast Ohio&#x27;s safety net just as looming federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changes could shift millions in new costs to the state.

2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement: Everything happening in Canton

The class of 2026 includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri and more.

Sports

The NFL&#x27;s preseason officially gets underway Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton at 8pm.Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of football fans will flock to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Enshrinement Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2026-enshrinement-week-schedule-of-events" data-vars-content-id="ac7c2989-669f-47e6-865e-422c499d6daa" data-vars-headline="2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement: Everything happening in Canton" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2026-enshrinement-week-schedule-of-events" target="_blank">Enshrinement Week</a>, which includes one of the most star-studded classes in recent memory.

Cleveland unemployment drops again

The low, declining figure is under the national rate and suggests its labor market remains solid.

Cleveland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unemployment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" data-vars-content-id="9ea3b549-46fa-4ba9-b566-04b9670ab512" data-vars-headline="Cleveland unemployment drops again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" target="_self">unemployment</a> rate edged lower in June in tandem with the national rate, dropping the metro area&#x27;s jobless rate to a seasonally adjusted 3.3%, new federal data shows.Why it matters: While nearly half of the country&#x27;s cities and metro areas tracked in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jobs report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" data-vars-content-id="9ea3b549-46fa-4ba9-b566-04b9670ab512" data-vars-headline="Cleveland unemployment drops again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" target="_blank">jobs report</a> posted higher unemployment rates, Cleveland&#x27;s low, declining figure suggests its labor market remains solid.

The cost of raising a child just jumped again

Families in the Cleveland saw a 6.7% increase in the cost of raising a child from 2025 to 2026.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it&#x27;s also costing more money. Why it matters: The increased cost of raising a child puts additional pressure on family budgets at a time when housing, child care, health care and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="everyday essentials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-gas-prices-gallup" data-vars-content-id="a5751f31-9bcf-4c02-9876-3193d1f46e4a" data-vars-headline="The cost of raising a child just jumped again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-gas-prices-gallup" target="_self">everyday essentials</a> already cost more.

Kalshi traders back LeBron return to Cleveland

Cleveland has become the popular choice over the past several weeks.

As Cavs fans await LeBron James&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big offseason decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/08/lebron-james-free-agency-next-team-pitches" data-vars-content-id="985ca087-9d2b-4654-8558-3c91fe463fed" data-vars-headline="Kalshi traders back LeBron return to Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/08/lebron-james-free-agency-next-team-pitches" target="_self">big offseason decision</a>, the topic has become popular on prediction market Kalshi.How it works: The site operates like a stock market. Bettors can buy and sell predicted outcomes for real-world events.

Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland

Columbus is launching a pilot program three years after Cleveland quashed one.

Politics

Columbus begins a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial experiment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/city-council-participatory-budget-9-million" data-vars-content-id="f2e46736-f732-445d-891a-739c8d1eb796" data-vars-headline="Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/city-council-participatory-budget-9-million" target="_self">financial experiment</a> this week, handing over the keys to a portion of the city&#x27;s budget to the public for the first time.Why it matters: Clevelanders might be jealous.

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.

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.

Feverlines show change in unemployment rates for Cleveland, U.S. and Rapid City, South Dakota.

Cleveland's unemployment rate

Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Data unavailable for October 2025; Jim Sergent/Axios

Money

Cleveland unemployment drops again

The cost of raising a child just jumped again

Kalshi traders back LeBron return to Cleveland

Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland

Cleveland is dialing back parking rates