Cleveland

blue

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 Alerts

Alert

Axios Cleveland Partners

Cleveland Members

Membership

Are the Browns really this stupid?

The Browns are going with Deshaun Watson starting quarterback for Week 1.

Sports

Deshaun Watson has done everything he can to not be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but the Browns will head into Week 1 with him at QB1, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ESPN&#x27;s Adam Schefter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49711613/sources-browns-tab-deshaun-watson-not-shedeur-sanders-qb1" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49711613/sources-browns-tab-deshaun-watson-not-shedeur-sanders-qb1" target="_blank">ESPN&#x27;s Adam Schefter</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Network" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-deshaun-watson-starting-qb-week-1-2026-season" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-deshaun-watson-starting-qb-week-1-2026-season" target="_blank">NFL Network</a>.State of play: The news follows Watson being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booed by fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49695585/browns-watson-calls-fans-boos-personal-not-based-play" data-vars-content-id="dd0bd2c7-5d14-4169-80e0-20c166031790" data-vars-headline="Are the Browns really this stupid?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49695585/browns-watson-calls-fans-boos-personal-not-based-play" target="_blank">booed by fans</a> at Huntington Bank Field during Saturday&#x27;s preseason game after he completed just 5 of 12 passes and threw an interception against the Buffalo Bills.

"Union County" brings rural Ohio to the big screen

The new drama starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo is playing at the Cedar Lee this week.

Culture

A new movie filmed and set in Ohio starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo is playing at the Cedar Lee this week. The big picture: &quot;Union County,&quot; directed by Ohio filmmaker Adam Meeks, follows two foster brothers (Poulter and Centineo) as they navigate a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program while attempting to rebuild their lives amid the opioid epidemic.

Cleveland synagogues join national push to train congregants on security

Cleveland has something many Jewish communities don't: its own security force.

News

Synagogues across the U.S., including some in Northeast Ohio, are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="training congregants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/synagogues-security-teams-jews" data-vars-content-id="e0c27b25-1784-4427-bca7-5fd47ad0b935" data-vars-headline="Cleveland synagogues join national push to train congregants on security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/synagogues-security-teams-jews" target="_self">training congregants</a> to serve on volunteer security teams, as antisemitic assaults hit record levels nationwide.Why it matters: The push for hyper-vigilance comes as physical assaults against Jews in the U.S. hit a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="46-year high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/antisemitic-assaults-jews-2025" data-vars-content-id="e0c27b25-1784-4427-bca7-5fd47ad0b935" data-vars-headline="Cleveland synagogues join national push to train congregants on security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/antisemitic-assaults-jews-2025" target="_self">46-year high</a> in 2025.

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.

Which Rock Hall "snubs" actually deserve induction? 

We tabulated scores for more than 70 artists often considered Hall of Fame snubs.

Music

Last week, we looked to answer the question — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="How good is good enough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-mendoza-line" data-vars-content-id="e5d07184-ac70-4b74-92ad-720f0fd2533c" data-vars-headline="Which Rock Hall &quot;snubs&quot; actually deserve induction? " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/19/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-mendoza-line" target="_self">How good is good enough</a> to gain induction into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame?The intrigue: We were hit with a bevy of reader emails asking how their favorite artists who haven’t been inducted would rate.

Rock & roll's Mendoza Line: How good is good enough for the Hall of Fame?

We determined the Rock Hall's Mendoza Line to see who is (or isn't) a viable Hall of Famer.

Every debate over who belongs in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/10/rock-hall-fame-scrap-name-change" data-vars-content-id="cb1c99de-d72c-4773-80be-b559f0295419" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; roll&#x27;s Mendoza Line: How good is good enough for the Hall of Fame?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/10/rock-hall-fame-scrap-name-change" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> eventually comes down to where to draw the line — The Beatles? Obviously. Styx? It&#x27;s questionable.Why it matters: Somewhere between them is the minimum viable Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer.

Foo Fighters turn Cleveland stadium show into a family affair

Grohl and his bandmates prove they are still cool after 30-plus years.

Dave Grohl was focused on honoring the old-timers during Foo Fighters&#x27; concert at Huntington Bank Field on Monday night.What he said: &quot;If we play a Foo Fighters song you know, sing along with me,&quot; he insisted.

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.

The story behind Cleveland's newest nightlife obsession

Shooters on the Flats East Bank has become this summer's go-to nightlife spot.

Cars were lined up all the way down Main Avenue in the Flats West Bank on a recent Saturday evening.The intrigue: Asked what all the fuss was about, a pair of guys in a Lamborghini responded: &quot;We&#x27;re going to Shooters, baby!&quot;

Death Cab for Cutie powers through Cleveland heat wave

Roughly 5,000 people flocked to Jacobs Pavilion for the emo band's show.

Death Cab for Cutie fans wore their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer skin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck5tUSQCOVU" data-vars-content-id="362a77c1-6a63-4b1e-a867-d7f7af8f5151" data-vars-headline="Death Cab for Cutie powers through Cleveland heat wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck5tUSQCOVU" target="_blank">summer skin</a> for one of the hottest concerts — both figuratively and literally — of the year on Wednesday night.State of play: Roughly 5,000 people flocked to Jacobs Pavilion for the emo band&#x27;s first Cleveland concert in three years.

Usher, Chris Brown bring R&B party of the summer to Cleveland

The two stars performed more than 50 songs over 2 1/2 hours.

Usher and Chris Brown&#x27;s concert at Huntington Bank Field featured an abundance of hit anthems, flashy dance moves and more screams than a roller coaster drop at Cedar Point.The big picture: The duo&#x27;s co-headlining show Tuesday was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the biggest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/05/30/greatest-concerts-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="fcce8915-024e-42eb-830b-a28c39dbf91f" data-vars-headline="Usher, Chris Brown bring R&amp;B party of the summer to Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/05/30/greatest-concerts-cleveland" target="_self">one of the biggest</a> R&amp;B concerts to ever hit Northeast Ohio.

The 5 greatest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction classes, ranked

Looking back at classes featuring Chuck Berry, the Beatles, Blondie and more.

There are no bad <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="9ac3dd4e-cfd9-466a-a967-43585039c1d2" data-vars-headline="The 5 greatest Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame induction classes, ranked" 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">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> induction classes — only great, greater and greatest.Driving the news: In honor of the National Day of Rock &#x27;n&#x27; Roll on Tuesday, we&#x27;re counting down the five greatest classes over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="40 years of inductions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/09/19/greatest-moments-rock-roll-ceremony-monents" data-vars-content-id="9ac3dd4e-cfd9-466a-a967-43585039c1d2" data-vars-headline="The 5 greatest Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame induction classes, ranked" 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/greatest-moments-rock-roll-ceremony-monents" target="_self">40 years of inductions</a>.

Rock Hall taps into Taylor Swift wedding buzz with new display

The museum has unveiled a new display featuring artifacts from Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" music video.

The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame is getting in on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/09/09/taylor-swift-rock-hall-carole-king-2021" data-vars-content-id="0783e0a8-e271-4141-8a02-6482b555b407" data-vars-headline="Rock Hall taps into Taylor Swift wedding buzz with new display" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/09/09/taylor-swift-rock-hall-carole-king-2021" target="_self">Taylor Swift</a> wedding fever.Driving the news: The museum has unveiled a new display featuring artifacts from Swift&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Fate of Ophelia&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko70cExuzZM" data-vars-content-id="0783e0a8-e271-4141-8a02-6482b555b407" data-vars-headline="Rock Hall taps into Taylor Swift wedding buzz with new display" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko70cExuzZM" target="_blank">&quot;The Fate of Ophelia&quot;</a> music video.

Afterburn aims to end Cleveland's music festival drought

The inaugural event takes place Aug. 14-15 at Victory Park in North Ridgeville.

In less than two months, another music festival will attempt to go where few Northeast Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music festivals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/25/music-festival-wonderstruck-sonic-temple-ohio" data-vars-content-id="fb789d0a-bd1f-4ac2-80ea-fcdf9db770f1" data-vars-headline="Afterburn aims to end Cleveland&#x27;s music festival drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/25/music-festival-wonderstruck-sonic-temple-ohio" target="_self">music festivals</a> have gone before.Why it matters: Despite being the birthplace of rock &#x27;n&#x27; roll, the Cleveland area has been unable to establish the kind of mainstream musical festival that can generate millions of dollars in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic impact" data-vars-click-url="https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2026/01/11/the-music-festival-economy/" data-vars-content-id="fb789d0a-bd1f-4ac2-80ea-fcdf9db770f1" data-vars-headline="Afterburn aims to end Cleveland&#x27;s music festival drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2026/01/11/the-music-festival-economy/" target="_blank">economic impact</a>.