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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.

Cleveland's comeback era: How the '90s reshaped the city

After decades of industrial decline, Cleveland rebranded itself as "America's Comeback City."

What were you like in the 1990s?Why it matters: A new viral trend has everyone — from your friends and family to your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="favorite celebrities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0BKprCXju/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" data-vars-content-id="6e4080e0-22de-4b79-a785-2a53a5995350" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s comeback era: How the &#x27;90s reshaped the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW0BKprCXju/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank">favorite celebrities</a> — answering the question on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/explore/search/keyword/?q=what%20were%20you%20like%20in%20the%2090s" data-vars-content-id="6e4080e0-22de-4b79-a785-2a53a5995350" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s comeback era: How the &#x27;90s reshaped the city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/search/keyword/?q=what%20were%20you%20like%20in%20the%2090s" target="_blank">social media</a>.<ul><li>After decades of industrial decline, Cleveland rebranded itself as &quot;America&#x27;s Comeback City.&quot;</li></ul>

When Cleveland needed a hero, the 1995 Indians delivered

The terrific Indians clinched the franchise's first postseason berth in 41 years.

The Browns were in turmoil, and the Cavs could barely make it out of the first round of the playoffs — Thank heaven for Cleveland&#x27;s baseball team of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the 1990s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/10/90s-cleveland-comeback-city" data-vars-content-id="a53b5bf6-82f9-44e1-ba1c-6862eb9edb2b" data-vars-headline="When Cleveland needed a hero, the 1995 Indians delivered" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/10/90s-cleveland-comeback-city" target="_self">the 1990s</a>.Flashback: The Indians put together some of the most exciting seasons in franchise history, led by players whose names still ring out in local folklore.

CIFF turns 50: The moments that defined Cleveland's film festival

A look back at milestones, special screenings, local connections and more.

The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) kicks off its 50th edition on Thursday.Why it matters: CIFF has become one of Northeast Ohio&#x27;s longest-standing events, attracting tens of thousands of people every year to its in-person and online screenings.

5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival

Films starring horror movie queen Samara Weaving, Paul Rudd, Jessica Rothe and more.

The 50th edition of the Cleveland International Film Festival will feature 326 films over 10 days, ranging from documentaries and short films to thrilling features.The intrigue: We&#x27;ve already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spotlighted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/08/cleveland-international-film-festival-hide-horror-film" data-vars-content-id="4c3ed7b2-9432-4a2b-85b8-4d613e59f683" data-vars-headline="5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/08/cleveland-international-film-festival-hide-horror-film" target="_self">spotlighted</a> a few <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="standouts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/06/ciff-slowburn-shoot-wrestling-documentary-aiw" data-vars-content-id="4c3ed7b2-9432-4a2b-85b8-4d613e59f683" data-vars-headline="5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/06/ciff-slowburn-shoot-wrestling-documentary-aiw" target="_self">standouts</a> at this year&#x27;s fest.<ul><li>Here are five more.</li></ul>

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.

Transit

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.

CIFF horror short "Hide" asks: What if the rich ate their own?

The film, written Cleveland native Justin Kohlas, could make you lose your appetite.

Rich people doing unspeakable things is nothing new in the horror genre, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Hide&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/hide-2026/" data-vars-content-id="97284d0d-2613-4c14-b0aa-7fae09fd3fdc" data-vars-headline="CIFF horror short &quot;Hide&quot; asks: What if the rich ate their own?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/hide-2026/" target="_blank">&quot;Hide&quot;</a> takes it to a new level of grotesque.The intrigue: The short film, written by Cleveland native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Justin Kohlas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kimbermark.com/about" data-vars-content-id="97284d0d-2613-4c14-b0aa-7fae09fd3fdc" data-vars-headline="CIFF horror short &quot;Hide&quot; asks: What if the rich ate their own?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kimbermark.com/about" target="_blank">Justin Kohlas</a>, centers on a wealthy family&#x27;s dinner party where the main course includes chunks of flesh from a participant.

Axios Pittsburgh

Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF

"Slowburn Shoot" looks at the lives of wrestlers at Absolute Intense Wrestling.

Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW) has been body-slamming its way around the Midwest for more than 20 years, but is just now getting the main-event treatment.The intrigue: The spotlight comes courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHX5KSk8nDI" data-vars-content-id="1bea3183-53f1-483a-88da-84b12a0cc12e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHX5KSk8nDI" target="_blank">&quot;Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story,&quot;</a> a documentary debuting April 13 at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland International Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/slowburn-shoot-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1bea3183-53f1-483a-88da-84b12a0cc12e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/slowburn-shoot-2026/" target="_blank">Cleveland International Film Festival</a>.

News 🗞

Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide

Cleveland's comeback era: How the '90s reshaped the city

When Cleveland needed a hero, the 1995 Indians delivered

CIFF turns 50: The moments that defined Cleveland's film festival

5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival