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"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.

Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year

The freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has its next event Saturday.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freestyle wrestling promotion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" target="_blank">freestyle wrestling promotion</a> founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has grown significantly since making its global debut at the Wolstein Center in August 2025.Driving the news: Real American Freestyle (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RAF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" target="_self">RAF</a>) will celebrate its first anniversary at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" target="_blank">8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena</a>.

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.

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.

Music

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.

Library strike paused amid temporary agreement

CPL and SEIU 1199 negotiators reached a tentative contract agreement at the 11th hour.

The roughly 400 Cleveland Public Library employees represented by SEIU 1199 called off their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="planned strike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/29/cleveland-library-workers-strike-date-seiu" data-vars-content-id="1b96e783-a582-4499-9112-4039acba2f6f" data-vars-headline="Library strike paused amid temporary agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/29/cleveland-library-workers-strike-date-seiu" target="_self">planned strike</a> Monday after union and CPL negotiating teams reached a tentative contract agreement. Why it matters: The 11th-hour negotiations prevented a work stoppage disrupting essential community services and limiting neighborhood branches to curbside pickup for the duration of the strike, which would have coincided with the start of the school year.

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.

Flashback: Forbes' "Under 30" era in Ohio

The state spent three years hosting the influential summit founded by recently ousted Forbes editor Randall Lane.

Ohio spent three years courting young entrepreneurs celebrated by Forbes&#x27; influential &quot;30 Under 30&quot; list, whose creator was fired last month for an ethical breach at the publication.State of play: The &quot;Under 30&quot; franchise was the signature creation of Randall Lane, Forbes&#x27; chief content officer who received a $6 million payment from the founder of a company that does business with Forbes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The New York Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/business/forbes-editor-fired.html" data-vars-content-id="d90c0e9b-05b8-405e-8197-2033a94237e8" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Forbes&#x27; &quot;Under 30&quot; era in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/business/forbes-editor-fired.html" target="_blank">The New York Times reports</a>.

Downtown's grocery problem is complicated

Residents mourn Heinen's while acknowledging many traveled elsewhere for shopping trips.

Downtown Cleveland residents are distraught after the recent closure of the world&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most beautiful grocery store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/20/heinens-downtown-grocery-store-closure" data-vars-content-id="dd361c13-b79c-47f2-90dc-52714ca11cdc" data-vars-headline="Downtown&#x27;s grocery problem is complicated" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/20/heinens-downtown-grocery-store-closure" target="_self">most beautiful grocery store</a>. Why it matters: Heinen&#x27;s departure exposes a tension in downtown living. Residents desperately want a full-service supermarket, but many admit they travel to the West Side Market or the suburbs for their primary weekly shopping, due to parking and accessibility.

Cleveland Clinic and UH have no position on Burke's future

Airport advocates call it critical for transplant flights, but the Clinic says it has "workable alternatives."

Supporters of Burke Lakefront Airport say it plays a critical role for Cleveland&#x27;s two major hospital systems, but neither Cleveland Clinic nor University Hospitals is joining the campaign to keep it open.Driving the news: A recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="letter to Cleveland City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" data-vars-content-id="270cd6bd-dca1-41cd-b67a-3bd6a624e4bd" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Clinic and UH have no position on Burke&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" target="_self">letter to Cleveland City Council</a> from local aviation industry professionals described Burke as the &quot;preferred destination for organ transplant flights and critical patient transfers&quot; for the Clinic and UH.

FAA throws cold water on Burke closure

The agency's stance deals a major blow to a local campaign to reclaim 450 acres of Cleveland lakefront.

Transit

The federal government has erected an unwieldy roadblock in front of Cleveland&#x27;s effort to close Burke Lakefront Airport.Why it matters: Federal opposition effectively forecloses the city&#x27;s clearest path <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to redeveloping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/23/cleveland-waterfront-status-update" data-vars-content-id="d78b5bb3-570a-4aef-a1b7-923030cf219e" data-vars-headline="FAA throws cold water on Burke closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/23/cleveland-waterfront-status-update" target="_self">to redeveloping</a> the 450-acre lakefront property, at least in the near future.

Readers: Don't close Burke just yet

Most favor keeping the lakefront airport open, at least until the city has a concrete alternative.

Axios Cleveland readers who responded to our recent coverage of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Burke Lakefront Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" data-vars-content-id="20b9987c-78d1-49d9-a608-3fc1c8499a9d" data-vars-headline="Readers: Don&#x27;t close Burke just yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" target="_self">Burke Lakefront Airport</a> lean strongly toward keeping the airport open. Why it matters: The responses surprised us. For years, we&#x27;ve seen public sentiment overwhelmingly in the other direction.

Norma Herr adds 103 shelter beds in $31 million expansion

Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are investing in this as part of a homelessness strategy.

Local officials are celebrating a $31 million expansion and renovation of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Norma Herr Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/10/23/norma-herr-womens-homeless-shelter-expansion-renovation" data-vars-content-id="6f9bd0a0-eee1-49b5-9617-5eea0c1a7147" data-vars-headline="Norma Herr adds 103 shelter beds in $31 million expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/10/23/norma-herr-womens-homeless-shelter-expansion-renovation" target="_self">Norma Herr Center</a>, the region&#x27;s primary emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness.Why it matters: The ongoing project significantly expands shelter capacity while replacing congregate sleeping arrangements with more private, dignified accommodations.

Ohio taxpayers each face $1,670 tab for Trump's mass deportation push

Trump's immigration policies have thousands of Ohio's Haitian immigrants in limbo.

Immigration

Ohio taxpayers would pay nearly $1,700 each for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s mass deportation" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3BpdHRzYnVyZ2gvMjAyNi8wMi8wOS90cnVtcC1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi1zaGlmdC1pY2UtZGV0ZW50aW9ucy1waXR0c2J1cmdoP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB88889105" data-vars-content-id="e7826d50-ad5d-419f-adff-39f81a50f53c" data-vars-headline="Ohio taxpayers each face $1,670 tab for Trump&#x27;s mass deportation push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3BpdHRzYnVyZ2gvMjAyNi8wMi8wOS90cnVtcC1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi1zaGlmdC1pY2UtZGV0ZW50aW9ucy1waXR0c2J1cmdoP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB88889105" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s mass deportation</a> push, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new calculator" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXBpLm9yZy9kZXBvcnRhdGlvbi1jYWxjdWxhdG9yLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB1f1018ca" data-vars-content-id="e7826d50-ad5d-419f-adff-39f81a50f53c" data-vars-headline="Ohio taxpayers each face $1,670 tab for Trump&#x27;s mass deportation push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXBpLm9yZy9kZXBvcnRhdGlvbi1jYWxjdWxhdG9yLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB1f1018ca" target="_self">a new calculator</a> from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDQvMTUvaWNlLWRlcG9ydGF0aW9ucy11cy1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi10cnVtcC1iaWRlbi0yMDI1P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB51c784e6" data-vars-content-id="e7826d50-ad5d-419f-adff-39f81a50f53c" data-vars-headline="Ohio taxpayers each face $1,670 tab for Trump&#x27;s mass deportation push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46946043.25/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDQvMTUvaWNlLWRlcG9ydGF0aW9ucy11cy1pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi10cnVtcC1iaWRlbi0yMDI1P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63883f95eb76627b3989208fB51c784e6" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities, such as health care or housing.

Axios Vitals

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

News 🗞

Library strike paused amid temporary agreement

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Flashback: Forbes' "Under 30" era in Ohio

Downtown's grocery problem is complicated

Cleveland Clinic and UH have no position on Burke's future