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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.

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.

A closer view of Trump's visit to Cleveland for Patriot Games

The president traveled to Cleveland Tuesday for the grand finale.

Politics

President Trump&#x27;s visit to Northeast Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for this week&#x27;s Patriot Games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/07/trump-patriot-games-spire-academy" data-vars-content-id="6123ed66-a701-4de6-8ae5-3f8ad8ef9c70" data-vars-headline="A closer view of Trump&#x27;s visit to Cleveland for Patriot Games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/07/trump-patriot-games-spire-academy" target="_self">for this week&#x27;s Patriot Games</a> included a greeting by ESPN personality Pat McAfee and drama involving a civilian plane. State of play: Trump touched down at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport at 4:45pm Tuesday in the pouring rain. <ul><li>He made the trip to Ohio in the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;bridge&quot; Air Force One" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-air-force-one-security-secret-plane-switch" data-vars-content-id="6123ed66-a701-4de6-8ae5-3f8ad8ef9c70" data-vars-headline="A closer view of Trump&#x27;s visit to Cleveland for Patriot Games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-air-force-one-security-secret-plane-switch" target="_self">&quot;bridge&quot; Air Force One</a>, a Boeing 747 gifted to the United States by Qatar for use as a presidential aircraft. </li></ul>

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.

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.

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.

Pornhub targets age verification laws in Ohio and other states

Pornhub sent a letter to more than 300 state officials and lawmakers this week.

Pornhub is pushing back against age verification rules in more than two dozen states, including Ohio.Why it matters: The battle over requiring age verification to access pornographic websites has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="especially complicated in Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/08/porn-sites-ohio-law-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="c8c04b04-49f9-4cbb-bf38-a78bed07e671" data-vars-headline="Pornhub targets age verification laws in Ohio and other states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/08/porn-sites-ohio-law-enforcement" target="_self">especially complicated in Ohio</a>.

Suit targets HUD grant changes affecting local Fair Housing Center

Cleveland's center says new eligibility rules could undermine nonprofits enforcing fair housing laws.

A new federal lawsuit challenges changes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="8bb39abb-ae02-4d8a-b562-11aa0cf221d4" data-vars-headline="Suit targets HUD grant changes affecting local Fair Housing Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump administration</a> made to a key housing grant program, saying they could decimate fair housing enforcement nationwide.Why it matters: Most housing discrimination complaints are investigated not by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development but by nonprofit fair housing organizations.<ul><li>Groups like Cleveland&#x27;s Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research rely on federal Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants to survive. </li></ul>

Cleveland councilman targets TownHall liquor license

Austin Davis says owner Bobby George's felony conviction should disqualify permit at one of Ohio City's most polarizing destinations.

Food and Drink

Cleveland City Councilman Austin Davis is asking the state to reject TownHall&#x27;s liquor license renewal, citing owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bobby George&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/08/14/bobby-george-bond-set-at-200000-charges-attempted-murder-rape-kidnapping" data-vars-content-id="d8a84d40-6438-448c-94b8-8e19de93f295" data-vars-headline="Cleveland councilman targets TownHall liquor license" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/08/14/bobby-george-bond-set-at-200000-charges-attempted-murder-rape-kidnapping" target="_self">Bobby George&#x27;s</a> recent felony conviction.Why it matters: Under Ohio law, the Division of Liquor Control may deny a permit renewal if a felony conviction is reasonably related to a business owner&#x27;s fitness to hold a liquor license.

Ohio could join federal radiation compensation program

A new bipartisan proposal would extend benefits to communities surrounding Ohio's Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Ohio could be included for the first time in legislation that provides federal compensation for Americans exposed to radiation from the nation&#x27;s nuclear weapons program.The big picture: The proposed expansion of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Radiation Exposure Compensation Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca" data-vars-content-id="7b2ec782-92bd-4c63-9d10-941d4cbc28fc" data-vars-headline="Ohio could join federal radiation compensation program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca" target="_blank">Radiation Exposure Compensation Act</a> (RECA) would add communities surrounding the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County, which local officials say have been overlooked despite decades of nuclear operations.

Cirino wants university civic center classes to be mandatory

The new bill would broaden the authority of Ohio's controversial civics centers despite low enrollment so far.

Education

Cleveland State University&#x27;s Center for Civics, Culture and Society enrolled just 28 students during its pilot semester this spring.Why it matters: State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), the driving force behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio&#x27;s higher ed overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/27/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban-higher-education" data-vars-content-id="85cdfa7a-6414-45d5-859e-adee76265a8f" data-vars-headline="Cirino wants university civic center classes to be mandatory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/27/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban-higher-education" target="_self">Ohio&#x27;s higher ed overhaul</a>, now proposes to make it mandatory for every student at universities with civics centers to take at least one of their courses.

Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland

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

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.

A choropleth map showing the estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detention funding across the U.S. states. The average cost is $2.4k. Washington, D.C., has the highest load, at $3.9k.

Politics 🇺🇸

FAA throws cold water on Burke closure

A closer view of Trump's visit to Cleveland for Patriot Games

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

Trump heading to Northeast Ohio for Patriot Games

Pornhub targets age verification laws in Ohio and other states