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Failed Tennessee execution puts Ohio death penalty back in focus

More than 100 people remain on Ohio's death row.

Politics

Tennessee&#x27;s failed attempt to execute Christa Pike is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renewing scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/christa-pike-lethal-injections-drugs-pentobarbital" data-vars-content-id="fe43fc4f-99e5-496a-a057-6c0314c59e2d" data-vars-headline="Failed Tennessee execution puts Ohio death penalty back in focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/christa-pike-lethal-injections-drugs-pentobarbital" target="_self">renewing scrutiny</a> of lethal injection — an issue with a troubled history in Ohio.Why it matters: Ohio still has the death penalty, but hasn&#x27;t carried out an execution in more than eight years.<ul><li>Gov. Mike DeWine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has cited" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/governor-mike-dewine-ohio-abolish-death-penalty" data-vars-content-id="fe43fc4f-99e5-496a-a057-6c0314c59e2d" data-vars-headline="Failed Tennessee execution puts Ohio death penalty back in focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/governor-mike-dewine-ohio-abolish-death-penalty" target="_self">has cited</a> Ohio&#x27;s persistent problems obtaining lethal injection drugs, and now says the death penalty should be abolished.</li></ul>

You can buy a castle in Cleveland for under $600,000

Originally built in 1924, this one-of-a-kind Medieval residence was fully renovated in 2024.

Real Estate

A legit Cleveland castle is on the market for just $575,000.Driving the news: The unusual stone home <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="listed for sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3860-W-44th-St-Cleveland-OH-44109/33349250_zpid/" data-vars-content-id="b849d371-6c8e-41e7-9b10-35b328a88546" data-vars-headline="You can buy a castle in Cleveland for under $600,000" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3860-W-44th-St-Cleveland-OH-44109/33349250_zpid/" target="_blank">listed for sale</a> in the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood has everything a medieval lord or lady could want — battlements, a turret, and extremely Christian stained glass windows.

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

Cleveland's Winton Motor Carriage Co. was a pioneer of America's fledgling auto industry.

News

One of the most significant remnants of Cleveland&#x27;s early automotive history has been saved from demolition.Why it matters: Before Detroit became synonymous with cars, Cleveland was a center of America&#x27;s fledgling auto industry — and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winton Motor Carriage Co." data-vars-click-url="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" data-vars-content-id="dad115e0-4477-4c04-8dab-1b4927f03059" data-vars-headline="How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" target="_blank">Winton Motor Carriage Co.</a> was one of its pioneers.

Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image

D.J. Byrnes faces a criminal charge in a case testing the boundaries of political speech.

Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes is on trial for texting a state senator an explicit image of the cartoon character Shrek.Why it matters: The case has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attracted national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" data-vars-content-id="edfbe4c2-475a-43d7-9b82-1dc0a426dd27" data-vars-headline="Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" target="_blank">attracted national attention</a> from free speech advocates who argue that even vulgar criticism of elected officials is protected by the First Amendment.

Cleveland looks to unlock I-X Center's industrial potential

A 49-year lease extension and payroll-based rent incentives could help attract major manufacturers to the massive site.

The I-X Center could soon have the financial tools for its operator to give it a facelift and attract major industrial tenants.Why it matters: The facility known for its regional trade shows could be a cash cow for the city of Cleveland if one or more advanced manufacturing tenants with high-paying jobs occupy the space.

Cleveland councilman blasts Bibb's new political coalition

Tanmay Shah defended democratic socialism and urged the mayor to "focus on your job."

Cleveland City Councilman Tanmay Shah <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unloaded Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/live/0aFZlnx5z5A?si=yMXma29HIZsgWdlN&amp;t=4222" data-vars-content-id="8413bf27-820e-4185-b7ce-032b48c4d688" data-vars-headline="Cleveland councilman blasts Bibb&#x27;s new political coalition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/0aFZlnx5z5A?si=yMXma29HIZsgWdlN&amp;t=4222" target="_blank">unloaded Monday</a> on Mayor Justin Bibb&#x27;s new national political initiative. Driving the news: Bibb was in Miami this week launching Blue Cities/Red States, a coalition of 15 Democratic mayors serving in Republican-controlled states.

Northeast Ohio Flock fight reaches Congress

Rep. Shontel Brown is scrutinizing an FBI plan for nationwide surveillance as local opposition to ALPRs intensifies.

U.S. Reps. Shontel Brown (D-Warrensville Heights) and Greg Casar (D-Texas) are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demanding answers" data-vars-click-url="https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/brown-casar-demand-answers-fbis-plan-buy-mass-surveillance-systems-including" data-vars-content-id="a9edcc34-5ad2-4df2-8959-1fdb3ee48743" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio Flock fight reaches Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/brown-casar-demand-answers-fbis-plan-buy-mass-surveillance-systems-including" target="_blank">demanding answers</a> about an FBI plan to obtain nationwide access to automatic license plate reader networks.Why it matters: The lawmakers warned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a recent letter" data-vars-click-url="https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ifn0l6bs/production/f78c97b51515e55b0d5c23cfc697d3556f2bd78e.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a9edcc34-5ad2-4df2-8959-1fdb3ee48743" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio Flock fight reaches Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdn.sanity.io/files/ifn0l6bs/production/f78c97b51515e55b0d5c23cfc697d3556f2bd78e.pdf" target="_blank">in a recent letter</a> that &quot;dramatically&quot; expanding FBI access to networks operated by companies like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/02/cleveland-flock-fight" data-vars-content-id="a9edcc34-5ad2-4df2-8959-1fdb3ee48743" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio Flock fight reaches Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/02/cleveland-flock-fight" target="_self">Flock</a> and Motorola would enable &quot;near real time&quot; surveillance of civilians.

Rainbow Terrace families want new investigation into fatal blast

Residents are rejecting Cleveland's inconclusive findings 15 months after the explosion.

The families of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rainbow Terrace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/24/garden-valley-apartment-explosion-fire-photos" data-vars-content-id="22999ac8-6d78-4762-8495-0159bb67fe45" data-vars-headline="Rainbow Terrace families want new investigation into fatal blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/24/garden-valley-apartment-explosion-fire-photos" target="_self">Rainbow Terrace</a> are calling for a new investigation into the explosion that rocked the Garden Valley apartment complex on June 23, 2025. Why it matters: The cause of the explosion that killed one resident, injured others and destroyed more than 40 units remains &quot;undetermined,&quot; per a city investigation that Mayor Justin Bibb <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced this week" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-rainbow-terrace-explosion-fire-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="22999ac8-6d78-4762-8495-0159bb67fe45" data-vars-headline="Rainbow Terrace families want new investigation into fatal blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-rainbow-terrace-explosion-fire-investigation/" target="_blank">announced this week</a> is now closed.

Cleveland launches crisis response bureau

The new EMS unit will send health professionals to some behavioral health emergencies instead of police.

Cleveland is launching a new bureau designed to send unarmed health professionals instead of police to behavioral health and substance-use emergencies.Why it matters: Creating the Community Crisis Response Bureau, housed within EMS, was the primary aim of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tanisha&#x27;s Law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/12/11/tanishas-law-city-council-mayor-bibb" data-vars-content-id="6f6d2016-7891-4a67-97fc-2514a5b6e71a" data-vars-headline="Cleveland launches crisis response bureau" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/12/11/tanishas-law-city-council-mayor-bibb" target="_self">Tanisha&#x27;s Law</a> that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passed in February" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-02-02/cleveland-city-council-passes-tanishas-law-expanding-nonpolice-response-to-mental-health-crises" data-vars-content-id="6f6d2016-7891-4a67-97fc-2514a5b6e71a" data-vars-headline="Cleveland launches crisis response bureau" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-02-02/cleveland-city-council-passes-tanishas-law-expanding-nonpolice-response-to-mental-health-crises" target="_blank">passed in February</a>.<ul><li>It represents a big shift in how Cleveland handles nonviolent crisis calls.</li></ul>

Navigating Ohio's political ad overload

Six more weeks of this? Just let me watch football.

We&#x27;re in the midst of the September <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political ads spending spree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/29/ohio-political-ads-brown-husted-acton-ramaswamy-2026" data-vars-content-id="8186cd0e-7221-4058-a0e1-24c57b1e00f8" data-vars-headline="Navigating Ohio&#x27;s political ad overload" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/29/ohio-political-ads-brown-husted-acton-ramaswamy-2026" target="_self">political ads spending spree</a> — and it&#x27;s driving me insane.State of play: I can&#x27;t watch my favorite shows without hearing claims about former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown&#x27;s age or Republican Sen. Jon Husted&#x27;s relationship with data centers.

Cleveland seeks public input on data centers

Three hearings will help shape new regulations as a temporary moratorium on development nears expiration.

Cleveland City Council will hold three upcoming public hearings to solicit resident feedback on future data center development.State of play: The council passed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-month moratorium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/cleveland-data-center-moratorium" data-vars-content-id="6e54f455-896d-4bf1-86cb-cae9e1a88522" data-vars-headline="Cleveland seeks public input on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/cleveland-data-center-moratorium" target="_self">three-month moratorium</a> on new data center permits in July. That expires Oct. 20, but could be extended if regulations aren&#x27;t in place by then.

Cleveland wins $2 million grant for 200 East Side homes

State funding is part of Mayor Justin Bibb's broader push for development on the East Side

Cleveland will receive a $2 million state grant to help build 200 homes in a new East Side housing district.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Justin Bibb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/09/cleveland-housing-innovation-district-east-side" data-vars-content-id="5da7ab7a-433f-47ed-82d9-e61b0323fb7c" data-vars-headline="Cleveland wins $2 million grant for 200 East Side homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/09/cleveland-housing-innovation-district-east-side" target="_self">Mayor Justin Bibb</a>&#x27;s administration is trying to jump-start investment in parts of the Hough, St. Clair-Superior and Central neighborhoods, where decades of population loss and blight have made conventional development a dicey proposition.

Politics 🇺🇸

Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image

Cleveland looks to unlock I-X Center's industrial potential

Cleveland councilman blasts Bibb's new political coalition

Northeast Ohio Flock fight reaches Congress

Failed Tennessee execution puts Ohio death penalty back in focus