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Kroger-Giant Eagle merger raises surveillance concerns

A new report issues warnings about the impending $1.65 billion merger.

News

Kroger&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.65 billion acquisition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/01/kroger-buy-giant-eagle" data-vars-content-id="53338c29-b238-4702-ae41-4e9eb0cd17fb" data-vars-headline="Kroger-Giant Eagle merger raises surveillance concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/01/kroger-buy-giant-eagle" target="_self">$1.65 billion acquisition</a> of regional grocery chain Giant Eagle could mean higher prices, worsening labor conditions and an expansion of corporate surveillance, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.economicliberties.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Big-Grocery-is-Watching-You-Krogers-Merger-with-Giant-Eagle-Will-Increase-Customer-Surveillance.pdf" data-vars-content-id="53338c29-b238-4702-ae41-4e9eb0cd17fb" data-vars-headline="Kroger-Giant Eagle merger raises surveillance concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.economicliberties.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Big-Grocery-is-Watching-You-Krogers-Merger-with-Giant-Eagle-Will-Increase-Customer-Surveillance.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from the American Economic Liberties Project.Why it matters: Giant Eagle is a dominant player in Northeast Ohio&#x27;s grocery market, trailing only Walmart in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="market share" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/04/24/cleveland-top-grocery-stores" data-vars-content-id="53338c29-b238-4702-ae41-4e9eb0cd17fb" data-vars-headline="Kroger-Giant Eagle merger raises surveillance concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/04/24/cleveland-top-grocery-stores" target="_self">market share</a> as recently as 2024.<ul><li>The acquisition would give Kroger control of its stores and, perhaps more importantly, its customer data.</li></ul>

Cleveland 2026 voter guide: Key races, ballot issues and deadlines

Here's what to know about your ballot in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

Election

The Nov. 3 midterm election is fast approaching, so here&#x27;s what to know about your ballot in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. <h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🗳️ How to vote </h2>The big picture: Early in-person voting continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Ohio has just one statewide ballot issue, and it's a doozy

The ballot title for Issue 3, which concerns voter identification, clocks in at 200 words.

Politics

Ohio voters have just one statewide ballot issue on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nov. 3 election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/26/cuyahoga-county-ballot-issues-levy-2026-election" data-vars-content-id="974dd129-2d89-4527-853b-391a72efa9a5" data-vars-headline="Ohio has just one statewide ballot issue, and it&#x27;s a doozy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/26/cuyahoga-county-ballot-issues-levy-2026-election" target="_self">Nov. 3 election</a>, and it&#x27;s a mouthful.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Issue 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/20/ohio-issue-3-voter-id-amendment-explainer-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="974dd129-2d89-4527-853b-391a72efa9a5" data-vars-headline="Ohio has just one statewide ballot issue, and it&#x27;s a doozy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cincinnati/2026/10/20/ohio-issue-3-voter-id-amendment-explainer-election-2026" target="_self">Issue 3</a>, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning voter identification, features some of the lengthiest ballot language in the country for voters to decipher.

The Cuyahoga County issues on the Nov. 3 ballot 

Levies and charter amendments are important for county budgets and operations.

Cuyahoga County voters will face five countywide ballot issues Nov. 3 that may have gotten lost in the shadow of the dramatic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/20/amy-acton-vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-election-preview" data-vars-content-id="b81c1a99-1885-40e6-a73f-04b6468da6df" data-vars-headline="The Cuyahoga County issues on the Nov. 3 ballot " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/10/20/amy-acton-vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-election-preview" target="_self">governor</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/21/jon-husted-sherrod-brown-ohio-senate-seat-election-2026" data-vars-content-id="b81c1a99-1885-40e6-a73f-04b6468da6df" data-vars-headline="The Cuyahoga County issues on the Nov. 3 ballot " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/21/jon-husted-sherrod-brown-ohio-senate-seat-election-2026" target="_self">Senate</a> races.Why it matters: Levies and charter amendments have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big implications" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-10-20/voters-to-decide-on-3-cuyahoga-county-charter-changes" data-vars-content-id="b81c1a99-1885-40e6-a73f-04b6468da6df" data-vars-headline="The Cuyahoga County issues on the Nov. 3 ballot " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-10-20/voters-to-decide-on-3-cuyahoga-county-charter-changes" target="_blank">big implications</a> for the county&#x27;s finances and operations.

Cleveland police chief pushes back on proposed ALPR pause

Dorothy Todd says safeguards and accountability can prevent abuse as the Community Police Commission seeks to halt the technology.

Public Safety

Cleveland police chief Dorothy Todd is pushing back on the Community Police Commission&#x27;s call to halt the city&#x27;s use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) starting next year.Why it matters: While the commission and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other local critics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/02/cleveland-flock-fight" data-vars-content-id="c5ae33b6-6d8a-476d-b9d5-dfef4feebfe4" data-vars-headline="Cleveland police chief pushes back on proposed ALPR pause" 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">other local critics</a> believe safeguards can&#x27;t meaningfully protect data once it&#x27;s part of a sprawling national network like Flock&#x27;s, Todd says accountability is the appropriate countermeasure to prevent abuse.

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 synagogues join national push to train congregants on security

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

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.

Violent crime in Cleveland largely static in 2026

The 48 homicides through the first half of the year are identical to 2025.

As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="24fa1dfe-b4ae-4f1c-9c17-a51d14eb6235" data-vars-headline="Violent crime in Cleveland largely static in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">violent crime</a> continues to fall across many of the nation&#x27;s largest cities, Cleveland&#x27;s data remained largely unchanged in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. State of play: The homicides count through June was in fact identical — 48 this year and 48 last year.

Cleveland's final vote on Flock

Council will decide whether to renew the city's license plate reader contract after fierce public debates.

Cleveland City Council will cast the deciding vote Wednesday on whether to keep the city&#x27;s controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council" data-vars-content-id="84acafaa-5f5b-4112-80c5-9f7ffa445b9c" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s final vote on Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> license plate reader program.Why it matters: The debate has become the most polarizing at City Hall in 2026, pitting police and many East Side clergy against civil liberties advocates and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a grassroots campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="84acafaa-5f5b-4112-80c5-9f7ffa445b9c" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s final vote on Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">a grassroots campaign</a> that calls the technology a mass surveillance tool.

Cuyahoga County bans gun-shaped lighters

The new ordinance is named for Tamir Rice and arrives amid with stricter consumer protection enforcement.

Cuyahoga County has become the first county in Ohio to ban the retail sale and display of gun-shaped novelty lighters.Why it matters: Some Ohio cities regulate novelty lighters on the basis of fire safety, but county officials say this is the first to specifically target them as a violence-prevention measure.

Flock on why public safety in Cleveland isn't a zero-sum game

Flock Safety explains how safeguards can support more responsible public safety technology

Partners

Cleveland officials are revisiting their public safety technology, including automated license plate readers (LPRs), amid nationwide public debates about access, safety, equity and transparency.Why it&#x27;s important: Flock, a company that produces LPR technology, believes public safety isn&#x27;t a zero-sum game.<ul><li>Clear rules, oversight and transparency can help cities like Cleveland use public safety technology while protecting privacy and civil liberties.</li></ul>

Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock

New restrictions aim to limit outside access to license plate reader data, but critics remain unconvinced.

Shaker Heights has signed an amended contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="3b7de941-419c-49e8-9436-db30c098057b" data-vars-headline="Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> that restricts access to data collected by the company&#x27;s automated license plate readers and imposes stricter controls on its internal use. Why it matters: The new contract comes after a grassroots opposition group obtained public records showing outside agencies <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were accessing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05/activists-uncover-hundreds-of-immigration-related-searches-that-ran-through-shaker-heights-flock-system.html" data-vars-content-id="3b7de941-419c-49e8-9436-db30c098057b" data-vars-headline="Shaker Heights rewrites contract with Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05/activists-uncover-hundreds-of-immigration-related-searches-that-ran-through-shaker-heights-flock-system.html" target="_blank">were accessing</a> local data for immigration-related searches.

Council committee declines to renew Flock contract

Council members questioned whether license plate readers make the city safer as skepticism over surveillance grows.

Cleveland City Council&#x27;s Safety Committee has voted against extending the city&#x27;s $250,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contract with Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDQ82vrpxC-XBY5MJnkjoQxMT&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD2kMIRjUL1_qCQ1hLmbacPysT5fHRF-HicBDyMs_TSe0ER7QXbTU_caAhF3EALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="10ba385d-9448-4cc9-b789-9db846e7a5cd" data-vars-headline="Council committee declines to renew Flock contract" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDQ82vrpxC-XBY5MJnkjoQxMT&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD2kMIRjUL1_qCQ1hLmbacPysT5fHRF-HicBDyMs_TSe0ER7QXbTU_caAhF3EALw_wcB" target="_self">contract with Flock Safety</a>, despite warnings from police officials that losing the system would be &quot;crippling&quot; to investigations.Why it matters: Wednesday&#x27;s vote reflects growing skepticism about whether automated license plate readers deliver enough public safety benefits to justify expanded surveillance.

Cleveland ranks among safest big metros for walking

Pedestrian safety is important in one of the nation's most equitably walkable cities.

Cleveland continues to be one of the safer cities for pedestrians, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report from Smart Growth America" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/signature-reports/dangerous-by-design/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="bba5f595-8088-44d8-bf2d-07e917ac0982" data-vars-headline="Cleveland ranks among safest big metros for walking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/signature-reports/dangerous-by-design/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">report from Smart Growth America</a>.Why it matters: Pedestrian safety is especially important in Cleveland, which is considered to be one of the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most equitably walkable cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.planetizen.com/news/2023/02/121525-cleveland-nations-most-equitably-walkable-city?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="bba5f595-8088-44d8-bf2d-07e917ac0982" data-vars-headline="Cleveland ranks among safest big metros for walking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.planetizen.com/news/2023/02/121525-cleveland-nations-most-equitably-walkable-city?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">most equitably walkable cities</a>.