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How Cleveland helped launch Rush's legendary career

Rush returns to Cleveland for shows Rocket Arena.

Music

Before &quot;Tom Sawyer,&quot; &quot;2112,&quot; arena shows and the Rock Hall, Rush was a little-known Canadian band playing a $3 show at the Agora.Why it matters: Legendary Cleveland radio station WMMS helped launch the band&#x27;s American career — a relationship immortalized in a remarkable concert broadcast from Aug. 26, 1974.

Ohio leads the nation in library checkouts

Residents checked out more than 13 items per person in fiscal 2024.

Culture

Ohio leads the nation in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public library borrowing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/library-book-checkout-map" data-vars-content-id="682eaa48-82fa-4c1d-93b1-c2d49119652f" data-vars-headline="Ohio leads the nation in library checkouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/library-book-checkout-map" target="_self">public library borrowing</a>, with residents having checked out more than 13 items per person in FY 2024, according to newly released federal data.Why it matters: Ohio&#x27;s library habit isn&#x27;t new. The state has consistently ranked near the top nationally for circulation, including ranking No. 1 in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2015" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/plsfy2015.pdf" data-vars-content-id="682eaa48-82fa-4c1d-93b1-c2d49119652f" data-vars-headline="Ohio leads the nation in library checkouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/plsfy2015.pdf" target="_blank">2015</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2016" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/public-libraries-united-states-survey-fiscal-year-2016.pdf" data-vars-content-id="682eaa48-82fa-4c1d-93b1-c2d49119652f" data-vars-headline="Ohio leads the nation in library checkouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/public-libraries-united-states-survey-fiscal-year-2016.pdf" target="_blank">2016</a> and No. 2 in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2017" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/plsfy17volume2.pdf" data-vars-content-id="682eaa48-82fa-4c1d-93b1-c2d49119652f" data-vars-headline="Ohio leads the nation in library checkouts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/plsfy17volume2.pdf" target="_blank">2017</a>.

Hopkins is back to the bottom of the barrel

JD Power places CLE 14th among 14 midsize airports nationwide.

Transit

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been ranked last among midsize airports in JD Power&#x27;s annual customer satisfaction survey.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Familiar territory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/09/18/cleveland-hopkins-ranks-last-among-midsize-airports-jd-power" data-vars-content-id="20880658-207e-4426-aa5b-3e5edf72e1b5" data-vars-headline="Hopkins is back to the bottom of the barrel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/09/18/cleveland-hopkins-ranks-last-among-midsize-airports-jd-power" target="_self">Familiar territory</a>, in other words. </li></ul>Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s woeful standings in passenger surveys like this one, which measure traveler satisfaction with facilities, personnel, retail offerings and ease of travel, illustrate the urgency of its comprehensive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/01/hopkins-airport-project-clevolution-gold-lot" data-vars-content-id="20880658-207e-4426-aa5b-3e5edf72e1b5" data-vars-headline="Hopkins is back to the bottom of the barrel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/01/hopkins-airport-project-clevolution-gold-lot" target="_self">$1.6 billion overhaul</a>.

More Vegas flights take off from Cleveland

Las Vegas has historically been one of Hopkins' most popular nonstop destinations.

Travel

Northeast Ohio travelers will have more ways to reach Las Vegas when United Airlines <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandairport.com/about-cle/news-press/united-expands-cle-service-las-vegas-and-miami" data-vars-content-id="ef5b6e5d-8410-4ce8-aae6-d770ff245f39" data-vars-headline="More Vegas flights take off from Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandairport.com/about-cle/news-press/united-expands-cle-service-las-vegas-and-miami" target="_blank">launches</a> year-round nonstop service Thursday between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Hopkins International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/17/hopkins-jdpower-2026-ranking-airport" data-vars-content-id="ef5b6e5d-8410-4ce8-aae6-d770ff245f39" data-vars-headline="More Vegas flights take off from Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/17/hopkins-jdpower-2026-ranking-airport" target="_self">Cleveland Hopkins International Airport</a> and Sin City.Why it matters: The addition fills a gap left by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spirit Airlines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/02/spirit-airlines-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="ef5b6e5d-8410-4ce8-aae6-d770ff245f39" data-vars-headline="More Vegas flights take off from Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/02/spirit-airlines-shutdown" target="_self">Spirit Airlines</a>, which long provided cheap Cleveland-to-Vegas flights before the carrier ceased operations in May.

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.

Catholic Diocese to revamp downtown office building

The staff of Cleveland Catholic Charities will relocate there once complete.

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is launching a major renovation of its downtown office building next to St. John&#x27;s Cathedral. Why it matters: The $15 million project will breathe new life into an &quot;iconic but underutilized&quot; downtown property, per Bishop Edward Malesic, and bring 150 employees to the central business district.

Remembering Pope Francis' impact on Northeast Ohio and beyond

The bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland released a statement on the pontiff's death.

​​Catholics around the globe are mourning the loss of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pope Francis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dies-easter-monday-vatican" data-vars-content-id="0ca24d69-ab2f-400e-b3a0-155c2419617e" data-vars-headline="Remembering Pope Francis&#x27; impact on Northeast Ohio and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dies-easter-monday-vatican" target="_self">Pope Francis</a>, who died Easter Monday at the age of 88.Why it matters: Francis&#x27; advocacy for progressive causes helped modernize the Catholic Church, which has more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="600,000 members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/about/who-we-are#:~:text=Home%20to%20over%20613%2C000%20Catholics,founded%20on%20April%2023%2C%201847." data-vars-content-id="0ca24d69-ab2f-400e-b3a0-155c2419617e" data-vars-headline="Remembering Pope Francis&#x27; impact on Northeast Ohio and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/about/who-we-are#:~:text=Home%20to%20over%20613%2C000%20Catholics,founded%20on%20April%2023%2C%201847." target="_blank">600,000 members</a> in Northeast Ohio.

Orthodox Church from "The Deer Hunter" damaged in Cleveland fire

St. Theodosius opened in 1913 and is on National Register of Historic Places

One of Cleveland&#x27;s most recognizable churches was severely damaged in a fire Tuesday. Why it matters: St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral, which opened in 1913 and remains a visual icon in the Tremont neighborhood, was featured prominently in the 1978 film &quot;The Deer Hunter.&quot;

United Church of Christ makes history with election of new president

Karen Georgia Thompson is first woman, and first Black woman, to lead Cleveland-based protestant denomination

Religion

Cleveland-based United Church of Christ has elected Karen Georgia Thompson as its president and general minister.Why it matters: Thompson, a Jamaican immigrant, is the first woman to lead the mainline protestant denomination of 770,000 worldwide members.

Religion

Cleveland synagogues join national push to train congregants on security

Cleveland's Reach City Church is part of religious chatbot revolution

Catholic Diocese to revamp downtown office building

Remembering Pope Francis' impact on Northeast Ohio and beyond

Orthodox Church from "The Deer Hunter" damaged in Cleveland fire