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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 is America's fastest-growing pickleball city

The city topped a national ranking for player growth and nearly doubled its number of courts this year.

Sports

Cleveland is America&#x27;s fastest-growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/03/pickleball-growth-northeast-ohio" data-vars-content-id="9e2a78bb-f5b6-4b82-a7be-0edcff4bc714" data-vars-headline="Cleveland is America&#x27;s fastest-growing pickleball city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/03/pickleball-growth-northeast-ohio" target="_self">pickleball city</a>, according to the popular player-rating app <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DUPR" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dupr.com/post/the-top-10-fastest-growing-pickleball-cities-in-the-united-states" data-vars-content-id="9e2a78bb-f5b6-4b82-a7be-0edcff4bc714" data-vars-headline="Cleveland is America&#x27;s fastest-growing pickleball city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dupr.com/post/the-top-10-fastest-growing-pickleball-cities-in-the-united-states" target="_blank">DUPR</a>.By the numbers: Cleveland recorded a 71% increase in DUPR users over the past 12 months, the largest jump among cities analyzed by the company.

5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

The 17th annual fest features more than 70 documentaries from 31 countries.

Things to Do

Northeast Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thriving film industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/13/film-industry-northeast-ohio-post-superman" data-vars-content-id="4d76cc84-35f5-45f4-9b66-847de4b14cb7" data-vars-headline="5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/13/film-industry-northeast-ohio-post-superman" target="_self">thriving film industry</a> takes center stage again as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chagrinfilmfest.org/" data-vars-content-id="4d76cc84-35f5-45f4-9b66-847de4b14cb7" data-vars-headline="5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chagrinfilmfest.org/" target="_blank">Chagrin Documentary Film Festival</a> returns this week.Why it matters: The 17th annual fest features more than 70 documentaries from 31 countries, including several of this year&#x27;s most intriguing films that hit close to home.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market

Tickets for the Nov. 14 ceremony in Los Angeles are available through AXS.

Music

Tickets are officially on sale for the 2026 Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="induction ceremony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="90cd1a71-829b-4568-9fdf-50d28fcceb67" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">induction ceremony</a> and, unsurprisingly, they&#x27;ll cost a pretty penny.State of play: Tickets for the Nov. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles are available through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AXS" data-vars-click-url="https://tix.axs.com/vYAtIwAAAADdRSaBAwAAAACn%2fv%2f%2f%2fwD%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fB3BlYWNvY2sA%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f8%3d/shop/search?skin=peacock&amp;tags=&amp;cpch=&amp;cpdate=&amp;cprid=&amp;cpid=&amp;cpcn=&amp;cpdid=&amp;cpdn=&amp;cpsrc=&amp;intoff=&amp;cid=&amp;utm_source=peacocktheater&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=PT_RRHOF_26&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff=&amp;clickref=&amp;promocode=&amp;originalReferringURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.axs.com%2Fevents%2F1525664%2F2026-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-tickets%3Fskin%3Dpeacock%26utm_source%3Dpeacocktheater%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DPT_RRHOF_26%26_gl%3D1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw%26_ga%3D2.246196416.550599570.1790862494-1080967931.1788959890%26__cf_chl_tk%3DvKpNVItcWKy51ipCQxs7IHomN4nxavIPVYCEgv9ESJQ-1790862495-1.0.1.1-81QhvAAGz2vXXvtWirxLnlAY6WdBjwPImgdXPvyNNGY&amp;upgrade=&amp;mkt_campaign=&amp;irclickid=&amp;gclid=&amp;fbclid=&amp;_gl=1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw&amp;axsEventId=1525664&amp;q=be8ea7cd-3f02-4854-992d-7a19849afb7b&amp;p=04892c19-9c91-4eb1-a9f5-54994892d83d&amp;ts=1790862504&amp;c=axs&amp;e=59018463758795589&amp;rt=Safetynet&amp;h=89cdbd399b9197e7e4a97c80d97fc67b" data-vars-content-id="90cd1a71-829b-4568-9fdf-50d28fcceb67" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tix.axs.com/vYAtIwAAAADdRSaBAwAAAACn%2fv%2f%2f%2fwD%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fB3BlYWNvY2sA%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f8%3d/shop/search?skin=peacock&amp;tags=&amp;cpch=&amp;cpdate=&amp;cprid=&amp;cpid=&amp;cpcn=&amp;cpdid=&amp;cpdn=&amp;cpsrc=&amp;intoff=&amp;cid=&amp;utm_source=peacocktheater&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=PT_RRHOF_26&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff=&amp;clickref=&amp;promocode=&amp;originalReferringURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.axs.com%2Fevents%2F1525664%2F2026-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-tickets%3Fskin%3Dpeacock%26utm_source%3Dpeacocktheater%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DPT_RRHOF_26%26_gl%3D1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw%26_ga%3D2.246196416.550599570.1790862494-1080967931.1788959890%26__cf_chl_tk%3DvKpNVItcWKy51ipCQxs7IHomN4nxavIPVYCEgv9ESJQ-1790862495-1.0.1.1-81QhvAAGz2vXXvtWirxLnlAY6WdBjwPImgdXPvyNNGY&amp;upgrade=&amp;mkt_campaign=&amp;irclickid=&amp;gclid=&amp;fbclid=&amp;_gl=1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw&amp;axsEventId=1525664&amp;q=be8ea7cd-3f02-4854-992d-7a19849afb7b&amp;p=04892c19-9c91-4eb1-a9f5-54994892d83d&amp;ts=1790862504&amp;c=axs&amp;e=59018463758795589&amp;rt=Safetynet&amp;h=89cdbd399b9197e7e4a97c80d97fc67b" target="_blank">AXS</a>, with prices starting at nearly $550 for the venue&#x27;s orchestra section.

Sci-fi goes supersized at Great Lakes Science Center

"Interstellar," "Nope" and more are coming to the science center's DOME theater.

Great Lakes Science Center is going big for movie night this fall, with three sci-fi favorites headed to its giant DOME Theater.State of play: The Science Center&#x27;s monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DOME Movies After Dark " data-vars-click-url="https://greatscience.com/explore/cleveland-clinic-dome-theater/dome-movies-after-dark" data-vars-content-id="afd4e471-d4ac-4f1b-87f8-0d425abd010f" data-vars-headline="Sci-fi goes supersized at Great Lakes Science Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://greatscience.com/explore/cleveland-clinic-dome-theater/dome-movies-after-dark" target="_blank">DOME Movies After Dark </a>series continues Oct. 22 with Jordan Peele&#x27;s 2022 sci-fi horror hit &quot;Nope,&quot; starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as siblings trying to capture evidence of a UFO.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Cleveland

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="4d62396c-9972-4285-96f6-21906a355413" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Cleveland&#x27;s Ohio City neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Northeast Ohio haunted houses to visit this fall

Several of the region's scariest sites open this weekend.

It may not be October yet, but scary season has arrived.State of play: Several of Northeast Ohio&#x27;s most popular haunted houses open this weekend.

Three sports alternatives to the Browns this weekend 

Live events in Cleveland without the emotional angst

If you prefer to consume Cleveland sports without psychic trauma or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deshaun Watson storylines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/24/cleveland-browns-deshaun-watson-starter-quarterback" data-vars-content-id="2913d8eb-205e-44b9-acc1-be4bffd546ae" data-vars-headline="Three sports alternatives to the Browns this weekend " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/24/cleveland-browns-deshaun-watson-starter-quarterback" target="_self">Deshaun Watson storylines</a>, this weekend offers a bounty of options. 🥊 Go ringside: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USA Boxing National Open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usaboxing.org/2026-usa-boxing-national-open" data-vars-content-id="2913d8eb-205e-44b9-acc1-be4bffd546ae" data-vars-headline="Three sports alternatives to the Browns this weekend " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usaboxing.org/2026-usa-boxing-national-open" target="_blank">USA Boxing National Open</a> begins at Public Auditorium Saturday, bringing Olympic-style boxers of all ages to Cleveland for a national ranking tournament running through Oct. 3.

Cleveland's restaurant renaissance spreads

National recognition is increasingly landing beyond downtown's restaurant core.

Food and Drink

Cleveland continues to earn a seat at the national dining table — with the praise being passed around.Why it matters: National recognition from the James Beard Foundation, New York Times, Bon Appétit and others is increasingly landing beyond downtown&#x27;s restaurant core.<ul><li>That wider spotlight can draw diners — and their dollars — into more neighborhoods.</li></ul>

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards return Friday

Nonfiction winner Bench Ansfield tells us winning the prestigious Cleveland literary prize feels "completely surreal."

Culture

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards return to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maltz Performing Arts Center" data-vars-click-url="https://case.edu/maltzcenter/calendar-events/concerts-events-silver-hall/anisfield-wolf-book-awards-2026" data-vars-content-id="fcec37c7-b32a-465b-8c76-bdf129b8983c" data-vars-headline="The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards return Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://case.edu/maltzcenter/calendar-events/concerts-events-silver-hall/anisfield-wolf-book-awards-2026" target="_blank">Maltz Performing Arts Center</a> Friday for the annual celebration of literature confronting racism and diversity.Driving the news: This year&#x27;s winners include poet Gbenga Adesina, memoirist Sarah Aziza, fiction writer Carrie R. Moore and historian Nell Irvin Painter, who&#x27;s receiving a lifetime achievement award.

Cleveland Orchestra opens final Welser-Möst season amid strike threat

The orchestra opens the season with Richard Strauss' "Four Last Songs."

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Cleveland Orchestra" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/23/new-york-times-cleveland-orchestra" data-vars-content-id="836ac124-ad46-4c8d-9641-5c58c439cfc0" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Orchestra opens final Welser-Möst season amid strike threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/23/new-york-times-cleveland-orchestra" target="_self">The Cleveland Orchestra</a> opens one of the most consequential seasons in its history this week — celebrating the end of an era while navigating a labor dispute that could interrupt it.Why it matters: The 2026-27 season is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Franz Welser-Möst&#x27;s 25th and final year" data-vars-click-url="https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/franz-welser-moest-s-finale-the-cleveland-orchestra-s-longest-serving-music-director-begins-his-farewell-season/" data-vars-content-id="836ac124-ad46-4c8d-9641-5c58c439cfc0" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Orchestra opens final Welser-Möst season amid strike threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/franz-welser-moest-s-finale-the-cleveland-orchestra-s-longest-serving-music-director-begins-his-farewell-season/" target="_blank">Franz Welser-Möst&#x27;s 25th and final year</a> as music director, capping the longest tenure by a conductor in the orchestra&#x27;s history.

Things to Do 🗓

Cleveland is America's fastest-growing pickleball city

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market