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Recall effort launched against Mayor Justin Bibb

Activists cite spending and transparency concerns, but history is on Bibb's side.

Politics

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is facing a formal recall effort, though if history is any indication, he shouldn&#x27;t be sweating.Why it matters: Recall attempts are rare in the city of Cleveland and have never succeeded, but they can signal political dissatisfaction.

From Oberlin to CIFF: Dickler's "Big Bass" hooks a personal story

The documentary short screens April 14 and 15 at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

News

Filmmaker Drew Dickler&#x27;s short documentary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Big Bass&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/big-bass-2026/" data-vars-content-id="76bb56fe-fc5d-4dc1-8add-75e61b5ea1c7" data-vars-headline="From Oberlin to CIFF: Dickler&#x27;s &quot;Big Bass&quot; hooks a personal story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/big-bass-2026/" target="_blank">&quot;Big Bass&quot;</a> starts with a striking, yet hilarious declaration about her childhood — &quot;I was so gay, my parents took one look at me and named me Drew.&quot;State of play: &quot;Big Bass&quot; recounts a formative moment in Dickler&#x27;s youth, involving a large plastic fish and the gym teacher who changed her life.

Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide

Starred restaurants for the new Great Lakes region will be revealed in 2027.

The world&#x27;s preeminent food reviewer is adding Cleveland to its guide. Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s food scene continues to turn heads and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notch accolades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/31/vinnie-cimino-james-beard-finalist-2026-cordelia-rosy" data-vars-content-id="e861e0b9-fea7-48b9-8c31-a389fa5e1207" data-vars-headline="Cleveland joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/31/vinnie-cimino-james-beard-finalist-2026-cordelia-rosy" target="_self">notch accolades</a>, and a Michelin star would fully legitimize it.

Yost calls for ending Ohio's death penalty moratorium

The state AG criticized a "mockery of the justice system" as critics sound the alarm on systemic risks.

Attorney General Dave Yost has made a strenuous case for Ohio to restart executions in his eighth and final <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="capital crimes report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Reports/Capital-Crimes-Annual-Reports/2025-Cap-Crimes-Annual-Report_WEB.aspx" data-vars-content-id="3e3b9a62-5768-4b0f-aca2-3faf428b4e88" data-vars-headline="Yost calls for ending Ohio&#x27;s death penalty moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Reports/Capital-Crimes-Annual-Reports/2025-Cap-Crimes-Annual-Report_WEB.aspx" target="_blank">capital crimes report</a>.Why it matters: Ohio hasn&#x27;t carried out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an execution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" data-vars-content-id="3e3b9a62-5768-4b0f-aca2-3faf428b4e88" data-vars-headline="Yost calls for ending Ohio&#x27;s death penalty moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" target="_self">an execution</a> since 2018, under a de facto moratorium by Gov. Mike DeWine tied largely to the state&#x27;s inability to secure lethal injection drugs.

CIFF turns 50: The moments that defined Cleveland's film festival

A look back at milestones, special screenings, local connections and more.

The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) kicks off its 50th edition on Thursday.Why it matters: CIFF has become one of Northeast Ohio&#x27;s longest-standing events, attracting tens of thousands of people every year to its in-person and online screenings.

5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival

Films starring horror movie queen Samara Weaving, Paul Rudd, Jessica Rothe and more.

The 50th edition of the Cleveland International Film Festival will feature 326 films over 10 days, ranging from documentaries and short films to thrilling features.The intrigue: We&#x27;ve already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spotlighted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/08/cleveland-international-film-festival-hide-horror-film" data-vars-content-id="4c3ed7b2-9432-4a2b-85b8-4d613e59f683" data-vars-headline="5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International 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/2026/04/08/cleveland-international-film-festival-hide-horror-film" target="_self">spotlighted</a> a few <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="standouts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/06/ciff-slowburn-shoot-wrestling-documentary-aiw" data-vars-content-id="4c3ed7b2-9432-4a2b-85b8-4d613e59f683" data-vars-headline="5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International 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/2026/04/06/ciff-slowburn-shoot-wrestling-documentary-aiw" target="_self">standouts</a> at this year&#x27;s fest.<ul><li>Here are five more.</li></ul>

CIFF horror short "Hide" asks: What if the rich ate their own?

The film, written Cleveland native Justin Kohlas, could make you lose your appetite.

Rich people doing unspeakable things is nothing new in the horror genre, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Hide&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/hide-2026/" data-vars-content-id="97284d0d-2613-4c14-b0aa-7fae09fd3fdc" data-vars-headline="CIFF horror short &quot;Hide&quot; asks: What if the rich ate their own?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/hide-2026/" target="_blank">&quot;Hide&quot;</a> takes it to a new level of grotesque.The intrigue: The short film, written by Cleveland native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Justin Kohlas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kimbermark.com/about" data-vars-content-id="97284d0d-2613-4c14-b0aa-7fae09fd3fdc" data-vars-headline="CIFF horror short &quot;Hide&quot; asks: What if the rich ate their own?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kimbermark.com/about" target="_blank">Justin Kohlas</a>, centers on a wealthy family&#x27;s dinner party where the main course includes chunks of flesh from a participant.

Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF

"Slowburn Shoot" looks at the lives of wrestlers at Absolute Intense Wrestling.

Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW) has been body-slamming its way around the Midwest for more than 20 years, but is just now getting the main-event treatment.The intrigue: The spotlight comes courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHX5KSk8nDI" data-vars-content-id="1bea3183-53f1-483a-88da-84b12a0cc12e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHX5KSk8nDI" target="_blank">&quot;Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story,&quot;</a> a documentary debuting April 13 at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland International Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/slowburn-shoot-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1bea3183-53f1-483a-88da-84b12a0cc12e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/slowburn-shoot-2026/" target="_blank">Cleveland International Film Festival</a>.

Playhouse Square unveils 2026-27 Broadway Series lineup

The seven-show season includes "Phantom," "Mamma Mia!" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"

Culture

Playhouse Square has unveiled its 2026-27 KeyBank Broadway Series, a lineup mixing new, Tony Award-winning hits with familiar crowd-pleasers.Why it matters: Cleveland continues to be one of the nation&#x27;s premier Broadway touring hubs thanks to an enthusiastic subscriber base — currently at 40,000 members, per Playhouse Square — and the ability to host extended runs that many cities can&#x27;t support.

Wu-Tang Clan bringing final tour to Blossom in September

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominated group will be joined by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Music

Hip-hop royalty will descend upon Cuyahoga Falls this summer.Driving the news: The Wu-Tang Clan is bringing its &quot;Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber&quot; tour to Blossom Music Center on Sept. 9.

Blossom Music Festival returns with Idina Menzel and film favorites

The Cleveland Orchestra's summer in Cuyahoga Falls features more than a dozen concerts.

It&#x27;s going to be a wicked hot summer at Blossom Music Center.State of play: The Cleveland Orchestra has unveiled its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 Blossom Music Festival lineup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/tickets/calendar/2026-blossom-season" data-vars-content-id="b23cbc5e-7474-4de9-b3da-3e804d85bff5" data-vars-headline="Blossom Music Festival returns with Idina Menzel and film favorites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/tickets/calendar/2026-blossom-season" target="_blank">2026 Blossom Music Festival lineup</a>, headlined by a night with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Idina Menzel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/events/an-evening-with-idina-menzel" data-vars-content-id="b23cbc5e-7474-4de9-b3da-3e804d85bff5" data-vars-headline="Blossom Music Festival returns with Idina Menzel and film favorites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/events/an-evening-with-idina-menzel" target="_blank">Idina Menzel</a> on July 26.

Markus Zusak to celebrate 20 years of "The Book Thief" in Parma

The bestselling author will appear at the Parma-Snow Library to mark the novel's milestone anniversary.

Author Markus Zusak is coming to Parma to mark a milestone for one of the most beloved novels of the 21st century.Why it matters: Since its 2006 release, Zusak&#x27;s &quot;The Book Thief&quot; has sold more than 19 million copies and spent nearly two decades on the New York Times bestseller list.

"Love Is Blind" Season 10 recap: Ohio men may never recover from this

We're heading down the home stretch as the Ohio couples look to get married (or not).

If Ohio women refuse to date local men after watching Season 10 of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Love Is Blind,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/18/love-is-blind-season-10-recap-part-two" data-vars-content-id="a9f501bf-dd8d-4e43-a2be-cd8a6474a910" data-vars-headline="&quot;Love Is Blind&quot; Season 10 recap: Ohio men may never recover from this" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/18/love-is-blind-season-10-recap-part-two" target="_self">&quot;Love Is Blind,&quot;</a> who could blame them? State of play: The latest episodes of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Netflix&#x27;s reality dating series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/80996601" data-vars-content-id="a9f501bf-dd8d-4e43-a2be-cd8a6474a910" data-vars-headline="&quot;Love Is Blind&quot; Season 10 recap: Ohio men may never recover from this" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80996601" target="_blank">Netflix&#x27;s reality dating series</a> see our Ohio couples getting ready to walk down the aisle, but not before a few embarrass themselves during a Columbus mixer.

Things to Do 🗓

CIFF turns 50: The moments that defined Cleveland's film festival

5 movies to see at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival

CIFF horror short "Hide" asks: What if the rich ate their own?

From Oberlin to CIFF: Dickler's "Big Bass" hooks a personal story

Cleveland indie wrestling gets spotlight in documentary debuting at CIFF