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Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint

The May 22 concert at Rocket Arena is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

Music

Bruce Springsteen heads to Cleveland on Friday at yet another political inflection point.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concert at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" data-vars-content-id="ccc3928c-f516-4087-b51c-bb452d240b17" data-vars-headline="Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" target="_blank">concert at Rocket Arena</a> is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, with the anti-Trump rallying cry &quot;No Kings&quot; splattered across promotional posters.

Cleveland's Flock fight heads to city council

Bibb won't bypass lawmakers this time on the controversial license plate reader contract.

News

After pressure from Cleveland City Council members and activists, Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday said the administration would seek council approval for an extension of the city&#x27;s 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="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" 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> for automated license plate readers.Why it matters: Bibb has drawn the ire of the council — especially the vocal safety committee chair, Mike Polensek — for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" target="_blank">extending contracts</a> through the city&#x27;s Board of Control, sidestepping council approval.

Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings

The Forest City continues to earn high marks for access and amenities, but hurt by below-average acreage

Environment

Cleveland has slipped from No. 30 to No. 31 in the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s ParkScore rankings. The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="a9bc4f57-fafa-4e4d-8fdc-3128adafe04d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Past ceremonies have featured guests including Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney.

One of the best parts of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" 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/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn&#x27;t resist making our picks for who might show up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" 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="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" 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">class of 2026</a> on Nov. 14 in L.A.<ul><li>There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A LOT of inductees" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" target="_blank">A LOT of inductees</a> this year, so we&#x27;re only picking presenters for the honorees in the &quot;Performer&quot; category.</li></ul>

Ohio drivers face growing pain as gas nears $5 a gallon

The state ranks No. 2 in gas price burden, according to a new study.

The weight of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/09/cleveland-gas-prices-iran-strikes" data-vars-content-id="6a21a239-d3db-4587-bd3b-e497a55e0fcc" data-vars-headline="Ohio drivers face growing pain as gas nears $5 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/09/cleveland-gas-prices-iran-strikes" target="_self">gas prices</a> is getting heavier and heavier, especially in Ohio.State of play: The state ranks No. 2 in gas price burden, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new study" data-vars-click-url="https://smartasset.com/data-studies/the-vibe-price-of-gasoline-where-gas-prices-hit-hardest" data-vars-content-id="6a21a239-d3db-4587-bd3b-e497a55e0fcc" data-vars-headline="Ohio drivers face growing pain as gas nears $5 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://smartasset.com/data-studies/the-vibe-price-of-gasoline-where-gas-prices-hit-hardest" target="_blank">new study</a> from financial technology company SmartAsset.

Another month in Cleveland, another sinkhole

The latest victim was a Cleveland Metropolitan School District bus that got stuck.

Cleveland is doing its best to become the sinkhole capital of the world.Driving the news: The latest victim was a Cleveland Metropolitan School District bus that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="got stuck" data-vars-click-url="https://fox8.com/video/sinkhole-in-cleveland-gets-cmsd-bus/11738708/" data-vars-content-id="a2b3738c-5b51-4083-b2df-fc34cc9a39f6" data-vars-headline="Another month in Cleveland, another sinkhole" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox8.com/video/sinkhole-in-cleveland-gets-cmsd-bus/11738708/" target="_blank">got stuck</a> in a sinkhole in Ohio City on Monday.

Ohio to add 64 EV charging stations

New sites aim to expand infrastructure as EV adoption grows.

Transit

Ohio is expanding its electric vehicle charging network with dozens of new stations on the way.Why it matters: As EV adoption grows, charging infrastructure remains a significant barrier, as Axios transportation correspondent Joann Muller discovered on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a recent road trip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/ev-charging-still-falls-short" data-vars-content-id="3fc36b3b-f8b2-46a4-a6b3-8b079b5758bd" data-vars-headline="Ohio to add 64 EV charging stations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/08/ev-charging-still-falls-short" target="_self">a recent road trip</a>.

RTA's proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line

Hearings next week will shape a plan with only modest cuts, compared to the 12% reduction proposed last year.

Three underutilized transit routes are set to be discontinued under RTA&#x27;s proposed cuts to bus and rail service, though the public can give its say at hearings next week.Why it matters: Public transit is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/20/cleveland-rta-net-promoter-score" data-vars-content-id="473412b7-7230-41f2-ab6d-e1980b872a5d" data-vars-headline="RTA&#x27;s proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/20/cleveland-rta-net-promoter-score" target="_self">critical</a> in Cleveland, where more than 20% of households lack access to a car and need RTA to get to work, school and other needs.

Amtrak is exclusively a middle-of-the-night affair in Cleveland

All four daily departures are between 1:54am and 5:50am.

👋 Sam here — bona fide train enthusiast! <ul><li>I took the Amtrak to Chicago this week and was reminded what a pleasant way it is to travel. Who can deny the pleasures of generous legroom, low-cost tickets and up-close views of the United States? </li><li>Anyone who values a good night&#x27;s sleep, that&#x27;s who! </li></ul>

Cleveland's confusing downtown parking odyssey continues

In January, the city raised street parking costs to $1.50 per hour — up from $1.

Cleveland&#x27;s new downtown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parking system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/28/parkmobile-parking-downtown-rates-2026" data-vars-content-id="c4727c70-c432-4c8a-a01e-1603c749544e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s confusing downtown parking odyssey continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/28/parkmobile-parking-downtown-rates-2026" target="_self">parking system</a> existed for less than three months before changing again.Why it matters: City residents and business owners <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-02-05/some-cleveland-business-owners-say-new-parking-rates-will-drive-money-away-from-the-city" data-vars-content-id="c4727c70-c432-4c8a-a01e-1603c749544e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s confusing downtown parking odyssey continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-02-05/some-cleveland-business-owners-say-new-parking-rates-will-drive-money-away-from-the-city" target="_blank">expressed concerns</a> that the new street rules, which increased prices and eliminated free weekend/evening parking, would discourage people from visiting downtown.

ICE agents arrive at Cleveland airport

ICE is supporting TSA operations in a non-screening role, an airport spokesperson says.

ICE agents arrived at Cleveland Hopkins International Monday morning, a day after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump said" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="9058f078-d621-4d60-a35d-58240a885dc2" data-vars-headline="ICE agents arrive at Cleveland airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" target="_self">President Trump said</a> he&#x27;s sending ICE to U.S. airports to assist the Transportation Security Administration.Why it matters: TSA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" data-vars-content-id="9058f078-d621-4d60-a35d-58240a885dc2" data-vars-headline="ICE agents arrive at Cleveland airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" target="_self">officers</a> have been working without pay for more than five weeks during the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Cleveland launches public survey on future of Burke

Ferris wheel? Golf course? Officials are seeking input on potential new uses for the 450-acre lakefront site.

Cleveland is asking residents to weigh in on the future of the city-owned Burke Lakefront Airport.Why it matters: The 450-acre swath of prime lakefront land is the biggest piece of Mayor Justin Bibb&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="waterfront development pie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/14/justin-bibb-waterfront-bets" data-vars-content-id="2381ec22-ed0e-42bc-8add-110764b8be5e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland launches public survey on future of Burke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/14/justin-bibb-waterfront-bets" target="_self">waterfront development pie</a>.

Say goodbye to free evening and weekend parking in Cleveland

New, higher rates are now in effect 7am-10pm, seven days a week.

Downtown Cleveland street parking now costs $1.50 per hour — up from $1 — as Cleveland phases in higher rates tied to its switch to the ParkMobile coinless meters.Why it matters: With enforcement also expanding from 7am-10pm, seven days a week, the longstanding expectation of free evening and weekend parking downtown is now kaput.

Why RTA won't budge on W. 25th Street bus lanes

Despite opposition from Ohio City business owners, a $20.5M federal grant hangs in the balance.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is moving forward with plans for dedicated bus lanes on West 25th Street despite vocal opposition from some Ohio City business owners worried about the loss of on-street parking.Why it matters: The contested stretch of West 25th, near the West Side Market, is the most congested section of one of RTA&#x27;s busiest corridors.

Transit 🚗

Ohio drivers face growing pain as gas nears $5 a gallon

Another month in Cleveland, another sinkhole

Ohio to add 64 EV charging stations

RTA's proposed cuts include B Line trolley, Waterfront Line

Amtrak is exclusively a middle-of-the-night affair in Cleveland