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"Union County" brings rural Ohio to the big screen

The new drama starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo is playing at the Cedar Lee this week.

Culture

A new movie filmed and set in Ohio starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo is playing at the Cedar Lee this week. The big picture: &quot;Union County,&quot; directed by Ohio filmmaker Adam Meeks, follows two foster brothers (Poulter and Centineo) as they navigate a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program while attempting to rebuild their lives amid the opioid epidemic.

Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year

The freestyle wrestling promotion founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has its next event Saturday.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freestyle wrestling promotion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realamericanfreestyle.com/" target="_blank">freestyle wrestling promotion</a> founded by Cleveland native Chad Bronstein has grown significantly since making its global debut at the Wolstein Center in August 2025.Driving the news: Real American Freestyle (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RAF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/08/29/real-american-freestyle-wresting-debut-hulk-hogan" target="_self">RAF</a>) will celebrate its first anniversary at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" data-vars-content-id="f2b5a724-4340-4bde-b38d-8c748e1b356a" data-vars-headline="Real American Freestyle wrestling eyes growth after fast first year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/raf-260822" target="_blank">8pm Saturday at Rocket Arena</a>.

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.

Rock & roll's Mendoza Line: How good is good enough for the Hall of Fame?

We determined the Rock Hall's Mendoza Line to see who is (or isn't) a viable Hall of Famer.

Music

Every debate over who belongs in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/10/rock-hall-fame-scrap-name-change" data-vars-content-id="cb1c99de-d72c-4773-80be-b559f0295419" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; roll&#x27;s Mendoza Line: How good is good enough for the Hall of Fame?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/10/rock-hall-fame-scrap-name-change" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> eventually comes down to where to draw the line — The Beatles? Obviously. Styx? It&#x27;s questionable.Why it matters: Somewhere between them is the minimum viable Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer.

FAA throws cold water on Burke closure

The agency's stance deals a major blow to a local campaign to reclaim 450 acres of Cleveland lakefront.

Transit

The federal government has erected an unwieldy roadblock in front of Cleveland&#x27;s effort to close Burke Lakefront Airport.Why it matters: Federal opposition effectively forecloses the city&#x27;s clearest path <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to redeveloping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/23/cleveland-waterfront-status-update" data-vars-content-id="d78b5bb3-570a-4aef-a1b7-923030cf219e" data-vars-headline="FAA throws cold water on Burke closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/07/23/cleveland-waterfront-status-update" target="_self">to redeveloping</a> the 450-acre lakefront property, at least in the near future.

Readers: Don't close Burke just yet

Most favor keeping the lakefront airport open, at least until the city has a concrete alternative.

Axios Cleveland readers who responded to our recent coverage of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Burke Lakefront Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" data-vars-content-id="20b9987c-78d1-49d9-a608-3fc1c8499a9d" data-vars-headline="Readers: Don&#x27;t close Burke just yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/08/11/burke-airport-supporters-letters-plan" target="_self">Burke Lakefront Airport</a> lean strongly toward keeping the airport open. Why it matters: The responses surprised us. For years, we&#x27;ve seen public sentiment overwhelmingly in the other direction.

Burke supporters want equal airtime

Aviation professionals and student pilots want Council to hold a hearing with the airport's champions.

Aviation industry leaders and student pilots are pressing Cleveland City Council for equal time to advocate for keeping Burke Lakefront Airport open.Why it matters: Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne have spent months <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="building the case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/cleveland-mayor-wants-burke-airport-closed-during-his-second-term-if-congress-and-council-agree.html" data-vars-content-id="1483fc8c-4e59-480c-b328-eefcb0d37753" data-vars-headline="Burke supporters want equal airtime" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/cleveland-mayor-wants-burke-airport-closed-during-his-second-term-if-congress-and-council-agree.html" target="_blank">building the case</a> for closing Burke and redeveloping its 450 acres.

RTA sales tax increase may head to the ballot box

Board members will decide whether to seek the agency's first sales tax increase since 1975.

The RTA board is expected to decide Tuesday whether to ask Cuyahoga County voters for the agency&#x27;s first sales tax increase in more than 50 years.Why it matters: Without new revenue, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transit officials say RTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/25/rta-service-cuts-tax-2026" data-vars-content-id="20807b59-5886-4e2b-992e-fc83f6beec84" data-vars-headline="RTA sales tax increase may head to the ballot box" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/25/rta-service-cuts-tax-2026" target="_self">transit officials say RTA</a> will have to begin incrementally cutting service. <ul><li>With it, the agency says it can expand bus and rail service while avoiding a looming fiscal cliff.</li></ul>

New bike path will connect Edgewater to Cudell

Cleveland has secured $100,000 to begin planning the route in Wards 11 and 12.

Cleveland has secured $100,000 from the state to begin planning a shared-use path along West Boulevard connecting Cudell to Edgewater Park.Why it matters: The project aims to calm traffic while making it safer and easier for people to reach the lakefront without driving.

Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot

The 1,600-space lot marks the first phase of CLEvolution, the $1.6B modernization plan.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport broke ground Wednesday on the first piece of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.6 billion transformation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/04/clevolution-hopkins-airport-construction-project-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="e2298f1a-08cc-4afe-a046-0af89ead1b31" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/04/clevolution-hopkins-airport-construction-project-overhaul" target="_self">$1.6 billion transformation</a>.Why it matters: Work on the new 1,600-space Gold Lot marks the public launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CLEvolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/06/cleveland-hopkins-airport-terminal-project-clevolution" data-vars-content-id="e2298f1a-08cc-4afe-a046-0af89ead1b31" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/06/cleveland-hopkins-airport-terminal-project-clevolution" target="_self">CLEvolution</a>, the ambitious modernization plan that will culminate in a new terminal opening in 2032.

Cleveland's hidden bridge returns for tours

The Veterans Memorial Bridge's historic streetcar level will open Saturday for the America 250 celebration

Cuyahoga County is reopening the lower level of the historic Veterans Memorial Bridge this Saturday for free, self-guided tours.Why it matters: Visitors rarely get access to the bridge&#x27;s original streetcar tracks, offering dramatic views and a glimpse into Cleveland&#x27;s transportation history.

Cleveland inches up in national bike rankings as projects take shape

Nationwide, people want to bike more, and communities are beginning to listen.

Cleveland is slightly above average when it comes to biking infrastructure — but that could change in the coming years.Why it matters: The city and region have invested heavily in transportation alternatives like biking, but it hasn&#x27;t fully paid off yet, according to a new report.

RTA warns of major service cuts without tax increase

Leaders are weighing a sales tax increase as looming budget deficit threatens bus and rail service

RTA could make significant service cuts as early as December without an infusion of new revenue.Why it matters: The transit agency is staring off the edge of a fiscal cliff that that could force incremental service reductions through 2029, making buses and trains less frequent.

Cleveland is dialing back parking rates

City Council reversed parts of Mayor Justin Bibb's parking overhaul, lowering rates and restoring free Sundays.

Cleveland City Council approved lower parking rates and shorter enforcement hours at its final meeting before the summer recess last week — and we have thoughts.State of play: Council members said downtown parking had become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too expensive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/28/parkmobile-parking-downtown-rates-2026" data-vars-content-id="0f4b726c-802a-4e0c-900a-4b56a0ff872e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland is dialing back parking rates" 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">too expensive</a> under Mayor Justin Bibb, who introduced new rates and eliminated free evening and weekend parking earlier this year.

Transit 🚗

FAA throws cold water on Burke closure

Readers: Don't close Burke just yet

Burke supporters want equal airtime

Cleveland eyes cargo ferry to Canada

RTA CEO frames transit levy as civic investment