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Usher, Chris Brown bring R&B party of the summer to Cleveland

The two stars performed more than 50 songs over 2 1/2 hours.

Music

Usher and Chris Brown&#x27;s concert at Huntington Bank Field featured an abundance of hit anthems, flashy dance moves and more screams than a roller coaster drop at Cedar Point.The big picture: The duo&#x27;s co-headlining show Tuesday was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the biggest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/05/30/greatest-concerts-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="fcce8915-024e-42eb-830b-a28c39dbf91f" data-vars-headline="Usher, Chris Brown bring R&amp;B party of the summer to Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/05/30/greatest-concerts-cleveland" target="_self">one of the biggest</a> R&amp;B concerts to ever hit Northeast Ohio.

New bike path will connect Edgewater to Cudell

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

Transit

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.

Ohio among states reporting stomach parasite infections

The Ohio Department of Health's data lists more than 30 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1.

Health

Ohio is one of 17 states with reported cases of a gut-wrecking parasite that&#x27;s plaguing the U.S. as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health" data-vars-content-id="5317b579-6365-48ba-8be5-3af75ce3f329" data-vars-headline="Ohio among states reporting stomach parasite infections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health" target="_self">health</a> officials investigate what&#x27;s driving an increase in cases.The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food.

Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland

Columbus is launching a pilot program three years after Cleveland quashed one.

Politics

Columbus begins a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial experiment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/city-council-participatory-budget-9-million" data-vars-content-id="f2e46736-f732-445d-891a-739c8d1eb796" data-vars-headline="Participatory budgeting for Columbus, but not Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/city-council-participatory-budget-9-million" target="_self">financial experiment</a> this week, handing over the keys to a portion of the city&#x27;s budget to the public for the first time.Why it matters: Clevelanders might be jealous.

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>

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

News

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.

RTA launches long-awaited fare-capping system

The new payment method automatically gives riders the best deal — no advance purchase required.

RTA is rolling out a new fare system designed to make sure riders never pay more than they need to.Why it matters: The new SmartCard and fare-capping system removes a common burden for riders who can&#x27;t afford to buy weekly or monthly passes upfront.

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.

Transit 🚗

RTA sales tax increase may head to the ballot box

New bike path will connect Edgewater to Cudell

Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot

Cleveland's hidden bridge returns for tours

Cleveland inches up in national bike rankings as projects take shape