Axios Cleveland

January 31, 2025
🫨 On this date in 1986, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake shook Cleveland.
☂️ Today's weather: Rain/snow showers with a high of 42.
🎧 Sounds like: "Grammy Family" by Consequence.
🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios Cleveland member Conor Emser!
Today's newsletter is 803 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: 🎶 Northeast Ohio Grammy history
The 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday could mark a pivotal moment for artists from Northeast Ohio.
Why it matters: The Grammys is considered music's biggest night, where a big win or memorable performance can launch careers or give them a major boost.
The intrigue: Among those nominated are Cleveland native Durand Bernarr (Best Progressive R&B Album) and Akron's The Black Keys (Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song).
- Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is also vying for his third career win in the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media category for the movie "Challengers."
- Several Northeast Ohio artists, including multiple Cleveland Institute of Music alums, also received nominations in classical music categories.
Flashback: Should any of them win, they'll join these Northeast Ohio acts that had big moments at the Grammys:
1983: Groundbreaking Cleveland R&B group The Moonglows performs "Ten Commandments of Love."
1986: "America's Polka King" and Cleveland native Frankie Yankovic is awarded the first-ever Grammy for Best Polka Recording.
1989: Cleveland native Tracy Chapman becomes a Grammy darling, winning three awards including Best New Artist.
1992: Cleveland native Marc Cohn, singer of "Walking in Memphis," wins Best New Artist.
1993: Nine Inch Nails wins its first Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category for "Wish."
1997: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony wins Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Tha Crossroads," the group's tribute to late rapper Eazy-E.
2001: Cleveland jazz legend Joe Lovano's "52nd Street Themes" wins Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
2. Joe Jones' mea culpa
Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones apologized yesterday in the wake of an investigation that found he engaged in a "sustained pattern of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior."
Why it matters: It's the first time Jones has commented on accusations of mistreating staff and making inappropriate comments about an artist's appearance.
What he's saying: "The last few weeks have been very challenging for me personally and professionally," he said in a statement.
- "Although unintended, I recognize that my actions have made others feel uncomfortable, and I sincerely apologize. I've learned a lot about myself and I feel a deep sense of remorse. The fact that these allegations have clouded my service to the community and my residents is heartbreaking."
Zoom in: He said he will "temporarily step back from committee deliberations" as he focuses on professional development and accountability.
Reality check: Jones' committee resignations were not voluntary.
- According to an internal memo reported by Signal Cleveland, Jones must receive one-on-one coaching from a "workplace behavior specialist" and is suspended indefinitely from his committee assignments.
- Jones was chair of the Mayor's Appointments Committee and vice chair of the higher Public Safety Committee.
What's next: Jones could face further punishment.
- The city charter allows city council to expel their colleagues for violation of their rules with a two-thirds vote.
3. The Terminal: Local news in the driver's seat
🚙 Ten rural counties in Ohio have no schools offering driver's education for 16 and 17-year-olds, but high costs and limited offerings affect urban areas too. (Signal Ohio)
👨🏻⚖️ A Probate Court judge is accepting applications for interim mayor in East Cleveland after the suspension of Mayor Brandon King. (Fox 8)
📢 A local pastor is making increasingly vulgar public comments at Cuyahoga County Council meetings to draw attention to the county's investment in Israel Bonds. (Cleveland.com)
💪 Workers at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio say internal workplace conditions, not external pressure from the state's Republican government, motivated them to join a union. (Matter News)
4. Cleveland is an orthodontist and nail tech paradise
Orthodontists are making bank in Northeast Ohio.
State of play: It's one of only two jobs where people make more money here than their peers in almost every other city, per U.S. News & World Report.
- The other: Nail technician.
By the numbers: On average, area orthodontists make $239,200 per year, good for a spot in the top five nationwide.
- Cleveland nail techs make $56,120, also among the top five in that field.
The big picture: U.S. News & World Report released the 100 Best Jobs of 2025 on Tuesday and compiled the best-paying metros in the country.
- The list considers growth potential, work-life balance, job safety and employment rate and other factors.
- Nurse practitioners took the top spot for a second consecutive year with a median salary of $126,260.
5. 🍽️ Dinner + a show: Rocky Horror
There's no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure during "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at Cedar Lee Theatre.
The intrigue: The Cleveland Heights cinema will host a screening tomorrow night of the iconic 1975 film.
- The showing will be accompanied by Simply His Servants, Cleveland's "Rocky Horror" performance cast, reenacting the film on stage in front of the screen.
If you go: The show starts at 10pm. Tickets are $13.
Stop by: Staying in the "Horror" spirit, stop by The Haunted House Restaurant, which is just a 10-minute walk away.
- The spooky eatery features a movie-themed menu and drinks named after your favorite horror icons.
Thanks to our editor Tyler Buchanan and our team of copy editors.
😬 Sam never had braces! / In this town, of all places!
🙏🏾 Troy is hoping the Grammys are shorter than last year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.
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