Cuyahoga County failed every pollution test in the American Lung Association's annual State of the Air report released this week.

Why it matters: The county is home to hundreds of thousands of residents who face a higher risk of pollution-related health problems.

The big picture: Roughly 44% of Americans live in places that receive failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, per the report.

How it works: Researchers use local air quality data to grade and rank locations based on high-ozone days, daily particle pollution and annual particle pollution.

• Ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, forms when emissions from cars, power plants and other sources react in sunlight.
• The report notes that ozone pollution has worsened across much of the U.S. over the past two years as climate change drives extreme heat and wildfires.
• Particle pollution involves tiny airborne particles from car exhaust, wildfires, fossil fuel burning and more.

Zoom in: The Cleveland-Akron-Canton metro area ranked No. 12 nationally for worst annual particle pollution among more than 200 U.S. metros.

• It also ranked No. 51 for the most high ozone days and No. 39 for the worst 24-hour particle pollution.

Yes, but: Cuyahoga County's air has dramatically improved over the past two decades, per American Lung Association measures.

What we're watching: You can check daily pollution forecasts at Airnow.gov.

Go deeper: Key findings

Cleveland is finally getting something it has long lacked: free public restrooms downtown.

Why it matters: "In order for our downtown public spaces to be places where everyone wants to spend time and come visit, they have to be able to accommodate the human needs we all have," Abby Henry, a strategic projects manager in Mayor Justin Bibb's office, tells Axios.

• "Public restrooms are not just a convenience — they are a basic right and a necessity that we all share."

Driving the news: Two "Portland Loo" restrooms were recently installed at Canal Basin Park in the Flats as part of an ongoing renovation.

• The freestanding steel units, designed by the city of Portland, are built for durability, accessibility and safety, with open-air features that deter vandalism and misuse.

Flashback: The community development corporation Campus District Inc. acquired the Loos for about $150,000 per unit in 2021, with a grant from the Cleveland Foundation.

• It donated three units to the city of Cleveland, with two headed to Canal Basin Park and a third to Perk Plaza.

State of play: The Canal Basin restrooms are installed, but not yet open.

• Henry tells Axios the city is planning a "soft launch" to gauge usage before setting regular hours aligned with park operations.
• Maintenance is expected to cost about $1,600 per month per structure.

🦒 The Cleveland Metroparks is exploring the idea of a themed hotel attached to the zoo. (Signal Cleveland)

🚨 Cleveland Public Safety officials argued this week that bypassing city council to renew a city contract with ShotSpotter was legal. (Cleveland Scene)

🛒 Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland is planning a $35 million "opportunity center," a community hub in the Central neighborhood that will include a grocery store. (WKYC)

✌️ The W Sports Bar announced it will close its Detroit-Shoreway location after one year in operation and teased a potential relocation "closer to the game day action." (Instagram)

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled a new photo exhibit celebrating 50 years of punk rock.

State of play: "Hey! Ho! Let's Go! Punk at 50" is now open on the bottom floor near the CBGB awning that's been a mainstay at the museum.

• The showcase coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Ramones' groundbreaking self-titled debut album, featuring influential songs like "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend."

Zoom in: The exhibit features photos of punk's greatest acts, including the Sex Pistols, Patti Smith, Bad Brains, the Clash and more.

• Several images carry local significance, having been taken by legendary Cleveland photographers, including Janet Macoska and Bob Ferrell.

If you go: "Punk at 50" is in one of the museum's areas that is open to the public for free!

Go deeper: Rock Hall expansion signals new era

Cleveland will welcome the American Cornhole League to the Huntington Convention Center this weekend for a signature event with $150,000 in prizes.

Next week, nearly 2,000 public works professional will descend upon the convention center for the "North American Snow Conference," to learn about the latest in snow and ice management.

Catch up quick: Since the Convention Center opened its expanded ballroom in 2024, it has had two banner summers.

• It hosted the annual meeting of the American Society of Association Executives — the so-called "Super Bowl" of conventions — that first year with 5,000+ attendees.
• And it hosted the National Association of Black Journalists' conference last summer (3,000+ attendees).

What's next: This summer's convention lineup may not have a high-profile headliner, but multiple professional organizations are bringing their annual multiday events to Cleveland.

• The CECU Career Education Convention (June 22-24); the Greek Orthodox Clergy-Laity Congress (June 29-July 2); the SIAM Annual Meeting (Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics) (July 6-10); and the AALL Annual Meeting & Conference for law librarians (July 18-21) are all expected to draw 1,000 attendees or more.

🧪 Between the lines: Public-facing events are on the docket as well.

• The Oddities Expo, a "peculiar paradise where weird thrives," arrives in Cleveland July 11.