Axios Cleveland

Unrest in Cleveland's LGBTQ+ community is nearing an all-time high.

Why it matters: Cleveland is home to more than 60,000 residents that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.

Threat level: Kenyon Farrow, board chair at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, tells Axios the city has seen the effects of rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

• "We've certainly seen more harassment and threats," Farrow says. "Concerns over a lack of health care options, affordable housing and mental health struggles in the community need to be addressed as well."

Driving the news: Kent State's College of Public Health has received funding from the Cleveland Foundation and other local institutions for an LGBTQ+ needs assessment study of Greater Cleveland.

• Kent State released a similar report for Akron in August.

Of note: The university is working with more than 100 local LGBTQ+ organizations, including the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, in gathering data, according to the Cleveland Department of Public Health.

What they're saying: The department's director, David Margolius, says he hopes the report addresses LGBTQ+ issues "unique to Cleveland," such as the city's high poverty rate and homelessness population.

• However, he says, "We don't need to wait on the report to address obvious and immediate issues such as preventing violence and affordable housing."
• Margolius says the city is advocating for transitional housing for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Between the lines: Margolius sees the study as the first phase in Cleveland and the LGBTQ+ community's collaboration "without obstruction," which he says has been an issue in the past.

What's next: Data gathering for Cleveland will take place this spring and summer.

Madonna is bringing her Celebration tour to Cleveland this summer. It will be the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's first stop in Northeast Ohio since 2012.

Details: The 35-city tour will make a stop at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Aug. 2.

• Tickets go on sale at 10am Jan. 27 via SeatGeek. Prices start at $40.

Why it matters: The concert breathes life into a 2023 local concert schedule that's been underwhelming so far.

• Madonna's return ranks with Bruce Springsteen's upcoming April concert as one of Cleveland's most anticipated music events of the year.

Flashback: The last time Madonna performed in Cleveland was on the MDNA tour.

• The show was heavy on songs from her 2012 album of the same name but also featured iconic hits like "Vogue" and "Like a Virgin."

What they're saying: In a press release, Madonna said she is "excited to explore as many songs as possible" on the tour that's described as an "artist journey through four decades."

What we're watching: Whether the concert turns into a daylong celebration, given that the Rock & Roll of Fame typically hosts a Fan Day to coincide with an inductee's concert.

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🇺🇲 After falling to J.D. Vance in the 2022 Republican primary, state Sen. Matt Dolan is once again chasing a U.S. Senate seat, this time challenging incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown in 2024. (Axios)

🏈 The Browns have hired former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz to replace fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods. (CBS Sports)

🚗 35% of households in East Cleveland and 22% in Cleveland don't have access to a car, the highest such figures in Ohio. (Cleveland.com)

⚾ The Guardians' single-A affiliate, the Lake County Captains, announced a new ownership group, which teased a bevy of investments and promotions to highlight the team's forthcoming 20th season at Classic Park. (WKYC)

• 👋 Sam here. In my youth, I served for two summers as both of the Captains' in-game mascots: Skipper and the inflatable Captain Clipper. Further details available upon request.

Parking your car for the day at City Hall's Willard Park Garage will set you back $10. Gateway East Garage for a Cavs game? That's $20, if you manage to nab a spot.

• Yes, but: Parking your single-engine aircraft at Burke Lakefront Airport costs a mere $5 per day.

Why it matters: Burke is a declining asset that occupies 450 acres of prime lakefront real estate and loses money most years while serving a predominantly business clientele.

By the numbers: Traffic volume at Burke peaked in 2000 with more than 100,000 takeoffs and landings, but fell to 40,296 in 2021.

Zoom out: The Cuyahoga County Airport's daily parking rate is identical to Burke's for single-engine aircraft ($5 per day).

The bottom line: In downtown Cleveland, it's cheaper to park a plane than it is to park a car.

More plane parking stats

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What did the five fingers say to the face? Two Northeast Ohio residents are about to find out.

Slapping the news: "Power Slap," a new combat sports league backed by the UFC, debuts at 10pm Wednesday on TBS.

How it works: Two people stand across from each other and deliver a single slap to their opponent's face before receiving one in return.

• This goes on for three rounds, which are scored by judges. You can also win by knocking someone out.

What they're saying: Lorain resident Ryan "King of Kings" Phillips, has been featured heavily in ads on social media.

• "A lot of people don't see it as a sport," Phillips says, "but once you know what it's about, you understand how tough it is."
• Competitor John "The Machine" Davis, who trains in Alliance, says you can get knocked out at any time and "if you're not ready for that, you're in the wrong business."

💭 Our thought bubble: If nothing else, this could evolve into a way to settle celebrity feuds.