Growing up, Paul LaRue's family preferred cheap picnics at historic sites like Big Muskie's Bucket to a lavish Disney World vacation.

• Now, the State Board of Education president hopes a new statewide program will encourage families to take similar advantage of Ohio locales, Axios Columbus reports.

Why it matters: It's critical the next generation of Ohioans learn our history and where we came from — and that often requires going beyond the classroom, civic leaders say.

What's happening: The program offers fourth graders free admission to nearly 20 museums and sites across the state, from Hale Farm and Village in Bath to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati.

The big picture: This program is part of a lengthy run-up to the semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, which celebrates America's 250th birthday.

• A planning commission known as America 250-Ohio is coordinating events, public art and historic exhibits ahead of the commemoration.

How it works: Admission passes can be downloaded or printed from the group's site and can be used by the fourth graders if they're accompanied by a paying adult.

• Current fourth graders can use the passes through Aug. 31. On each Sept. 1, the next cohort of fourth graders becomes eligible — and that cycle repeats until the program ends Dec. 31, 2026.

Between the lines: Youth civics education in Ohio has "lost a little bit of its punch" in favor of other major school subjects, Dublin social studies teacher Shawn Kaeser tells Axios.

• Fourth graders are a "sweet spot" for this project, Kaeser adds, because they are capable readers and learners by that point and have a lifetime of discovery ahead.
• Best of all, LaRue says, these trips are affordable and accessible to all Ohioans.

What's next

Dozens of flight attendants, pilots and other airline workers picketed outside Cleveland Hopkins International Airport yesterday as part of a nationwide demonstration over pay and working conditions amid ongoing contract negotiations.

The big picture: They joined picketers at nearly 30 airports nationwide from unions representing 100,000 flight attendants for Alaska, United, American, Southwest and other airlines.

What they're saying: "We are not a line item on a balance sheet," Melinda Beal, president of the Association of Flight Attendants local chapter, told Axios.

• She said attendants have been forced to work longer hours with little rest between shifts, while wages have eroded due to inflation and airlines rake in billions in profits.
• They're asking for raises and are challenging the pay structure.

Of note: These demonstrations are not strikes, though that's the next step.

Between the lines: The industry norm is that attendants don't get paid until the plane doors close, Axios' Kate Murphy reports.

• Union members say they aren't fully compensated for their work during boarding or deplaning, nor for time on the ground between back-to-back flights.
• However, Alaska Air, for example, said in a statement that flight attendants are paid for boarding time "through a pay mechanism that was negotiated with the union in previous contract cycles."
• In 2022, Delta Air Lines became the first U.S. airline to pay flight attendants during boarding — at half their standard rate.

The other side: Airlines say they're working with unions on agreements after Alaska Air said it made an offer that would put their flight attendants at or near the top of the industry.

• United Airlines has mediated negotiations with the Association of Flight Attendants scheduled for March.

Go deeper

🇵🇸 Pro-Palestinian demonstrators urged Cleveland City Council to pass a Gaza ceasefire resolution once again Monday, circumventing council's new safety protocols by chanting outside the chambers. (Ideastream)

👮🏻‍♂️ The Cleveland Community Police Commission on Monday said the city's recent promotions of two police commanders were unlawful because they bypassed the commission. (Signal Cleveland)

🏳️‍🌈 The Brecksville-Broadview Heights 2024 Pride Fest is in limbo after Brecksville Mayor Daryl Kingston denied a request from organizers to host the event on one of three public sites, citing safety and parking concerns. (The Buckeye Flame)

Turns out the Cavs aren't invincible after all. With Dean Wade out Monday — Super Bowl flu? — the Cavs lost to a Philadelphia 76ers team that couldn't miss.

• The Cavs are now 17-2 in their last 19 games. Ho-hum.

Record: (35-17); Last week: (32-16).

Weekly slate: Win at Washington (114-106); Win at Brooklyn (118-95); Win at Toronto (119-95); Loss vs. Philadelphia (123-121).

The big picture: The Cavs made no moves at last week's NBA trade deadline, and who can blame them?

• It's difficult to meaningfully improve a roster that's been playing at such an elite level.

🔥 Weekly winner: Evan Mobley. After returning from injury, the third-year big man is playing with renewed offensive firepower.

• He is 7-12 from the three-point line over his last six games.

⏱️ Weekly loser: Sam Merrill. The Cavs' best shooter is struggling to find minutes in coach J.B. Bickerstaff's new 10-man rotation.

• Even with Wade out Monday, Merrill didn't crack the 10-minute mark.

📺 What we're watching: The Cavs on Channel 43! The team yesterday announced an agreement with Gray Television to offer free distribution of five upcoming games in March and April.

What's next: Tonight vs. Chicago; NBA 3-point contest (featuring Donovan Mitchell) Saturday; NBA All-Star Game (featuring Mitchell) Sunday.

On this Valentine's Day, we celebrate celebrity couples with Cleveland ties.

• Polarizing musician Machine Gun Kelly is engaged to actress Megan Fox, sports agent Rich Paul is dating pop star Adele, and Oscar winner Halle Berry is with singer Van Hunt.

Of note: You may have also heard Cleveland Heights' Travis Kelce is dating someone named Taylor Swift.