Cleveland Local News & Neighborhood Reporting – TCO

Listen to this articleThirteen years after police fired 137 shots at a vehicle carrying Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, killing both, and 12 years after Tamir Rice, a preteen playing with a toy gun at Cudell Park, was fatally shot, the city remains under federal oversight, and debates over policing and reform continue. These two… Read more: Two cases continue to shape Cleveland police debate

Listen to this articleCleveland’s unemployment rate stood at 5.2% in July 2025, the highest among the nation’s 56 largest metropolitan areas when measured by the rate increase over the previous year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But employment numbers alone don’t tell the full story of economic security for Cleveland workers. The… Read more: Job data shows uneven recovery in Cleveland

Listen to this articleCLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (TCO) — Laila Edwards, a 22-year-old ice hockey standout from Cleveland Heights, made history at the 2026 Winter Olympics by becoming the first Black woman to score a goal for the United States in Olympic women’s hockey. Edwards’ milestone came in a 5-0 preliminary round victory over Canada in… Read more: Cleveland Heights Laila Edwards becomes first Black woman to score for U.S. in Olympic hockey

Listen to this articleCity Hall decisions and neighborhood impacts shaping early 2026 Cleveland’s local news in early 2026 reflects a familiar pattern: major financial decisions moving quietly, long-term development deals advancing, and ongoing struggles around housing conditions, infrastructure, and public accountability. City Hall Focuses on Long-Term Commitments Recent City Council and Board of Control actions… Read more: TCO Cleveland Bi-Monthly News Brief

Listen to this articleIn June, President Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  City and state leaders insisted that federal intervention was not necessary, but thousands of troops remained in the city for months.  Since then, Trump has sent Guard members to five additional cities and threatened… Read more: Will Trump deploy the National Guard to Cleveland?

Listen to this article“Every student… deserves to have the same education no matter what side of the city they live on,” said former councilman Zack Reed at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education meeting on Dec. 9, 2025, where district leadership unveiled next steps for its citywide consolidation effort, “Building Brighter Futures”.… Read more: What’s Next for CMSD Students and Neighborhoods

Listen to this articleIn April, the Cleveland City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring gun violence a public health crisis in the city. The resolution, sponsored by Council member Richard A. Starr, stated that “it is vital for the residents of this City that public and private institutions develop an evidence-based public health response to… Read more: What Has the City Council Done Since Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis?

Listen to this articleStaff Writer Scammers impersonate deputies, demand money for ankle monitors; officials urge residents to stay vigilant Cuyahoga County officials are warning residents about a new scam in which criminals impersonate sheriff’s deputies and call the families of people recently booked into the county jail — demanding payment for ankle monitors in exchange… Read more: Cuyahoga County: Phone Scam Targeting Newly Arrested

“It’s time for our political leaders to take action and empower artists to bring their voices into the rooms where decisions are being made about the future of this town. Creative input is a necessary element of problem solving. It can accompany legislation as a means of addressing those things that demand change.”

Listen to this articleStaff Writers Mary Hansard, a Cleveland native, U.S. Army sergeant and former foster youth, has been named the Fall 2025 valedictorian at Cleveland State University (CSU). The achievement marks a significant milestone not only for Hansard, but also for the many Cleveland students navigating nontraditional paths to higher education. According to a… Read more: MARY HANSARD NAMED 2025 CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY VALEDICTORIAN 

Listen to this articleBy Staff Writer State leaders and the Cleveland Browns say a new, enclosed stadium in Brook Park could be a regional economic catalyst. The current plan carries an estimated price tag of about $2.4 billion (U.S.), with $600 million in state support and a separate $100 million settlement proposed between the city… Read more: Haslam Sports Group $100M Settlement: Who Really Wins?

Listen to this articleBy Ray’Chel Wilson Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just hype or a Silicon Valley buzz phrase. For many people, the right AI tools are saving time, cutting costs, and preventing expensive mistakes. From catching tax errors worth thousands of dollars to helping small businesses keep up with paperwork, AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude,… Read more: Best Artificial Intelligence Tools to Save Time and Money in Everyday Life

Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun Cuyahoga County’s Land Bank began as a residential tool. Today, its priorities seem to serve institutions and commerce over individuals. From Renewal to Redevelopment In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, longtime homeowner and resident Ron Calhoun has watched the county’s Land Bank evolve from a neighborhood renewal program into an engine… Read more: OP-ED: From Homeowners to Developers: The Changing Face of Cuyahoga’s Land Bank and Its Community Cost

Listen to this articleAjah Hales These views are expressed solely by the writer and not necessarily by The Cleveland Observer. This three-part series explores the rise, destruction, and ongoing fight for justice surrounding Winston Willis’s lost empire. Part 1: The Rise of a Black Business Titan – How Willis built his fortune, overcame racial terrorism,… Read more: Opinion: Sabotaged Miracle on 105th Street: Winston Willis Pt 1

Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun A new report from Frances Mills, commissioner of health, City of Cleveland Health Department, shows that sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, remains a serious health problem in Cleveland. Nearly 8,000 people were diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. Health experts say some numbers have gone down, but one infection,… Read more: Cleveland STI Cases On the Rise: Reveal Deep Health Inequities