Listen to this articleBy Rhonda Crowder This year’s conference helped business owners “evolve.” With 50+ speakers, more than 1,700 registrants, approximately 65 youth participants, and more than 15 sponsors, the FutureLAND 2024 has been deemed a success and impactful by conference organizers, the City of Cleveland, United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, and JumpStart. Although […]
Posted inBest of 2024, Health, Opinion
Understanding Sugar and Its Impact on Your Health
Listen to this articleFor many people, a teaspoon of sugar in their morning coffee is enough to satisfy their craving. But for others, sugar becomes an obsession, leading to constant cravings. Some people even develop a dependence on sugar, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back. Sugar addiction can have a significant impact […]
Posted inLiving, National
DOJ Targets Elder Abuse – National Nursing Home Fraud
Listen to this articleThe U.S. Department of Justice has issued its sixth annual report to Congress, detailing efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. During this period, the department pursued over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants accused of stealing nearly $700 million […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Legal Aid Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Can Help Resolve Tax Issues
Listen to this articleBy Tonya Sams Receiving a notification from the IRS can cause anxiety and fear. These feelings can be magnified when someone cannot afford an attorney to resolve their tax issues. The Legal Aid Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) can help taxpayers with their tax problems for free. The LITC assists low-income taxpayers […]
Posted inPolitics
Ohio voters reject replacing troubled mapmaking system with citizen-led redistricting commission
Listen to this article Nov 6, 2024 12:58 AM – 688 words By JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press Eds: UPDATES: With further reaction. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters rejected a constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have established a citizen-led redistricting commission to replace an existing mapmaking system that repeatedly produced unconstitutional maps. The outcome marked […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Cleveland Unites for “Tanisha’s Law” to Reform Crisis Response
Listen to this articleStaff Writer/Cleveland City Council Press release CLEVELAND (Nov. 6, 2024) — On Thursday, Nov. 7, Cleveland City Councilmembers, the family of Tanisha Anderson, and members of the Student Legislative Initiative of Cleveland will come together to introduce “Tanisha’s Law.” This new legislation, aimed at improving how the city responds to mental health […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, State
Seven Guitars Strikes a Chord at Ohio State University
Listen to this articleBy Vince Robinson COLUMBUS, Ohio — August Wilson’s Seven Guitars recently concluded its run at Ohio State University’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts, masterfully directed by Terrence Spivey. This production brought to life Wilson’s profound insights on Black life in America, blending themes of love, struggle, triumph, and tragedy. Seven […]
Posted inNational
Clock is ticking for local governments to use billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid
Listen to this article By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press From the looks of it, the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert hasn’t done too much with the $24 million it received in federal pandemic aid. The site where it plans to spend most of the money for a crime victims center remains an empty plot of […]
Posted inEducation, Technology
How to Limit Social Media Algorithms and Regain Control of Your Feed
Listen to this articleWhile it’s difficult to completely remove social media algorithms from your experience, there are steps you can take to minimize their influence and better control what you see. Switch to Chronological Feeds Some platforms, like Twitter (now X) and Instagram, allow users to switch to chronological feeds instead of algorithm-driven ones. This […]
Posted inOBSERVERS AI
Cleveland City Council Redistricting Update
Listen to this articleBy Lisa O’Brien CLEVELAND — As the year draws to a close, Cleveland City Council is nearing the deadline for its first draft of the redistricting map. Councilman Michael Polensek, representing Ward 8, reported to The Cleveland Observer, that as of Oct. 3, the Council had not yet seen a draft and […]
Posted inHealth, Politics
Feeling stressed about the election? Here’s what some are doing and what they say you can do too
Listen to this articleBy Mariam Fam Associated Press If the high stakes presidential election is causing troublesome thoughts, existential dread or rifts with loved ones, there’s no need to white knuckle through it. Take a deep breath. Literally. Meditation and mindfulness teacher Rosie Acosta says focusing on each inhale and exhale can help regain that […]
Posted inNational
Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Anti-DEI Efforts, Congressional Black Caucus Responds
Listen to this articleStaff Reporter The Cleveland Observer Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released its new corporate accountability report In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority issued a landmark decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College striking down race-conscious admissions programs as a violation of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. This […]
Posted inHealth
A Plea for Blood
Listen to this articleM. White The Cleveland Observer Blood is invaluable. It saves lives in just minutes of donating. According to the American Society of Hematology, blood consists of four key components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, all of which are crucial to healing and saving lives. Gunshot and stabbing victims […]
Posted inPolitics
Control of Congress is at stake and with it a president’s agenda
Listen to this articleBy LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Control of Congress is at stake Tuesday, with ever-tight races for the House and Senate that will determine which party holds the majority and the power to boost or block a president’s agenda, or if the White House confronts a […]
Posted inPolitics
Call to Action: Support Ohio House Bill 263 It’s been in Committee status for a year!
Listen to this articleStaff Writer The Cleveland Observer Ohio House Bill 263, introduced by state Reps. Dani Isaacsohn (D – 24), Thomas Hall (R – 46), and cosponsor Munira Abdullahi (D – 9), offer crucial relief for long time homeowners, particularly seniors. This bill aims to freeze property taxes at current levels for qualifying homeowners, […]
Posted inBest of 2024, Faith
Trusting God Amid a Culture of Uncertainty
Listen to this articleThe uncanny similarities of the Persian empire experienced by Daniel test the faith of the young remnant of Christians today. How relentless is your faith walk? Daniel 3:17-18 (ESV): “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace … But if not, […]
Posted inWealth
How Power and Money Are Hurting Cleveland Communities
Listen to this articleStaff Writer (Opinion The Cleveland Observer In Cleveland, many people struggle to stay in their homes and make ends meet. At the same time, decisions are being made that help those with power and money, but not everyday residents. This is called ”elite capture.” In Cleveland, elite capture can be found in […]
Posted inHistory, Opinion
Racism Takes a Back Seat to DEI
Listen to this articleStaff Writer The Cleveland Observer In recent years, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become a central focus for organizations across various sectors, eclipsing the singular focus on racism, particularly anti-Black racism, in many corporate and institutional efforts. This shift reflects the expanded scope of DEI and its appeal to a […]
Posted inNational
U.S. Ranked Last in Health Care Faces Long Road Of Challenges in Urban Communities
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer Comparing Performance in 10 Nations, the Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System provides a sobering analysis of the U.S. health care system compared to nine other high-income countries. The eighth edition of the report, which examines access to care, health outcomes, administrative efficiency, and […]
Posted inPolitics
Disputes over access to the vote intensify as Ohioans begin to cast ballots
Listen to this articleBy JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Several disputes over voter rights in Ohio were unresolved Tuesday as the state began accepting early ballots in this fall’s election for president, a key U.S. Senate race and a redistricting measure. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose had not yet responded […]
Posted inNational, Politics
Tips, overtime, Social Security: A look at Donald Trump’s no-tax pledges and what they might cost
Listen to this article By MEG KINNARD Associated Press Eds: UPDATES: Adds Trump campaign statement. Donald Trump has pledged to end taxes on everything from tips to Social Security and overtime pay if he’s elected to the White House again. But he hasn’t detailed how he would fund those ideas and avoid creating a huge […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Anti-Israel protesters pitch encampment outside Jewish Democrat’s Ohio home
Listen to this articleBy JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Masked anti-Israel demonstrators escalated their harassment of a Jewish congressman on the eve of Monday’s anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, pitching an encampment outside Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman ‘s Cincinnati residence. Landsman said Monday that the protesters arrived outside his […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Inducts 2024 Class in Cleveland
Listen to this articleCLEVELAND (TCO) — The 13th annual National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Marriott Cleveland East in Warrensville Heights. The event honored 10 icons of the R&B genre and six additional artists who received Icon Awards in recognition of their contributions […]
Posted inHealth, Public Safety
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Celebrates 50 Years, Appoints New CEO
Listen to this articleBy Jeanne Van Atta CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has appointed Nicole McKinney-Johnson as its new president and CEO, marking her as the first African American to hold the position. Since opening its hotline in 1974, CRCC has transformed the landscape for survivors […]
Posted inNational
Dockworkers Strike on East and Gulf Coasts, Threatening Price Hikes and Goods Shortages
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer Date: October 1, 2024 NEW YORK — Dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts have launched a strike, impacting key shipping ports and raising concerns over potential price increases and shortages of goods. The strike began early Monday morning, affecting major ports from New York to New Orleans. Union […]
