Listen to this articleAlthough cocaine is one of the leading causes of drug overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County in 2026, fentanyl continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. According to the Recovery Institute of Ohio there was a significant decline in fentanyl deaths in 2023. The national data from the Centers for Disease Control […]
Posted inNational, Politics
Will Trump deploy the National Guard to Cleveland?
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 […]
Posted inHistory, National
Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader and Advocate for Justice
Listen to this articleAn Explainer for Young Readers Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who advocated for equality and justice during the 1950s and 1960s. He worked to end racial segregation and discrimination against Black Americans through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. King led a movement that challenged laws […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF APPROACHED BY ICE
Listen to this article1. Ohio-Specific Context (Important) ICE is federal. Local Ohio police are not required to enforce immigration law. In Ohio, police cannot detain you solely because ICE asks them to. Many Ohio cities and counties do not honor ICE “detainer” requests unless required by a judge. Your constitutional rights apply regardless of immigration […]
Posted inWealth
Financial Therapy in Uncertain Times: 3 Strategies You Can Use Now
Listen to this articleBy Ray’Chel Wilson The Cleveland Observer Last winter, a family sat at their kitchen table in Cleveland, staring at bills stacked higher than the snow outside. The job loss was sudden, but the anxiety it triggered felt endless. They felt stuck, not just financially, but emotionally, without seeing a way forward. They […]
Posted inNews, State, Wealth
SNAP changes that will impact Clevelanders in 2026
Listen to this articleBy Christina Easter The Cleveland Observer The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 signed into law on July 4, 2025 by the president of the United States changed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, benefits, and program administration. Changes were made to root out fraud and make sure those who really […]
Posted inHealth
New Year, More Aware You: Choosing Growth Without Reinventing Yourself
Listen to this articleBy: Jennifer Bailey The ball has dropped, and the countdown has ended. When a new calendar year begins, many Americans set resolutions to reinvent themselves. The popular phrase, “New Year, New Me,” assumes new beginnings and transformation; however, it subtly suggests that you were never good enough. Following through with resolutions is […]
Posted inEducation, Local
What’s Next for CMSD Students and Neighborhoods
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”. […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
From Collinwood to a Creative Cosmos: The Layered Evolution of Aawful Aaron
Listen to this articleWhen Aaron D. Williams talks about his work, he doesn’t describe himself the way most emerging artists do. He doesn’t lead with exhibitions, accolades, or even aesthetics. Instead, he starts with neighborhoods, grandparents, cousins, school hallways, retail backrooms, and the feeling of being seen for the first time while drawing at a […]
Posted inNational, History
Bullet-pocked marker memorializing 1918 lynching goes on display in Atlanta
Listen to this articleBy MICHAEL WARREN Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) — A historical marker from the site of a 1918 lynching that was repeatedly vandalized in recent years is now safely on display in Atlanta in an exhibit that opens Monday. It memorializes an event that some people in rural southern Georgia have tried hard to […]
Posted inCLE Streets, Local, News, Politics
What Has the City Council Done Since Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis?
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 […]
Posted inFaith, Wealth
Faith in Action: The Church’s Role in Economic Repair
Listen to this articleBy Ray’Chel Wilson The federal government shutdown stalled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of families nationwide this November, churches and faith coalitions rose to the essential work of economic repair, bridging the gap left by disrupted policy and uncertain funding, according to Pew Research Center & PBS. Churches Respond […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, National, News
Venezuela, Oil, and Power: How Foreign Policy Strains a Democracy Built on Trust
Listen to this articleBy Ron Albert The Cleveland Observer Oil, sanctions, military pressure, and defense financing show how U.S. foreign policy can test public trust, even without a declared war. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—about 301 billion barrels—surpassing Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Canada, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sanctions, tanker […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation, Tonya Sams
Legal Aid may be able to help with estate planning and administration
Listen to this articleWe all hope to live long, healthy lives, but it is also important to plan ahead to protect our assets. This means ensuring that loved ones will reap the benefits of our hard work and efforts in this life. This can be made possible through estate planning. The first thing that people […]
Posted inNews, National, Politics
Federal Actions Trigger Rising Scrutiny for Nonprofits, Legal Experts Warn
Listen to this articleBy Staff Writer A series of recent decisions by the Trump Administration could lead to tougher rules and more government scrutiny for nonprofits across the United States, including those serving communities in Cleveland and Ohio. These actions, announced between early September and late October, may affect how nonprofits use grant money, report […]
Posted inEditorial, Vince Robinson
Cuyahoga County’s Cuyahoga Live Music Commission Gives Update
by Vince Robinson An update on the progress of Cuyahoga Live, the music commission being formed by Cuyahoga County, took place in The Sixty6 of the Midtown Collaboration Center on Thursday, December 11th. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne re-introduced the concept, including comedy in the spectrum of live events the commission will support. Sean Watterson, […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Legal Aid may be able to help low-income entrepreneurs
Listen to this articleBy Tanya Sands Starting a new business can be extremely challenging, especially when there seem to be large barriers to overcome. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland may be able to help with its Legal Center for Entrepreneurs with Low-Income. Established in 2019, The Center creates avenues out of poverty for those […]
Posted inHealth, National
The Latest: Senate rejects legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits
Listen to this articleThe Senate on Thursday rejected two partisan health bills on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year. The failed Democratic bill would have extended the COVID-era subsidies for three years, while the GOP alternative would have replaced the subsidies with new […]
Posted inHealth
When It’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Managing grief this holiday season
Listen to this articleBy: Jennifer Bailey, LCSW & RDT Whether you celebrate with a Menorah, a Kinara, or a Christmas tree, the holidays are meant to evoke feelings of joy, gratitude, and goodwill. But for many Americans, this season brings grief, sorrow, and longing — especially for those experiencing their first or fifteenth holiday without […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Local, National
Cuyahoga County: Phone Scam Targeting Newly Arrested
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 […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local
Cleveland’s Transformative Art Fund Proves Case for Continued Funding
“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.”
Posted inEducation, Local
MARY HANSARD NAMED 2025 CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY VALEDICTORIAN
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 […]
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety
How to Report a Missing Person in Cleveland: What Families Need to Know
Listen to this articleBy Christina Easter When a person goes missing, family members should immediately contact local law enforcement to provide identifying information that can be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUS). Information provided to law enforcement is used for the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) Missing Persons and Ohio Attorney […]
Posted inHealth
Tips to Stay Calm During a Stressful Holiday Season
Listen to this articleBy Jennifer Bailey, LCSW & RDT Between shopping for the perfect gift, baking for the cookie exchange and finding an ugly sweater for your workplace’s holiday party, December can bring more than holiday cheer. The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that 89% of American adults experience at least one source of stress […]
Posted inDevelopment, News, Wealth
More Seniors Qualify for Tax Relief as Cuyahoga County Expands Assistance Program
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer In County lowers age threshold to 67; homeowners say relief is vital as property taxes continue rising. Cuyahoga County is expanding a property-tax relief program for seniors, lowering its eligibility age from 70 to 67 and offering up to $10,000 in direct assistance to homeowners struggling with delinquent tax […]
