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 […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local, News, Sports, Wealth
Haslam Sports Group $100M Settlement: Who Really Wins?
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 […]
Posted inEducation, Technology
Artificial Intelligence: The New Brain Drain
Listen to this articleBy: Marissa Valentine Cleveland parents and educators are joining a growing national conversation about the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on student learning, as a new MIT study warns of a phenomenon called “cognitive debt.” At the beginning of this school year, concerns have risen that overuse of AI tools like ChatGPT […]
Posted inLocal, Technology, Wealth
Best Artificial Intelligence Tools to Save Time and Money in Everyday Life
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, […]
Posted inHealth
News Overload: How National Events Impact Our Emotional Health
Listen to this articleBy Jennifer Bailey, LCSW & RD In the last five years, Americans have weathered wave after wave of national and global crises. From the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, to the dismantling of DEI policies, each event lingers in our feeds. Social media doesn’t […]
Posted inHistory, National
Assata Shakur, Racial Justice Activist and Political Refugee Died, Dont Tell Anyone
Listen to this articleAssata Shakur, a prominent Black liberation activist and longtime political refugee, died Sept. 25 in Havana, Cuba, at 78, according to a statement from Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported by the Associated Press on Sept. 26, 2025. To the U.S. government, she was considered a dangerous terrorist; to many of her […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local, Opinion
OP-ED: From Homeowners to Developers: The Changing Face of Cuyahoga’s Land Bank and Its Community Cost
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 […]
Posted inNational, Politics, Wealth
Government says SNAP benefit cuts won’t be as deep as announced for some families
Listen to this articlePresident Donald Trump’s administration now says that SNAP food aid for November will be reduced less than originally announced, the latest in a political and legal saga that impacts how about 1 in 8 Americans can buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a court filing late Wednesday that it caught […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Zadok Little’s Journey of Faith, Sound, and Purpose
Listen to this articleZadok Little doesn’t just make music; he lives it. His voice carries the weight of lived experience, yet relects the light of a man who’s found his purpose. Born and raised on Cleveland’s east side, Little is part of a new wave of artists transforming personal testimony into powerful sound. “I grew […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, History, Local
Opinion: Sabotaged Miracle on 105th Street: Winston Willis Pt 1
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, […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, Health, Local
Cleveland STI Cases On the Rise: Reveal Deep Health Inequities
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, […]
Posted inHealth, Trending News
Anger is a Signal, Not a Weapon: Understanding Anger
Listen to this article By: Jennifer Bailey, LCSW & RDT The Signal Behind Anger Anger is an emotion that comes with cautionary tape, reminding us that there is a line that we must not cross. Experts say it’s a signal telling us something needs our attention. Instead of running from anger or letting it control […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, Sports
The 2025 Haslam/Brook Park New Deal: Who Really Wins?
Listen to this articleBy The Cleveland Observer Staff 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, with $600 million in state support and a separate $100 million settlement proposed between the […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, Sports
The 1998 Lerner Deal: Cleveland’s Second Chance, and What It Cost
Listen to this articleCleveland Observer When the Cleveland Browns were reborn in 1998, civic leaders framed the team’s return as a triumph of identity and pride. Behind the celebration was one of the most expensive franchise arrangements of its era: financier Alfred Lerner’s $530 million purchase of the new Browns, with a stadium plan that […]
Posted inGovernment, Law/Legislation
Controversial Definition of Gender Tucked into Ohio Budget Bill
Listen to this articleThe Budget Bill Beyond Numbers “On June 30, 2025, Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s state budget bill into law, with Republican-led tax cuts and a definition of sex and gender inserted late in the process, though it remains unclear which legislator proposed the language. Lawmakers said the language was intended to establish […]
Posted inCLEVELAND
Gloria Gaynor’s Political Donations Resurface, Trump-Epstein Links Highlight New Developments
Listen to this articleGloria Gaynor’s Political Donations Resurface Legendary singer, Gloria Gaynor, best known for the anthem “I Will Survive”, has recently donated nearly $22,000 to Republican politicians and political groups since 2016, according to Federal Election Commission filings. These records recently resurfaced after Gaynor was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center by President […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, Politics
Voter Information: How to Research New City Council Candidates
Listen to this articleBy Angela Hay This article is part of the Cleveland Observer’s voter information series designed to prepare Cleveland voters for the general election on Nov. 4, 2025. Informed participation in local elections is a crucial way to shape the city. Unfortunately, getting reliable non-biased information about the candidates and their beliefs can […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, Food, Living, News
Clevelander Tackles Food Deserts With Community Solutions
Listen to this articleBy Devon Jones According to a 2018 study by Case Western Reserve University, limited access to affordable and nutritious food, affecting more than half of Cleveland residents who live in food deserts, contributes to chronic health issues across the city. To address this disparity, Food Strong, a nonprofit founded in 2018 by […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation, News
Trump Order to Block Nationwide Birthright Citizenship
Listen to this articleBy Staff Writer On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14160 titled Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. The measure sought to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to undocumented or temporarily present parents. Within days, lawsuits were filed. Spectrum News1 reported that […]
