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Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m. The Ohio Supreme Court in 1997 ruled that Ohio’s school funding system was unconstitutional, in part because of an overreliance on property taxes. The case was dismissed in 2003 and the state legislature has tweaked the formula several times since. But those changes have not been tested in court and plenty of people still argue that the system is unequitable. With property taxes soaring and frustrated homeowners clamoring for relief, the issue of school funding is once again front and center. So far, most legislative ideas have addressed only small pieces of the problem by taking money from schools. But, finally, we have a big concept to consider. What if we replaced all local school levies with one statewide property tax and a bump in the sales tax? — Laura Overnight Scores and Weather Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Blustery and damp Top Stories School taxes: The proposed Senate Bill 93 would eliminate local school property taxes and replace them with a statewide 20-mill property tax and a 1.75% sales tax increase, reports Anna Staver. Redistricting: Ohio Republicans continue to push for a new congressional map that could expand their political advantage. Jeremy Pelzer reports on the ongoing tensions as the redistricting commission struggles to reach a bipartisan agreement before the November deadline. Today in Ohio: Ohio lawmakers are considering creating a new currency backed by gold and silver. They’re calling it “pirate money.” Why? We’re talking about how Republican legislators are talking about “choice and freedom” on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily news podcast. Statehouse and Politics Jim Jordan: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan is seeking criminal prosecution of ex-CIA Director John Brennan, alleging he lied to Congress about the Steele dossier’s role in a 2017 Russian election interference assessment, reports Sabrina Eaton. Hemp regulations: Ohio lawmakers are considering new regulations on hemp products after a judge halted Gov. Mike DeWine’s ban. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the legislative efforts to address the sale of intoxicating hemp items following the court’s ruling that the governor’s order was “antithetical” to state law. Northeast Ohio News Browns deal: Cleveland City Council is peeling Mayor Justin Bibb’s $100 million agreement with the Cleveland Browns layer by layer. Sean McDonnell explains the negotiations and the community’s concerns over the lakefront funding. Geauga parks: The Geauga Park District seeks a 1.2-mill tax increase to fund improvements like new restrooms, trail upgrades and infrastructure repairs. Molly Walsh reports that the measure aims to maintain park quality. Voters will decide on Nov. 4. ICE protest: Hundreds gathered in Painesville to protest a new ICE partnership that allows Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies to question and detain immigrants. Molly Walsh reports that demonstrators fear increased racial profiling and family separation, urging the sheriff to withdraw from the agreement. Tax liens: Cuyahoga County’s plans to sell delinquent property tax liens to a private company are on hold after committee rejection, with Treasurer Brad Cromes urging residents to continue paying or plan payments, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Cleveland State: Cleveland State University plans to maximize its downtown location by requiring nearly all undergraduate degree programs to include applied learning experiences by 2030, CSU President Laura Bloomberg, Laura Hancock reports. First freeze: Cleveland and Akron have seen their first frost, but the first freeze (below 32 degrees) is still upcoming, expected around late October. Ryan Cohick reports that local temperatures are tracking with long-term averages, delaying the first true freeze. Tax renewals: Lorain City Schools is asking voters to approve two renewal levies to maintain essential programs and services, and avoid deep budget cuts, despite ranking last among Ohio districts, reports Hannah Drown. Wetlands restoration: Excavation is nearly complete on Lorain County’s Gerber-Becket Stream and Wetland Restoration project, designed to reduce neighborhood flooding, improve water quality flowing into Lake Erie and create vital habitats for migratory birds and native wildlife, Hannah Drown reports. Diwali celebration: At Cleveland Public Library’s Diwali event, participants created hand-painted lanterns while learning about the Festival of Lights and its cultural significance. John Kuntz has photos. Spring bulbs: Plant bulbs now for spring color in Northeast Ohio. Susan Brownstein highlights the challenges with wildlife, especially deer, and suggests bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths as deer-resistant options. Business and Health Kelce investment: Super Bowl champion and longtime Cedar Point fan Travis Kelce is teaming up with an activist investment firm to try to revive the amusement park’s parent company, Susan Glaser reports. Crime and Courts Life sentence: A 16-year-old Cleveland boy will become one of the state’s youngest inmates after pleading guilty to murder and felonious assault in a shooting after a Euclid High School football game last year, David Gambino reports. Darien Harris was only 15 when prosecutors say he fired at least eight rounds toward a group of youths, killing Sincere Rowdy, 17, on Aug. 30, 2024. Fatal shooting: A Lorain man who was critically wounded at a gas station last month has died from his injuries. Olivia Mitchell reports Jermaine Warith, 50, was shot on Sept. 26 and died after multiple surgeries at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Drug smuggling: A Cleveland woman pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs, including meth and marijuana, into the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center. Adam Ferrise reports about the incident and the how facility’s owner, CoreCivic, is taking action. ‘No Kings’: A Jackson Township man is under investigation after being accused of ramming a protester during a “No Kings” rally, with police still seeking an arrest in the ongoing case, reports Lucas Daprile. Gunfire erupts: Two men were wounded Monday night in a shooting that also damaged at least three homes with gunfire in East Akron, police say. Olivia Mitchell reports no arrests have been made. Arts and Entertainment Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez highlights the importance of maintaining clean butter containers, offering practical solutions to prevent crumbs and contamination in shared spaces. She advises using separate butter containers or individual pats to maintain hygiene. Provincetown: Susan Glaser celebrates a milestone birthday reunion with high school friends in Provincetown, Massachusetts, exploring the town’s rich history, welcoming atmosphere and diverse attractions from beaches to bike trails. Puscifer: Puscifer’s upcoming “Normal Isn’t” tour, featuring Maynard James Keenan and backing a new album that blends goth and punk influences, will make a stop at Akron Civic Theatre in 2026, reports Malcolm X Abram. Leisure: The New Zealand band Leisure has an upcoming performance at Globe Iron, blending funk, R&B and psychedelic influences, reports Peter Chakerian. Baking competition: Great Grog Bakeoff will host its fifth edition, where amateur bakers will compete in a fruitcake challenge judged by culinary experts Doug Katz and Courtney Bonning, reports Alex Darus. Ukraine support: Brandon Chrostowski is planning an upcoming trip to Ukraine, where he’ll cook meals, speak at a university, and support wounded soldiers through fundraising efforts, reports Marc Bona. Thanksgiving crafting: Jukebox’s Friendsgiving art café helps participants create Instagram-worthy Thanksgiving table decorations through watercolor and painting activities, reports Alex Darus. You’re all caught up Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber. — Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard. 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