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U.S. Rep. Max Miller wrote an op-ed in the Washington Times this week, urging Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to send National Guard troops into Cleveland.
This, despite the fact that violent crime in Cleveland is down, following the trend in other American cities.
“My constituents in the suburbs are afraid to go into the city,” Miller wrote. “The Cleveland I grew up in is now unrecognizable. Families no longer feel safe walking down the street and small businesses are being boarded up.”
Miller is 36. I’m 45. I live in Miller’s district. And this dystopic description does not reflect reality.
The city is redeveloping its riverfront and lakeshore, opening a glittering new skyscraper, transforming an arena into a pro soccer stadium. Millions of tourists visit every year. Millions of tourists come to dine and cheer and be dazzled at museums.
Yes, Cleveland has shootings, like one in the Flats after the Browns opener, that make headlines and spark debate about safety. But, as we’ve seen over and over, violence can erupt anywhere.
Rather than call in a military occupation, let’s look at the source of the problem.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Guardians at Detroit Tigers: Guardians do it again to Tigers with 4-0 win, now 4 1/2 games out of first
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Dry streak continues
Top Stories
National Guard: Republican Congressman Max Miller is urging the Ohio National Guard to be deployed in Cleveland, citing crime concerns and referencing President Trump’s Washington, D.C., model. Sabrina Eaton reports Miller believes military intervention could help address urban safety challenges, despite recent declines in Cleveland’s violent crime rates.
Today in Ohio: Campbell’s Soup evokes visions of wholesome Americana, but the company has been polluting the Maumee River — and Lake Erie — for years. On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, we’re talking about how the 5,400 violations since 2018 could contribute to the toxic soup of harmful algal blooms.
Statehouse and Politics
Concealed carry: Ohio Republican lawmakers are proposing legislation that would allow state elected officials and judges with concealed-carry permits to bring handguns into government buildings. Jeremy Pelzer reports that House Bill 460 comes in response to recent attacks and threats against elected officials.
CDC criticism: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted criticized the Centers for Disease Control during a Senate hearing, arguing that the agency’s pandemic guidance was driven by politics rather than science. Sabrina Eaton reports Husted’s testimony focused on the alleged harmful effects of CDC policies on children’s education and mental health.
Math scores: Ohio student math scores are slowly recovering from COVID-19 impacts, with proficiency rising to 55.3% from a pandemic low of 48%. Laura Hancock reports that while math performance is improving, English language arts scores slightly declined.
Voter fraud: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has referred 78 noncitizen voter cases for potential prosecution, with nine involving alleged voting. Anna Staver reports that while hundreds of cases have been referred since 2019, only 12 have resulted in criminal charges, suggesting many cases stem from confusion rather than intentional fraud.
STRS lawsuit: Three educators groups have filed a lawsuit challenging a new law that shifts control of Ohio’s State Teachers Retirement System board from educators to political appointees. Anna Staver reports on the legal battle over the board’s composition, which would reduce elected members from seven to three by 2028.
Northeast Ohio News
Airport rankings: Cleveland Hopkins Airport improved its customer satisfaction ranking but remains near the bottom of medium-sized airports. Susan Glaser reports that the airport increased its score by 5% from last year, with hopes for future improvements.
Joe Jones: Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones is demanding access to an investigation that led to his censure, claiming procedural flaws, reports Sean McDonnell. Council has not provided the report.
Roundabouts: A recent analysis by ODOT shows that converting intersections to roundabouts significantly reduces injury crashes, with single-lane roundabouts decreasing crashes by 69%. Rich Exner reports on the safety benefits and ongoing funding efforts.
Dog hikes: Euclid Creek Metropolitan Park offers a peaceful hiking experience with minimal elevation changes, waterfalls and scenic views just minutes from Cleveland, writes David Petkiewicz.
Fall foliage: Ohio’s fall foliage season might feature an unusual pattern because of dry conditions. Susan Glaser reports that some tree species will change colors early while more drought-resistant trees might peak later in October.
Birding fest: This year’s Headlands Birding Festival will be held this weekend at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, featuring bird walks, talks, and a keynote by Julie Zickefoose, reports Peter Krouse.
Business and Health
COVID shots: Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccination guidelines now prioritize adults 65-plus and those with health risks, requiring prescriptions in some pharmacies. Julie Washington explains the changes and their impact on vaccine access.
Crime and Courts
Aryan Brotherhood: The FBI arrested Blake Meyers, linked to the Aryan Brotherhood, on gun charges after seizing weapons and a 3D printer from his homes in Kirtland and Mentor, reports Adam Ferrise. The investigation revealed threatening behavior and extremist ties.
Competency ruling: The case of an accused killer of a Cleveland police officer inched closer to trial Wednesday. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Ashley Kilbane, siding with prosecutors, granted authorities an additional four months to try to restore De’Lawnte Hardy’s mental competency, David Gambino reports.
Guns thief: Authorities are searching for a suspect who broke into Westlake Classic Firearms over the weekend, stealing a dozen guns, including handguns and rifles, Lucas Daprile reports.
Drug sentencing: A North Royalton man was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for managing a drug ring distributing cocaine, crack and fentanyl in western Pennsylvania while living in Northeast Ohio, reports Adam Ferrise.
Arts and Entertainment
Pho restaurant: Build the Pho expands to North Olmsted with a new restaurant at Great Northern Mall. Alex Darus reports that owner Eric Weng’s Vietnamese restaurant features customizable pho bowls and traditional dishes.
CVNP ice cream: Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream is bringing back its Cuyahoga Valley Crunch flavor to celebrate the national park’s 50th anniversary. Alex Darus reports the milk-chocolate-based ice cream is loaded with chocolate-coated almonds and has a marshmallow ribbon.
B&N: Barnes & Noble is opening a new store in Strongsville in early 2026, filling a void left by the closing of Borders in 2011. Joey Morona reports the 26,000-square-foot location will include books, gifts, and a café.
Maltz mobile: The Maltz Museum has launched “Museum in Motion,” transforming public transit into mobile art galleries showcasing local stories and artifacts. Peter Chakerian reports the initiative brings history and culture directly to Cleveland’s streets.
Hispanic traditions: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a free community event featuring music, dance and art. Peter Chakerian reports the museum’s collaborative approach showcases Latin and Hispanic traditions.
Film fest: The 20,000 Leagues Under the Industry film festival returns to Cleveland after nearly two decades. Peter Chakerian reports on the underground film festival’s revival at Treelawn Social Club.
Keyboard Conversations: Pianist Jeffrey Siegel celebrates 40 years of “Keyboard Conversations” at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Peter Chakerian highlights Siegel’s unique approach to making classical music accessible and meaningful.
Pints & pies: Akron Civic Theatre hosts Pints & Pies, featuring 88 craft beers paired with pizza and pies. Marc Bona details the annual tasting event with a comprehensive list of beverages.
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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