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It feels like every time you buy something, you feel a stab of sticker shot.
How can three pizzas for a family dinner in the backyard add up to almost $100? How did that grocery bill climb so high? What about the cost of replacing a household appliance?
We know Northeast Ohioans are feeling squeezed.
Overall, experts say, prices have been increasing in response to American tariffs, though generally less than the tariff rates. To quantify just how changes are hitting our wallets, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer are tracking the prices of everyday items.
Reporter Molly Walsh has a shopping list of 100 items from Giant Eagle, Walmart, Lowe’s and Amazon. And she just checked it twice.
See what the items are priced at now, compared to April.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings: Browns defense, Dillon Gabriel unable to finish job as they lose, 21-17, to Vikings
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Summerlike weather
Top Stories
Price check: Six months after cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer began tracking the prices of 100 everyday household items, Northeast Ohio shoppers are seeing costs inch higher on many staples, from coffee and laundry detergent to laptops and lumber. Molly Walsh rounds up price changes at Walmart, Giant Eagle, Amazon and Lowe’s.
Property taxes: The problem with property-tax reform in Ohio is that everyone wants relief, but no one agrees on who should carry the load. Democrats say the state should shoulder more — closer to half of all school costs — so homeowners aren’t left footing the bill, Anna Staver reports. Republicans argue schools unfairly benefit from automatic tax hikes and say the real fix is to restructure local collections while pressing districts to consolidate and share services.
E-bikes: Officials in communities across the region — from Avon Lake to Solon — say residents have been pressing them to address the growing problem of e-bike riders zipping along sidewalks and racing down streets without following traffic laws. E-bikes are both a solution and a problem — a sustainable, affordable form of transportation that also brings new safety challenges. Rich Exner reports that even fans of the trend agree that education about the rules of the road is needed, especially for young riders.
Chronic absenteeism: Just over one in four Ohio students were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year. That’s about twice what the state is aiming for and only down .5% from last year, Laura Hancock reports.
Today in Ohio: The federal government is shut down, but immigration courts in Cleveland — and across the country — appear to continue handling deportations and other matters. We’re talking about priorities on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
CSU programs: Cleveland State University is launching 40 new academic programs while cutting two dozen others. Laura Hancock reports on the university’s strategic restructuring, including 12 integrated degrees and program modifications.
Anti-abortion video: Ohio State Rep. Melanie Miller has proposed legislation requiring public schools to show fetal development videos. Mary Frances McGowan reports the move is controversial due to health experts warning the video is factually incorrect.
Military politicization: Veterans, families and civilians expressed deep concerns about military politicization in responses to Editor Chris Quinn’s Subtext question. Respondents worried about potential domestic military deployments and the erosion of military neutrality.
LGBTQ rights: Ohio Equal Rights is gathering signatures for two constitutional amendments to protect LGBTQ rights. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the group’s efforts to counter recent legislative restrictions on transgender individuals.
Northeast Ohio News
Black River: After decades of cleanup and restoration, the Black River — once so polluted residents were warned not to touch the water — is nearing removal from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s list of impaired waterways, reports Hannah Drown.
City Council: Grassroots organizer Nikki Hudson is now destined to join Cleveland City Council in January now that her only opponent in Ward 11 has dropped out of the race, reports Sean McDonnell.
Ramp closed: The I-271 exit ramp in Lyndhurst will close for drainage repairs from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, with motorists advised to use alternative routes, reports Rich Exner.
Heights video: Cleveland Heights released body camera footage showing Natalie McDaniel, wife of the recalled mayor, shouting profanities inside City Hall last December, reports Cory Shaffer.
Jail GED: Cuyahoga County Jail celebrated GED graduates, including inmates facing long sentences. Kaitlin Durbin reports officials emphasize education as a path to better lives and community reintegration.
Business and Health
Cannabis summit: The Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit hosted its fifth annual event Friday and Saturday at Cleveland’s I-X Center. Zach Mentz reports the two-day event provided education and networking opportunities for thousands of cannabis consumers, medical patients and industry professionals alike.
Autism fundraising: Lake County’s Footprints Center for Autism is seeking $10,000 to sustain its programs through the end of the year, emphasizing its role as a safe space for children, reports Molly Walsh.
Crime and Courts
Juvenile case: A teenager with 18 felony cases was ordered to serve probation instead of youth detention, highlighting tensions between rehabilitation advocates and Prosecutor Michael O’Malley’s public safety concerns, reports David Gambino.
Akron shooting: A 25-year-old man died early Sunday morning after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood. Police say a preliminary investigation shows the victim was struck unintentionally during gunfire between two unknown suspects, Megan Sims reports.
Aliza Sherman case: A judge has granted Gregory Moore, accused of killing Aliza Sherman, 90 days to test DNA found on her watch, potentially helping to clear him of charges, David Gambino reports.
Teens arrested: Cleveland police arrested two juveniles Friday night after they were found in possession of a stolen vehicle during a special operation targeting car break-ins and stolen vehicles in the city’s Second District, Kaylee Remington reports.
Police shootings: Grand juries in Akron have cleared officers in three shootings of Black men over two years, sparking community protests and distrust in the justice system, reports Lucas Daprile.
Hiding in the attic: U.S. marshals arrested Terrell Sparks, wanted on federal drug charges in West Virginia, after he was found hiding in an attic wall in Cleveland, reports Olivia Mitchell.
Arts and Entertainment
Swift album: With “Life of a Showgirl,” Taylor Swift has returned to more infectious, mostly sub-four-minute pop tunes with some catchy melodies and lyrics looking inward and lashing outward at various foes. Malcolm X Abram has a review.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’: Alicia Keys’ Tony Award-winning musical “Hell’s Kitchen” opens its 30-city trek Friday at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre. For Keys, Cleveland — with its enthusiastic theater audiences and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — was the perfect launching pad, Joey Morona reports.
Lainey Wilson: The juggernaut that is Lainey Wilson didn’t disappoint last night when her “Whirlwind World Tour” took no prisoners, blowing through Blossom Music Center. John Benson reviews the show.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd: The album “Ledbetter Heights” launched Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s career, establishing him as one of the leading voices of modern blues and connecting him with fans from coast to coast. Peter Chakerian reports Shepherd is trotting record out for an anniversary gig at MGM Northfield Park in April.
Happy Hour: The Last Page in Beachwood offers a global cuisine happy hour with craft cocktails and seasonal small plates. Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe highlight the restaurant’s innovative menu and intimate atmosphere.
CLE Eats: Fried bologna is one of those “working-class comfort foods” that migrated north and got absorbed into the cultural DNA of cities like ours. Peter Chakerian looks into how the “fried bologna” CLE connection works
Best chili: Northeast Ohio’s best chili restaurants compete in a readers poll, with Forest City Brewery, Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers, and Firehouse Grille & Pub emerging as top contenders. Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian showcase the region’s diverse chili scene.
Beer collaboration: Malley’s Chocolates, Great Lakes Brewing Co. and Heinen’s have teamed up on a joint product: Toffee Amber Lager, a beer inspired by Malley’s Bordeaux chocolate, Marc Bona reports.
Taco deal: National Taco Day is Tuesday and Condado Tacos is celebrating with half-price tacos, Paris Wolfe reports.
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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