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The Ohio Constitution plainly states that in drawing Congressional boundaries, “the general assembly shall not pass a plan that unduly favors or disfavors a political party or its incumbents.”
Ohioans in 2018 overwhelmingly approved a redistricting process that both Democrats and Republicans promised would deliver fair, compact boundaries and resulting districts that correspond closely to the statewide preferences of the voters of Ohio.
Yet Ohio remains one of the most gerrymandered states in the union, according to the League of Women Voters, with 10 of 15 congressional seats swinging Republican.
Statewide representation is about to tip even more conservative as Republicans are expected to pass a new redistricting plan designed to win 12, if not 13, of the state’s 15 U.S. House seats next year.
How?
Jeremy Pelzer breaks down how the process broke down.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Browns at Detroit Lions: Joe Flacco gets no help, turns the ball over 3 times as Browns lose 34-10 to Lions
Guardians vs. Texas Rangers: AL Central belongs to Guardians, who celebrate with 9-8 walk-off win over Rangers in 10 innings
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Staying sunny and warm
Top Stories
Redistricting: Some critics charge that GOP lawmakers never intended to work in good faith and they knowingly pushed through a redistricting amendment in 2018 that looked good on paper but contained enough loopholes for them to maintain firm control over the process, reports Jeremy Pelzer.
Turnpike time: Seventy years ago, the Ohio Turnpike opened as the first expressway in Ohio. For truckers, the turnpike meant five fewer hours on the road, winding through small towns. For family drivers, it shaved three hours off the trip. Rich Exner reports that the moment marked the dawn of a new way of travel in the Buckeye State — faster, safer and more direct than ever before — ushering Ohio into the modern highway era.
Cocaine ODs: For the first time in decades, cocaine is killing more people in Cuyahoga County than opioids, including fentanyl. Kaitlin Durbin reports that the news marks a historic shift that Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson says should spark an urgent change in prevention strategies.
Today in Ohio: Ohioans overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing abortion two years ago. Now Republicans are trying to make abortions harder to get. We’re talking about a proposed 24-hour rule on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
Voting: President Donald Trump wants to ban mail-in ballots, eliminate electronic voting machines and return to hand-counted, paper-only elections. Anna Staver reports the question for Ohio Republicans is not whether to act, but how far they’re willing to go: Whether to fully embrace Trump’s hardline demands, adopt a more cautious middle path, or defend a system they once praised as a national model.
LGBTQ bills: Advocates warn Ohio legislators may expand anti-LGBTQ restrictions beyond youth, potentially targeting adult transgender Ohioans with new bills affecting drag shows and political candidates. Mary Frances McGowan reports on pending legislation that could further restrict LGBTQ rights in the state.
Manufacturing grant: The Small Business Administration awarded Ohio State University a federal grant to provide manufacturing training across six Ohio counties. Sabrina Eaton reports that the program focuses on critical roles like machinists and production workers with hands-on instruction.
Northeast Ohio News
Statler foreclosure: The Statler building in downtown Cleveland faces foreclosure after Millennia Companies defaulted on a $52 million mortgage, owing over $60 million including fees, reports Adam Ferrise. The Statler is one of the most recognizable and historic buildings in the city.
Grendell bills: Geauga County commissioners moved to dismiss a lawsuit over Judge Timothy Grendell’s disciplinary case, arguing it’s a private matter, David Gambino reports.
ICE contract: Geauga County commissioners reaffirmed a secret ICE jail contract while refusing to release the document, which is now the subject of an Ohio Supreme Court lawsuit by the ACLU, reports Molly Walsh.
Student fund: Cuyahoga Community College received a $1 million donation from Medical Mutual to launch a Resilient Scholar Fund helping students facing financial hardships. Laura Hancock reports on the program addressing challenges like food insecurity and housing instability.
Food bank: Smucker’s is donating a 19,000-square-foot building and $1 million to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to support hunger relief efforts. Peter Chakerian reports how this transformative gift will help address food insecurity.
Black baseball history: Lorain County’s Black baseball history is being revived through a softball tournament honoring teams like the Elyria Smart Set, highlighting the county’s rich Black heritage, reports Cory Shaffer.
Dog finds home: Lorain County’s longest-waiting dog, Storm, finally found a home after nearly five months at the Lorain County Dog Kennel, capturing hearts with his gentle nature, Hannah Drown reports.
Our Best Life: Laura Johnston writes about celebrating wedding anniversaries, emphasizing their significance. She suggests meaningful ways to mark the occasion.
Business and Health
Pediatric care: Akron Children’s Hospital is opening its first pediatric primary care location in Cuyahoga Falls, combining two existing Pediatrics of Akron offices and offering 20 exam rooms and access to specialist networks, reports Megan Becka.
Crime and Courts
Teen slain: A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot early Sunday morning during a gathering at an Airbnb site in Cleveland, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect on obstruction charges, Megan Sims reports.
Fatal shooting: A 19-year-old man was shot and killed early Sunday morning in the Flats. Police arrested a second shooting victim who they say is a suspect in the incident, Megan Sims reports.
Jail death: A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate the death of Tasha Grant, a Cuyahoga County Jail inmate who died after being restrained at MetroHealth, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Student hit: A Rocky River middle school student was hit by a car while riding his bike to school, suffering injuries at a crosswalk on Hilliard Boulevard.
Police chase: A police chase in Brunswick ended with a crash in Cleveland after a driver refused to pull over for speeding. Olivia Mitchell reports that five passengers were detained and later released, with no injuries reported.
Layovers: Cleveland’s Signals Midwest released “Layovers,” an archival album exploring their journey from a DIY basement band to an influential emo/post-hardcore act. Peter Chakerian writes about frontman Max Stern’s reflections on the band’s evolution and connection to Cleveland.
Gilbert fundraiser: Barrio Tacos is hosting a “Be Like Stacy” benefit to commemorate Stacy Gilbert and raise money for cancer research. Marc Bona reports that the restaurant will donate a portion of October specials sales to Susan G. Komen breast-cancer foundation in honor of Gilbert, who passed away last year.
Arts and Entertainment
Sleep Token: The mysterious musical entity known as Sleep Token held a “ritual” Saturday night at Rocket Arena for a soldout crowd of rapt “worshippers.” Malcolm X Abram has a review.
‘Peacemaker’: The latest “Peacemaker” episode potentially sets up James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman” sequel by introducing an alternate Nazi-controlled dimension called Earth-X. Joey Morona reports how Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor might factor into the “Man of Tomorrow” film.
‘Showgirl’ release: Akron’s Nightlight Theatre will host Taylor Swift’s album release film for “The Life of a Showgirl” from Friday to Sunday. Megan Becka highlights the 89-minute theatrical experience will feature the world premiere of “The Fate of Ophelia” music video and behind-the-scenes content.
Pumpkin farm: Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm in Radnor, Ohio, has been named the best pumpkin patch in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best rankings, offering 15-plus acres of pumpkins and family-friendly activities, reports Zach Mentz.
Clambakes: Where to find Northeast Ohio’s best clambake locations for 2025? Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe offer a comprehensive guide to local restaurants serving this regional fall culinary tradition.
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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