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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. In Ohio, if you postmark your ballot by the day before Election Day, it counts – as long as it arrives within the next four days. It used to be 10 days, but the window was winnowed with a major elections overhaul law in 2023. (The same law required voter IDs at the polls and eliminated in-person early voting the day before election day.) The four-day deadline drew little controversy until President Trump made opposition to mail-in voting a theme of his 2020 campaign. Now Republicans in the state legislature want to further restrict ballots so that they must arrive at county boards of election by Election Day. How many voters will this affect? Ohio counted about 9,500 late absentee ballots in November 2024, according to data from the Secretary of State’s website. That’s 0.86% of the 1 million mail-in ballots cast in that election and 0.17% of Ohio’s overall votes. — Laura Overnight Scores and Weather Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Increasing clouds, rain arrives Top Stories Early voting: Republican senators have proposed eliminating Ohio’s four-day mail-in ballot grace period, arguing it’s needed to comply with federal law. Anna Staver reports on the potential impact on voting accessibility and the ongoing debate about election integrity. NIL: The Ohio High School Athletic Association has partnered with Influential Athlete to educate schools about NIL policies as they prepare for an emergency vote, Jonathan Simmons reports. Today in Ohio: With one week for the Ohio Redistricting Commission to reach consensus on new congressional districts, Republicans have yet to propose an actual map. On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, we’re talking about how Republicans are running out the clock so they can pass a map in November with zero Democratic buy-in. Statehouse and Politics COVID unemployment: The Ohio Supreme Court will hear Gov. Mike DeWine’s appeal regarding $900 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. Jeremy Pelzer reports the court’s 5-1 decision comes after lower courts challenged DeWine’s 2021 decision to stop accepting federal pandemic unemployment funds. Hemp definition: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has joined 38 states demanding Congress clarify the federal hemp definition to prevent intoxicating products from flooding the market. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the bipartisan coalition’s efforts to address regulatory ambiguities. SNAP funding: Ohio’s two Republican U.S. senators, frustrated over the looming cutoff of food assistance for millions of Americans, have joined legislation to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits continue flowing despite the ongoing government shutdown, Sabrina Eaton reports. SNAP benefits: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is blaming Democrats for potentially cutting off SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. Anna Staver reports Yost accused Democrats in Congress of using working families as “leverage” in the federal budget fight. Head Start: Thousands of Ohio Head Start children risk losing services due to the federal government shutdown. Laura Hancock reports that about 3,700 children and 940 employees could be affected by potential program closures. Northeast Ohio News Lakefront development: Cleveland planners envision more improvement on public spaces on the lakefront before the Browns leave after the 2028 NFL season, and a developer selection expected by the end of this year, reports Rich Exner. SNAP loss: About 4,200 legally residing immigrants in Cuyahoga have already lost SNAP benefits due to new federal rules, with officials working to restore aid amid a looming crisis where 190,000 more residents could lose benefits next month, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Summit SNAP: Summit County has allocated $250,000 to help residents affected by potential SNAP benefit cuts amid the federal shutdown, with over 77,000 residents relying on the program, reports Megan Becka. Air controllers: Cleveland-area air traffic controllers are dipping into savings, talking with banks about loans and starting to think about second jobs as the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, Susan Glaser reports. Most controllers got a partial paycheck two weeks ago. Tuesday marked the first pay period with no salary. Tobacco licenses: Stores that sell cigarettes, cigars and vaping products in Cleveland must apply for a new license to stay in business. Cleveland’s tobacco retail licensing program, approved by City Council back in April, was part of a larger package of legislation passed to combat the proliferation of smoke shops, Sean McDonnell reports. Police HQ: Cleveland’s new police headquarters is set to open in late 2026, with renovations at the historic ArtCraft building costing around $90 million, alongside a $21 million upgrade of city police stations, Lucas Daprile reports. PD investigation: North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz on Tuesday ordered an investigation into his police department’s handling of a drunken driving arrest of an Orange Village deputy police chief, Lucas Daprile reports. Jail medical services: Cuyahoga County plans to extend MetroHealth’s contract for jail medical services by five months, including funding to hire more staff amid concerns about current understaffing, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Mentor rezoning: Voters in Mentor will decide on Nov. 4 whether to rezone land for new housing developments, including a 110-unit townhouse project and a 45-home community, Molly Walsh reports. Shaker Lakes: Residents have fired a legal warning against work on Shaker Lakes without proper permits, Cory Shaffer reports. In a legal notice delivered to officials in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Cleveland, three residents wrote that the district is preparing to begin major earthmoving and hydrologic work without completing required federal and state environmental reviews. Vermilion facilities: Vermilion Schools seek voter approval for a 30-year, $47 million bond levy to repair aging facilities like the high school, middle school and tennis courts, addressing $14 million in urgent maintenance needs, Hannah Drown reports. Speed limit: Cleveland City Council has agreed to reduce the speed limit on Lake Avenue from 35 mph to 30 mph to improve safety, pending final approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Rich Exner reports. Business and Health New degree: Kent State University has added a bachelor’s degree in user experience design to meet job market demands, with the program in development for three years, reports Megan Becka. Crime and Courts Clock scam: The owner of Cleveland Clock Repair, Michael Daniel, faces felony charges after allegedly scamming elderly customers out of about $26,000 by not completing or returning clocks. He is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 10, David Gambino reports. ‘No Kings’ charge: A Jackson Township man was charged Tuesday after police said he struck a “No Kings” protester with his truck earlier this month, Lucas Daprile reports. Arts and Entertainment Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez highlights the delicate balance between friendship and business when a longtime handyman’s work quality declines. Bryan Adams: Bryan Adams is bringing his “Roll With The Punches” tour to Rocket Arena with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, reports Malcolm X Abram. Stray Cats: The popular 1980s rockabilly band Stray Cats has canceled its U.S. tour, including an upcoming show at MGM Northfield Park, citing a “serious illness,” Cliff Pinckard reports. Soho Chicken: Cleveland’s Soho Chicken + Whiskey restaurant will reopen at 4211 Lorain Ave. this week after relocating from West 25th Street. Alex Darus reports the restaurant plans to maintain its signature Southern menu and familiar atmosphere. Halloween vs. football: With the first round of Ohio’s high school football playoffs beginning on Halloween, some communities will face overlap between tradition and supporting their teams. Halloween celebrations: WalletHub ranks the top 100 U.S. cities for Halloween celebrations, with New York, Jersey City and Los Angeles topping the list, and Ohio cities showing mixed rankings, reports Marc Bona. Edwin’s: Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute has launched Accelerator 2.0, a 10-week program to support aspiring food entrepreneurs. Marc Bona reports on the initiative that offers mentorship, workshops and guidance for culinary business concepts. Dia de Muertos: Cleveland celebrates its 21st Annual Día de Muertos Festival, a vibrant event honoring ancestors through traditional altars, music and a Skeleton Procession at Cleveland Public Theatre. Paris Wolfe reports the free event emphasizes cultural sharing and remembrance. Cocky’s Bagels: Cocky’s Bagels is opening its fourth location in University Heights, bringing its popular bagel sandwiches to Cleveland’s East Side with a grand opening celebration Sunday, 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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