Transforming closed Cleveland schools won’t be easy. Just ask Chicago In 2013, Chicago closed 50 schools and struggled to reuse the buildings. Cleveland now faces the same test. by Franziska Wild signalcleveland.org/transforming...

Federal judge surprised by Cleveland and Justice Department move to end police consent decree, won’t rule on it yet Judge Solomon Oliver said he would give motion to leave the consent decree “careful thought” and seek “additional input.” signalcleveland.org/cleveland-co...

The SAVE America Act has prompted warnings that its proof of citizenship rules could keep millions of Americans, particularly married women, from voting. by Sabrina Eaton www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Opinion from Ogden Newspapers: Make sure to register to vote Do not miss your opportunity to add your voice to the decisions being made in May. It’s a good idea now to be sure you are registered and know your polling place. norwalkreflector.com/news/770593/...

Cleveland’s law director said it's time for the city to be released from its federal consent decree related to policing. by Abbey Marshall, Matthew Richmond www.ideastream.org/government-p...

Mayor Justin Bibb has proposed a $14 million increase in public safety over last year. That budget includes recent pay bumps for police and fire — and a goal to fill all 1,350 budget officer positions for the first time in years. by Abbey Marshall www.ideastream.org/government-p...

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel is suing Executive Chris Ronayne for his independence, following weeks of disputes over the sheriff’s authority to manage his own fiscal office. by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Check your voter registration: 11,000 Cuyahoga County voters flagged for mismatched info by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

As schools close, thousands of Cleveland families are trying to figure out what’s next So far, around 37% of the students who will be uprooted by the district’s school closure plan have chosen a Cleveland public school for next year. by Franziska Wild signalcleveland.org/cleveland-sc...

Voting rights groups sue Ohio over law cancelling registrations without notice The League of Women Voters and Council on American-Islamic Relations are asking the court to block portions of the law from taking effect. by Nick Evans ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/17/v...

Changes to Ohio's absentee voting rules mean getting your ballot in early is really important. The good news? You can request your absentee ballot for the spring primary now before Ohio's early voting period starts on April 7. 📲Start by going to ohiosos.gov or your county Board of Election’s site

Reminder: What is Cuyahoga County’s sin tax and what does it pay for? The tax has financed the construction of the county’s three major professional sports venues and was supposed to cover the long-term upkeep, at least through 2034. by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Voting rights organizations have filed a federal lawsuit challenging parts of Ohio’s new election law, saying it could wrongly remove eligible voters — especially naturalized citizens — from the voter rolls. by Anna Staver www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Cleveland to blame for spending limit in fumbled lead paint grant, state says City Hall created hurdles for itself that it says contributed to the loss of $3.3 million in grant dollars for lead removal. by Nick Castele signalcleveland.org/cleveland-lo...

Several hundred Cleveland Heights High School students walked out of class Thursday afternoon for a peaceful, student‑organized rally calling attention to immigration enforcement and showing support for families affected by recent ICE actions by David Petkiewicz www.cleveland.com/metro/2026/0...

A conservative-leaning think tank is challenging Cleveland’s efforts to ensure city contracts include minority-owned and female-owned businesses by Sean McDonnell www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Cuyahoga County executive vows to keep Northeast Ohio welcoming amid immigration crackdown fears by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Northeast Ohio school districts face millions in budget cuts amid funding shortfalls Several school district leaders across Northeast Ohio say lost state funding, property tax reform and failed levies are putting pressure on already strained budgets. by Danielle Wiggins www.wkyc.com/article/news...

Commentary What we can learn from the Dayton, Ohio incident Support for the U.S. Constitution, separation of powers, checks and balances, and local control over elections in Ohio must be unequivocal and unyielding. by Marilou Johanek ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/11/w...

On Feb 11 at 6pm at our next Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle, we will welcome Professor Justin Levitt from Loyola Law School, a national expert on redistricting. He’ll join us to discuss the latest updates on mid-cycle redistricting war Register HERE: commoncause-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Only about 1 in 5 registered Ohio voters participate—why? Learn how we got here, what the stakes are for the 2026 midterm elections in Ohio, and how each of us can make a difference this year. Register here: bit.ly/ElectionBeforeTheElection

A bill introduced in the House last week would allow state to pull the money it sends to a public school district if that district sues over its state funding. Districts are calling the proposal a violation of their right to pursue legal action on behalf of students www.statenews.org/government-p...

The House is expected to vote this week on the SAVE American Act, Washington's latest version of a bill designed to make it harder to for Americans to register and vote. ▶ Use lwv.org/save-act to tell Congress to reject the SAVE Act, then share it with people in your life to spread the word.

Congress continues to propose bills that would require voters to produce documentation of citizenship to register and/or vote. These bills are built on misinformation and would only create further barriers to casting one's ballot. Tell Congress to oppose them!

Ohio GOP leader says no to Trump election plan by Morgan Trau ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/10/o...

On Weds Feb 11 at 6pm at our next Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle, we will welcome Professor Justin Levitt from Loyola Law School, a national expert on redistricting. He’ll join us to discuss the latest updates on mid-cycle redistricting war Register HERE: commoncause-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Franklin County judges face pressure to stop ICE arrests at courthouse "Everybody has a basic human right to seek justice without the fear of being kidnapped by federal ICE agents," Sharon Kim, AMMP Ohio. by Jordan Laird www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...

Be voting ready! ▶️ To check your voter registration, go to voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx ▶️ To update your voter registration, go to olvr.ohiosos.gov ▶️ To find your congressional district, go to ohiosos.gov/elections/ohio-candidates/district-maps/

Opinion Cleveland’s failure to curb lead poisoning isn’t a mystery of compliance or capacity — it’s a failure of leadership exposed when the officials who wrote the law chose not to follow it. by Leila Atassi www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

Is DHS investigating voter fraud at Dayton school? Voting advocates question feds’ actions. ACLU of Ohio: ‘It cannot be overstated how unusual this is’ www.daytondailynews.com/local/why-is...

Why is sheriff overtime so high in Cuyahoga County? Leaders disagree on cause – and cure As sheriff overtime continues to climb, county leaders and the sheriff offer competing explanations and solutions. by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

The SAVE Act is back, and it's as bad as before. See more about why the SAVE Act would prevent millions of Americans from voting, then go here to tell your US House member and US Senators how this bill would hurt you and people you know: lwv.org/save-act

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After helping shape Cuyahoga County’s charter form of government in the wake of the greatest scandal in county history, Councilwoman Sunny Simon has decided to step away from County Council by Kaitlin Durbin www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...

What police surveillance technology looks like in Cleveland License plate readers are just one of the surveillance tools Cleveland police are using across the city. by Frank W. Lewis signalcleveland.org/what-police-...

Analysis New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting The “show your papers” requirement is an attack on the freedom to vote. by Eliza Sweren-Becker and Own Bacskai www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...

Why people keep dying inside Cuyahoga County’s jail Jail administrators fail to fix mistakes that continue to cost lives, an analysis of state records by The Marshall Project – Cleveland shows. by Doug Livingston, Brittany Hailer and The Marshall Project signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-cou...

Cleveland Heights sees timeline for ranked-choice voting ballot measure, and the clock is ticking by Cory Shaffer www.cleveland.com/metro/2026/0...

Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration proposed a new set of air pollution rules last spring. One year later, advocates are frustrated that they haven’t been heard by City Council. by Celia Hack signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ad...

With deficit spending beginning next year, the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education tonight (Feb. 2) is expected to approve a new 6.9-mill levy that will go to voters on the May ballot. by John Benson www.cleveland.com/community/20...

As Cleveland City Council prepares to vet Mayor Justin Bibb's 2026 budget proposal, the city is in healthy standing to move ahead after unexpectedly high revenue carryover even with across-the-board raises for employees. by Abbey Marshall www.ideastream.org/government-p...

Celebrate Black History Month in Greater Cleveland at these events signalcleveland.org/black-histor...

CMSD School Choice Expos designed to help families make informed enrollment decisions by Siobhan Harms spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/...

Parma City Schools approves new income tax levy for May ballot Parma City Schools will be in the red beginning in 2027. by John Benson www.cleveland.com/community/20...

Cleveland's strengthened criminal nuisance property law produces results in first year by Matthew Richmond www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...

As RTA faces service cuts this year, questions linger about how the agency can be funded in the future by Crystal Yormick signalcleveland.org/cleveland-rt...

The challenges of bringing a ballot initiative to Ohio voters, and why it’s harder than ever by Susan Tebben ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/26/t...

Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights continues fight on thinning ICE Advocates estimate as many as 600 residents at risk of federal harassment, arrests -- or worse -- right now in the Heights. by Thomas Jewell www.cleveland.com/community/20...

Snow may get in the way but Former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones' and Mike Dowling's trial is scheduled to begin on Monday. Don't remember all the House Bill 6 details? Check out this timeline www.commoncause.org/ohio/resourc...