Nick Castele

What's happening with the lab project in East Cleveland? Financing for the anchor project in East Cleveland's Circle East hasn't finalized. The developer faces lawsuits from a Massachusetts project.

A year ago, the Cuyahoga Land Bank announced a splashy new project in East Cleveland: a $12 million, 100-job biotech lab. The deal was slated to close in the fall of 2024.

But it didn't.

A closer look at a big promise to a city in trouble:

After 2024, Democrats regroup at mayors' summit in Cleveland Titled “Community over Chaos,” the gathering contrasted Democratic mayors with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Prominent Dems pitch their vision for the party under Trump 2 at the weekend’s mayors summit in Cleveland.

Andy Beshear: "Get back to talking like normal human beings."

Sherrod Brown: Workers "overwhelmingly" feel "the system was rigged against them."
signalcleveland.org/democratic-m...

How Cuyahoga County is spending its opioid settlement dollars The county’s opioid settlement has brought in close to $137 million in total revenue. About $81 million have been spent or dedicated to specific projects.

Cuyahoga County has spent or dedicated $81 million from its settlements with drug companies over the opioid crisis. Details on how the money has been spent so far: signalcleveland.org/how-cuyahoga...

Cuyahoga County plans to close its jail diversion center once a new county behavioral health center opens next year.

County says new center will accept diversions and do much more. signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-cou...

Cleveland City Hall has hundreds of 'unclaimed funds' in state pool Cleveland city government has money in the state’s pool of unclaimed funds, which lawmakers are tapping top finance a new Browns stadium.

We found around 250 unclaimed payments due to the City of Cleveland in the pool of money state lawmakers are tapping to help finance the new Browns stadium.

City says it routinely tries to get unclaimed funds and is working on landing $138,000 now. signalcleveland.org/city-of-clev...

Cleveland takes sides between owners of the Cavs and Browns Cleveland leaders have celebrated Dan Gilbert's downtown projects while fighting the Haslams' Brook Park stadium.

Not all billionaires are created equal in the eyes of Cleveland leaders. As politicians wrestle with the Haslams over a Brook Park stadium, they’re pouring out praise on Dan Gilbert. signalcleveland.org/billionaire-...

Calls to Cleveland EMS are rising at the Cuyahoga County Jail Ambulance runs to the Cuyahoga County Jail have been growing over the last several years — even as the jail population has fluctuated.

ICYMI: Cleveland EMS calls have been going up at the Cuyahoga County Jail, as MetroHealth sees an "increase in the complexity of healthcare needs of the jail population." signalcleveland.org/cleveland-em...

How is Cleveland's 'Residents First' landlord law going so far? More than 10,000 properties are represented by local agents under new Cleveland laws meant to hold out-of-town landlords accountable.

A keystone of Mayor Bibb’s Residents First law is requiring landlords — including out of towners— to have a local agent the city can reach.

2400+ agents have signed up.

But likely only about half of Cleveland’s rental units are on City Hall’s registry.

More: signalcleveland.org/cleveland-re...

Who is running for Cleveland mayor, City Council and judge? Cleveland City Council is shrinking from 17 wards to 15 pitting some incumbent council members against one another.

Incumbents Anthony Hairston and Mike Polensek have both filed to run in Cleveland City Council Ward 10.

Polensek says he'll decide what to do by July. Says he's "aware that I’ve been here for some time."

Then again...“I have 1,000 signs sitting in my garage." signalcleveland.org/election-202...

How Cleveland and Cuyahoga Co. will tackle summer violence Cleveland and Cuyahoga County leaders highlighted their plans to reduce violence crime ahead of the unofficial Memorial Day start of summer.

Cuyahoga County is launching a new Office of Violence Prevention. Cleveland officials say they're focusing on "hot spots" for violent crime.

From this year's pre-Memorial Day news conferences on summer safety: signalcleveland.org/violence-pre...

Cleveland gets $28M in federal housing money Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb had previously warned that federal money for housing and businesses could be in jeopardy.

Cleveland is getting almost $28 million in HUD housing dollars this year, just a little less than last year.

News came this week as City Hall and nonprofits were bracing for possible cuts to CDBG and other programs. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-wi...

Despite federal cut, Cleveland Peacemakers say work will go on Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance lost most of a $2 million federal grant for helping gun violence victims and preventing retaliatory shootings.

Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance saw its $2 million Justice Department grant unexpectedly terminated last week.

Money was for Peacemakers' hospital-based violence interruption program. Brenda Glass Multipurpose Trauma Center, a sub-grantee, had to lay off workers. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-pe...

A new tax for Cleveland parks? City Council is skeptical A parks master plan commissioned by Mayor Justin Bibb's administration recommends a levy in 2028 to help pay for Cleveland parks.

Mayor Bibb's administration is floating the idea of a new property tax for Cleveland parks. City Council gave it a cold reception yesterday. signalcleveland.org/mayor-justin...

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It's been a great adventure building a new home for local news at Signal Cleveland. Now's when I ask you to support our work — the scoops & insights from Weekly Chatter, the deep dives on stadium funding and Swedish investors and Cleveland's political characters. signalnews.info/4bFIR8p

Blaine Griffin for mayor? Cleveland City Council president tests his 2025 chances in poll - Signal Cleveland The Cleveland City Council president is conducting a poll that asks whom they’d pick in a mayoral race among Griffin, first-term incumbent Mayor Justin Bibb and former state Sen. Nina Turner.

👀 Blaine Griffin polls his mayoral chances. signalcleveland.org/blaine-griff...

Cleveland waiting for word on federal money for neighborhoods Cleveland is awaiting news from the federal government on how much Community Development Block Grant money it will receive.

Cleveland City Hall is still waiting to hear how much money President Donald Trump’s administration will award this year for housing assistance, vacant lot cleanups, HIV/AIDS services and a range of other work. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-on...

Cleveland readies limits on smoke shops that sell cannabinoids While the shops may call themselves “dispensaries,” they are not among the 7 in the city licensed by the state to sell adult-use cannabis.

Cleveland wants to tamp down on smoke shops that sell vapes, CBD, other cannabis derivatives or kratom.

While some might use “dispensary” in their marketing, they aren’t cannabis dispensaries licensed by the state. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-re...

Cleveland passes city budget amid federal funding uncertainty The overall Cleveland budget slated $810 million for city services, including money for council's discretionary ward projects.

Over Mayor Justin Bibb’s opposition, Cleveland City Council on Tuesday passed an annual budget that pays for ward projects by dipping into last year’s leftover cash. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ci...

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025: Sights and sounds More than 128 groups marched in Cleveland's 183rd St. Patrick's Day Parade. It's Ohio's oldest and one of the largest in the country.

More here: signalcleveland.org/cleveland-st...

Scenes from today's St. Patrick's Day parade through downtown Cleveland.

New anti-harassment training required for Cleveland City Council Cleveland City Council members who violate workplace policies could face discipline under a new set of standards circulated this month.

Cleveland City Council will require members to attend yearly anti-harassment training or risk losing their money for ward projects.

Council's new policies also spell out disciplinary consequences for members to cross the line. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ci...

Mayor Bibb enters reelection year with $642,000 in campaign cash Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has looked to the construction industry for financial support in his reelection campaign.

A check-in on Cleveland campaign cash in Weekly Chatter today:

🔸 Bibb has $641,800 on hand, with an assist from the construction industry

🔸 Blaine Griffin ($201,300) hasn’t made much use of the higher campaign limits he & Council passed last year

signalcleveland.org/mayor-bibb-e...

Mayor Justin Bibb talks Trump, lays out case for 2025 reelection The political terrain has shifted since Justin Bibb first ran for Mayor of Cleveland. He says he'll work with incoming President Trump.

Mayor Justin Bibb, up for a second term this year, indicated he's not about to join "the resistance" to a second Trump administration.

Instead the mayor kept the door open to working with the Trump White House.

More from our conversation here: signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ma...

Cleveland City Council passes new ward map Cleveland's new map reduces the size of council from 17 to 15. It faced opposition from groups that included the League of Women Voters.

Explore Cleveland City Council's new ward map here and catch up on highlight's from yesterday's meeting: signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ci...

Cleveland City Council passes new ward map Cleveland's new map reduces the size of council from 17 to 15. It faced opposition from groups that included the League of Women Voters.

Council provided us with the shapefiles. There's also a new version of the maps, which passed last night: signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ci...

Bibb reelection bid, Trump Round Two: 2025 Cleveland headlines In the coming year, Justin Bibb will seek a second term as Cleveland mayor and Donald Trump will begin his second term as U.S. president.

Back at work after some time off. Here are some things I’m watching this year. Let me what else should be on our radar. signalcleveland.org/justin-bibbs...

Compare Cleveland's old and new City Council ward maps The proposed Cleveland City Council ward map cuts the size of council from 17 members to 15 to keep up with falling population.

Compare Cleveland City Council's current ward maps with the new ones proposed this week. Handy interactive swipe tool from our @aprilurban.bsky.social. signalcleveland.org/cleveland-ci...

Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin has scheduled a news conference tomorrow to walk media through the proposed new 15-ward map.

Cuyahoga County to pay $17 million for ballpark, arena repairs Cuyahoga County Council OKed the funding a day after Cleveland committed $20 million for repairs at the ballpark and arena.

The second piece of Gateway’s $40 million stadium repair ask falls into place. signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-cou...