Public schools take another hit: The Wake Up for Friday, March 21, 2025

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Ohio has been slighting public education for years.

The state this year gave away nearly $1 billion in private school vouchers, many for families with six- and seven-figure incomes. Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget would slash $100 million from traditional public schools over the next two years while costs for privately operated charter schools and voucher programs jump another $500 million.

Now the federal government is joining in and DeWine went to the White House to watch.

Federal education dollars support career-technical education, early childhood and preschool programs, English language learning and teaching to students with disadvantages and disabilities.

In some districts, the federal contribution is massive. Take the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where last school year, the feds provided an average of nearly $6,650 per student – compared to $10,000 per student from the state and $9,100 from local property taxes.

What happens if the federal money disappears? Will local taxpayers make it up? Or will kids suffer?

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Cooler weather this weekend

Statehouse and Politics

Child labor: Ohio Senate Republicans have advanced a political effort to allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. instead of their current labor curfew of 7 p.m. on school nights. Such a change would require federal intervention from both Congress and the Ohio General Assembly, reports Jake Zuckerman.

Target lawsuit: Ohio is joining a federal lawsuit accusing Target of “misleading and defrauding investors” about the risks of its 2023 pride campaign that drew backlash and a drop in its stock price, reports Anna Staver. Attorney General Dave Yost got permission on Wednesday from the State Teachers Retirement System to go after the retailer. The retirement system invests a portion of its portfolio in the company’s stock.

Brown move: Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has moved from Cleveland to a Columbus suburb, reports Sabrina Eaton.

Northeast Ohio News

Levy funds: Last spring, voters in Cuyahoga County overwhelmingly renewed a portion of the Health and Human Services levy that generates more than $137 million for essential services, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Attorney General Dave Yost confirms that voters approved the levy specifically to fund health and human or social services, so the dollars can only be used for those purposes.

Cleveland Browns Stadium — The Browns have asked a Cuyahoga County judge to dismiss the city's lawsuit against the team. John Pana, cleveland.com

Browns stadium: Browns lawyers asked a Cuyahoga County judge this week to either toss out or pause a lawsuit filed by the city of Cleveland over the team’s planned move to Brook Park after the 2028 season, Adam Ferrise reports.

Preschool: Nearly half of the children entering kindergarten in Lorain City Schools start school without any preschool experience — putting them at an early disadvantage that can ripple through their education. Now, Hannah Drown reports, the district has launched a citywide collaboration of early education professionals to confront the problem and figure out why so many families are missing out on preschool opportunities.

Helping children: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has formed a cabinet made up of city leaders to focus on improving outcomes for children and young people in Cleveland, carrying out a goal he’s had since his first days in office, Sean McDonnell reports.

KSU cuts: Kent State University’s Board of Trustees approved a plan Wednesday to reduce the number of degree-granting colleges from 10 to nine, reports Megan Becka. The plan will result in an annual savings of $1.5 million through a 40% reduction in academic leadership within the Division of Academic Affairs.

Cold water plunge: Jumping into cold water isn’t just something people do on a dare. For some, it’s a conscious decision designed to make them feel better. And one of the more popular places in the United States to take a polar plunge is Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, reports Peter Krouse. Headlands ranked third on the list of the 100 top spots, behind No. 1 Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York, and No. 2 Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park in Montana.

Business and Health

Maternal resources: Learn about healthcare resources for pregnant women and families at a free Maternal Health Town Hall March 29 in South Euclid. Birthing Beautiful Communities — a community-based nonprofit focused on Black maternal and infant health — will host the town hall’s interactive panel discussion and Q&A, reports Julie Washington.

Warner & Swasey: The Cleveland Planning Commission is expected today to approve the demolition of portions of the historic Warner & Swasey complex as developers prepare to begin converting it into a mixed-use building later this year, reports Megan Sims.

Brewing tariffs: The unknown effects of tariffs are on the minds of brewers and workers in the industry because of the tit-for-tat resulting from President Donald Trump’s salvos with Canada. Marc Bona reports the tentacles snapping at the supply chain lash out at multiple industries, including beer, and many products brewers use in addition to aluminum cans.

Put-in-Bay: There may be no surer sign of spring: Miller Boat Line will commence daily service today to Put-in-Bay, reports Susan Glaser. But you may want to hold off on your island trip for another few weeks, until temperatures inch up a few degrees and a few more businesses are open for the season.

Crime and Courts

Trial: A Cuyahoga County jury on Thursday began deliberating the fate of a Cleveland teenager accused of shooting a man in the back of the head, reports David Gambino.

Car heist: Police are searching for suspects after a brazen heist in which thieves broke into a Kent car dealership and drove off with the fastest car on the lot. Lucas Daprile reports that police discovered thieves had smashed the dealership’s bay doors and made off with a purple 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and an Infiniti Q60, both of which were dealership-owned.

State lawsuit: State attorneys sued a luxury home furnishing company this week, alleging the business violated Ohio’s consumer protection laws by failing to deliver goods and refusing to provide refunds in a timely manner. Olivia Mitchell reports the Ohio attorney general’s office filed the lawsuit in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Mandel family: The grandsons of Joseph Mandel, one of three brothers who made up one Cleveland’s most philanthropic legacy families, are feuding in court over one of the family’s charitable trusts, reports Adam Ferrise. Anthony Beyer has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Cleveland that accuses his brother, Robert Beyer, of trying to oust the trust’s longtime administrator while pushing for riskier investments that could endanger the trust’s charitable donations.

14-year-old killed: A 14-year-old boy was killed Wednesday as he took out the garbage at an apartment building in downtown Cleveland, according to police and published reports. Authorities on Thursday released the identity of Rayshawn Watkins, who was shot just before 2 p.m. inside of the Allerton Apartments, reports Olivia Mitchell.

East CLE: A federal judge late Wednesday tossed out a lawsuit that accused East Cleveland officials of retaliating against a man working for a political opponent of former Mayor Brandon King. Adam Ferrise reports that U.S. District Judge Bridget Brennan ruled against William Fambrough, who alleged that a van he used to stump for a challenger to King in 2021 was impounded by police to stifle his campaign efforts.

Arts and Entertainment

Ask Yadi: Is it fair that employees are always chipping in to contribute at least three times a year to buy gifts for their boss and yet never receive anything in return? Yadi Rodriguez writes the choice is yours. You might also be able to do something that doesn’t require a financial contribution.

Classic CLE: Augusta Peach Wheat from Sibling Revelry is lightly sweet, crisp and refreshing, with a subtle complexity that only a wheat beer can muster. Peter Chakerian reports that though it began its life as a limited-edition collaborative brew with Valley of the Eagles Golf Club, this beer is flavored with Georgia peaches and works perfectly from picnic to patio to party.

Cork and Barrel: Cork and Barrel Wine Bar and Restaurant in Avon has announced that it’s going out of business, reports Alex Darus.

Thrifting: You don’t know how to thrift until you’ve spent some time reading or listening to Virginia Chamlee, author of “Big Thrift Energy.” Paris Wolfe reports that Chamlee will be sharing her secrets at the Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo this weekend.

House of the Week: Completed in 1845, the Sears-Adams house is one of the most historically significant homes in Chagrin Falls. Joey Morona reports the asking price for the four-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 5,000-square-foot home is $2,795,000.

Things to do: March Madness brings NCAA Division I men’s basketball to town. It’s the last weekend of the Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village. And we’re past the halfway mark for the month-long Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival. Paris Wolfe lists 20 things to do this weekend.

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 by Cliff Pinckard.