David Joyce

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What you need to know about Northeast Ohio’s congressional races

Ohio has 15 Congressional seats: 10 currently held by Republicans, and five by Democrats. All are contested in this midterm election.

With Republicans holding a narrow majority in the House, even a small number of seats changing hands could alter the chamber’s balance of power — and stymie President Trump’s legislative agenda.

In the past century, the party of a sitting president has lost Congressional seats in all but two midterms — Bill Clinton in 1998 and George W. Bush in 2002.

Cleveland.com’s Washington, D.C., reporter, Sabrina Eaton, is carefully covering the five Congressional districts covering parts of Northeast Ohio. She has followed candidates around county fairs, Labor Day parades and campaign rallies and nailed down candidates’ positions on data centers, the economy, immigration and more.

We start this week in the 14th District.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Watson saves starting job with 23-19 upset of Baker Mayfield and Bucs

Guardians vs. Athletics: Guardians ride Gavin Williams’ seven shutout innings to 1-0 win, sweep A’s

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Breezy, chance of showers

Top Stories

14th District: Few in either party consider U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce in serious danger this fall, reports Sabrina Eaton. In November, he faces Democrat Maria Jukic, a former Euclid City Council member who is disappointed Joyce hasn’t done more to check what she sees as abuses of power by the Trump administration. Read more

Shaker Lakes: One of the Shaker Lakes has already been drained, while the uncertainty surrounding the other remains a point of contention in the community. Now the yearslong fight is entering another round of public scrutiny, Karan Singh reports. Read more

Power plants: Ohio Sen. Jon Husted wants to blame U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and shutdowns of coal-fired power plants for rising electricity prices. But federal energy data tell a different story, reports Anna Staver. Ohio shuttered more than a dozen coal-fired power plants over the past decade, but increased natural gas generation replaced much of the electricity they produced. Read more

Today in Ohio: Democrats claim Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made out in a “pump and dump” pharmaceutical scheme. We’re talking about how our reporting debunked the story on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. Read more

Statehouse and Politics

Abortion rights: While abortion rights are now enshrined in the Ohio Constitution, the state’s next governor will likely have an unusual opportunity to shape how those protections work in practice, from how aggressively abortion clinics are regulated to funding for reproductive-health programs. Jeremy Pelzer runs down the candidates’ views on the issue.

SOS debate: Ohio secretary of state candidates are at an impasse over whether to hold a debate, with the central dispute rooted in disagreements over voter fraud and the 2020 election. Laura Hancock reports that Allison Russo demanded Robert Sprague concede Donald Trump lost before agreeing to debate, while both campaigns trade accusations over the other’s motives.

Vatican visit: U.S. Rep. Mike Rulli met Pope Leo XIV during a congressional delegation visit to Italy, where the pope praised Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as good ambassadors for the church. Sabrina Eaton reports that Rulli also held a three-hour meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.

Kaptur recovery: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, 80, returned to the House floor in a wheelchair six weeks after a stolen car struck her vehicle at 70 mph in Toledo, leaving her with ligament damage in her leg and both wrists. Sabrina Eaton reports that Kaptur now faces a tough re-election fight against former state Rep. Derek Merrin in the most Republican-leaning district held by any Democrat in Congress.

Fair lawsuit: The Ashland County Fair has apologized and agreed to revise exhibitor standards after settling a lawsuit with local Democrats ejected for displaying anti-Trump buttons, with the fair board acknowledging the party “should not have been removed because others objected to their message.” Jeremy Pelzer reports the settlement also includes First Amendment training, though claims against the county sheriff remain pending.

Statehouse quiz: Ohio U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno introduced the “Red Light Act,” which would strip federal highway funding from certain states — for what? Take this week’s Ohio Statehouse News Quiz.

Northeast Ohio News

Fenn Tower: Cleveland State University has reopened the historic Fenn Tower following an $18 million renovation that modernized the 22-story Art Deco landmark while preserving its character. Kaylee Remington reports the building now serves as a fully occupied residence hall for over 450 first-year students, featuring updated safety amenities and three new ADA-compliant rooms.

CLE council: Cleveland City Council today will review contracts for water-quality monitoring buoys on Lake Erie and maintenance of the city’s water and electric utility systems. Hannah Drown reports that key legislation includes a proposal to deploy four state-of-the-art buoys in Lake Erie and contracts for underwater inspection, electrical equipment and utility control systems.

Income-adjusted analysis: Wealthy school districts once again dominated Ohio’s 2026 report card rankings, but cleveland.com’s income-adjusted analysis reveals standout performers among lower-income communities. Rich Exner reports that Steubenville, ranked 591st in median income, achieved the state’s highest income-adjusted result by placing 26th in performance index.

Road salt: Cleveland City Council approved nearly $2.13 million to purchase 14,000 tons of rock salt after last winter’s severe weather and delivery problems nearly depleted the city’s stockpile. Hannah Drown reports the city is also expanding storage capacity with refurbished and new salt domes, aiming to reduce dependence on deliveries during storms.

Pedestrian safety: Cleveland City Council approved a $2.1 million pedestrian safety project to improve crossings at up to 18 locations, though members raised concerns about cost overruns and excluded dangerous intersections. Hannah Drown reports that ODOT will fund $1.6 million of the project.

Steelyard TIF: Cleveland’s Steelyard TIF fund distributes money to six neighborhoods outside Steelyard Commons because a 2011 City Council amendment specifically directed 30% of the fund toward commercial districts identified in a retail-impact study. Michael Johnson reports that the latest round of awards totaled $253,000 for 24 small businesses and one community development corporation.

Animal health: Cuyahoga County Council has approved $25,000 to establish an Abused and Neglected Animal Health Restoration Fund, helping cover veterinary and care costs for animals involved in criminal cases. Kaitlin Durbin reports the one-time funding came from Councilwoman Sunny Simon’s remaining federal ARPA funds, with the county’s Animal Crimes Unit expecting to handle more cases this year than the roughly 70 it managed last year.

Road improvements: Ohio state Sen. Jerry Cirino has secured $10 million in state funding to improve roads, bridges and sewer systems in East Cleveland, one of Ohio’s most financially distressed communities. Kaylee Remington reports that Cirino views the investment as a first step toward revitalizing the city and attracting future economic development.

Health funding: The Cuyahoga County ADAMHS Board is recommending a sweeping reshuffling of mental health and addiction funding for 2027, cutting some providers while boosting others amid a tighter budget. Kaitlin Durbin reports that the board received $71 million in funding requests but had only $37 million available, resulting in 17 providers losing all funding and 15 new organizations being recommended for support.

Lead safety: Lake County has completed a $1.3 million lead-safety renovation program, addressing hazards at 39 homes, child care centers and other properties using a 2023 state grant, Molly Walsh reports.

Mentor roads: Mentor has secured nearly $2.7 million in state funding to resurface portions of Mentor Avenue and Johnnycake Ridge Road. Molly Walsh reports that the Ohio Department of Transportation Urban Paving Program awarded the city funds covering multiple sections of both roads.

Copley levy: Copley Township voters will decide in November whether to approve a three-year 1.7-mill levy to fund more than $4 million in fire department equipment needs. Destiniee Jaram reports the levy would generate about $1.38 million annually, costing the owner of a $100,000 home roughly $60 per year.

Accessibility: Mentor City Council has awarded a $1.1 million contract to Freedom Construction Services to add accessible restrooms, an accessible entrance, and connecting ramps and walkways to Wildwood Cultural Center, Molly Walsh reports.

Our Best Life: Twenty years into marriage, Laura Johnston threw a backyard anniversary party to celebrate the friends and neighbors who have helped carry her family through life’s messy middle. She reflects on the value of a “village” in sustaining a marriage.

Expungement clinic: The Akron Municipal Court and Summit County Legal Defenders are hosting a free expungement clinic on Nov. 6 at the Akron Urban League, with former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett serving as guest speaker. Megan Becka reports that fines and costs may be waived for qualifying attendees.

Garage sale: Mentor’s annual Just Kids’ Stuff Garage Sale returns Sept. 19, offering families a chance to buy or sell gently used children’s clothing, toys and baby gear indoors at the Mentor Community Recreation Center, Molly Walsh reports.

Health Care and Business

Medical debt: Thanks to the fundraising efforts of a Shaker Heights college student, $1.2 million in medical debt has been erased for nearly 1,150 Cuyahoga County families, reports Julie Washington.

Crime and Courts

Daughter killed: A Cleveland man, Edward Wells, 61, pleaded not guilty to murder charges after he was accused of fatally shooting his 22-year-old daughter, Kayla Wells, on Sept. 6. Lucas Daprile reports that Wells faces charges of murder, felonious assault and evidence tampering, with a $1 million bond set.

North Olmsted shootings: A woman and her 18-year-old son were killed in a shooting Saturday afternoon at a North Olmsted home, the second deadly domestic shooting incident in the city in a matter of days, police said.

Teenagers shot: Two 15-year-old boys were shot and wounded Thursday on Akron’s west side during a gathering of teenagers who had met to watch a fight. Lizzie Kaboski reports both teens were taken to Akron Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and no arrests have been made.

Hit-and-run conviction: An Akron woman accused of killing a 30-year-old Akron man in a hit-and-run crash while she was driving under the influence has been convicted of vehicular manslaughter, Cliff Pinckard reports.

Police shooting: The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating a shooting involving Warrensville Heights police officers Saturday afternoon.

Arts and Entertainment

Play House: Cleveland Play House and Cleveland State University are expanding their partnership to create new learning and professional opportunities for students across theater and related fields. Joey Morona reports that CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink will serve as executive-in-residence at CSU as the two institutions develop the collaboration throughout the 2026-27 academic year.

Corkscrew anniversary: Cedar Point’s Corkscrew roller coaster is marking its 50th anniversary this year, celebrated as the first coaster in the world to flip riders upside down three times. Susan Glaser reports that the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization has bestowed landmark status on Corkscrew, recognizing it as one of 55 historically significant rides nationwide.

Rodeo prep: ForeFront Field in Avon was transformed into a rodeo arena for two nights, a complex process involving Terraplas panels, plywood and 15 football fields worth of dirt, Marc Bona reports.

CLE Orchestra: Franz Welser-Möst opened his 25th and final season with The Cleveland Orchestra to critical acclaim, performing Strauss’s Four Last Songs and Shostakovich’s 8th Symphony before a six-week European tour. Daniel Hathaway reviews the milestone evening at Severance.

Summit restaurants: Public voting is underway to determine the best places to eat and drink in Summit County, with the top 10 vote-getters advancing to a final round, Yadi Rodriguez reports.

Wine tasting: The annual Taste in Little Italy: Meatball Crawl and Wine Tasting returns Sunday, with tickets starting at $75 for tastings at more than 20 participating restaurants and businesses, Paris Wolfe reports.

Sourdough bakery: Dia Dunay has opened Bring on the Butter, a sourdough-focused bakery in Lakewood, turning a front-yard bread stand into a storefront. Alex Darus reports that Dunay bakes from home under Ohio’s cottage-food laws while planning a long-term commercial kitchen renovation.

House of the Week: A two-bedroom condo at 2 Bratenahl Place is listed at $550,000, offering lakeside amenity-filled living in the same village where Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift recently purchased a $5.35 million home. Joey Morona reports the 1,504-square-foot unit includes two garage spaces, a private balcony and access to a pool, tennis courts and rooftop deck for a $1,709 monthly HOA fee.

More Top Stories

Westlake officials weigh police station renovation costing up to $2.7 million

I-90 ramp closure will begin Sept. 28

Youngsters problem solve to success

Inclusive swing set installed at Normandy with help from Bay Village Kiawanis

Medina’s financing program helps businesses with energy efficiency projects

StoneWater Golf Club’s The Yard holds annual Fall Fest Oct. 2

You’re all caught up

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See you tomorrow!

Thanks,

Laura