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Electric bills shocked Ohioans this summer.
A 2024 auction for power broke records, increasing bills this past summer by as much as 15%, according to the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. Some cleveland.com readers reported their bills more than doubled.
Energy experts say the surge stems from a mix of factors that include expensive grid updates to meet the growing use of artificial intelligence powered by giant data centers.
But wait; shouldn’t electric companies have been updating the grid all along?
FirstEnergy collected a grid modernization fee from Ohioans for years, but a 2022 audit found no evidence the company ever used it to improve its grid.
The good news is that FirstEnergy will now have to refund $180 million of that fee to customers.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Cavs vs. Houston Rockets: Kenny Atkinson’s premonition comes true in Cavs’ 114-104 loss to Houston Rockets
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Cloudy but still dry
Top Stories
FirstEnergy penalties: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Wednesday ordered FirstEnergy to pay more than $250 million for misconduct related to the House Bill 6 bribery scandal, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The penalties include nearly $187 million that will be returned to FirstEnergy customers.
Property taxes: A Senate amendment to HB 186 would expand the owner-occupancy tax credit, saving homeowners more than $2 billion over the next four years, with the bill expected to pass soon, Anna Staver reports.
Tax relief: Cuyahoga County has expanded its senior property tax relief program to residents aged 67 and older, offering up to $10,000 in help to prevent foreclosure. Kaitlin Durbin reports on the changes.
Today in Ohio: The Ohio legislature was slowly deciding how to regulate intoxicating hemp when the bill ending the federal government shutdown unexpectedly closed the loophole that freely allowed hemp sales. We’re talking about what comes next on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
Trump tariffs
Tariffs are altering Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing landscape, creating a divide between companies that gain from domestic sourcing trends and those squeezed by higher costs and shrinking orders, a new study found. Here President Donald Trump speaks during an event in April to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House. (Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press file photo)AP
Tariffs report: Tariffs are reshaping Ohio’s manufacturing sector, benefiting some companies with reshoring and hurting others with increased costs and reduced orders, according to a MAGNET study. Sabrina Eaton reports who’s winning and losing.
Voting changes: Ohio Republicans raced to pass major election changes before leaving Columbus for the holiday. Republicans say Senate Bill 293 will “protect and improve the election process in Ohio.” Democrats disagree, saying the rush was unnecessary and driven by pressure to make it harder for some voters to cast a ballot, Anna Staver reports.
Guard deployment: Gov. Mike DeWine has again extended Ohio National Guard troops’ deployment to Washington, D.C., this time until the end of February 2026, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The 150 National Guard troops had, until now, been scheduled to return Nov. 30.
Hemp regulations: Ohio lawmakers dickered all day, hoping to reach a deal on regulating intoxicating hemp amid pressure from Gov. Mike DeWine to do something and new guidance from Congress, but in the end, failed to accomplish anything, Mary Frances McGowan reports.
Rate hike: The PUCO approved a rate hike for Cleveland Illuminating Company and rate decreases for Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison, allowing FirstEnergy to earn an additional $34 million annually for up to four years, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
Kindergarten start: The Ohio Senate passed a bill to standardize kindergarten age requirements and fix a scoring error in the high school biology test. Laura Hancock reports on the amendment.
Feminine products: The Ohio Senate sent to Gov. Mike DeWine a bipartisan bill Wednesday that would require local jails and state prisons to provide female inmates on their periods with an adequate supply of feminine hygiene products at no cost, Laura Hancock reports.
ODNR lawsuit: The Buckeye Environmental Network has sued Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources over two proposed waste-injection wells near Marietta, claiming they were improperly permitted, Peter Krouse reports.
FOP donation: State Sen. Casey Weinstein donated to the Fraternal Order of Police Associates after federal charges accused his former opponent, Jonathan Leissler, of embezzling over $4.5 million, including from the police support group, reports Adam Ferrise.
Northeast Ohio News
Government Shutdown
Cuyahoga County residents who have received partial SNAP payments this month should get the remaining balance by the end of the week. December benefits will be distributed on the normal schedule. (Darron Cummings, Associated Press file photo)AP
SNAP: Cuyahoga County will soon distribute the full November SNAP benefits after delays caused by the government shutdown, with residents urged to monitor their accounts, Kaitlin Durbin reports.
Lower.com Field: The Columbus Crew’s stadium, known as Lower.com Field since 2021, will have a new name starting in 2026 as the team works with Legends Global for a new sponsorship, Rich Exner reports.
Lottery winners: Two Ohio Lottery tickets purchased at the same Chardon gas station split a $182,000 jackpot, with each winning $66,316.25, Molly Walsh reports.
Business and Health
Nicotine pouches: Research shows over 15% of Ohio State students have tried nicotine pouches, with higher use among fraternity members. Julie Washington writes about the growing popularity of pouches and health concerns.
Crime and Courts
Police shooting: A body camera video shows an Akron police officer firing more than a dozen rounds within 25 seconds of encountering Corey Phillips, who was unarmed. Lucas Daprile reports Phillips remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Flats shooting: Federal prosecutors have charged Terrell Ponyard, 28, with firing 10 gunshots in Cleveland’s Flats after an argument at a nightclub, Adam Ferrise reports.
Street takeover case: Cuyahoga County Judge Kira Krivosh was reassigned from Ashlyn Rogers’ case amid allegations of improper investigation. David Gambino reports Rogers is serving an 18-month sentence for street takeovers.
Standoff: A police standoff in Strongsville ended peacefully after more than eight hours, with officers convincing a man suffering a mental health crisis to surrender, Lucas Daprile reports.
Fatal shooting: A man was killed and a woman wounded Sunday in a shooting on Cleveland’s East Side. Dominic W. Rice died in the incident, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Arts and Entertainment
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
The Wright Cycle Company, part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, is one of 81 stops on the new Ohio Innovation Trail.
Innovation Trail: The Ohio Innovation Trail launched Wednesday in Dayton, showcasing 81 stops, from the Airstream Factory in Jackson Center to the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum in Milan to Spangler Candy World in Bryan, reports Susan Glaser.
‘Wicked: For Good’: The new “Wicked: For Good” sequel features darker themes, new songs, and explores the origins of characters, writes Joey Morona. The chemistry between stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande elevates the story about friendship and challenging authority.
Indie concert: The Beths and Phoebe Rings will perform in Cleveland on Nov. 25, with the New Zealand indie bands playing at Globe Iron, Malcolm X Abram reports.
1/12
Masa Sushi, Brecksville
Masu Sushi: Chef Jake McDaniel’s new Brecksville restaurant Masu Sushi opens today, offering sustainable, chef-driven sushi and poke bowls, with a focus on local ingredients and a minimalist aesthetic, reports Paris Wolfe.
Cheese shop: Akron businesswoman Rachel Balko has opened Constance Fromagerie & Café, a cheese bar and shop in Pilgrim Square, combining her love for musical theater and gourmet cheeses in a cozy, locally focused space, reports Marc Bona.
Light Up the Lodge: The Light Up the Lodge festival returns Dec. 5-7 at Geneva-on-the-Lake, featuring holiday activities, crafts, a tree lighting, and overnight suites decorated for the season, reports Alex Darus.
Prototype: Prototype is an innovative adults-only museum in Columbus with 25 interactive exhibits blending art, science and technology. It’s located in a former Lazarus warehouse and offers a unique, high-tech experience, reports Susan Glaser.
EC50: Raspberries co-founder Jim Bonfanti will join the EC50 tribute concert honoring Eric Carmen at Lakewood Civic Auditorium on Nov. 25, supporting music education and celebrating Carmen’s legacy, reports Peter Chakerian.
MLK performance: The Cleveland Orchestra will host the 2026 MLK Celebration Concert on Jan. 11 at Severance Music Center, with free tickets available starting Jan. 3, reports Zachary Lewis.
1/12
Malley's Chocolates unveils refreshed Lakewood store Alex Darus
Malley’s upgrade: Malley’s Chocolates in Lakewood unveiled a renovated store with a new mural and festive products, celebrating its 90th anniversary and the first non-family company president, Megan Gillum, reports Alex Darus.
Arts & crafts show: The Akron Christmas Arts & Crafts show returns Dec. 5-7 at E.J. Thomas Hall, featuring over 110 artists, with activities, music and gourmet treats, Megan Becka reports.
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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