cleveland.com

Cleveland State isn’t the only school to lose its radio station: The Wake Up for Monday, Dec.…

Subscribe to the Wake Up,cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m.

Overnight in October, WCSB FM/89.3 — which for nearly 50 years had been run by Cleveland State University students and community volunteers — disappeared. It became JazzNEO, run by the NPR affiliate, Ideastream.

The outcry was immediate. Why end the beloved school station?

In the months since, neither CSU nor Ideastream has explained the motivation for the deal, in which no money change hands. But records show that discussions began in March, when the parties signed a confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement.

Regardless, since the 1990s, dozens of universities across the country have sold or leased their FM signals.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Browns at Chicago Bears: Shedeur Sanders throws 3 picks in 31-3 loss to Bears

Cavs vs. Charlotte Hornets: Cavs suffer their latest inexplicable loss, falling to Charlotte Hornets in overtime, 119-111

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Windy and cold

Top Stories

College radio: In recent years, the terrestrial signals for Denison and Wittenberg universities were transferred to public radio operators. Ohio Northern University sold its station and frequency to the Diocese of Toledo. Laura Hancock reports there are about 18 student-run college radio stations in Ohio.

Power grid: Ohioans may soon feel the strain of a grid that’s adding massive new data centers faster than it can build the power to run them. The just-completed PJM capacity auction — the tool used to line up enough electricity for future years — will show whether the region can meet projected demand for 2027–28 without coming up short. Anna Staver reports that if PJM can’t secure enough power, the cost and reliability of electricity could shift for millions of customers.

Lake plastics: The Great Lakes are loaded with plastic, but where’s it all coming from? Unfortunately, reports Peter Krouse, we have no definitive research. How it collects and moves around the Great Lakes is unclear.

Today in Ohio: The state has 607 school districts. We’re talking about a proposal to dramatically redraw district lines in a way that promises big equity gains — and, likely, political backlash, on Today in Ohio.

Statehouse and Politics

Dual citizenship: A Cleveland immigration attorney says U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno’s proposed ban on dual citizenship would face insurmountable constitutional obstacles and implementation challenges. Moreno, whose family immigrated from Colombia during his childhood, introduced the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 last week, reports Sabrina Eaton.

County IT upgrade: Cuyahoga County approved a $34 million IT system upgrade to track spending and payroll, with hopes it might help monitor sheriff department expenses. Kaitlin Durbin reports the new Enterprise Resource Planning system could potentially provide better insights into departmental spending.

Northeast Ohio News

Cleveland Browns stadium site, and airport

The site of the Browns' planned Brook Park stadium is just east of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.Google Earth

Browns stadium: The Haslam Sports Group has transferred 177.7 acres of land to Brook Park for its planned $2.4 billion Browns stadium, with the transaction facilitating a tax increment financing arrangement. Rich Exner reports the project will be funded through team investment, state support and local taxes.

Officer fired: East Cleveland Mayor Lateek R. Shabazz on Friday announced the immediate termination of longtime police officer Todd Carroscia, saying a city investigation uncovered nearly two decades of fraud, falsification, unlawful service and misconduct within the department, Kaylee Remington reports.

Victims recovering: Azaria Tate, 10, and her brother, Tyrone, 12, suffered serious burns on more than 50% of their bodies in June as a devastating fire tore through Rainbow Terrace Apartments on East 70th Street and Garden Valley Avenue in Cleveland. Olivia Mitchell reports on their recovery.

Transit funding: RTA is considering a potential voter-approved tax increase to address long-term budget concerns, with the agency dipping into reserves and potentially cutting services. Rich Exner reports the transit agency is exploring options to manage rising health care costs and declining ridership.

City grants: Cleveland will distribute nearly $300,000 in grants to 21 small businesses across six neighborhoods, using tax revenue generated from the Steelyard Commons development. Sean McDonnell reports the grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 to support business expansion.

District settlement: Parma schools will pay $95,000 to a suspended middle school teacher, Joseph Porach, who admitted to inappropriate behavior toward female students. Cory Shaffer reports that Porach will resign as part of a separation agreement, with the school board voting 4-1 to approve the settlement.

School dispute: The Riverside school board is seeking to fire Superintendent Christopher Rateno over conflicts surrounding the Buckeye Elementary construction project, while simultaneously facing a judge’s halt on a $4.6 million fund transfer. Molly Walsh reports on the administrative turmoil preceding new board members taking office.

Health Care and Business

Siren’s Curse, North America’s tallest, fastest and longest tilt coaster, opens at Cedar Point. The ride drops 160 feet and hits a top speed of 58 mph, with the tilt and on-board audio providing a whole new ride experience at the park.

Cedar Point's new Siren's Curse roller coaster was one benefit of the Cedar Fair-Six Flags merger.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Cedar Point: Northeast Ohio’s favorite amusement park nearly broke its 31-year attendance record in 2025, generating record revenue despite early season weather challenges. Susan Glaser reports the park’s performance was bolstered by two new roller coasters, Siren’s Curse and Top Thrill 2, even as its parent company Six Flags faced financial difficulties.

Research study: Benjamin Rose is offering $50 gift cards to caregivers aged 60 and older who participate in 90-minute Zoom sessions to improve support services for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, Julie Washington reports. Researchers aim to learn more about the daily challenges caregivers face, the strategies they use to manage stress and what types of mobile technology or apps they would find helpful.

Crime and Courts

Julian Wood

Julian Wood was stabbed to death in a Giant Eagle parking lot in North Olmsted on June 3, 2024. His family contends the chain ignored a duty to protect customers by removing armed security guards, despite prior violent incidents at several stores.Nasja Aude

Stabbing lawsuit: The family of 3-year-old Julian Wood is pursuing a civil lawsuit against Giant Eagle, arguing the supermarket chain negligently removed security despite a history of violent incidents. David Gambino reports the lawsuit stems from the child’s murder in a North Olmsted parking lot.

Fire investigation: Cleveland fire investigators are seeking information about a fatal fire that killed two men in June, offering a $5,000 reward for leads. Lucas Daprile reports that the cause of the blaze remains unknown.

Suspect found dead: A man wanted for attempted murder in Brooklyn died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon as officers moved in to arrest him, Kaylee Remington reports.

Stabbing death: A 56-year-old woman was arrested and accused of fatally stabbing a teenager at a Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority station Thursday in East Cleveland, Olivia Mitchell reports.

Swatting incident: A Willoughby man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for a false 911 call reporting a murder-suicide, which prompted an extensive police response. Molly Walsh reports the incident involved a four-hour search of two apartment complexes.

Romance scam: A Ghanaian social media influencer, Frederick Kumi, was charged in a federal court in Cleveland for allegedly participating in an $8 million AI-powered romance scam targeting older residents. Adam Ferrise reports the scam involved using artificial intelligence to create fake identities on dating platforms.

Arts and Entertainment

Best of Cleveland: Cleveland-area foodies have spoken, and the results are rare, well-done, and occasionally smokin’ hot. From steaks that make your fork swoon to seafood that has you hooked, delis that stack history by the pound, and bars where the drinks flow like Lake Erie itself, our readers’ votes crown the best bites and sips across Northeast Ohio, Yadi Rodriguez reports.

Winter festival: Cleveland Rocks has once again organized Winterloo on Waterloo, a festive celebration of live music, art and local businesses, Alex Darus reports. It’s a free event with live music, raffles and community activities, including a holiday concert and free meals.

Classic CLE Eats: Jack Frost Donuts’ in Avon has expanded, opening another location at Olde Avon Village. Pete Chakerian shares why the family-owned shop is a Cleveland favorite with stories from generations.

Happy Hour: Rood in Lakewood is a restaurant known for its $10 happy hour, featuring seasonal small plates and cocktails, emphasizing its focus on sustainability and creative cuisine, Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe report.

Film Fest: Ohio’s statewide film festival, Ohio Goes to the Movies, will feature over 280 free screenings across all 88 counties in 2026, Joey Morona reports.

House of the Week: Built in 1916, this property blends classic Shaker Heights curb appeal with modern updates. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom (three full, two half) home is priced at $974,900, Joey Morona 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.