Cleveland, OH
EPA proposes Cleveland area redesignation to attainment status
CLEVELAND — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing Cleveland be redesignated to attainment status for ground-level ozone, saying in press release Wednesday that the area meets national standards after years of air monitoring.
“Today’s proposal reflects our commitment to clean air for every community while making it easier for responsible projects to move forward,” EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel said in the release. “Working with Ohio EPA, local leaders, and employers, we cut ozone emissions. That means healthier summers for families across Northeast Ohio and greater certainty for businesses investing and creating jobs.”
According to the EPA, NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions declined by 42% and VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions by around 25% since the area was classified as nonattainment status back in 2018.
“If EPA finalizes the redesignation after considering public comments, air permitting would be faster and more predictable while strong health protections remain in place,” the release reads. “Importantly, existing pollution controls will continue, and regional transportation plans and major road projects will still be reviewed to ensure they do not worsen air quality.”
There will also need to be a maintenance plan keeping the region in attainment status for at least 10 years, per federal law, according to the release.
“This is a big win for public health, our environment, and for Ohio’s future,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release. “The progress to reduce ground-level ozone in this region sends a clear signal that Ohio is a place where businesses can grow and create jobs while also meeting important environmental standards.”
When saying the “Cleveland area,” this proposal is including the following counties:
- Cuyahoga
- Geauga
- Lake
- Lorain
- Medina
- Portage
- Summit
These are the seven counties currently under E-Check requirements in the state of Ohio, which could change as a result of this proposal should it come to fruition.
The Ohio EPA’s website states that the E-Check program improves air quality by identifying high-emission vehicles that could require repairs. It requires those who have cars between 4 and 25 years old, and that weigh 10,000 pounds or fewer, to have them inspected every two years.
State Rep. Bill Roemer, R-Richfield, recently introduced legislation that would see the Ohio EPA request an end to the requirement within 90 days “if the U.S. EPA determines the region has moved from non-attainment to attainment status.”
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced the termination of a 2009 scientific finding that formed the foundation for the federal government to pursue actions aimed at addressing climate change concerns, saying the repeal would mean emissions standards imposed on vehicles as a result would be lifted.
“This is a momentous day in Northeast Ohio for hardworking families and individuals across the seven impacted counties,” Roemer said in the release. “Having worked diligently on this issue over the past eight years, I’d like to express my gratitude to the U.S. and Ohio EPA for their hard work recognizing air quality improvements in Northeast Ohio.”
The EPA said the proposal will be published in the “Federal Register” and subject to a 30-day public comment period. A final decision will be issued by the EPA after public input is considered.
In May of last year, Cleveland public health officials proposed the first updates to the city’s air pollution ordinances since 1977. City residents also recently expressed concerns about the area’s air quality while taking part in ride-along interviews with the Department of Health, and the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air Report ranked Cleveland as the ninth worst metro area in the country by “year-round particle pollution.”
In December last year, the U.S. EPA rejected an effort that would have ended E-checks in the seven counties.
“Ohio has done the work to improve air quality, and this redesignation is a recognition of that progress,” Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, said in the release. “It’s a win for Northeast Ohio—making it easier for industry to build, produce energy and do business—while maintaining our commitment to clean air.”
Spectrum News reporters Nora McKeown and Maddie Gannon and senior digital producer Lydia Taylor contributed to this report.
Cleveland, OH
How Koby Altman Can Earn A+ Grade for the Cavaliers This Offseason
Cleveland Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations Koby Altman has made it clear that there won’t be a rebuild for next season’s team, but changes will be made.
After tasting their first conference finals in eight years, the Cavs will be eager to do one better ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, and Altman has the pieces available to him to achieve just that.
It isn’t a rebuild; it’s a retool.
To really get the best out of this Cavs side in the offseason and for the team to compete for the NBA crown, Altman will need to focus on these key factors.
Solidify Donovan Mitchell’s future
It’s undoubtedly the Cavs’ top priority this offseason. Securing a long-term contract with its star player, Donovan Mitchell and preventing him from entering free agency is key to Cleveland’s success.
What’s uplifting is that Mitchell and the Cavaliers are in a strong position, and he has shown no signs of wanting to leave the team.
It is expected that Mitchell, who still has a year left on his contract, will wait to sign a new deal, which could make some Cavs fans sweat, given what happened to LeBron James in his early years, but Mitchell is aiming for the best possible deal for him, which is a maximum contract.
If Altman can lock him up quicker, though, then there will be no need for those Cleveland fans to sweat.
Lift the second apron curse
Another huge priority on Altman’s table. The Cavaliers finished last season with one of the loftiest rosters in recent NBA memory, which significantly hampers them.
Being in the second apron of the luxury tax, the Cavs are very limited in their ability to aggregate salaries for trades and with the team virtually unable to do damage in the draft for the next few seasons, they will need to save some money.
One key would be to convince James Harden to decline his player option and sign a cheaper deal that suits Cleveland. Trading guard Dennis Schroder for future picks would also benefit Altman.
Keep Evan Mobley on board
A key piece of Cleveland’s future, the 24-year-old Evan Mobley is still a little rough around the edges, but a talent the Cavs need on their roster.
Keeping him happy will be key as his contract runs through to the 2029-30 season. Improving his offensive ability and having coach Kenny Atkinson get his team to work on his jump shot will make him a strong force within the roster.
There were large patches of the season where Mobley and Mitchell complemented each other flawlessly, and there are signs that he is ready to take the baton for the Cavs if Mitchell is out injured or if he decides to take his talents elsewhere.
If that does happen, then Mobley will be in line to lead Cleveland.
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Cleveland, OH
Storms trigger tornado warnings, knocks out power to thousands in Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Severe storms in Northeast Ohio Wednesday night into Thursday morning triggered several tornado warnings and knocked out power to thousands.
Check FirstEnergy’s, AEP’s, and CPP’s websites for the latest outage numbers.
Tornado warnings were issued for Ashland, Richland, and Huron Counties.
There was no reported damage related to the warnings as of 1:10 am.
These storms will remain in the area until 2 am, mainly producing very gusty winds.
However, due to very strong winds, tornado warnings can’t be ruled out- especially over southern locations within the 19 viewing area.
Submit photos and video below.
Check back with the 19 News First Alert Weather team for the latest weather forecast.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Brown Leads Letter to FBI Demanding Answers on Raid Targeting Voter Registration in NE Ohio
Cleveland, OH – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) has led a letter to the FBI demanding answers regarding the Bureau’s raid targeting the Ohio Organizing Collective, an organization supporting voting rights and voter registration efforts in Ohio. Brown has strongly criticized the FBI raids as an effort to deny and suppress the vote in Northeast Ohio.
Congresswoman Brown announced the letter at a press conference in Cleveland this afternoon. Brown is urging Ohioans to continue to exercise their right to vote and to not be intimidated.
Brown’s letter to FBI Director Kash Patel and the Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Office was signed by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
The letter references other efforts by the Trump Administration to weaponize federal law enforcement and perpetuate false narratives around the 2020 election. Brown and the signees seek the legal justification used by the FBI to conduct this raid, full information on what warrants were obtained, and details about the scope of this massive operation, including how many agents were pulled off other assignments to be part of this raid.
“The people I represent deserve answers, because their right to vote is sacred and what happened in Cleveland last week is deeply alarming. When federal agents undertake a statewide operation against an organization whose mission is helping eligible Americans register to vote, the public has every right to ask questions. Any action that risks intimidating lawful voter registration efforts or discouraging participation in our democracy should concern every American, regardless of party. My message to Ohioans is simple: it is safe to participate, register, vote and help your neighbors do the same. We will remain vigilant in defending the sacred right to vote and protecting the democratic freedoms that generations fought to secure,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Director Patel and Special Agent in Charge DelManzo,
We write to express deep concern regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s recent raid of the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OCC) and the reported questioning of OCC staff, volunteers, and community partners throughout Ohio. According to reports FBI agents not only raided the OCC’s Cleveland office but also followed individuals connected to the organization in their cars, followed their children to school, and went to their homes demanding to enter them under the guise of investigating voter fraud.
For almost two decades, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative has encouraged civic engagement participated voter registration, community organizing and advocacy. While no organization is above the law, the expansive scope of the federal activity focused on such a prominent voting rights organization, coupled with the absence of any public explanation regarding the basis of these actions raises serious questions about whether federal law enforcement is being deployed in a manner that could have a chilling effect on lawful civic engagement.
We are concerned that in an election year, DOJ and FBI seem to have abandoned their own Election Year Sensitivities policy which forbids selecting the timing of public statements, overt steps, or charges to affect any election. Any deviation from these standards—especially overt investigative activity targeting a voter-registration organization—risks weaponizing the federal government against lawful civic activity.
These concerns are heightened by this Administration’s efforts to push unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, specifically in the 2020 Presidential election. Over the past year the FBI has raided the elections office in Fulton County, Georgia collecting 2020 ballots,3 the Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded full, unredacted voter rolls from at least 44 states and the District of Columbia,4 and despite no findings of widespread voter fraud this Administration continues to take unprecedented actions to, restrict access to the ballot, weaken voting-rights protections, and to cast doubt on our election administration. Against this backdrop, further aggressive federal investigative actions like the raid in Cleveland and the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center creates serious concerns that federal law enforcement is being used to intimidate civic organizations and deter lawful participation in our democratic process.
The First Amendment protects the rights of individuals and organizations to engage in political advocacy, and association. Any investigation of these protected activities must be conducted with the utmost care and in accordance with all relevant law and Department of Justice policies designed to prevent political bias or retaliation.
To better understand the basis and scope of the FBI’s recent actions against the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, we request answers to the following questions:
- What specific authority or legal basis was used to authorize the search of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office? Please produce the warrant and affidavit.
- What specific authority or legal basis was used to authorize to the questioning, following, and appearance at the private residences of individuals associated with Ohio Organizing Collaborative?
- Please provide all information that led to the initiation of this investigation including any referrals, approvals, or authorizations received by the Department of Justice or any other relevant office.
- Did any state or local law enforcement request, recommend, or participate in the raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office and the following and questioning of staff and volunteers? If so, please provide all documentation and communication on the collaboration across agencies and governments.
- Did any federal entities (including but not limited to DHS and ODNI) participate or share information leading to the raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office and the following and questioning of staff and volunteers? If so, please provide all documentation and communication on the collaboration across agencies and governments.
- What are the policies and protocols that govern investigations that involve organizations that legally participate in voter registration?
- How many FBI personnel participated in the search and related investigative activities?
- Were any agents reassigned from other investigations or offices to participate in this operation? If so, from which offices and for what duration?
- Did the FBI/DOJ consult the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and were the Election-Year Sensitivities policies followed regarding timing of overt steps? Please produce consultation records and approvals.
We request a response no later than June 22, 2026
Sincerely,
[[SIGNATURES]]
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