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.

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Sushi Kuwahata, a renowned omakase restaurant in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, is reopening this week in its original location at 2054 Fulton Road. The restaurant’s chef-owners, Kwan and Ryan Endrian, were able to work out an agreement with the space’s new tenant to keep the intimate 8-seat omakase experience on the second floor. Additionally, the Kyuu Juu pop-up series, which features Japanese-inspired cuisine, is also returning to the Cleveland area.

Why it matters

The reopening of Sushi Kuwahata is a significant event for Cleveland’s vibrant food scene, as the restaurant has developed a loyal following for its high-quality omakase experience. The return of the Kyuu Juu pop-ups also signals a resurgence of unique culinary offerings in the city, providing residents and visitors with more opportunities to explore diverse and innovative Japanese-influenced dishes.

The details

Sushi Kuwahata, which had been closed for several months, will reopen this week in its original location on the second floor of 2054 Fulton Road in Ohio City. The restaurant’s chef-owners, Kwan and Ryan Endrian, were able to negotiate a deal with the new tenant of the space to maintain the intimate 8-seat omakase experience. Meanwhile, the Kyuu Juu pop-up series, which showcases Japanese-inspired cuisine, is also making a comeback in the Cleveland area after a brief hiatus.

• Sushi Kuwahata is reopening this week (April 8, 2026).
• The Kyuu Juu pop-up series is also returning to Cleveland.

Ohio lawmakers have several bills in the works that would help give Ohioans second chances after serving criminal sentences. 

More than two-thirds of prisoners are re-arrested within three years of their release and half are reincarcerated, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. One in three Ohio adults has a criminal record, said Ohio Justice & Policy Center Policy Director Michaela Burriss.  

“We see fathers who can’t get a job because of a decades old record,” said Ohio Justice & Policy Center CEO Gabe Davis. “We see mothers who can’t secure safe and affordable housing because of conviction. We see people who made mistakes when they were young but can’t move forward because the system simply will not let them a second.” 

State Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, said second chance legislation is a priority in the Ohio legislature. 

“This is not a partisan issue,” she said. “This is a humanitarian issue.” 

Bills that have passed in the Ohio House 

Three second chance bills have passed the Ohio House and are now in the Ohio Senate. 

Ohio House Bill 296 would prohibit a court from requiring someone pay any outstanding court-assessed fines or fees from a criminal proceeding for 180 days after they are released for a prison sentence lasting a year or more. 

“This allows individuals to stabilize their finances, secure essential needs like housing and focus on rebuilding their lives without the immediate pressure of debt collectors and the risk of negative consequences,” Burriss said.

Ohio state Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, introduced the bill and it passed the Ohio House in February. 

Ohio House Bill 393 would expand a program that helps inmates get state identification cards before being released. The bipartisan bill unanimously passed the House in November and was introduced by state Reps. Darnell Brewer, D-Cleveland, and Gary Click, R-Vickery. 

“Without (a state ID) you’re invisible to the system,” Brewer said. “We know when people are given the tools to succeed they’re less likely to return back to the justice system.”

Ohio House Bill 268 would reduce the amount of time someone must wait to apply for a Certificate of Qualification for Employment if they were incarcerated for a felony offense. 

The bipartisan bill unanimously passed the House in October and was introduced by Click and state Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus. 

“(A Certificate of Qualification for Employment) doesn’t guarantee anyone a job, but what it does do is it gives people a fair shot,” Humphrey said. “It removes automatic barriers and provides employers with legal protection if they choose to hire.” 

Under current Ohio law, someone who was incarcerated for a felony must wait one year after finishing all of their sanctions — which Humphrey said can last two to five years — to apply for the certificate. 

This bill would change that timeline. 

“Instead of forcing people to wait years, this bill allows individuals to apply for the (certificate) one year after their release from incarceration,” Humphrey said. 

Other second chance bills 

Ohio Senate Bill 143 would prevent private employers from asking about or considering the criminal background of a job applicant on an initial employment application. 

The bipartisan bill was introduced last year by Ohio Sens. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus, and Bill Blessing, R–Colerain Twp.

People with criminal records will often not apply to a job out of fear of having to disclose their record, Burriss said. 

“Passing Senate Bill 143 gets more talent into the job pool and more people into our workforce,” she said. “It will increase revenues and public safety while decreasing the cost on our justice system overall. It is smart justice and good for Ohio businesses.” 

Companion bills Ohio House Bill 626 and Ohio Senate Bill 394 would require courts to electronically notify people of criminal and traffic court hearings. 

“Research has shown that this simple step can reduce failures to appear by 37%,” said Ohio Poverty Law Center Senior Policy Advocate Zack Eckles. “That is good for both individuals meaning that they will incur less unnecessary fines and fees, and it’s good for the courts so that they can operate more efficiently.” 

State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, introduced H.B. 626 in December and Blessing introduced S.B. 394 in March. 

Ohio House Bill 368 would require eviction records to be automatically sealed three years after a case’s final judgement entry. Brewer introduced the bill with state Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland. 

“Evictions can be overwhelming and cause long-term damage to credit and rental history, making it difficult to find safe and secure housing,” Brewer said. “With the rising cost of rent, grocery, daycare, daily expenses, the last thing our constituents need in these hard times is an eviction record following them for the rest of their lives.” 

Reynolds introduced Ohio Senate Bill 204, which would create a procedure to suppress eviction records. 

“This simply allows records to be suppressed while the case is pending in court and then permanently sealed if the tenant prevails or the case is dismissed, because no one should lose access to a home over a case that they ultimately won,” she said. 

Originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal. Republished here with permission.

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