Northeast Ohio’s most popular stories of 2024

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – History was made in Northeast Ohio in 2024 on the field and court, in the skies and senate, by police and the president, and even on the big screen.

Here are some of the most popular stories that occurred during the year…

October

By far the biggest story of the year was the Browns leaving Cleveland… again!

However, they wouldn’t move out of Ohio this time, just down I-71 to a domed stadium in Brook Park.

Team owner, Jimmy Haslam, has plans build a state of the art complex, with hotels, restaurants, shopping and of course the new stadium to the cost of nearly $3.5 billion.

Cleveland officials tried to entice the Haslam Group to stay downtown with numerous offers, but fell short.

The hope is for the dome to be completed in time for the 2029 season.

April

Lights Out in The Land was a once in a lifetime event for Northeast Ohio.

Millions flocked to our area to witness the total solar eclipse.

It was the first in Northeast Ohio since 1804 and it didn’t disappoint…

Our Lights Out In The Land coverage witnessed the moment at 3:13 p.m. and it was a sight to behold.

The next total solar eclipse won’t happen in Cleveland until 2099.

November

An upset in the political arena, as Ohio senator, Sherrod Brown loses his seat to businessman, Bernie Moreno in one of the year’s most competitive and expensive senate contests.

Brown, a staple in Washington, served as an Ohio Representative from 1993-2007 and then as a Senator, until his loss in November. Despite leaving Washington, Brown promises to still have a loud voice on certain issue and doesn’t rule out a future run for office in Ohio.

August

It was a stormy year for the state and Northeast Ohio.

March 14, April 17, and Aug. 6 saw numerous tornadoes hit the viewing area.

But it was the Aug. 6 storm that made the biggest impact when five EF-1 tornadoes touched down.

The majority of the damage was near Parma Heights, leaving thousands without power for several days.

Overall, the state saw a record 73 tornadoes in 2024.

April

Catlin Clark mania hit the CLE in April, as the city hosted the Women’s Final Four.

South Carolina, UConn, NC State and Iowa brought tens of thousands to Cleveland – and it was Clark who was the main attraction.

Her story was almost had a Hollywood ending, but South Carolina finished the season undefeated, beating Clark and her Iowa Hawkeyes.

The title game was the most watched basketball game, including the NBA, since 2019, bringing in nearly 20 million viewers.

July

Another potential blockbuster was filmed in Cleveland back in July.

The city center was ground zero for many scenes of the new Superman movie, directed by James Gunn, who was seen out and about at several downtown venues.

Filming locations included the Leader Building, which was transformed into the “Daily Planet,” and the Arcade.

You can see the new Superman movie, featuring all of Cleveland, this summer.

February

in February, changes within the Cleveland Division of Police led to Dorothy Todd being sworn in as the city’s 42nd chief of police.

She replaced outgoing Chief Wayne Drummond, who became the city’s director of Public Safety.

Chief Todd has been tasked to try and clean up the on-going crime issue, particularly with juveniles.

December

In December, President Joe Biden commuted the sentence for former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, who was already in federal prison for over a decade for coruption charges.

In March of 2012, Dimora was convicted of 32 corruption-related charges including, racketeering, bribery, and conspiracy.

He was scheduled to be released in 2030 and had previously requested clemency but was denied.

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