Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio’s most popular stories of 2024

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

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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Cleveland, OH

Judge pauses Ohio’s plan to fund new Browns stadium with unclaimed funds

Published

10 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Judge pauses Ohio’s plan to fund new Browns stadium with unclaimed funds

CLEVELAND — Ohio’s plan to use unclaimed funds to help fund construction of a new domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns was temporarily blocked in court on Monday.

What You Need To Know

The class-action lawsuit argues that provisions of Ohio’s two-year, $60 billion budget that took $1 billion from the state’s Unclaimed Funds Account to pay for the stadium that Haslam Sports Group is planning for suburban Brook Park

The strategy was among several hotly debated topics during Ohio’s budget planning last year.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office said it was reviewing the decision and determining next steps

In her preliminary injunction, Franklin County Magistrate Jennifer Hunt found that plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought by former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann are substantially likely to win their case on the merits. Her order pauses the plan while the case is heard.

The class-action lawsuit argues that provisions of Ohio’s two-year, $60 billion budget that took $1 billion from the state’s Unclaimed Funds Account to pay for the stadium that Haslam Sports Group is planning for suburban Brook Park, south of Cleveland, violate constitutional prohibitions against taking people’s private property for government use, as well as citizens’ due process rights.

The strategy was among several hotly debated topics during Ohio’s budget planning last year.

Dann and former state Rep. Jeffrey Crossman, both Democrats, filed the legal action on behalf of three named Ohio residents, as well as all other individuals whose unclaimed funds were being held by the state as of June 30, 2025.

The litigation challenges specific budget provisions that diverted more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds to create an Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund and designate $600 million for the Browns as its first grant.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office said it was reviewing the decision and determining next steps.

Before ending his bid for governor last year, the Republican spoke out against using unclaimed funds for such a purpose, having gone so far as to urge DeWine to veto it. However, the state’s top lawyer has further said that he believed the plan was legally sound.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland mother accused of burying daughters in suitcases prompts new focus on parenting bill

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland mother accused of burying daughters in suitcases prompts new focus on parenting bill

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A Cleveland mother was charged with two counts of murder after her daughters were found in suitcases partially buried in a park near E. 165th and Midland Ave last week.

In the days that followed, we spoke with DeShaun Chatman, who is the father of 8-year-old Mila Chatman.

He said he’s been trying for years to get access to his daughter but felt the courts and Child Protective Services (CPS) weren’t working with him.

There is a law in Columbus working its way through the process trying to clarify parenting roles and rights.

Senate Bill 174 (SB174) was passed in November and is currently sitting waiting in a House committee.

At the time the bill was passed one of the bill’s sponsors, Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) said, “No one is a winner in parenting disputes. But if anyone is, it should be the kids. By passing this legislation, the Ohio Senate is taking the first step toward encouraging cooperation between separated parents.”

The bill has a number of provisions looking to make it easier for a judge to give equal rights to both the mother and father.

For example, it would prohibit a judge from giving preference to a father or a mother based on a person’s financial status or gender.

It also requires a parenting plan be filed that shows parenting and decisions will be a shared responsibility regardless of marital status.

There is also a prevision that would allow unmarried parents to file a complaint at no charge, requesting the allocation of parenting rights and responsibilities upon the father establishing parentage and provides an expedited hearing and temporary orders.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Cleveland Today

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Rocket Arena
One Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115

Witness the excitement of NBA basketball as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Philadelphia 76ers at the Rocket Arena. These two Eastern Conference powerhouses will battle it out on the court in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.

Buy ticket

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