Cleveland, OH
Oh no! Another debate! Where’s the Valium? John Blumenthal
Normally, I’m a fairly relaxed person but during Presidential debates I often experience severe panic attacks. I first experienced this acute anxiety during Michael Dukakis’s debate loss to George H. W. Bush in 1988. Dukakis made an ill-advised remark that nearly made me choke on a pretzel. It haunted him throughout the rest of the campaign and arguably contributed to his defeat.
Since then, whenever my preferred candidate stumbles during a debate, my heart races, I perspire uncontrollably and my hands tremble. I frequently yell epithets at my flatscreen if my candidate gets stuck or misses an obvious opportunity to dispatch the opponent. I punch the air if my candidate nails the other debater with a zinger.
An award-winning novelist and former magazine editor who co-authored the movie, “Blue Streak,” John Blumenthal is a regular contributor to The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, for which this was written.
Brian Fisher’s photos from Kenston-Riverside boys basketball Jan. 16, 2026.
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Cleveland, OH – January 19: Photo from the Columbus Cenntenial vs VASJ football game at VASJ in Cleveland, OH on January 19, 2026. (Photo by Brian Fisher for VASJ)
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Cleveland, OH – January 19: Photo from the Columbus Cenntenial vs VASJ football game at VASJ in Cleveland, OH on January 19, 2026. (Photo by Brian Fisher for VASJ)
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the 20-year-old man who died after being found suffering from a gunshot wound near a highway exit ramp Thursday.
The victim is Johnathan Payne, of Cleveland.
Around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Cleveland EMS spotted Payne near the highway on W. 25th Street and View Road.
EMS contacted police and immediately rendered first aid.
Payne was pronounced dead a short time later at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Detectives with the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit are handling the investigation.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A driver crashed into a fence and struck a high-pressure gas line, creating a risk of explosion, on Thursday morning.
Police and firefighters evacuated a total of five homes until Enbridge crews turned off the gas to the street. Those who evacuated have since returned home.
This happened around 7 a.m. Thursday in the area of W. 88th Street and Maywood Avenue. Enbridge officials say when the driver hit the gas line it started leaking.
The gas was turned off around 8:15 a.m., but Enbridge said no one has been without gas.
Enbridge told 19 News that the damage to the station is significant, and they anticipate it to take at least five more hours, as of 3 p.m., as employees work in the cold conditions.
One woman in the car was transported to the hospital. There were no other injuries.
Below is a statement from Enbridge on the repairs:
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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