Cleveland mayoral and city council races of 2017: Councilman Reed, Eric Brewer, state Rep Patmon file petitions to run for Cleveland mayor by deadline, among others seeking to oust Mayor Jackson, and all council members face challengers

Clevelandurbannews.com

Cuyahoga County public defender's office says juries are tainted by the jury commission against Blacks....Activists seek an FBI investigation and a consent decree for court reforms between the county and the US DOJ and want the public defender fired

Staff investigative article by Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader CLEVELAND, Ohio-Cuyahoga County juries that decide guilt or innocence in felony cases presided over by common pleas judges at the Justice Center in downtown Cleveland are often tainted against Blacks, according to the county public defender's office that is now led by Chief Public Defender Cullen Sweeney, a wannabe common pleas judge who lost an election for judge in 2012. Sweeney replaced former chief county public defender Mark Stanton, who was hired by the county despite representing police unions in excessive force prosecutions of cops who arbitrarily shoot and kill Black people with impunity. Stanton retired after only a few years in the job with sources saying he tired of the red tape and rampant court and prosecutorial malfeasance. Assistant county public defender Roger Scott Hurley, also a wannabe judge who lost a bid for a municipal court seat, sought a change of venue in one case involving a maliciously prosecuted Black defendant targeted by White cops,. He wrote in the motion before Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo that he later disregarded that his Black client would be the victim of jury tampering. The motion is telling with Hurley saying that the Cuyahoga County Jury Commission of the Common Pleas Court taints jury pools and victimizes Black defendants, and that its actions and those of county prosecutors "cast a pall on every corner of court proceedings." Such motion in the case is coupled with a companion motion for a special prosecutor in place of County Prosecutor Mike O'Malley. It says that O'Malley's office perpetuates retaliation against Blacks targeted by police and former county prosecutor TIm McGinty, whom he ousted from office via an election in 2016 with the support of activists, Black leaders and the county Democratic party. O'Malley's office, Hurley says in the unprecedented motion, represents a countervailing concern of impropriety. That motion was also disregarded by Hurley, after questionable activity. Hurley met privately and ex parte with Judge Nancy Russo, which is unethical under the Ohio Lawyer's Professional Code of Conduct on his part and the Judicial Code of Conduct relative to the judge. He then began colluding with her to disenfranchise his Black client by refusing to do discovery in the case to introduce as evidence for trial, including perjured county grand jury testimony by a corrupt and since retired White cop, Dale Orians. He did this even after Nancy Russo had granted a motion to compel discovery by Hurley filed by the prosecution. She (the judge) then attempted to proceed to trial without any discovery whatsoever done on behalf of the defendant and was adamant about it until she came under community scrutiny and was exposed to the Ohio Supreme Court. Although she has until January 2027 in her current term, last month she lost a bid for the judicial seat left open by the Ohio Supreme Court misconduct suspension of former judge Daniel Gaul to Carl Mazzone. Activists, the Plain Dealer Newspaper and her own county Democratic party panned her candidacy and campaigned against her both publicly and privately by word of mouth. Hurley had been appointed by Judge Nancy Russo as indigent counsel in the case but lacked the guts to go the long haul in representing his Black client. She ultimately removed herself from the case, following a petition for a writ of prohibition filed against her with the Ohio Supreme Court and protests by community activists. A new judge in the tortured case, Judge Nancy Fuerst, was handpicked to replace her by then chief common pleas judge John Russo. The assignment, no doubt, is in violation of the random draw mandate for assignments of judges in multi-judge trial courts in Ohio under the Ohio Rules of Superintendence. When Hurley entered Fuerst's courtroom during a pretrial in the case that was filled with activists after she had removed him as indigent counsel for the Black defendant at issue via a journal entry, Judge Fuerst yelled at him saying "No, get out of my courtroom." Fuerst went on to harass the Black activist defendant in the case by issuing an unconstitutional gag order in an attempt to silence free speech and activism, and ultimately denying indigent counsel when the case got hot. Her actions also reveal tampering with records to get around the speedy trial mandate, and covering up indictment fixing by the county prosecutor's office and the county clerk of courts office. Hurley had also said in a motion filed in a case that county prosecutors, with the assistance of common pleas court clerks, are taking original indictments involving White cops and Black defendants, and illegally upping the criminal charges not supported by the grand jury without going back to the grand jury for an amended indictment. Simply put, they are re-typing and forging aspects of the original indictments, and getting a fake grand jury foreman to sign them as if they were original indictments. Activists, in turn, filed a citizen's criminal complaint against Judge Fuerst, seeking a criminal prosecution by the city of Cleveland for denying Blacks their Civil Rights, falsification, and tampering with records, a felony crime under Ohio law. It remains pending before the city's Black chief prosecutor, with county prosecutors bragging that O"Malley has the influence to stop any such prosecution and activists prepared to file a petition for a writ of mandamus with the Ohio Supreme Court for a probable cause prosecution of the seasoned, intemperate judge. The county's public defender's office now says that when White common pleas judges deny Blacks indigent counsel, regardless of the reason, it will support them over poor Blacks with support from county officials like county Executive Chris Ronayne and the 11-member county council. Ronayne refuses to intervene, even upon requests from activists and Black victims of the impropriety, Sources say that when some common pleas judges in the county adjourn criminal trials on Friday to recommence on Monday it is sometimes allegedly done to give prosecutors and other culprits the opportunity to attempt to manipulate select jury members over the weekend to vote to convict innocent Black defendants. This, say activists, is the height of public corruption and racism against the Black community. Activists say they select common pleas judges, mainly privileged White judges pushed by White men, are corrupting the offices of the county public defender and county prosecutor and that the malfeasance is out of hand. This, say sources, makes it all the more important that targeted and indigent Blacks are supplied indigent counsel before and during trial. The 6th Amendment gives indigent people the right to indigent counsel and state law in Ohio requires that the county supply indigent defendants, including Blacks, with appointed counsel at all stages of the proceedings following an arrest or summons after an indictment, and certainly at arraignment. Not one legal authority in Ohio, whether applicable case law or a court rule, gives common pleas judges and county public defenders the authority to deny people deemed indigent by the court indigent counsel. Judges, county public defenders, and prosecutors are ruining the lives of Black people without consequences, sources say, and public records research reveals. All of it, say activists, is evidence that common pleas court felony proceedings in the largely White, 34-member general division court are detrimental to the fair administration of justice and the county's Black community, including Black juveniles tried as adults in mass. For chief county public defender Cullen Sweeney to refuse indigent counsel to Blacks for corrupt and racist White common pleas judges is serious enough to demand that the county fire him, activists say, not to mention the high rate in which poor Blacks that his office represents are routinely convicted in cases and disproportionately imprisoned via ineffective assistance of counsel and corrupt judges and prosecutors. Suspended former judge Daniel Gaul actually forced a Black, male defendant to plead guilty to murder, according to the Ohio Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel. And after a county jury found another Black defendant not guilty of murder he continued to say on record that the man is a murderer. The extent to which some of the judges hate Blacks is astronomical, sources say. Greater Cleveland community activists and other criminal justice reform advocates continue to call for an extensive FBI investigation and a federal-court-monitored consent decree for common pleas court reforms between the county and the Department of Justice (DOJ) under U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. This is a continuing investigation by Ohio's Black digital news leader of Cuyahoga County public corruption, racism and genocide against the Black community Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper in Ohio and in the Midwest, and the most read independent digital news in Ohio. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

City of Cleveland to distribute free produce vouchers for the needy this weekend at the Westside Market....By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

Friday, April 19, 2024 — Cleveland, Ohio — Food Access Raises Everyone (FARE) is bringing Produce Perks back to West Side Market this weekend, Sat., April 20 and Sun., April 21, in partnership with the City of Cleveland and Produce Perks Midwest. The program is designed to increase access to fresh food for Cleveland residents and support vendors at the West Side Market. Due to the success of the Produce Perks Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Coupon program at the West Side Market, which launched in April 2022, the state of Ohio has doubled the funding available for the program for the next two years, city officials said in a statement . The funding will help provide over 1,000 families with access to healthy, affordable food at West Side Market.

For the past two years, West Side Market had the highest redemption rate in the state for Produce Perks coupons.

Produce Perks provide TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) via $140 in free fruit and vegetable coupons to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the West Side Market before June 30, 2024. Families can receive the booklets twice a year.

FARE will be on-site at the West Side Market Sat., April 20 starting at 8 a.m. and Sunday, April 21 starting at 10 a.m. to assess eligibility and distribute coupon booklets while supplies last. The first 120 eligible families will receive coupon booklets each day. Coupons will be redeemable until June, 30, 2024 only at West Side Market.

Chef Peggi Cruz from Cha'Firo and Chef Carol White Shyne Bright will provide healthy cooking demonstrations, samples and music while families wait to check their eligibility.

All fresh produce vendors at the West Side Market are slated to participate in the program.

The Produce Perks Pilot is supported through a state allocation of TANF funding, a federal program administered through the State of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services. TANF has established eligibility requirements that include that eligible households have a minors or pregnant woman in the house and meet income requirements based on federal poverty guidelines.

For more information about the Produce Perks event at the West Side Market, please call 216.400.9609 or visit Fruit & Vegetable Coupon Program - Produce Perks Midwest.

FARE | Food Access Raises Everyone is a comprehensive community initiative that supports emergent resident leaders and grassroots organizations working on food access and other determinants of health, building capacity and coordination to improve health in Cleveland's neighborhoods.

Produce Perks Midwest is an Ohio nonprofit that pioneers solutions to address inequities within the food system. Its mission is to increase affordable access to healthy food, support local farmers and strengthen local economies in the most under-served communities.

Greater Cleveland RTA notice of public hearing on (FY) 2025 Capital Improvement Plan on Tues., May 7, 2024, 9 am, 1st Floor, Main Office Building, 1240 West Sixth Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE BY GREATER CLEVELAND RTA CLEVELAND, Ohio-Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (2025 CIP) Budget of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will be held immediately following the 2025 – 2029 Capital Improvement Plan presentation to the Operational Planning and Infrastructure Committee, at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The public hearing will be held in the Board Room of the Authority, 1st Floor, Main Office Building, 1240 West Sixth Street, Cleveland, Ohio. The Board Committee meetings and public hearing will be live streamed on RTA’s website at (www.riderta.com/board) by selecting the meeting day. Public comments for the Public Hearing can be made in person or submitted by email at ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or by phone (440-276-4600) or through a web form (www.riderta.com/events) (select meeting event, scroll to the bottom to fill out the form, comments will be sent to Board and staff). Rajan D. Gautam, Deputy General Manager - Finance, Secretary-Treasurer The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, (GCRTA)

Ohio Congresswomen Brown, Sykes, House members call for Congress to extend the affordable internet program (ACP)- 46 percent of households in Brown's 11th congressional district are enrolled in the APC program

U.S. Reps. Shontel Brown and Emilia Sykes Staff article- Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com Staff article Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) on Wednesday co-led a press conference in Washington, D.C. with colleagues from the New Democrat Coalition and called on House Republican leadership to take immediate action to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and preserve affordable internet access for 23 million American households. Brown is a cosponsor of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke's Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act that would provide seven billion in funding for the ACP.
The press conference also included Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Angie Craig (MN-02), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02). Rep Brown is a Warrensville Hts Democrat whose 11th congressional district includes Cleveland, and Sykes is an Akron Democrat and the youngest of Ohio's Five-Member Democratic Congressional Delegation. It also includes U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, Rep, Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Columbus Democrat Joyce Beatty. Kaptur is the longest serving woman in Congress and Brown, Sykes and Beatty are all three Black women. According to the White House, over 1.1 million Ohio households are enrolled in the program, including an estimated 46% of all households in Congresswoman Brown's 11th congressional district, the highest percentage in the state and one of the highest nationwide. The ACP is part of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda. "Republican leadership in the House is content to watch the ACP die – this is unacceptable to me and should be unacceptable to the country," said Rep.Brown in a statement."I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of this vital program and will continue to fight for my constituents. We cannot cut the cord on connectivity." Absent congressional action, April will be the last month that participants receive their full ACP benefits, and the program will end entirely after May. The ACP was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Brown says she "proudly voted for." “In today’s age, access to the internet isn’t a luxury — it’s a critical resource that people in my district depend on for their livelihoods," said Rep. Sykes. "Households from across Ohio’s 13th District rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program for affordable internet, and my office has received thousands of emails from constituents across the political spectrum worried about how they will afford the internet if funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out at the end of the month." Sykes added that “I promised people in Ohio’s 13th district that I would work to lower their everyday costs, and that’s exactly what I intend to do by fighting to keep the Affordable Connectivity Program funded.” Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper in Ohio and in the Midwest, and the most read independent digital news in Ohio. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Cuyahoga County Dems host annual dinner with US Sen Sherrod Brown and ex-HUD secretary Marcia Fudge center-stage....By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor CLEVELAND, Ohio- The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party held its annual fund-raising dinner on Sun., April 14, 2024 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown the guest speaker and former U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary Marcia Fudge, who received the group's lifetime achievement award, the honorary guest for the evening. Cuyahoga County includes the largely Black, major American city of Cleveland and is roughly 29 percent Black. A Democratic stronghold, it is the second largest of Ohio's 88 counties, behind Franklin County, which includes the city of Columbus and is also a Democratic stronghold.
Speakers at the event also included county Democratic Party Chairman David Brock, Congresswoman Shontel Brown, previously chair of the county Democratic Party, and Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin.
Tickets for the well-attended event ranged in price from $100 for a regular ticket to $10,000 for a platinum table of 10. Sen. Sherrod Brown is a Cleveland Democrat running for re-election this year against Republican Bernie Moreno, whom former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the presidential election in November, endorsed for Ohio's March 19 primary. Democrats hold a slim majority in the U.S. Senate and hope to keep the seasoned and popular senator aboard in Congress. Republicans hope Moreno can beat him despite his popularity, but are cautiously optimistic about the outcome, particularly given Moreno's repeated stances against abortion, even after the Issue 1 abortion rights referendum passed at the ballot box in Ohio last November.
A Warrensville Hts. Democrat and former congresswoman representing Ohio's 11th congressional district that is now led by her protege', Rep. Shontel Brown, Fudge recently returned home from Washington, D.C. after stepping down last month as HUD secretary with the Biden administration. She was welcomed with warmth by the Dems in attendance, including several of her former constituents of the 11th congressional district. It includes Cleveland and several of its eastern suburbs of Cuyahoga County.
A wealth of city and county politicians like County Executive Chris Ronayne and members of city and county council, and candidates for office, were there, with Ohio the only state in the country where voters, if they so choose, can turn its majority Republican Ohio Supreme Court majority Democratic in November. And that is not an easy thing to do, according to past elections.
Missing from Sunday's Democratic gathering in Cleveland was President Joe Biden, who is in a heated race against Trump for re-election in November and seeks Democratic support as he campaigns across the country. Trump won Ohio over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 on his way to becoming president, and again in 2020 when he lost reelection to Biden and the Democrats. Whether Biden will actively campaign in Ohio as the November 2024 presidential election nears remains to be seen, with some pundits saying he has all but written off Ohio.
While Democrats control Cleveland and the heavily Democratic Cuyahoga County, their influence statewide is limited.
In addition to controlling the Ohio Supreme Court, which is led by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, Republicans, aside from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, hold every statewide elective office in Ohio, including the offices of governor, secretary of state, and state attorney general. Republicans also control Ohio's General Assembly and are in the majority in both the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS LEADER

OJ Simpson dead at 76, a reminder of America's fragile race problem and its flawed legal system.....By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

Staff article by Kathy Wray Coleman, editor CLEVELAND, Ohio– Former NFL star OJ Simpson (pictured in 1990) has died at 76-years-old after a battle with cancer, his family announced Thursday, an announcement that triggered fodder with media outlets across the country and reminds America's Black community of the country's long legacy of systemic racism and its troubles with its fragile and racist legal system. National cable media hosts had a field day with commentary over whether Simpson murdered ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, even though he was exonerated in 1995 of criminal charges in the case with lawyer Johnny Cochran leading his "dream team" legal team. He was later sent to prison for nine years for convictions for arranging a robbery to retrieve his stolen memorabilia, the latter criminal case of which came under question as possible retaliation for a not guilty verdict in the case of his ex-wife's death. Despite being exonerated in the murder of his ex-wife, who was a White woman, he lost a multi-million dollar wrongful death civil lawsuit filed by the Brown-Goldman families over the killings but never forked over all of the money, sources say, instead living in isolation off of his NFL pension until his death. The nationally-watched televised murder trial where he was found not guilty as Blacks and Whites alike took sides and millions of others looked on in anticipation of the verdict was in media circles dubbed "The Trial of the Century." Simpson shot back and wrote a book of satire titled "If I did it," generating more fallout and racial chatter over the celebrated murders. and upsetting the Brown-Goldman families. The notorious Simpson played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills, and was regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He was the first NFL player to run for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland calls for Biden to ban Chinese-made electric vehicles to protect Ohio auto workers....By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

Staff article by Kathy Wray Coleman, editor WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) (pictured), a Cleveland Democrat and seasoned member of Congress, called for Congress and President Biden to ban Chinese-made electric vehicles to protect Ohio autoworkers, and to combat what he says are economic and national security threats posed by Chinese automakers. In a letter to President Biden, the popular senator warned that Chinese cars, made by companies controlled and subsidized by the Chinese Communist Party, present an existential threat to the American auto industry, and that tariffs alone are insufficient to stop a government-orchestrated attack on an entire sector of the nation's economy. “Chinese electric vehicles are an existential threat to the American auto industry. Ohio knows all too well how China illegally subsidizes its companies, putting our workers out of jobs and undermining entire industries, from steel to solar manufacturing, " said Brown in a news release. "We cannot allow China to bring its government-backed cheating to the American auto industry. The U.S. must ban Chinese electric vehicles now, and stop a flood of Chinese government-subsidized cars that threaten Ohio auto jobs, and our national and economic security.” Brown warned in the letter that the level of government subsidization in the Chinese auto industry would make it impossible for American automakers and autoworkers to compete on a level playing field, and would also decimate the United Autoworkers and the union’s ability to raise wages and benefits for workers across the auto sector. Chinese electric vehicles also pose a national security risk, given the technology involved in EVs and the potential for the Chinese government to gain access to large amounts of data through these cars. Sen. Brown has long led efforts to boost American auto manufacturing and to counter China’s cheating. Brown introduced the bipartisan Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws and ensure they remain effective tools to fight back against unfair trade practices and protect American workers. In January Brown called on the Biden Administration to increase tariffs on Chinese solar imports threatening American solar manufacturing jobs, including in Ohio at companies like First Solar in Toledo. In May of 2023, Brown led his Senate colleagues in voting to reinstate duties on illegally dumped Chinese solar panels. Sen Brown also led the successful opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which had weaker auto rules of origin than NAFTA and would have been devastating for the Ohio industry. Read Sen Brown's full letter to President Biden here Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Ohio Dems pan Gov DeWine's State of the State-Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio calls Gov DeWine's State of the State address disingenuous and un-inspirational and seeks common ground with Ohio Republican leaders for the benefit of all Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Today, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) (pictured), a Lakewood Democrat whose 23rd district includes 14 of Cleveland's 17 wards, issued a statement following a press conference with a group of Democratic state lawmakers at the Statehouse in Columbus in response to Gov. Mike DeWine's State of the State address, which he delivered at noon today, also at the Statehouse in Columbus. While the Republican governor's speech may have kept him in step with top GOP leaders in Ohio he has gained fodder with in the last year or so and his promise of child healthcare vouchers for struggling mothers has bipartisan support, his support of the Republicans anti-Democratic agendas and his demand for legislative restrictions on out-of-class smartphone use of students in Ohio's K-12 schools did not sit well with some Statehouse Democrats. And his slogan during his speech that "Ohio is the heart of it all" as he pushes for penalties against transgender students and rallies against abortion rights for Ohio women annoyed some state Democratic lawmakers like state Sen Antonio, a women's rights and Civil Rights advocate, and a loyal Democrat chosen by her peers to lead Democrats in the Ohio Senate. She called parts of the governor's speech, much of it centered on Ohio's children and the governor's policy initiatives as he concludes his second term in office, un-inspirational and disengenuous in a press release to Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's Black digital news leaders. She praised the governor for his prospective programs that support young people but panned his speech overall. "Certainly, the governor touched on programs and issues we can support as many of them focused on lifting up and supporting our youngest Ohioans and their future," said Antonio. "I'd like to believe that the inspirational, "Ohio is the heart of it all" were true. However, it is disingenuous to use that slogan to welcome people while the majority contradicts the sentiment with legislation that would deny the civil rights of marginalized Ohioans. Last year's three statewide elections proved how out of step majority Republicans are with everyday Ohioans. We can and we must do better." Those statewide elections won by the Dems include two Issue 1 ballot initiatives, one by Republican state lawmakers seeking to enhance the threshold for winning statewide ballot initiatives in Ohio that failed miserably, and the other the Nov. 7 Issue 1 referendum where Ohio voters voted to enshrined the legal right to abortion access and other reproductive measures into the Ohio Constitution. Both came after the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2022 decision in Dobbs vs Jackson that overturned the longstanding Roe v Wade and gave states the authority to regulate and legislate abortion. Antonio said that Democrats in Ohio are inclusive and that key Ohio Republicans like Gov. DeWine are doing little, if anything, to lift up the state, a state former President Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination for president this year, won in 2016 and again in 2020. And she said that Democratic state lawmakers will continue advocating for Ohio workers and families and that Democrats seek common ground with Ohio Republicans in an effort to advance policies that benefit all Ohioans.

"Democrats are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming state with safe and thriving communities by investing in accessible, affordable quality child care, affordable housing, good-paying jobs, and equal access to quality education to ensure families have the support they need to succeed," said Sen Antonio, "We will continue to advocate and fight for the dignity of Ohio's workers and families this year by advancing those policies, issues, and budget items where we can find common ground with the governor, our colleagues across the aisle, and across chambers, whenever possible." Republicans control both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.

Read Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio's full remarks here and watch the full Democratic response to Gov. DeWine's State of the State address here. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Funeral services announced for former Ohio state senator CJ Prentiss.... By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Funeral services have been announced for former Ohio state senator C.J. (Carolyn Jean) Prentiss (pictured), who died Tuesday at 82-years-old after battling heart disease. Visitation is Fri., April 12, from 5-7pm at Hiawatha Church of God In Christ, 3417 Hiawatha St., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Funeral services are Sat., April 13, at 10am at the Christ Culture Church, 15 Severance Circle, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, with calling hours from 9-10 am at the church. She will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland. An educator in her younger years and a former state representative and state school board member, Prentiss was a a life-long Democrat. She served in the Ohio Senate from 1999-2007 and was minority leader for the 126th General Assembly. She could not run for reelection in 2007 due to a state law that set term limits for state lawmakers. She was active in the Cleveland community, particularly during the pendency of the longstanding schools desegregation case. Prentiss relocated from Cleveland to Astubula after she retired from politics to live in a cottage on the riverbank. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

City of Cleveland, Mayor Bibb launch new Open Data Portal website offering instant access to city services, job openings and more.... By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com CLEVELAND, Ohio- The City of Cleveland has unveiled its new Open Data Portal website, a one-stop shop for city data sets, dashboards, civic tech applications and more. The Cleveland Open Data Portal accessible at data.clevelandohio.gov is part of Mayor Justin Bibb administration's commitment to transparency, accountability and innovation, the young, Black mayor (pictured) said in a press release. The website provides for access to city departments, council members information, job openings , city services and other data. "This initiative is a milestone for the city that's aimed at building trust, fostering collaboration, and empowering the public with instant access to a wide range of datasets related to city operations," said Mayor Bibb, 37 and the city's fourth Black mayor "Through the portal, users can explore, analyze and interact with city data in a variety of useful ways." "The Cleveland Open Data Portal represents a significant step forward in Mayor Bibb's work and commitment to a modern, open and responsive city government," said Dr. Elizabeth Crowe, director of the mayor's Office of Urban Analytics and Innovation. "The overarching goal is to empower Clevelanders to actively participate in shaping the future of our city." Key features of the Cleveland Open Data Portal include: Data Accessibility: Users will have access to a diverse range of datasets covering various aspects of city operations, including public safety, transportation, housing, and more. This data will empower residents to make informed decisions, drive civic engagement, and contribute to the betterment of their neighborhoods. User-Friendly Interface: The portal boasts a user-friendly interface designed to make data exploration intuitive and accessible to users of all backgrounds. Through interactive visualizations, maps, and charts, users can easily analyze and interpret complex datasets. Data Sharing and Collaboration: The Cleveland Open Data portal encourages collaboration between the public and government entities. Residents, businesses, and developers are invited to utilize the data for research, innovation, and the development of new solutions to address urban challenges. Real-Time Updates: The portal will be continuously updated with new datasets and information, ensuring that users have access to the most current data available. This real-time approach reflects the city's commitment to keeping residents informed and engaged. For more information and to explore the Cleveland Open Data portal, please visit data.clevelandohio.gov and watch the video demo of the new site. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL

Former Ohio state senator CJ Prentiss dies..... By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Former Ohio state senator C.J. (Carolyn Jean) Prentiss (pictured) died Tuesday afternoon with her husband Michael Charney and other family members by her side, her family said Tuesday. She was 82-years-old. Funeral arrangements are pending. An educator in her younger years and a former state representative and state school board member, Prentiss served in the Ohio Senate from 1999-2007 and was minority leader for the 126th General Assembly. She could not run for reelection due to a state law that sets term limits for state lawmakers. She and her husband Michael Charney were both active in the Cleveland community, particularly during the pendency of the longstanding schools desegregation case, Charney a former labor organizer and retired Cleveland schools history teacher. A Democrat, Prentiss received both a B.A. in education and M.Ed. from Cleveland State University. While in the Ohio State Senate, Prentiss represented constituents of Cleveland, Bratenahl, Brooklyn Heights, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, East Cleveland, Newburgh Heights and University Heights. She served as minority whip during the 125th General Assembly and was the first female president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. Prentiss was also on the founding board of directors for the nonpartisan economic policy group Policy Matters Ohio. She was a delegate to the Democratic Convention for Jesse Jackson in 1984, and then became co-chair of the Cleveland Rainbow Coalition.She was also chosen to be the special education adviser to then Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007. Prentiss grew up in Cleveland and attended the March on Washington led by Civil Rights icon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in 1963 . She was a community activist-turned politician. She was on numerous committees and consistently advocated for those most under-served. As a state lawmaker she spearheaded significant legislation aimed at decreasing the Black-White academic achievement gap in Cleveland's public schools and obtained funding for all-day kindergarten and reduced class sizes. Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

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