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Happy holidays! Until Jan. 6, we’ll have a scaled-down version of The Wake Up.

We hope you enjoy a well-deserved break and we’ll see you in the New Year!

The newsletter will not publish New Year’s Day or Friday, Jan. 2.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Chances of snow, windy

TopStories

Marijuana petition: Ohioans for Cannabis Choice have submitted initial petition signatures to challenge Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent marijuana regulations, aiming to block the implementation of Senate Bill 56 through a citizen-led referendum. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the efforts.

Today in Ohio: Cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast returns Jan. 5.

Statehouse and Politics

Minimum wage: Ohio’s minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour for non-tipped workers and $5.50 for tipped workers starting Jan. 1 due to inflation adjustments, affecting about 150,000 workers. Mary Frances McGowan reports on the wage hike and its implications.

Elections commission: Ohio will launch a new Election Integrity Commission on Jan. 1 to police election issues, seek fines and make criminal referrals for violations such as ballot harvesting and voter fraud, replacing the old Ohio Elections Commission. Anna Staver reports on the new structure and its potential impact.

Highway name: State lawmakers are discussing a bill to rename a two-mile section of Interstate 70 in Columbus as the “President Donald Trump Freedom Highway,” honoring Trump. Chris Pugh reports on the proposal’s details and political context.

Northeast Ohio News

Countering Trump: Cuyahoga County officials have taken steps to avoid federal scrutiny by planning to sunset policies made under President Trump’s administration after he leaves office. Kaitlin Durbin reports the county’s efforts to maintain environmental and equity initiatives.

Rainbow Terrace: The owners of Cleveland’s Rainbow Terrace Apartments deny that building conditions caused the June explosion and fire that displaced residents and resulted in one death. Sean McDonnell reports on ongoing investigations.

Young trustee: Joseph Borczuch Jr., at 19 has become the youngest person elected as a trustee in Lorain County, representing Columbia Township. Hannah Drown reports about his community support and leadership.

Historic bridge: Cleveland’s historic Eagle Avenue lift bridge, closed since 2005, will be dismantled and removed after delays, with some structural elements preserved for a future park. Rich Exner covers the project and its significance.

Police cameras: Elyria plans to add 100 police cameras under a 10-year deal, enhancing crime-reduction efforts with the existing network of 150 cameras. Hannah Drown reports on the city’s investment in public safety.

Winter bulbs: Amaryllis and other winter bulbs can be grown indoors and replanted outdoors after blooming, providing year-round color. Susan Brownstein offers tips on caring for these bulbs and extending their life.

Health Care and Business

Flu spikes: The 2025 flu season saw a spike in December, with hospitalizations rising from 13 to 66 in Cuyahoga County, mirroring last year’s pattern. Julie Washington reports on the increasing flu activity and the importance of vaccination.

Chicago flights: American Airlines is expanding its Cleveland-Chicago service with three new daily flights starting in February, increasing peak flights and boosting Chicago-O’Hare competition, reports Susan Glaser.

New York flights: JetBlue will launch daily nonstop flights between Cleveland Hopkins Airport and JFK in New York in March, providing a new travel option for Northeast Ohio residents, Susan Glaser reports.

Rural care: Ohio is set to receive $200 million in federal funding over five years to improve rural health care, including expanding services and creating a health care workforce pipeline, though federal guidelines are still unclear. Anna Staver reports on the funding and ongoing debates.

Crime and Courts

Postal worker robbed: A letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint Monday while delivering mail in downtown Akron, police said. In recent years, the number of robberies of postal workers has jumped, according to authorities and court records.

Arts and Entertainment

Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez offers advice on how to encourage friends to participate in choosing restaurants, suggesting strategies for a more collaborative dining experience.

Hangover remedies: Paris Wolfe explains that preventing hangovers through hydration and moderation is the best approach, as medical experts say there are no effective cures, emphasizing the importance of prevention.

‘Stereophonic’: Will Butler’s Arcade Fire experience influenced the Tony-winning play “Stereophonic,” which showcases band dynamics and musical creation. It opens Jan. 6 at Playhouse Square, reports Joey Morona.

Jukebox closure: Jukebox in Ohio City will close temporarily Monday for fire repairs, but owner Alex Budin sees it as an opportunity to improve, with a busy last week of events planned before the hiatus, Alex Darus reports.

You’re all caught up

Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.

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