Why are Cuyahoga County residents waiting in line to vote early? The Wake Up for Friday, November 1st, 2024

Subscribe to Wake Up, cleveland.comis the free morning newsletter delivered to your inbox at 5:30 a.m. weekdays

At the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at lunchtime Thursday, voters waited about 45 minutes to cast their votes early for Tuesday's election.

Most of Ohio's 8 million registered voters still vote on Election Day, and in Cuyahoga County, more early voters chose to vote by mail than in person.

But more than 45,000 of them came to vote in person in advance.

Why?

Some told Molly Walsh they weren't sure the postal service would deliver their ballot on time. Others feared long lines at their polling stations on election day. And “as ads bombard TV screens and social media feeds, some just wanted to get it over with.”

– Laura

Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Sunday, 1 p.m., Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland. TV: WOIO channel 19. radio: WKRK FM/92.3, WNCX FM/98.5, WKNR AM/850.

Northeast Ohio Weather Forecast: Sunshine then showers this weekend

Early voting: In Cuyahoga County, about 168,000 people have voted so far in the 2024 election — more than 45,000 of them in person — and there are still three days of early voting remaining, Molly Walsh reports.

Model law: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office asked a federal judge Thursday to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Browns to test the “Model Law,” a state law intended to prevent teams from leaving cities that they subsidized with tax money. Reporting Yost's request to U.S. District Judge David Ruiz in Cleveland, Adam Ferrise says his office should be included in the lawsuit because it involves a state law that forces taxpayer-funded teams to take certain steps before it can go.

Today in Ohio: More than 60% of Ohio nurses who left bedside care left due to high patient load, and approximately 65% ​​of bedside nurses experienced workplace violence in the past 12 months. We're talking about an Ohio survey that examined the impact of staffing shortages in Ohio's hospitals on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com's daily half-hour news podcast.

Polling stations: Voters in 22 precincts in five Cuyahoga County communities will cast their ballots in the 2024 presidential election at new polling stations on Tuesday, Robert Higgs reports. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Thursday reminded some voters in Cleveland, Maple Heights, North Royalton, Shaker Heights and South Euclid that their voting locations have been changed.

Proof of citizenship: A federal judge has rejected a legal challenge to new rules that would require naturalized citizens in Ohio to show proof of citizenship before they can vote in certain cases, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The revised rules were introduced earlier this month by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office to address a rather narrow issue: allowing newly naturalized citizens to vote even if they have not yet been able to obtain a driver's license or state ID card , which does not have the word “noncitizen” printed on it.

Drilling rights: A state watershed conservation district has voted to sell drilling rights under 2,257 acres of Leesville Lake in Carroll County to Encino Energy, a Houston-based oil and gas company, for about $12.4 million plus 20% of royalties. Jake Zuckerman reports that the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District board voted last week to allow its staff to execute the lease, which has not yet been finalized.

CMSD levies: The Cleveland Metropolitan School District's two tax questions on Tuesday's vote will help the district at a time when it is facing a funding shortfall, due in large part to one-time federal coronavirus funds that were pledged and spent. But the bigger picture shows money concerns that go beyond COVID-19 funds, Laura Hancock reports.

EV recycling: As part of an effort to promote recycling of electric vehicle components, the U.S. Department of Energy is awarding the University of Akron a $2 million grant, Sabrina Eaton reports.

Famous supply: Thanks to financial support from the Cuyahoga County Council, a vacant warehouse is getting new life and bringing new jobs to Maple Heights, Kaitlin Durbin reports. The organization is considering a $2 million loan to help Famous Distribution, better known as Famous Supply, complete the renovation of the warehouse at 5700 Lee Road South into its main distribution center and training center.

dryness: Every time Northeast Ohio thinks it's out, the drought pulls it back in, Zachary Smith reports. While four counties regionally still experience normal conditions, two counties in the Greater Cleveland area were once again hit by a moderate drought.

Natural tires: A major ingredient in tires is butadiene, a chemical compound derived from fossil fuels. But if Bridgestone Americas is successful with a pilot project, the company will produce butadiene from ethanol not only is made from corn in the USA, but also from sugar cane in Brazil, reports Peter Krouse.

COVID: After six weeks of steady decline, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio remained essentially flat, rising from 2,751 last week to 2,779 this week, Julie Washington reports.

Anti-Semitic graffiti: A suspect accused of spray-painting homes in Orange denies the allegations and his lawyer has called on the village's mayor to apologize for rushing to judgment. Ryan Kellogg, 37, of Orange, was arrested Sunday after he was accused of spray-painting two homes in the village, one of them with a swastika, Lucas Daprile reports.

School parking lot shooting: An off-duty Cleveland police sergeant was charged Thursday in a shooting in the parking lot of Riverview Elementary School in Painesville, an incident that sent children and their parents into panic early in the day. Alexander Sinclair, 34, of Painesville, is charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and discharging a firearm under a prohibited premise.

deletion: More than 160 people with felony convictions asked to have their cases expunged or sealed in Summit County this week, Olivia Mitchell reports. Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich and Clerk Tavia Galonski had the county's first expungement day on Tuesday. Officials were reviewing old convictions to determine whether the cases could be sealed or expunged from residents' records.

Medical worker stabbed: An Independence man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the previous stabbing of a medical worker, Lucas Daprile reports. Jason Halasz, 25, entered the plea Wednesday before Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Cassandra Collier Williams. In return, prosecutors dropped two charges of aggravated assault.

Holiday cookies: With the holidays coming up, we knew it was time to ask about cookies and where to get them. Our Best Of team has narrowed the field down to a top 20 list of nominees. Now it's time to vote.

Thanksgiving takeout: For those looking to place takeout orders before Thanksgiving, Alex Darus has a list of 22 restaurants offering pick-up options for the holiday meal.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Built in 1908, Westcott House is an excellent example of Frank Lloyd Wright's signature Prairie style design. The house, which is open for tours year-round, is a reason to travel to Springfield, Ohio, reports Susan Glaser.

things to do: To inspire you this post-Halloween weekend, Alex Darus has 19 things to do in the Greater Cleveland area, including concerts, theater performances and more.

Don't forget to check out cleveland.com for the latest Cleveland news. If you appreciate the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

— Curated by Content Director Laura Johnston with contributions from Cliff Pinckard.

Columbia Station man threatens to shoot and kill people at AA meetings in Berea, police say. Read more

The Lakewood Police Department is planning the Citizens Police Academy in 2025. Read more

Road construction in Northeast Ohio: Expect some new detours around I-480 and I-271. Read more

Kohl's shoplifter attempts to elude officers by crossing all lanes of I-271 on foot. Read more

Get free admission to the Akron Zoo on select days in November. Read more

A new high school in Solon? School board considers renovation or new building. Read more

NEORSD is nearing completion of the Hemlock Creek bank stabilization project in Seven Hills. Read more

Medina wants to eliminate tripping hazards in public places. Read more

Medina wants to extend agreement at city airport Read more