What Happened Now? A Cleveland Newsletter
Issue 723: January 16, 2025
"What Happened Now?" is a lively roundup and analysis of the top stories of the day in Northeast Ohio from News 5's Joe Donatelli. It’s like getting the news from a friend who still thinks Central Ohio is boring. Subscribe Here.
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Giant defense plant coming to Ohio: It is a sad sign of the times that these mega-projects are happening in Central Ohio and not Northeast Ohio. While our area remains a huge manufacturing center, this region isn’t luring companies like Intel or, now, Anduril. The U.S. defense contractor is preparing to build a massive advanced manufacturing facility in Central Ohio, adding a planned 4,000 jobs to the area's burgeoning high-tech sector, reports the Associated Press. The California-based defense technology company plans to construct what it's calling “Arsenal 1” as soon as state and local approvals are secured. The 5 million-square-foot facility will be located on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in rural Pickaway County, about 16 miles southeast of Columbus. This is the largest single job creation and payroll project that Ohio has announced. Production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles are slated to begin in July 2026.
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State attorney general says Browns fumbled lawsuit: Ohio’s top cop has weighed in on the escalating fight over the Modell law, a state law designed to make it harder for pro sports teams to leave publicly subsidized facilities, reports Michelle Jarboe. Attorney General Dave Yost asked a federal court judge to pause or dismiss a lawsuit the Browns filed last fall. He says the law is clear — and that the legal battle over whether it applies to the Browns should play out in state court.
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Mad about your high property taxes? Lots of Cuyahoga County residents are. Friday on Good Morning Cleveland, we’ll ask the county treasurer about those increases. Have a question? Submit it on Facebook here.
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Interesting info from Signal Cleveland about appeals: “If you submit a ‘formal’ complaint, it’s possible to walk out of the process with an even higher property value.” On a TOTALLY unrelated note, I am starting a militia.
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It’s bad to brag about confusing voters: So says the head of Ohio’s Democratic Party in response to the report I shared yesterday about the head of Ohio’s Republican Party bragging that confusing Ohio voters led to the defeat of Issue 1 in November.
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Mr. Baseball has died: Legendary broadcaster, light beer pitchman and most importantly – Harry Doyle from “Major League” – Bob Uecker has died at age 90. He was part of the fabric of Major League Baseball – and pop culture – and he will be missed. I plan to have a Miller Lite tonight in the man’s honor.