What Happened Now? A Cleveland Newsletter Issue 697: November 22, 2024

"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 says high-definition TV was made for nights like last night. Subscribe Here.

Browns fans experience a rare moment of joy during otherwise eternal season of bleakness: It’s always fun when the Browns beat the Steelers. On national TV. In a close game. In the snow. Last night was by far the highlight of the season as a team with nothing to play for except pride fought hard against a probably playoff-bound Steelers team.

• The Browns won for a bunch of reasons. One of them was Nick Chubb, who scored two touchdowns and reminded everyone how special he is.
• After the game, the players celebrated by throwing snowballs and making snow angels.

Let’s talk about that snow: What normally would have been a 15-minute drive from my parents' house to our home last night in the eastern suburbs was a 70-minute white knuckler because streets were jammed and cars were sliding down hills, which meant we had to make multiple detours. (I did not see any plows on streets during this drive.) The insult to the injury – hours later we were among the thousands to lose power. Our neighborhood is littered with branches and whole trees that collapsed from the weight of wet snow. I have this thing where I usually say I like the snow … until Christmas. I’m not making that joke this year. It’s us against the snow. No mercy. The snow started it. SHARPENS ATTACK SHOVEL 

Marshall Project - Cleveland report prompts change: For years, Cuyahoga County has offered little help to people before releasing them from one of the worst jails in Ohio. That will end next month, reports Mark Puente. A revamped reentry program to assist people as they leave the jail is being finalized by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel and other top leaders. The program will connect people with basic needs, including housing, employment, health care and other services. Makes you wonder – why weren’t they doing this all along? The change comes a year after The Marshall Project - Cleveland detailed how the sheriff’s department offered no reentry assistance to men and women before they left the jail, perpetuating a cycle of recidivism. Read more.

Sad anniversary: Ten years ago today, a policeman shot and killed Tamir Rice. We took a look back at what happened and the impact his death had on Cleveland and the country. Sarah Buduson will have more on News 5 at 5. 

The unintended consequence of licensure laws: They tend to protect businesses already in operation, they drive away competition, and they subject honest, nonviolent people to possible jail time for the crime of wanting to work. This licensed massage therapist writing in Cleveland.com is a good case in point: “Clients who come to me for a Japanese head spa hydrotherapy treatment receive a scalp, neck, shoulder, and face massage while relaxing beneath a warm trickling waterfall. But when they finish, they face a dilemma. They must decide how they will get their hair dry because I am legally prohibited from performing the service. Due to current Ohio regulations, my clients have three options. They can leave with wet hair, blow-dry their own hair at a self-service station, or book a separate appointment with an onsite licensed cosmetologist to dry. If I dare to dry my client’s hair myself, I would risk fines and even jail time.” Jail. For drying hair. Who does that protect or benefit? Oh, there’s more. Kimberly Cline is just getting warmed up.

Big change to Ohio Turnpike: If you are traveling west into Ohio from Pennsylvania, like maybe say for Thanksgiving, those of you who are EZ-Pass customers can drive through without stopping. Good. The quicker you can get away from Pennsylvania, the better.

A reason to watch 20/20 tonight: News 5 Akron bureau reporter Bob Jones will be featured in a story about convicted killer Shawn Grate. Every time I meet someone from Akron, and they learn I work at News 5, they ask if I know Bob Jones. Proud to say I do. A good reporter who's covered A LOT of tough stories for us. Like Shawn Grate.