📰 The stories Cleveland won’t stop talking about

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Which 2025 Cleveland Stories Hit You the Hardest?

The stories hit big and impacted Cleveland in 2025 and beyond.

Yes, there were ICE arrests, the impact of tariffs, inflation and data centers. But we wanted stories that were quintessentially Cleveland and tap into its psyche.

Here are seven. Feel free to weigh in with your own and we’ll run a roundup of them…

Lakefront Development: The Browns move to Brook Park got the headlines. But it refocused the city on a development of the lakefront that’s been kicked around since the 1980s, with a new plan emerging this month.

Superman: Cleveland is a de facto character. Public Square and the skyline are reoccurring backdrops. The finale could be a commercial for the Arcade. The D.C. hit boosted the city’s profile and role as a filmmaking center.

Cleveland leads U.S.A.: Steady, impressive growth made Cleveland's housing market one of the country’s strongest with 11-12% price increases. Affordability made it a refuge from speculative bubbles – and a magnet from relocators from NYC, L.A. and Austin.

Guardians historic run: The top pitcher was lost to a gambling scandal and a season in hell turned into a miraculous run in which the team became AL Central Division Champs after being down 15.5 games.

WCSB: Ideastream and CSU’s collusion in a hostile takeover of the beloved student-run radio station transformed into a larger story – the powerful vs. the powerless – that sparked boycotts, protests and outrage.

Sherwin-Williams Global HQ: The 616-foot skyscraper is Cleveland’s fourth tallest and the biggest addition to the skyline in decades. It’s also an economic driver that will house 3,100 employees by the first quarter, 2026.

Shedeurmania: A low draft pick on a bad team… scores high ratings for meaningless games? Endless drama… a quarterback carousel, media circus and a sports-meets-pop Shedeurmania where has been called the “most powerful Black man since 2009.”

It’s a “parking modernization initiative,” says Mayor Justin Bibb. Of course, when has a politician ever called it “jacking up your taxes”?

In January, downtown street parking will jump between 50-162% -- to cost $10.50 for four hours.

The city will also cut free weekend and evening hours: The new rates run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

‘Progressive pricing’ will encourage faster turnover of spaces and make parking more available for visitors, Bibb contends. But what downtown event lasts more than four hours?

Bibb used the same logic to propose installing cameras to bust illegal parking downtown. (The current $25 penalty would jump to $60 and could be issued immediately upon detection.)

He has also proposed a “small tax” on downtown bars and restaurants and parking to help pay for repairs to Progressive Field and Rocket Arena – in his ‘fight’ against billionaire sports owners.

Downtown businesses don’t like it.

“It’s hard enough to get people to come downtown,” says Nick Kostis, owner of Pickwick and Frolic. “This makes it’s harder and will hurt places that are already struggling.”

Driving people away from downtown would at least make parking more available.

Quite a 2025 for Vinnie Cimino.

A James A. Beard Award nomination. A fun collaboration with Swensons in which he worked as a curb server. Named top 10 best new chef by Food & Wine.

And now this:

Cimino and his partner Andrew Watts will open Rosy, a new eatery in the former Alea space in Hingetown.

“Words can’t describe how excited I am about this project,” says Cimino. “The opportunity to celebrate our Ancestral European Heritage around the fire is gonna be something special.”

Rosy’s open-fire approach will allow him to bring new techniques and takes on ancestral dishes popular along the Adriatic coasts of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

The 50-seater is still lining up kitchen staff and is targeting a January opening.

Lumenology — Simple Lighting Where You Need It Most

As we get older, good lighting becomes less about style and more about safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Lumenology is a wireless motion-activated light that gives you bright, reliable illumination exactly when and where you need it — without wiring, tools, or hiring an electrician. In seconds, you can light up stairs, entryways, garages, hallways, sheds, or outdoor areas, helping prevent trips, falls, and unnecessary strain on your eyes.

Designed to be easy to install, weather-resistant, and highly durable, Lumenology offers dependable performance indoors or outdoors, even in rain or snow. Its motion-sensing technology adds an extra layer of security by lighting up when movement is detected, while the long-lasting battery and compact design make it ideal for everyday use, travel, or emergencies. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s a practical upgrade that makes daily life safer and more convenient.

14th Home for the Holidays at Hilarities: The annual extravaganza rolls out 10 Cleveland comics for a performance, yes, but also a party that celebrates the scene and the spirit of comedy. 6:30 and 9:15 tonight at Hilarities in Pickwick and Frolic. Info.

Dave Hill: The Cleveland native and NYC resident has just come off the road performing with Bill Murray. At 7:30 tonight, he’ll make his annual trek to the Grog Shop for a show that guitar licks and comedy tricks. Info.

Emo Nightmare After Christmas: The monthly Jukebox Breakdown series is back with a night of heavy emo – yes, the standard emo stuff, to go with hardcore, metal-core and alt-rock. It hit Mahall’s at 9 tonight. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The Cavs have been playing like the Washington Generals. Now you have a chance to see the Harlem Globetrotters.

For 100 years, basketball’s fun-loving exhibitionists have been rolling out sight gags, crazy stunts and wild shots on to courts around the world.

The Globetrotters are celebrating their centennial and the tour hits Rocket Arena at 3 p.m. Sunday. Info.

Another Browns season crawls to an end and the playoffs, let alone a Super Bowl, seems like a pipe dream. The last time the Browns were crowned football champs occurred on Dec. 27, 1964, when they stomped the Colts 27-0 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Follow us on Instagram for more content on this.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

42 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | ☁️ (cloudy) | 70% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 17 mph (≈ 15 knots)

40 °F 🌡️ 32 °F | ⛅ / ☁️ (partly cloudy to overcast) | 47% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 5 mph (≈ 4 knots)

51 °F 🌡️ 25 °F | 🌧️ (light rain / overcast) | 88% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 22 mph (≈ 19 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Houston Rockets, 7:00 PM December 27 (Saturday)

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