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  • Ohio politicians propose increase in penalty for disrupting religious services

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    OHIO — Some Ohio lawmakers are looking to increase the punishment for interfering with religious services or lawful meetings, raising the penalty from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio politicians are looking to increase the penalty for disrupting religious services

    • Two Republican representatives introduced a bill that would make it a fifth-degree felony

    • This is in response to a recent anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church

    House Bill 662 was introduced into the Ohio House by Reps. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, and Johnathan Newman, R-Troy, on Jan. 29.

    A press release from Fischer’s office states the bill is in response to a recent anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. The situation gained national attention.

    One of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, leads the local field office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One of the leaders of the protest and prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong said she’s also an ordained reverend.

    Journalist Don Lemon was recently released from custody after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of the protest.

    “While every American has the right to peacefully protest ICE or any other government entity, they do not have a right to storm into a place of worship and disrupt another American’s right to freely practice their religion,” Fischer said in the release. “We cannot allow our country to be a place where families fear they may face harassment or see their religious services disrupted by activists attempting to score political points while attending church on a Sunday morning. Our state should not tolerate this behavior and must stand strong in protecting the rights of Ohioans of all faiths to freely practice their religion.”

    The release states this bill will not restrict the ability of Ohioans to peacefully protest.

    “I will do everything possible to ensure Ohioans’ God-given First Amendment right to free exercise of religion is protected along with houses of worship and worshippers,” Newman said in the release. “I am glad to join Rep. Fischer sponsoring this important legislation.”

    You can see the full bill here:

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Canton consolidates warming shelters

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    CANTON, Ohio — Canton is consolidating its warming center operations this week to one location rather than two.

    What You Need To Know

    • The city is closing its St. Paul AME warming center and moving all shelter operations to Dueber Elementary

    • The shelter will operate from Jan. 29 to Feb. 28

    • Transportation will be provided to the warming center by SARTA

    The city is closing its St. Paul AME warming center and moving all shelter operations to Dueber Elementary at 815 Dueber Ave SW, 44706.

    “We are grateful to Pastor McCants and the congregation of St Paul AME for opening their doors to those in need,” said Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II. “We are simply seeing a need greater than the church can currently hold, and it best to move operations to where we can best accommodate what we’re facing.”

    The shelter will operate from Jan. 29 to Feb. 28. Hours will be from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Guests should use the north entrance and food and water will be available.

    Transportation will be provided to the warming center by SARTA. Route #113 will take guests to the school; in order for bus fares to be waived, guests must tell drivers they are going to the warming shelter. 

    If transportation is needed when SARTA is not available, call 330-649-5800.

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Community reflects on one year of federal immigration enforcement

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    CLEVELAND — Verónica Martínez and her family first immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico over a decade ago, but she said it’s difficult to not be unsettled by President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

    What You Need To Know

    • The recent immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis and protests over the killing of two American citizens there in recent weeks are sparking demonstration across the country

    • Detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have hit a record-high of more than 65,000 in the last year, according to the agency’s recent data

    • In Ohio, tensions are taking a toll on immigrant communities made up of people who came here for various reasons, many, hoping to pursue the American dream
    • Cleveland Heights residents are rallying around its neighbors as they navigate a year of change

    “We come from Mexico [after] living more than 14 years in El Paso, Texas, and we are a traditional Mexican family,” Martínez said. “…We migrated to this state of Ohio precisely to seek an education – better education for our son.”

    Martínez said she and thousands of other Cleveland Heights residents witnessed the impact of federal enforcement efforts firsthand a year ago, when six Cilantro Taqueria workers were arrested and detained without a warrant by ICE officers in Coventry Village. The restaurant said most of them have since self-deported.

    “Since this raid by the agents, many members of the community felt a deep indignation and disagreement about these processes that they were carrying out,” she said. “Now that we know that they were detained without having a due legal process, overlooking the rights that all the people living here in America have.”

    Dozens of community leaders, including Martínez, expressed their support for these workers and other immigrants in Ohio and nationwide, at an “immigration vigil” in Peace Park on Monday. The event was organized by members of grassroots movement Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights, which formed after the Cilantro Taqueria arrests.

    A crowd gathered in freezing temperatures across the street from Mexican restaurant Cilantro Taqueria in Cleveland Heights.

    A crowd gathered in freezing temperatures across the street from Mexican restaurant Cilantro Taqueria in Cleveland Heights. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

    “Several community members began organizing and have worked hard throughout the past year to organize petitions to the City Council and the mayor to request that there be measures that legally support these unprotected and vulnerable people,” Martínez said.

    The vigil also paid tribute to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, along with others who’ve died in ICE custody since 2025.

    Mariamne Ingalls is one of several artists from the Indivisible NEO Arts Committee that constructed tombstones to display at the vigil. She said each of them include the name, age and details of their death.

    “The idea is to bring visibility to what’s going on,” Ingalls said. “More attention so more people can get together and reassert the lawful due process in this country.”

    The project was led by Kathleen Russell, Co-leader of the Indivisible NEO Arts Committee, which she said plans to create more installations in the future.

    The project was led by Kathleen Russell, Co-leader of the Indivisible NEO Arts Committee, which she said plans to create more installations in the future. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

    Rep. Shontel Brown, D-District 11, stood with northeast Ohioans at Monday’s vigil to mourn “over 39 deaths across the country” under the Trump administration.

    “But, as it relates to Ohio, I get calls from constituents who are in in great fear,” Brown said. “…People are afraid to go to work. They’re afraid to go to school. They’re afraid to church.”

    The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign has divided Americans, according to polling from the New York Times and Siena released Friday, with more than 60% of voters saying ICE tactics have “gone too far.”

    Several Republicans have criticized the Trump administration response ICE to the fatal Minneapolis shootings, and has raised questions about state powers and trust in the federal government.

    Trump said he wants to de-escalate state tensions in Minnesota, after writing on social media that Americans should “LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!” earlier this week.

    Martínez said she and others will continue showing up in the community with the hopes of sending a message.

    “Above all we want to communicate that we are alert, we are active and we are attentive, observing all the actions that are being carried out in all parts of the country,” she said. “And we also want to tell our local, state and federal authorities that we are a people that is organizing, that is organizing to follow the legal paths to be able to recover democracy in our country.”

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    Tanya Velazquez

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  • Cavs partner with local company for fully traceable, sustainable retail line

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    CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are continuing their commitment toward environmental progress at Rocket Arena and in northeast Ohio by producing one of the first fully traceable and sustainable merchandise lines in professional sports.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cleveland Cavaliers partnered with Cleveland-based Found Surface to create a fully traceable and sustainable merchandise line

    • Over 100 pounds of material waste were composted locally and all dye-process water was recycled during the manufacturing process

    • The Cavaliers are one of the first professional sports teams to have a fully traceable and sustainable retail line

    Inside a warehouse in The Flats, you’ll hear the sounds of cutting, sewing, and tagging. 

    “It’s a very rigorous process,” Found Surface’s Christian Marcano said. “All the way from the start to the end.”

    Marcano works for the Cleveland-based company Found Surface. He said making each piece of clothing is an art form.

    “We try to be intricate and just making sure that this is not a machine press to start way to get our clothes out,” said Marcano. “It’s a lot of craftsmanship involved.”

    That craftsmanship can now be seen inside Rocket Arena.

    “We are the first, and as far as I know, the only professional sports team to have a fully domestically traceable retail line,” said Cavaliers Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Services Danielle Doza. 

    Doza said partnering with Found Surface was an easy decision because of the environmental benefits. The organic cotton was grown in Texas and made its way to Cleveland, where the clothing was made. 

    “Through the manufacturing process, the waste from this process is actually composted locally,” Doza said. “All of that waste is turned into soil and kept right here in northeast Ohio. The process uses a low-enzyme dye, and all that water is recycled and used in the next batch of manufacturing.”

    Cleveland Cavaliers director of retail marketing Amy Armstrong thinks the merchandise line helps bring the team and community closer.

    “We’re really strengthening and elevating this community by just working with all of these local partners that we have here,” said Armstrong. “With Found Surface being right down the street, they’re the manufacturer for us. All of the designs are inspired by our Metro parks. It’s a great way to strengthen and uplift this community in Cleveland.”

    Marcano hopes Found Surface can continue making a difference and that the partnership with the Cavs will give them the opportunity to do just that.

    “We just want to continue to be sustainable and just show that we can make anything for anyone,” he said. “I know for me, along with everybody else at Found Surface, this has got to be a dream come true. Being able to put the ‘Made in Cleveland’ tags on these pieces is super important.”

     

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    Jack Berney

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  • Updates: Snow, frigid cold impact Ohio

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    BY

    Spectrum News Staff

    Ohio

    UPDATED 9:20 AM ET Jan. 26, 2026
    PUBLISHED 5:37 AM ET Jan. 25, 2026
    PUBLISHED 5:37 AM EST Jan. 25, 2026

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Check local emergency snow levels before hitting the road this weekend

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    OHIO — We’re getting closer to the start of the impending winter storm and, while officials have urged Ohioans to stay home if at all possible, some people will need to brave the roads even in unsafe conditions.

    If you do so, you’ll want to be sure you have the most relevant details on conditions for your area. Make sure you’re checking in with your local sheriff’s office to determine what snow emergency level your county is under before hitting the roads.

    What You Need To Know

    • Local sheriff’s issue snow emergency levels during winter weather events

    • Be sure to check your local level before hitting the roads this weekend

    • This winter storm is expected to bring a lot of snow to the Buckeye State

    Here’s a look at how some counties in the state differentiate between the three levels.

    Cuyahoga County

    The City of Cleveland describes the snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Use caution”
    • Level two — “Hazardous roads – necessary travel only”
    • Level three — “Emergency vehicles only – travel advisory strictly enforced”

    They recommend people working in the city know their workplace’s snow emergency policies.

    Hamilton County

    The County Sheriff describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously. Unnecessary travel is discouraged.”
    • Level two — “Roadways are hazardous and may be very icy. Only drive if it is necessary to do so. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.”
    • Level three — “Extremely hazardous road conditions. All of certain County roads are closed. No one should be on the roadways unless absolutely necessary. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.”

    Montgomery County

    The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy. Drive very cautiously.”
    • Level two — “Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.”
    • Level three — “All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. However, those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to prosecution.”

    Lucas County

    The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office describes their snow emergency levels as follows:

    • Level one — “A Level I Snow Advisory is due to conditions caused by ice, blowing and drifting snow, which can make county roadways hazardous. Residents should drive cautiously. This advisory can be upgraded or discontinued.”
    • Level two — “In addition to elements detailed in a Level 1 Advisory. A Level II Snow Advisory includes ice, blowing and drifting snow causing low visibility on county roadways.  Only persons with a real and important need to be out on roads and streets should do so. This advisory can be upgraded, downgraded, or discontinued.”
    • Level three — “A Level III Emergency is for all roads and streets in Lucas County. This declaration does not apply to traffic on the Ohio Turnpike but does apply to all other roads and streets in Lucas County. Travel on these roadways is limited to emergency and essential personnel only. No one should be on these roadways during the duration of this Snow Emergency unless absolutely necessary. All employees should contact their employer to determine if they should report for work.  All non-emergency and nonessential personnel traveling the roadways during this Snow Emergency may be subject to arrest and prosecution under section 2917.13 of the Ohio Revised Code for ‘misconduct at an emergency.’ The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office is without authority to arbitrarily determine what occupations, job descriptions or duties constitute essential or nonessential employees.”

    Before traveling on the roads during this winter storm, be sure to check the emergency snow level issued by your county sheriff. You can find their contact information and website here.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Major winter storm moves into Ohio tonight

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    OHIO — Arctic air has settled in across the Buckeye State but now our attention turns to a major winter storm that is approaching and will bring heavy snow to much of the state starting later today.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brutally cold temperatures are expected today through next week

    • Snow starts to fall in southern Ohio this evening, spreading north into the night

    • Heavy snow continues through early Monday morning

    This winter storm will bring heavy snow at times, which will make for some very dangerous travel conditions. Since the air is so cold, the snow that falls will be very light and fluffy, which will accumulate quickly.

    Timing of system

    Impacts from the storm will first be felt late this afternoon into the early evening when snow first starts to fall in southern Ohio. The latest models show snow will likely start between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for areas south and southwest of a line from Dayton to Chillicothe. As the evening progress, snow will continue to spread northward with areas like Columbus, Zanesville, Wheeling and Lima seeing snow after 7 p.m. We’re looking at a late night timeframe for snow starting in northern Ohio into the very early morning hours Sunday.

    Snowfall rates could be heavy at times, with heavier snowfall expected by mid-morning Sunday.

    We’ll continue to see snow accumulate through the remainder of the day Sunday. Snow will begin to taper off overnight into Monday as the system moves out of the region. By Monday mid-morning, most of the state will see drier conditions, but snow will still be possible across the northeast.

    Even though most of the state will see drier conditions Monday, roads may still be snow covered leading to another day of treacherous travel.  

    Snowfall totals

    Most of the state will see more than six inches of snow. Heavier amounts are possible, with a foot of snow expected in some areas. A heavier band of snowfall totals is setting up over an area extending from Cincinnati through Chillicothe to near Athens. Central Ohio and Northeast Ohio could see anywhere from 8-12″ of snow, with localized heavier amounts possible. Lesser amounts of snow will fall in Northwest Ohio, with 4-8″ expected in areas like Toledo and Sandusky.

    Areas in Southeast Ohio where sleet or ice may be an issue could see lesser amounts.

    Frigid cold

    Once the snow is done, it’s expected to hang around for a while because temperatures will continue to be cold. One of the coldest mornings will be Tuesday, with wind chills in many areas falling to -20 degrees. 

    Check back for updates throughout the weekend as the winter storm affects Ohio and much of the country.

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    Meteorologist April Loveland

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  • Illinois surgeon charged in Ohio couple’s killings due in court

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    OHIO — An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December slayings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home is due in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week

    • McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes

    • McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count

    Michael David McKee, 39, is scheduled to be arraigned in Franklin County on four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37.

    The mystery that first surrounded the case — which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive — drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.

    Who is Michael David McKee?

    McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (88.5 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005 — the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011 and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.

    Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.

    McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.

    What is McKee accused of?

    An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.

    McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes — whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom — and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.

    Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the murders. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicle’s movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

    A message seeking comment was left with McKee’s attorney.

    McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.

    How were the murders discovered?

    Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and “out of character” for Tepe, according to a 911 call.

    Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, “Oh, there’s a body. There’s a body. Oh my God.” He said he could see Spencer Tepe’s body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

    The Franklin County Coroner’s Office deemed the killings an “apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”

    Who were the Tepes?

    Family members said the Tepes were “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.”

    They have described Monique as a “joyful mother,” avid baker and “thoughtful planner.” According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.

    Spencer Tepe got his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

    They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Cavaliers’ Darius Garland out at least a week with sprained toe

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    CLEVELAND — Cavaliers guard Darius Garland will be sidelined for at least one week due to a sprained right great toe.

    Garland suffered the injury on Jan. 14 at Philadelphia and missed Friday’s game against the 76ers. The Cavaliers said further evaluation and imaging on Saturday revealed a Grade 1 sprain. The seventh-year guard will be reevaluated in seven to 10 days as he undergoes treatment.

    The two-time All-Star has missed 16 games this season due to a nagging injury to his left great toe, which he struggled with during the closing month of last season and the playoffs. Garland had surgery on the toe during the offseason.

    Garland is averaging 20.2 points and 7.4 assists over this last 16 games. He was shooting 50.4% from the floor and made 42 of 100 3-pointers.

    The Cavaliers have been plagued by injuries all season. After having the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, they are 24-19 and fifth in the East going into Monday afternoon’s game against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Theater group thrives amid arts funding strain

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — New federal arts funding approved in Congress this week could bring relief to organizations across the country.

    But many arts groups are still absorbing the fallout from last year’s grant cuts and cancellations, and for those that didn’t rely on federal grants, the impact looked very different.

    What You Need To Know

    • New federal arts funding is back this year, but many arts groups are still feeling the fallout from last year’s grant cuts and cancellations

    • Stage Right Theatrics built a model that doesn’t rely on federal grants, staying steady through the cuts and using ticket sales, donors and local support to fund shows

    • Even with funding restored, experts say instability lingers because canceled grants forced programming cuts that haven’t fully returned

    Before rehearsals even begin, Robert Cooperman is already at work.

    He founded Stage Right Theatrics, a theater company producing short plays by writers from across the country. Ten years in, Cooperman is still hands-on.

    “Well, I felt that there was something missing in the theater world, and that was the more traditional or conservative point of view,” Cooperman said. “And I decided, why shouldn’t that voice be heard in the arts?”

    That perspective shows up in a mix of classic American playwrights and short plays that take on modern social issues. But Cooperman said that point of view also comes with challenges.

    “The kind of theater that I’m putting on, the ideas and philosophy I’m putting forth, that’s a little tougher to get any kind of grant,” he said.

    From the start, Stage Right built a different model. The company doesn’t rely on federal grants, meaning last year’s cuts didn’t hit them the same way. Instead, they’re funded primarily through ticket sales, donors and local support. Cooperman said local arts grants still came through last year, even as federal funding fell away for others.

    “Oh, twenty thousand dollars,” Cooperman said. “It may not seem like a lot, but it was a very, very good year for us… enough to sustain a couple of big shows.”

    While many arts organizations are still recovering from the federal arts cuts, Stage Right isn’t just surviving. It’s also finding a way to give back.

    The company offers half-priced tickets to theater-goers who bring food donations, which are then given to the Dublin Food Pantry.

    “I’m very happy, very delighted, to bring hundreds of pounds of food to the Dublin Food Pantry every time I run this promotion,” Cooperman said.

    But while Stage Right stayed steady, experts say many groups that depended on federal arts grants did not.

    “Organizations assumed when they were notified of their grants last year, or at the end of 2024, that they had those dollars coming in either for sustainability support or for specific programs,” said Sarah Sisser, executive director and CEO of CreativeOhio. “And when those grants were canceled, of course, they had to cancel some of that programming and didn’t have that support.”

    Even with federal arts funding approved again this year, Sisser said the damage doesn’t disappear overnight — because some programs that were cut never returned.

    “Everybody’s on edge about the reliability of some of this public funding that has been secured,” she said.

    For Cooperman, the plan moving forward is simple.

    “I am going to keep this thing going until I’m six feet under,” he said.

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    Aliah Keller

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  • Grant Udinski interviews for Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job

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    BEREA, Ohio — Jacksonville offensive coordinator Grant Udinski interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy on Saturday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jacksonville offensive coordinator Grant Udinski interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy

    • The 30-year-old Udinski just completed his first season with the Jaguars. He directed an offense that ranked sixth in scoring and 11th in total offense

    • Quarterback Trevor Lawrence accounted for 38 touchdowns as Jacksonville went 13-4 in the regular season
    • Cleveland needs a head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5 following six seasons

    Udinski, 30, just completed his first season with the Jaguars. Even though coach Liam Coen called the offensive plays, Udinski directed a unit that was sixth in the league in scoring (27.9 points per game) and 11th in total offense (337.4 points per game). Quarterback Trevor Lawrence accounted for 38 touchdowns (29 passing, nine rushing) as Jacksonville went 13-4 in the regular season and won the AFC South for the first time since 2022. The Jaguars lost to Buffalo in the wild card round last Sunday.

    Udinski began his NFL career as a coaching assistant at Carolina (2020-21) before spending three seasons in Minnesota (2022-24). He was an assistant to the head coach/special projects in 2022 with the Vikings before being promoted to assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024.

    The Browns are the only team that has conducted or requested an interview with Udinski so far.

    Cleveland needs a head coach after it fired Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5 following six seasons and a 46-58 overall record. Stefanski was a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year and led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 and ’23.

    The Browns have interviewed nine people, including four this week. Former Miami head coach Mike McDaniel interviewed on Monday, while Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase went on Friday.

    Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Seattle defensive coordinator Aden Durde, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken interviewed last week.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • City Club of Cleveland speaker stirs controversy among LGBTQ community

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    CLEVELAND — Dozens of people gathered outside of the City Club of Cleveland to protest a sold-out Q&A session on “Faith, Policy and Influence.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The City Club of Cleveland prides itself on being one of the oldest free speech organization in the country

    • It’s now under fire for inviting Aaron Baer, the president of the Center for Christian Virtue

    • The nonprofit organization is one of the most influential advocacy groups in Ohio, and it’s been labeled a hate group twice by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its rhetoric on the LGBTQ+ community
    • The Center for Christian Virtue also backed House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and was a large proponent for legislation that bans diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education

    More than 100 LGBTQ+ leaders called on the City Club to cancel or modify the forum in the weeks leading up to the event in a public letter to the organization’s board of director and its CEO Dan Moulthrop. In a written response, the City Club acknowledged the forum’s “controversial topic” but said it is continuing its role “to provide a space where speakers can be questioned directly.”

    Elizabeth Katavich is the lead advocacy coordinator at the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. She said, she’s concerned Baer’s comments could be detrimental to gender diverse and marginalized communities.

    “We see it time and time again. There are countless statistics from the Trevor Project and many other organizations showing what a devastating effect it can have for major organizations like this to be given a platform,” Katavich said.

    The City Club of Cleveland said it is “focused on achieving diversity in ideology” of speakers and topics and will continue to be a place to “hear from candidates, lawmakers and policy leaders,” including ones the public may not agree with.

    Amanda Cole, Executive Director of Plexus LGBT & Ally Chamber of Commerce, said not enough action was taken by the City Club to mitigate the potential impact of Baer’s conversation.

    “I’m concerned that there was a lack of care in the framing of how this forum was put together. They absolutely have an impact on legislation and democracy, the shape of democracy in Ohio,” Cole said.

    While some audience members joined the LGBT Center in wearing lavender as a non-disruptive sign of support, others met across the street at Play House Square for “a public celebration of queer faith.”

    “By wearing lavender, by having strong visibility and a strong presence, and collective unity … we’re trying to build an effort both inside and outside, all across the board to show that we’re still here,” Katavich said.

    Baer spoke to forum attendees about a variety of issues, including a recent spike in suicides among transgender and non binary youth, which he said, are not directly linked to a growing number of anti-LGBTQ+ policies despite key findings from several advocacy groups, health experts and researchers.

    He also accused pediatric clinics of causing irreparable harm to children seeking gender-affirming care.’

    “Children are being sterilized for life, and so they’re being harmed irreparably is not loving them,” Baer said. “… No child was ever born in the wrong. Not telling a child you were born to the wrong body is, is a heinous act.”

    According to the National Association of Social Workers, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) temporarily pauses puberty and is reversible; and while the treatment is safe for most teens and adults, the medication is typically prescribed to people age 18 and older. 

    Trans Ohio, the state’s first statewide transgender equity group, wrote in a statement to Spectrum News that regardless of Friday’s discussion, “Trans and gender diverse people have existed in every culture around the world throughout recorded history,” and that the community will always “be a part of society and a part of Ohio.

    And while many have denounced the City Club’s actions, others have expressed their support, including Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno who cited the group’s right to free speech on social media.

    In the end, Cole said she hopes the community’s presence sends a message of positivity and resilience.

    “So my hope would be that if you’re frustrated, if you’re upset today, that you continue to let the City Club know, the board of directors know,” Cole said. “But also put that energy towards supporting the LGBTQ organizations that really, really need it so that we can support LGBTQ people to live full lives.”

    Here are some more photos from Friday:

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  • Stereophonic takes the stage at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square

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    CLEVELAND — Andrew Gombas is a member of the cast touring the country with Stereophonic, a Tony Award-winning play about a band on the brink of making it big.

    What You Need To Know

    • Stereophonic, a Tony Award-winning play about a band on the brink of making it big, is showing at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square through Jan. 26

    • The music in the show, written by Will Butler of Arcade Fire, is played and recorded by the actors on stage in real time during the show

    • One cast member, Andrew Gombas, grew up in Chicago but came to Cleveland to teach performing arts to kids across Northeast Ohio through the Great Lakes Theater

    • “I started my career here 15 years ago,” he said. “To come back and be doing this show in this building, it’s like being in some kind of Greek temple. It’s such a giant, incredible theater, so it blows my mind”

    They’re stopping at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square for three weeks, but it’s not Gombas’ first visit to the region.

    “I started my career here 15 years ago,” he said. “To come back and be doing this show in this building, it’s like being in some kind of Greek temple. It’s such a giant, incredible theater, so it blows my mind.”

    Gombas grew up in Chicago but came to Cleveland to teach performing arts to kids across Northeast Ohio through the Great Lakes Theater. 

    “It was life-changing for me,” he said. “At the time I wasn’t sure, like, do I want to be an actor? Do I want to be a musician? Do I want to be a teacher? And that program is really what solidified my decision to pursue a career in the performing arts.”

    Gombas is proud of where his experience in Cleveland has landed him. Stereophonic follows the rise of a British-American band recording an album in studio in the 70s. Cast members like Cornelius McMoyler, who plays the drummer in the band, actually play and record on stage in real time. 

    “As much as it just looks like stage business back here, guitars are really getting tuned,” McMoyler said. “And, I’m really adjusting the height on my snare at a certain point in every show. So, I mean, that’s the best part about this show is you don’t have to pretend that you’re washing dishes or something. This kitchen is real in that sense.”

    Stereophonic is showing at Playhouse through Jan. 25, but Gombas hopes it’s not his last time in the city.

    “Cleveland is an amazing place to be an artist,” he said. “There’s such an incredible community here that fosters the arts, and I still dream of moving back here and just continuing the life I had here because this is one of my favorite places to live.”

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    Nora McKeown

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  • Ohio congresswoman demands transparency on recent ICE operations

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a letter sent to Kristi Noem, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-District 3, expressed concerns with recent ICE activity in central Ohio and called for full transparency.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty sent a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement expressing concern and asking for transparency on recent ICE operations
    • She said in her letter that these have been “racially targeted raids” and were meant “to strike fear into the immigrant community”

    • Spectrum News 1 has reached out to ICE for comment

    In her letter, Beatty states that at least 214 people in the Columbus area have been detained by ICE since Dec. 17, the majority of whom were Latino or Black, as part of what’s been called Operation Buckeye.

    “These racially targeted raids began right before Christmas as a way to strike fear into the immigrant community and have largely targeted individuals without a criminal record,” her letter reads. “Furthermore, I have serious concerns surrounding the process and legal justification for this ICE operation.”

    The congresswoman notes declines in attendance at local churches and mosques due to fear. She also cited reports that ICE has been “targeting schools with large Hispanic populations.”

    In addition to these concerns, she also states that these operations have caused harm to the local economy as customers are scared to go out and support area businesses.

    Beatty said she is demanding “full transparency regarding the legal basis and the status of those detained.” Specifically, she is requesting the following information:

    1. “The full name, detention facility, and exact location of every individual detained from OH-03 currently in ICE custody;
    2. The legal justification for their detention, including charges, proceedings, case status;
    3. Whether the detainee has a criminal record;
    4. A detailed account of compliance with current law and procedures regarding the conditions in which individuals are being held, including access to medical care, mental health services, food, and legal counsel; and
    5. A full report on whether any complaints have been filed or internal reviews conducted related to racial profiling or discriminatory targeting during recent enforcement operations.”

    Spectrum News 1 has reached out to ICE for comment but has yet to hear back.

    View the full version of the letter here:

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    Cody Thompson

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  • MetroHealth host health fair to help the uninsured and underinsured

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    CLEVELAND — More than half a million Ohioans lack health insurance, and when they need care, hospitals often shoulder the cost.

    What You Need To Know

    • MetroHealth held three events to help get people coverage and healthcare information

    • MetroHealth provides more than a million dollars a day in charitable care

    • This event was held at a Ukrainian church, and MetroHealth had several Ukrainian speakers available

    In a year and a half, Cheryl Holodnak will be eligible for Medicare.

    “I can’t afford to go without insurance because I have a lot of preexisting conditions, and I take a lot of medications,” said Cheryl Holodnak, a participant of the MetroHealth’s total care connection.

    Until then, she must find her own health insurance, and she said it has been very expensive for her. When she first retired from her job, she found a plan on Cobra that she said cost her $800 a month. Her insurance will expire in February, and it increased to $1,100 a month.

    On Saturday, she took part in MetroHealth’s Total Care Connection. An event created to sign people up for health insurance, give them access to doctors, information and various types of health care assistance. This is the third event, and their first one was held in November.

    “We know lots of folks are very nervous or are afraid they experience high costs, and for some folks that will stop them from seeking health care,” said Romona Brazile, the Executive Director for Government and Community Relations at MetroHealth.

    Romona Brazile said they brought these events to the community because they saw a problem. MetroHealth provides more than a million dollars a day in charitable care. That’s care to the uninsured or those who can’t afford to pay their medical bills.

    “We have seen an increase in the number of people without health insurance, which adds to a high amount of charity costs that over long term is unsustainable for us,” said Brazile.

    Between the last two events, Brazile said they have helped over 200 people. She said these events are not just about helping with health insurance but also about meeting people where they are with what they need.

    The event on Saturday was in an area populated by many Ukrainian people. The event was held at a Ukrainian church, and MetroHealth had several Ukrainian speakers available.

    Lyudmyla Mudra is a Doctor of Nurse Practice at MetroHealth. She is also from Ukraine. Her biggest concern is Ukrainians’ unfamiliarity with local healthcare.

    She said there is also a language barrier. Dr. Mudra speaks Ukrainian, and she often translates for the patients.

    Holodnak needed help to find cheaper health insurance, something she says she could not have done without MetroHealth.

    “I got a plan for under $500,” said Holodnak. “I was eligible for financial assistance, so they signed me up for that, and I also signed up for insurance through the health markets plan.”

    If you missed this event, you can contact MetroHealth at 216mymetro or 216 697-3876 to get help.

    The last day to sign up for insurance through the marketplace is January 15th. 

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    Rose Todd

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  • Ohio running mate choices signal campaign focus

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Both Ohio gubernatorial candidates announced their running mates, providing insight into each campaign’s political strategy and priorities ahead of the 2026 election. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio gubernatorial candidates announced their running mates, providing early insight into their campaign strategies

    • Democrat Amy Acton selected former state senator David Pepper and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy chose Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as their running mates

    • Political experts said lieutenant governor selections rarely determine election outcomes but indicate how candidates intend to govern

    Democrat Amy Acton picked David Pepper, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy picked Rob McColley, signaling the qualities they value in potential governing partners.

    Political science professor David Niven of the University of Cincinnati said the choice of a lieutenant governor typically has little effect on the outcome of a statewide race.

    “It really doesn’t matter who you put on the ticket as lieutenant governor. People are paying attention to the name on the top of the ticket, and the lieutenant governor is almost like the assistant candidate,” Niven said.

    Niven added that while lieutenant governor selections may not sway many voters, they are carefully chosen to complement the candidate’s message and experience. 

    “The very first rule of lieutenant governor choice is, do no harm, you know, the very first rule. Pick folks who aren’t going to cause scandals and stories that distract from the ticket,” he said.

    Former state senator Lou Gentile said Acton’s selection of Pepper brings statewide connections and experience navigating difficult periods, a combination he said could help Democrats make their case for change.

    “He also brings to the ticket, I think, the ability to raise money, to reach out to voters across Ohio. He’s been traveling across the state, and I think it’s really important when you’re selecting somebody, the two candidates really have to be comfortable with each other,” Gentile said.

    Republican strategist Amy Natoce said Ramaswamy’s selection of McColley strengthens his campaign by combining private-sector and government experience.

    “He’s really bringing in somebody who has extensive experience working with the legislature, passing a state budget, working with the governor’s office. So he really brings in that knowledge of how to navigate government relationships,” Natoce said.

    Gentile said Acton’s decision reflects her focus on leadership and governing experience.

    “You have somebody who has local government experience, particularly in a really difficult time during the 2008 financial crisis. David was in public office in Hamilton County and helped steer them out of that. He’s done a lot as it relates to property tax reform, affordability, public safety as a public official,” Gentile said.

    Natoce said the combination appeals to voters concerned with everyday issues.

    “He’s really appealing to the Republican base and also swing voters who are looking for some new leadership and people who have done the hard work of passing a budget, passing tax cuts, those things that really matter to Ohio families,” she said.

    Political experts said a candidate’s choice of lieutenant governor reflects their priorities, their goals for office, and what voters can expect if they are elected. In Ohio, they said selecting the right balance helps candidates connect with a wide range of voters.

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    Saima Khan

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  • EPA proposal would remove Ohio wetland protections

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    TWINSBURG — Erica Matheny, the executive director of Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners, said protecting freshwater resources is critical.

    What You Need To Know

    • The EPA has proposed changing which waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act
    • The proposal would narrow what waterways are protected
    • The EPA estimates the change will remove federal protections for roughly 96% of Ohio’s wetlands
    • The rule change would make it easier for commerical and oil and gas development to happen on wetlands

    “We do a lot of work, a lot of outreach, helping to educate folks in all the communities around general environmental protections, around stormwater management,” Matheny said. 

    She spends a lot of time teaching people about the Tinker’s Creek watershed, the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River. 

    A rule change proposed by the EPA will impact waterways around the U.S by changing what bodies of water are protected by the Clean Water Act. 

    “This would be the worst rollback of federal Clean Water Act protections by an administration since it was enacted in 1972,” said Jon Devine, the Executive Director of Freshwater Ecosystems at the National Resources Defense Council.

    Devine said the proposal would create a stricter definition of what water is protected under the Clean Water Act – the new definition only protecting waterways that are filled for a majority of the year. 

    “What it would really do is really hurt those streams that don’t flow year-round, or wetlands, marshy areas,” he said.

    Devine said this would open the door to commercial, oil and gas development on these wetlands. 

    “Really, those areas will be open to being exploited,” Matheny said. 

    The U.S EPA and Army Corps of Engineers analyzed the impact of the proposal –  estimating that roughly 94% of wetlands in Ohio would lose protections under the rule change. 

    Matheny said wetlands help filter out toxins in the water and provide important flood relief. 

    “If you don’t have wetland protections, then there might not be places for floodwater to go as easily,” Matheny said. 

    Right now, the rule change is only a proposal, and Matheny encourages those who support federal protections for wetlands to make their voices heard. 

    “Speak up. If congress and local legislatures don’t realize people’s care, then they are less likely to act. This water is everyone’s water. It’s a resource that belongs to the people, so I think it’s really important that people pay attention,” Matheny said.

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    Corey O’Leary

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  • Kent State University features first North African fashion exhibit in the world

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    CLEVELAND — More than 40 clothing pieces and accessories from 24 artists and designers across the world are now on display at Kent State University, and all of them share similar roots.

    What You Need To Know

    • More diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have made their way to runways in recent years, but the fashion industry continues to face significant racial disparities

    • Nearly 70% of Black employees feel fashion jobs are inaccessible, according to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA) and PVH Corp.

    • Kent State University is helping bridge this gap by exhibiting the work of one underrepresented community

    Sara Hume is a professor and curator at Kent State University’s museum. The building also houses Kent State’s School of Fashion, which is among the top 25 fashion schools in the world and ranks fifth nationwide. The exhibit, “A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa,” showcases the work of contemporary designers who are from Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt.

    Hume said, it’s the 30th exhibition she’s worked on campus, but the first of its kind the world.

    “North Africa is full of centers of fashion. When you think about Paris, London, New York, it’s big fashion centers, but really, Casablanca is [an] amazing place and Cairo has wonderful fashions that are coming out of it,” she said. “I really want to open eyes of of people in America, in Ohio, to this richness and diversity.”

    The exhibition opened in September after several years of planning. Hume said. The exhibit is part of her larger, ongoing project to spotlight fashion from different African regions and address a common misconception in an industry where Black and African designers have historically faced underrepresentation.

    “Back in 2016, I organized an exhibition, ‘Fashions of Southern Africa.’ And that exhibition looked at fashion of South Africa and Namibia and the idea, in doing sort of smaller regions of Africa, is the message that Africa is not a monolith,” Hume said.

    The space is divided into three section: our land, disruptors and threads. Altogether, highlighting the community’s diversity and contemporary concerns in the industry.

    Hisham Oumlil launched his brand in 2005, which aims to highlight the intersection of cultures. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

    Hisham Oumlil is the only U.S.-based designer in the exhibit and is from Casablanca, Morocco.

    “We have the native atmosphere that we refer to as Berbers … we have the Black Africans, we have the Arab influence, we have the Byzantine, the Phoenicians and then we have the modern European influences. So it’s so very rich … It’s worth, representing, at the world stage.

    Oumlil, his fashion journey began in 1995 while studying and working in fashion retail in San Francisco.

    Now, Oumlil is helping spread awareness of Moroccan culture through his clothing brand Oumlil.

    “North Africans … we have always been a point of inspiration for European designers, for example. And so, to be celebrated, I think it’s really wonderful,” Oumlil said. “And it’s important, in continuing this, important dialog about the beauty of cultural intersections all throughout the world.”

    While fashion history is often told through a western lens, Oumlil said, he’s noticing the beginning of a broader shift toward equity.

    “It’s all an evolution, and it requires a collective sort of work and also an understanding from all the parties involved … by including more voices. into the fashion global, conversation,” Oumlil said. “… We have had very, very successful fashion designers who are originally from North Africa that have made very important contribution to the world of fashion.”

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    Tanya Velazquez

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  • New GLP 1 weight-loss pill released

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    OHIO — One in eight Americans now use weight loss injections, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, and those numbers are rising.

    What You Need To Know

    • A pill form of a weight-loss injection has been released

    • The weight-loss medication may be accessible to more people due to lower cost

    • The pill eliminates the need to keep medication cold when traveling

    It’s expensive and not always covered by insurance, but the Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the drug in pill form, which may make it more accessible.

    The company that makes Wegovy injections released the pill this week.

    “I think it’s actually going to be the first time that people are going to look at different options to make things more affordable for patients,” said Dr. Peminda Cabandugama, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

    “When you take in a protein or a peptide through the mouth, it gets broken down by saliva and proteins. So, they figured out this molecule that actually binds the semaglutide molecule to get down into, all the way down to the stomach,” Cabandugama said.

    Nikki Raichart has been on the injection version for two years. Prior to that, despite taking care of a dog, running a real estate business and raising six kids, Raichart said she never had a problem taking weight off.

    “Even when I had my kids, I didn’t have any problems with weight loss until I hit midlife,” she said.

    She said she’s been able to keep off the last 20 pounds she couldn’t lose no matter what she tried.

    But the injection has its drawbacks, like having to keep it cold when you travel. The pill will eliminate that concern.

    “If you’re gone for two or three weeks, you just go without it but your cravings come back a little bit,” she said.

    Cabandugama said the pill is for more than just those with a needle phobia.

    A lower cost may make it more accessible to more people “when companies no longer (have) to worry about the plastic and spring loading to make an injection,” he said.

    Cabandugama said the pill is recommended for anyone with a body mass index over 30 or with BMI over 27 and with comorbidities like type two diabetes and high blood pressure. He said it’s unclear whether it will be covered by insurance.

    The pill requires a prescription and is taken daily versus a weekly injection.

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    Kimberly Perez

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  • Meta lines up massive supply of nuclear power to energize AI data centers

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    OHIO — Meta has cut a trio of deals to power its artificial intelligence data centers, securing enough energy to light up the equivalent of about 5 million homes.

    The parent company of Facebook on Friday announced agreements with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra for nuclear power for its Prometheus AI data center that is being built in New Albany, Ohio. Meta announced Prometheus, which will be a 1-gigawatt cluster spanning across multiple data center buildings, in July. It’s anticipated to come online this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Financial terms of the deals with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra were not disclosed

    • Vistra’s 20-year PPAs to provide more than 2,600 megawatts of zero-carbon energy from three nuclear plants to support Meta operations

    • The purchases under the Vistra agreements will begin in late 2026, with additional capacity added to the grid through 2034, which is when the full 2,609 MW of power will be online

    Financial terms of the deals with TerraPower, Oklo and Vistra were not disclosed.

    Meta said its agreement with TerraPower will provide funding that supports the development of two new Natrium units capable of generating up to 690 megawatts of firm power with delivery as early as 2032. The deal also provides Meta with rights for energy from up to six other Natrium units capable of producing 2.1 gigawatts and targeted for delivery by 2035.

    Vistra’s 20-year PPAs to provide more than 2,600 megawatts of zero-carbon energy from three nuclear plants to support Meta operations. 

    These agreements include 2,176 MW of operating generation and an additional 433 MW of combine power output increases. Vistra said the agreements will also grow the local tax base, foster economic development and protect existing jobs while creating new ones. 

    Vistra will now begin planning for subsequent license extensions at all three plants, extending operations of the carbon-free assets for another 20 years. 

    “This is a unique and exciting collaboration, and Vistra is proud to partner with Meta on these long-term power purchase agreements, which ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of Vistra’s Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse, and Perry nuclear power plants for decades to come while providing a competitive solution for our customer to support its sustainable operations,” said Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra. “Importantly, this commitment from Meta provides Vistra the certainty needed to invest in these plants and communities and bring new nuclear generation online for the grid – through uprates at our existing plants.”

    Vistra’s nuclear plants involved in the agreements include:

    • Perry: A single-unit power plant located on Lake Erie, about 40 miles north of Cleveland, has a capacity of 1,268 MW and provides more than 600 full-time jobs
    • David-Besse: A single-unit power plant in Oak Harbor, about 35 miles east of Toledo, has a capacity of 908 MW and provides more than 600 full-time jobs
    • Beaver Valley: A two-unit power plant in western Pennslyvania, about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, has a capacity of 1,872 MW and provides more than 750 full-time jobs

    “At Meta, we are investing in nuclear energy because it provides clean, reliable power that is essential for advancing our AI ambitions and strengthening American leadership in energy innovation. By supporting nuclear power, we ensure that our operations – and the communities we serve – benefit from energy solutions that drive both technological progress and economic growth,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta.

    Through the agreements Meta is purchasing: 

    • 2,176 MW of nuclear energy and capacity from the operating Perry and Davis-Besse plants
    • 433 MW of incremental nuclear energy and capacity from equipment upgrades to increase generation output (called uprates) at the Perry (Ohio), Davis-Besse (Ohio), and Beaver Valley (Pennsylvania) plants

    Electricity generated at the plants will continue to go to the grid for all electricity users.

    “As recently as 2020, before Vistra owned Perry, Davis-Besse, and Beaver Valley, these plants were on a path to retirement,” said Stacey Doré, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer of Vistra. “When we signed a deal to acquire these plants in 2023, Vistra saw their tremendous contribution – to the reliability of the grid, to the stability of the region, to their local communities, and to the people who work there. Fast-forward to today and we’re investing in expanding these same plants, and thanks to our dedicated employees and a committed partner like Meta, this fleet will continue to provide reliable, carbon-free energy to power the grid of the future.”

    The purchases under the agreements will begin in late 2026, with additional capacity added to the grid through 2034, which is when the full 2,609 MW of power will be online. 

    “Bringing new nuclear generation online is key to Ohio and our nation’s growth and security, and Vistra’s significant investment is a huge win for Ohio,” said U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. “Thanks to this announcement, essential plants will remain on the grid for the long-term, supporting jobs and local revenues.”

    Each plant has received initial license renewal from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Through the agreements, Vistra can pursue subsequent license renewal for each of the reactors, extending each license an additional 20 years. Currently, Beaver Valley Unit 1 is licensed through 2036; Davis-Besse is licensed through 2037; Perry is licensed through 2046; and Beaver Valley Unit 2 is licensed through 2047.

    “This agreement reinforces Pennsylvania’s leadership in clean, reliable nuclear power and will support Pennsylvania’s workers, unlock new capacity to meet rising electricity demand, and help power economic growth and development across Beaver County and our Commonwealth,” said U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pennsylvania.

    The deal with Oklo, which counts OpenAI’s Sam Altman as one of its largest investors, will help to develop a 1.2 gigawatt power campus in Pike County, Ohio, to support Meta’s data centers in the region.

    The nuclear power agreements come after Meta announced in June that it reached a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy.

    “This partnership between Vistra and Meta taps into Pennsylvania’s strengths as a national energy leader and will create and protect good-paying jobs, grow our economy, and ultimately add more power to the grid,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania. “My administration is working to generate even more power in the Commonwealth to keep up with rising demand — with more power comes more national security, more independence, and more economic freedom. Projects like this — bringing new clean energy to our grid to power next generation technology — are exactly the types of projects we want to welcome to the Commonwealth.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Madison MacArthur, Associated Press

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