Gov. DeWine pushes school cellphone ban — again: The Wake Up for Thursday, March 13, 2025

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Cellphones are behind the rising rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide in young people. And young people have a hard time putting them down.

That’s why Gov. Mike DeWine wants Ohio to purge cellphones from its schools’ classrooms.

In his annual State of the State address Wednesday, DeWine asked lawmakers to pass legislation to block phones during school hours.

He asked the same thing last year. But instead they unanimously passed a watered-down bill that required schools to develop a phone policy to “emphasize” that phone use be “as limited as possible” during school hours and “reduce” phone distractions.

While some districts, like Cleveland Metropolitan School District, have chosen to enforce a cellphone-free environment to enhance student learning and academic performance, at other schools kids scroll their screens during lunch.

As a mom of two screen-distracted adolescents, I say, please, take them away.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny and mild

Statehouse and Politics

State of the State: During his 71-minute State of the State speech Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine outlined plans to put newly appointed Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel in charge of initiatives to promote physical fitness in schools and coordinating with business and higher-education leaders to fill in-demand jobs, reports Jeremy Pelzer.

Tressel playbook: Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is now in charge of “Ohio’s Workforce Playbook,” an initiative Gov. Mike DeWine announced during his annual State of the State speech Wednesday. Anna Staver reports Tressel will identify job needs and education/skill requirements for different areas across the state.

Social studies: Gov. Mike DeWine announced new social studies initiatives Wednesday, including using history, geography and civics content to teach students reading and writing skills, reports Laura Hancock.

NASA move? When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration‘s lease on its current Washington, D.C., headquarters expires in 2028, Ohio members of Congress want NASA to move its headquarters to Ohio. Sabrina Eaton reports that Ohio Congress members argue that bringing the headquarters of the nearly 18,000 employee agency to their state would align with broader government efforts to decentralize federal agencies and reinvigorate parts of the country outside Washington.

Irish breakfast: Vice President JD Vance welcomed Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin for an early St. Patrick’s Day breakfast Wednesday at the vice presidential residence, where the trans-Atlantic politicos bonded on socks, family vacations and the Appalachian trail, reports Sabrina Eaton.

Porn restrictions: Two Ohio Republicans renewed efforts this week to force pornography websites to require photo identification or similar means to verify viewers’ age – legislation that has prompted publishers to cut off service in other states with similar laws. Jake Zuckerman reports that state Reps. Steven Demetriou, of Geauga County, and Josh Williams, of Toledo, told the House Technology and Innovation Committee the bill would protect children from pornography, which has been associated with higher rates of self-reported sexual aggression or social isolation.

Northeast Ohio News

DEI: Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity — created in 1977 to make sure city contracts included minority-owned, female-owned and small businesses — has plans for major changes in 2025, reports Sean McDonnell. This is amid a Supreme Court ruling and attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion more broadly.

Bulkley Residences: It is curtain time for Playhouse Square’s new Bulkley Residences at 1501 Euclid Ave. Megan Sims reports the 84-unit apartments span the fourth through seventh floors of Playhouse Square’s Bulkley Building and are ready to be leased.

Metroparks jobs: Cleveland Metroparks is hiring for 1,000 summer jobs across its zoo, parks, concessions, restaurants, marinas and golf courses. Jobs are available to people aged 16 and older, and positions include cooks, bartenders, cashiers, lifeguards, golf camp counselors, horticulturists and grounds maintenance.

Business and Health

Infant mortality: The number of Ohio babies dying before their first birthday has dropped to its lowest rate in 20 years. Anna Staver reports that preliminary numbers from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth put the state’s infant mortality rate at 6.5 per 1,000 live births for 2024.

Spirit Airlines: Spirit Airlines, which has said it will emerge from bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks, is adding a new destination for Cleveland-area fliers, Susan Glaser reports. The carrier plans to fly twice a week between Hopkins International Airport and Nashville, starting May 8. The flights will run on Thursdays and Sundays.

Casino revenue: Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos brought in approximately $181.2 million in gambling revenue in January, reflecting a $26.2 million decline from the previous month, reports Molly Walsh. Compared to the same period last year, casinos and racinos saw a slight decline in revenue, with January 2024 figures reaching $176.1 million.

Last Sears: Ohio’s last Sears store, which has sat vacant since closing in 2020, has been readied for use by a car dealership, reports Rich Exner. The city of North Olmsted issued an occupancy permit March 6 for the Rafih Auto Group/R6 Motors to use the former Sears auto store area attached to the Great Northern Mall as a “showroom, office, workshop.”

Pest Index: The National Pest Management Association’s Public Health Pest Index indicates the U.S. cities most at risk for seeing a surge in disease-spreading mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches and rodents during the next few months. Julie Washington reports that if populations of cockroaches and ticks grow in Ohio this spring, it could lead to more asthma attacks and Lyme disease.

Eating well: People heal better when they eat well, says Lu-Jean Feng, a microvascular plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of FengClinic in Pepper Pike. Paris Wolfe reports That’s She introduced FengFit Foods, a collection of plant-based soups, salads, dressings, entrees, smoothies and snacks. These are created to be nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory.

Crime and Courts

Deadly crash: Four people – likely teenagers – died in a crash early Wednesday after their reportedly stolen Hyundai Sonata pinballed after striking a tree, reports Olivia Mitchell.

Crop Bistro: The former owner of Crop Bistro in Cleveland was indicted Tuesday on charges of fleecing a federal program out of $800,000 in pandemic funds. A Cuyahoga County grand jury charged Marcelo Fadul Neves, 59, of Westlake, with aggravated theft, telecommunications fraud, grand theft and tampering with records.

Chase crash: A police chase that began in Bedford Heights ended in a fiery crash Monday in Cleveland, reports Olivia Mitchell.

Life in prison: A Shaker Heights man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the slayings of two Cleveland brothers in 2020, reports David Gambino.

Arts and Entertainment

Brel’s: Brel’s has replaced The Ghost Light Restaurant & Lounge restaurant in The Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square, reports Paris Wolfe. The name pays homage to “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” the long-running 1970s show that saved Playhouse Square from a wrecking ball.

Arts prize: Cleveland Arts Prize has announced five recipients of its 2025 (On the) Verge Fellowship, which recognizes developing artists across all disciplines from the Cleveland area, reports Peter Chakerian.

You’re all caught up

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— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by by Cliff Pinckard.