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Because marijuana remains illegal federally, dispensaries can’t advertise on TV or the radio. So in Michigan they bought up billboards across the state.
The result: Michigan highways are lined with a forest of distracting signs pushing pot, with puns like “Stop by and say high!”
(My personal favorite was a banner trailing from an airplane that said “Weed and bud.” My mom thought it was for a garden store.)
Ohio won’t be so loaded with billboards, though, after the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review waved through a state ban on such signage.
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Ohio warns the rule could violate companies’ First Amendment rights. But even Detroit has recently curtailed the ads. Marijuana and vaping ads are now banned from within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries and other spots where kids congregate.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Messy wintry mix
Top Stories
Marijuana advertising: Ohio is banning advertisements of recreational marijuana dispensaries on billboards, radio, television or the internet and in stadiums and arenas, reports Laura Hancock.
Baseball award: Paul Hoynes, the dogged baseball voice of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Career Excellence Award — the highest honor a baseball writer can receive. Joe Noga reports that a year after Guardians broadcasting legend Tom Hamilton enjoyed his moment in Cooperstown, N.Y., Hoynes will be celebrated there during the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction weekend in July.
Today in Ohio: U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi recently brushed aside allegations of discrimination tied to the administration’s firing of a Cleveland immigration judge. We’re talking about the lawsuit filed by Tania Nemer, a Summit County attorney, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
ACA subsidies: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is proposing legislation to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for two years, introducing new restrictions like a $5 monthly minimum premium and citizenship requirements. Sabrina Eaton reports the bill aims to address the upcoming expiration of enhanced tax credits while implementing measures to reduce potential fraud.
Hemp regulations: The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 56, which prohibits sales of hemp-based items with over 0.4 milligrams of THC outside licensed dispensaries and makes significant changes to the state’s recreational marijuana law. Jeremy Pelzer and Mary Frances McGowan report the legislation includes restrictions on marijuana transportation, landlord rights, and creates new criminal penalties for certain marijuana-related activities.
Spending restrictions: The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case brought by Vice President JD Vance challenging limits on political party spending in coordination with federal candidates. Sabrina Eaton reports the case explores potential corruption risks and First Amendment free speech rights in campaign finance regulations.
Sloopys: Cleveland.com is hosting the 2025 Sloopy Awards, with voting open for categories like Biggest Windbag and Funniest Politician, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
Northeast Ohio News
Cleveland schools: Cleveland’s school board unanimously approved a plan Tuesday night that drastically consolidates the school district’s footprint ahead of the 2026-27 school year, Sean McDonnell reports. Cleveland Metropolitan School District will close 23 buildings and operate 29 fewer schools, changes CEO Warren Morgan says are needed to confront steep drops in enrollment and a looming $150 million deficit.
Stadium funding: A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to stop the state of Ohio from raiding $1.7 billion from its unclaimed property fund to help build a new Cleveland Browns stadium, among other projects, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
IT upgrade: Cuyahoga County must upgrade its IT system again, but this time, officials say the process won’t be nearly as painful or as costly as the first overhaul, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The county’s initial transition to the Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, platform starting in 2016 quickly unraveled into a budget‑busting, delay‑ridden, leadership‑challenged undertaking.
Waterfront development: Cleveland’s waterfront development organization is nearing the selection of a developer for the current Browns stadium site, with proposals including entertainment, housing and public spaces, Rich Exner reports.
Pickleball: Rocky River has resumed adult pickleball at the Civic Center after a month-long pause due to behavioral issues, now requiring registration and extra fees to ensure a welcoming environment, reports Cory Shaffer.
Tanisha’s Law: Cleveland City Council is considering Tanisha’s Law to send clinicians instead of police to some 911 calls, with other cities already implementing similar programs, reports Sean McDonnell.
Traffic stops: Cleveland police made nearly 16,000 traffic stops in 2024, mostly for speeding and registration issues, with Black drivers 3.7 times more likely to be stopped than white drivers, reports Adam Ferrise.
RTA change: RTA’s Cleveland State Line will be no more, but the same bus service will continue on the same routes through the West Side and western suburbs, Rich Exner reports.
Mentor election: A single vote decided Mentor’s at-large city council race, final results showed Tuesday, when the Lake County Board of Elections certified recounts in two of the closest contests from the Nov. 4 election, Molly Walsh reports.
Splash pad: Mentor approved a $5.94 million contract for a new splash pad and bathhouse at Garfield Park, aiming to serve the growing south side, reports Molly Walsh.
Watershed plan: Lake County officials seek public input at a Dec. 19 meeting on updating the Red Creek-Grand River Watershed Plan, which would improve water quality and address flooding concerns, reports Molly Walsh.
Lorain megasite: Lorain County residents protested a proposed industrial megasite, citing concerns over funding gaps, environmental impacts, and lack of public input, despite the county receiving $67.4 million for infrastructure upgrades, reports Hannah Drown.
Health Care and Business
Epilepsy rates: A Case Western Reserve University study shows higher epilepsy rates in Northeast Ohio counties, linked to socioeconomic and environmental factors like extreme heat, reports Julie Washington.
RubberDucks: Prospector Baseball Group has acquired the Akron RubberDucks from Ken Babby, also taking over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, with no announced name change. Marc Bona reports on the sale of the Cleveland Guardians Class AA affiliate and the team’s future plans. The new owners describe the team as “one of the iconic franchises in all of minor league baseball,” reports Joe Noga.
Layoff notice: Property management company PK Management is closing its facility in Richmond Heights, resulting in the loss of nearly 70 jobs, Cliff Pinckard reports.
Crime and Courts
Safety Patrol lawsuit: A former supervisor of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office’s Downtown Safety Patrol unit permanently injured an unarmed motorist during a routine traffic stop, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed Monday, David Gambino reports.
Hopkins arrest: A suspect was taken into custody at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Sunday evening after making threatening statements about activity there, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Guilty plea: An 89-year-old Parma man has pleaded guilty after being charged with a hit-and-run accident that wounded a mother and her 2-year-old child, Lucas Daprile reports.
Meth trafficking: Three men are charged with funneling large amounts of meth from Mexico to Cleveland, Adam Ferrise reports. The indictment details shipments from Sonora and Arizona, with authorities using wiretaps to establish the connection.
Arts and Entertainment
Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez discusses how to handle sharing difficult medical news, emphasizing keeping family informed until more details are known and advising on communicating with employers, all while respecting the patient’s wishes.
Alison Krauss: Alison Krauss and Union Station will tour in 2026, performing in Akron on June 24, supporting their album “Arcadia.” Malcolm X Abram writes about the bluegrass group’s return to the stage with new material.
Ski openings: Ohio’s Snow Trails ski resort in Mansfield will open Thursday, making it the first in Ohio to start the season, with Mad River Mountain near Columbus opening the next day, reports Susan Glaser.
Film events: The Greater Cleveland Film Commission will host multiple events in January, including a gala with David Lester from “Star Wars” and a free production assistant workshop to promote the region’s growing film industry, Joey Morona reports.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a nearly 30-year holiday tradition, requiring extensive logistics. Peter Chakerian highlights Cleveland’s deep connection to their success and annual performances.
Orchestra finances: The Cleveland Orchestra reported a strong fiscal year with a balanced budget, increased endowment and expanded audience reach, reports Zachary Lewis.
Congressional baseball: Cleveland-born author J.B. Manheim explores the history and ongoing popularity of the congressional baseball game, which started in 1909 and raises millions for charity, Marc Bona reports.
‘Kitchen Fables’: Lake Erie Ink’s “Kitchen Fables” is a community cookbook mixing recipes, stories, poems and artwork from Clevelanders of all ages, celebrating creativity and connections, Alex Darus reports.
You’re all caught up
Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.
— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.
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