Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish

Lawmakers heard a proposal to expand the county's cigarette tax last year

A letter from Armond Budish and Pernel Jones criticized Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, Judge Brendan Sheehan, and Public Defender Cullen Sweeney for putting up road blocks

Cuyahoga County leaders Wednesday announced plans to spend $27 million in federal stimulus funds on a raft of projects ranging from workforce development to an expansion of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

The former employee alleged county officials retaliated against her for complaining about a shortage of nurses at the jail and other issues.

A fast-tracked map of Ohio’s new congressional districts has cleared the Ohio Senate and is headed to the House; an investigation by Summit County’s prosecutor will not result in charges against Hudson’s mayor; Cleveland’s baseball team has resolved a lawsuit filed by a local roller derby team over naming rights; and more stories.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish on Wednesday announced plans to pay for a new jail by extending the life of a 0.25 percent sales tax; a debate over teaching the role of racism in American history has been highlighted as a committee weighs two bills before Ohio legislators that would prohibit such instruction; a federal judge has dismissed some of the biggest unsettled lawsuits filed by men who say Ohio State University officials failed to stop decades-old sexual abuse by a now-deceased team doctor; and more stories.

The purpose of the funding is to address poverty and inequity in the area, and residents and local leadership don't see eye to eye on improvements.

Just 17 of Ohio’s 88 counties remain at Level 3 red for spread of the coronavirus; University of Akron President Gary Miller has introduced a plan drawing on the school’s arts programs to give downtown a boost post-pandemic; Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced a new program to focus county resources on economically struggling places; and more stories.

The county government leader says the county is preparing for an influx of resources for neighborhoods with the most economic needs.

The county executive says more state and local aid is needed to deal with the pandemic next year.