What Happened Now? A Cleveland Newsletter Issue 883: Oct. 9, 2025
"What Happened Now?" is alively roundup and analysis of the top stories of the day in Northeast Ohio from News 5'sJoe Donatelli. It’s like getting the news from a friend who didn't expect to see the governor waving edibles around yesterday.
Gov. DeWine is here to harsh your mellow, man: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed an executive order temporarily banning "intoxicating" hemp, low-level THC products such as delta 8, because the "availability and abuse of intoxicating hemp products remains a serious threat to public health and safety." The ban lasts for 90 days. Delta 8 is a cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant that is enjoyed by college students and Solon soccer moms alike. Ohio doesn't have an age requirement to buy delta 8 because it is .3% or less of THC. Thus, hemp products can be sold almost anywhere in the state, and the government has no jurisdiction over them. Well, well, well, the party of small government will just have to see about that. More from Morgan Trau.
You know those international students who pay big bucks to study at Ohio colleges? They’re staying away in droves following the Trump administration’s increased scrutiny of global students, reports Signal Cleveland. These students often pay full tuition rates, says Signal, unlike many of their American peers. Local colleges such as Cleveland State are losing millions as a result.
The stories in which kids are attacked or killed are the worst: For me, they’re the hardest part of working in local news. I’m only sharing this one because we got so many emails from the public asking us to look into it. We didn’t go on air until after we talked to the mother of the 5-year-old who was attacked. I admire reporters like Nadeen Abusada for being able to tell these hard-to-tell stories. If you sort of heard something about this story and want to know all there is to know, you can watch here. If you don’t want your day ruined, skip it.
New newsletter delivery system: The company I work for is switching email vendors, so if today’s newsletter looks a little different to you, that’s why. Let me know if you have any issues at joe.donatelli@wews.com.
