What Happened Now? A Cleveland Newsletter
Issue 725: January 20, 2025
"What Happened Now?" is a lively roundup and analysis of the top stories of the day in Northeast Ohio from News 5's Joe Donatelli. It’s like getting the news from a friend who was an altar boy at the wedding of Big Chuck’s daughter. One of my few childhood brushes with local fame. Subscribe Here.
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We’ve lost a Cleveland TV legend: "Big Chuck" Schodowski died last night at age 90, according to WJW. Schodowski entertained generations of Northeast Ohioans over a five-decade career and was best known for his sketch comedy show, "Big Chuck and Lil' John," which aired for 28 years. The Akron Beacon Journal reflects on a career that will never be replicated. RIP, Big Chuck.
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It will only get colder: Sub-zero wind chills have settled in, and it does not look like wind chills will get out of the negatives until midweek. That's right. We'll have wind chills BELOW zero all Monday, all Tuesday and most of Wednesday. Brutal.
- Water mains are – as happens every time it gets cold – breaking
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Cities are sounding the alarm on the cold by opening warming centers
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Who is Ohio’s next governor? Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, the frontrunner to become governor in 2026, is heading to the U.S. Senate. Here's who is throwing their hat in the race to become the future leader of the Buckeye State, according to Morgan Trau.
- Dave Yost
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Robert Sprague
- Vivek Ramaswamy
- Amy Acton
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And several more who fall into the category of others
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Transformation underway at one of Downtown Cleveland's tallest buildings: Remember the Galleria? I do. It was a huge deal when it opened. Today, it’s mostly empty. After years of planning, construction is finally starting to turn the neighboring Tower at Erieview into Ohio's first W hotel and apartments – plus a high-rise restaurant. Phase 2 tackles the Galleria. Watch Michelle Jarboe’s report on the ambitious plan to revitalize a key piece of Downtown real estate.
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Martin Luther King Day: My capstone course at Ohio University was the study of nonviolent resistance. We spent quite a bit of time on King’s speeches and the Civil Rights Movement. He was a remarkable man who did historic things, and his words ring eternal for good reason. If you’ve never spent time with his thoughts, I recommend it. King's speeches are on YouTube, and books filled with his words are available at the library and in bookstores. I still think about that class a lot. The discipline of nonviolent protest is difficult but powerful. The effects, lasting.