The iOpener: Ohio House Passes Bill Ending State School Takeovers; Indians Ace Kluber Breaks Arm

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Ohio’s House of Representatives has approved a bill that would end state takeovers of local school districts.  House Bill 154 would dissolve academic distress commissions, including the ones currently governing the schools in Youngstown, East Cleveland and Lorain, and give local communities the power to come up with their own improvement plans.  It’s one of three bills seeking changes to HB70, the legislation passed in one day in 2015 that set up the controversial state takeover process.

A candidate for Amherst City Council is facing a backlash for a racially insensitive post he made on Facebook.  David Kovacs had posted a photo of a Congolese game warden and two gorillas and suggested that local rappers use it for their next album cover, drawing comments that it was “racist” and “ignorant.”  Others said they saw nothing wrong with Kovacs’ post. Kovacs said there was no racial connotation to his post.    On Facebook, he apologized to friends and family for any embarrassment he caused them.

The Summit County Democratic Party is refusing to back the incumbents in three Akron City Council races, choosing instead to endorse their primary opponents. Party Chairman Tom Bevan said Ward 2 Councilman Bruce Kilby, Ward 6 Councilman Bob Hoch and Ward 10 Councilman Zack Milkovich don’t support the local party “in any way.”  In a mailer to voters, party officials say their reelection would be no better than letting a Republican win.   

Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber broke his right forearm during the Tribe’s 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins.  He was struck by a 102 mph line drive off Brian Anderson in the fifth inning.  He’ll get evaluated in Cleveland today to determine how long he’ll be out. 

Local fans of the long-running TV game show “Wheel of Fortune” will get an opportunity next week to audition to be a contestant.  Open auditions will be held at the MGM Northfield Park on May 11-12.  Names will be drawn at random for aspiring contestants to play a simulated game.

The Columbus Blue Jackets seek a third consecutive win against the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their second round Stanley Cup playoff series.  CBJ leads the Eastern Conference semifinal, 2 games to 1.  The action gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

Weather forecast: Scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day and into the evening.  Some strong thunderstorms possible with heavy rain and severe, 50 to 60 mph winds.  Local flooding possible due to the additional rainfall and saturated soil from rain earlier this week.  Cloudy, high 63.  Tonight, Rain, with a thunderstorm overnight, low 55.