The iOpener: Hundreds Rally Against New Abortion Ban; Fake Fundraising for Marathoner; Indians Lose

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Wednesday, May 22, 2019.  

Hundreds of demonstrators filled Cleveland’s Public Square for a rally against Ohio’s new “heartbeat” abortion ban.  A similar rally was held on the Statehouse steps in Columbus. Thousands of people took part in similar rallies across the country on Tuesday as part of the #StopTheBans movement against the recent wave of anti-abortion legislation.  (Did you attend the rally, or the one at the Statehouse? Tell us about your experience and why you were there, whether you were there to protest against the state's new abortion ban or in support of it.  Call our Listener Contribution Line, 216-916-6476.)

The man convicted of killing a couple during a break-in attempt at the Mr. Cars dealership in Cleveland has been sentenced to death.  Joseph McAlpin, who represented himself during the trial, thanked Common Pleas Court Judge Brian Corrigan and county prosecutors for their patience. He also vowed to continue the fight. Judge Corrigan acknowledged McAlpin had a difficult childhood but said that was not enough to outweigh what he did.

A friend of the family of a Medina woman who collapsed and died while running in the Cleveland Marathon says they're shocked and hurt by fake fundraising accounts that have appeared online.  Stacey Kouzelos said two phony GoGetFunding pages have appeared since Taylor Ceepo's death Sunday. Kouzelos said Ceepo's family only requested that donations go to Akron Children's Hospital. 

For the third time in three weeks, Republicans and Democrats in Ohio’s House of Representatives unveiled several bills that have both parties’ support. The bills include one that would prioritize treatment instead of conviction for non-violent, low-level offenders.  The Republican leader of the House, Larry Householder, said he’s committed to work with Democrats, who helped elect him as speaker in January. 

The Cavs’ new head coach, John Beilein, used the time before his official introductory news conference at the Cavs’ workout facility in Independence to put Collin Sexton and Larry Nance Jr. through some drills. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said Beilein’s ability to bond and develop young players was one of his top qualities as a coach. Beilein comes to the NBA and the Cavs after 12 years with the University of Michigan, where he took the Wolverines to a pair of NCAA championship game appearances and was the winningest coach in the school’s history. 

The Oakland Athletics beat the Indians, 5-3. Trevor Bauer struggled with his command in the loss, throwing a season-high 123 pitches. Indians catcher Roberto Perez was hit in the face mask with a foul ball in the third inning but was pulled from the game prior to the start of the fifth inning for evaluation. He was diagnosed with a concussion. "I don't need to play doctor," said manager Terry Francona, "but it seems very mild.".

Weather forecast: Isolated showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, high 77.  Tonight, showers linger until around 1 a.m.  Cloudy, low 66.  Tomorrow, Partly sunny, with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.  High 80.