Terrance C.Z. Egger, President and Publisher, The Plain Dealer
Egger and editor Debra Adams Simmons announced Thursday that the paper will continue to publish a print edition seven days a week, but will cut home delivery to three days a week starting this summer. On days the paper is not home delivered, readers can buy it at the usual retail outlets. Egger says the moves adapt the paper to changes in the market which is increasingly turning to digital news products.
Roundtable: James F. McCarty, reporter, The Plain Dealer; Harry Boomer, reporter, 19 Action News; Sarah Jane Tribble, reporter, The Plain Dealer.
County Corruption Case
Former electrical contractor Michael Forlani will spend eight years in federal prison for bribing public officials, including ex-commissioner Jimmy Dimora. Forlani pleaded guilty to issuing the bribes in return for contracts to work on public projects. Dimora is already serving time for accepting bribes from Forlani and others. Dimora’s lawyers this week appealed his conviction, claiming judge Sara Lioi failed to admit exculpatory evidence.
High Toll for Gun Violence
A new study from Cleveland State University tallied up the number of Americans killed or wounded by gunshots since 2001 at nearly a million. CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs dean Ned Hill, who wrote the study, said it proves there’s an epidemic of violence with guns at their core. 32,000 Americans are killed by gunshots, 73,000 are wounded. About 18% of the wounds are self-inflicted.
New Costume for Playhouse Square
Operators of Cleveland’s downtown theater district will spend $16 million sprucing up the streetscape. The intersection of Euclid and East 14th will be adorned with a 24-foot chandelier evoking those found inside the theaters. New signs and lighting plus a makeover for Star Plaza will brighten the face of Ohio’s most concentrated live entertainment venue. The work is to be completed by next year.