Here are some of the topics ahead on The Reporters Roundtable this week.
Ohio's redistricting process seems to be stuck in a repetitive loop. This week, the Ohio Redistricting Commission approved a fourth set of maps for the Ohio House and Ohio Senate. But instead of the maps being drawn by two independent mapmakers, hired by the commission—and watched in real-time on a live web stream--the commission instead approved a Republican-drawn map that had been created out of public view.
Now the Ohio Supreme Court, for a second time, is asking members to respond to claims that they should be held in contempt of court. Voting-rights groups -- the plaintiffs in the lawsuits challenging the maps -- made the claims, contending the latest maps passed by the commission are essentially just the last version of the maps already ruled unconstitutional, with little if any revision.
Dave's Market says it will close its Euclid Beach location in Collinwood, at the end of this month. The store's owners cite a number of economic factors that played into the decision to close including a 50% rent increase, low sales volume, and declining revenues. The store is the only full-service supermarket operating on the city's northeast side. Its departure will leave the low-income residents in that part of the city without easily accessible fresh produce.
Cuyahoga County wants to find ways to connect the lakefront parks that stretch along the Lake Erie shore from Bay Village to Euclid. The county released a 102-page plan, along with an interactive web site that laid out ideas for giving residents and visitors more access to the lakefront. The plan builds on improvements already being developed by the county, city of Cleveland and the suburbs.
The Cuyahoga County committee involved in planning for a new jail appears to have settled on a new location, near downtown Cleveland. The Justice Center Executive Steering Committee will vote on the proposed site at their meeting on Tuesday. The site is located across the Cuyahoga River, east of the Tremont neighborhood. Cuyahoga County council will have the final say on the site, once a sale price for the land parcels is known.
Cleveland City Council's safety committee approved a proposal this week that would allow police to seek access to home security cameras, such as the Ring doorbell camera system - even if they are installed in private homes. Police could request the footage from cameras placed in homes by any security company in Cleveland. The rules for accessing the footage would be based on agreements between home security customers, and those security companies. The measure still must be approved by the full council.
Andrew Meyer, News Director, WKSU, Ideastream Public Media
Gabriel Kramer, Multiple Media Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Public Media
Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV
