Who catches a court mistake before families live with the consequences? Cleveland 13’s expanding investigation examines records from three Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations cases involving Judge Colleen Ann Reali. An appeals court identified a legal error but upheld a protection order, another case contains conflicting accounts of who was protected, and a third shows substantial judicial revision. Together, they raise urgent questions about how court findings are checked and

There is an expectation inside every courtroom that does not require much explanation. That people are expected to tell the truth. Witnesses swear to it, litigants sign affidavits under oath, attorneys can face serious consequences for knowingly misleading the court, and judges routinely determine whether someone’s explanation is credible by comparing their words against documents, recordings and testimony.

Official Cuyahoga County Board of Elections records show “Colleen Reali” signing into the Board of Elections at 1:21 p.m. that same afternoon, January 12th, and signing out at 1:33 p.m. The election records also show that January 12th was the day Reali filed her candidacy paperwork seeking another six-year term. The Board of Elections currently lists the November 3, 2026 general-election candidate information through its official candidate's page. Board of Election Sign-In Sh

The Supreme Court has stopped the Trump administration from moving forward with a controversial USPS mail ballot rule ahead of the midterms, keeping state election laws in place for now. The 7-2 decision leaves a major legal fight unresolved and could shape how far federal power reaches in future elections.

A Cleveland 13 investigation into Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court uncovers systemic questions of power, political influence, and unchecked discretion. Backed by insider whistleblowers, audio recordings, and court records, the findings reach far beyond one former judge. Join the Cuyahoga County Family Court Accountability Project rally outside the courthouse this October, followed by the premiere of our full investigative exposé. Read the evidence and decide for yours

A lawsuit is challenging Truth Social's $100,000-a-month data feed, which allegedly gives paying firms a split-second edge on posts from the president and the White House. Plaintiffs argue the service turns official government communications into a premium product, raising serious questions about access, power and profit.

A sweeping Ohio attendance law is changing how schools track missed class time, and even excused absences can now count toward chronic absenteeism thresholds. Families dealing with illness, grief or routine appointments could still see those hours added to a student’s total as districts roll out new intervention rules statewide.

A 26-year-old Beachwood woman was sentenced Thursday morning to life without parole, the maximum sentence available, for raping a 12-month-old child who was in her care while she worked as a nanny in Geauga County in 2024. Judge Matthew Rambo sentenced Molly E. Duncan on one count of rape of a child under 10 years old, according to the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office. Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said, “This Defendant violated a position of trust and victimized a chi

Felony charges against Olympian David Hearn were dropped after prosecutors discovered that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool stemmed from a contractor’s faulty installation, not vandalism. The Department of Justice admits it wouldn’t have indicted Hearn if all facts were known, as new evidence points to rushed work before Independence Day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not said if Hearn will get the apology his lawyers demand.

Decades, a popular bar in Cleveland's Flats, is leaving its location after a heated dispute with building management. Owner Bryan Dall says the business won't reopen at the current spot but plans to relocate. The move follows weeks of uncertainty, legal wrangling, and accusations over security and lease terms. Details on the new location remain unannounced as Decades works to secure a fresh start.

Former Cuyahoga County Judge Leslie Celebrezze was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to felony tampering with public records, ending a sweeping court corruption scandal. The case, driven by whistleblowers and reporters, uncovered abuses of power and triggered new investigations. This dramatic downfall from a storied political family has shaken public trust and raised urgent questions about local judicial accountability.

The Justice Department has unveiled a sweeping settlement shielding President Trump, his family, and business entities from any IRS audits or enforcement on past tax returns. In exchange, Trump dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The unprecedented agreement arrives as the administration launches a controversial $1.8 billion fund for those it deems victims of politically motivated prosecutions, drawing intense scrutiny and debate.

A Franklin County magistrate issued a preliminary injunction blocking Ohio from reclassifying unclaimed funds as state property after 10 years. The ruling finds House Bill 96 likely violates Ohio’s takings and due process clauses, halting plans to transfer $1.7B-$1.9B to a sports facilities commission, including $600M tied to a proposed Browns stadium in Brook Park.

Trump has removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary amid escalating pressure over DHS spending, including a $220 million immigration ad campaign and questions about how the contract was awarded. Trump named Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as his pick to lead the agency, pending Senate confirmation. Oversight inquiries are expected to continue.

President Donald Trump and the EPA have rescinded the 2009 Endangerment Finding that underpinned federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. The administration says the move will cut costs and save the economy $1.3 trillion, while health and environmental advocates warn it could worsen air quality and respiratory illness. Legal experts expect years of litigation.

The Trump administration has filed a notice of corrections in federal court, admitting that DOGE members accessed and retained sensitive Social Security Administration data. The filing reveals that a DOGE team member signed a data agreement with a political group seeking to overturn election results. This admission contradicts previous statements made to the court regarding a temporary restraining order and the group’s primary mission of identifying waste and government fraud

Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a letter in New York federal court arguing against the appointment of a special master to oversee the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files. Despite the Epstein Transparency Act’s deadline passing nearly a month ago, the DOJ claims lawmakers Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie lack the legal standing to intervene. Bondi highlighted that the legislation lacks a specific enforcement mechanism to compel a faster release through the court system.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are refusing a House Oversight deposition tied to Jeffrey Epstein, arguing the subpoena is invalid and unfair after other subpoenas were dropped. Chairman James Comer says the committee could move next week to hold Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress, escalating a high-stakes fight over testimony and transparency.

This move has raised sharp concerns from lawmakers, transparency advocates, and legal experts who question whether the timing and purpose of

Construction crews began work at the East Wing’s main entrance, where guests traditionally arrive. While it remains unclear how much of the wing will be removed, early images show that the original corridor remains visible in renderings of the new ballroom design, suggesting the extension will expand outward from the existing structure. The East Wing, completed in its current form in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, has historically housed the Office of the First L