The lone star tick has officially established itself in Ohio, prompting urgent warnings from health officials. Linked to severe allergies and the rare Heartland virus, the tick's spread is fueled by mild winters and growing deer populations. Experts urge families to protect themselves outdoors and check for ticks immediately after exposure. Stay alert as tick-borne illnesses rise across the state.

Long-term health and fitness aren’t built on crash diets or extreme routines—they’re forged through daily habits and unwavering consistency. Learn how simple routines, resilience in social settings, and a shift in mindset from short-term sacrifice to lifelong investment can lead to authentic transformation and lasting results. Discover why sustainable choices matter far more than fleeting fitness kicks.

Northeast Ohio health experts are spotlighting a new wave of nutrient-dense diets that target inflammation and optimize performance. Local fitness circles are adopting routines combining specific foods—like turmeric with black pepper and creative pre- and post-workout snacks—to enhance both physical and cognitive health. These disciplined plans ban processed foods and offer smart fast-food swaps, fueling the region’s nutrition revolution.

Shores & Islands Ohio has launched free, themed digital tour trails to guide visitors through family-friendly attractions, local businesses, and hidden gems in the Sandusky area. Visitors can use their smartphones to check in at locations, earn points, and redeem prizes, making exploration fun and rewarding. From art trails to sweet treats and wildlife parks, these guides offer something for everyone seeking adventure or relaxation.

Cleveland Heights residents lined up May 7 for the city’s third annual equipment exchange, trading gas mowers and, for the first time, leaf blowers for battery-powered DeWalt replacements at no cost. Officials cite small-engine pollution and local asthma concerns, with a NOPEC grant covering 100% of the equipment.

A major new exhibit is rolling into Cleveland. Starting May 8, 2026, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum will debut “Keep On Truckin’: Rise of the Great American Truck,” a featured stop on the America 250-Ohio Transportation Trail. From early modified “horseless carriages” to today’s luxury pickups, the show traces how trucks transformed commerce, culture and Cleveland’s industrial legacy.

The Headlands Birding Festival is returning to Lake Erie’s shores Sept. 18-20, 2026, with guided walks, a Lake Erie boat trip, vendors and food trucks, and live bird-banding demonstrations. Organizers say Lake County’s geography creates a major fall migration corridor, with 352 species recorded locally. Registration is set to open July 1.

CBD products are now a staple across Northeast Ohio, and a federal push to reclassify cannabis is raising new questions about daily use. This guide explains how CBD works in the body, what the FDA evidence shows, why product quality varies, and the key safety issues shoppers should watch for, including drug interactions, full-spectrum THC and workplace testing.

A major piece of maritime history is coming to Cleveland. Starting May 21, the Great Lakes Science Center will host TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition, featuring more than 200 authentic items recovered from the North Atlantic debris field. The experience includes life-size recreations and an optional virtual reality add-on, with the exhibit scheduled to run through Jan. 18, 2027.

New research is spotlighting a key twist in intermittent fasting: when you eat may matter as much as how long you fast. Studies suggest an early eating window, ending meals in the early evening, could better align with the body’s natural rhythms and support weight management. Scientists are also exploring possible links to inflammation and brain health.

A longtime “parking crater” in Cleveland’s Gateway District is finally being replaced. Cosm Cleveland has broken ground on a 64,000-square-foot venue featuring a nearly 100-foot LED dome and “Shared Reality” immersive viewing in 12K. The project is expected to draw about 750,000 visitors a year and create 300 full-time jobs, with a target opening of July 2027.

Production is underway in Northeast Ohio on “Fractured,” a psychological thriller filming at recognizable Cleveland-area locations. Jon Abrahams leads the cast alongside horror veterans Felissa Rose and Lew Temple, with former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones also appearing. Residents may see brief parking and sidewalk restrictions near filming sites.

Cleveland Monsters fans will soon see a hometown favorite at Rocket Arena. Malley’s Chocolates has signed a multiyear partnership to become the official chocolate partner of the Monsters and the arena, with signature confections available at multiple locations, including CLE/MKT and private suites. The rollout aligns with the Monsters’ March 29 home game against the Utica Comets.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport says operations are back to normal after major construction on the lower roadway, reopening all terminal doors for arrivals pickups. The work focused on the RTA-level pedestrian tunnel linking the terminal to the Red Line station, including structural reinforcement, waterproofing and electrical system relocation. More updates are posted on the airport’s website.

Demolition crews have moved in at Cedar and Miramar in University Heights, clearing a 2.1-acre site for a new Aldi. The project will raze the Waterstone Medical Center and a former Huntington Bank branch, with site work expected to take six to eight weeks. City leaders say the store will anchor broader Bell Tower Center redevelopment and traffic signal upgrades now underway.

Great Lakes cruising is forecast to generate more than $300 million in economic impact in 2026, with officials citing rising shoreside spending and a jump in port visits. Ten ships and seven cruise lines are slated to run 148 itineraries, driving an estimated 175,000 passenger visits at regional docks and intensifying competition on the water.

Sandusky’s Ghostly Manor Thrill Center offers nearly a dozen indoor attractions year-round, from its nationally recognized haunted house to 3D blacklight mini golf, laser tag, a 4D dark ride, a roller rink, an arcade and more. The Epic Pass bundles multiple activities with a meal and an arcade card, giving families an all-in-one option just off Route 250 on Milan Road.

A touring flock of 12-foot-tall “Giant Quackers” rubber ducks begins rolling through Northeast Ohio on March 19, building buzz for the Ohio Rubber Duck Dash Festival in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, April 23-25. The multiday event features a six-story “World’s Largest Rubber Duck,” an All-City Art Walk, food vendors, and a Saturday dash with prizes.

The Northern Ohio Mountain Bike Series has released its eight-race 2026 schedule, opening April 26 at Camp Tuscazoar in Dover and building toward the Ohio Mountain Bike State Championship on Aug. 2 in Ravenna. The lineup includes technical stops, a women-focused weekend at Mohican State Park, and a season finale with double points at Vultures Knob.

Many Clevelanders think they speak without an accent, but linguists say the city sits at the center of the Inland North dialect and the Northern Cities Vowel Shift — a sweeping change in vowels that reaches across the Great Lakes. From “cat” sounding like “kee-yat” to a sharp “cot-caught” split, researchers trace how history, class and generation shape the region’s speech.