Spirit Airlines’ final commercial flight landed in Dallas-Fort Worth before the carrier abruptly shut down operations, leaving an estimated 600,000 ticketed passengers stranded. A last-ditch deal fell apart as creditors rejected a loan-for-equity offer, with fuel costs surging in the background. Now, liquidation begins as workers and travelers scramble for options.

Monster Jam is set to return to Cleveland, taking over Huntington Bank Field on May 2, 2026. Fans can catch free truck displays across the area April 30, then head to the Pit Party and Trackside events before the 5 p.m. main show. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the stadium box office.

The State Department says it is rolling out a special-edition U.S. passport for America’s 250th birthday, featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness inside the book. Mock-ups show his portrait on the ID page with a gold-printed signature and a 1777-style flag on the back cover. The limited release is expected to begin this summer, subject to availability.

A Saturday afternoon shooting outside the Strongsville Costco left one person dead and a suspect in custody, police said. Shoppers and employees described a chaotic rush to evacuate as officers flooded the busy Royalton Road store. Authorities have not released identities or a motive as the investigation continues.

A provocative neuroscience theory argues that dreams are more than strange stories: They may be a nightly defense that keeps the brain’s visual cortex from being “taken over” when darkness shuts down sight. Researchers point to rapid sensory rewiring in blindfolded subjects and patterns across primate REM sleep to suggest dreaming helps protect visual processing power.

A 1993 race for Cleveland Heights Municipal Court came down to just six votes, putting 34-year-old Lynn Toler on the bench despite long odds. Years later, she became a familiar face on Divorce Court, drawing on lessons from a turbulent childhood and a career focused on rehabilitation. Her narrow victory survived a mandatory recount before it was finalized.

Six Flags is offering free 2026 season passes for kids ages 3 to 5 at 22 parks, including Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores. Families must register online between April 22 and May 31, and the pass must be activated at the park with the child present and age verification. Eligibility requires a valid adult season pass or membership.

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.

Cleveland event producer Chrissy Cavotta is launching her first full streetwear production, the Threads Streetwear Showcase, after a casting call drew thousands of shares and more than 200 submissions. What began as a smaller plan has doubled, now featuring 55 models and nine designers, with tickets starting at $10.

Northeast Ohio saw summerlike warmth flip to chaos Wednesday as a powerful line of storms tore through the region, dropping giant hail, damaging winds and heavy rain that flooded roads and knocked out power for thousands. From slushy hail on I-271 to reports of 2.5-inch stones in Warrensville Heights, residents are now assessing damage as crews work to restore service.

Tired of endless swiping? Date Unscripted is bringing romance back to the real world with its “Dirty Thirties” live dating game show at Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Tasting Room. Contestants chat behind a curtain, the crowd plays wingman and winners score sponsored dates. A pop-up market and after-party keep the night going.

Holden Forests & Gardens is marking Arbor Day with free admission at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum on April 24-25. Visitors can explore the sites and enjoy activities including a seedling giveaway while supplies last, drop-in crafts for all ages and guided tours. No tickets or reservations are required.

A long-dormant part of the 25th Amendment is back in focus. Rep. Jamie Raskin and 50 Democratic co-sponsors have introduced a bill to create a bipartisan Commission on Presidential Capacity, a potential alternative “other body” to evaluate whether a president can discharge the powers and duties of office. The bill would bar sitting officials and rely on former leaders and medical experts.

Mentor officials will unveil a new, slightly larger-than-life bronze statue of President James A. Garfield at the Mentor Municipal Center on July 3. The work by sculptor Alan Cottrill will be revealed during a public ceremony followed by a free community picnic at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater, part of the city’s Independence Day weekend schedule.

Euclid and Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood are gearing up for The Big Clean, a friendly Earth Day competition to clear litter from streets and waterways. With Euclid defending its bag-count title, volunteers will pick zones, clean up the border area and then head to an eco fair at C.E. Orr Ice Arena, where the city will launch a new food-waste recycling program.

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.

A Brush High School junior traded the track for a patrol car this week, joining South Euclid police for a ride-along after a medal-winning weekend in track and field. Paige Walker also met with a Lyndhurst K-9 handler and her partner, Sonic, for a closer look at the path she hopes to pursue.

Northeast Ohio families eyeing a structured, high-energy escape in 2026 are increasingly turning to Orlando, where offbeat dining, SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival, and Disney Springs and Disney World planning tools are shaping vacation decisions. From bundled passes and payment plans to new dining and major attractions, Orlando is being marketed as a value-friendly family destination.

A new federal law will shift Selective Service registration to an automatic system for eligible men, using existing government records to enroll them within 30 days of turning 18. Officials say it modernizes the process and could save millions, while stressing it does not reinstate a combat draft.

Dave Chappelle helped anchor WYSO Public Radio’s future in Yellow Springs, unveiling the station’s permanent new headquarters inside the restored 1872 Union Schoolhouse. The $15 million redevelopment and $3 million community push aim to keep the NPR affiliate rooted locally as public media faces growing financial pressure.