Ever-changing voting rules might sow confusion as election approaches: The Wake Up for Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m.Ever-changing voting rules might sow confusion as election approachesConfused about voting rules as we approach the November election?Voters could get whiplash from the changing laws, presidential orders, lawsuits and judicial rulings. Not to mention voter registration and absentee-voting solicitations arriving in the mail.In Ohio, we’re already adjusting to stricter laws, which mandate absentee ballots must be received by a county elections board at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.Now courts are ruling on President Trump’s orders requiring states to submit lists of eligible voters.And we have little more than a month to get it all in order. Absentee and early voting begins Oct. 6 for the Nov. 3 election.— Laura Overnight Scores and Weather371/37Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals, August 30, 2026Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals: Chase DeLauter strings together 4 hits as Guardians rout Royals, 11-1 Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Partly sunny and hotTop StoriesAbsentee voting: With less than 40 days before early voting begins in Ohio, it’s still unclear how President Donald Trump’s new mail-ballot rules and the ongoing legal fight over them will affect voters in the state. But as of now, there have been no changes to Ohio’s mail-in voting process ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Read moreTransmission costs: Ohio utilities told federal regulators they needed more than $1.6 billion for high-voltage lines and substations to serve a handful of massive new customers. Anna Staver reports those costs enter a transmission system built around a century-old bargain where everyone pays for a power grid that benefits everyone. Read moreGun laws: The three Ohio gubernatorial candidates offer sharply different visions for whether Ohio should tighten restrictions or further expand gun rights. While Republican Vivek Ramaswamy again failed to answer Jeremy Pelzer’s questions, Democrat Amy Acton would seek to enact some modest new gun-control laws. Libertarian Don Kissick doesn’t favor any new gun restrictions. Read moreToday in Ohio: While Cuyahoga County officials want to ask voters for more money, Geauga County commissioners want to give property owners more than $1.6 million in tax relief. We’re talking about the responsibility of temporarily suspending a tax that helps fund Job and Family Service on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. Read moreStatehouse and PoliticsWorkers’ comp: Ohio employers will share $1 billion in workers’ compensation dividends after the BWC board approved Gov. Mike DeWine’s request, bringing total dividends under his tenure to $10.2 billion. Mary Frances McGowan reports that roughly 250,000 eligible employers will receive checks throughout September and October.Foster liaison: Ohio’s House Bill 25 would require every school district to designate a foster care liaison and every school building to have a foster family navigator, but provides no funding for the added roles. Karan Singh reports that the bipartisan bill passed the House in March and is now in the Senate Education Committee, where concerns about unfunded responsibilities have already been raised.Single subject: The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled that two state laws restricting solicitations of crime and accident victims do not violate the state constitution’s single-subject rule. Jeremy Pelzer reports the court reversed lower court rulings, finding that amendments passed in 2020 and 2021 resolved any prior constitutional concerns. Northeast Ohio NewsTrash calls: Republic Services has apologized to Painesville residents for automated calls regarding disputed $50-per-cart trash retrieval fees and says it is working to stop the calls while a federal lawsuit over the charges remains pending. Molly Walsh reports that a federal court has indicated the city is likely to succeed on its breach of contract claim.Mentor schools: Mentor Schools Chief Financial Officer Bill Wade will leave the district Sept. 30 amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall and a consolidation plan that could reduce the district’s seven elementary schools to four. Molly Walsh reports that Wade’s departure comes as the district projects roughly $3.1 million in deficit spending this school year and prepares to cut an additional $3.3 million to $3.5 million beginning in 2027-28.Fall detours: Two big highway projects in the downtown area will continue well into fall and beyond, causing detours and potential confusion for drivers. Rich Exner reports on what drivers in Northeast Ohio can expect.E-bike rules: Hudson officials are weighing new rules for e-bikes and electric scooters following a public forum that raised concerns about helmetless young riders, speeding and pedestrian conflicts. Destiniee Jaram reports that proposals include registration requirements and downtown sidewalk restrictions. Zoning overhaul: Richfield is moving toward a major overhaul of its zoning code, with two public meetings scheduled this fall to gather community input on rules that have been repeatedly amended since 2011. Destiniee Jaram reports that the village hired Tunnel Spangler Walsh to lead the update. Health Care and BusinessVirtual nurses at University Hospitals monitor patients over two-way audio and video technology, and can bring up patient records on other screens.University HospitalsHealthcare AI: Artificial intelligence is moving quickly into hospital exam rooms, physician offices and health insurance systems, where it influences how patients are treated, appointments are scheduled and medical records are written. Julie Washington reports that Northeast Ohio hospitals are testing whether AI-enabled medical devices and platforms can reduce costs, improve care and produce better outcomes.Measles cases: Five cases of measles have been confirmed in Wayne County and health officials suspect there could be nearly 30 more. The Wayne County Health Department said in a news release that all of the cases involve people who have not been vaccinated, Cliff Pinckard reports.Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Ohio’s cyclosporiasis outbreak grew to 6,063 cases this week, up from 5,874, with Lucas and Cuyahoga counties reporting the highest totals as part of a national outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce. Julie Washington reports the FDA says all recalled lettuce is off the market, with confirmed illnesses now spanning 20 states.Lorain vaccinations: Lorain County Public Health is offering extended hours and same-day vaccination appointments at three locations as the new school year begins, particularly for children entering kindergarten, seventh grade and their senior year. Crime and CourtsFacial recognition: The 8th District Court of Appeals heard arguments over whether a Cleveland detective misled a judge by omitting the use of Clearview AI facial recognition software when seeking a search warrant in a 2024 Valentine’s Day murder case. Lucas Daprile reports that a visiting judge previously blocked the search warrant results from evidence and a three-judge appellate panel is expected to issue a ruling later.Fatal hit-and-run: A motorcyclist died in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday on Interstate 90 east near Eddy Road, Bratenahl police said. The motorcyclist, a 55-year-old South Euclid man, was pronounced dead at the scene.Akron shooting: A 63-year-old man was killed in a shooting early Sunday at a Circle K in Akron, police said. Police have not released information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or identified a suspect.Lake County shooting: A 17-year-old boy was hospitalized after being shot multiple times during a fight in Lake County late Saturday. Police said the teen had been involved in a physical altercation with several people before the shooting.Substitute teacher: A Lakewood schools substitute teacher has been arrested on felony charges after allegedly attempting to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. Lizzie Kaboski reports that Robert Hlavaty, 51, was arrested Wednesday.Shooting arrest: Police arrested a 41-year-old woman Wednesday in connection with a fatal shooting in the city’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, Olivia Mitchell reports.Players accused: More than a dozen Glenville High School football players are accused of stealing more than $4,500 worth of merchandise from a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in the Columbus area, Molly Walsh reports.Arson investigation: Investigators are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever intentionally set fire to a vacant Lorain County home last week, Molly Walsh reports.Arts and EntertainmentFranz Welser-Möst returns to The Cleveland Orchestra for passionate Summers at Severance finale.Aireonna McCall-DubeOrchestra concert: Franz Welser-Möst led the final concert of the 2026 Summers at Severance series, conducting works by Wagner, Deutsch, and Strauss before closing with a rare encore of Strauss’ “Moonlight Music,” Stephanie Manning reports. Fan appreciation: The final ballpark promotional guide of the year includes a hat tip to Ohio State, fan appreciation nights and some cool giveaways at Northeast Ohio baseball stadiums. Marc Bona has the rundown.Peter Hook: Peter Hook & the Light delivered a career-spanning set at the Cleveland Agora last week, drawing on music from Joy Division and New Order, bands Hook co-founded. Judie Vegh reports that Hook, a soon-to-be Rock Hall inductee, made his first Cleveland appearance since 1989. Bug Day: Penitentiary Glen Reservation will host its free annual Bug Day celebration on Sept. 6 from noon to 4 p.m., featuring hands-on insect activities, live animal presentations, and miniature train rides. Bar closing: LBM, a Norse black-metal bar in Lakewood, will close its doors on Oct. 10 after nine years on Madison Avenue, with owners citing the difficulty of the decision on Instagram. Alex Darus reports that the closure announcement urged patrons to continue supporting independently owned bars and restaurants.Vicious Biscuit: Vicious Biscuit, a Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch chain, is set to open its third Northeast Ohio location in Canton’s Belden Center in early 2027, Marc Bona reports. More Top StoriesIndependence schools host an outdoor movie nightAvon Lake Women’s Club launches new community organizationPolice from 4 communities respond to wedding reception fight in WestlakeHave a great time at the Great Geauga County FairSpirits of the Past brings Medina history to lifeKidder student and teacher take Brunswick Schools global at NBA Hoops championshipOhioGuidestone will host their 5th biennial Promise Run on Sept. 26You’re all caught upThanks for reading The Wake Up. Stay updated with the latest Cleveland news at Cleveland.com. Value our work? Subscribe to support local journalism.Enjoying this newsletter? Share it and explore more newsletters including subscriber-exclusive newsletters like:Got this from a friend? Sign up so you never miss a day.See you tomorrow!Thanks,Laura