The rising influence of the Center for Christian Virtue: The Wake Up for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

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The Center for Christian Virtue is Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization which, according to its mission statement, aims to advocate for “public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.”
The group holds regular Prayer at the Statehouse events to connect with statehouse leaders, in August even laying their hands on a kneeling Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
The same organization has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its work to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Its president, Aaron Baer, has regularly made demeaning statements about transgender people.
And this week, it’s coming to the City Club of Cleveland for a conversation on faith, policy and influence.
Laura Hancock delves into the center and its sway on Ohio politics.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Gradually clearing skies
Top Stories
Christian Virtue: In recent years, Center for Christian Virtue has racked up legislative and judicial victories – from increasing tax dollars for families that send their children to private schools to limitations on transgender health care and sports, reports Laura Hancock.
Power outages: If your power goes out, FirstEnergy wants permission to take longer to fix it. Anna Staver reports that the company is asking state regulators for permission to let Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison extend the time it takes to restore service after an outage. Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison are also asking to increase the number of permissible outages per year.
School vouchers: A looming deadline in a state appeals court could bring parties closer to a hearing over whether private school vouchers are, in fact, unconstitutional, as a lower-court judge decided. Laura Hancock reports the Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals expects briefs today from the state, organizations representing private school families, and a coalition of over 100 school districts that maintain vouchers are unconstitutional.
Today in Ohio: The video of the ICE agent killing Renee Good in Minnesota clearly shows she was attempting to drive away. Yet Vice President JD Vance claims the ICE agent was defending himself. We’re talking about the fascism of trying to persuade people not to believe their own eyes on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
Airline delays: U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes has introduced legislation to require airlines to compensate passengers for delays after the Trump administration rescinded a Biden-era proposal. Sabrina Eaton reports on the bill’s provisions, including $300 for delays of three to nine hours and $775 for longer delays.
Nuclear AI: Meta has signed a 20-year deal with Ohio nuclear plants to support AI operations, expanding generation capacity by 433 megawatts. Anna Staver reports the agreement aims to meet the growing electricity demands of AI.
Browns stadium: A Franklin County judge has extended a freeze on Ohio’s payout of $600 million in unclaimed funds to help pay for a new Browns stadium, delaying a full trial set for 2027. Jeremy Pelzer reports on the ongoing legal battle.
Northeast Ohio News
Housing fines: Landlords in Cleveland are ignoring housing fines, but unpaid tickets are now being added to property tax bills, warns city officials. Sean McDonnell reports that less than 10% of tickets have been paid, with many sent to the county for liens.
Homelessness: Homelessness is rising in Northeast Ohio, with new seasonal shelters and services helping those affected. Julie Washington reports on efforts by local organizations to provide safe spaces and medical care.
West Side Market: See the opening of the transformed KeyBank Produce Arcade at West Side Market, featuring modernized vendor spaces, new facilities and plans for future renovations, with a focus on improving customer experience, reports Paris Wolfe.
Mentor schools: Mentor schools are considering a $4.9 million levy in May to prevent future budget cuts and larger class sizes. Molly Walsh reports on the district’s financial plans.
Kirtland chiefs: Kirtland’s police and fire chiefs are retiring after long tenures, with new leaders expected soon. Molly Walsh reports that Capt. Matt Killeen will succeed the fire chief and Lt. Jamey Fisher will take over the police department.
CVNP stickers: Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrated its 50th anniversary with the release of 15 collectible stickers depicting its history and natural beauty, Peter Krouse reports.
Black River Landing: Construction continues on the new amphitheater at Black River Landing in Lorain, with the first concert expected in June 2026. Hannah Drown reports that the project costs $11.9 million and aims to boost year-round events.
Sewer assistance: Akron has agreed to assist a family facing $30,000 in sewer repairs after a lengthy dispute. Megan Becka reports that the city plans to cover the costs, helping the family avoid losing their home.
Property tax bills: Cuyahoga County property tax bills for 2025 will be mailed soon, but USPS postal changes might delay mailed payments. Kaitlin Durbin reports residents need to plan ahead to avoid penalties.
Free parking: Drivers in downtown Cleveland have a few more weekends of free parking before rates increase and enforcement expands to evenings and weekends. Sean McDonnell reports that new signs are coming soon.
Driving safety: A new study finds August is Ohio’s deadliest month for drivers, with Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. being the most dangerous hour. Kaylee Remington reports that most crashes occur in clear weather during daylight.
Hunting season: Ohio’s 2026 deer hunting season saw 13,055 deer tagged during muzzleloader season, slightly below last year’s count. Chris Pugh reports that hunters continue with archery season until Feb. 1.
Free dinner: Lorain City Schools has expanded its free community dinner program by adding a second location at Southview Middle School to serve youth, reports Hannah Drown.
Health Care and Business
DoubleTree: The DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Cleveland is closing by the end of January, with 66 jobs affected. Rich Exner reports the hotel operator cites reasons beyond control for the shutdown.
HOF Village: The Hall of Fame Village in Canton has received new financing and ownership restructuring, with the waterpark expected to finish in 14 months and plans for a hotel by summer 2027, reports Susan Glaser.
Factory closure: Conn Selmer plans to close its Eastlake factory by June, moving production overseas and reducing union jobs. Molly Walsh reports the move has drawn criticism from the United Auto Workers.
Crime and Courts
Murder sentencing: A Cuyahoga County judge on Friday handed down sentences for the final three people involved in the 2021 kidnapping and murder of Alishah Pointer, closing out a sprawling case that led to convictions for all six defendants, David Gambino reports.
Excessive force: Garfield Heights police officer Eric Garcia, accused of contributing to Carl Gold’s death and facing previous excessive force lawsuits, is under investigation. Adam Ferrise reports that Gold died from physical restraint during a 2024 incident.
Harassment: The Richmond Heights Police Department said it has been inundated with harassing phone calls and social media messages after the identity of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in a controversial fatal Minneapolis shooting was widely shared online, Kaylee Remington reports.
Suspect charged: Cleveland man Ronald Loftis has been indicted on 14 counts, including attempted murder, after attacking two women in separate incidents on Jan. 2, David Gambino reports.
Arts and Entertainment
Cedar Point: Cedar Point’s Siren’s Curse was ranked as the fourth best new ride in the past year-and-a-half, according to USA Today, with stunning photos of the attraction and other top rides at Sandusky’s amusement parks, reports Susan Glaser.
Fortnite creator: Cleveland native Tim Elek, a key figure in game design and Fortnite’s creator, will speak at the Cleveland Institute of Art about his career, reports Alex Darus.
Home show: It’s the last year of the Great Big Home + Garden Show at Cleveland’s I-X Center, featuring hundreds of exhibitors and attractions, reports Paris Wolfe.
Veggie soup: Yadi Rodriguez reviews 55 vegetable soups for National Soup Month, praising the best options and criticizing the least satisfying, with a focus on flavor, variety and value.
Wine dinner: Poppy Restaurant is hosting a wine dinner featuring HALL Wines, with a guided tasting by Megan Gunderson, reports Alex Darus.
House of the Week: A Gates Mills home featuring a ski resort-style indoor pool is listed for $2 million. It features luxurious amenities and scenic setting along a creek, reports Joey Morona.
You’re all caught up
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— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.
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