Good Morning, Cleveland! It's Friday, May 1, and here is what you need to know.
Ohio bill would provide paid leave for new parents
A new bipartisan bill could give Ohio workers up to 14 weeks of paid family and medical leave. Two State Senators introduced the plan to help people care for new children or sick family members. The program would be funded by a small payroll contribution from both employers and employees. Workers could get 85% of their pay while keeping their jobs safe. The bill is currently waiting for its first committee hearing. If passed, the program would start in 2028.
Browns break ground on new stadium in Brook Park
The Cleveland Browns have officially broken ground on their new domed stadium in Brook Park. Team owners and state leaders gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the massive project. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2029. It will feature a transparent glass roof and surrounding mixed-use development. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calls the building Super Bowl-worthy. However, he says Northeast Ohio still needs tens of thousands more hotel rooms to land the big game. Meanwhile, a state grant to help fund the stadium remains tied up in court.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo considering boutique hotel
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo could soon become an overnight destination. Zoo leaders are exploring adding a boutique hotel to the property. They are currently asking developers to submit proposals to determine whether the project is feasible. The zoo says a 2019 study found a gap in the local hotel market. Leaders hope a new hotel will create more revenue and give guests a place to stay and play. Cleveland Metroparks’ CEO Brian Zimmerman says the hotel would have a unique look. The zoo would act as a landlord and would not run the hotel. Developers have until May 29 to submit their proposals.
Reasons behind the gas price swing
Gas prices in Northeast Ohio are jumping by 50 cents or more in a single day. Some stations are now charging $4.99 a gallon for regular gas. That is the highest price we have seen since 2022. A major reason for the spike is an outage at a gas refinery in Indiana. The refinery shut down on Sunday. The War with Iran is also driving up costs. Good Morning Cleveland anchor Mike Brookbank spoke with Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores. He said gas station owners are feeling the squeeze, too. Lenard said that, usually, about 90% of the price of gas is determined before the station takes possession of it. The markup is around 35 cents. But when we see these dramatic price increases, it’s not uncommon for gas stations to only make a few cents or even lose money. It is unclear when the refinery will return to normal. You can expect prices to remain high for a while.
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Traffic impact
Valley Road between State Road and Maitland Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls is now closed. The closure will last for two months for utility construction work. Detour signs will be posted in the area.
Starting Sunday, the ramp from I-71 northbound to I-480 westbound will be closed nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The detour will be West 150th Street to I-71 southbound to SR 237 southbound to I-480 westbound.
On Monday, ODOT will close East 14th Street South to Community College Avenue through July. The detour will be Carnegie Avenue to East 22nd Street to Community College Avenue.
ODOT will also close Community College westbound to East 14th Street on Monday. The closure will remain in place until July, and drivers will need to use Carnegie Avenue to reach East 22nd Street in the meantime.
The I-90 westbound ramp to I-77 southbound will be closed nightly between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, May 4, through Saturday, May 9. The detour will be I-90 westbound to West 41st/West 44th Street to I-90 eastbound to I-77 southbound.
The East 21st Street ramp to I-77 southbound will be closed nightly between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, May 4, through Saturday, May 9. The detour will be Cedar Road to East 22nd Street, then onto Orange Avenue.
View our News 5 Traffic Map to see any road closures or delays due to weather or crashes.
