CLEVELAND — Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will face off tonight right here in Cleveland for the first presidential debate. News 5 will update this blog with information throughout the day.
Watch the debate here at 9 p.m.
Inside the hall
An observation from inside the debate hall: Everyone in Biden’s side of the hall is wearing a mask. More than half on Trump’s side, including his four children, are not wearing masks. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s a requirement that all guests wear masks.
— Tyler Pager (@tylerpager) September 30, 2020
Watch pre and post-debate coverage on Facebook
Beginning at 8:45 p.m. tonight on the News 5 Facebook Page and on Twitter, we're hosting a live roundtable discussion with Baldwin Wallace political science professor Dr. Thomas Sutton, as well as two local political experts — one conservative and one progressive. More here.
Biden spotted in the burbs
Joe Biden is staying at a private residence outside Cleveland. He just walked out to meet the neighbors. pic.twitter.com/mp7fRYsYWU
— Tyler Pager (@tylerpager) September 29, 2020
Heavy security presence hours before the debate
Security out in force on the campus of the @CleClinicMD for tonight’s debate. In the air, on top of buildings and on the ground. Protests are expected. #WEWS pic.twitter.com/xwS1qjDG2M
— Tracy Carloss (@TracyCarloss) September 29, 2020
A lot of media, the OH National Guard and some people debating abortion: just a small sample of what’s going on outside the #Debates2020 right now #Cleveland pic.twitter.com/SPZxnauFGp
— Jordan Vandenberge (@NEWSjordanv) September 29, 2020
Who's here for the debate?
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted spoke from Cleveland during Gov. Mike DeWine's daily press conference. We'll keep an eye out to see who else closes the social distance between themselves and the candidates today.
Marketing Cleveland in the time of COVID
With the debate tonight and the Indians taking on the Yankees in the MLB Wild Card round, all eyes will be on Cleveland. That kind of exposure for the city and Northeast Ohio is more than welcome, especially during a year short on good marketing opportunities, tourism officials said. More here.
Suburban women play key role
Local suburban female voters, a target for both presidential campaigns, are watching the debate for answers. More here.
Interesting timing
Days after the New York Times cast an unflattering light on the president's tax returns, Biden released his. We're sure it's just a coincidence. More here.
Security fencing surrounds Justice Center
A security fence -- that sweet, sweet symbol of freedom -- was placed around the perimeter of Justice Center, located at 1300 Ontario St., ahead of Tuesday's presidential debate in Cleveland. More here.
Anti-Trump billboards
Artists have done the most artist thing possible and designed and installed nine anti-Trump billboards in Cleveland ahead of Tuesday's presidential debate. The billboards address coronavirus, police brutality and other issues from the president's first term. More here.
Shenanigans are afoot
The Terminal Tower was lit up early Tuesday morning with the names "Biden-Harris" projected on the side of the iconic landmark ahead of tonight's presidential debate. It was an unauthorized display. A News 5 photographer captured the projection. Everyone reacted on social media the way you'd expect they would. More here.
Safety plans
Local, state and federal law enforcement officers will be on the ground to help keep the peace outside as the debate takes place inside. More here.
National Guard
Gov. Mike DeWine called in the Ohio National Guard to help with the presidential debate. More here.
Restricted items in Cleveland
Due to heightened security, the city has announced a list of items that will not be allowed in the “event zone," so leave your hammocks at home. Not kidding. Hammocks. More here.
Road closures
The City of Cleveland announced a series of road closures that went into effect Friday ahead of the upcoming Presidential Debate on Sept. 29. at the Samson Pavilion, on the Clinic's Health Education Campus. Not that any of us have anywhere to go anymore. More here.
Who to call if your car gets impounded
Residents who believe that their vehicle was towed by Cleveland Division of Police should contact the Cleveland Police Impound Unit at 216-623-5079. If the car was towed, residents will be required to bring documentation and payment in order for the vehicle to be released. And good luck with that.
How to catch all the action
- At 7 p.m., News 5 is airing a special called Democracy 2020: The Ohio Vote, which looks at the role Northeast Ohio will play in the election.
- ABC News coverage starts at 8 p.m.
- At 8:45 p.m. we'll have pre-debate analysis from local pundits on our Facebook Page.
- The debate will be carried on News 5 starting at 9.
- At 10:30, we'll have post-debate analysis from our political panel on Facebook.
- At 11 p.m., we'll recap the debate and get you the rest of the news of the day.
Topics
The debate, moderated by Chris Wallace, a host on Fox News, is expected to include the following topics:
- The Trump and Biden records
- The Supreme Court
- COVID-19
- The economy
- Race and violence in our cities
- The integrity of the election
More here.
Postal collection box closed
As a precautionary measure, the postal collection box outside University Center Post Office, 1950 East 101st St., will be out-of-service during the presidential debate at Case Western University. More here.
University Hospitals stands ready during debate
With the presidential debate set in Cleveland just days away, preparations have been underway to make sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted, and a part of that is ensuring medical care is accessible to the president if need be. That part of the planning is in the hands of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. More here.
