Featured Stories

Rolling on the River: New 150-foot mural at The Foundry depicts rowing, teamwork, diversity
The Foundry Community Rowing and Sailing Center has been growing steadily ever since in opened on the banks of the Cuyahoga. The newest addition is a 150-foot mural that can be seen from afar and embraces the teamwork and diversity The Foundry promotes.
What Cleveland can learn from how San Antonio helps low-income residents with water bills
From Cleveland to Philly to San Antonio, water-discount programs aren’t reaching everyone they should. Because of this, University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor Manny Teodoro says these programs should only be one part of the solution. What else can be done?
 
Fun and games (and cosplay): FAN EXPO rolls through the CLE with something for everyone
FAN EXPO Cleveland came to town last weekend and FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski caught all the superheroes, cosplayers, celebrities, and antics at the annual traveling sci-fi, anime, and comics convention.
Summer (arts) loving: With CAC funding, these summer arts camps aim to cultivate minds and bodies
Summer is coming and it's time for camp! Thanks to Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, there are a bunch of camps that will engage the kids' minds and bodies while having a fun summer break.
What can Philadelphia learn from Cleveland’s water department?
In the second part of this NEO SoJo series on water affordability, we travel from Philadelphia back to Cleveland to look at the successes and failings of water discount programs meant to help low-income people.
 
What can Cleveland learn from Philadelphia’s ambitious experiment in water billing?
Water has increasingly become more expensive for people struggling to make ends meet. In part one of this three part series, NEO SoJo reporter Conor Morris examines what Philadelphia is doing to relieve some people of the financial burden—and how Cleveland can follow suit. 

 
Leadership job a happy homecoming for new St. Clair Superior director
Jeremy Taylor, who was named executive director of St. Clair Superior Development Corporation, wants to instill some of that community spirit he experienced during his formative years. 
The Metro45 Café Food Truck: A social enterprise on wheels
With a mission of serving those who are experiencing homelessness or struggling with employment, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's Metro45 Food Truck is hitting the streets again this summer.  
Cuyahoga County’s environmental toolkit sets forth planet-changing sustainability practices
In February, Cuyahoga County released its second Sustainable Cuyahoga report and Tool Kit, a follow up to its 2016 report with best practices for a cleaner, healthier urban core. But the entire community must work together to bring this change, say local experts. 
 
How the distributive leadership model gets more done for environmental justice
Black Environmental Leaders Association and the Global Shapers Cleveland Hub have seemed to figure out a way to get more done with fewer people—approaching the work from a distributive leadership model—where everyone is a leader in the fight for environmental justice. Meet five of those leaders and their motivations behind the work they do.
 
Action! CIFF46 gets rolling next week with hybrid format, eight local films
The 46th Cleveland International Film Festival gets rolling on Wednesday, March 30 with 146 feature films, 182 short films, and eight films with Cleveland or Ohio ties.  
AT&T continues to close CLE's digital divide with investment in Glenville
On its quest to narrow the digital divide, AT&T opened its second Connected Leaning Center earlier this month at Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center in Glenville, and announced the availability of AT&T Fiber to hundreds of homes in the neighborhood.
The lead hunters: Agents, inspectors working to ensure rental properties are lead-safe
By March 2023, all rental properties built before 1978 must earn Cleveland certification that they are lead-safe. Only about 9,000 units have been certified lead-safe so far, so inspectors are going through the city to ensure the estimated 100,000 units in the city comply.
Weathering the storm: How some LGBTQ+ businesses survived the pandemic
Many local businesses have suffered or closed permanently during the pandemic, while others have found new opportunities. Most local LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs say they’re weathering the ordeal—thanks in part to rising support from individuals and institutions in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Utility bill struggles: Federal programs exist, but how easy are they to access?
Dealing with a mounting utility bill or shut-off notice can be scary. There are programs out there to help, but they can be difficult to navigate.
Standing strong: Cleveland’s gay bars survive the pandemic, catch a second wind
Gay bars and nightclubs in Cleveland had been closing at high rates for more than a decade before the pandemic. Just like other establishments, the past two years have been a struggle to stay afloat. As entertainment venues begin to re-open, and the city's gay bars are back and better than ever.
Puzzle pieces: CDCs a critical part of a neighborhood network for small businesses
Cleveland's Community Development Corporations and a network of supporting organizations joining together on the march to economic progress in city neighborhoods. Learn how this cooperation evolves into great projects. 
Taking root: Cleveland’s reforestation efforts bloom in the city's urban neighborhoods
Not only is Cleveland's tree canopy continuing to decline, but the trees that are in place aren’t equitably distributed. However, an innovative new tree equity model is planting the seed for a better future in the Forest City.
Orchids Forever: Botanical Garden’s annual show triggers spring fever in Cleveland
Holden Forests & Gardens' 16th annual Orchid Mania show is happening now at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. FreshWater news editor Dana Shugrue tells you what to go see, while managing photographer Bob Perkoski catches the delicate beaty of the orchids displayed. 
We Have to Buy a House: Church raises funds to house the homeless through LMM’s Breaking New Ground
Through their "We Have to Buy a House" campaign, the members of Fairmount Presbyterian Church donated $126,000 to Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry to buy and renovate a house for a family experiencing homelessness.