This short documentary chronicles the first year of a football team composed of 12-year-olds from two rival Cleveland neighborhoods.
The idea to merge the neighborhoods was not tried before. Longtime coaches and league coordinators did it because they faced a shortage of players. Their goal: build a winning squad and build bonds that extend beyond the field. Watch the full film here.
Top Picks
For Rev. Marvin McMickle, vote for Obama at Democratic National Convention is fraught with history
While covering politics for years for The Plain Dealer, I knocked on trailers in the foothills of Appalachia, plowed through problematic voter registration records, interviewed presidents and presidential candidates — and worked the rubber-chicken circuit that fuels local and state politics. And during Ohio’s peak as a bellwether state, I covered the fast-paced 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, producing more than 100 news and feature stories in the campaign seasons.
Cleveland City Council’s Ken Johnson problem
In a series of more than 15 columns and stories produced for two news organizations, I chronicled a Cleveland councilman’s power and hold over a federally funded community group charged with revitalizing one the city’s poorest neighborhoods. The stories led to a federal investigation and ultimately to the councilman’s conviction. Following his sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John Adams called out my work, saying the councilman’s schemes would have continued if not for my reporting.
Weekly Chatter
Browns groundbreaking winners and losers
Vivek Ramaswamy has faith in Cleveland campaign stop; new council member greets chamber with ‘free Palestine’ comment
MetroHealth CEO firing sparks racial tension; Mayor Bibb heading to DNC; Payday for local party chair
Cleveland taps Jones Day for legal fight with Browns over ‘Modell Law’
Studio West 117 project owes more than $200,000 in past due property taxes
How Cleveland Clerk of Courts Earle B. Turner’s office misled drivers with unpaid parking tickets
For years, the clerk’s office misused the law to pressure drivers to pay more parking tickets than required to lift blocks on their vehicle registrations.
Leaving Grumpy's Cafe behind, Lakewood boutique owner tries new jobs to keep dream alive: A Greater Cleveland
In the summer of 2017, a colleague and I embedded in a community center in Cleveland’s central neighborhood run by The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland. We spent several days a week there to get to know the children and their families. Our goal was to dispel the myths readers might have about the working poor. I wrote more than a dozen stories about a couple of families that generated a broad community discussion about poverty.
Leading the Land: Cleveland Mayor’s Race 2021
Cleveland Public Power “situation not sustainable” without rate changes and other fixes, consultant’s briefing document says
Working for Cleveland’s NBC television affiliate, I produced daily stories, both big and small, and always made deadline. Topics include: police reform, city and county politics, Lake Erie and Native Americans.
MetroHealth System fires CEO Airica Steed
The board’s action followed months of discussions about several aspects of Steed’s management, public records suggest. This is the second time in less than two years the board has dumped its CEO.
Homeless man pays property taxes after moving into abandoned Cleveland home to fulfill homesteading dream
I know how to spot a good feature. For this story, I followed a tip from an activist that a Cleveland homeless man was paying taxes on a home he didn’t own. With no name or exact address, I found him and told his story.
Onetime U.S. Secret Service head and former Cleveland Browns security chief battles with deaf couple in neighbor dispute
Wherever I have worked, I’ve looked for the hard stories to tell, especially those involving an imbalance of power.
Cleveland Metroparks barge project is costing a boatload of money
The park system bought the former Hornblowers floating restaurant for $1.3 million in 2023, but the costs have doubled since and more spending will be needed.
Investigative
Features
Homeless man pays property taxes after moving into abandoned Cleveland home to fulfill homesteading dream
Iconic blue-collar bar, Major Hoopples, threatened by a bike path – and progress
Trash collectors: Overlooked but essential during the coronavirus pandemic
For Rev. Marvin McMickle, vote for Obama at Democratic National Convention is fraught with history
Leaving Grumpy's Cafe behind, Lakewood boutique owner tries new jobs to keep dream alive: A Greater Cleveland
A Turning Point: Digging into the digital divide and how it affects people of color
Meet the real Cleveland Indians: Native Americans talk about Chief Wahoo
Boston Marathon disputes Cleveland businessman Kevin Goodman's claim about last year's race
Viewfinder: A rare look inside the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office
Columns
Meet the real Cleveland Indians
Native Americans talk about elimination of Chief Wahoo and Indians name from sports and their contributions beyond annual Opening Day protest.
West Side Market vendors embrace changes while remaining true to what makes them special
3News goes behind-the-scenes with vendors at the nearly 110 year-old Cleveland institution.
3News Investigates: Cuyahoga County Fair hires ride company with ties to past safety problems
Prime Time Amusements and its operator Joshua Macaroni got a two-year contract despite past troubles.
Metroparks golf executive leaving after resume and qualifications are questioned by 3News
The park systems says Sean McHugh, executive director of golf, is 'no longer an active employee.'