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, which also highlighted how City Hall ignored the councilman’s misdeeds for decades, led to a federal investigation and ultimately to the councilman’s conviction. Following his sentencing last month, U.S. District Court Judge John Adams called out my work, saying the councilman’s schemes would have continued if not for my reporting.

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 an inner-city center 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 now for an NBC television affiliate for the last two and half years, I have rediscovered true deadline pressure, where the story and newscast must come together regardless of lead time, even in a pandemic. Working largely from my car because the station was closed to reporters, 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.

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.

 

High Roller: How has sports bar impresario Tony George become a political player? Ego, ambition, and loads of money

Reported award-winning features and investigations at alternative weeklies that challenged popular narratives and exposed government and community problems. You can find links to more of these stories below.

 
 

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.

 
 

Medical marijuana sales approaching $725 million since drug became legal in Ohio

The industry is eyeing expansion as it backs a proposal to legalize the recreational use of cannabis.

Features

 
 
 

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.

 
 

Investigative

 
 

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.'

 

Columns

 
 
 

Early Work