<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/law-justice/2026-02-19/cleveland-files-motion-to-terminate-federal-consent-decree">The city of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice </a>agree the city has done enough to be released from a consent decree imposed due to unconstitutional policing involving excessive force in 2015. They've asked a federal judge to sign off. The mayor says <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/law-justice/2026-02-19/not-where-it-needs-to-be-police-reform-activists-react-to-clevelands-push-to-end-federal-oversight">work still needs to be done</a>, but the city should be in charge of it, not the feds.

The story begins our discussion of the week’s news on the “Sound of Ideas” Reporters Roundtable.

<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-02-18/cuyahoga-county-sheriff-sues-county-executive-over-control-of-budget">Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel filed a lawsuit</a> this week claiming County Executive Chris Ronayne's office has no right to take over financial control of his department. It's the latest salvo in a long-standing conflict over spending in the sheriff's department, where overtime has ballooned.

<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/economy/2026-02-17/lorain-county-jfs-workers-set-to-strike-wednesday-as-wage-negotiations-halted">Employees of Lorain County's Department of Job and Family Services </a>went on strike Wednesday morning after contract talks failed to reach a new deal. The previous contract for employees, represented by United Auto Workers Local 2192, expired in September.

<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/2026-02-18/ohio-launches-statewide-quarantine-to-slow-invasive-damaging-spotted-lanternfly">Ohio has expanded its quarantine for the spotted lanternfly </a>to all counties in the state. The invasive species was first spotted in Ohio in 2020. State officials say there’s no need to report the bugs any longer. If you see one, squash it.


Two Ohio lawmakers want to punish people who d<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/2026-02-18/under-ohio-bill-drivers-who-disobey-crossing-guards-could-be-fined-more">on't heed crossing guards</a>. House Bill 690 would also levy penalties for harassing, threatening or intimidating crossing guards.


<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2026-02-16/ohio-celebrates-beloved-toni-morrison-for-year-starting-on-her-95th-birthday">A year-long celebration of Lorain native Toni Morrison</a> began this week. Morrison, who once worked for the Lorain Public Library, was celebrated for her novels, children's books, and plays. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel 'Beloved' - and this year's celebration shares that name.


Guests:
-Matt Richmond, Criminal Justice Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
-Kabir Bhatia, Sr. Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
-Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV

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