Ohio ranks fifth in the country for data centers. To power them, they’re going nuclear: The Wake Up for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

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Throwing back to 2016 is big right now on social media. Well, in 2016, Ohio opened its first Amazon Web Services data center.

The state courted data centers for years with tax breaks, flat land and relatively low labor costs, promising big returns in economic development.

Now, Ohio ranks fifth in the nation for data centers, with more than 200 sites.

“Thanks to the growing number of data center leaders in our state, Ohio has emerged as one of the nation’s foremost technology centers, helping us attract business innovators that hadn’t previously considered locating here,” JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said last year.

But all those data centers – which power websites, apps, AI and basically everything our technology relies on – are sucking up energy.

Data centers used more than 4% of the country’s total electricity last year, according to the Pew Research Center. They are responsible for $9.3 billion in price increases, according to PJM, which manages the Ohio electricity market.

How are we going to power all these centers? Anna Staver writes that we’re turning to nuclear energy.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Cavs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cavs don’t measure up to reigning NBA champion Thunder in 136-104 loss

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Extremely cold

Top Stories

Nuclear power: Ohio is becoming a testing ground for what atomic power looks like in the AI era, Anna Staver reports. The question is who will pay for it? And how does it work?

Property taxes: Outrage from homeowners across Ohio over rising property taxes are worrying public school districts, who depend on them for their largest source of funding. Laura Hancock reports that the fury has prompted some districts to act, taking steps such as educating voters and considering new funding sources as they brace for what the storm may bring.

Unclaimed funds: Could a state court’s freeze on Ohio’s use of unclaimed funds for the Browns’ new stadium delay the start of construction? The freeze could extend for months or years. Rich Exner reports that while experts say it could change the timeline, it so far has shown no signs of slowing construction.

Today in Ohio: Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase says text messages at the heart of his cheating charges weren’t about rigging pitches but about a cockfighting operation that he ran in the Dominican Republic. Because apparently that’s better? We’re talking about fraud in sports betting on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.

Statehouse and Politics

Immigration agents make an arrest in New York

U.S. Rep. Max Miller is telling constituents that agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement do not “conduct patrols, raids, or sweeps looking for illegal aliens,” and that its actions are strictly focused on “those who pose the greatest threat to public safety.” Government data analyzed by major news organizations suggests otherwise. Here ICE agents escort a detained immigrant detained after he exited an immigration courtroom in June in New York. (Olga Fedorova, Associated Press file photo)AP

ICE arrests: U.S. Rep. Max Miller claims ICE targets only criminals, but Sabrina Eaton reports that data from the Washington Post and New York Times reveal over 60% of recent ICE arrests involve people with no criminal convictions.

Social media ban: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno is calling for a complete social media ban for individuals under 18, reports Sabrina Eaton. He compared social media’s impact to cigarettes during a Senate committee hearing.

Christian Virtue: Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, discussed school vouchers and religious freedom while facing protests outside the City Club of Cleveland, where he defended his organization’s views on faith and policy, reports Laura Hancock.

Fuel standards: Trump administration officials visited a Ford plant in Avon Lake to promote a rollback of federal fuel efficiency standards, claiming it will boost manufacturing and reduce costs, reports Mary Frances McGowan.

Northeast Ohio News

Police staffing: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb aims to reach 1,350 police officers in 2026, a goal the city hasn’t achieved in years. Sean McDonnell reports the city would need to hire about 100 more officers than it loses this year.

NFL indoor stadiums, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Cleveland

Pro football and multi-purpose indoor stadiums, clockwise from top left, for the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, Las Vegas Raiders and what is planned for the Cleveland Browns are designed to allow natural light flow in.AP photos and HKS rendering

Covered stadiums: The Cleveland Browns’ new stadium is part of an NFL-wide trend toward indoor stadiums, with 18 of 32 teams expected to play in covered venues, Rich Exner reports.

Extreme cold: A powerful Arctic front moving across Northeast Ohio is bringing snow squalls, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills, with forecasters warning that an even longer stretch of extreme cold could arrive later this week, Molly Walsh reports.

MLK celebration: A local holiday tradition continued Sunday afternoon as Cuyahoga Community College hosted its 49th annual celebration honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. David Petkiewicz has photos.

Tanisha’s Law: Cleveland is making progress toward Tanisha’s Law, which would send mental health professionals instead of police officers to certain 911 calls involving mental health emergencies, reports Sean McDonnell.

Road projects: A record $97.2 million state investment aimed at reducing deadly and serious crashes on Ohio roads will fund 39 projects in 27 counties, including eight projects across Greater Cleveland, Rich Exner reports.

Johnny’s Boathouse: Avon Lake City Council approved an emergency ordinance to buy Johnny’s Boathouse property to expand the water utility department, with the purchase allowing the business to stay until 2027, reports Hannah Drown.

Wags to Riches: Friendship Animal Protective League’s annual Wags to Riches fundraiser returns March 14 in Avon to support animal rescue and medical care, Hannah Drown reports.

Wastewater project: Geauga County commissioners approved over $900,000 in payments for the $34 million McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Molly Walsh reports the project is entering a critical new phase, with construction progressing and testing potentially beginning in October.

Fire station: The Hambden Volunteer Fire Department is seeking construction bids for a new 18,000-square-foot fire station on Old State Road, Molly Walsh reports.

Mentor tax: The Mentor Schools Board approved a resolution to place a 4.9-mill operating levy on the May ballot. Molly Walsh reports that if approved, the levy would generate $13.5 million annually and fund the district’s day-to-day operations.

Health Care and Business

House calls: A new healthcare service is reimagining how Northeast Ohio residents receive medical attention by bringing the doctor’s office directly to their living rooms.

Crime and Courts

Pitch rigging: Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase could face seven to nine years in prison if convicted of pitch-rigging charges. Adam Ferrise reports that Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz are accused of sharing pitch information with bettors.

Fatal hit-and-run: A woman was found dead in the tree lawn of an Elyria street Saturday night after she was struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run, Cliff Pinckard reports.

Shaker shooting: Shaker Heights police are investigating an early-morning shooting that hospitalized a 22-year-old Euclid woman, Molly Walsh reports.

Snow crashes: A trooper and two tow truck operators were injured during crashes on Ohio interstates amid hazardous winter conditions. Olivia Mitchell reports that icy roads and drivers failing to move over for emergency vehicles were key factors in the incidents.

Tracking suspects: A snowstorm helped Elyria police catch suspects after a break-in at Johnny K’s Motorsports, leading to arrests and recovery of stolen dirt bikes, Hannah Drown reports.

Arts and Entertainment

Cindy Barber and Mark Leddy, co-owners of the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, are waiting to hear if their building will be given Landmark Status by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission.Peter Chakerian, Cleveland.com

Beachland landmark: Beachland Ballroom has been nominated for Cleveland Landmark status, with co-owners Cindy Barber and Mark Leddy hopeful for future benefits like tax credits, reports Malcolm X Abram.

Pitbull: Pitbull, known as “Mr. Worldwide,” will bring his “I’m Back Tour” to Blossom Music Center on Sept. 16, with Lil’ Jon opening, Malcolm X Abram reports.

STEAK: Tremont’s STEAK restaurant will operate a stand at Progressive Field during the 2026 Guardians season, offering steak pops and crab cakes on a stick, reports Alex Darus.

Scarlet Ribbon: Teraza Kandah has launched The Scarlet Ribbon bakery, offering unique biscotti flavors like rosemary sunrise and fudge sundae, reports Alex Darus.

Sports awards: The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship with a fireside chat featuring David Griffin, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert. Marc Bona reports the event is Feb. 5 at Rocket Arena.

Seed swap: A seed swap event at Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market on Jan. 31 in Bath offers heirloom, native and organic seeds, along with gardening demos and fermentation stations, making it a family-friendly event, reports Paris Wolfe.

Best popcorn: For National Popcorn Day, Yadi Rodriguez ranks 24 microwave popcorn brands, with taste tests revealing surprises in flavor and quality, perfect for winter movie nights.

House of the Week: Joey Morona highlights a townhouse near West Side Market at Duck Island, built in 2018, listed for $800,000 and offering two bedrooms, 2½ baths, and a rooftop deck with city views.

You’re all caught up

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— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.