The iOpener: OSU Researchers: New Algae Bloom ID'd Near Cleveland; More Bipartisanship in Ohio House

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Friday, May 17, 2019. Rain around this weekend, but hey, it's still the weekend.

Ohio State University researchers say they’ve identified a new type of algae bloom in Lake Erie, near Cleveland, confirming that such blooms are not confined to the western basin of the lake near Toledo. Researchers say public water-treatment plants may not be able to measure the toxins generated by this new type of cyanobacteria, but lead researcher Justin Chaffin said the standard screening process should remove them.   

More bipartisan legislative action is moving forward in Ohio’s newly-collaborative House of Representatives. Republican and Democratic leaders rolled out bills aimed at reducing domestic violence, improving prenatal care, providing access to job training and broadband service and establishing an office of drug policy. It was the second time this week that Republican House Speaker Larry Householder and Democratic minority leader Emilia Sykes announced legislation that had significant support from both sides of the aisle.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is paying tribute to its renowned architect, I.M. Pei, who died Thursday at 102. CEO Greg Harris said in a tweet that the Chinese American architect’s “reach and artistic excellence” was exemplified in glass pyramids he designed for the Rock Hall and for the Louvre. 

Avon Lake City Schools is getting two school buses with seat belts in June, making it the second district in Northeast Ohio to add the safety restraints. The buses cost $90,000 and will only be used for field trips and sports team travel as part of a pilot program to determine whether to buy more. Last year, Beachwood’s schools began using buses with seatbelts, the first district in the region to do so.

The Indians rolled over the Orioles, 14-7, the most runs the Tribe has recorded this season. Jason Kipnis tallied a career-high six RBIs, including two homers. A five-run seventh inning helped Cleveland pull away from Baltimore, following the early departure of Trevor Bauer.  He had seven runs on five hits in five innings.

Weather forecast: Cloudy, with a slight chance of showers. Temperatures will drop from a high of 67 early this morning to settle in the low 60s for the day.  Tonight, cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms overnight. Low 52.  Tomorrow, Partly sunny, high 76.  Sunday, mostly sunny, a 50 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms, high 82.

The light patterns cast by the GE chandelier over the intersection of Euclid Ave. and E. 14th St. in Playhouse Square, outside the ideastream studios, at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019. {Amy Eddings / ideastream]