dakotah kennedy

Cleveland police violate drone policy to monitor protest crowd

Cleveland police operated a drone on Nov. 25 against policy, according to the Community Police Commission.

Jinkx Monsoon casts a spell over Ohio with her upcoming show

Things are about to get all KINDS of witchy as the Queen of all Queens broomsticks her way into the Buckeye State.

How much do corporations spend trying to buy your vote? (Video)

Citizens United is a U.S. Supreme Court case that gives corporations -- like people -- the right to free speech.

Queering the Panel: How an Ohio creative is changing the world through her comics

Famed Columbus-based author Grace Ellis wins über-prestigious comics award for her work 'Flung Out of Space'

Jinkx Monsoon casts a spell over Ohio with her upcoming show

NASA's Rainbow Alliance Advisory Group takes Ohio queer pride to infinity and beyond

Houston, we have a solution! Aerospace engineer and LGBTQ+ advocate, Jen Pierce, imagines a NASA that is diverse, inclusive and accessible.

Save Yourself: Queer Black Women of S.Y.S. Bring the Pop Beats to Ohio

"There's nothing new about these identities. It's just finally people having the platform, the space and the safety to say who they are."

Black, Out, & Proud amplifies the work of local Black & queer artists during Pride Month

The Buckeye Flame caught up with BOP to learn more about the fashion-forward event and what makes Columbus' Pride stand out from the crowd.

Brandie Blaze Talks “Broken Rainbows” Ahead Of Boston Calling

“This is the type of rap I live for and I wanna hear more of it. It’s a beautiful feeling to have that community and that’s why I represent for Boston so hard.”

“I’m Not On That Grammys Stage Yet, But It Feels One Step Closer”

Boston's own Dutch ReBelle, Oompa, and Red Shaydez look back on trip to Grammys, ahead to Grammy goals.

New hip-hop musical examines why oppression "just keeps happening"

Come to Pass is a new musical that explores how the principles that founded America failed and continue to fail women of color.

Black Girl Magic: Black women rise to the top of Boston's hip-hop scene

What Works: The Future of Local News Ep. 53 Anne Larner

Ellen has a Quick Take on MLK50, the award-winning Memphis newsroom that focuses on poverty, power, and justice. And speaking of MLK50, executive editor Adrienne Johnson Martin was here at Northeastern ahead of Martin Luther King Day to give a talk on their work in Memphis. We'll feature some interviews from that by our colleague Dakotah Kennedy.

What Works: The Future of Local News Ep. 44 David Dahl

Dakotah Kennedy, a graduate student at Northeastern University, contributes on-the-ground interviews from attendees at the recent Radically Rural conference in New Hampshire.

Abolish Arkham

Is Batman a cop? Abolish Arkham is a podcast that examines the intersection between pop culture and the way we think about crime. Created and hosted by Dakotah Kennedy and Yuuki Nishida.

WBCA Presents: Notebook P

Think of it like a Tiny Desk Concert, but tinier. WBCA Presents features in studio performances and interviews with MA-based musicians. Notebook P sits down with Dakotah Kennedy to talk about his award-winning R&B style and how he blends anime with hip-hop.

WBCA Presents: Amanda Shea

Award-winning poet and lyricist Amanda Shea sits down with Host Dakotah Kennedy to talk about her musical career so far.

WBCA Presents: MonaVeli

Host Dakotah Kennedy sits down with musical performer MonaVeli. Based out of Brockton, MA, MonaVeli is quickly rising through the ranks as one of the city's hardest hitting rappers.

'A Ward Tour' (Video)

We kick off this video series with an Emmy-nominated explainer about Cleveland's wards. Wards are the political boundaries for city council representation.

Citizens United: How much can corporations spend trying to buy your vote? (Video)

'Berrymandering' board game offers a sweet take on a political trick (Video)

Signal Cleveland sat down with Berrymandering co-creator Eliot Aretskin-Hariton to see who would win control of Cakeland.

Cleveland police violate drone policy to monitor protest crowd

Cleveland police operated a drone on Nov. 25 against policy, according to the Community Police Commission.

Cleveland officer Edward Lentz disciplined for kicking suspect

Edward Lentz received a suspension for use of force against a suspect in the 2020 murder of officer James Skernivitz.

Cleveland's Office of Professional Standards investigates complaints about police

Head of Cleveland police oversight agency cleared

The board that oversees Cleveland's Office of Professional Standards decided that Marcus Perez's behavior was not discriminatory.

Cleveland one step closer to fulfilling police oversight promise

Federal and city officials recently approved drafts of operating manuals that would guide civilian-led police oversight efforts.

Cleveland's Civilian Police Review Board hears misconduct cases

Antoine Tolbert asks Community Police Commission to hear appeal

Last week, the Community Police Commission wrestled with how to handle an appeal regarding the discipline of a Cleveland police sergeant.

Why Cleveland's new police oversight powers aren't being used - yet

In 2021, Clevelanders voted to give residents the final say on police discipline and policies. However, that authority isn't being used yet.

How to try and get a Section 8 voucher in Cuyahoga County

Housing vouchers are hard to get and sometimes even harder to use. Generally, people have to get on a waitlist and, well, wait.

How to file a housing voucher discrimination complaint in five cities

For renters with vouchers, its often unclear how to file complaints in cities with laws that ban discrimination.

Here's how homeowners can try to reduce property values in 2025

The Cuyahoga County Board of Revision is accepting formal complaints from homeowners seeking a property value reduction until March 31.

Cleveland residents share what affordable housing means to them

Where do Cuyahoga County residents use housing vouchers?

In Cuyahoga County, housing vouchers help nearly 17,000 households afford rent. Most vouchers are concentrated on Cleveland's East Side.

Eight Northeast Ohio cities ban housing income discrimination

Not all "source of income" laws in Cuyahoga County specifically cover Section 8 housing vouchers or other subsidies.

Citizens for Property Tax Reform demand action from Columbus

After property taxes increased significantly, Citizens for Property Tax Reform hopes to kick the issue to the top of Columbus' list in 2025.

Property values remain 'uphill battle' for Cuyahoga residents

Cuyahoga County received 20,367 requests from homeowners looking to reduce their new value. About 14,000 received a lower value.

Residents urged to ask state lawmakers for property tax help

Ohio and Cuyahoga County officials told residents this week that they are working hard to pass property tax relief for residents.

Dog owners in Jamaica Plain are raising awareness for the need for more dog parks in Boston

Election Day vibes from around Greater Cleveland

Hear what Cleveland voters had to say on Election Day from the east to west side, from the Central to Cudell neighborhoods.

Cuyahoga County residents debate for four hours over Israel Bonds

Dozens of residents spoke about a now-withdrawn resolution that called for immediately stopping local investments in foreign countries.

No Gaza ceasefire resolution from Cleveland City Council in 2023

Despite seven weeks of public comments supporting Palestine, Cleveland City Council did not pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

'That's my safety': Paratransit riders express frustration to RTA

Some residents who rely on paratransit shared their frustrations about safety and timeliness of the RTA program.

Newnan residents protest in support of safe abortion access

Understanding Cleveland Municipal Court

The Cleveland Municipal Court is the oldest court in the state and one of the largest. It handles traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases.

What is prevailing wage and how does it work in Ohio?

Prevailing wage laws in Ohio include hourly wages, benefits and overtime paid to workers for publicly funded construction projects.

Residents return to the mic at Cleveland City Council next week

After taking its summer break, public comment returns to Cleveland City Hall on Monday, Sept. 9.

The City of Cleveland rolls out new home repair application

For the first time, homeowners can submit one application to be considered for four separate home repair programs.

How would you spend Cleveland's 2025 budget?

Refund Cleveland shows residents how to navigate the budget and tell elected officials how they want to see the city's money spent in 2025.

Rebel without a cause? Street takeovers are 'flash mobs with cars'

More than a dozen street takeovers disrupted traffic throughout Cleveland over the last year. Now, people are asking: What actually are they?

Elected Judges and Candidates Have to Disclose Financial Ties.

Judges can receive gifts, buy stocks in companies. Some judges are even landlords. But they have to disclose their financial ties.

Cleveland Zoo gives update on new home for primates

Cleveland Zoo reps updated the Metroparks board on plans to renovate its RainForest attraction ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2032.

Greater Cleveland RTA may bid farewell to its smelly cloth seats

RTA plans to remove cloth seats from train cars to cut down on cleaning costs and respond to rider concerns about cleanliness.

Kids from New Era Cleveland tell adults to 'get it together' on guns

Two young leaders from New Era Cleveland's Kids Safe Zone Academy explain how adults can better support kids traumatized by gun violence.

Spider-Man, Elsa snag Cuyahoga County youth vote

The Board of Elections set up a mock election for anyone under 16 years old to vote on their favorite princesses, superheroes and more.

MyDOT zine busts myths and prepares kids for first period

Cleveland-based MyDOT fights period poverty by offering education programming, free hygiene products and even a myth-busting zine.

The Denna & Estella Strickland Story: Lost, But Not Forgotten

Meet the graduate students who produced our Changemakers project

The fight for voting rights is raging. These students are leading the way.