Leila Atassi
clevelanddotcom
Cleveland, OH, United States
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Past articles by Leila:
To solve our low-income housing crisis, the voucher system must work for landlords, too
At a minimum, it takes 21 days for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority to approve a rental property to accept a tenant using a federal housing voucher. That's too long, if we expect landlords to become willing partners in solving our low-income housing crisis. → Read More
Protests remain peaceful on Day 1 of Republican National Convention (videos)
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said Monday evening that, so far, protests have remained peaceful and under control on the first day of the Republican National Convention. → Read More
More than a parade, more than a championship
An estimated 1 million fans poured into downtown Cleveland Wednesday to be a part of the biggest party this city has ever seen. A parade and rally honoring the Cavaliers for defying the odds in the NBA Finals and defeating the Golden State Warriors to bring home a championship title. But if you're a Clevelander, you know this victory is even bigger than that. → Read More
Group seeking Cleveland minimum wage hike collects more than 28,000 signatures
Raise Up Cleveland, a group seeking to boost Cleveland's minimum wage collected more than 28,000 signatures in support of their proposal in less than two weeks. The team needed only 5,000 valid signatures to compel Cleveland City Council to draft legislation. → Read More
Smithsonian Institution seeks to preserve gazebo where Tamir Rice was shot
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has asked the city of Cleveland to hold off on demolishing the gazebo where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed in 2014. → Read More
Cleveland store owner sounds off on city's new tobacco law; one young smoker supports it: What do you think?
Cleveland's controversial ban on selling tobacco products to people under the age of 21 took effect on Thursday. Some store owners have said the legislation will hurt small businesses; one young smoker told cleveland.com he might not have started smoking at age 13 had the law existed back then. What do you think? → Read More
Cleveland's new tobacco law starts today; smokers under 21 must shop elsewhere
Cleveland's ban on tobacco sales to people under the age of 21 began Thursday. → Read More
Judge John P. O'Donnell: Those who disagree with Michael Brelo's acquittal 'will never convince me that I was wrong'
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John P. O'Donnell, who is running for the Ohio Supreme Court, told members of Cleveland City Council that he firmly stands by his acquittal of police officer Michael Brelo last year on manslaughter charges. Four council members boycotted the judge's appearance at the caucus Monday. → Read More
4 Cleveland Council members boycott Brelo judge's appearance at caucus
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John P. O'Donnell, who acquitted Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo on manslaughter charges last year, appeared before City Council to promote his bid for the Ohio Supreme Court. Four council members are boycotted his appearance. → Read More
City Council green lights $100 million project near Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland City Council on Monday approved legislation green lighting $100 million in construction near the Cleveland Clinic -- despite Councilman TJ Dow's attempt to block the project for months. → Read More
The jaw-dropping accusations against Reggie Rucker
How federal prosecutors say former Cleveland Browns receiver Reggie Rucker stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his social agencies that were supposed to change the lives of Cleveland's youth. → Read More
Cleveland council introduces income tax increase legislation
Cleveland City Council on Monday introduced legislation seeking to put a municipal income tax increase on the ballot. → Read More
Cleveland council approves higher caps on campaign donations
After an hour-long debate Monday, members of Cleveland City Council hit a compromise on new limits for contributions to mayoral and council candidates. → Read More
The tale of 137 gunshots: How Cleveland police became a hysterical mob
This is the story of how two unarmed suspects fled police and ended up dead 22 minutes later in a hail of gunfire. → Read More
Should Cleveland ban flavored tobacco?
Should Cleveland ban the sale of flavored tobacco products? We invite you to step into the shoes of a Cleveland Council member and cast your vote on this hot topic. → Read More
Cleveland City Council president proposes increased caps for campaign contributions
Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley says that limiting campaign donations to $1,000 per year hurts challengers, who can't compete against an incumbent's giant war chest. → Read More
Cleveland airport runway incursion also involved snowplows
The SUV driver who crossed paths with a departing flight Sunday at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was leading a pack of snowplow operators -- some of whom followed him. → Read More
Cleveland Hopkins Airport worker drives across runway just as aircraft takes flight
A 13-year veteran of the airport's airfield maintenance crew crossed an active runway Sunday -- ignoring warning lights and signs alerting him to the danger, airport officials said. → Read More
Yelp users review the Cleveland experience
Is a three-star average good or bad? It depends on whether your pint of Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold is half full. → Read More
Cleveland mayor: Public criticism of criminal justice system is 'legitimate' (video)
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson told members of the media Tuesday that the public is justified in its belief that the criminal justice system is unfair. → Read More