8am hour Friday, 06/05/26

A kitchen remodel on your mind? Let's get to Northeast Factory Direct. Bring in the measurements. Sit down with one of their design people. It's a free service. And let's get that kitchen project started. Beautiful solid wood construction, soft closed drawers, the full extension glides on the cabinets. Alex buys them in volume and he buys what you want. That's how I can save you so much money, plus countertops and flooring. Again, when you go into Northeast Factory Direct, get those kitchen cabinets. Mention I sent you in. You're going to save an extra $500 on the project. Yeah, save $500 on kitchen cabinets. at Northeast Factory Direction. From the heart of downtown. W.T.A.M. 1,100. Cleveland. And I. Heart Radio station. Guaranteed Human. It's Friday. How are you, human? 8 o'clock. Cleveland's morning news. This Bill will's 5th of June. Those two former First Energy bosses were re-indicted yesterday, by the way. Acting U.S. Attorney General in Columbus with some indictments against Ohio and accused of defrauding Medicaid, too. A couple of the stories were following for you this morning. Brian Engels in for Carmen. News coming up. TAM 1100 traffic. Get you there, get you out of town, wherever you're going this morning. Here's Brad Butler. Thank you, Bill. From the Elk and Elk Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800-O-Hulk Ohio. Things are just a little busy right now, lighter than usual on your highway drive. Watch out for an accident reported 480 West at Broadway. It's heavy on 77 North and between 490 and East 9th Street getting into downtown in that construction zone. 490 East is heavy at East 55th, and the 71 north ramp to 480 West is a little slow by the... The airport, the left lane of the ramp is closed with construction. Next traffic update in 10 minutes at 810, Pat Butler, W-T-A-M traffic on 1,100 AM and 106.9F. And I just looked this up. Yes. From where you and I are working here on Euclid to Cedar Point. Okay. Hour 5 minutes right now. Oh, that's nothing. It's all blue. Yeah. I'm just saying. Yeah. It's one of those days. All right. Weather, Cleveland, 3 News, forecast, or whatever you got going. Meteorado's Mark Johnson. We are turning up the heat and humidity beginning today. We'll be dry all day long, a partly sunny sky area-wide with highs. Let's go 85 to 88 degrees. Very muggy out there. Overnight tonight, clouds moving in some widely scattered thunder after midnight, lows in the 60. 64, Strongsville, 67 of your severe weather station. Greg, Brenda, I'm thinking. Cedar Point right on the lake, maybe 63, 64. I'm just kind of guessing temperature. By the way, how long does Disney World in Orlando? I'll look that up for you next. A little more expensive, too. Yeah, you bet. And for Mike sports, Greg Brenda. Guardians couldn't find any offense yesterday afternoon, but it's the Yankees that's got a real problem right now. Nixon Spurs tonight, game two of the NBA finals, and four-way tie for the lead at Jack's Memorial Tournament down in Dublin. Plus, you do Disney this time of the year. They're early because it rains at noon. Right, yeah. Right, exactly. I think it's real hot. All right. 8.02, let's get to the news now. He's Brian Engel. Thank you, Bill. Two former First Energy executives have been re-indicted in connection with Ohio's House Bill 6th. Corruption scandal. Poor CEO Chuck Jay Jones and External Affairs Executive Michael Dowling facing combined 22 felony charges, including corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, conspiracy, and bribery. Prosecutors allege the men helped carry out a decade-long scheme to influence state leaders and advance the company's financial interests. The re-indictment comes after a mistrial earlier this year when a jury could not reach a verdict.

I'm Brady Hopkins. Federal officials in the Buckeye State Thursday talking about Medicaid fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in Columbus announced a takedown of suspected fraudsters here in Ohio. In total, between our state and federal partners today, we're announcing... Charges that were either unsealed today or over the past week against 14 defendants allegedly involved in fraud schemes targeting over $50 million. here in Ohio. He said state employees are among the more than dozen defendants who are being indicted in what he called some of the most significant fraud schemes in the whole country. Senate Republicans have passed a $70 billion bill to fund ICE through the rest of President Trump's term. The Senate voted through the night of multiple amendments to the bill in an 18-hour-long voterrama. The new bill includes about $38 billion for ICE, $22 billion for the Border Patrol, and $5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security. The measure will head to the House for consideration next week. President Trump says the U.S. will win the Iran War one way or another. We're going to win on paper. Or we're going to win military. One way or the other, it's going to be militarily or in peck. On Thursday, Trump shrugged off questions about the war dragging down Republican chances in the midterm elections against saying other U.S. wars have lasted a lot longer. He also touted good things going on while the war continues, including a record stock market. Trump's comments come with conflicting reports about the progress of U.S. Iran peace talks. Former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton in his Trump's first term is expected to plead guilty to mishandling classified documents. That's according to multiple sources. It's part of a plea deal that will also see John Bolton pay more than a $2 million fine. And a legal retention of sensitive national security documents conviction carries a sentence between zero and 60 months in prison. John Bolton was indicted back in October. He became a strong critic of President Trump after he left the administration in 2019. I'm Mark Mayfield. More details being provided about a man who struck two bicyclists with his SUV and then barricaded himself inside a mentor home. Police say 42-year-old Michael Leppelmeier targeted two elderly men on bicycles on Headland's Road Wednesday morning. According to investigators, Leppelmeier crossed the center line in order to hit a 72-year-old head on and then got out of his vehicle and assaulted a 68-year-old and threw his bicycle into a pond. Soon after, police tracked Leppelmeier down at his order. Orchard Road home where he approached officers with a knife before barricading himself inside. More than seven hours later, Leppelmeier was taken into custody. He's facing charges including felonious assault and aggravated vehicular assault.

I'm Mandy Betz. Both victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police in Westlake planned to begin a crackdown of loud vehicles, engine revving, racing, overall reckless driving in and around the Crocker Park area. Plans for increased patrol details with marked and unmarked vehicles. They also plan to write tickets and even tow vehicles if they have to. The city calls it a quality of life issue. The U.S. Department of Agriculture working to stop a parasitic fly that can affect livestock, wildlife, pets, and in rare cases, humans. Officials confirmed the New World Screw Worm Fly was found on a calf in Texas, some 50 miles from the Mexican border. It marks the first confirmed case in Texas since 1966. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said response teams are already on the ground. For the latest headlines at the top and bottom of the hour set of preset on the free I-Heart Radio app to WTAM 1100. I'm Brian Engel. Now! Your chance to win $2,500. Just enter this nationwide keyword on our website. Birthday, that's birthday. Enter it now at W-T-A-M.com. Cleveland's News Talking Sports from McLeban Ford Lincoln Studios. Mike here from Professional Ruffing. Is your Rough Lake? Could be a small problem. Could be a lot worse. So how do you know? You go with the pros. And right now rely on the bank of mom and dad. According to a survey from Northwestern Mutual, 42% of Americans 18 and older say they're financially dependent on their parents. More strikingly, 20% of Americans believe they will never be able to support themselves. And 33% of GenX who are nearing retirement depend on mom and dad. Inflation and rising living costs, especially in housing, are making it harder for people to be self-sufficient. Also, artificial intelligence disruptions. shaking up the labor market. Speaking of that, jobs are in focus on Wall Street payrolls probably posted solid gains in May. 88,000 jobs were expected to have been added last month. Ahead of that key report, S&P futures are falling. And President Trump is giving $700 million to revitalize the coal industry. However, environmentalists are blasting the plant spending, arguing it's a misguided effort. Courtney Donahoeh. Bloomberg Radio. I am filling up for the weekend. 413. Average at the pump. A lot of things going on. Maybe some stuff in your community or you think about coming downtown. Big day tomorrow. Some pride events. We've got the... soccer tomorrow at Huntington Bank Field. We'll talk about some of that and some other stuff too. Michael Deamer in studio from the downtown Cleveland here coming up 810 the time. This Bill Wills, thank you for being there wherever you are this morning, wherever you're heading. Let's get you there with traffic. Here's bad. Thank you, Bill. From the Elk and Elk Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800 Elk, Ohio. Really not too bad of a highway drive for you this morning, lighter than usual. There was an accident reported 480 West at Broadway that has cleared up already. It's a little heavy on 77 north approaching East 30th.

in that construction zone right before the inner belt. Also still heavy on 490 eastbound in between 77 and the Opportunity Corridor. This report is brought to you by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Roadside workers have lives and families, but when they're on the job, they put it all on the line to protect and serve us. Remember, they're not just roadside workers. Thank you for moving over and slowing down. Brought to you by ODOT, US DOT, NHTSA, and ODPS. Next traffic update in 9 minutes at 820. Pat Butler, W-T-A-M traffic on 1,100 a.m. and 106.9. All right. Speaking, in the weekend, weather, going to warm up a little more, maybe a few showers around. Let's take you through a Cleveland 3 News forecast. Meteorologist Mark Johnson, Mark. Hi, Bill, summertime returning today. Humidity is on the rise. That's going to be muggy all day long. Highs about 85 to 88 degrees under a partly sunny sky. Overnight, clouds move in, thunderstorms after midnight with lows in the 60s. 68 this morning matter and 67 at your severe weather station. Guardians out of town this weekend in Texas. It took two out of three against the Yankees. Lost last night, San Antonio and New York game two tonight. Greg Brett is in for Mike Snyder. Thanks for listening to Cleveland's Morning News with Wills and Snyder. Check in throughout the day. On WT.A.m. 1100. Cleveland's morning news with Wills and Stouty. This is Bill Wills. First weekend in June. You know, Memorial Day came so early. Almost felt like last weekend should have been Memorial Day weekend. The weather's been great and just really nice. First weekend in June, we're bringing Michael Deemer with downtown Cleveland in studio. Downtown is a lot of things going on. We'll get to a symphony and we've got a little soccer, but this Saturday we've got pride in the CLE and a lot of activities around that first, right, Michael? Well, we're in for an exciting weekend. You're right about the weather bill. I mean, we have a four-season downtown, but downtown looks and feels great in the summer months, and we're excited that the sunny weather's upon us, and it does kick off with Pride in the CLE this weekend. We, of course, have the March at 11 o'clock from Public Square to the malls, and then the Pride and the CLE Festival on malls B&C that runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There's also a pride celebration at the Rock Hall on Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. So a lot of great celebration, a lot of great opportunities to enjoy downtown. It is a big summer as we celebrate 250 years. We've got the world literally coming when it comes to the FIFA World Cup. And Cleveland, a part of this on Saturday, Huntington Bank, we're hosting, Huntington Bank field. We're hosting Brazil and Egypt, right? Yeah, it's another exciting event that's going to draw a huge crowd to downtown Cleveland. Brazil versus Egypt, 6 o'clock on Saturday night, Huntington Bank Field. You know, once again, between the activities around Pride and the CLE and the soccer match on Saturday night, we encourage people to come early, stay late.

make a day or a weekend of it to support all the small businesses in downtown Cleveland. And Sunday evening at Voinovich Park, you talk about popular. I think when we started these, the Symphony at Sunset. It's just fantastic series. Yeah, it's hard to put into words how beautiful and serene symphony at Sunset is at Voinovich Park and North Coast Harbor every Sunday evening beginning this Sunday at 7 o'clock. Great way to wind down the weekend and prepare for the week ahead. You can find out all about the entire event schedule for not just this weekend, but the entire summer by visiting us. on our website at downtown cleveland.com. And again, it's it's activations like this weekend that make downtown such a special place to live, work, and invest. Well said. Enjoy. And thank you for all the work you do with downtown Cleveland.com is putting together and helping to coordinate in so many things. Soccer this weekend and the symphony and, of course, pride in the CLA. Big day for that on Saturday. Michael Deamer with Downtown Cleveland. Thanks for stop by too. Thank you, Bill. 18. Let's go over to sports in for Mike Grigrendegra. I'm sorry. I was distracted by Scooter. Oh, well, okay. I'm sorry about that. All right. We'll start again. Can we start that over again? Come on, Scooter. 815 WTAM Sports. Here's Greg Brendan. Thank you, Bill. Rums were hard to come by yesterday at Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, the New Yorkers got one more than Cleveland. Two to one. The final guardians managed just a couple of hits on the day. One of them was, well, got him in the lead in the fourth inning. Chances. here for the Guardians to snap this scoreless tie. Two outs. Here's the pitch. And it swung on, lined, left side base hit into left field. Scoring is Ramirez and Stuart Fairchild on his first hit as a Cleveland Guardian puts the Guardians in front. One-nothing. Well, that wouldn't last long. Cicone in a jam. Second and third, nobody out. Here's his 2-2. Swung-on, line drive to left. It'll stay in as Kwan is back to make the catch just in front of the warning track, tagging and scoring his Goldschmidt. On his way to third is Bellinger, and he overslid the bag. The throw came there, and Ramirez tags him out after Bellinger. Overslid the bag and ended up in foul territory, and all Jose had to do was apply the tag. He did, and Bellinger's retired. So Ryan Linda McMahon drove in the go-ahead and eventual winning run of the seventh inning. That gave the Yankees the lead for good. Slate Cicone, well, he pitched five. Five, six innings. Find six innings of one run, forehead ball in the loss. I think we'll take that any time out. Manager Stephen, vote. He was very pleased. Slate was phenomenal. Six, six innings, one run. Did a great job keeping us in that game. We knew kind of going into it and they needed to be a low scoring affair. I mean, Rodon was special over there as well. But I thought Slade threw the ball. Excellent. Did his job. Give us six innings of one run baseball.

And taking two out of three wasn't bad either. Yeah, anytime we win a series, we're happy. Obviously, we would have loved to have gotten a sweep today, and that was definitely a game we felt like we could win. We were in it the whole way. We hit some balls hard right at people. Just weren't able to get enough going to score more than the one run. But I'm really proud of the way our guys bounced back after a tough homestand. And now get on this flight and get ready to go to get Texas. Tonight the Guardians take down the Rangers in Arlington, 815, start Parker Messick on the hill for Cleveland. Meanwhile, the news is not good for the Yankees. Aaron Judge will be out for an indefinite period of time. He's got a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. He'll be re-evaluated in four to six weeks to see where he's at. New York expects him to be back at some point later on this season, but for now, no, he's not going to be in the lineup. Game two. NBA finals tonight in San Antonio, and in order for the spurs to get back on track, they got to shoot a lot better. Huh, sounds familiar. On Wednesday, the spur shots 36% from the field, 26% from Beyond the Arc. Sound familiar? Missing 32 of 43 attempts, and they were outscored in the paint, 50 to 42. Well, I mean, give credit to the New York Knicks. They are doing what they need to do, and they're on this fabulous run right now. All right, Stanley Cup finals, Seth Jarvis scored the power play goal in overtime to give Carolina a 4. three win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights. That evens the series at one. And down at the Memorial in Dublin, four tied for the lead after one, J.J. Spahn, Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ryan Girard. Defending champion, Scotty Sheffler, tied for 33 at one over, put one into the water at 16 yesterday and was not happy with his caddy. Caddy didn't hit the shot. Roy McElroy tied for 13th at 1 under. In for Mike Snyder. On the home of the Guardians and Cavs, Greg Brenda, W-T-A-M-Sports. Yeah, if you're a golf fan, you follow Scotty Schaeffer a lot. He and Ted is getting along well for years. Yeah, I mean, yesterday, Bill was like the twilight zone. Yeah, I saw those with kind of the highlights of the memorial yesterday. Hey, and then you just see Scotty Schuffer yelling at Ted. Right. For like all the way down the fairway. Weird. Oh, my God. That's crazy. One of the quick notes, Chicago Bears quarterback, Caleb Williams this week, announced as the Madden 27 cover. It'll be released August 13th, Caleb Williams. Wow. Wow. And I keep seeing the Bears, it's one of those stadium deals, like Indiana. Evidently, like Hammond, Indiana has offered a bit, and if you've ever gone to Chicago, you can't avoid Hammond, Indiana. And it just seems weird that the Chicago Bears would someday be playing in Hammond, Indiana.

You know, there's been a lot of talk, a lot of bluster. I can't imagine the state of Illinois letting Chicago get out of that state. I really can't. It would never happen in an NFL team moving. No, it's never happened. No. Coming up this morning on Cleveland's morning news. A chance be to win some Guardians tickets for next week when the Yankees are here coming up at 845. We heard the winning number announced earlier this morning. We'll head to the White House afternoon. Talk to White House correspondent John Decker. President Trump was talking about coal and energy some yesterday. get the takes and John on that story. I always enjoy talking to him. And he'll join us after 9 on news radio, W-T-A-M-E-Eleven-Hod. By the way, next week, getting close to the World Cup. We'll have some updates. And throughout the World Cup, too, from Fox be talking to him. Monday, we'll catch up with Tom Hamilton. Hope we'll talk about a winning weekend. in Texas against the Rangers. And next week, also, Pat Buller, I got tickets for jelly roll to win all week. Okay. That's right. Forty-five is jelly roll's coming to, that's at Huntington Bank Field in a couple of weeks. Boy, big summer for concerts. We are. Yeah. It is that time. All right. 8.20 is the time, by the way. W.T.A.M. Traffic, here is Pat Bowler. Yeah, it seems they're doing more and more at the football stadium as time goes on here. From the Elkenau Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800 Elk, Ohio. Really not too bad of a highway. drive lighter than usual getting into downtown moving fine on the inner belt 77 north is heavy at east 30th in that construction zone it's a little busy on 490 eastbound in between 77 and the opportunity corridor if you're on the east side on 271 heading north or south it'll take you just over 10 minutes in between 90 and 480 without any issues this report is brought to you by hello haven hvac plumbing and electric Hello Haven. Haven? Oh, wedding ring worries. Walking down the aisle? Uh-uh. Diamond down the drain. I'll send a Haven plumber. Say, hello, Haven. Goodbye plumbing problems. Hello, Haven! Next traffic update in nine minutes at 8.30. Pat Bueller. W. T.A.M. Traffic on 1100 a.m. and 106.9 FM. Your Cleveland, 3 News Weather from Meteoraldus. Mark Johnson this week, partly sunny, humid today, 88. Tonight, isolated thunderstorms will roll through. It will be about in the 60, 60s, so for a low. Saturday, chances scattered showers and storms, warm muggy into the 80s. That's up for real nice Sunday, sunshine, and 80 for a high. Lake Erie, southwest wind, 10 to 15 knots. Ways, probably 1 to 2. Water tip off Cleveland right now, by the way, sits at 57. Be safe. Getting the boat out. Right now I've got 68 at your severe weather station. News Radio W. T.A.m. 1100. Brian Engle working on the 8.30. news what you got coming up thank you bill two former first energy executives once again facing corruption charges for the house bill six scandal we're learning more about what led up to that standoff this week with police and mentor the senate passes a funding bill for ice it'll move to the house for next week and a man who played pro baseball and coached it at a local high school is charged with sexual assault involving a 12 year old girl We are in talks. The talks have been productive. We'll be holding talks here. Is it my turn to talk now? All day. We'll listen to what they have to say. Say, okay. I've heard no. Let them keep talking. Talk till I'm blue in the face. Keep holding these talks. On WTAM, 1100.

Your one stop for advertising? Call 844-844. I was joking with Pat Butler earlier. I just checked from where I'm standing here on Euclid in the studio. Literally, we have a stand-up studio on Euclid, 6-6-8 Euclid to Cedar Poet's an hour and five minutes. So do you have a trip put in your trip put in your phone to see how long and how far it's going to be? Maybe it's this weekend. Maybe it's today. Maybe it's next week. Well, a part of that trip should really be the discount drug mark first. Put in your local discount drug mark first, then go on your trip. Because discount drug mark's where you want to stop for everything to make sure it's a successful. A staycation a day away, an afternoon, or a week or two. They've got everything. Games and toys for the kids. Keep my occupied. Get them off the phone for the trip. Travel essentials, wonderful selections, little small things of... You know, the shampoo and the shaving cream, all that stuff you need. They got that for you, discount drug mark. Yard games, pool toys. You got to rent a condo or something like that. You want to make sure you got some stuff to do when you get there. They've got that for you. And, of course, sunscreen, so, so important. Make sure you get that sunscreen. Great selection of it for you at your neighborhood discount drug mart. And make sure that prescription is filled, too, before you leave the pharmacy can help you out. Saving you the runaround. Have a great trip wherever you're going. For more information about contests and rules on this station, go to WTAM.com and click on contests. for listening to Cleveland's Morning News with Wills and Snyder. Check in throughout the day. On W.T.A.m. 1100. A lot of promotions in the month of June around Pride Month. I'm bringing Fox's Tanya Powers on this. On what we're thinking about all this that's happening around us. I know we in Cleveland have some events on Saturday. Some polling on support or maybe some fading support on some of this, Tony. Well, there's a new Gallup survey. They do an annual values and beliefs survey, and they conducted it in May between the first and the 17th, just to give you an idea of how recent this is. And the overall thing that it found is for about two decades, Americans grew more accepting of LGBTQ plus people and more supportive of their civil rights. But those pro-LGBQ plus attitudes teaked about five years ago. They're edging downwards at this point. Now, I want to be very clear because they break this up into three different ways of looking at it, and they look at it from three different groups, the political parties, Republicans, Independence, Democrats. Yeah. So it found that when you were talking about legalizing same-sex marriage between 96 and 2002, or 2022, rather, The percentage of people in the U.S. who favored legalizing same-sex marriage increased by 44 points. They went from 27% in 1996 to 71% in 2022. And 2024, that figure dipped to about 69%. The last couple of points. It has been marginally declining each year since. Then they also ask about the morality of same-sex relations. In 2001, 40% of those surveys that they were morally acceptable. By 2022, 71% held that view. It was a drop to 64% in 2023. Where is the drop coming from? Simply put, the drop is coming.

from Republicans because they, when they surveyed people, you know, I guess they, you know, one is another political party. Right. Um, most of the changes in these attitudes have come from Republicans. In 2021 and 22, 55% of Republicans that they've favored same sex marriage, legal same sex marriage. Today, that figure is 37%. It's an 18 point drop since 2022. Among independents, the support has dropped 6 points to 67% still pretty high. Democrats' views are the same as they were in 2022, 87% in favor. So when I say the drop has come from Republicans, that's what I'm talking about, is that 18-point drop. Gender change, also something that has talked about a lot when it comes to state laws and news. I saw in the same Gallup question, the number of Americans considering a change in one's gender. morally acceptable, also declining over the last few years, about 5, 6%. So that kind of continues that trend, I guess, that you saw throughout the whole Gallup thing. Yeah, and it makes sense, because if Republicans are the ones powering the drop, that would go along with that. Yeah, interesting. All right, the news from Gallup as far as asking the question, and Tanya Power is on it this morning. Tanya, thanks much. Mm-hmm, thank you. Listen for the next chance to win your way to our I Heart Radio Music Festival presented by Capital One. This September, coming back to Las Vegas, streaming live on Disney Plus and Hulu. Tickets still on sale Friday, June 12th at 2 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific through AXS.com. But starting Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern. Capital One card holders get first access to tickets and other exclusive offers for 48 hours only or while presale tickets last. Visit iHeartRadio.com slash Capital One for more presale details. What's in your wallet? Woo! Northeast Ohio's Mesozoic Mike. Dino de model here. But 65 million reasons you should stop dragging your tail and get... It's Friday. Senator's probably sleeping right now. They work through the night on passing funding bill for ice. Moves over to the house for next week. We'll have that story with Brian Engel here coming up. And around here, too, those former First Energy execs. I guess they've been re-indicted all part of the House Bill scandal. Brian Ingle's got the news on the way for you. 8.30, Cleveland's morning news. This is Bill Wills. Thank you for being there. Let's take you drive first. W.T.A.M. Traffic. We get you there with Pat Butler. Thank you, Bill. From the Elk Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800-E-E-Honk, Ohio. It's a pretty smooth highway drive this morning. Just a little busy on 77 North at East 30th in that construction zone before you reach the Interbelt downtown. 480, heading east or west. You've got a 10-minute ride in between the Jennings and 271. and heading towards downtown from the west side. 90 east is still 15 minutes from Crocker Karen Bass in Westlake to the Interbelt North ramp. Next traffic in 9 minutes at 840. Pat Butler, W-T-A-M traffic on 1,100 a.m. and 106.9 FM. We are turning up the heat and humidity beginning today. We'll be dry all day long, a partly sunny sky area-wide with highs. Let's go 85 to 88 degrees. Very muggy out there. Overnight tonight, clouds moving in some widely scattered. Thunder after midnight lows in the 60s. 68 this morning, Willoughby, and you're a severe weather station. That's Cleveland Free News meteorologist Mark Johnson. All right, 832 of the news now, Brian Engel. Thank you, Bill. More state prosecutions are coming in the wake of a massive bribery scandal. Former First Energy executives Chuck Jay Jones and Michael Dowling have been re-indicted in Summit County following a deadlocked jury mistrial earlier this spring. The executives now face more than two dozen combined charges, including...

bribery and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Investigators say the pair executed a covert scheme to manipulate government regulators to secure a billion-dollar taxpayer bailout for aging nuclear power plants. I'm Travis Laird. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in Columbus Thursday announcing indictments involving Medicaid fraud pulled off by 14 defendants, some of whom are employees of the state of Ohio. Today we unsealed a 32-count indictment against two state employees and two other co-conspirators. for allegedly billing $30 million to the government for therapeutic behavioral services that were never provided. He said some of the money was used to purchase luxury vehicles and mansions. A former pro baseball player and high school baseball coach will be arraigned next week on charges of sexual assault involving a 12-year-old girl. Steven Smatania is charged with rape, gross sexual imposition, among other counts. Prosecutors say the 53-year-old met with the girl at a home in Parma. Back in March, the incidents were reported to police in late April. Smatania pitched for the Boston Red Sox organization, and he was the head coach at Berkshire High School in Geoga County. We're learning more about the man who was hold up inside his mentor home for several hours Wednesday. He's been identified as 42-year-old Michael Leppelmeyer. Mentor Police Chief Ken Gunch tells our partners at Three News that Leppelmire purposely attacked two men on bicycles first using his car. The male driving the vehicle. crossed over to the opposite side of the road and struck one of the guys on the bicycle. It was intentional. He says Lepelmeyer then physically assaulted the second man and threw that man's bike into a nearby pond and stole his cell phone before he left the scene. Police caught up with him at his home where he did eventually surrender after about seven hours. After more than 18 hours inside the chambers, Senate Republicans have passed a $70 billion. immigration enforcement bill. After weeks of delays, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to join Democrats in voting against the bill. The House will take up the measure next week. President Trump's national security advisor during his first term, John Bolton, is now expected to plead guilty to mishandling sensitive information. It started in the Biden administration. after someone tied to the Iranian government hacked John Bolton's emails. At the end of the day, this is about how Mr. John Bolton dealt with national security information, and our information is that he will plead guilty to one count of illegal retention of national security information. ABC's Pierre Thomas. The president, meantime, says he wants to bring down energy costs by investing $700 million in coal plants.

Speaking from the Oval Office Thursday, the president said the money will be used to preserve existing plants and build new ones. If you look at China, if you look at so many of the successful countries, they're using coal. If you look at some of the real great failures countries, they're using wind. Trump is invoking the Cold War Era Defense Production Act. That gives the president authority to support and invest in private production considered vital to national security. And Ohio lawmakers are exploring new rules related to electric bicycle safety. House Bill 948 would set up a statewide education campaign around e-bikes and similar vehicles. It would direct state officials to review existing regulations. officials say injuries involving e-bikes and scooters are on the rise. I'm Brian Nengel. Listen for our next news at the top of the hour when you set a preset on the free I-Hart Radio app to WTAM, 1100. America is turning 250, and I-Hard Radio is celebrating with $250,000 in cash. Weekdays through July 4th, listen for your chance to win $2,500 so you can take the ultimate American getaway with IHartRadio. A severe store. Haven. Just go to Havenservices.com and we'll come to you. For the best, HVAC, plumbing, and electric, just say, Hello! Haven! News you can use on your money with the latest this morning from Bloomberg. It looks like we're higher and breaking this morning. US payrolls rose by $172,000 in the month of May. Headline is much more than the so-called experts expected. Unemployment is at 4.3%. Numbers just in, job growth unexpectedly surged in May as the U.S. labor market continued a solid year of expansion, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Non-farm payrolls jumped seasonally just at 172,000 down slightly from the revised 179,000 in April, and far above what the Dow Jay Jones estimates were. They were thinking around 80,000. for the jobs number, and it came in at 172,000. Unemployment rate holds steady at 4.3%. The report came in against a background of some muted expectations as employers keep holding their ground on hiring, but at least the numbers are that we're hiring 172,000 the month of May. Dow futures pretty much flat to slightly higher on that news this morning. NASDAQ off a little boy, the Dow jumped yesterday, almost 900 points, almost 2% in value, closing at 51. 1,0561. Filling up for the weekend, by the way, $4.13, priced a beat at the pump. On your money from Bloomberg from News Radio, W-T-A-M-1100. This is Bill Will's. Good morning, 840 at time. Greg Brenda's got your sports coming up, and Scooteries, extraordinary alongside. He can win some Guardians tickets, too, right? Yeah, you got it coming up. It's to be Guardians and Yankees Wednesday, June 10th. You know the winning number I gave you this morning at 645. It has something to do with tonight's starter, but that's all I'll say. It's all you're getting out of me. W-T-A-M-1100 traffic.

And Butler, Frank. Thank you, Bill. From the Elkhed Al Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800-Elk, Ohio. Lighter than usual on your highway drive, 90 looks good, east side and west side, heading towards downtown, just heavy in the construction zone on 77 North, and between 490 and east 9th Street. A little busy with roadwork on the west side by the airport on 71 north at the 480 West ramp. That left lane of the ramp is blocked, and then heading into Lorraine County, construction slows things down a bit on the turnpike westbound. between 71 and 480. This report brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Progressive Insurance makes bundling easy and affordable. Get a multi-policy discount by combining your motorcycle, RV, boat, ATV, and more. All your protection in one place. Bundle and save at Progressive.com or call 1-800 Progressive. Next traffic in 9 minutes at 8.50. Pat Butler, W.T.I.M. Traffic on 1,100 a.m. and 106.9. All right. Pat, Cleveland, 3 News Weather. Meteoraldus Mark Johnson. Mark. Hi, Bill. summertime returning. beginning today. Humidity is on the rise. That's going to be muggy all day long. Highs about 85 to 88 degrees under a partly sunny sky. Overnight, clouds move in, thunderstorms after midnight with lows in the 60s. At 67 this morning, Rocky River and 68 right now just severe weather station. Hey, it's Bloom Daddy here for Window Nation. If your air conditioner never seems to turn off, worn out windows could be the culprit. Upgrade yours now during Window Nations, buy four, get for more at Kemper Wellness.com. Hey, Are you kidding me? Our own U.S. government. It's discussing UFOs, flying saucers, and they're everywhere. Are you kidding me? Today when there's three-day mandatory minicamp kicks off. Game two of the Stanley Cup finals, the Hurricanes rally from two goals down in the third period to beat the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. That series now tied at one. I'm Matt McCoy. Summer is the time for making memories, not appointments. That's why there's great clips. You can use online. of a turtle. located on the center line for 30 by the previous departure. Does he like me to get airport off out here to invest? Dallas International Airport this week. Well, I think we heard that. We think you said at the beginning of their takeoff fall, so we can roll forward a little bit and see if we see the guys. So pilot of one of the things, a United Floyd. Yeah, let you know from there. How about that? Talking to the town, I'm about this. 8.4.3 Echo, runway 3-0. Line up and wait. Let me know if you have eyes on the turtle. They want to hit the turtle. Okay, line up their way on 30-8-4-3 Echo. We think we see him. Can we taxi forward a little? Approved taxi ahead and advise when you've come to a stop beyond the turtle. We have been sight. He's right at our position right here. So just at the intersection of, where are we here, Yankee? You're at Zulu, so there's 10,000 feet remaining from there.

Okay, right where we're sitting right now is the turtle, and he looks very happy on the center line. So the turtle there at Yankee and Zulu on the dullest this way. That's kind of funny. I mean, that's human. You got air traffic control, the pilots. There's a big turtle down here. We don't want to hit the turtle. Somebody out and get the turtle, and we'll hold and we'll take off in a minute. We'll talk about that story some. And, you know, you've always worried about stuff running across the runway at an airport, but a turtle? Aviation expert Jay Randolph on that. Plus, United Airlines are going to upgrade their AI program, they say. the delays. And we'll check your day in the air if you're dropping somebody off or heading out for the weekend out of Cleveland Hocken. All right. Sports now, Greg Brunt is in speaking out. Guardians take two out of three in New York in Texas for the weekend, right, Greg? They are in Texas tonight, Bill. They just were in Yankee Stadium yesterday afternoon and it was not the place for offense. Two to one, the final Bronx bombers avoided the sweep. Both teams scored in the fourth, but the Yankees got the go-head single off the bat of Ryan Linda McMahon in the 7th. sealed the deal. Slate Cicconi was terrific, going six, giving up a run, and you could tell early on he had it going. Now the one-two delivery in Linda McMahon waves at it, and boy, is Cicone sharp early today. Third strikeout for Cicconi. No score after two. Only two hits are the good guys. Jose Ramirez and Stuart Fairchild with his first hit at RBI for Cleveland. As we said, Cicone was really good. And he says, you'd better watch out for this Cleveland Club. We can compete against any team in this league. We have... You know, a lot of really, really high quality young players that are just embedded in growing in this game. And that's dangerous, especially when you look at where we're at right now in May. If this, I'm sorry, in June now, but through May, if this team for the next four months just continues to learn, grow, and build on the experiences that we go through, it's going to be a dangerous team down the stretch. And that's our goal is to play our best baseball when it matters the most. Danger. Stephen Kwan says it was a good challenge this week for Guardian's hitters. I've been really exciting. Again, we had, I think, really good plans going to a lot of them. Even today, I think Rodon had his stuff going today. And when a guy like that has it, it's going to be tough to do it. But we didn't try to be the heroes. You know, we always kind of say that. We just pass the stick. There was always a big hit. Yeah, just follow the plan and execute. All right, so the Guardians take direct to Arlington for a three-game series with the Rangers. Parker, Parker 815 tonight right here on the big one. Meanwhile, the Bronx bombers have a huge problem. Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with the stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. He'll be re-examined in four to six weeks to see where everything is. New York expects him to be back at some point later on this season. New York, San Antonio. Game two tonight in Texas. Spurs needing to shoot a lot better than they did on Wednesday. Meanwhile, remember that fan the other night who ran onto the court to get that selfie? Back live in San Antonio and a fool on the court with a cell phone and a night in jail. Off he goes very quickly escorted out of here by three security guards including one wearing a cowboy hat. Where did he come from?

These stands. Obviously, but I was curious which section. Well, that fan has been banned for life. Meanwhile, Stanley Cup finals. Along the right wing boards, back up top, it's got to spare. Senate crush it. Game over! Seth Jarvis, Winston, in overtime! Maybe the most famous one-timer in Hurricanes history. Carolina evens up the series with one piece with Vegas. And finally at the Memorial 4 in the lead after the first round, J.J. Spawn, Tommy Fleetwood, Wyndham Clark, and Ryan Girard. Defending champion, Scotty Schephler, tied for 33, won over. Rory, tied for 13th at 1 under. In for Mike Snyder. On the Home of the Guardians and Cavs, Greg, Brenda, W.T.A.M.S. All right, Greg, 815, first pitch tonight. Parker Messick on the mound, Tom Hamilton, and Jim Rosenowski, Texas. next week. Your guardians update brought to you by Pelham windows and Lexus of Cleveland experience amazing. Speaking. Of the Yankees. Scooter East, producer extraordinaire. You got a chance to win some tickets. This is it. Guardians and Yankees for Wednesday, June 10th, Progressive Field 1.10 p.m. Great seats available for home games a season at CLEegardians.com. Remember to download the MLB Ballpark app to purchase forward and scan tickets digitally. All right. Hopefully you heard Bill at 645. And he gave that Guardian's number of the morning. 216-78, 1100. We will start with caller number 11. And hopefully you get it. Good luck. Let's hope you do. WTAM 1100 traffic. Here's Ben Butler. Thank you, Bill. From the Elkenalk Traffic Center, if an auto accident caused you injury, call 1-800-Ealk, Ohio. Easier than usual at this point on your highway drive, just a little heavy with roadwork on 77 North, in between 490 and East 9th Street. 71 North is slow at the 480 West ramp by the airport. The left lane is closed with construction in that spot. A little busy with roadwork in Lorain County, 90 East after 254, and not heading to Cedar Point. coming back over from Sandusky. There's a vehicle fire slowing things down on the turnpike eastbound after Route 250. This report is brought to you by Dell Technologies. Interruptions will always come up at work. But with built-in-intelligence and optimized battery, the Dell Pro powered by Intel Core Ultra with V-Pro is built for those who stay in the flow. Built for you. Dell.com slash dell goshpro. Next traffic update in 9 minutes at 9 a.m. Pat Butler, W-T-I-M traffic on 1,100 a.m. and 106.9 FM. All right, Pat, weather, your Cleveland's three news forecast from meteorologist Mark Johnson. For today, sunshine, warm, humid, 88. Scattered showers, storms will roll through tonight will be in the 60s. Widely scattered showers and storms on Saturday and the mid-80s. Sunday looks nice, sunshine, and 80. Lake Erie today, southwest wind 10 to 15 knots. Water temp off Cleveland right now at 57 waves forecast about 1 to 2. Be safe getting the bow down, right? 69 at your severe weather station.

Brian Engel working on the 9 o'clock news stories. What you got? Thank you, Bill. Two former First Energy bosses have been re-indicted for that House Bill 6 scandal. The acting U.S. Attorney General in Ohio on Thursday to announce indictments against defendants who are accused of defrauding the Medicaid system. President Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton, expected to plead guilty to mishandling classified documents, and Westlake police intend to crack down on reckless driving and loud vehicles. around Crocker Park. This is the time of year to get home improvements done. Mike Snyder for Jay Randup on a couple of things as we get out of town maybe for the weekend or starting to vacation. We'll check your day in the air too on the way. Morning, Jay. Hey, good morning. All right. First, sometimes you've got to stop even for a turtle. I love the video. Love this. A turtle brought the Dallas airport, at least one of the runways. To a stop, at least temporarily, there was a crew that was departing that radioed back, hey, there's a turtle of some size on the runway, just kind of sunning himself in the morning. So they had to have other crews kind of, you know, hey, he looks happy, and we got to, you know, take care of it. The thing is, though, anytime you've got something on the runway, it can obviously be a safety hazard. You and I've talked many times about wildlife. on the runways as being an issue. Now, obviously, we talk about bird strikes, yes. We've had airplanes that have struck deer on takeoff and landing. A moose, we've seen several times on an alligator will come out and just kind of sun itself on a runway. You've got a lot of other types of things, and that's one of the reasons that when this type of thing is spotted, crews will notify air traffic control so they can get somebody out there to try to get the wildlife away from the active runway. because the most critical time of flight, we've talked about so many times before, take off and landing, and you don't want to have anything like that where it could impede an aircraft's ability to take off or to break when they land. And those things are safety issues, but it was a very acute exchange between the air traffic controllers and those pilots. One other, a couple of things here. United Airlines doing an upgrade on their AI program. They say it'll help when it comes to delayed or canceled flights. Yeah, they're upgrading this. AI policy or this program they've got. Every flight has a story program is what they call it. And Bill, the thought is this upgraded system is going to help deliver what they say are automated messages without any human intervention at all. And it's going to give passengers not only updates on your flights being delayed or there's an issue with the aircraft from a mechanical standpoint. They're planning on sending pictures, a detailed explanation. Just to let everybody know what's going on. And I remember telling the agents I worked with at Northwest, look, anytime we've got a flight delay, I want you making an announcement every 20 minutes. Even if we don't know anything more than the last update, constantly let them know the latest.

and it helps control the crowd and the anxiety and the number of people asking questions. United is trying to take that to a next step where they're saying, look, we've got a mechanical situation on the plane, but here's what it is. We've got to replace a couple of light bulbs in the flight deck that have to be done before we... So in other words, it's not something like, well, we've got to make sure that wings attach, you know, because people get really freaked out when you use the word mechanical around the flight, and United's hoping this additional... communication will want help passengers to make their connections and keep them updated if the flight's delayed. One of the note here, where we live in Medina, we're less than two hours to be at Columbus Airport. We've actually flown out of there a couple times because there were directs. I couldn't get out of Cleveland. People to the east will drive to Pittsburgh sometimes. I just noticed this. Pittsburgh, American Airlines are going to suspend flights, directs they hand, Pittsburgh to L.A. for about three months because of fuel costs. And you're probably seeing adjustments like that, really, around the country. They are because there are several routes that maybe are full, but the yield or profit for passengers such, they may only be making, you know, $2,800 in profit per flight. Wow. Once the fuel cost goes up and now they're spending $8,000 more in fuel, well, now you're turning that into a loss. So the thought is we can use that airplane and crew somewhere else temporarily where the profit is higher and we can try to break even. So. Yeah, it's a game of, you know, musical chairs, and that's exactly what airlines are trying to do is they counter or try to anyways, these rising fuel costs. Jay Ratliff on flying. More on him and day trading. If you're thinking about that, some great classes and programming and more at jayratliff.com. Have a great weekend. You too, sir. All right, Stuart, you get a winner? Yeah, Scott Klinger of Grafton. He got himself guarding jankies Wednesday, June 10th, Progressive Field 1.10 p.m. Because he knew the Guardian's winning number was six. Outstanding. Big week next week with the Yankees in town. Outstanding. All right, minute till nine. I'll put it in a way only I could. The Bloom Daddy Show. And I think you're going to feel it as soon as you hear it. Cleveland's afternoon, news, talk, and sports. All the things that are going on. A lot going on. We'll cover it all. This afternoon, starting at 3. Later on W. T.m. 1100. If you want.