📉 Cleveland Clinic Costs Rise + HUGE Lake Erie Goldfish + Brash Baker's Potty Mouth

One of the best hospitals in the world, the Cleveland Clinic has seen costs rise due to the pandemic and labor shortages. The medical center — Greater Cleveland's largest employer — released financial reports for the first half of the year this week.

We also have these stories for you:

• 🧡 A terminally ill teen from Nordonia High got to meet his Browns heroes.
• A plane crashed near a Mayfield Heights school Tuesday.
• How many giant goldfish are in Lake Erie? 🎣 It's a freshwater mystery.

And brash Baker Mayfield's potty mouth hasn't cleaned itself up down there in Carolina. 😮

☀️ Gorgeous: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 81, Low: 66

Week Ahead Forecast | Live Weather Radar

👀 Sponsor this newsletter: We've got the best subscribers, and you want them to know about your business. Click here to learn more.

Costs Are Up, Operating Income Down At The Cleveland Clinic

1) Costs have risen for the Cleveland Clinic, which spent $3.8 billion on pay and benefits for workers in the first six months of the year — an increase of $600 million over the same period last year. The Clinic also spent more on drugs, services and supplies. And while patient revenue also increased, from $5.3 billion to $5.5 billion in the first half of the year, net operating income has dropped by more than $600 million to $91.4 million. With more than 32,000 total employees, the Cleveland Clinic is by far the No. 1 employer in the city.

Healthcare reporter Julie Washington analyzes Cleveland Clinic finances on Cleveland.com

2) Joe Simmons, a Nordonia High School senior with a terminal illness, was invited to meet several Cleveland Browns, including Deshaun Watson, Denzel Ward, Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. Dan Tabak was trying to get a signed Browns jersey for his brother-in-law, Joe, who's 17. Instead, Watson hooked Simmons up with a visit. “The entire Browns organization, they gave Joe and our family a full blown experience that Joe will never forget," Tabak said. “Muscle Dystrophy Awareness month is in September. Joe and our family ask everyone to please consider making a donation to the MDA or filling the boots at local fire stations around the area and help shed some light on Friedreich’s Ataxia, Joe’s disease, and the many other neuromuscular diseases out there that affect kids, individuals and their families worldwide."

Fox 8 News

3) A small airplane crashed Tuesday on the football field of Mayfield Middle School in Mayfield Heights. The crash occurred about 11 a.m. The plane’s three occupants were taken to a hospital to receive treatment for injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The pilot was attempting an emergency landing after a mechanical malfunction.

Patch

4) A foot-long goldfish was pulled out of Lake Erie this month in Fairport Harbor. The Ohio Division of Wildlife posted a photo of the giant goldfish on its Facebook page. The agency warned people not to release pet goldfish into the lake and other bodies of water. The fish can grow to huge sizes and eat the eggs of native species. They can even breed with native carp! Meanwhile, sewage was released into Lake Erie at Edgewater Beach after this weeks' heavy rains. There is a risk of high e.coli levels. Officials will be testing the water.

ODW Facebook | Cleveland.com

5) Baker Mayfield hasn't lost any of his brash swagger down in Charlotte. Looking ahead to the Week 1 Browns-Panthers matchup in his new home stadium, Mayfield enthusiastically told a reporter Tuesday: "I'm going to (eff) them up." Mayfield's comment came in response to the reporter telling him to "go kick some ass." Mayfield's always been something to watch in revenge games. Let's see what Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney say about this on the field some Sept. 11.

3News WKYC

5 More Stories You Need To See Today

• Breast milk donation center opens on Cleveland’s west side (Cleveland 19 News)
• SkunkFest, a gathering for owners of pet skunks, returns to North Ridgeville on Sept. 10 (Fox 8 News)
• Busta Rhymes added to much-anticipated hip hop concert, with Wu Tang Clan and Nas, on Sept. 7 at Blossom Music Center (Cleveland.com)
• Greek Festival returns to Kamm’s Corners this weekend (Cleveland.com)
• Alaska Airlines adds second daily flight from Cleveland Hopkins Airport to Seattle, starting next spring (Cleveland.com)

Cleveland Chatter

• Avon shelter's spunky senior: "Meet Bella! Bella is looking for a foster or furever home! Bella is a sweet senior pittie who still has spunk! She’s fully vetted and house & crate-trained. Miss Bella is good with cats (and chickens!) but would prefer to be the only pup." (FIDO's Companion Rescue Inc. via Facebook)

• Cleveland APL can't say why they need to find this couple: "We need your help. We are looking for this couple. If you know who they are, how we can get in touch with them, or where we can find them, please let us know. If you have any information that might help us locate them, please call 216-771-4616 x 0." (Cleveland Animal Protective League via Facebook)
• O.J. Howard to the Browns? "The Cleveland Browns are INTERESTED in adding the former first-round pick 👀" (Heavy on Browns via Facebook)
• Welcome to school: "Introducing the class of 2026! ☀️🧡 We officially welcomed all incoming students to CIA at Convocation last week during orientation! We are so happy to have you all on campus and look forward to witnessing your creativity soar! 💫" (Cleveland Institute of Art via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Labor Day Weekend White Party (September 2)
• Space Jams (September 3)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!