😮 NFL Investigates Browns + Taco Week Is Back + Bus Shelter Tragedy

Sports Illustrated's Monday night report on the Browns suggests serious scrutiny of the team is under way for claims of losing on purpose. On the brighter side of the news, a bunch of folks at Fifth Third Bank are getting raises. 💰 And taco week is back!!! Burp if you love tacos. 🌮

Let's get into it.

Spring Oversleeps: Showers of rain and snow. ❄️ High: 44 Low: 36.

NFL Confirms Browns Under Investigation For Tanking 2016, 2017 Seasons

😮 The NFL on Monday confirmed the Cleveland Browns — a business valued at more than $2.5 billion — are under investigation for allegations the team tanked the 2016 and 2017 seasons, according to a new Sports Illustrated report. Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White is leading the independent probe on behalf of the NFL.

• Hue's view: Former coach Hue Jackson complained to the NFL after his 2018 firing that he was paid to lose. He later recanted. In February, he suggested on Twitter that owner Jimmy Haslam wanted him to lose games for better draft positions and "lied" to him.

• Team's clapback: The Browns on Monday called the allegations "categorically false" and said the team welcomes the probe.

• Losing was good business: The Browns reportedly made about $370 million in revenue each of those years, going 1-15 in 2016 and winless in 2017.

Read more in the Sports Illustrated report, plus:

• Denzel Ward's contract extension makes him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL
• Many fans disgusted that Deshaun Watson is their QB

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Today's Top 5

1. A 22-year-old man waiting for a bus suffered life-threatening wounds when an accused drunken driver slammed her SUV into a bus shelter on 84th Street Sunday morning. A Mercedes Benz GLE 400 struck a fire hydrant, then hit a telephone pole and slammed through the RTA shelter where Lucas Zhao sat before spinning out and coming to a stop. (Fox 8 News)
2. Former Cleveland SWAT Officer Jonathan Rodriguez, paralyzed on the job when a car hit a police vehicle he was riding in on the way to a call, needs an advanced surgery but his insurance and benefits have been exhausted. The police union is hoping to raise $75,000 to help. (Fox 8 News)
3. With Covid cases on the wane, the Cleveland Clinic is loosening up visitor restrictions at the hospital. (Patch)
4. At least 500 employees of Fifth Third Bank will be getting a raise as the financial institution increases its minimum pay to $20 an hour. (cleveland.com)
5. Rappers Wiz Khalifa and Logic announced Monday that they will co-headline this summer's 28-city "Vinyl Verse Tour 2022," which will stop at Blossom Music Center on Aug. 30. (Patch)

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Taco Week Is Coming Back

🌮 If you love tacos, you may want to get a Cleveland Taco Week passport to get a stamp for every $2 taco you devour at participating restaurants. Diners with four or more stamps could be eligible for $250 in gift card prizes. Cleveland Taco Week is May 9 to May 15. Follow Cleveland Taco Week, presented by Cleveland Scene and a variety of sponsors, on Instagram, too.

Picks To Click

• A BGSU professor who teaches critical race theory to grad students has a problem with GOP efforts to ban it in Ohio
• Gov. Mike DeWine tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday. It was announced Monday that his wife Fran also has Covid.
• Prosecutors ask appeals court to find judge erred in acquittal of ex-Brecksville councilman on corruption charges
• 2 women killed within hours of each other in fatal Cleveland crashes
• U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance releases ads touting his Trump endorsement
• Cleveland firefighter charged with voluntary manslaughter in shooting death of roommate

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Today in Cleveland

• Bouncing Babies & Books Storytime (ages 0-18 months) (10:30 AM)
• LegalWorks at Cleveland Public Library (12:00 PM)
• Ida B Wells-PUBLIC - Women in History (3:00 PM)
• Un-bored Games - Cleveland Public Library Main Branch Virtual Events (4:00 PM)
• Express Yourself Youth Art Workshops (4:15 PM)

Cleveland Social

• Cleveland Museum of Natural History: "Why I support the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Great institutions explore, engage, and empower for a better tomorrow. Mike Gallagher immerses himself in the powerful stories told by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History ." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Rolling Ranchlands: "My house got egged on Mallard between 10:10 and 10:20. - I couldn’t get them on my cameras because they threw them from a neighbors yard. Any help identifying would be great." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Wilson Mills/Lander: "Abbott Covid-19 Ag Home test needed. - Does anyone have this specific test? Can't find in local stores and won't have time to get online. It's the one Libraries handed out for free. Expiration needs to be no spooner than May 20, 2022." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Northwest Old Brooklyn: "I lost my cat on west 48th street on friday 4/15/22. - His name is Obee he’s about 3 years old. He likes to play fetch with his favorite toy being a paper ball." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Rolling Ranchlands: "Fabric donations - Does anyone know of any local church groups/organizations that accept fabric donations? I have inherited a large amount of cotton fabric that I would like to donate so it can be put to good use." (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op Online Info Session Round 2 (April 21)
• Sounds Of St James FREE Concert Series (April 23)
• Goldfish Swim School Cleveland East Side Hiring Event (April 27)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday.

Missed your Monday fix? Catch up here: 🌱 Give A Kidney/Get A Kidney + Dissing Deshaun + Senate Endorsements