Latest news with #Seren
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cleveland Heights council approves ‘no confidence' resolution amid allegations against mayor's wife
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – Cleveland Heights City Council is taking action after Mayor Kahlil Seren's wife, Natalie McDaniel, allegedly sent and made anti-Semitic remarks and texts. The FOX 8 I-Team has been fighting for public records related to the alleged behavior to be released, but so far the city has been dragging its feet. The mayor has adamantly denied the anti-Semitic behavior, but at a special meeting on May 27, Councilman Jim Petras introduced a 'no confidence' resolution calling for accountability and transparency. I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed — what it would mean for events It was standing room only inside council chambers on Monday night for the first public reading of the resolution. Several were carrying signs calling for the mayor to resign. 'RESIGN Seren it's you, you're the problem,' one sign said. Councilman Anthony Mattox, Jr. said he thought the issue should be left to voters and he expressed concerns because other members of council supporting the resolution are running for mayor. He also said that the controversy is breeding division. 'It is affecting my family, many families up here and many of your families too,' he said. Councilman Craig Cobb said the controversies are making Cleveland Heights, 'the laughing stock of Northeast Ohio.' Kent State to close LGBTQ+, women's, multicultural centers In the end, council voted 6 to 1 in favor of the 'no confidence' resolution. Although it's largely symbolic, the calls for the mayor to resign are expected to intensify. Seren responded, saying, 'Even as you have lost confidence, we will still get the work of the city done just as we have this evening and all of you will continue working with me and I will continue to work to move the city forward and I am appreciate to the residents and all the city workers who have shown me care and support through this.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I-Team: Why is a local mayor going into law dept. after hours?
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Exclusive video released to the Fox 8 I-Team raises more questions about what's going on at Cleveland Heights City Hall. Security video obtained by the I-Team through a public records request shows Mayor Kahlil Seren enter the Cleveland Heights Law Department office early in the morning on Thursday, April 3, for about four minutes. Then, also in the afternoon on Saturday, April 5, you see the mayor go in for about two minutes. City hall was closed both times. Medina police searching for suspect in attempted child abduction The mayor appeared to let himself into the office both times, even though he had said during an April 2 Cleveland Heights Council meeting that he does not have access to get inside the Law Department. 'There are a few specific areas of the city and city government that are restricted,' Seren said during the meeting. 'My key card does not open those areas. That would include the courts, the law department.' The I-Team sent e-mails to the mayor, the Communications Office for Cleveland Heights, and the law director to discuss the video. We also went to Cleveland Heights to talk to the mayor, but he was not available. In the e-mail requesting comment, we asked why the mayor went into the Law Department on April 3 and April 5, when no one was inside the office. Community raises thousands for family after 13-year-old killed in Green parade accident A Cleveland Heights spokesperson asked us to send the video we obtained after filing a public records request. We offered to meet with the Mayor and show the video, but he declined. The spokesperson then sent the following statement: 'Given the lack of information related to the request, and given the limited time to respond, there is no comment from the Mayor at this time.' City residents have called for the mayor to resign, complaining about him and his wife. Some employees have alleged a toxic work environment and others have alleged the Mayor's wife made anti-Semitic remarks. The Mayor has denied those Bates, a Cleveland Heights resident, says he wants to know why the Mayor went inside the Law Department when the office was closed. Virginia woman pleads guilty to killing man in woods at Cuyahoga Valley National Park We have also asked for the body camera video of an interaction the Mayor's wife had with Cleveland Heights police officers inside City Hall on December 6. The Law Department has declined to release the video. The I-Team has learned that the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office was contacted about the December 6 incident. A spokesperson with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office released the following statement. 'The Cleveland Heights Prosecutor's Office informally consulted our office regarding a body camera video recorded by a Cleveland Heights Officer while on duty during an incident that occurred at Cleveland Heights City Hall. The question was posed to us whether our office felt felony charges were appropriate pertaining to the Cleveland Heights Officer's conduct. The video was never provided to us. However, based on the facts articulated to us, we felt no criminal conduct occurred. The informal consultation regarding criminal charges occurred on March 27 and specifically, it was an incident that occurred at Cleveland Heights City Hall regarding an officer's body camera recording and the mayor's wife.' 2 plead guilty to plotting $147K armed robbery at Euclid Marc's The I TEAM will continue to fight for that police video and an explanation behind the after-hours visits to the Law Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council meeting about Cleveland Heights mayor turns contentious, ends abruptly
[Editor's note: This report contains language that may be considered offensive. Discretion is advised.] CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – A special city council meeting called Friday by council President Tony Cuda was to discuss allegations against Mayor Kahlil Seren. As FOX 8 News previously reported, protesters attended the council meeting Monday night to call for Seren to resign after it became public that a complaint was filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission regarding the mayor's wife Natalie McDaniel. Billy Joel cancels entire tour after diagnosis with rare brain disorder The complaint alleges McDaniel sent text messages with antisemitic speech targeting city employees and residents who are Jewish. Seren addressed the accusations in a 15-minute video posted to Facebook days later. He claimed that the allegations are false. Cleveland Heights City Council members said in Friday's meeting that Seren took too long to address the city, wasn't around city hall during the week, and had not responded to text messages asking if he was OK. Cuda asked Assistant Law Director Chris Heltzel what kind of role the council would have if the mayor were unavailable or inaccessible. Heltzel explained that there is an article in the city code that states the council president would be acting mayor if the mayor was not accessible, but made it clear that it's incredibly complicated to determine the definition of the mayor not being available and how a transfer of power would work. Heltzel also noted a certain provision in the law carried over from when Cleveland Heights had a city manger rather than a mayor. Heltzel later explained that council can approve a resolution calling for Seren's resignation, but does not have the legal power to force his resignation. Not long after that, Seren asked for time to speak in the meeting. He referred to the meeting as 'an exercise in elector politics,' which he called disappointing, but not surprising. Seren then explained why he didn't respond to Cuda's text message asking if he's OK. Then, he used offensive language toward the council. 'I just want to say this council by no means is my overseer, and I am not your Negro,' Seren said. Not long after, an exchange between Seren and Councilman Craig Cobb escalated and Cuda called to adjourn the meeting before reaching all of the items on the agenda. At that moment, residents with signs calling for Seren's resignation began addressing the mayor to his face. Guardians pitcher Ben Lively out the rest of the season, needs surgery Seren eventually stopped to speak to reporters. He didn't take any questions, but he called out the council by listing things they haven't accomplished and said they need to work on things that will help Cleveland Heights residents. 'There are substantive things that we should be looking at to improve the day-to-day experience of people in Cleveland heights,' Seren said. 'Now, that's the work that we're always doing, despite the slings and arrows here that I've been faced down with for the last 10 years of service to this city. I'm going to keep doing that work because I care about this city.' Seren indicated he won't be going anywhere during the remaining seven months of his term as mayor, despite calls for his resignation. Cleveland Heights resident James Bates, who was one of the residents shouting at Seren to resign, told FOX 8 News that the mayor isn't being upfront with the allegations and it would be better for the city if he moved on. 'He knows in his heart of hearts; he knows that he needs to resign, and the fact that he doesn't should tell you everything you need to know about Kahlil Seren. He is not a faithful person. He needs to go. Let me say that unequivocally: Khalil Seren, you need to go,' Bates said. Council members Anthony Mattox Jr. and Jim Posch did not attend the meeting. Council Vice President Davida Russell listened in via Zoom. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh family stuck in Spain during power cuts describe 'insane' situation
Welsh family stuck in Spain during power cuts describe 'insane' situation Two of them had travelled to meet their brother in Spain Seren (left), Calen (middle), and Finn (right) were on their first trip abroad together when the outage hit (Image: Seren Thomas ) Three Welsh siblings have described their experience of being in Spain when a nationwide power outage suddenly hit the country. Spain has since declared a national emergency after Monday's power outage impacted flights, subway systems and payment systems. This led to airports and hospitals shutting down and trains coming to a halt, while parts of Portugal and France were affected too. Though the Spanish electricity grid operator has said that nearly half the expected demand has been restored, disruptions still remain. Sister and brothers, Seren Thomas, 21, Calen Thomas, 19, and Finn Thomas, 17, from Pontllanfraith, were on their first sibling only trip to the Spanish city of Santander, when the outage hit. Both Seren and Finn had come to visit their brother Calen in Spain, who has been undertaking a gap year in the country. People queuing outside a bus in Santander (Image: Seren Thomas ) Calen said: 'I've been doing a gap year in Santander working with a church and charity. We had the opportunity for my siblings to come and visit me, so I decided to take a week of to stay in an Air B&B in Santander. So this is the first time we have been away as siblings together.' The trio were trying to add some money into their bus cards when the outage hit. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below Finn explained: 'We were in a shop trying to add some money to our bus card when suddenly the lights went out. At first we thought it was just that shop until we walked down the road and noticed multiple shops were out. 'We asked some people what was going on because we had started to notice the amount of people around. We found out that the power was cut to lots of Spain.' Seren described the atmosphere in Santander as 'insane' but added that everyone was lovely in the Spanish city. She said: 'It was insane, there were people everywhere; shop owners, school children. And traffic too, so many cars and because the lights had stopped it was chaos. Everyone was scrambling to get a bus and they were heaving. 'It was really good when the police came and started to control the traffic. However, everyone was so lovely and helpful when we asked what was going on. At first we didn't believe them when they said the whole of Spain had a power cut.' An empty road in Santander following the power cut (Image: Seren Thomas ) Fortunately for the Siblings, Calum had been in the city for a while which helped them get through the situation better. Calum said: 'I have been living out here the past couple of months. I have got lots of friends and I am familiar with the city which really helped us navigate the situation. However there were more people in the city than I've ever seen. 'Seeing the amount of people, we knew we wanted to get out of the city unsure what a national power outage could lead to. So we went to the beach and in true Welsh style decided that we were going to make the most of the situation and got a sun tan!' The youngest in the group, Finn said that due the connectivity issues, it was hard getting a word out to their parents, which caused some concern. He said: 'For a large portion of the day the Internet was down so we were unable to contact anyone from home. As it stands, [we have] connection but still we still have issues. 'Our parents expressed concern about our flights being affected and initially concerned when we were in the middle of the city. Thankfully Santander is a really safe city.' The siblings are glad to have each other (Image: Seren Thomas ) Concerns still remains about the siblings' flights though, which are still a few days away. Seren said: 'We don't know anything about our flights as of yet. They are in a couple of days but we expect potential delays. We are hoping that everything will be sorted out by the time we are ready to fly.' However, the ordeal has made the siblings miss Wales even on a holiday. Calum said: 'We absolutely miss Wales, especially me as I've been out here for the past couple of months. I especially miss fish and chips as well as my friends and family. I'm really pleased my siblings were here with me for a day like today.' Finn too, was glad that he was with his brother and sister when it happened, he said: 'I'm so pleased I'm here with my siblings. Since data was down it was good to be with people I know rather than in a crowd of people who don't speak English.' Article continues below
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Talent' and 'money' leaving Wales due to scheme, universities warn
There should be changes to a scheme which sends young Welsh "talent" and "money" to English universities at a time when the sector is under financial pressure, higher education bosses have Welsh government's Seren scheme is designed to support the brightest pupils to reach their full potential, but critics have questioned its traditional focus on Oxbridge and top universities outside Greenland, 26, from Deri in Caerphilly county said his experience of the scheme a decade ago was "invaluable".The Welsh government said Seren helped learners attend "the best universities, including universities in Wales". Universities Wales Vice Chair Dr Ben Calvert, who is also the vice chancellor of the University of South Wales, said he hoped discussions involving UK and Welsh ministers about tuition fees and university funding would help the sector in the longer other measures also needed attention, he said, including the fact significantly fewer Welsh 18-year-olds were applying to university compared with their English shortfall amounted to the equivalent of up to 4,500 students, according to Dr many of those students ended up studying in Wales "that's a lot of money that's missing from the system that could be in the system and that could be helping us at the moment," he said. Universities Wales is also calling on the Welsh government to consider raising the compulsory age of education."I think it seems strange that it's 16 where in England, it's 18," he said. "It doesn't necessarily send a signal to people around educational aspiration."He said the Seren programme was "aimed at high achieving students who would already go to university"."It's effectively a programme which takes an awful lot of students into Russell Group institutions in England. "I think we need a programme that works for all, that deals, perhaps more specifically with learners who are asking questions about whether university is for them at all."When we have that participation gap, creaming people off the top and potentially sending them elsewhere to institutions in England doesn't feel right." But Mr Greenland, who was one of the first students to be supported by the scheme and the first in his immediate family to go to university, said it gave him confidence to apply for a biomedical science degree at a top doing an undergraduate degree he is now studying for a PhD at Imperial College London and has started his own tutoring and mentoring business, which includes working with more recent Seren students."I think equipping students with the mindset of going out of Wales is not necessarily a bad thing because I think a lot of students will come back to invest their skillset back into Wales," he said. "If you go back to the nuts and bolts of what Seren provides it it about giving students exposure and confidence to higher education."It's all about raising aspirations and showcasing to students the range of opportunities they have whether that's inside Wales or outside Wales." Sixth formers in Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn in Bala, Gwynedd, are currently preparing for their exams while looking ahead to the next step after leaving Nel, 18, said it was important to encourage Welsh students to study in Wales, she said she was undecided about where she would go and university cuts have had an impact."This time last year I was certain I was going to stay in Wales for university but by today because of what's happening in the news and the media I've been rethinking and considering my options very carefully", she 18, is hoping to take up an apprenticeship rather than go to university."I learn more through working rather than sitting in a classroom", he said."Gaining experience while making money" also appealed and he believed worry about debt could be "a massive factor" for some potential ,18, is undecided between taking up an apprenticeship and going to university, but first he will be spending a few months in he comes back he would like to see what opportunities there could be locally but he "wouldn't mind taking the jump to explore" further afield. Plaid Cymru has called for a review of university funding and floated the possibility of changes to maintenance grants so that there was more support for student studying in has called the Seren scheme "ridiculous".Former Welsh government special adviser Dewi Knight said attracting more Welsh students, by itself, would not solve the financial challenges facing higher said universities could do more "to attract those students who are on their doorstep and be competitive not only at a Welsh level but at an UK level"."Of course I think it's a good thing if we can attract Welsh students to be at Welsh universities or come home to do their postgraduates but I think it's also important that students and their families have the ability to make the decision that suits them."He said Seren's mission was still "all-important" in helping students from all backgrounds to get to some of the best universities in the world."Frankly there's been a tradition in Wales where we don't push our brightest and best to do as well as we could."We focus a bit too much at the middle, and Seren's been a big part of that culture change," he said. The Welsh government said: "Seren supports the best learners regardless of their economic background, personal situation, or location, to attend the best universities, including universities in Wales. "We are currently looking at ways to further increase opportunities for learners to participate in Seren."It added it was important people had the right to choose where they studied and Wales had "the highest levels of non-repayable grant support provided to those most in need".
