Largest rubber duck takes Ohio

This July, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck will make its debut in Ohio after exploring waterfronts across the world since 2014, according to Cleveland.com. The record-breaking waterbird is visiting Sandusky in celebration of the Festival of Sail Sandusky.

The 61-foot, 15-ton duck is owned by Craig Samborski and is an inflatable sculpture—not actual rubber. The duck will come through Lake Erie alongside sail and tour ships for spectators to board throughout the weekend.

Tickets will be available for admission to the various events surrounding the Festival, but the duck is hands-off. The World’s Largest Rubber Duck is intended to draw attention to the world’s waterfronts.

Battle of the burgers

Cleveland.com recently asked its readers to vote in the Cleveland’s Best Burger contest, where 86 local burger places went head to head in a battle of culinary superiority.

After the first round, which was voted on this past Thursday, 20 contenders will advance to the finals. Among the eligible restaurants are University Circle’s Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern and Simply Greek.

As of Wednesday, the competition received roughly 13,000 votes, according to Cleveland.com. Restaurants advancing to the final round will be announced the week of April 22, and voters have until May 15 at 9 a.m. to cast their votes for who they think is the champion.

Airport invests in capital improvements

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport just announced an investment plan to improve its ground transportation and baggage screening systems, as reported by Cleveland.com. The airport is also to assess a four dollar per-trip fee for off-site parking and hotel shuttles, both in an effort to raise money for capital enhancement.

After a transportation committee hearing on Wednesday, the Cleveland City Council is anticipated to consider the fee hike later this month.

According to Cleveland.com, off-site shuttles pay an annual fee of $550, which covers pickups and drop-offs for airport patrons. Taxis and other transportation services pay four dollars for every airport drop off and pick-up.

The new fee would raise a projected $1.8 million per year. Additionally, later this year, the airport plans to issue $35 million in new debt in support of the various capital projects.

Ohio State Representative sues over attack ads

Southeast Ohio State Rep. Larry Householder sued a pair political action committees after learning they financed various political advertisements which targeted him, according to Cleveland.com.

Householder claims the attack ads, which reference a closed FBI investigation regarding his activities as speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, are untrue. The representative asked a judge to remove the advertisements from airing.

The lawsuit emerges out of a heated, ongoing battle between Ohio Republicans who hope to lead the Ohio House of Representatives after November’s election.

Former Speaker Cliff Rosenberger unexpectedly stepped down last week amid an FBI probe on a trip he took last year with lobbyists in the auto title-loan industry, leaving the position’s future more uncertain than ever.