Sound of Ideas

Federal Student Loan Overhaul The Trump administration's changes to available federal student loan repayment plans, along with new Parent Plus loan and graduate school borrowing caps went into effect July 1, leaving many borrowers wondering what's in their best interest as legal challenges against overhaul continue to play out in court. On Monday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we look at the student loan lending landscape in the latest installment of our "Law of The Land" series, where we look at how the law affects our everyday lives. Currently the Biden-era SAVE plan is no longer available, causing concern for people who worry about not being able to make higher monthly payments under its replacement, the RAP plan, which may also increase the so-called marriage penalty for couples who file their taxes together rather than as individuals. There is some good news for federal loan borrowers who were defrauded, as a lawsuit that was first filed against the Trump administration in 2019 has finally been settled, giving relief to 450,000 people by canceling their student loan debt after they were misled by the schools they were enrolled in. On the private loan side, experts worry that the rise in online education programs coupled with federal borrowing limits may increase predatory lending practices, as people cobble together financing for their education. Guests: - Eileen Connor, Lawyer, and President and Director, Project on Predatory Student Lending (PPSL) - Carolina Rodriguez, Director, Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Jon Batiste to Perform at Blossom Music Center Multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste is known for creatively blending genres. This week he brings his interpretations of Mozart and Beethoven as well as his originals to a night at Blossom with the Cleveland Orchestra. The former bandleader for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and co-composer of Pixar's "Soul" also just released more music in his piano series. Ahead of Thursday night's concert, Jon Batiste spousoke with Ideastream's Deputy Editor of Arts and Culture Carrie Wise. Guests: - Jon Batiste, Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Composer - Carrie Wise, Deputy Editor of Arts and Culture, Ideastream Public Media

This episode was originally uploaded on July 16, 2026. Cyclosporiasis and other public health concerns Two phrases you don't want to hear together with your food are "parasite" and "explosive diarrhea," but that's currently the reality in 34 states, as cases of cyclosporiasis, an illness causing days to weeks of severe diarrhea, have been on the rise since May, with Ohio in the middle of a four-state outbreak cluster. There are other "bugs" public health officials are concerned about in the state - including the rise of Lyme disease spread by ticks. And be careful of getting bit by a mosquito as several counties in Northeast Ohio have seen mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus, though there hasn't been a human case yet. We're going to talk about a range of nasty illnesses to start Thursday's "Sound of Ideas." Guests:- Erika Sobolewski, D.O., Medical Director, Summit County Public Health- Sara Cochrane, Environmental Health Supervisor, Summit County Public Health Medina Bee Park opens There is something abuzz in Medina County. The Medina Bee Park is now open for human and winged visitors alike. What was once an unused loading dock has been transformed into a vibrant community space for residents - featuring local art, native pollinator plants, and a stage for live entertainment. The $25,000 project is led by Main Street Medina and partially funded by the Medina County Beekeepers Association. We'll learn more about the park and Medina's long history of beekeeping. Guests:- George Sam, Executive Director, Main Street Medina- Manfred Heck, Associate Director, Main Street Medina- Peggy Garnes, President, Medina County Beekeepers Association

Republican Rep. Max Miller will remain in the race for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District despite domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating the claims. Miller faced calls to withdraw from Republican Ohio Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, but the deadline to leave the race passed Monday. He is scheduled to face Democrat Brian Poindexter in November. The Cook Political Report has changed its rating of the race from “Likely Republican” to “Toss Up.” The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has issued a “notice of probable noncompliance” to Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, or CEI, following widespread power outages in Lakewood this summer. PUCO received more than 800 complaints and found most outages between June 30 and July 15 were caused by equipment or line failures. Investigators also found aging infrastructure and observed CEI using garden sprinklers to cool transformers during extreme heat. FirstEnergy, CEI’s parent company. CEI has until Aug. 21 to respond. Cuyahoga County will lose nearly $1.2 million in state grant money meant to make homes lead-safe after failing to spend it by a July deadline. The unspent funds were part of an $8.1 million Lead Safe Ohio grant awarded in 2023. The county funds were intended in part for Cleveland and East Cleveland, which have high rates of childhood lead poisoning. Officials and community groups cited complicated federal requirements, tight deadlines and restrictions on how the money could be used. The state has not yet said how the unspent money will be redistributed. PorchROKR returns to Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood Saturday, Aug. 15, with more than 160 musical acts across 40 stages. The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. main-stage performance by Rent for Cheryl. We'll discuss these stories and more on this week's "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable." Guests:- Gabriel Kramer, Reporter and Host of "NewsDepth," Ideastream Public Media- Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Ohio is expanding its fracking industry despite concerns of its environmental impact 1.4 billion gallons of fracking wastewater, or toxic brine, is being pumped into injection wells for long term storage in Ohio every year. This salty wastewater byproduct of fracking is full of heavy metals, radioactive materials, cancer-causing benzene and hazardous chemical additives from the fracking process. Just outside of Marietta, the injection wells that are supposed to hold this sludge and keep it away from nearby drink water aquafers are failing. At least one third of the toxic fracking wastewater currently stored underground in Ohio comes from other states. In addition to this already existing containment and importing concerns, Ohio has been increasing its own fracking footprint over the last three years by leasing out its public land to this industry, oftentimes to out-of-state developers. In September, nearly 3,000 acres of Wayne National Forest, Ohio's only national forest, will be auctioned off for these purposes, despite concerns about fracking's environmental impact and effect on nearby populations. Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll discuss fracking, its toxic wastewater byproduct and the impact its storage could have in Ohio. The protest period for the September sale of land for fracking in Wayne National Forest is open until Monday, Aug. 17. Protests must be mailed or hand delivered to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management. Note: We reached out to the Bureau of Land Management and the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, both of which are organizations involved in the leasing of development rights for possible fracking. While the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission did not respond to requests for a statement, the Bureau of Land Management provided the following statement to the Sound of Ideas after this episode aired: Oil and gas development on public lands generates substantial revenue that directly benefits the American people, with roughly half of all royalties and fees returning to states like Ohio to support local services and infrastructure. The Bureau of Land Management follows all applicable laws and regulations when evaluating lease parcels, and the Wayne National Forest has confirmed its consent for this lease sale. Hydraulic fracturing is one of the techniques operators may use to produce energy resources, and the BLM requires thorough environmental review before development occurs. Multiple environmental analyses—including the 2016 Environmental Assessment and the 2025 Supplemental Environmental Assessment—found that oil and gas development in the region can provide economic activity, jobs, and revenue while operating under required environmental safeguards designed to protect land, water, wildlife, and surrounding communities. Guests: - Kevin Mueler, Assistant Professor of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University - Tristan Rader, District 13 - D, Ohio House of Representatives - Susan Vessels, President, Marietta City Council "Shuffle" - Rent For Cheryl Then we bring you another episode of "Shuffle," where we meet Rent For Cheryl, who is having a big year, from touring Europe to headlining Akron’s PorchROKR festival this weekend. Ideastream Public Media’s Amanda Rabinowitz talked with two members of the Northeast Ohio band about their momentum. Guests: - Rent For Cheryl, Musicians - Amanda Rabinowitz, Host and Producer, "Shuffle" and "All Things Considered"

American Red Cross declares blood crisis The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, only the second time in its history it has taken that step. The first was in January 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, and demand remains elevated. The shortage is especially urgent for type O blood, as supplies of O positive fell below a one-day supply in late July. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll look at what's driving this shortage, how it's affecting hospitals and patients, and how you can help rebuild the nation's blood supply. Guest:- Christina Peters, Northern Ohio Regional Communications Director, American Red Cross Global HIV/AIDS research continues despite cuts to U.S. funding Later in the hour, a conversation about HIV/AIDS funding and the latest in research and treatment options. In 2019, during his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called for the elimination of HIV transmission in the U.S. by 2030. Two years later, the United Nations adopted a similar declaration globally. But in 2026, those goals are facing significant challenges. In March 2025, the Trump administration terminated a federal advisory committee on HIV prevention and treatment. By the end of the year, global government funding to low and middle-income countries fell 25% compared with 2024, according to KFF. This February, the administration rescinded $600 million in Centers for Disease Control grants supporting HIV prevention and surveillance programs. Then in April, Trump announced plans to remove all members of the HIV/AIDS Presidential Advisory Council. Those changes came shortly after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services laid off more than 10,000 federal health employees, including staff working on infectious disease and HIV/AIDS. The U.S. set out to reduce new HIV infections by 75% by 2025, which would have brought the number of new cases down to about 9,300. But the latest CDC data from 2024 puts the number of cases closer to 39,000. So, is the 2030 goal line still within reach? The future is uncertain. Guest:- Asia Russell, Executive Director, Health GAP (Global Access Project) Ideastream's Summer Interns Last week, we said goodbye to our 2026 cohort of interns here at Ideastream Public Media. Throughout the summer, our nine Cleveland interns learned about their respective fields and honed their crafts throughout our multiple departments – including news, marketing and radio broadcast. To learn more about these interns– what they accomplished here, their career aspirations and what they took away from this experience – we brought them on the show. We heard from four interns last week, and on Wednesday we will hear from the remaining five. Guests:- Grace Claxon, News Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Benjamin Giesen, WCLV Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Kiera McGuire, Sound of Ideas Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Sonya Suri, Digital Content Intern, Ideastream Public Media- TJ Thomas, Intern from University School, Ideastream Public Media

Lakewood Elementary School Consolidation Controversy For several years now, Lakewood City School District has been looking into consolidating its school buildings, due to declining enrollment, but that effort has recently resulted in a lawsuit settlement that has taken officials back to the drawing board. As public schools around the country face similar considerations, leaders in Lakewood say the district has seen a decrease of roughly 2,400 students since 2003. Despite the decrease, consolidation discussions have become heated, with the Friends of Lakewood Schools group suing the district over the manner in which plans were established for the repurposing of Lincoln Elementary School, with the district's hope to turn it into a child development center. That lawsuit was recently settled, putting that plan on pause for the time being. On Tuesday's episode of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, Ideastream Public Media's education reporter Conor Morris shares what the lawsuit settlement means for the future of Lincoln Elementary School. Guests: - Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Zachary Robock, Former Lakewood Elementary Planning Task Force Member Solo Row Across Pacific Ocean Endeavor Access to clean water is a luxury not everyone has outside of the United States, and that disparity is the reason Mentor native Katie Spotz is preparing to row 10,000 miles solo across the Pacific Ocean, beginning in a few short months. It's a journey that will take around eight months to complete, as Katie aims to become the first woman to row solo from South America to Australia and the first American woman to row solo across the whole Pacific Ocean with the goal of bringing clean water to 100,000 people. On Tuesday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, Katie shares what inspired her to undertake this feat, and why she's focused on providing clean water access for others. Follow Katie's journey at KatieSpotz.com Guest: - Katie Spotz, Endurance Athlete, Water Access Advocate

There was a time when the premise of nanny robots and artificial intelligence raising our children was merely the subject of Steven Spielberg's futuristic sci-fi films. The future, it seems, is now. As AI enters nurseries, playrooms, and classrooms, parents are being sold a “smart” childhood at every turn. With mainstream use of artificial intelligence, the power of parent talk and human interaction in childhood development has become even clearer. In her latest book, Human Raised, author Dana Suskind, MD, reveals the possibilities and perils of using AI and related technologies for child-rearing. What do parents and caregivers need to know to assess individual technologies and foster the skills needed to thrive growing up in an AI-driven future? Dr. Suskind has authored over 45 scientific publications and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Fellow for the Council on Early Childhood. She is also the founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, Founding Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Her previous books include the New York Times bestsellers Parent Nation and Thirty Million Words. This conversation originally took place on July 23, 2026 at the City Club of Cleveland. Guests: - Dana Suskind, MD, Author, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI - Lisa Damour, PhD., Author, Psychologist, and Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies, Case Western Reserve University

Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller will be investigated by a congressional ethics panel following domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and a former girlfriend. Miller requested the probe himself, saying he wants to clear his name and has "nothing to hide." The Ohio congressman is facing growing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans but says he will remain in the race for reelection. Ohio's third measles outbreak of 2026 has brought the state's total to 45 cases across 10 counties. Health officials say cases continue to rise nationwide as vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. Cuyahoga County voters will decide in November whether to approve a 2.5-mill increase to the Health and Human Services levy. They'll also weigh two charter amendments that would limit the county executive's authority to appoint and remove members of certain boards and commissions. County Council also withdrew a proposal to make the sheriff an elected position, rather than appointed, and rejected a charter amendment clarifying the roles of the county law department and prosecutor. The subsequent measure could still return before the September ballot deadline. Ohio's annual sales tax holiday begins Friday and runs through Sunday, offering tax-free purchases on eligible clothing and school supplies. Unlike the expanded tax holidays of the past two years, this year's exemption is limited to select back-to-school items. We'll discuss these stories and more on this week's "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable." Guests:- Sarah Donaldson, Reporter, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau- Zaria Johnson, Environmental Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

How structural racism shapes health outcomes for Black Americans, experts discuss In a healthcare hub like Cleveland, home to several major hospital systems including one of the top ranked in the country, it's hard to imagine that there are residents who struggle with access to healthcare. For a large portion of the population, this issue has historical ties to systemic racism and disenfranchisement that continue to effect people of color today, in Cleveland and beyond. Research shows that Black Americans are more likely to see higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, but less likely to seek and receive mental health support or treatment. They're also subject to greater discrimination in medical education. These kinds of disparities date back to and directly stem from the eras of slavery and Jim Crow laws, and a history of medical violence that has led to a distrust in the system. Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we discuss what health equity means, what Cleveland is doing to support its residents of color, and a new book by a Cleveland-born sociologist. Guests:- Dr. Timothy Goler, Associate Professor and Sociology Department Chair, Norfolk State University- Stacey Easterling, Executive Director, National Institute for African American Health- Lita Wills, Commissioner, City of Cleveland's Division of Health Equity and Social Justice The Menu Areas of Cleveland like Tremont, Ohio City, and the Downtown are often the first thought when considering where to go out for a bite to eat, spend an evening or recommend to an out-of-town visitor. But what about lesser known areas, just a short drive away? Bringing the outskirts of Greater Cleveland to the forefront is the mission of a new series from Cleveland Magazine, where writers there are diving into the gems in places like Canton, Oberlin, and Geauga County. In this week's installment of "The Menu," where we dig into the region's food scene with the writers at Cleveland Magazine we look at their new "A Clevelander's Guide To..." write ups. Guests:- Annie Nickoloff, Senior Editor, Cleveland Magazine- Julia Lombardo, Editor, Cleveland Magazine

Exploring Youth Sports Culture in Northeast Ohio The start of the school year is approaching, which used to mean that youth sports will be starting back up for the fall season. Now, however, young athletes have year-round competitive options ranging from recreational teams to travel and club sports, alongside seasonal middle school and junior high athletic programs. While organized sports offer a wide range of benefits for children including team building and exercise, they're also big business, particularly in Sandusky, Ohio. Crain's Cleveland Business reporter Joe Scalzo found that the youth sports industry in the area around Cedar Point brought in 57,000 athletes in 2022 and generated $66 million in visitor spending, with those numbers growing ever since. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we look what youth sports culture is like in Northeast Ohio today. Where does the money generated from these programs go, and how does this early, sometimes quite intense, involvement in athletics shape student athletes' experiences in high school, and beyond? We talk through these considerations along with the benefits team sports can bring to those involved. Guests: - Jessica Schneider, Girls Director of Coaching, Solon United Soccer Club - Joe Scalzo, Sports Business Reporter, Crain's Cleveland Business Cleveland WNBA and Guardians Update It's been a busy start to the week in professional sports, with Cleveland's WNBA team revealing their identity as the Cleveland Sirens on Tuesday, and and the Guardians making interesting moves including acquiring All-Star left-handed starting pitcher Foster Griffin ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline on Monday. On Wednesday's episode of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we dig into the details and Northeast Ohio's excitement surrounding basketball and baseball. Guest: - Joe Scalzo, Sports Business Reporter, Crain's Cleveland Business "Cleveland Curse: A Novel" Blends Fiction and Reality for Football Fans Cleveland Browns fans are no strangers to feeling cursed, having either lived through such unfortunate events as The Drive and The Fumble, or heard these real-life horror stories retold again and again while watching a winless season led by another trade or draft pick that just didn't quite measure up to the hype. How could our football team be so consistently bad over generations despite changes in roster, coaching, management, ownership and even stadium location? On Wednesday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, first-time author Dave Eifert talks about how he explores that question by blending fiction and reality to try to make sense—and light—of Cleveland's football shortfalls in his debut book, "Cleveland Curse: A Novel." Guest: - Dave Eifert, Author, "Cleveland Curse: A Novel" Check out "Cleveland Curse: A Novel" here: https://theclevelandcursebook.com/

Stress and the body Stress is part of everyday life. For many of us, it stems from work, family, relationships or simply trying to keep up with the demands of a busy world. In a study released last year by the American Psychological Association, 76% of adults said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress. The economy was close behind, at 75%. While some stress can help us stay focused and respond to challenges, chronic stress can take a serious toll on both our brains and our bodies. Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas" guest hosted by Anna Huntsman, we'll start the hour by exploring the different types of stress, how they can affect our long-term health, and the warning signs that it may be time to seek help. Guests:- Adam Borland, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic- Jasmeet Hayes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, The Ohio State University 2026 Summer Interns As summer winds down, many college internships are also coming to a close. This year, Ideastream Public Media welcomed eight college interns and one high school student from University School to the Idea Center to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience across multiple departments, from news and marketing to classical music. To end the hour, we'll spend some time with a few of those interns to hear about the projects they worked on, how the experience has shaped their career goals and what they'll take away from their summer at Ideastream. Guests:- Alex Braun, Content Production Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Charlotte Jons, News Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Jillian Osredkar, Marketing Intern, Ideastream Public Media- Lucas Yang, Arts & Culture Intern, Ideastream Public Media

Peptide Popularity If you spend enough time on social media, chances are you've seen someone post about peptides and how they can be used for weight loss, help you recover from an injury and even keep that youthful glow to your skin. The problem with those claims? They're often being made about synthetic peptide compounds, many of which are unregulated by scientific bodies in the United States. Last month, an advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration weighed in and recommended the FDA approve several new peptides for wider use. This was celebrated by those who advocate for the use of peptides, but some medical professionals are still warning about the use of these compounds, which they see as being understudied and under-regulated. On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," guest host Drew Maziasz speaks with national health reporters about the latest FDA hearings, and what medical experts are saying about the growing use of peptides. Guests: - Céline Gounder, M.D., Editor at Large, KFF Heath News - Christina Jewett, Reporter, The New York Times 'The Odyssey' and the Classics "The Odyssey," the epic poem chronicling the Greek warrior Odysseus' 10-year quest to return home to his wife and child is over 2500 years old, but it clearly still grabs our attention. That's evidenced by director Christopher Nolan's new take on the epic as it nears $1 billion at the box office. To close the "Sound of Ideas," Drew Maziasz hears from several scholars on why the themes and ideas within "The Odyssey" still resonate with modern audiences. We'll also hear what high school students think when they're assigned ancient works in the classroom, as well as how female authors are publishing new spins on Greek and Roman works. Guests: - Andrew Hosler, Latin Teacher, Shaker Heights High School - Paul Iversen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Classics, Case Western Reserve University - Sarah Iles Johnston, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Religion, Department of Classics, The Ohio State University

East Cleveland officials are refusing to disclose how many police officers the city employs after denying social media claims that the department has only four active patrol officers and a single detective. Ideastream Public Media reports outside estimates put the department at about six active-duty patrol officers, while the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office is providing supplemental patrols at the mayor's request. The staffing questions come as the city continues to recover from officer indictments and financial turmoil. With Temporary Protected Status for Haitians now expired, thousands of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio face uncertainty as legal challenges continue over whether they can remain and work in the U.S. Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday he has not been informed of any plans for Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Ohio. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton is calling for a conditional moratorium on new data centers unless developers meet requirements including using union labor, meeting environmental standards and covering their own utility costs. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy supports expanding data centers while emphasizing self-supplied energy. The issue is likely to remain a focus of the governor's race as Ohio weighs the economic benefits of data centers against concerns about energy demand and local impacts. County fairs in Summit and Cuyahoga counties are increasing security this year following the 2025 shooting of a 17-year-old in the Summit County Fair parking lot. Officials say the changes include more law enforcement officers, enhanced screening, visible and plainclothes patrols, and closer coordination among local and state agencies. We will discuss these stories and more news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests: - Matthew Richmond, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Michelle Jarboe, Reporter, News 5 Cleveland, WEWS - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Ohio Congressman Max Miller seeks re-election while facing domestic abuse, drug use allegations Heading into this upcoming election, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 7th District Republican Max Miller is seeking re-election, hoping to continue to represent residents in Cuyahoga, Medina, Wayne and Holmes counties. He's also facing allegations of domestic violence and drug use dating back two decades, which we discuss on Thursday's episode of the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney. Many, though not all, of the accusations against Miller have been previously reported by Cleveland.com and other Northeast Ohio outlets in various levels of detail, but now Mother Jones which is operated by the Center for Investigative Reporting has published an extensive report after combing through thousands of pages of police reports and court documents connected to Miller's contentious child custody dispute over his two-year-old daughter he shares with ex-wife Emily Moreno, who is the daughter of Republican U.S. Senator for Ohio Bernie Moreno. Miller disputes many of these claims, and has not spoken publicly on others. We reached out to Rep. Miller asking him to speak with us today, but his communications director said they could not make this work for his schedule. We asked for a statement from the representative, and he declined to provide one. Please note in today's show we will be detailing specific allegations of abuse and violence against women. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the national domestic violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE. Guest: Abby Vesoulis, National Politics Reporter, Mother Jones Read Abby's reporting here: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/assault-misogyny-verbal-threats-records-detail-new-allegations-against-rep-max-miller-bernie-moreno/ Female decathletes assemble in Northeast Ohio amid calls for gender equity in the sport The decathlon, a series of ten track and field events is a part of the summer Olympic games every four years. The winner of the decathlon is often bestowed with the title - "The World's Greatest Athlete." But currently, only men are allowed to compete in the Olympic decathlon, and that rankles the feathers of some women who dedicate a lot of time and energy to competing in decathlon events at various levels. Next weekend, the Women's Decathlon World Championship takes place in Oberlin, as the calls to include women in the Olympic decathlon grow louder from some. Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we hear from two local athletes who are competing in this year's world championships. They'll share what got them interested in the decathlon, how they balance training while working towards PhDs, and how they feel about gender equity in sports. Guests: - Madison Luthy, Decathlon Athlete; Cleveland State University Student - Katie Straus, Decathlon Athlete; University of Illinois Student You can find more information about the Women's Decathlon World Championships here: https://www.womens-decathlon.com/ "Shuffle" music podcast with host Amanda Rabinowitz Some people take offense to being called "What's his face." But not Ryan Cordero. On this week's "Shuffle," Ideastream Public Media's Amanda Rabinowitz talked with a rapper and producer finding his voice in Cleveland. Guest: - Ryan Cordero / Whats His Face, Musician

How would permanent daylight saving time impact Ohioans?It is a common misconception that daylight saving time was created to give farmers an extra hour of sunlight for fieldwork. Its history goes much deeper. During World War 1, the United States established the Standard Time Act of 1918, to modernize our time zones and require sunrise and sunset to happen later in warmer months. It was an effort to conserve fuel and energy – which we came to know as daylight saving time – and it was repealed after the war but reinstated in 1966 through the Uniform Time Act. The system is up for debate again in today's Congress, with House Bill 139, called the "Sunshine Protection Act." This would make daylight saving time permanent. It's been passed by the U.S. House and now awaits consideration by the Senate. It's a topic that's often fiercely debated, tied to sleep cycles and safety concerns. And some people think our current system, while annoying to adjust our car clocks and microwaves two times a year, remains the best option. On Wednesday’s “Sound of Ideas” we'll hear from health experts, a national reporter, and an education advocate on how daylight saving time affects our bodies and our communities, and the arguments for and against permanently changing our clocks. Guests:- Heather Trnka, Injury Prevention Manager, Akron Children's Hospital- Scott Karlo, Executive Director, Ohio Public School Advocacy Network- Dan Diamond, White House Reporter, Washington Post- Swaroop Pinto, M.D., Director, Pediatric Sleep Medicine, Akron Children's Hospital Cuyahoga County Public Library CEOThe Cuyahoga County Public Library has over 700,000 cardholders across its system with 27 branches located throughout Northeast Ohio. While CCPL has been on the receiving end of plenty of national praise over the years, library systems across the country are facing unique challenges, from discussions about the reduction or elimination of property taxes, to continued pressures over the removal of controversial books and materials. Jamar Rahming joined Cuyahoga County Public Library in August 2025, closing in on his one-year anniversary, and was just elected as the president of the Public Library Association, a nationwide library advocacy organization. He spoke about his first year with CCPL, as well as the new elected position with the PLA. Guest:- Jamar O. Rahming, CEO, Cuyahoga County Public Library; President, Public Library Association

Cuyahoga County Council clash over elected sheriff proposal Cuyahoga County is the only county in Ohio where the sheriff is appointed instead of elected. The change came as part of the county's sweeping government overhaul following a public corruption scandal that led voters to approve a new county charter in 2009. Supporters argued that making the sheriff an appointed position would strengthen oversight and accountability. But after years of turnover in the office, critics now question whether the system has delivered on those promises. Tuesday on the “Sound of Ideas,” we'll explore the question: Should Cuyahoga County return to an elected sheriff? We'll look at why the county adopted this system, how a revolving door of sheriffs over the past decade has fueled calls for change and the competing proposals now before the council. Guest:- Mark Puente, Staff Writer, The Marshall Project - Cleveland Easy Day Away: Dayton and Yellow Springs For those looking to travel without stretching their budget, we're spotlighting destinations within a short drive of Northeast Ohio in our series, "Easy Day Away." Each destination can be enjoyed as a day trip or a quick weekend getaway. Last month, we featured New York's Chautauqua County, just over a two-hour drive from Cleveland. In this installment, we're staying in Ohio to highlight Dayton and Yellow Springs, about a three-hour drive to the southwestern part of the state. Whether you're interested in exploring Dayton's history as the Birthplace of Aviation or taking a scenic hike to the Yellow Spring at Glen Helen Nature Preserve, these destinations offer a chance to experience what makes Ohio unique. Guests:- John Oney, President and CEO, Destination Dayton- Nick Boutis, Executive Director, Glen Helen Association- Carly Kumbusky, Taproom Manager, Yellow Springs Brewery

Ohio's property taxes help pay for things like public schools, parks, police departments and other local services, generating about $24 billion in revenue a year. But homeowners have been feeling pinched lately, as some counties have seen double digit increases in property valuations leading to higher taxes for some. That has led to calls for reform, with one group hoping to eliminate property taxes entirely, with eyes now on the 2027 ballot, after failing to get a constitutional amendment proposal on this November's ballot. Ideastream Public Media has been going to public libraries and community events this summer all across Northeast Ohio to learn about the issues that are driving people to vote, and we've heard over and over that property taxes are a key issue on the top of voters' minds. That's why our newsroom recently took a weeklong deep dive into the issue called, "Ideastream Explores: Property Taxes." On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," we're going to highlight some of that reporting. We'll learn about legislative reform efforts, how property taxes impact Ohio's farmers, and what would happen if funding for important resources like libraries and parks were changed. That's part of this special edition of the Sound of Ideas. First, we'll learn more about the controversial movement to eliminate property taxes in the state with Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler. Then, we'll learn about how rising property taxes are impacting a distinct group of landowners — farmers. Ideastream's Richard Cunningham shares how farmers are faring in today's economic landscape, and we'll hear from a longtime farmer and head of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Bill Patterson. Finally, we'll learn how reform or abolishment of property taxes could be devastating to the vast public services that rely on this revenue to fund their operations, including parks and libraries. We'll be joined by Ideastream Public Media's Kabir Bhatia and Zaria Johnson for this part of the conversation. Guests: - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau - Richard Cunningham, Engaged Journalism Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Bill Patterson, Co-owner, Patterson Farms & President, Ohio Farm Bureau - Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts and Culture Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Zaria Johnson, Environmental Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

Ohio's race for governor is bringing competing visions for property tax relief into focus. Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton is proposing targeted relief for homeowners, including expanding the homestead exemption and creating an income-based property tax cap. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has called for dramatically reducing property taxes and has previously supported eliminating them altogether. The Ohio EPA has abandoned a proposed statewide permit that would have allowed data centers to discharge wastewater under a single set of rules. Instead, the agency will require each facility to obtain an individual permit with a project-specific environmental review. The decision came after the agency received thousands of public comments raising concerns about potential impacts on Ohio waterways. An investigation published this week by Mother Jones details allegations against U.S. Rep. Max Miller involving claims of domestic violence, drug use and threats. Miller, who is campaigning for reelection, has denied wrongdoing and challenged many of the allegations in court, while some related investigations remain ongoing. Akron's Northside Marketplace will permanently close July 31 after its owners said mounting debt and financial challenges made the business unsustainable. The closure leaves more than 100 vendors searching for new locations. One vendor is encouraging others to sell their products at a similar store, The Mercantile Akron, which is expected to open soon downtown. Wednesday marked the 230th anniversary of Cleveland's founding on July 22, 1796. Events across the city are celebrating Cleveland's history, neighborhoods and cultural legacy. We will discuss these stories and more news of the week on the "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable." Guests:- Anna Huntsman, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

School officials discuss importance of funding via property taxes and concerns over reform efforts In May, only about one in three school levies in Ohio were approved in the primary, compared to the year previous when almost 2/3rds of levies were approved, causing some districts to wonder whether, among growing calls to reform or even abolish property taxes, voters are tiring of funding public education via tax hikes at the ballot box. But most public schools rely on these levies and property taxes to fund essential services from salaries to building maintenance to future improvements. Today, as our Ideastream Explores: Property Taxes series continues, we'll hear from local school leaders, a tax researcher and our education reporter, about the role property taxes play in funding Ohio's schools and what it could mean if they are reduced via reform. We'll also talk about the movement hoping to end property taxes entirely. Guests:- Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Sara Elaqad, Board Chair, Cleveland Metropolitan School District- Scott Russ, Board President, Canton City School District- Aditi Srivastava, Tax Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio "The Menu: Grocery Stores" Several weeks ago, it was announced that the Heinen's grocery store in Downtown Cleveland, located in the historic Cleveland Trust bank building, would be closing its doors. The store reported that it lost $18 million over the 11 years it was open. That closure means that Constantino's Market, which has been operating in the Warehouse District for just over 20 years, will be the sole grocery store serving Downtown residents. The closure raises bigger questions about the profitability of grocery stores, how much of a population is required to keep a store afloat and the overall changing habits of shoppers. That's the focus of this week's installment of "The Menu," Ideastream's series produced with Cleveland Magazine, focusing on the region's food scene. Guests:- Andrew Revy, CEO, Constantino's Market- Dillon Stewart, Editor, Cleveland Magazine- Mark Rulli, Co-owner, Rulli Brothers Italian Markets and Grocery Stores

Property taxes generate more than $20 billion dollars in tax revenue in Ohio each year. They help pay for public schools, emergency services, libraries and parks. Lately, some home owners are feeling financial pressure from rising property taxes across the state. This is directly connected to property valuations that have gone up, including by an average of 32% in Cuyahoga County. This pressure is part of the reason some people are calling to reform or even abolish Ohio’s property tax. Others think people simply shouldn’t be taxed on property they’ve already paid for. The group leading the property tax ban effort, Ax Ohio Tax, failed to collect enough signatures in time to get their initiative on this November’s ballot but organizers are already looking ahead to 2027. If property taxes are reformed or completely eliminated, what would happen to the services that rely on that source of funding to operate? Would schools, police, and parks see funding cuts, or could there be an alternative source of revenue? These were some of the questions that were posed at the latest "Sound of Ideas Community Tour," which was held at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Panelists representing a wide variety of perspectives, spoke with a live and lively audience about everything from why they believe property taxes should or shouldn't be reformed, to how school funding operates, to the value of parks to the general public. Guests: - Brian Zimmerman, CEO, Cleveland Metroparks - Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, Geauga County Auditor's Office - John Plecnik, Associate Professor of Law, Cleveland State University; Commissioner, Lake County - Pat Shipe, President, Akron Education Association

How do property taxes work in Ohio townships? At Monday night's "Sound of Ideas: Community Tour" event, we discussed efforts to reform, or even eliminate, Ohio's property tax system and we heard from the public schools, parks and programs that count on that funding. Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll discuss another group that relies heavily on property taxes: Ohio's 1,308 townships. They are unique in that they don't levy municipal income taxes. More than 35% of Ohioans live in a township. We'll hear from folks in Stark and Portage counties about the role property taxes play in their communities and what the proposed changes could mean for their future. Guests:- Joseph Bica, Treasurer, Portage County- Matt Kelly, Auditor, Portage County- Anna Huntsman, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media "Something in the Woods Loves You" It's estimated that almost 20% of adults in the U.S. deal with some form of depression — that's around 50 million people. Depression can look like a lot of different things, from losing interest in daily activities, pulling away from friends and family to thoughts of suicide. Addressing depression also widely varies from simply changing diet or sleep habits, to therapy with a professional, to the use of medications. Jarod Anderson is an Ohio-based writer and poet whose book, "Something in the Woods Loves You," chronicles his own experiences with depression and how his first step to getting help was taking a walk in the woods. Ideastream's Drew Maziasz spoke with Anderson ahead of his appearance at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. You can find information about Anderson's event here. Guests:- Jarod Anderson, Author, "Something in the Woods Loves You"- Drew Maziasz, Coordinating Producer, Ideastream Public Media

"Ideastream Explores" Launches Property taxes generate roughly $24 billion annually for local governments and help finance schools, police and fire departments, infrastructure, parks, libraries, and more throughout Ohio. These taxes have become essential for the operation of those services but have also become a financial strain for many across the state. The outcry against that financial burden became so loud, that a group - Ax Ohio Tax - attempted to collect enough signatures to put an initiative to abolish property taxes statewide on November's ballot. Last month, we learned that the group didn't collect enough signatures, but that doesn't mean the conversation about property taxes is over. Monday, Ideastream launches a week of reporting through the 'Ideastream Explores' series digging into property taxes. We learn more about that endeavor on Monday's "Sound of Ideas." Guests: - Justin Glanville, Deputy Editor - Engaged Journalism, Ideastream Public Media Property Tax Legislation After learning about the 'Ideastream Explores' series, we talk to a lawmaker who's been working on legislation addressing property taxes. Rep. David Thomas (R) joins the program to talk about his experience in the state legislature working on bills at the Statehouse to provide some relief to property owners. Guests: - David Thomas, State Representative – District 65 (R) CIFF Shakeup We close show with a look at a leadership change at the Cleveland International Film Festival. This month, the head of CIFF, Hermione Malone, resigned, following a controversial two years in office. The Detroit native's reign included multiple accusations of workplace toxicity. She attributed claims made in 2025 to change in leadership, and said that staff needed to "recalibrate." She also strongly refuted recent claims of verbal and emotional abuse by a former staffer made in April. Guests: - Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

Canadian wildfire smoke prompted an air quality advisory across Ohio on Thursday, with Northeast Ohio reaching hazardous air quality levels. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency urged everyone, but especially those with heart or lung conditions, children, older adults and pregnant women, to stay indoors. The health effects of breathing in wildfire smoke may include asthma attack, chest pains, coughing, headaches, runny nose, stinging eyes, wheezing and shortness of breath. Cleveland has extended its contract with Flock Safety's license plate reader cameras for six months. The contract extension was shortened from one year and includes new privacy protections that prohibits outside access to data collected by the cameras without a warrant. Cleveland's contract with Flock began in 2023 and includes about 100 cameras at locations around the city. CrimeRadar, an app that uses artificial intelligence to track potential criminal activity, falsely reported an active shooter at the University of Akron on Tuesday. Akron police confirmed there was no shooting. In December, the app also falsely reported a shooting at a Streetsboro elementary school. Republican candidate for governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, received the endorsement of the state's largest business lobbying group, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. The group has only backed Republicans for governor in the 16 years that it's been endorsing candidates for that office. In his announcement, Ramaswamy said he plans to eliminate Ohio's income tax and the tax on capital gains. A memo from legislative researchers obtained by the Statehouse News Bureau in April showed more than 55% of the benefit would go to those making over $1 million a year. And the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The measure, named the "Sunshine Protection Act," now heads to the Senate. We will discuss these stories and more news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests:- Conor Morris, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Matthew Richmond, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Cyclosporiasis and other public health concerns Two phrases you don't want to hear together with your food are "parasite" and "explosive diarrhea," but that's currently the reality in 34 states, as cases of cyclosporiasis, an illness causing days to weeks of severe diarrhea, have been on the rise since May, with Ohio in the middle of a four-state outbreak cluster. There are other "bugs" public health officials are concerned about in the state - including the rise of Lyme disease spread by ticks. And be careful of getting bit by a mosquito as several counties in Northeast Ohio have seen mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus, though there hasn't been a human case yet. We're going to talk about a range of nasty illnesses to start Thursday's "Sound of Ideas." Guests: - Erika Sobolewski, D.O., Medical Director, Summit County Public Health - Sara Cochrane, Environmental Health Supervisor, Summit County Public Health Medina Bee Park opens There is something abuzz in Medina County. The Medina Bee Park is now open for human and winged visitors alike. What was once an unused loading dock has been transformed into a vibrant community space for residents - featuring local art, native pollinator plants, and a stage for live entertainment. The $25,000 project is led by Main Street Medina and partially funded by the Medina County Beekeepers Association. We'll learn more about the park and Medina's long history of beekeeping. Guests: - George Sam, Executive Director, Main Street Medina - Manfred Heck, Associate Director, Main Street Medina - Peggy Garnes, President, Medina County Beekeepers Association "Shuffle" music podcast A Cleveland artist is honing his sound weaving together jazz, hip hop, soul, funk and other Black musical traditions. On this week's "Shuffle," Ideastream Public Media's Amanda Rabinowitz talked with Robin "Hyperius" Blake about the inspiration behind his collective — Black Voltron. Guests: - Robin "Hyperius" Blake, Artist - Amanda Rabinowitz, Host, "Shuffle," Ideastream Public Media

Canton City Council approves climate action plan What once seemed like the distant effects of climate change are becoming part of everyday life. Communities across the country are experiencing more prolonged extreme heat, heavier rainfall, stronger storms, droughts and unusual weather patterns. In response, local governments are looking for ways to adapt while reducing their environmental impact. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll turn to Canton, where city leaders have approved a new climate action plan focused on cutting greenhouse gas emissions through changes to municipal buildings, transportation and other city operations. Officials say the plan could also help residents in the long-term, in part by helping lower energy costs over time. Guest:- Robert Fisher, Canton City Council, Ward 5 Northeast Ohio launches new men's soccer team as FIFA World Cup comes to the U.S. While Cleveland wasn't one of the 11 U.S. cities to host a FIFA World Cup match this time around, it did host an international friendly match between men's soccer powerhouses Brazil and Egypt at Huntington Bank Field on June 6, drawing a crowd of tens of thousands to the stadium. That contest coincided with the launch of the brand-new semi-professional men's Lorain County Leviathan Football Club this Spring. Looking ahead over the next two years, we'll have brand new professional men's and women's soccer teams with Forest City Cleveland and Cleveland Astra kicking things off in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Today we'll explore what Northeast Ohio's soccer culture looks like when the largest soccer competition in the world isn't happening. Guests:- Andrew McDonnell, Chairman, Lorain County Leviathan Football Club- Gina Prodan Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Soccer Group- Chris Lewis, Director of Marketing & Communications, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission- Jason Lansdale, President, Offside Marketing The Menu: Frozen Treats The latest heat wave made us yearn for an ice-cold treat. Luckily in Northeast Ohio there are a gallon's worth of frozen-treat options — and locally owned too! For this new installment of our food series "The Menu," produced in partnership with Cleveland Magazine, we're talking ice cream, popsicles and more. Watch the episode on The Ohio Channel or YouTube to see Stephanie Haney and guests sample a few delicious desserts! Guests:- Jesse Mason, Co-owner, Mason's Creamery- Nicole Dauria, Owner, Pop Culture

Conservation efforts in Ohio In May, the Akron Zoo welcomed more than a dozen new animal species, including the white-faced saki monkey, green aracari bird and the axolotl species, which is a salamander that has a big online fandom. While some of Ohio's native and exotic range of wildlife has faced endangerment, due to conservation efforts both in zoos and in the wild, there is new growth for some of these species. The once-disappeared sandhill crane population has seen a big comeback since the late 1980s. Now there are more than 300 in the state, according to the Ohio Department of National Resources. Black bears are also considered a state-endangered species, but recent black bear sightings in Cuyahoga County residential suburbs have made news headlines. On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk to local experts about efforts to care for this wildlife and educate communities about the conservation work happening in our state. And we'll ask what to do if you encounter a black bear in your driveway. Guests: - Lauren McKenna, Animal Care Manager, Akron Zoo - Stormy Goff, Lead Zoologist, Westmeister Farm - David Kriska, Ph.D., Restoration Ecologist, Cleveland Museum of Natural History "White Supremacy" Book During the July 4 weekend, pictures of masked members of the white nationalist group, the Patriot Front, riding the Washington, D.C. Metro made headlines. The images are a stark reminder that white supremacy ideologies are very much alive in today's America. John Broich, associate professor of history at Case Western Reserve University, published "White Supremacy: A Short History" earlier this year. The book traces the origins and evolution of white supremacist thought across the English-speaking world, from the ancient world and British colonialism to the slave trade, Civil War, Nazism and the present. Broich provides historical context for contemporary debates and shows how these ideas repeatedly resurface in mainstream politics. Our coordinating producer Drew Maziasz spoke with him recently about the book. Guest: - John Broich, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Case Western Reserve University & Author, "White Supremacy: A Short History"

At the height of the U.S. war with Iran, NATO allies declined to allow the U.S. to use air bases within their territory to launch attacks on Iran, they refused to let U.S. bombers overfly their territory, and they refused to commit their forces to helping the U.S. patrol the beleaguered Strait of Hormuz. In response, President Trump said he was considering withdrawing the United States from the 75-year-old defense alliance – something he has been talking about for years. Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we bring you another installment of the series "Talking Foreign Policy," which is produced in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University. In this episode, a panel of experts discusses the role NATO currently plays as a global defense alliance, as conflicts continue in Iran as well as between Russia and Ukraine. Guests: - Michael Scharf, President, American Branch of the International Law Association; Former Dean, Case Western Reserve University School of Law - John Bellinger, Legal Advisor, National Security Council & U.S. Department of State - Sandy Hodgkinson, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; Retired, U.S. Navy Captain - Paul Williams, Ph.D., President, Public International Law & Policy Group - Milena Sterio, Distinguished University Professor, Cleveland State University College of Law; Managing Director, Public International Law & Policy Group

Cuyahoga County voters are likely to decide new property taxes on the November ballot to help fund the social safety net and services for people with developmental disabilities. The county will seek a renewal, with an increase, for Health and Human Services. County Council gave that plan a first reading this week. The same day, Council gave final approval for a separate levy to fund the Board of Developmental Disabilities. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will wait until the spring ballot, May 2027, to ask voters for a sales tax increase. Cleveland City Council's safety committee changed its tune, voting 5-2 this week to approve a contract extension for Flock surveillance cameras. A while back the same committee voted no. Next week, the full council will vote. Vocal opposition to the license plate-reading cameras contends they can be used to violate rights, while police say they're vital crime-fighting tools. The architect of Senate Bill 1, which sought to remove what Republican lawmakers called liberal bias on college campuses, now wants to make it mandatory for students to take a course through the intellectual diversity center the bill created. Republican Sen. Jerry Cirino of Kirtland has introduced Senate Bill 461 which requires the 3-credit-hour American civic literacy course. Gov. Mike DeWine signed off on 14 bills this week, from hardening Medicaid fraud protections to making failure to identify yourself during a traffic stop a crime. He also signed off on a requirement that high schools teach a conservative-backed curriculum known as the Success Sequence — graduate, get a job, get married, then have children. Lakewood officials are asking state regulators to investigate FirstEnergy again after another round of prolonged power outages left thousands of customers without electricity during last week's extreme heat. We will discuss these stories and more news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests:- Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

High-control groups, or cults, are defined in part by members being prevented from making their own choices without even realizing it. While the exact number isn't known, experts estimate there are thousands of cults operating in the United States today. Typical red flags include leaders exerting influence and control over the actions of their followers through both explicit and unstated but understood rules and social norms that come with consequences if they're not followed. In Medina County, former members of the Restored Church of God in Wadsworth say they've escaped a cult led by founder David Pack. Cleveland Scene staff writer Mark Oprea talked with several people who have left this church about their experiences both inside and outside its walls revealing rules about marriage, dating and relationships, incredible financial commitments from members, and more. On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we dig into Oprea's reporting with him and two of the people he interviewed for his story about this religious group. We also talk with an expert who will share insight on what rises to the level of an organization being considered a cult, and how to seek help if you or someone you love might be involved with one. We reached out to the Restored Church of God to invite the founder or another representative to be part of this conversation. They declined our invitation and did not directly address assertions that the church is a cult. You can read the statement we received below. Restored Church of God statement to Sound of Ideas: “The perspective reflected in Mr. Oprea's reporting does not represent the experience of the overwhelming majority of people who have interacted with The Restored Church of God over many years. Members, former members, visitors, neighbors, vendors, public officials, and others have interacted with the Church over decades. If the objective is to understand our organization fairly, those perspectives are at least as relevant as those of a small number of former employees. “While individual experiences naturally vary, the perspectives attributed to a small number of former employees do not represent the overwhelming majority of those who have known or interacted with The Restored Church of God over decades.” Former members dispute the above statement's accuracy. Restore Church of God ministers Carl Houk and Edward Winkfield also responded via email to several written questions we sent them. Those responses are included in Thursday's show. Guests: - Mark Oprea, Staff Writer, Cleveland Scene- Kevin Denee, Son-in-law of founder, Former Restored Church of God Minister & Member- Marc Cebrian, Exrcg.org operator, Former Restored Church of God Member- Adam Kunz, Ph.D., Board Member of Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Lakewood demands accountability for power outages Tens of thousands of Northeast Ohio residents were without electricity during some of the hottest days of the year last week, and some lost power for up to four days. For cities like Lakewood, residents say power outages happen on a too-frequent basis, and the city's mayor, Meghan George, is demanding accountability from the only energy company serving the city, FirstEnergy. In a statement last week, George called on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the state regulatory agency, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, to press for action against FirstEnergy. This is following a prior investigation into the company last year where PUCO found "probable noncompliance." FirstEnergy was then ordered to invest $12.5 million into the city's infrastructure. Regarding last week's power outages, FirstEnergy put a message on its website to Lakewood customers: "We understand the frustration and hardship recent outages have caused for Lakewood residents, especially during this period of extreme heat," the message read. "Using less electricity can help protect the system and prevent additional outages – and help you manage energy costs during this time of high use." On Wednesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk about power concerns with Lakewood leaders, and a reporter covering energy news in the state. The "Sound of Ideas" did invite FirstEnergy to be part of this conversation to share their perspective on the outages, but they declined to participate. Guests: - Meghan George, Mayor, City of Lakewood. - Ernie Vargo, Law Director, City of Lakewood - Kathiann Kowalski, Contributing Reporter, Canary Media Nobel Peace Prize winner on threat of nuclear war During the height of the Cold War, much of the American populous was terrified of nuclear annihilation. They held their breath as President Kennedy warned of rising tensions with the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and ducked under their desks as students for bomb drills. They also breathed a sigh of relief when relationships with the USSR were repaired at the end of the 1980s and the Cold War thawed. But some academics continue to warn that we're in fact closer to the possibility of nuclear war than we ever have been. Ira Helfand is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and will be speaking in Northeast Ohio on Thursday night at the invitation of Cleveland Peace Action. He joins the "Sound of Ideas" to explain why he's warning of potential nuclear conflict.

Fatherhood support resourcesFor many parents, maintaining a relationship with their children isn't simply a matter of showing up. Divorce, incarceration, financial hardship and other life circumstances can create distance between parents and their kids. On top of those challenges, some parents face systemic barriers, from navigating the court system to finding stable housing or employment. And often -- fathers are the ones that may experience separation from their child due to these circumstances. But research shows that when fathers show interest in their child's lives, their health, learning and confidence improve while risks like poverty and behavioral challenges are reduced Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're joined by Northeast Ohioans who are working to help fathers overcome those obstacles, strengthen their parenting skills and build lifelong healthy relationships. Guests:- Margaret Bernstein, Author, Dad Storybooks and Literacy Advocate- Randall Jellison, Fatherhood Project Manager, Early Childhood Resource Center- LeBron Terrell, Fatherhood Coach, Passages "Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life"Generations of Clevelanders grew up watching the "Big Chuck & Little John" show, and "Houlihan and Big Chuck," on Friday nights. Ideastream Public Media's Senior Arts & Culture Reporter Kabir Bhatia spoke with one of the stars of the show, John Rinaldi, who has a new book out about his life and work. Guests:- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Public Media- John Rinaldi, Author, "Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life"

Staying safe during extreme heat Dangerous, record-breaking heat has hit much of the nation this week, with the National Weather Service issuing an Extreme Heat Warning for the state of Ohio lasting until Thursday night. Many outdoor events have been canceled due to safety. The City of Cleveland canceled all youth outdoor sports through Friday, a Wade Oval Wednesday concert was canceled in University Circle, and the Cleveland Orchestra's free concert at Cain Park has been postponed, all due to dangerous conditions. This week, temperatures have hit the mid-to-high 90s, and Thursday the humidity will make the temperature feel as high as 107 degrees. To try to combat the heat, many cooling centers have opened around the region. We'll start Thursday's "Sound of Ideas" talking about how can to protect ourselves from heat-related injuries this week and throughout the summer. And, ahead of one of the most injury-prone holidays in the U.S., we'll ask our experts about staying safe this Fourth of July holiday. Guests: - Ellen Kazimer, Administrative Commander & Public Information Officer, Cleveland EMS - Tamanna Singh, M.D., Director, Sports Cardiology Center & Co-Founder & Co-Director, Women's Integrated Sports, Exercise, & Research Center, Cleveland Clinic & Volunteer, American Heart Association Medicare Pilot Program Ohio is one of six states testing out a Medicare pilot program that the federal government hopes will reduce fraud or waste in the system. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services program WISeR, or Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction, adds prior authorization for certain services that the government deems costly and unnecessary, and it operates using artificial intelligence. The government says the program will save money at the federal level and protect patients from unneeded care, but critics say its rollout since January has been rocky, leading to errors or delayed care, and reimbursement delays of up to 8 weeks to healthcare providers. An audience member inspired us to look more into this program on a show last week about aging well. Anita in Cleveland Heights called and said she was a senior on traditional Medicare and was shocked to discover after the fact that she needed pre-approval from her insurance to see certain doctors, and was facing a hefty bill that she would now need to appeal. Guests: - Gary Katz, M.D., President, Ohio State Medical Association - Darius Tahir, Correspondent, KFF Health News Ohio Revolutionary War graves As America approaches its 250th birthday, Americans are paying a bit more attention the country's founding, and the events surrounding 1776. Over the last year, more than 500 Ohioans volunteering their time took part in collecting data about those who actually served in the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War Graves Identification Project was an undertaking from the Ohio History Connection with the purpose of verifying and documenting the final resting places of those veterans buried in Ohio. Ideastream's Drew Maziasz spoke with Krista Horrocks from the Ohio History Connection about the graves project. The final public release of the grave survey will come out on July 4. Guest: - Krista Horrocks, Project Manager, Ohio History Connection

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped its term Tuesday with a series of major decisions on immigration, presidential power and election law. Among the final rulings, the court voted against President Donald Trump to uphold the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment declaring anyone born within the borders of the U.S. a citizen of the country. Last week, the justices held that courts cannot review Department of Homeland Security decisions to end Temporary Protected Status, clearing the way for the Trump administration to end legal protections for Haitians and Syrians, which includes a large Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio that drew national attention. The court also ruled that Congress cannot prevent the president from removing members of the Federal Trade Commission. In doing so, overturning a 90-year-old precedent that had preserved federal agencies' independence. Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, saying it greatly increases presidential power "at a time when it is most needed." Two of the dissenting justices said this decision completely reshapes our government. The court also upheld a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted for up to five days afterward. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk about these decisions, what they say about the direction of the high court and what they could mean for everyday Americans and the balance of power in Washington. Guests:- Jonathan Entin, Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University- César García Hernández, Professor of Law, The Ohio State University- Ali Masood, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Politics, Oberlin College and Conservatory

"The Big Shrink" Cleveland's population was 930,000 at its height in 1950. Now, it's a little more than a third of that. With that population loss, comes fewer students enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. And those dropping enrollment numbers has led to the district needing to closure buildings and lay off hundreds of employees. Cleveland is far from the only district experiencing this issue, which one education researcher has called "the big shrink." Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas" we'll learn more about what's happening with CMSD, and other districts across the state. You can read Ideastream Education Reporter Conor Morris's reporting on the issue here. Guests: - Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Meryl Johnson, Former Educator and State Board of Education Representative - Vladimir Kogan, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University U.S. Annual Esperanto Conference Vi aŭskultas la radioprogramon "Sono de Ideoj" de Ideastream Public Media. Mi estas Stephanie Haney, dankon pro via restado kun ni. What you just read translated to English reads, "You're with the 'Sound of Ideas' from Ideastream Public Media. I'm Stephanie Haney, thanks for staying with us." But you may not have understood it, because that first line was written in Esperanto. Esperanto was created in the late 1800s, meant to be a universal secondary language. It's not tied to any particular region in the world so it has no native speakers, and it's not intended to be anyone's first language. It's meant to be easy to learn, no matter what your background, and its goal is to promote international communication and even world peace. The language of Esperanto is encouraged here in the United States by a non-profit organization called Esperanto-USA, which is hosting a weeklong course and its national conference at Cleveland State University, now through July 6th. Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we have leaders of Esperanto-USA and a Cleveland member joining us to teach us about the language and its Northeast Ohio connection dating back to the 1930s, and hopefully help us walk away knowing a few key phrases. Guests: - Brandon Sowers, President, Esperanto-USA - Amanda Schmidt, Executive Director, Esperanto-USA - Jeremy Genovese, Member, Esperanto-USA

America 250 Reflections Saturday is America's 250th birthday. It's a time to look back at our nation's history and reflect on where we are today as a country. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 guaranteed the rights to equality, liberty and democracy for all. Is America today living up to the promise of its founding? Do citizens today have equal rights and opportunities? Some will say, absolutely, but for others, it's a bit more complicated. On Monday's "Sound of Ideas" we're convening a panel of Northeast Ohioans from a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences to hear what life is like for them in this country ahead of the 250th, and whether they like the direction the country is going at this moment in time. Guests: - Neil G. McCormick, Retiree, Cinecraft Productions - Poojajeet Khaira, M.D., Psychiatrist Physician - Dominic Harrison, Junior, John Carrol University - Michele Weiss, Mayor, City of University Heights Connect250 Project As the nation marks America's 250th birthday, the oral history nonprofit, StoryCorps, and NPR's Morning Edition are launching a nationwide initiative called "Connect 250" — pairing strangers from different parts of the country to record a conversation about their lives today and what America means to them. These 40-minute long dialogues will be permanently preserved in the Library of Congress, to serve as a time capsule of what life in America was like at 250 years old. StoryCorps Founder and President Dave Isay told us more about this initiative. Guest: - Dave Isay, Founder and President, StoryCorps

Gov. Mike DeWine this week vetoed a bill that would mandate photo ID for mail-in ballots starting in 2027. On the heels of DeWine calling on Ohio lawmakers to abolish the death penalty, we learned this week that for the first time in his tenure, he granted clemency to a death row inmate. The U.S. Supreme Court signed off on the Trump administration's plan to strip temporary protected status from Haitian immigrants. The move could leave more than 10,000 Haitians living in Springfield at risk for deportation. Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno has an unexpected ally in the effort to shore up social security: Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren. And Cleveland has been raking in cash since it implemented changes to its parking pricing structure earlier this year. We will discuss these topics and other news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests:- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Public Media- Gabriel Kramer, Reporter/Producer & "NewsDepth" Host, Ideastream Public Media- Sarah Donaldson, Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Employee Ownership Models There are over 6500 businesses that in some form participate in an employee-owned model, according to a study from Rutgers University. These businesses vary from an ESOP, or employee stock ownership plan, which is the most common form or profit-sharing, to a worker-owned cooperative, where workers can vote on things like a board of directors. Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll take a deeper look at the employee ownership model, and find out why some aging business owners are embracing that model. We'll hear from one Northeast Ohio business that recently transitioned to an employee trust model with the help of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University. Guests:- Michael Palmieri, Associate Director, Ohio Employee Ownership Center, Kent State University- Jonathan Welle, Lead Organizer & Founding Board Member, Cleveland Owns- Mike Miller, Founder and Managing Partner, Music Box Supper Club- Hannah Scott, Program Director, The Ohio State University - College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Center for Cooperatives "The Menu: Employee Ownership and Food" Later in the program, we'll stay with the employee ownership discussion, and look at one local coffee roaster, Phoenix, who is a employee-owned cooperative. They have five cafes, and a roastery, across Northeast Ohio. We'll hear from the General Manager about why he says that model serves the business. Guests:- Toby Reif, General Manager, Phoenix Coffee - Michael Palmieri, Associate Director, Ohio Employee Ownership Center, Kent State University - Jonathan Welle, Lead Organizer & Founding Board Member, Cleveland Owns

Funeral arrangements and burial alternatives The cost of planning a funeral has risen dramatically over the past several decades. From 1986 to 2025, funeral costs increased by 304%, meaning something that cost $1 in 1986 now costs about $4. Inflation, changing consumer preferences and rising labor and material costs have all contributed to the price hike. Today, cremation is the most common end-of-life choice in the U.S., with more than 60% of Americans choosing it in recent years. While cremation is often less expensive than a traditional burial, funeral arrangements can still carry a significant cost. As a result, some are turning to alternatives such as green burials, human composting and body donation programs. For some, these options can reduce costs. For others, they offer a way to align final arrangements with personal values, environmental concerns or a desire to contribute to medical research. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll explore these alternatives and find out whether they still leave loved ones with a meaningful way to remember you. Guests: - Chad McGreevey, Funeral Director, McGreevey Funeral Homes - Danielle Davis, Director of Anatomical Services, Body Donation Program, Ohio State University - Tom Harries, CEO and Co-Founder, Earth Funeral - Geoffrey Gompf, President-Elect, Ohio Funeral Directors Association Tri-C JazzFest 2026 Live music is back in downtown Cleveland this week, with the return of the annual Tri-C JazzFest, this Thursday through Saturday. Located on Playhouse Square, the three-day event will feature both local and national artists, accompanied by face painting, line dancing and local food vendors. The festival will feature local artists such as Dominick Farinacci, as well as national artists like Sheila E., Durand Bernarr, and others. JazzNEO host and producer Dan Polletta previewed the festival with “Sound of Ideas” host Stephanie Haney. Guest: - Dan Polletta, Senior Producer, Host of JazzNEO, Ideastream Public Media

As a country, we're living longer than ever before. The average life expectancy in the United States is now 79 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But how are we doing when we get to our golden years? In Ohio, the answer is not necessarily the best, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Senior Report. This study from The United Health Foundation ranked Ohio 36th in the country in overall health for seniors. Some major concerns include suicide rates, drug related deaths, poverty and food insecurity concerns and levels of physical activity. When you add in concerns about mental function and emotional wellbeing, there's a lot to think about as we age. On Tuesday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas," we're looking at what we can do in our younger years to try to maintain our mental, emotional and physical health for as long as our bodies will let us. Guests: - Gary Grosel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Ohio - Lester Carney, age 92, Olympic athlete who won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy - Robert Bermel, M.D., Staff Neurologist, Neurological Institute's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Cleveland Clinic - Roopa Anmolsingh, M.D., Lead Geriatrician for Community Programs, Cleveland Clinic

Ohio Auditor Candidates In November, when voters go to the polls, they'll be voting on every statewide executive office in Ohio, one of those being auditor of state. The two candidates for that position are the current Secretary of State, Republican, Frank LaRose, and the Mayor of Maple Heights, Democrat, Annette Blackwell. They recently spoke at forums organized by the Akron Press Club. We'll bring you excerpts from that on Monday's "Sound of Ideas." You can watch the entirety of LaRose's speech here. You can watch the entirety of Blackwell's speech here. Guests: - Frank LaRose, Secretary of State; Candidate, Ohio Auditor - Annette Blackwell, Mayor of Maple Heights; Candidate, Ohio Auditor Foreign Relations with India Then, we turn our attention to international affairs and look at U.S.-India relations. The most populous country is home to a quickly growing economy, and could be a major player in global policies, from immigration to trade, over the coming decades. Akriti Kalyankar, a woman who worked as a journalist in India, is now coming to speak in Northeast Ohio on Thursday, at the invitation of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. You can find out more about Kalyankar's appearance here. Guest: - Akriti Kalyankar, Fellow, Stimson Center

Gov. Mike DeWine is urging Ohio lawmakers to permanently end the death penalty, saying the issue should go before voters if the legislature declines to act. DeWine has postponed every scheduled execution since taking office in 2019 and has said the moratorium stems partly from pharmaceutical companies' opposition to the use of their drugs in lethal injections. However, some prosecutors and lawmakers who support the death penalty dispute that justification. The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voter engagement group for left-leaning and progressive causes, was raided by the FBI. Board member Prentiss Haney said agents searched the organization’s Northeast Ohio offices, questioned staff and associates and in some cases seized laptops and other electronic devices. Several Democratic members of Congress, including Ohio U.S. Reps. Emilia Sykes and Joyce Beatty, have criticized the raid and expressed support for the organization. Cleveland City Council members voiced strong skepticism about Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposal to extend the city’s contract with surveillance camera company Flock Safety, questioning whether the system justifies its cost. A council committee voted against the extension, though the measure could still advance. Cleveland has about 100 Flock cameras and has paid $250,000 annually for the program since 2023. Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before non-school days with parental and school approval. Current law bars 14- and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year. The measure follows Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a broader proposal last year. Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster said he negotiated the change between him, DeWine and the Ohio Restaurant Association. We will discuss these topics and other news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests: - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau - Anna Huntsman, Akron/Canton Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Zaria Johnson, Environment Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

How some local religious groups welcome LGBTQ+ members June is Pride Month, an annual celebration honoring LGBTQ+ people, their history and an ongoing movement toward equality. Most celebrations are secular in nature - but there are some religious organizations in Northeast Ohio hosting Pride events this year. For many, religion is a source of belonging and spiritual guidance. But for others, experiences with faith communities have led to rejection, exclusion or religious trauma. Studies from Pew Research Center shows that 80% of LGBTQ adults in the U.S. believe in spirituality and nearly half identify with a religion. Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're bringing together faith leaders to discuss how their congregations engage with LGBTQ people, how they interpret their faith traditions' teachings on sexuality and identity, and what that relationship looks like not just in June, but throughout the year. Guests: - Rev. Dr. George Graham, Pastor, Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ - Shoshana Nyer, Rabbi, Suburban Temple Kol Ami - Fr. Damian Ference, Vicar for Evangelization, The Cathedral Saint John the Evangelist - Rev. Derek Terry, Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition and Part-time Pastor, St. Peter's United Church of Christ "Easy Day Away": Chautauqua and Jamestown in New York As the summer gets underway, you might be feeling the urge to travel. But the cost of getting away has gotten more expensive lately, as the U.S. war on Iran continues to squeeze access to oil, driving up the cost of both airfare and gas to fill up our cars. As a result of increasing prices, a survey from US News and World Report released in April showed that 65% of Americans have changed their summer travel plans. For those of you who are being budget-conscious but are still feeling that wanderlust, we're launching a new summer series on Thursday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas" called "Easy Day Away." We'll bring you ideas for simple trips you can take that are within a short drive of Northeast Ohio, and don't require an overnight stay. For our first feature, we're highlighting Jamestown and Chautauqua in New York's Chautauqua County. These two cities are on either side of Chautauqua Lake, both about a two hours' drive east of Cleveland. Jamestown is home to both the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and the National Comedy Center, and Chautauqua is known for its Chautauqua Institution, a historic, 750-acre lakeside educational and cultural center. Guests: - Journey Gunderson, Executive Director, National Comedy Center - Gary Hahn, Board Member and Secretary, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau - Deborah Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Chautauqua Institution

Heights High 100 Years 100 years ago, back when gas cost 23 cents and the president was Calvin Coolidge, Cleveland Heights High School at Cedar and Lee Roads was constructed. Thousands of alumni and guests from around the country and beyond will be returning to the Heights to celebrate this milestone, and participate in a three-day festival this weekend hosted by the Heights School Foundation. Part of the goal of the festival is to help raise money for the district, which announced last month that it is needs to make at least $5 million in budget cuts over the next two years due to expected revenue losses. We'll spend time on Wednesday's "Sound of Ideas" talking about the role the school has played in the lives of so many over the last century, preview the weekend of festivities, and look towards the future of the district, which has churned out a host of prominent alumni like NFL brothers Travis & Jason Kelce and the Mitchells Ice Cream brothers, Pete & Mike Mitchell. Guests: - Laura Loebl, Executive Director, Heights Schools Foundation, Class of 1987 - Jayla Scruggs, Class of 2026 - Kathy Blackman, Owner, Grog Shop/B Side Lounge, Class of 1986 - Liz Kirby, Superintendent, Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District Juneteenth Celebrations Juneteenth is coming up this Friday, marking five years since then-President Joe Biden made the day a federal holiday. The holiday signifies the day in 1865 where slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Many communities in Northeast Ohio are commemorating the holiday Friday. We'll highlight some of those events for the rest of the show and learn more about the origins of Juneteenth. Guests: - Talise Campbell, Artistic Director of Djapo Cultural Arts Institute - Greg Palumbo, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County's Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument - Tameka Ellington, Ph.D., Curator for Black History, McKinley Presidential Museum and Library

THC Beverage Sales We begin the hour with a quick update regarding the sale of THC-infused beverages in Ohio. A judge ruled that several Ohio companies are once again able to sell the drinks for the next two weeks. Brent Zimmerman, from Saucy Brew Works in Cleveland, joins us to discuss the motion from the judge and what comes next. Guests: - Brent Zimmerman, Founder and CEO, Saucy Brew Works Water Tech and E. Coli Metroparks properties like Edgewater Beach can be negatively impacted by high E. coli levels, a harmful bacteria often linked to water runoff and sewer overflow. Monitoring E. coli levels is time consuming, and doesn't always happen in real time. A new project from some researchers at Cleveland State University is changing that with a real-time E. coli monitoring system. And now it's being deployed at a Cleveland Metroparks property, with the help of the Cleveland Water Alliance. Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll learn about what kind of technology has been built and deployed here in Northeast Ohio to monitor E. coli levels. Guests: - Samantha Martin, Director of Communications and Engagement, Cleveland Water Alliance - Chelsea Monty-Bromer, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland State University - Jennifer Greiser, Director of Natural Resources, The Cleveland Metroparks Wooster PFAS Research We then shift our attention to another water quality issue, PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are sometimes called "forever chemicals," and have been used in the manufacturing of consumer products for decades. Scientists have found these compounds in water sources across the globe, and are also seeing them accumulate inside of human beings. The College of Wooster is involved with the development of a new devices that cleans water of PFAS, and we'll learn more about how that technology is being deployed. Guests - Paul Edminston, Ph.D., Peterson Professor of Chemistry, The College of Wooster - Rory Paradowski, College of Wooster Student - Class of 2026

Artificial intelligence in legal cases The use of artificial intelligence is a topic of concern in legal cases, both by attorneys and parties to lawsuits they file. On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," we examine precedent being set in both situations in our latest installment of our "Law of The Land" series, where we look at how the law impacts our everyday lives. We start the conversation talking about how attorneys are using AI, both properly and improperly, in ways that affect not only client confidentiality and the cost for representation, but the way the judicial system functions, as a whole. Then, we look at ongoing lawsuits like the $1.5 billion case connected to Anthropic, an AI company which admitted using pirated copies of books to train its large language models known as "Claude." We explore the precedent these cases might set for compensation for artists of all kinds. Guests:-D. Allan Asbury, Deputy Director and Senior Counsel, Ohio Supreme Court Board of Professional Conduct-Rohit Nath, Attorney, Susman Godfrey L.L.P. Cleveland Clinic's settlement with the Department of Justice bars gender-affirming care for minors The Cleveland Clinic has become the second medical institution to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump's Department of Justice related to fraudulent billing allegations, specifically associated with gender affirming care for people under the age of 18. In the back half of Monday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas," we continue our "Law of The Land" series by sorting through the settlement which includes a payment of $300,000 from the Clinic to be split between the state of Ohio and the DOJ, and a commitment to set aside $2 million to cover the cost of detransitioning care for those seeking it who cannot afford it. The Clinic has also agreed not to provide puberty blocker and hormone treatments to minors for the next 20 years, which extends beyond current requirements under Ohio's House Bill 68, a law which has been in effect since 2024. In May, Texas Children's Hospital agreed to pay $10 million dollars and establish the nation's first "detransition clinic." In the Cleveland Clinic settlement, the Department of Justice called gender affirming care for minors "misguided medical interventions." Critics are calling this agreement a lapse in medical integrity, amounting to cruelty and anti-trans hate. Particularly, the emphasis on funding detransition care is being called unnecessary, bigoted and performative. When we reached out to the Clinic ahead of this segment, a spokesperson told Ideastream Public Media via email that the Clinic remains focused on providing exceptional care to its patients and communities. In our conversation, we talk through the DOJ's allegations against the Clinic and what the settlement entails. We'll also share a statement from the Cleveland Clinic on the agreement, and learn why an Ohio advocacy group is disappointed in this result, to say the least. Guests:-Dara Adkison, Executive Director, TransOhio-Justin Glanville, Deputy Editor of Engaged Journalism, Ideastream Public Media

A marathon legislative session this week in Columbus produced several measures that we'll be unpacking here to begin the show. We start with what didn’t get done: new rules for data centers. That legislation went off the rails over tax abatement. Data centers currently receive a 100% sales tax exemption. Proposed legislation would have reduced that tax break to between 50% and 75%. But many lawmakers, responding to concerns from constituents, say the industry should receive no exemption at all. Property tax relief remains a priority for Ohioans and lawmakers took action during their marathon session to provide help qualifying senior and disabled homeowners. More than 700,000 Homestead Exemption recipients will receive a nearly $500 credit toward their tax bill in January. Voters will decide whether to put photo-identification requirements for in-person voters – already a law in Ohio – into the constitution after lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment for the fall ballot. In a separate measure lawmakers sent to the governor a bill that extends voter ID to those casting votes by absentee/mail-in ballot. Ohio Republicans who say they are concerned about fraud in Medicaid in Ohio passed new regulations but first stripped out a provision that would have denied funding for those who care for sick family members. That provision had sparked spirited protests at the Statehouse. The Cleveland Clinic agreed to a deal with the Department of Justice this week that will end gender-affirming care for minors for at least the next 20 years. Prompted by an investigation into billing irregularities for such care, the agreement would remain in effect even if the current state law prohibiting gender-affirming care would be overturned. The MetroHealth System will not seek recertification of its Level 2 pediatric trauma center in 2027, though it will still treat children through its broader Level 1 trauma center for adults which also can treat minors. It will transfer pediatric cases to University Hospitals, which runs the region's only Level 1 pediatric trauma center, saying it's better for the broader system not to duplicate efforts. We will discuss these topics and the rest of the week’s news on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests:- Abbey Marshall, Local Government Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Nicotine use is rising in young people Nicotine use among youth and young adults is rising according to the Centers for Disease Control with nicotine pouch use by people under 21 nearly quadrupling from 2022 to 2025. Nicotine is the highly addictive chemical stimulant found in tobacco. In 2024, almost 8% of high schoolers said they had used an e-cigarette in the past month, and more than 2% had used nicotine pouches. Some place the rise in use on health influencers on social media, who say nicotine has natural benefits such as better focus or claim it can prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Others say nicotine is a better alternative to smoking tobacco, since its non-carcinogenic and comes in fun flavors like mint and now fruit, approved by the Food and Drug Administration last month. Even U.S. Health and Human Services director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said last year that nicotine pouches are "probably the safest way to consume nicotine." But is there any safe way to consume nicotine? Many health experts are concerned about this reframing, and its impact on young people. On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll ask local public health officials about this trend and ask about the role of nicotine on our health. Guests:- David Margolius, M.D., Public Health Director, City of Cleveland- Erika Trapl, Ph.D., Behavioral Epidemiologist & Professor, Case Western Reserve University- Wendy Hyde, Ohio Regional Director, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/Tobacco21 & Assistant Professor, Baldwin Wallace University- Ernest Williams, Barber, Polished Professionals & Graduate, Freedom From Smoking The Menu: Food Trucks Summer is underway, and communities are coming together for neighborhood celebrations, outdoor events and local festivals. Food trucks have become a staple of many of those gatherings, offering everything from regional favorites to inventive new flavors. We'll take a closer look at Northeast Ohio's food truck scene and its growing popularity. This is the latest installment of The Menu, our biweekly segment all about Northeast Ohio food produced in partnership with Cleveland Magazine. Guests:- Matt Maroon, Owner, Happy Camper Bar Car- Isabella Sugar, Managing Partner, CLE Chicken Food Truck & Catering- Delicia Dixon, Owner, The Urban Wrap Co.- Daniel Subwick, Director, Parks and Recreation, City of South Euclid

Seasonal Affective Disorder When you hear seasonal affective disorder, you probably think of the cold, dark days of winter. But for some people, seasonal depression arrives at the opposite time of year. As temperatures rise and daylight stretches into the evening, sadness, anxiety and irritability can emerge. Wednesday on the “Sound of Ideas,” we'll discuss how heat, light and seasonal changes can affect our mental health. Guest:- Alicia Roth, Ph.D., Behavioral Sleep Medicine Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic Understanding claims about antidepressants Later, we’ll speak with mental health experts about antidepressants. A recent Gallup poll found 18% of adults reported having depression last year. And depression rates for Americans under 30 and lower income adults have risen dramatically over the last eight years. Antidepressant medications have been shown to help ease depressive symptoms. One common type of medication, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, were used by more than 11% of adults in 2023, according to CDC data. And adults in the Midwest take antidepressants more than any other region in the nation. U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has been outwardly skeptical about the use of SSRIs, and last month, announced a plan to address the "overuse of psychiatric medications, especially among children" in favor of what he calls a more holistic approach to mental health. But psychiatrists have warned that some of the claims about the side effects of antidepressants are misinformed, including that there's an increased link to mass violence. And there's concern that this move could limit access to treatment for millions who rely on it. Guests:- Jonathan Sadowsky, Ph.D., Professor, History of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University- Luis Felipe Amunategui, Ph.D., Child-Adolescent Psychologist, University Hospitals- Karin Coifman, Ph.D., Professor, Psychological Sciences, Kent State University

The Marshall Project's Investigation into Cuyahoga Jail Cameras Security cameras are vital in a jail, especially when something tragic happens, but for years, Cuyahoga County had a broken surveillance system due to neglecting to replace old jail cameras. County emails show they knew about the issue for four years, according to new reporting from The Marshall Project Cleveland. This means some families were left without answers about what happened to their loved ones who died while in custody. Jail officials say the outdated devices have all been replaced as of this April. We'll hear more reporting on this investigation from The Marshall Project Cleveland Staff Writer Doug Livingston, on Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas." Tick Bites Then we turn our attention outside and discuss the rising rates of tick bites. There were 2,800 reported cases of Lyme disease in Ohio last year, a disease which is largely connected to blacklegged ticks. Two researchers will join us to explain why we're seeing so many more tick bites in recent years, and what to do if you or your pet it bitten by one. Guests: - Rachel Kappler, Ph.D., Forest Health Collaborative Coordinator, Holden Forests & Gardens - Vanessa Varaljay, PhD, Chief Research Officer, The Ohio State University Infectious Disease Institute; Buckeye Tick Test "Shade" by Sam Bloch We close to the show which what one nature writer is calling a "forgotten natural resource" - shade. Just in time for the summer months, we hear some perspective on how humans have embraced or neglected shade, tree canopies, architectural cooling designs and consideration of the climate. Bloch writes about the dangers of heat and sun exposure, and how it kills thousands of Americans each year, but doesn't get the media attention of something like or hurricane or tornado. Guests: - Sam Bloch, Author, "Shade: The Promise of a Forgotten Natural Resource"

Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk to Northeast Ohio bibliophiles about their favorite books of 2026 so far. They'll be recommending new novels, nonfiction reads, some classics, as well as new books by Northeast Ohio writers. The group will also touch on how to keep kids engaged in reading over the summer, and how to cut back on screen time in order to read more. Guests: - Karen Long, Former Manager, Anisfield Wolf Book Awards - Kate Merlene, Branch Services Supervisor, Orange Branch - Cuyahoga County Public Library - Lori Zaim, Owner, Fireside Bookshop - George Bilgere, PhD, Poet; English Professor, John Carroll University Guest Picks "The Calamity Club" by Kathryn Stockett "Life & Death & Giants" by Ron Rindo "Playground" by Richard Powers "Whistler" by Ann Patchett "The Midnight Train" by Matt Haig "A Paris Apartment" by Michelle Gable "Missing Sam" by Thrity Umrigar "Cool Machine" by Colson Whitehead "Earth 7" by Deb Olin Unferth "Eating Ashes" by Brenda Navarro "House of Day, House of Night" by Olga Tokarczuk "John of John" by Douglass Stuart "Mule Boy" by Andrew Krivak "This is Where the Serpent Lives" by Daniyal Mueenuddin "Wreck of the Mentor" by Eric Jay Dolin "Don't Call It Art" by Austin Kleon "London Falling" by Patrick Radden Keefe "Land" by Maggie O'Farrell "The Antidote" by Karen Russell "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir "Kin" by Tayari Jones "Dog Show" by Billy Collins "Season of the Second Thought" by Lynn Powell "Ghost Variations" by Elton Glaser "Train Dreams" by Denis Johnson "The Imperfectionists" by Tom Rachman "Devil in a Blue Dress" by Walter Mosely "Quartet in Autumn" by Barbara Pim "On The Hippie Trail" by Rick Steves "The Land and Its People" by David Sedaris "The Death and Life of the Great Lakes" by Dan Egan Ideastream Staff Picks "Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin "Football" by Chuck Klosterman "Fever Beach" by Carl Hiassen "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis "The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth" by Zoe Schlanger "Darkwater: Voices From Within The Veil" by W.E.B. DuBois "What Did You Eat Yesterday" by Fumi Yoshinaga "Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke "1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation" by Andrew Ross Sorkin "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy "My Friends" by Fredrik Backman "Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life: Stories from an Accidental Career on Cleveland TV―and More!" by Lil' John Rinaldi