WKSU News Headlines. WKSU is Kent State University’s award-winning NPR News and Classical Music public radio station. Serving more than 20 Ohio counties and parts of Western Pennsylvania.
While Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine was touring Cleveland yesterday to talk about how he'll use the federal mortgage settlement to fight urban blight, Mayor Frank Jackson was across town at another press conference talking about the I-90 innerbelt bridge. Jackson commended DeWine for planning to use $75 million of the settlement to demolish abandoned houses and clean up neighborhoods. But he says he is anxious to see what Cleveland's share of that money will be. GRANT ENGLE reports.
NBC launched a new series this week dealing with the drama inside the world of musical theater. The show, "Smash," is also funding outreach that brings theater professionals to 20 schools across the country. The only Ohio school to get the special training is in rural Portage County. WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
Backers call it a plan for workers' rights. Critics call it a plan to kill labor unions. They're both talking about the so-called right-to-work amendment that tea party activists are hoping to put onto the ballot with a petition drive. The measure would ban union contracts that require workers to pay union dues to get or keep a job. Supporters have just gotten the legal go-ahead to launch their drive to collect the necessary 386,000 petition signatures. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports, though, that some politicians you might expect to lead the drive will not. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
Testimony in the trial of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora today (Fri) focused on favors Dimora collected over the years. Federal prosecutors at the U.S. District Court in Akron say they were bribes. But WKSU's Mark Urycki reports but the defense calls them gifts from friends. WKSU's Mark Urycki reports.
Two Ohio congressmen think they may have found a way to pay for the new I-90 innerbelt bridge in Cleveland, and to complete the work close to its original schedule. Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette and Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich were joined by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and the Ohio Department of Transportation today (Friday) to announce a plan to fund and finish the project by 2018. That's two years behind what was originally planned, but five years ahead of a schedule ODOT recently announced. The proposal includes leasing the state's 57 non-interstate rest stops to private operators. It also calls for ODOT to submit an application for special economic stimulus money from the U.S. Department of Transportation. LaTourette says that Clevelanders should be optimistic about their chances, and it doesn't hurt that Ohio is a swing presidential state. GRANT ENGLE reports.
A bill has been introduced in the Ohio Senate to repeal the new election reform law that's up for a referendum on the statewide ballot this November. Democrats who collected hundreds of thousands of signatures to put the issue on the ballot this fall are not happy. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
The people who lead Ohio's townships have been meeting at their annual winter conference in Columbus. And as Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports, they want to talk about getting less money but handling as many services as ever. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
Five of Cleveland's small music venues are holding what they call "Defend Music Night" Friday. The event is to support legislation to exempt them from the city's 8 percent admissions tax--the highest in the state. City Council is proposing an amendment to allow clubs that hold up to 750 people to apply for the tax exemption. Approved clubs must be current on their taxes, host live music three nights a week, and can't have nuisance complaints from the neighborhood. Mayor Frank Jackson is proposing his own amendment that would exempt clubs that hold up to 500 people--as well as charitable groups. Sean Watterson, a co-owner of the Happy Dog on the west side, supports the City Council's version. WKSU's Valerie Brown reports.
The Fair Finance trustee has filed lawsuits for tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars over the two years since the small Akron-based lender collapsed. But this week, he went after more than a billion dollars from lenders who helped the now-indicted owners acquire the company. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports on the pursuit of deep pockets. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
Consumers are giving more thought to where food is grown. For fresh taste, health benefits, and the good of the local economy, many Northeast Ohioans patronize family farmers. To meet the increased demand, farmers are planting and harvesting even while the cold winds blow and the snowflakes fall. For today's Quick Bite, WKSU's Vivian Goodman introduces us to a year-round farmer from the northeastern edge of the state. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports.
Prosecutors are expected to wrap up their end of the federal racketeering trial of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora this week. Former county Auditor Frank Russo is expected to take the stand and testify against his once-close friend. WKSU's Mark Urycki reports that earlier testimony is already having repercussions WKSU's Mark Urycki reports.
For the second time in a month, Vice President Joe Biden was back in Columbus Thursday. This time, he was speaking at an Ohio Newspaper Association event. And as Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports, Biden's message was upbeat and optimistic. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
Five of the nation's largest mortgage companies have agreed to pay $25 billion to settle complaints that they'd ripped off homeowners. Ohio's attorney general has plans for spending the state's share -- $335 million. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
Gov. John Kasich's second State of the State address has gotten mixed reviews in Ohio and around the country. It's been called "stirring but vague" and "rambling," and one headline noted it contained "little meat." But Gov. Kasich says he's not deterred by what's been written and said about him in the wake of the speech. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
Ohio is expected to get more than $300 million from today's multi-billion-dollar national settlement with five mortgage lenders. The Ohio part of the settlement includes more than $100 million in loan modifications, and 44 million dollars in cash for those who lost their homes because of fraud on the part of the banks. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has been pressuring the banks to modify mortgages for more than two years. WKSU's Laura Fong reports.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown estimates Ohio communities could get 6 billion dollars to keep raw sewage out of rivers, streams, lakes -- and basements --- if Congress passes The Clean Water Affordability Act Brown reintroduced this week a bill originally sponsored by retired Republican Sen. George Voinovich in 2009. It would help communities replace outdated sewer systems that overflow during downpours. Brown says he expects bi-partisan support for the bill, which will help communities pay for upgrades that cost billions of dollars. WKSU's Laura Fong reports.
Chamber attacks Sen. Brown, supports Rep. Renacci Another voting-rights challenge threatened Ohio's take in foreclosure settlement More gambling but no more help for problem gambling WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
Congressional redistricting has created a long, narrow district that snakes along Lake Erie from Toledo to Cleveland. The new 9th District pits longtime Democrats Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland against each other in the March primary. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports on how the candidates are selling themselves to voters on opposite sides of the state.
Ohio is expected to get more than $300 million from a national settlement with five mortgage companies. The five agreed to pay $25 billion nationwide and admitted to using fraudulent foreclosure practices. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports that Ohio homeowners will get a share of the settlement cash, but Attorney General Mike Dewine emphasizes that the state will also use some of the money in an unusual way: WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
The man convicted of setting the deadliest fire in Cleveland history is getting a new trial Antun Lewis was convicted last year of setting a house fire that killed nine people--including eight children. Today (Wednesday), a federal judge granted Lewis a new trial saying the prosecution witnesses were unreliable. Angelo Lonardo is one of Lewis' defense attorneys. WKSU's Valerie Brown reports.
One of the biggest barriers some students face entering college is finding the cash to pay for it. The Akron public schools and the University of Akron are looking to fix that part of the equation. They're planning to guarantee top students a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Akron. WKSU's Molly Bloom reports.
The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt Ohio's leaders a setback when it comes to the death penalty. The justices will not take up a decision made by a lower court that's put Ohio's death penalty on hold until certain conditions are met. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says the high court is refusing to allow the execution of a man convicted of killing a Trumbull County couple in 1986. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
For months, environmental activists have been calling for a moratorium on the drilling technique known as horizontal fracturing (fracking) - at least until it's declared safe by the federal EPA. Ohio's attorney general is not joining the call for a moratorium, but he is joining the environmentalists' call for tougher rules on fracking. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
Ohio manufacturers, high-tech companies, and researchers will soon be able to transmit computer data 10 times faster. That's because of a huge improvement in Ohio's broadband network. John Conley helps oversee it. In an interview with statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen, Conley gives examples of what the new improved system will allow. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
In the NFL, the key to winning is in a team's so-called family tree. And it plays out much like a Shakespearean tragedy. NFL teams align themselves with one of two families who have very different styles of play. The Cleveland Browns have the "father" of one of those families at its helm -- team President Mike Holmgren. But, after two seasons, they've had little success. WKSU commentator Terry Pluto talks with Amanda Rabinowitz about the family structure and how the Browns plan to make it work. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
Ohio's congressional delegation plans to meet Thursday with the state adjutant general to talk about cuts in the Air National Guard and Reserves. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman says the meeting was set up after the Air Force floated restructuring plans last week that will affect installations in 33 states. They include the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. Six aging C-130 Hercules aircraft are now based in Youngstown. The Air Force plans to replace them with four modern versions. Portman says he and the rest of the delegation just want to make the case on the value of the base. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich wrapped up his campaign swing through Ohio today with a stop in Cleveland. The former House speaker toured the Jergens company, which makes fasteners for manufacturing processes, WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports the visit came a day after Gingrich did poorly in 3 other state's primaries, a fact he ignored in Cleveland. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
Clarification: Gov. Kasich is considering leasing the turnpike but not selling it. The original version of the story said both options are being considered.In Tuesday's State of the State address, Gov. John Kasich says Ohio could benefit from leasing the turnpike, but he isn't going to rush into it. The Department of Transportation will decide Monday whether to approve a nearly $3 million contract for a Texas consulting firm to study privatizing the turnpike. The new contract is twice the original proposal, but ODOT says the additional cost will allow a more thorough study. Gov. Kasich says he is open to other options. And in his speech, he maintained that the state would not give up complete control of the 241-miles of toll road. WKSU's Valerie Brown and Bill Cohen report.
The northeast Ohio branch of Susan G. Komen Foundation says it is ready to put recent controversy behind it and Tuesday's resignation of a national senior vice president should help. The resignation followed backlash over Komen's plan to cut funding to Planned Parenthood. Komen's new policy would have prohibited funding for groups under federal investigation, and a congressman opposed to abortion launched an investigation into Planned Parenthood last year. Sophie Sureau is executive director for the northeast Ohio branch. She says the new policy made sense at first, but the agency was not certain what Komen meant by "investigation." WKSU's Valerie Brown reports.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich delivered his second State of the State address Tuesday at a school in Steubenville. Kasich's main theme was Ohio's economic comeback. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
The 2012 primary season is in full swing in Ohio. Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich came to Cincinnati Tuesday. State polls show he's ahead of fellow candidate Mitt Romney. From Ohio Public Radio member station WVXU, Tana Weingartner reports. Tana Weingartner reports.
Air marshals questions in Cincinnati Prosecutors ask to delay Russo sentence Kasich promises surprises in State of State Gingrich attacks Romney and Obama on birth control WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
The Summit County Port Authority plans to use a new type of tax credit to get private investors to put up money for business and real estate ventures. That's part of a strategy that the Port Authority unveiled Tuesday morning to help create and retain jobs. The authority manages some 71 million dollars in assets, much of which finances the expansion of businesses in Summit and elsewhere in the region. Toby Rittner is the president of the national Council of Development Finance Agencies. Rittner says using public finance is essential to Summit County's economic recovery. WKSU's Laura Fong reports.
Governor John Kasich is breaking with tradition by delivering his State of the State speech at Wells Academy in Steubenville today. The 300-student public elementary school is one of the highest rated schools in the state. WKSU's Ida Lieszkovszky reports.
Kurt and Noele Wimmer had big plans for the isolated, triangular plot of land they bought in North Ridgeville in 1974. But nearly four decades later, the Lorain County couple is fighting the power company to save 50 trees in their back yard. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia has more on a case Ohio's highest court will decide. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
Cleveland's struggling school district needs to embrace good charter schools, revamp teachers' union rules, and give more flexibility to high-performing schools. Those are some of the main goals of a new school reform plan unveiled by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. He says Cleveland's schools need to be reinvented to stop the downward slide fueled by poverty and population loss. As WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports, the mayor says his plan supplies the urgency needed to fix the school system, but not everyone is convinced. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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