WKSU Local News podcast
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Feds say Russo corrupt for more than a decade
The first of the two main targets in the massive Cuyahoga County corruption investigation was charged today (Thursday). Auditor Frank Russo resigned just before the U.S. attorneys office lodged 21 counts of bribery against him.... WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Russo could face 10 years
The criminal charges against Frank Russo are one of two big developments the public has been expecting since FBI agents raided his offices and those of Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora more than two years ago. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Cuyahoga auditor charged, quits, apologizes
Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo resigned this morning, has been charged with 21 counts of bribery and corruption, is apologizing and apparently is cooperating with prosecutors. Russo and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora have been the focus of a federal corruption investigation for more than two years. Russo is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for jobs, contracts, lower tax values on homes and other favors beginning within a year of taking office in 1997. The charges say...
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Update:Cuyahoga Auditor faces 21 federal charges of...
Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo resigned this morning, and has been charged in a bill of information with 21 counts of bribery and corruption. Russo and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora have been the focus of a massive federal corruption investigation for more than two years. Russo is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for jobs, contracts, lower tax values on homes and other favors from 1998 through March of 2009. In a letter of resignation this morning, Russo apologized...
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Headline News for Thursday, September 9, 2010
President Obama proposes tax credits to boost economy in speech at Tri-C Wednesday Akron reaches two-year tentative deal, heads off layoffs with police union Former investment advisor and owner of Rico Latte defrauds clients out of $30 million WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Energizing the base
The President was in Northeast Ohio Wednesday to talk tax credits and politics with an invited audience. Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell and Chris Wallis report.
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President calls out Republicans
President Barack Obama came to Northeast Ohio to answer critics of his economic policies. And to win support for Democrats, many of whom are facing a tough election in November because of the continuing recession. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell and Chris Wallis report.
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Cruze into Lordstown
Congressman Tim Ryan, Governor Ted Strickland, car dealers and line workers were on hand to celebrate the official rollout of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia and Jeff St. Clair report.
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Judge will decide if Cuyahoga recorder can defy county's...
Cuyahoga County should know in about 2 weeks if county Recorder Lillian Greene will keep her job...even though that job will no longer exist under the county's new charter government. As WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports...a judge heard oral arguments today on Greene's claim that the charter government unconstitutionally deprives her of her last 2 years in office. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Akron police union votes on tenatative contract
More than 440 Fraternal Order of Police members began voting on the contract today. But its success ultimately rests with Akron voters in November. That's because the city plans to ask voters to shift $12 million from an income tax that has been designated for schools. Instead, the money will help pay for safety forces. Mayor Don Plusquellic says the solution isn't perfect, but the city had to adjust to drastic shortfalls in revenue. Dawn Einsel reports.
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Lordstown rolls out Cruze
The coming of the Chevy Cruze hasn't exactly been a secret. For about two years, GM's been touting it as the best hope for the carmaker's future in America. And each announcement--from the 350 million investment in the Lordstown plant to recalling the third shift at that plant--has been surrounded by plenty of hoopla. But, as WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports, nothing has come close to the fanfare that greeted the official rollout at Lordstown Wednesday. WKSU's M.L. Schultze and Jeff St. Clair...
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Tax revenues creep up in Ohio
There's good news and bad news in the latest numbers on the current state budget. And that could signal just how big the multi-billion dollar hole is in the next Ohio budget. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Headline News for Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Cuyahoga County voters pick exec candidates in historic primary Akron police union to begin voting on tentative contract Former head of Cleveland indoor pro soccer franchise expected to plead guilty WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Terry Pluto: Blame parents for unregulated youth sports...
A series of stories in the Columbus Dispatch explores the largely unregulated world of non-school youth sports, including the expensive private trainers, the summer traveling teams and camps. It says the $5 billion industry leaves children more susceptible to injuries than ever before as families spend thousands of dollars chasing athletic scholarships. WKSU commentator Terry Pluto says the problem starts at home. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Dolan wins Cuyahoga's GOP primary
At Flannery's pub in downtown Cleveland, a crowd of Matt Dolan supporters gathered to celebrate the results from the Republican primary for the newly created job of county executive. But they recognized Tuesday was a beginning, not an end. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Canton native and China trade expert says U.S. relations...
The Bush administration's last chief trade negotiator to China says there's more trade friction with that country now under President Obama. But Canton native Frank Lavin also says the U.S. is exporting more to China as that country's influence grows on the world stage. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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NASA's green engine
NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has completed testing of a new, greener rocket engine. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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GOP campaign to privatize lottery
The performance audit of the Ohio Lottery yielded the suggestion that it become a quasi-private corporation, which is how 10 other states run their lotteries. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Questions bring clemency
Now that Kevin Keith will not be executed, his supporters are pushing to get him a new trial. WKSU's Tim Rudell talks with three people close to the case WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Election Day in Cuyahoga County
Election days usually don't come on the heels of Labor Day -- or any other holiday, for that matter. And that's why the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is pushing hard to ratchet up awareness of today's countywide election. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Stark Dems ready to pick new treasurer
Stark County Democrats are picking an interim treasurer tomorrow (Tuesday) and their candidate for the job in the November election. And they could be the same person. Whoever wins in November will be filling out the job until September of 2013. That's when the unexpired term of Gary Zeigler runs out. Stark County commissioners removed Zeigler from office last month after the county sued him over the theft of nearly 3 million dollars from his office. Most of that money was taken by Zeigler's...
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Polls show Ohio Democrats in hot water
Democrats may feel the brunt of voter anger over job losses according to the latest polls. The Columbus Dispatch says Republican candidates have double-digit leads in the Ohio races for governor and U.S. Senate. GOP governor hopeful John Kasich leads Gov. Ted Strickland by 12 points, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rob Portman has a 13-point advantage over his Democratic opponent Lee Fisher. Forty-nine percent of those surveyed support Kasich in the race for the governor's seat,...
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Candidates, cows, and constituents
The Stark County Fair in northeastern Ohio features poultry and pie, a headless lady and a midway. Fairgoers this year were also treated to a good bit of politicking, as freshman Democrat Rep. John Boccieri fights to hold onto the 16th district. As NPR political correspondent Don Gonyea reports, his vote for the president's health care bill is one point of contention. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.
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Ohio AG asking oil companies for money back
Ohio's attorney general is charging that five major oil companies improperly got money from a state fund for cleaning up leaking underground petroleum storage tanks. Richard Cordray is asking for the money back. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Keith supporters say fight is not over
Supporters of convicted murderer Kevin Keith are happy he's been granted clemency from Governor Strickland. But advocates for Keith who think he might be innocent say their fight is not over. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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LeBron fares poorly in latest poll
A new poll makes it official. LeBron James is not a real popular guy in Ohio or anywhere in the country right now -- except maybe Miami. Public Policy Polling says its latest survey shows 19 percent of Ohioans give the former Cavs star a favorable rating, while 34 percent view him negatively. Those numbers pretty much parallel the national numbers from a survey done just after James announced in a national television special that he's leaving Cleveland for Miami. In the latest survey,...
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Gay games controversy grows
The Federation of Gay Games says no matter the outcome of a lawsuit filed against it this week, the 2014 Gay Games will be in Cleveland. Cleveland Synergy Foundation is the local non-profit that wants to produce the games. They're expected to draw 10-thousand participants and be worth 30 to 60 million dollars to Northeast Ohio. Yesterday, Synergy sued the international federation for revoking its license. Synergy is also suing the City of Cleveland saying it colluded with the federation to...
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Ohio newspaper chain sold
A federal bankruptcy judge in New York has approved the sale of most of the assets of Ohio-based newspaper chain Brown Publishing Co. for less than $22 million. The dozens of Brown newspapers are mostly small weeklies and dailies in southern and western Ohio, but include community papers in Amherst and Oberlin. The new owners are mostly Browns' creditors incorporated under the name Ohio Community Media, and include PNC bank. Brown is also selling its New York papers for less than $2 million...
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News Headlines for Friday, September 3, 2010
Winning bidder to bring Gay Games to Cleveland in 2014 sues city Gov. Strickland commutes Keith's execution to life sentence President Obama to address economy in Cleveland Wednesday WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Lawsuit filed in Cleveland Gay Games dispute
The group that won the bid to bring the Gay Games to Cleveland Akron in 2014 is suing the city of Cleveland. Cleveland Synergy Foundation claims that the city conspired with the Federation of Gay Games to revoke the group's license to produce the games last month. The decision to revoke the license was made at about the time that the city of Cleveland was raising questions about Synergy's lagging fundraising and documentation of some of its expenses. The lawsuit also names Mayor Frank...
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Fridays with the artist
Baubles, bangles and beads are joining the bubbling fountains in The Avenue at Tower City. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Prade wants new DNA tests
Douglas Prade was convicted of murdering his ex-wife in 1997. He has insisted since the time of his arrest that he is innocent. And now he's trying to get new DNA tesing in the case. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Judy Hunter heard arguments about that Wednesday. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Cleveland to print bilingual ballots
Next year, Cuyahoga County will print all ballots and election materials in both English and Spanish under an agreement between the Board of Elections and the U.S. justice department. The board voted along party lines -- Democrats Sandy McNair and Inajo Davis Chappell voting for the settlement. Republicans Jeff Hastings and Rob Frost voting against. Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner cast the tie-breaker in favor of the agreement. Jose Feliciano, head of the Cleveland Hispanic...
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Akron union to vote on tentative contract agreement with...
The CSPA will vote on the tentative agreement Wednesday night. It is the only one of the city's unions that agreed to concessions both this year and last year. The concessions include furloughs, a wage freeze and a delay in longevity pay. Union President Chuck Victor says failure to ratify an agreement would result in layoffs. WKSU's M.L. Schultze and Alison Ritchie report.
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Akron Mayor blasts police
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic says a personnel clerk is responsible for a mix-up this week in police layoff notices, and the police union is responsible for the layoffs themselves. The city is laying off 40 police officers unless the union makes contract concessions. Akron sent out the notices beginning last week before it discovered it made a mistake calculating seniority for six officers. So it rescinded those six layoff notices, and sent new ones to six others. Union President Paul Hlynsky...
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Now they are one
Akron and Summit County have merged health departments. After a year of negotiations, the president of the county health commission and Akron's mayor signed a deal effectively folding the city's health department into the county's. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Ohio teacher's union is target of strike
The two sides generally agree on the issues contested. The staff union is demanding a long-term contract to guarantee pensions, job security, and health care benefits. The OEA worries about accepting that, because the union depends on dues from working teachers, and next year there could be big layoffs. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Report on drastic cuts at Cleveland's Continental hub...
Continental Airlines C-E-O Jeff Smisek says the soon-to-be merged Continental/United airlines is still committed to Cleveland...and he dismisses a report that flights to and from Hopkins Airport will be cut by more than 80-percent. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier says Simsek is denouncing the report r as a distortion of the facts. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Akron police dispute escalates
Mayor Don Plusquellic says he feels terrible about a mix-up in layoff notices in the Akron Police Department, but won't blame the clerk who made the mistake. He does, however, continue to blame the Akron police union for the layoffs themselves. The city says without contract concessions, it must lay off 40 officers. It sent out the notices beginning last week before it discovered it made a mistake calculating seniority for six officers. So, it rescinded those six layoff notices, and sent...
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East Canton building dedication takes on a solemn tone
A Northeast Ohio man was among five soldiers killed when a bomb exploded in Afghanistan Monday. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Kessler was 32 and a graduate of East Canton High School, where he was remembered for an ornery but never-failing smile. The school district is dedicating a new building tomorrow (Thursday) and will have a moment of silence for Kessler. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, and his unit was attacked in the Arghandab River Valley of Afghanistan. He and the...
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Nuclear plant with historic problems applying for renewal
First Energy has applied to keep a historically troubled power plant operational for the next two decades. The Akron-based energy giant has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station another 20 years past its current expiration date of 2017. First Energy shut the plant for four months this year after discovering problems with cracked nozzles in the reactor head. First Energy spokesperson Todd Schneider says those...
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Senate candidates debate around Ohio
U.S. Senate candidates Lee Fisher and Rob Portman will hold three one-hour debates before the November election. They'll be in Toledo, Cleveland and Columbus and will be conducted by the Ohio Newspaper Organization, a consortium of the state's eight largest newspapers. The Cleveland debate will be at the City Club on October 8th. Other details on dates and locations have not yet been announced. Portman, a former congressman and trade representative, and Fisher, Ohio's lieutenant governor,...
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No tax for Ohio veterans' bonuses
Ohio veterans won't be taxed on their bonuses after all. That's the word from the IRS. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. WKSU's Bill Cohen and Casey Braun report.
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Headline News for Wednesday, September 1, 2010
State telling people to avoid contact with water at LaDue Reservoir Akron mistakenly notifies six police officers of lay-offs Summit County celebrates the opening of its new animal shelter WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Cleveland sports icons Jim Brown, Bob Feller take...
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller's recently disclosed leukemia hasn't kept him away from his regular spot in the Indians press box, while Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown is severing all his ties with the Cleveland Browns. WKSU commentator Terry Pluto talks about the approach of the two men and the two teams. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Cuyahoga executive candidate have final debate before...
Last night the candidates vying for the most powerful county-level position in the state participated in their last forum before next week's partisan primaries. Seven candidates for Cuyahoga County executive...three Republicans, three Democrats and one Green party member, took questions at Cleveland State University. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Excerpts from President Obama's Iraq speech
Here are exerpts provided by the White House on President Obama's speech tonight on the war in Iraq. The speech will air at 8 p.m. on 89-7, WKSU...
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Akron layoff notices mixed up
Akron says it mistakenly notified six police officers they are being laid off, and is rescinding their layoff notices. But now it will be laying off six other officers. The city said today (Tuesday) that it miscalculated the seniority of some officers when it sent out notices over the past four days. But now six other officers who thought their jobs were safe will get notices tomorrow (Wednesday) that they're the ones who will lose those jobs. The city is laying off 40 police officers,...
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New algae advisories
The state is now telling people to avoid all contact with the water in LaDue Reservoir. It upgraded the advisory on the reservoir based on the results of the latest testing for toxic algae blooms. The reservoir is in southern Geauga County and is connected to Akron's drinking water supply. But state officials have tested the treated drinking water separately and say it is safe. Another area reservoir, East Branch, is under an algae advisory at lower levels than LeDue. WKSU's M.L. Schultze...
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Cuyahoga Co. considers adopting ethics code
Provisions in the ethics code would prohibit county officials from accepting certain gifts of hiring relatives. David Freel, executive director of the Ohio Ethics Commission, said the county is trying to set a higher standard than just what's legal. Alison Ritchie reports.
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Ohio's proposed passenger train appears side-tracked
A national conference of railroad supply companies was held Tuesday in Columbus for the 3-C project. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Gay Games dispute grows
The dispute over who is hosting the Gay Games in Cleveland is heating up, with letters from lawyers over everything from trademarks to art work. But all sides still say they want the games in Cleveland in four years. Hundreds of receipts, documents and e-mails involving the city of Cleveland, the Federation of Gay Games and the Cleveland Synergy Foundation document growing concerns in the spring and early summer over the foundation's ability to host the games in Northeast Ohio in 2014. And...
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Health care reforms begin to take effect in Ohio
Parts of the new federal health care reform law will begin Wednesday. Additional health care reforms will be put in place later this month, including one that allows parents to keep their adult children on the family health care plan until age 26. However, opponents of the new law say it's an expansion of government that will have negative repercussions. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Legal threats heat up over Gay Games
The Federation of Gay Games is demanding that Cleveland Synergy Foundation stop representing itself as the host of the games in Cleveland and Akron in 2014. The San Francisco-based governing body for the games notified Synergy in July that it was terminating its license, a move Synergy is fighting. That was about the time that the city of Cleveland was raising questions about Synergy's lagging fundraising and documentation of some of its expenses. The city had authorized more than $750,000...
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Cuyahoga officials looking for ways to handle extra...
Cuyahoga County officials are planning ways to re-hear thousands of property tax cases after a lawyer affirmed this week that the way the county has been doing things for years is illegal. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports that Monday's legal opinion more than doubles the backlog of cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate taxes..... WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Traficant supporters driven by "righteous anger"
James Traficant's supporters are jubilant after the Mahoning County Board of Elections decided the former congressman and convicted felon has enough valid ballot signatures to run again for Congress. Werner Lange is a volunteer with the Traficant campaign. He says after a hard fight to get Traficant on the ballot, his supporters expect a sweet victory in November. And Lange says he's not looking for political allies. Chris Wallis reports.
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News Headlines for Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Mahoning County Board of Elections allows Traficant to run as an independent Illegal closed-door sessions lead to backlog of Cuyahoga County tax cases Judge orders mental health treatment for bear owner after fatal attack WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Psych museum opens doors in Akron
The national Center for the History of Psychology is in Akron. Who knew? Not that many people. That's one reason why the Smithsonian-affiliated archive and museum is moving into a big new home. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. WKSU's Tim Rudell and Christopher Wallis report.
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Joffrey Ballet returns to Blossom
The Joffrey Ballet returns to Blossom after a successful concert last season, which marked the first ballet at the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra in three decades. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports.
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ODOT seeks funds for electric cars, charging stations
The Ohio Department of Transportation wants more than 11 million dollars in federal funds to begin preparing for electric cars. ODOT is seeking a share of the 600 million dollars the U.S. Department of Transportation has set aside for innovative programs across the nation. If approved, Ohio will use the money to buy nearly 140 electric vehicles for universities and other public and private institutions. It will also set up nearly 900 charging stations across the state. Scott Varner, ODOT's...
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NE Ohio schools among federal grant winners
Ohio is getting 400 million dollars in federal "Race to the Top" money, including about 30 million dollars for Cleveland and nearly 10 million dollars for Akron. Education officials are now planning on how to spend that money. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Algae toxins found in NW Ohio drinking water
Low levels of bacteria causing algae blooms across the state have been found in treated public drinking water in Ottawa county. That water is drawn from Lake Erie. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tested eleven public drinking water systems, and found small amounts of microcystin, the algae toxin that could harm the liver, in two of the water supplies. The amounts found are well below World Health Organization guidelines. And consumption advisories have not been put into effect....
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Wingfoot take off
Visitors seem to be flocking to Wingfoot Lake despite a toxic algae alert. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports on the first full day of public access to Ohio's newest state park. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Federal grant helps to track Ohio sex offenders
Attorney General Richard Cordray explained that monitoring sex offenders is a daunting job for local law enforcement officials. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Cleveland schools move up to continuous improvement
The Cleveland schools have moved from "academic watch" to "continuous improvement" in the latest state report card. It's the equivalent of achieving a "C" on the state's 26 standards which include test scores, attendance and graduation rates. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports, that as the district enters this school year under its' sweeping transformation plan, administrators hope to keep up the momentum. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Party chairmen discuss senate race
This year marks the first time since 1998 that there has been an open seat in the US Senate to represent Ohio, so it was always thought that the contest to win that seat would be aggressive and expensive. Ohio Republican Party chairman Kevin DeWine and Ohio Democratic Party chairman Chris Redfern talk about the race to replace Sen. George Voinovich, and some of the other critical contests on this fall's ballot. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Ohio schools get grades
The number of Ohio school districts earning "D" and "F" ratings stayed the same last year, compared to the previous year. However, those earning "A" ratings increased 40%. The school grades are determined by 26 factors, including attendance and graduation rates. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Cleveland Museum of Art appoints its eighth director
The Cleveland Museum of Art's trustees took almost a year to pick the new director they named yesterday. David Franklin is deputy director of the National Gallery of Canada and known for his scholarship in Italian Renaissance and baroque art. He comes to CMA in the midst of its $350 million renovation and expansion program scheduled for completion in 2013. He says he's not a "builder-director" and doesn't need to be since Rafael Vinoly's architectural plans are set and construction is well...
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Headline News for Friday, August 27, 2010
Cleveland Museum of Art hires eighth director Traficant supporters get a chance Monday to prove he has enough valid signatures Deal to sell minority share of the Cavs to Chinese investment group is dead WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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Puppypalooza at Progressive Field
Hot dogs and baseball have a long history. On Thursday, Progressive Field made room for another kind of dog with its first-ever Puppypalooza. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia has more. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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The University of Akron gets more funding for corrosion...
Rust continues to mean big money for Northeast Ohio. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports that the University of Akron just got six million dollars in federal funding for a national corrosion research center WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Democrats will pick next Stark treasurer
Democrats will pick the temporary successor to Stark County Treasurer Gary Zeigler on Sept. 7. They'll also be figuring out which Democrat will be running to permanently succeed him. The Stark County commissioners threw Zeigler out of office on Monday. They insist he's personally responsible for his former chief deputy stealing millions of dollars from his office. Zeigler does not agree, but did not show up to protest his removal. Now the Stark County Democratic Executive Committee must pick...
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FirstEnergy plant being converted to burn wood, biomass
A FirstEnergy power plant that has been burning coal is undergoing a $200 million conversion in order to burn wood and biomass fuels. When it starts operations, it will be one of the largest such power plants in the world. For Ohio Public Radio, WOUB's Fred Kight has details on the project and the views of at least one opponent... Fred Kight reports.
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Panel picks Edison statue for D.C.
A new statue of Ohio inventor Thomas Edison will help represent Ohio in Washington D.C., if a special legislative panel gets its way. The Committee has picked Edison over 9 other nominees, and is calling on the full legislature to make that same decision. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Many Northeast Ohio counties watching Cuyahoga's...
The health and well being of Cuyahoga County can impact the entire region, which, after all, markets itself as "Cleveland Plus." So, as Cuyahoga voters prepare to start electing members next month for an entirely new form of government, people outside the county are watching to see if the corruption and financial problems plaguing Cuyahoga will change. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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The search to close Ohio's budget gap
Legislatures have been considering several solutions including: cutting back government programs, reorganizing the bureaucracy, or raising taxes. However, now they are looking to the public for solutions. Go to www.bpmc.legistlature.state.oh.us to submit your ideas. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Headline News for Thursday, August 26, 2010
Ohio Department of Transportation applies for funding for electric vehicles Still undecided whether or not Cuyahoga County will print bilingual ballots Health officials testing another body of water in Ohio for blue-green algae WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Cleveland leads the nation in manufacturing job growth
One of the best indicators of the economic health of a region is measuring the growth, or decline, in manufacturing jobs. Even though only about 1 in 7 people actually make products in Northeast Ohio, manufacturing creates jobs in other area like distribution, administration, and services. There is some good news for our region according Harold Miller, a professor of public policy at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. His research shows that in the first half of this year Cleveland...
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Ohio gambling commission gets a lot of interest in NE...
The Northeast candidates for the state's new gambling commission include a Cuyahoga County Commissioner, the county's new Democratic Party chairman, a clinical therapist, a police union official and a half dozen other lawyers and investment specialists. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on the people who want to keep their eye on the nascent gambling industry in Ohio... WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Akron voters may be asked to continue a tax
Akron's mayor says he doesn't want to ask voters for an income tax to pay for safety forces...but, in a way, he is. WKSU's Tim Rudell has more on an unusual "revenue re-direction" idea floated yesterday (Tuesday) by the top man in Northeast Ohio's number-two city WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Traficant supporters says he'll make it to November
Supporters of James Traficant are celebrating today's (Wednesday's) decision by Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. And they're sure Traficant will be on the November ballot as an independent candidate for the 17th Congressional District. The district covers parts of Trumbull, Mahoning, Summit and Portage counties. Today (Wednesday) Brunner ordered two of those counties " Summit and Mahoning -- to reconsider the number of valid voter signatures they required Traficant to have and to...
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Cuyahoga commissioner among the running for Ohio casino...
Cuyahoga County Commission Peter Lawson Jones has applied for the position. Other applicants include: anti-gambling advocate Tom Smith, Ohio Supreme Court visiting judge Dale Crawford, and former State Representative Catherine Barrett. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Kasich plans to reduce government red tape on businesses
Ohio's Republican gubernatorial candidate John Kasich says excessive state regulations are hurting Ohio's business climate and those regulations need to be reviewed. Governor Strickland underscored that Ohio has eliminated more than 280 regulations and revised more than 2,000 others during his adminstration. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Ohio budget panel considers changes to prison sentences
Ohio's budget planning commission met Wednesday to discuss the upcoming budget deficit. Ohio senator Bill Sykes says the state could save millions, if future inmates could earn time off their sentences by attending drug treatment programs or job training classes. Ohio's prisons now hold 33% more inmates than they were built to hold. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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NASA construction goes green
On Friday morning, NASA Glenn Research Center breaks ground on its newest office building, the first step in a 20-year master plan to revamp the entire campus. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Brunner's decision is no decision in Traficant's...
The congressional comeback of James Traficant is in limbo. Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner broke a 2-2 tie of the Trumbull County Board of Elections today, which put on hold any decision on Traficant's place on the November ballot. Traficant is running as an independent for the 17th Congressional District, which covers parts of Mahoning, Trumbull, Summit and Portage counties. Independent candidates have a much higher threshold for the number of signatures to make the ballot. And...
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20th century poet's boyhood Cleveland home condemned
Cleveland housing officials say it's unlikely that the teenage home of African American poet Langston Hughes will be torn down. The house on Cleveland's east side where Hughes rented the attic in the early 1900's has been marked condemned. It comes less than a year after a community housing group saved the foreclosed home from demolition and offered to preserve it. It usually takes at least four months for a condemned property to be torn down. Earlier this year, the Cleveland Landmarks...
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Headline News for Wednesday, August 25, 2010
US Department of Education awards Ohio schools 400-million dollars in "Race to the Top" funds State taking Cleveland bar to court over nearly 50-thousand dollars in fines Akron mayor says he may seek ballot issue to move money from school construction to safety WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Terry Pluto: Playing high school football boosts...
Starting this weekend, high school football will dominate Friday nights in many Northeast Ohio communities. WKSU commentator Terry Pluto believes that despite some excesses, high school football has a positive influence on teenage boys. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Akron mayor pushes for budget issue on November ballot
In 2003, Akron voters approved a quarter of a percent income tax to build schools. Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic wants to get an issue on the November ballot to divert a third of the money in each of the next three years to the safety forces, butonly if the city's police union accepts contract concessions. The mayor says the action is necessary because the city's budget situation is critical. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Ohio health department takes local bar to court
The state is taking a suburban Cleveland bar to court over $49,000 in unpaid fines and what it says is the bar's repeated refusal to abide by the state's smoking ban. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Akron's water supply determined safe
The state issued an alert Friday that untreated water from Lake Rockwell contained traces of the bacteria. The lake supplies the city of Akron with drinking water, so the state tested the treated water as well. The results of that test were released Tuesday, and the state says the water is safe to drink. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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C-Span hits the road
Steve Divone of C-Span was with the bus when it was parked at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus Tuesday. He explained how the high-tech bus has proven to be a valuable learning tool. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Ohio's veterans receive bonuses
Ohioans voted last fall to give veterans the bonuses. Veterans or their surviving families could be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in bonuses. Governor Ted Strickland said its a way for Ohioans to show their gratitude. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Brunner to release Traficant decision soon
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is expected to decide in the next twenty-four hours on whether convicted felon and former congressman James Traficant will be on November's ballot. Brunner's spokesman Patrick Gallaway says she is reviewing the tie vote by the Trumbull County Board of Elections on whether Traficant collected enough valid signatures to be on the ballot as an independent candidate for the 17th congressional district. Chris Wallis reports.
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Ohio's foreclosure crisis continues
Advocates and officials at a foreclosure summit meeting in Columbus Tuesday are not confident the foreclosure crisis will let up anytime soon. Cindy Flaherty of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency spoke with Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Cleveland trash goes hi-tech
Mixing trash with recyclables at the curb could be costly for some Northeast Ohio residents next year. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Three Northeast Ohio districts will share more than $41...
Over the next four years, Cleveland, Akron and Canton public schools are expected to get more than $41 million from the federal Race to the Top competition. The U.S. Department of Education announced today (Tuesday) it's awarding $400 million in total to Ohio and its nearly 550 participating schools. The money is coming through the second round of the Race to the Top, and is supposed to boost performance at public and charter schools. Cleveland is slated to get nearly $30 million; Akron...
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Former Cuyahoga County O'Malley's law licenses supended
The Ohio Supreme Court has suspended the law license of former Cuyahoga County Recorder Patrick O'Malley for two years. O'Malley's trouble with the law predated the two-year-old Cuyahoga Countycorruption probe and was tied to sex, not money. He resigned in May 2008 after investigators found obscene materials on his home computers that had been downloaded from 1998 through 2004. He pleaded guilty in late 2008 to transportation and importation of obscene materials and his law license has been...
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Headline News for Tuesday, August 24, 2010
State clearing more toxic algae blooms Multistate Asian carp lawsuit sees first day in court Stark County Commissioners boot Treasurer Gary Zeigler from office WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Preserving Ohio redwoods, shoreline
Nearly $5 million will go to help preserve coastal land in the Great Lakes region, funded by the federal EPA's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Two of the five projects are in Ohio " one on Kelleys Island, and the other along the Lake Erie shore. They will be receiving a total of more than $1 million, which will be matched by state and local agencies. Liz Mountz is a coastal management specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She says that when these areas are...
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Breakaway Catholic church holds 2nd unauthorized Mass
The pastor of a breakaway Catholic church in Cleveland says he's still deciding if he'll meet with the bishop about returning to the fold. The new church was formed after the original St. Peters was closed earlier this year in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese's downsizing. As WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports, Father Robert Marrone performed his second Sunday Mass yesterday in a rented factory building now called the "Community of St. Peter. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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15-60-75 The Numbers Band celebrate 40 years
Saturday night, the band 15-60-75 celebrates their 40th anniversary with a concert in Kent. They're more well known over those four decades as "the Numbers Band." Critics and musicians have given them high praise but the group has never quite received the national attention that local fans had expected. WKSU's Mark Urycki has this look at their career. WKSU's Mark Urycki reports.
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Towpath trail inches forward
The final link in a hiking and biking trail from Cuyahoga to Tuscarawas County is being forged with the purchase of 11 acres of land along the Cuyahoga River for the Towpath Trail. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Congresswoman Fudge addresses district concerns and the...
Cleveland Congresswoman Marcia Fudge addressed jobs, green energy, and childhood obesity Wednesday during her annual state of the district address. And, WSKU's Kevin Niedermier says she also fielded a question from a Tea Party member. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Northeast Ohio non-profit gets major stimulus grant
Five hundred new jobs may be on the way as part of Northeast Ohio's broadband development. WKSU's Tim Rudell has more on the potential effect of a federal stimulus grant aimed at moving the region forward in high tech WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate criticizes federal...
While Taylor criticized Mr. Obama for adding to the deficit, she acknowledged the state likely wouldn't turn the money down -- whether a Republican or Democrat is in the governor's mansion. Taylor's running mate, John Kasich, has strongly criticized the stimulus package. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Pres. Obama engages in backyard discussion with local...
To hear President Barack Obama tell it, the nation's economy is on the upswing. And that's the message he brought to Ohio today. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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The Cleveland Orchestra is in Scotland, the first stop...
The Cleveland Orchestra's principal keyboard, Joella Jones, performed two organ solos by Charles Ives at Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland in the opening concert of this year's European tour. Tonight concludes the orchestra's first return to the Edinburgh Festival in six years. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports.
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Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar starts over
Browns fans tuning into this month's preseason games see a familiar face offering commentary, former quarterback Bernie Kosar. The Youngstown native led the Browns the last time they were really considered good, in the late 1980's. Since then, his personal battles have overshadowed his glory days on the field. Now, Kosar is rebuilding his life. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Headlines for Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Gubernatorial candidate John Kasich says he has a plan to create jobs in Ohio Former Cuyahoga County information services director pleads guilty to bribing Russo Strickland still pushing for additional DNA testing in seven criminal cases Ohio's state park system is about to grow WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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For the first time in a long time there is a new state...
Something unusual is happening in a corner of Portage County. Tucked into the rolling countryside near the Stark and Summit county lines, a new state park is opening...and WKSU's Tim Rudell reports happened anywhere in Ohio that hasn't for nearly 25 years. It's also happening at a time when the state park system is facing big environmental and financial challenges. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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President Obama's visit to Ohio raises questions
Mr.Obama is scheduled to be in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday. It will be his 9th visit to the state since his election in 2008. However, the President's approval ratings have been falling. So is his visit a good thing or a bad thing for both Democrats and Republicans? Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler asked that question to the leaders of Ohio's two major political parties, Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern and Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Unlikely coalition pushes for criminal sentencing reform
The advocates are pushing to send more non-violent offenders to halfway houses and drug treatment programs rather than prison. They hope these changes will reduce Ohio's prison costs, while maintaining safety. The proposal may come up for a floor vote later this year. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Death row inmate Kevin Keith goes before parole board...
Tomorrow the Ohio Parole Board is expected to recommend whether Kevin Keith will live or die. Advocates...including death penalty proponents from around the country...believe the Stark County native may not have killed 2women and a little girl 16 years ago. Keith was convicted primarily on eyewitness testimony that may have been tainted. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports that Governor Ted Strickland...who will ultimately decide if Keith gets clemency...also has concerns. WKSU's Kevin...
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Ohio Republican gubenatorial candidate proposes major...
Kasich would replace it with a 12 member commission of business leaders, who he'd appoint and who would answer to him. By doing this, he said he'd get rid of the red tape and restrictions that keeps businesses from locating and expanding in Ohio. Kasich said the board members would not work on a contract basis or as state employees. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Strickland asks "Why not?" on more DNA testing
Gov. Ted Strickland is still pushing for additional DNA testing in seven criminal cases, but acknowledges state lawmakers have more leverage to make that happen than he does. Strickland and Attorney General Richard Cordray have asked prosecutors in seven counties to turn over DNA samples for further testing. The cases have been profiled by the Ohio Innocence project, and a lab has offered to do the testing for free. Local prosecutors are opposing retesting, something Strickland says he does...
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Obama manufacturing chief blames Congress for less...
The Obama Administration's manufacturing policy czar told a group of manufacturers in Cleveland today that congress is holding back that industry's growth.... WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Weaver pleads guilty to bribing Russo Auditor
Cuyahoga County's former information services director pleaded guilty today to bribing Auditor Frank Russo. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports that Daniel Weaver is the latest of more than three dozen defendants cooperating with federal investigators in the corruption probe targeting Russo and Commissioner Jimmy Dimora...... WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Ohio unveils solar energy project
The Wyandot solar energy project in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, includes 59,000 solar panels spread across 80 acres. The energy produced will be enough to power about 1,500 houses. The project will unveil Thursday. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Shuttered church celebrates mass
When Bishop Richard Lennon of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese closed St. Peter's Church last April, parishioners took matters into their own hands. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Headlines for Monday, August 17, 2010
Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lands a big pay day Plastic bottle bomb detonates in Green mailbox First Energy reducing operations at four coal power plants Cavs seeing no drop in demand for next season's tickets WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Attack of the blue-green algae
Warning signs are now posted at 11 Ohio lakeshores telling people to avoid the water. East Harbor beach on Lake Erie near Sandusky joins 10 inland lakes at Ohio state parks where excessive amounts of blue-green algae have been detected. The algae, actually a primitive bacteria, can produce harmful toxins when it overpopulates. This summer's warm weather, and an increase in pollutants from agricultural run-off have led to algae blooms in western Lake Erie and nearly a dozen inland lakes. The...
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Leaving no stone unturned, including a politcal one
Close to a million dollars from investors in the Akron-based Fair Finance company went to political candidates in Indiana. And WKSU's Tim Rudell reports that the bankruptcy trustee now in charge of the defunct company wants the money back WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Cavs says ticket measure of fan support remains steady
The Cleveland Cavaliers say they're seeing no drop so far in demand for next season's tickets. That's despite the fact that last month, superstar LeBron James announced he's leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat. The Cavs are launching their big season ticket push tomorrow (Tuesday) with packages that start at about 29 a ticket. Cavs ticket sales director Bob Sivik (Civic) says season ticket sale are on pace with last year, when the Cavs were expected to contend for the NBA championship....
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Ohio Democrats enter drawing to dine with President Obama
Ohioans who register to volunteer for the Ohio Democratic Party by midnight on Monday will be entered in the drawing. Ten contestants will be selected to have lunch with the President this Wednesday. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, the party's Seth Bringman explained why volunteers will have a seat at President Obama's table. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Piketon residents see a step forward in Portsmouth...
Fluor B&W Portsmouth was awarded the contract, which has a potential value of more than $2 billion. It calls for at least five years worth of clean-up. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Headlines for Monday, August 16, 2010
Canton traffic accident kills two men and two children Some parishioners and their priest break from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese An extra million dollars will help clean abandoned coal mines Indians beat Seattle Mariners 9-1 WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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State program saves money slowly, but surely
As a budget deficit looms on the horizon, not much is being said about dealing with it. The governor's office is touting a program that it says is saving money slowly, but surely. At least one critic says it's a good idea, but not enough. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Identity theft on the rise
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports identity theft is on the rise. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, Lieutenant Gary Smith explains the way some identity thieves are being discovered. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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A complicated case is Stark County
Stark County's Commissioners will not be firing the county's Treasurer.... for now. It was widely believed they would do so this morning (Friday morning). But that didn't happen, as WKSU's Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Cleveland homeowners can begin seeking restitution from...
Tomorrow in Cleveland's Housing Court, an innovative legal avenue opens for homeowners who claim nearby neglected homes have hurt their property values. Homeowners can seek restitution from the owners of 2 notorious abandoned homes on the city's eastside. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Headlines for Friday, August 13, 2010
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert selects Harrah's Entertainment as partner Eight state parks caution visitors to stay out of water Timken investing 50-million-dollars to increase production Indians beat Baltimore 4-1 WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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The Budget, the national newspaper of the Amish, still...
At a time when many newspapers are struggling, one unique weekly paper continues to thrive much as it has for 120 years. That's because it knows its audience. The Budget is the primary communication link among Amish worldwide. Recently, its writers gathered at the paper's headquarters in Sugarcreek, Ohio to hone their journalism skills WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Deadly bat disease headed for Ohio
A mysterious disease called white nose syndrome is wiping out bat populations across the Northeastern U.S and, according to researchers, is headed for Ohio. The fungus attacks bats during hibernation and is visible as a white fuzz on their nose and wings. Marne Titchenell is a wildlife program specialist with the Ohio State University extension. She's keeping tabs on bats now during their peak season and shares info about the threat to local bat populations. WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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Green is the new black
Bob Shearer makes potato chips, so it's probably not unusual for him to talk about harvesting...but harvesting "sunlight?" WKSU's Tim Rudell has more on what Shearer was saying during a "Green" business roundtable hosted by Kent State University at Stark. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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State budget balanced with one-time-use money
A state agency has released a memo saying the current state budget is balanced with $8 billion in money for one time legislative fixes. One critic says that's bad news for the looming budget deficit. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Ohio Supreme Court rules for judges' free speech
A new Ohio Supreme Court ruling says it's ok for judicial candidates to identify themselves with their party when advertising for general elections. But the ruling still doesn't satisfy those who've been suing over judicial free speech rights. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Cleveland Housing Court victim restitution generates few...
There was a small turnout in Cleveland housing court today of potential victims seeking restitution from negligent property owners. Using Ohio's crime victim restitution law, Judge Raymond Pianka allowed homeowners near two notoriously neglected houses to claim damages. The program is considered to be the only one of its kind, but it did not generate much interest. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Liquor sales hit all time high
The Ohio Department of Commerce reports liquor sales reached an all time high of nearly $743 million in the last year. That's an increase of nearly $13 million. But Matt Mullins with the Division of Liquor Control says although sales are high, Ohioans aren't actually drinking more. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Busy day for local economy
InfoCision is hiring two hundred people in the Akron area, Timken is investing fifty-million-dollars to expand steel making operations in Canton, and Shearer Foods is cutting the ribbon on a new plant in Massillon. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Cuyahoga Democratic Party chief want Dimora and Russso...
The head of Cuyahoga County's Democratic party wants Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo to resign. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier says the request stems from the county corruption probe. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Parole board hears Keith case
The Ohio Parole Board is considering the fate of a death row inmate from Stark County who many people think might be innocent. Much attention has been given to Kevin Keith, specifically by the Innocence Project, a group that's been responsible for reversing convictions of some death row inmates in the past. But the state is pressing forward with plans to execute Keith next month. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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First Energy gets certified for biomass fuel
Akron-based First Energy just got "renewable energy certification" for a plant it is converting to biomass fuel. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio says the switch of generating units at the Burger plant in Shadyside planned for the end of twenty twelve qualifies for the program. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Asian carp cause for concern for fishing industry
State officials say that income from recreational fishing is threatened by the arrival of a new fish to the waters of the North Coast. Asian carp are actually seen as a threat to the entire Great Lakes region, and several states are pressing the federal government to keep them away. But locals are also pressing for an answer. WCPN's David C. Barnett reports.
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"Rebate Gate" claims one job
The controversy over foreign workers paid with federal stimulus money in a state-run appliance rebate program has claimed the job of the program's manager. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Forum Health moves closer to sale
The Mahoning Valley's largest hospital system has been sold. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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"Killing Fields" trials continue in Cambodia through...
Next month, some of the highest ranking surviving members of the Khmer Rouge go on trial in Cambodia for crimes against humanity. The charges stem from atrocities committed by the Pol Pot regime in the late 1970s...and depicted in the movie "The Killing Fields." This trial is possible, in part, because of the work of Case Western Reserve University international law professor Michael Scharf and his team of law students. Over a period of 4 years they and other experts helped assemble the...
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Efforts to turn Fowler's Mill golf course into a...
In December seven investors from Chardon bought Fowler's Mill golf course in nearby Munson Township for about three million dollars. The deal drew modest attention. Eight months later, the attention is anything but modest as the same group is involved in an attempt to resell the course for over five million dollars...to the township. Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Headlines for Wednesday, August 11, 2010
More Ohio teachers back to work this fall Ohio carries out seventh execution this year Microburst knocks over barn killing two construction workers Head of Cuyahoga County's Democratic Party wants Dimora and Russo to resign WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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With golf courses closing and Tiger Woods struggling,...
Tiger Woods is coming off the worst tournament of his career at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. The economy is forcing golf courses to close. The Beacon Journal's Marla Ridenour talks to WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz about the future of golf. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Where Northeast Ohio's economy is concerned, things...
Team NEO tries to attract business to the sixteen Northeast Ohio counties that include the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. Each quarter it publishes an economic development update. Sometimes the focus is on a particular industry. Sometimes it involves a look at new trends. And sometimes, it lays out the latest facts and figures. WKSU's Tim Rudell talks with Team Northeast Ohio's CEO and top researcher WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Kent hotel for sale
Kent's plans for a 50-million-dollar downtown redevelopment still needs to contend with the old Kent Hotel, which has had a decades-long contentious relationship with the city. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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State sen. gives cops tax break
A Democratic state senator says police officers throughout Ohio are footing the bill for needed equipment to do their job. Senator Eric Kearney is introducing legislation that gives those officers a tax break. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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LeBron James comes home
Anger among Northeast Ohio sports fans was headline news last month when LeBron James said "I'm taking my talents to South Beach." But over the weekend the story was of smiles and applause as the Akron native returned to his home town for the first time since announcing the decision to go to Miami. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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That championship weekend
Three sporting events are putting Northeast Ohio in the national spotlight this weekend. In this commentary, WKSU's Kabir Bhatia looks at the shared threads of high expectations and the realities of local sports history... WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Will Cleveland be the "Milan of the Midwest"?
Like any great design, Cleveland's District of Design has emerged in fits and starts over the last 4 years. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Ohio pastor arrested in Arizona protest
Arizona's new immigration law went into effect last Friday - though a federal judge has blocked implementation of some of its most controversial aspects. Those include a requirement that police question the immigration status of people they stop for other reasons. Polls show most Americans support the law, and Ohio is considering a similar bill. But a group of pastors representing Unitarian Universalists in Ohio joined a protest of the law in Phoenix, and were arrested last week for blocking...
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2010 NFL Hall of Fame class marks an evolution in the...
Seven NFL standouts will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton this weekend. The class includes Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, who are virtual household names. Others, like Russ Grimm, took the field during the days that you could play in the NFL and remain largely anonymous. Canton Repository managing editor Don Detore talks with WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Golf. Murder. Love: An interview with author Janis...
In her book, Akron native Janis Froelich returns to her home-town to tell the story of a tragic murder against the back-drop of the 57th PGA Championship at Firestone Country Club. She's a writer and former Beacon Journal reporter now living in Florida. For golf fans - Firestone, 1975 is remembered for one thing - Jack Nicklaus's amazing save on the 16th that won him the tournament. But for Janis Froelich, a young PGA staffer that year, it brings back very different memories. WKSU's Jeff St....
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More details, but not better news
Ohioans who invested more than two-hundred million dollars in Akron-based Fair Finance gathered at another informational meeting with the company's bankruptcy trustee. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports... WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Ohio lawmaker wants mandatory Autism training for first...
Schiavone said voters in Northeast Ohio have told him they know about situations where training about the condition could have prevented problems. The resolution would encourage police officers and paramedics to attend Autism awareness workshops already available. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Ohio tax officials adjust state income tax tables
Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen spoke with tax department spokesman John Kohlstrand. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Stark treasurer wins round in battle to stay in office
Stark County's attempt for force its treasurer from office has been stalled by a judge who granted Gary Zeigler a restraining order today. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Second accomplice sentenced in Cleveland school copier...
Toledo businessman John Briggle was sentenced to prison today for his role in stealing more than $150,000 the Cleveland public schools. Briggle had pleaded guilty to helping former Cleveland school official Daniel Burns run a copying machine purchasing scam. Last month, Burns was sentenced to 6 years with the help of Briggle's testimony. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Headlines for Monday, August 2, 2010
The second defendant in Cleveland public school's copier purchasing scam is scheduled to be sentenced today Ohio's small bingo-hall operators worry over the new casinos Stark Co. Commissioners meet today over embattled treasurer Gary Ziegler The Indians beat the Blue Jays 5-4 on Sunday WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Northeast Ohio sees modest growth in high-tech
The report released this week by NorTech shows an increase in managerial positions among major hi-tech companies based here - second came computer system design and other IT jobs. Far down the list was growth in green energy, which many hope will replace low-tech manufacturing jobs lost over the same period. One of the report's authors, Ziona Austrian, director of the center for economic development at Cleveland State, says the sector saw regional growth of 1.8% , a little more than half the...
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What following the money has revealed
The defunct Northeast Ohio securities seller's court appointed trustee is laying out where more than $200,000,000 of investor money went. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Toxic algae pollutes the state's largest inland lake
At least nine people have reportedly gotten sick after coming into contact with the blue-green algae in the water, and three dogs that were swimming in the lake have died. Experts have blamed runoff from manure and fertilizer on nearby farms for the pollution in the lake. Governor Ted Strickland is traveling to Grand Lake St. Marys, along with the directors of the state departments of health, natural resources and EPA to warn residents and tourists that the water is simply not safe now....
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Another charge filed today in Cuyahoga County's...
A Cuyahoga County official was charged today with bribing one of the main targets in the ongoing county corruption investigation. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Seven indicted in Mahoning County corruption
Seven people have been indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury on charges of corruption in connection with the county's purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place. WKSU'S Kabir Bhatia has more... WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Annual Census comes to a close today
Today is the last day to take part in the 2010 Census. The U.S. Census Bureau has been operating a toll-free phone line for people who did not mail back their census form. Ohio had a 76-percent participation rate this year. Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce, who's in charge of the state's census, says Ohioan's are more sensitive to being counted this year due to the economy. Casey Braun reports.
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Josh Rzepka at home in two worlds
Trumpeter Josh Rzepka is comfortable playing in two worlds. Last summer, the 26 year-old Akron native produced a CD of all original jazz tunes, this week he released an album of baroque music. For Rzepka, mastering both styles requires mental and physical dexterity. WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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Headlines for Friday, July 30, 2010
Diebold Corporation made less in the second quarter this year than last year Health officials are investigating reported illness and death due to contact with blue-green algae in Grand Lake St. Mary's Seven indicted on corruption charges by Mahoning County grand jury Cleveland School Board ratifies three-year teacher contract WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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NASA researchers examining greener fuels
Scientists at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland may have tied the future of space exploration to sub-aquatic life. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia has more... WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports.
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Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown reflects on foreign, domestic...
As Congress heads toward its summer recess, first term Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown continues to push for a bill that would increase loan guarantees and other support for small businesses. He also continues to worry about the war in Afghanistan. WKSU's M.L. Schultze spoke with Brown about the prospects for both... WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Race to top wealth would spread throughout Northeast Ohio
Ohio stands to get nearly 400 million federal dollars in September to boost its schools. WKSU's M.L. Schultze talked to Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown about the nexus between federal money and local schools. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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State signs off on Youngstown schools turnaround plan
The state has approved a plan to turn around the Youngstown city school system -- the first such plan anywhere in Ohio. The school system is in academic emergency, the state's equivalent of an F as measured by test scores, attendance and graduation rates. The state Department of Education stepped in and formed the Youngstown Academic Distress Commission. It came up with a turnaround plan, which was officially approved Tuesday by state Superintendent Deborah Delisle. The plan focuses...
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Tiger, Mickelson and LeBron coming to Akron
Three of the four highest paid athletes in the U.S. are to be in Akron next week. And a cloud hangs over two of them. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Cleveland and other transit systems warned about...
Federal investigators blame a fatal transit train collision in Washington D.C. on faulty signaling equipment. And they are urging inspection of the same equipment being used in other cities including Cleveland. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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President Obama plans trip to Ohio in August
President Obama's visit is scheduled for August 18. However, recent independent polls indicate that more Ohioans disapprove of the president's job performance than approve it. So will Obama's visit here help or hurt the governor? WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Headlines for Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Ohio is a finalist in "Race to the Top" school reform grant competition State audit reveals Solon and Valley View overcharged more than 2.5 million dollars County by county number of people without health insurance in Ohio at least one in 10 Coast guard pulls body from Lake Erie near Edgewater Park WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports.
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Terry Pluto: talks about a new focus on old players
The NFL is about to kick off its ninety-first season -- and its last before the labor contract with its players expires. WKSU sports commentator Terry Pluto talks with Tim Rudell about how the right kind of new agreement could improve the long-term futures of both pro football, and its players WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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Ohio's rural areas most likely to be home to uninsured
County-by-county, the rate of people without health insurance in Ohio ranges from 10 percent to 21.5 percent. And those most likely to be going without continue to live in Ohio's rural areas. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on the health insurance trends. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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FirstMerit reports strong second quarter results
FirstMerit, a bank that has grown throughout the recession, said it can benefit from that in part because of how some of the bigger banks have treated their loyal customers. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on what FirstMerit's second-quarter earnings report says about the future. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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A new survey shows an increase in Ohio children living...
The survey,conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, showed more than a third of all Ohio children are now living in single-parent households, which is a big reason for poverty. Barbara Turpin is helping spread the word about the survey for the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio. She talked with Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen about how single-parent households struggle to get by on only one income. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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Headlines for Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul sentenced to house arrest Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold meetings about problems at Perry and Davis-Besse plants Record amount of dissolved phosphorous washing into two of Lake Erie's largest tributaries Cavaliers acquire Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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McFaul avoids jail time for theft and ethics violations
Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul has avoided jail time after admitting to felony theft in office and ethics violations. Instead, the 76-year old McFaul left his sentencing today under house arrest and orders to pay more than $150-thousand in restitution and fines. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Stark gets closer to trying to oust county treasurer
Stark County's prosecutor is laying the groundwork to force the county's treasurer out of office. The next step will be up to the county commissioners. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on the fallout from a 3 million dollar theft. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate's statements...
Taylor is currently Ohio's state auditor. She said that while working as a certified public accountant, she encouraged companies to move to Florida or other states without high income taxes or estate taxes. Those comments have stirred debate among Ohioans. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Fallout continues in Northeast Ohio's $3 million theft
The political and legal pressure on Stark County Treasurer Gary Zeigler continues to build in the wake of the theft of nearly $3 million from his office. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports.
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Independent study shows how Ohio prisons could save...
The Council of State Governments is the national group that was chosen to conduct the study. Ohio prisons currently house 33% more convicts than they were built for, and they are predicted to take in 3,000 more offenders over the next several years. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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No jail time for McFaul
Ohio's longest serving sheriff will not be going to prison. Gerald McFaul, who served nine terms as Cuyahoga County sheriff, was sentenced today to one year of house arrest and ordered to pay $21,000 in fines. This is in addition to $130,000 in restitution. He's also likely to get probation to be determined later. McFaul was silent during the sentencing except for a quiet "I'm sorry" to Visiting Judge Fred Inderlied. Defense attorneys cited McFaul's record of service and health concerns,...
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Headlines for Monday, July 26, 2010
Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul is to be sentenced this afternoon Chancellor Eric Fingerhut says how he'll defend higher education in next Ohio budget Coast Guard calls off two searches for missing boaters in Lake Erie State planning to help only sickest Ohioans with HIV pay for drugs WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports.
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Coyotes: Northeast Ohio's stealth neighbors
All over the area life-time committed couples are working together to feed their families and fix up their places. And, because they like to keep to themselves, we usually don't even know they are among us...that is, unless they try to eat the cat. Tim Rudell reports WKSU's Tim Rudell reports.
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The anniversary of Americans with Disabilitites Act: a...
Allen Hines was just 4 when the Americans with Disabilities Act passed 20 years ago today. So he's lived most his life with the law's promises of equalizing access and opportunity for people with disabilities. He's also lived all his life witnessing the disparity between intentions and reality. Hines was born in Alliance, with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to maneuver in a world set up for people who walk. He graduated last year from Kent State, and is a freelance writer. With WKSU...
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McFaul sentencing today
Former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon. Last month, McFaul pleaded guilty to theft and ethics charges. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports.
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Federal grant scammers hit Ohioans
There's yet another way that Ohioans are being scammed by crooks. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray explains this scam involves a fraudulent offer of federal grants. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports.
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Head of Ohio colleges says he can defend higher...
Lawmakers and the governor have been saying that everything is on the table when it comes to the coming budget deficit. But for the last few years, higher education hasn't taken the drastic hits that other state agencies have. That could change next time around. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler talked with the leader of the state's higher education system about how he plans to defend it in the budget battle. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports.
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Gay marriage fight far from over in Ohio
It was a day of dueling protests at the Ohio Statehouse over the issue of gay marriage. The Buckeye State already has a clear policy AGAINST same sex marriage, but that didn't stop supporters and opponents from speaking, picketing, and shouting about it.....sometimes at each OTHER. From our capital news bureau, correspondent Bill Cohen files this report: WKSU's Bill Cohen reports.
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