Welcome to Crooked River Cast Show #81! Robert and Tom kick things off with gorgeous Ohio weather and Robert isn’t ready to say goodbye to it. Fortunately, Halloween has been shaping up to be comfortable for the kids heading out for candy.🎃 Tom remembers a different era of trick-or-treating, when costumes were made of sweaty plastic and vinyl, and those little masks had tiny mouth holes and eye openings seemingly designed to injure you. Nothing says Halloween spirit quite like struggling to breathe while your eyelids are under attack.

Then right into the increasingly dramatic world of political commentary. Then it’s on to Alaska’s Senate race, election controversies, Scott Bessent’s response to Barack Obama, and plenty of Ohio election news. With early voting surging, local tax levies on the ballot, and plenty of political finger-pointing, the guys have a lot to unpack before wrapping up with a couple of genuinely good things happening in Ohio.

📺 Pool Boy, Doomsday Predictions & Fortress America

With Election Day approaching, Robert and Tom are ready to take a break from political advertising and endless campaign messages. But instead of getting a break, they’re seeing another kind of noise: the growing parade of online commentators warning that economic collapse, war, inflation, and artificial intelligence are about to bring everything crashing down.

Robert dubs Tim Pool “Pool Boy” as the guys examine his increasingly apocalyptic predictions. They also discuss Glenn Beck’s familiar doomsday approach and how some political content seems designed to keep viewers clicking from one catastrophe to the next. Tom questions the constant escalation, while Robert wonders how much of it is genuine analysis and how much is clickbait.

The discussion turns to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement of “Fortress America,” a plan to strengthen military installations against disruptions to power, supply chains, and communications. The guys aren’t arguing against preparedness; Robert’s point is that military bases should already have the ability to keep operating if the civilian power grid goes down. Their concern is that routine preparedness measures are being packaged as evidence that something terrible is just around the corner. As the guys see it, being prepared is sensible. Being told the end is nigh every time you open YouTube is another matter.

Sources:

▶️ YouTube: Tim Pool – Trump ISSUES WARNING, Collapse Is COMING, AI About to NUKE Economy & Jobs

▶️ YouTube: Forbes Breaking News – A National Insurance Policy For The American Homeland: Hegseth Lays Out “FORTRESS America” Plans

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🗳️ Alaska’s Two Dan Sullivans & A Race Full of Questions

The guys head to Alaska, where a Senate race has become a fascinating—and potentially messy—case study in how elections can get complicated. The issue is that voters could encounter candidates with the same name: incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and another Dan Sullivan running in the same race.

Robert and Tom discuss allegations that Democrats helped recruit a candidate with a matching name to confuse voters and potentially siphon votes from the incumbent. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system adds another layer of complexity, and the guys question how easily voters could distinguish between the candidates when they reach the ballot.

They also discuss reporting on the money behind the challenger’s campaign, including outside political spending, and the legal challenges surrounding the race. The allegations remain allegations, but the guys believe the situation deserves scrutiny. When an election is close, even a small number of confused voters can matter—and the guys aren’t convinced this is simply a harmless coincidence.

Sources:

🔗: DOJ issues new subpoenas in Alaska Senate probe, asks judge to intervene over “conspiracy” involving 2 Dan Sullivans

🔗: Dunleavy calls for investigation into Democrats’ reported ballot-stacking effort in Alaska U.S. Senate race

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🍰 Obama, Scott Bessent & The Cheesecake Factory Comparison

Former President Barack Obama was in Cleveland, and Robert and Tom found a clip worth sharing. Obama reportedly compared the White House’s new design and construction to what it might look like if Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory. That’s quite an architectural review.

The guys then turn to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s response. Bessent fires back with his own comparison involving Obama’s presidential library, which he likens to Darth Vader’s tomb. Subtle? Not particularly. Entertaining? The guys think so.

It’s a brief detour from the election coverage, but one that demonstrates how quickly political commentary can turn into a roast session. The guys also touch on criticism surrounding contractors and payments connected to Obama’s projects, adding another wrinkle to the discussion.

Source:

▶️ YouTube: Defiant Dave – Scott Bessent Just ROASTED Obama With ONE Brilliant Response

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🇺🇸 Ohio’s Early Voting Numbers Are Climbing

Back home, Ohio’s early-voting numbers are getting attention. The guys review reporting showing that nearly 1.2 million Ohioans had voted early, outpacing the same point in the 2022 midterm election. The broader figures discussed in the show also include returned mail ballots, bringing the total higher.

Robert and Tom look at the crowds and long waits reported at some early-voting locations. Robert points out that the video is worth watching, not just for the numbers but for the details in the footage. He also questions why voting stretches over so many days, while Tom considers how changes to mail-ballot deadlines may be influencing when people choose to vote. Notice the burqa?

The numbers are interesting, but the guys caution against comparing midterm turnout directly with a presidential election. Their larger point is that voting patterns are changing, and the real story will become clearer once Election Day results arrive.

Source:

🔗: Nearly 1.2 million Ohioans have voted early, outpacing 2022 midterm election

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🏫 Ohio’s November Ballot: School Levies, County Issues & Taxpayer Decisions

With Election Day around the corner, the guys turn to the long list of local issues facing Northeast Ohio voters. School levies, bond issues, county funding requests, and charter amendments can be easy to overlook when statewide races dominate the headlines, but they can have a direct impact on local taxes and services.

Robert and Tom discuss the school funding questions facing communities including Strongsville, Orange, and Mentor. They also examine Cuyahoga County’s ballot issues, including proposed levies for health and human services and developmental disabilities, along with changes involving county appointments, legal responsibilities, and the Charter Review Commission.

The guys question how often voters are asked to approve more funding without a clear picture of the cumulative cost. Robert also raises a concern about how increased public funding can affect private donations and fundraising. The conversation isn’t about dismissing every service or levy; it’s about asking voters to understand what they’re approving and how much those decisions will cost.

Sources:

🔗: LIST | Northeast Ohio school levies, bond issues on the Nov. 3 election ballot

🔗: Here’s what’s on your ballots in Cuyahoga County this November

🔗: Cuyahoga County Issue 10: Developmental disabilities levy on November ballot

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🪪 Ohio’s Voter ID Amendment & Election Enforcement

The guys continue through Ohio’s election issues, including the proposed constitutional amendment on voter identification. Robert favors requiring photo ID and argues that modern technology makes proving identity straightforward. Tom acknowledges that the amendment has flaws but sees it as a step in the right direction.

They also discuss concerns raised in reporting about provisional ballots rejected after Ohio’s photo-ID law took effect. Supporters and critics interpret those numbers differently: one side sees evidence that some voters lack acceptable identification, while the other argues that additional requirements create unnecessary barriers. The guys also question whether constitutional language specifying physical identification cards will keep pace with digital-ID technology.

The conversation then shifts to Secretary of State Frank LaRose referring the progressive voter-registration group Field Forward Ohio to federal law enforcement over allegations that registration forms were submitted late. The report describes deadlines missed across multiple counties, while the organization says the failures violated its own procedures. Robert and Tom debate whether the matter warrants federal intervention and how the group’s history should factor into the discussion. The allegations are serious, but the investigation—not the accusation alone—will determine what the evidence supports.

The guys also touch on Ohio’s growing number of data-center ballot fights. They see a need for oversight, but Robert argues that outright bans could cost communities jobs and investment. In his view, local officials should look for reasonable compromises rather than automatically rejecting every proposal.

Source:

🔗: Ohio Sec. LaRose refers progressive group to federal law enforcement

🌟 Good Things

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🚣 A Safer Way to Enjoy the Cuyahoga River

The Cuyahoga River has come a long way from its infamous pollution problems, and now there’s another improvement on the way. A river-conditions safety tool is getting an upgrade, including plans for LED indicators at river access points to help people assess conditions before heading out.

Robert and Tom discuss the planned improvements, supported by a $110,000 grant, that will make it easier for people to check river and weather conditions before launching a kayak or canoe. Tom and Robert joke about the people who willingly climb into a canoe, but they agree that making the river safer and more accessible is a good thing.

Ohio’s rivers are valuable resources, and the Cuyahoga’s recovery is worth celebrating. Just check the conditions before heading out—and maybe leave the guys on dry land.

Source:

🔗: Cuyahoga River water conditions safety tool to get an upgrade

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🎓 Youngstown City Schools Finally Hit a Milestone

We give public schools plenty of grief on Crooked River Cast, but Robert thinks it’s important to recognize progress when it happens. Youngstown City Schools has met the state’s minimum academic standards for the first time in 25 years of state report cards.

The district earned three stars, the minimum passing level, and reported a four-year graduation rate of 90.7%. There are still challenges, including chronic absenteeism, and the guys aren’t ready to declare victory just yet. Robert even jokes about whether the district will put up celebratory billboards like those associated with other struggling school systems.

Still, progress deserves recognition. The guys are willing to give Youngstown credit for reaching this milestone while keeping an eye on whether the improvement continues.

Source:

🔗: Youngstown City Schools meets Ohio education standards for first time

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📣 Subscribe & Share

That’s another week of Ohio politics, election questions, and the occasional Cheesecake Factory comparison in the books. Robert and Tom will be back with an election recap next week, along with more stories from around the state.

Subscribe to Crooked River Cast, share the episode with friends who follow Ohio news, and visit www.crookedrivercast.com for the show and its source links. Follow CRC Ohio News on X, send the guys your story ideas, and join the conversation. There’s always something happening in Ohio—and usually something worth questioning.