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🎙️ “Shutdowns, School Levies & Spooky Season”

Tom and Robert are back for episode 29 of the Crooked River Cast — and Ohio’s got no shortage of drama. From the government shutdown’s local ripple effects to the never-ending battle over school levies, the guys tackle it all with their usual mix of facts, fun, and fiery opinions. Plus, a look at Ohio’s haunted hot spots and a milestone birthday for a certain toll road we all love (and love to hate). Buckle up — it’s a wild October ride!

🏛️ Shutdown Showdown — Ohio’s Ripple Effects

Governor Mike DeWine says the federal shutdown isn’t yet hitting Ohio hard, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.
👉 DeWine: Federal shutdown not having immediate or widespread impact on Ohio — Ideastream
Still, experts warn even a short lapse could slow research, delay grants, and freeze local projects.
👉 What does the federal government shutdown mean for Ohioans? — Cleveland.com

💰 School Spending & Property Taxes — Where’s It All Going?

Ohio homeowners are now paying the 8th-highest property tax rate in the nation — but are schools actually benefiting?
👉 Ohioans are paying eighth highest property tax rate in U.S. — Cleveland.com
Tom and Robert dig into where that money’s going and whether “more funding” has really translated into better outcomes.

Meanwhile, some watchdogs are calling out how property tax levies and “school funding formulas” quietly shift costs onto homeowners.
👉 Pulling the Curtain Back on Ohio’s Public Schools & Property Taxes — Lobbyists for Citizens

🏫 Senate vs. DeWine — The Levy Fight Heats Up

Ohio Republicans just voted to override Gov. DeWine’s veto and restrict how schools and local governments can place certain property tax levies on the ballot.
👉 Ohio Republicans restrict school levies — Cleveland.com

In response, DeWine’s working group rolled out 20 recommendations for reform — some practical, others pure politics.
👉 Ohio working group releases 20 recommendations for property tax reform — Ideastream

And with House Bill 466 making its way through the legislature, questions remain: who really gets to decide how schools raise and spend local dollars?
👉 OH HB 466 | 2025–2026 | 136th General Assembly — LegiScan
👉 This is your school, and you deserve it’: Ribbon cut at new CMSD preK-8 school

🔫 2A Update: Lorain’s Local Battle

Two new Lorain ordinances addressing youth violence — one involving gun restrictions — are inching closer to a council vote.
👉 2 Lorain ordinances to address youth violence move closer to council vote — WKYC

Tom and Robert weigh whether local action helps or hurts Ohioans’ Second Amendment rights — and where this debate heads next.

⚖️ Abortion & Education — Unlikely Allies?

Ohio’s GOP is pushing for a 24-hour abortion waiting period, despite last year’s reproductive rights amendment.
👉 Ohio GOP pushes 24-hour abortion waiting period — Cleveland.com

At the same time, a new bill would require schools to show a fetal development video annually.
👉 Republican bill requires Ohio public schools to annually show video on fetal development — Ideastream

The guys unpack how these two “unrelated” policies seem to march in the same direction — blurring lines between moral messaging and mandated curriculum.

🎭 Celebrezze Drama — Courtroom Chaos Continues

The family feud isn’t cooling off: the retaliation lawsuit against Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze is officially moving forward.
👉 Retaliation Lawsuit Against Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze Can Move Forward — Cleveland.com

Tom doesn’t mince words — calling out that taxpayer dollars are footing the bill for this legal circus. While most of Ohio is tightening belts, one politically connected courtroom battle is draining public funds. Robert’s take? “If it’s personal, it shouldn’t be public money.” The guys agree this saga is a poster child for what’s wrong with the system.

🚨 “Operation Next Door” — Priest Arrested in Ohio Sting

Over 100 people were arrested in a statewide human trafficking crackdown dubbed “Operation Next Door.” Among them: a 76-year-old Cleveland priest who admitted to a prior solicitation offense.
👉 Full story via FOX 8 News

Rob notes that Ohio remains one of the worst states for trafficking, making operations like this crucial.
Tom isn’t convinced — calling it virtue signaling by Dave Yost and saying the story lacks proof of child trafficking. Still, he admits Ohio’s central location makes it an easy pass-through for this kind of crime.

🌾 Tariffs, Taiwan & Ohio’s Farmers – Who’s Feeling the Pain?

As Ohio’s harvest season ramps up, farmers are caught between politics and profits.
👉 As Ohio farmers prep for harvest, many are concerned about profits and politics — Cleveland.com

Ohio farmers are bracing for trade impacts with Taiwan and China, but not all farmers are affected equally.

The twist? Taiwan’s also committing to buy billions in Ohio soybeans and corn — showing that global trade cuts both ways.
👉 Taiwan will buy billions of dollars worth of Ohio soybeans and corn — Ideastream

Mark Meyer, who runs a small organic soybean farm near Marysville, sells primarily within Ohio and nearby states. He says exports aren’t a big issue, and his self-sufficient approach — cultivating with his own seed and building up soil health — keeps costs low. “All I have is my time and fuel,” Meyer says.

Tom and Robert note the divide: small, local-focused farms are mostly doing fine, while large commercial operations exporting to China are complaining about tariffs. One farmer even flipped politically, but 82% of Ohio farmers still identify with the GOP.

📱 Driving Into the Future — The New Ohio App

Ohio’s new driver app is rolling out — a digital tool meant to streamline ID, records, and licensing. But as Tom and Robert dig in, they flag big red lines: who controls the data? What safeguards exist? And is convenience worth the trade?

👉 New Driver App

✅ Good Things — Because We All Need a Breather

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