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Halloween Weather, Doomsday Podcasters, Alaska Election Shenanigans & Ohio’s Ballot Battles — Crooked River Cast Show #81 🎙

November 2, 2026

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

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

A man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to challenge the senator in the August primary, a judge ruled Friday.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews' ruling overturns a June 15 decision by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher to disqualify the challenger and keep him off the primary ballot. Matthews' ruling can be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Photo by ScrippsNews

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

🍰 Obama, Scott Bessent & The Cheesecake Factory Comparison

Scott Bessent Just ROASTED Obama With ONE Brilliant Response 😂

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

🇺🇸 Ohio’s Early Voting Numbers Are Climbing

Hundreds of people stood in the sun outside the Franklin County Board of Elections on Tuesday, waiting to cast their ballots. What to do with this burka person?

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

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

Photo Credit: Jeff Haynes / Signal Cleveland

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

🪪 Ohio’s Voter ID Amendment & Election Enforcement

Ohio Sec. Frank LaRose refers progressive group to federal law enforcement - Photo by: Morgan Trau Channel 5 News

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

🚣 A Safer Way to Enjoy the Cuyahoga River

The Cuyahoga River Conditions Tool (CUYAC) makes close-to-real-time condition reports for the Cuyahoga River available to kayakers, canoeists and anyone else who uses the river. CUYAC (pronounced kayak), was announced in June by the partners who manage the Cuyahoga River Water Trail — the tool will be upgraded using a $110,000 grant from the Knight Cities Challenge. (Screenshot via the CUYAC mapping tool)

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

🎓 Youngstown City Schools Finally Hit a Milestone

The Youngstown City School District (YCSD) has met Ohio’s education standards for the first time in history.

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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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.

Ilhan Omar, Vivek’s Ad, Fake Polls &; Cleveland’s Darkest Halloween History — Crooked River Cast Show #80 🎙

🗳️ Ilhan Omar Update: Questions, Allegations & More Political Drama

Ilhan Omar is allegedly not the Minnesota congresswoman's "real name," according to a report. Citing two unnamed sources, Fox News Digital on Thursday said it confirmed the Somali-born politician has been using a name other than her birth name. Photo from The National Desk - TND

Last week’s discussion about Rep. Ilhan Omar took another turn as Robert and Tom revisited allegations surrounding her marriage history, immigration records, and family connections. Robert was particularly incredulous about the questions being raised over documentation and whether the appropriate checks had been done. Tom questioned the wording of Omar’s past responses, while both hosts acknowledged that the allegations still need to be substantiated.

The discussion included claims circulating online about her identity and possible legal violations. As Robert sees it, the questions deserve scrutiny, but allegations and online speculation are not the same as proof. Naturally, the hosts also had some sarcastic predictions about how this story might end—and they’re keeping an eye on what develops next.

🎯 Vivek’s Campaign Ad, Amy Acton & the Politics of Prediction Markets

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine tells Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to immediately pull down his controversial ad featuring Democrat Dr. Amy Acton's estranged mother, though he is not withdrawing his endorsement.

Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign and a controversial ad featuring Amy Acton’s mother provided the next round of election-season drama. The ad reportedly had millions of dollars behind it, and the hosts examined the backlash over its use of a family member to criticize a political opponent. Tom questioned whether the ad was directly produced by Vivek’s campaign or another political group, while Robert focused on the substance of the criticism and the media reaction.

Their take? Two things can be true at once: the family relationship can be complicated, and questions about a candidate’s record can still deserve scrutiny. Robert wasn’t buying the idea that criticism of the ad automatically settled the underlying political argument. The hosts also compared the controversy with past campaigns that have featured candidates’ relatives.

From there, the conversation moved to prediction markets such as Polymarket and whether betting odds can influence how voters perceive a race. Robert raised the possibility that deep-pocketed political players could move the odds by placing large bets, particularly in state races where a few million dollars can make a splash. Tom questioned how reliable those markets really are and argued that gambling needs more guardrails, especially when it extends into sports and individual plays. Neither host thought the concept necessarily needs to disappear, but the potential for manipulation is hard to ignore.

▶️ YouTube: News 5 Cleveland -Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tells Ramaswamy to Remove Controversial Ad

🔗: Walter Curt (@wcdispatch) on X

📊 Fake Polls: How a Made-Up Pollster Got Into the Election Conversation

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, FiftyPlusOne reached out to Wedgewood Polls, a self-professed polling firm, with a request for comment on an investigation we had conducted into their alleged survey research. They did not respond to our request, but instead posted a public statement on social media admitting that they had been fabricating data.

Just when election polling was already under suspicion, the hosts turned to the revelations surrounding Wedgwood Polls and Socal Strategies. According to the reporting they discussed, Wedgwood admitted that it was a fictional polling operation and that it had fabricated surveys—including an Ohio poll showing Sherrod Brown ahead of Jon Husted and Amy Acton narrowly ahead in her race.

Robert questioned why anyone would fake polls with such close numbers if the goal was to influence the overall polling picture. The concern was that fabricated results could be picked up by news outlets and polling aggregators, potentially distorting the numbers people use to judge a race. Tom noted that polling has struggled for years to capture Republican and rural voters accurately, while Robert pointed to the difficulty of getting people to answer calls and texts in the first place.

The hosts weren’t convinced by the explanation that the operation was merely a social experiment. They also questioned how carefully polling aggregators vet the surveys they include. As Robert put it in his own way, if an aggregator wants people to take its numbers seriously, it needs to do more than collect a handful of polls and hope for the best.

Sources:

🔗: FiftyPlusOne just caught a pollster faking data — and they copped to it

🔗: More pollster funny business uncovered by FiftyPlusOne

🔗: Fake polls are a real problem

🩸 The Cleveland Torso Murders: Kingsbury Run’s Grim History

County Coroner Samuel Gerber and Cleveland Police detectives search among the rocks of the lakefront for remains of victims of the Torso Murderer, 1938. CPL.

With politics temporarily set aside, Robert and Tom headed into some genuinely dark Northeast Ohio history. Between 1935 and 1938, human remains were discovered in and around Kingsbury Run, an area of Cleveland associated with a series of gruesome killings commonly known as the Cleveland Torso Murders. The victims were often dismembered, many were never identified, and the case drew national attention.

The investigation eventually involved Cleveland Safety Director Eliot Ness, famous for his earlier work against organized crime. His efforts included clearing and burning shantytowns in the area, but the killings were never conclusively solved. One suspected killer, Dr. Francis Sweeney, reportedly taunted Ness with postcards, yet no definitive proof ever established his guilt. Robert was surprised by the scale of the case and how much of Ness’s career became entangled in it.

The guys also wandered through Ohio’s wider history of serial killers, including Jeffrey Dahmer, Samuel Little, and Anthony Sowell. Cleveland has more than enough grim history for a Halloween episode, thank you very much. And if you’re exploring the old Kingsbury Run area today, remember that the landscape has changed considerably since the 1930s—even if the history remains unsettling.

Sources:

🔗: Solving the Cleveland Torso Murders

🔗: TORSO MURDERS | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History | Case Western Reserve University

▶️ YouTube: Absolute Crime:The Mystery Of The Cleveland Torso Murders

👻 Mansfield Reformatory: Prison History, Ghost Stories & a Very Long Night

The Ohio State Reformatory has been one of the most thoroughly investigated paranormal sites in the United States for more than three decades, drawing television crews, independent researchers, and thousands of overnight visitors to a 250,000-square-foot Gothic fortress in Mansfield, Ohio, that once held some of the state’s most desperate men.

The Halloween deep dive continued at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, a massive historic building with a reputation for ghost stories, a grim institutional past, and a starring role in The Shawshank Redemption. Originally opened as a reformatory for young men, the facility later became a prison. Robert and Tom discussed the harsh conditions inmates endured, the deaths associated with the institution, and the stories that have helped build its haunted reputation.

Rob had a personal story to add: years ago, he joined a group for an overnight ghost hunt at the reformatory on a Friday the 13th during a full moon. With much of the building in darkness, the group explored corridors, cell areas, and other parts of the enormous structure. He described it as one of the creepiest places he’d ever visited. Tom, meanwhile, wondered how anyone managed to get lost or stuck in a place like that—and wasn’t entirely convinced that wandering around an abandoned prison in the dark was the best idea.

The reformatory’s history and atmosphere make it an obvious Halloween destination, whether you believe in ghosts or simply appreciate an imposing old building with a story to tell. Robert and Tom also floated the idea of doing more Ohio folklore and paranormal episodes, covering legends such as the Melon Heads and the Grassman. If that sounds like your kind of thing, let them know.

Sources:

🔗: Ohio State Reformatory: The Hole, The Hauntings, The Horror

▶️ YouTube: Our Ohio:Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield

▶️ YouTube: Kbear586 -Mansfield Reformatory – A Former Inmate’s Story

🌟 Good Things

🎃 Cleveland Haunt Club: Halloween Is Serious Business

Jeff Hartz, president of the Cleveland Haunt Club. Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Hartz

For some people, Halloween means a pumpkin on the porch. For the members of the Cleveland Haunt Club, it’s practically a year-round operation. Robert and Tom discussed the club’s annual haunted garage sale and hearse cruise, which brings together vendors and enthusiasts from across Northeast Ohio.

The event at the Lorain County Fairgrounds drew a sizable crowd, with nearly 150 vendors offering spooky merchandise and Halloween collectibles. If you’re into masks, props, decorations, or the whole haunted-house scene, this sounds like a good place to browse—and probably a good way to discover just how much Halloween stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Source:

🔗: Halloween is serious business for members of the Cleveland Haunt Club

🎃 Circleville Pumpkin Show Produces a Record-Breaking Giant

2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show winner breaks all-time record

VanArsdalen's gourd shattered the show's running record of 2,388.5 pounds, set by Bob and Jo Liggett in 2023.

Ohio’s pumpkin season delivered a heavyweight champion this year. The 2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show winner weighed in at a whopping 2,455 pounds, smashing the previous record of 2,388.5 pounds set in 2023.

Robert and Tom were impressed—and understandably had questions about how anyone grows, transports, and handles a pumpkin that size without it collapsing under its own weight. Tom suggested growing one right on a trailer, while Robert imagined the equipment needed to turn a corner of the monster into pumpkin pie. Forget a kitchen mixer; you might need a forklift.

It’s a fun reminder that Ohio’s fall traditions can get wonderfully ridiculous. And at this rate, the next record-breaking pumpkin might need its own zip code.

Source:

🔗: 2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show winner breaks all-time record

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That’s another week on Crooked River Cast, where election-season nonsense meets Ohio history—and sometimes a pumpkin big enough to require heavy equipment.

Subscribe to the show, share this episode with someone who enjoys a little Ohio news and a healthy dose of sarcasm, and visit www.crookedrivercast.com for the latest episode and blog links.

Follow CRC Ohio News on X, join the conversation, and tell us what you think. Have an Ohio legend, a spooky story, or a local issue Robert and Tom should investigate? Send your ideas to crookedrivercast@gmail.com. You never know what might make the next show.

Ohio’s Submarine Plans, E-Bike Rules, Speed Camera Cash & Political Intrigue — Crooked River Cast Show #79 🎙️

October 19, 2026

The guys kick things off with homecoming pictures, increasingly short dresses, and the pressures social media puts on teenagers. Robert questions the fashion industry’s influence and the double standards surrounding what men and women are expected to wear. Tom has his own take, and naturally, the conversation goes a few rounds.

Between the fashion commentary and clips from comedians Shane Gillis and Dave Chappelle, the guys debate whether today’s trends are really personal choices or just society telling everyone what is supposed to be cool. Apparently, even a conversation about homecoming dresses can turn into a cultural debate before the coffee gets cold. Moving on to the federal investigation involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, Ohio’s new submarine repair plans, proposed e-bike regulations, and speed cameras that seem to have discovered their own little revenue stream. Plus, a Halloween-loving Ohioan is making monsters by hand, because not everything has to be political chaos.

🕵️ The Search of Ilhan Omar’s Home

Rep. Ilhan Omar's D.C. home searched by Homeland Security investigators

The discussion shifts to Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar after federal agents searched her Washington, D.C., home. Robert and Tom discuss the reported investigation into immigration paperwork, questions surrounding the timing of the search so close to an election, and allegations that have circulated about Omar and her family.

The hosts express strong opinions about the case and its potential consequences, while the underlying allegations remain matters for investigators to establish. Tom also raises the possibility that the political fallout could actually benefit Omar with some voters. So much for the idea that a political controversy automatically hurts the person at the center of it.

Source:

🔗: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s D.C. home searched by Homeland Security investigators

⚓ Ohio Gets a Submarine Repair Center — No, the Subs Aren’t Coming Through the Locks

Department of war to build U.S. Navy submarine repair center in Cleveland, says POTUS

President Trump announced plans for a U.S. Navy submarine repair center in the Cleveland area, and the guys dig into what the project might mean for Ohio manufacturing and jobs. The facility is expected to focus on submarine parts, repair work, and manufacturing rather than bringing entire submarines into Lake Erie.

Robert gets a laugh out of online commenters wondering how submarines would make it through the locks. As he points out, there’s a rather important distinction between repairing submarine parts and trying to squeeze a whole submarine through the Great Lakes shipping system.

The guys see potential in the project, although questions remain about its precise location, the number of jobs it will create, and how much of the announcement is campaign-season politics. A few hundred jobs would still be welcome news for Ohio.

Source:

🔗: Department of war to build U.S. Navy submarine repair center in Cleveland, says POTUS

🚲 E-Bikes, Young Riders & Another Call for Regulation

Next up: electric bikes and proposed statewide regulations. The guys discuss lawmakers’ efforts to establish rules for e-bikes, particularly as increasingly powerful models find their way into the hands of young riders.

Robert shares a frightening encounter with a young rider who zipped through a stop sign, while Tom questions whether the state needs to get involved at all. Their debate boils down to a familiar question: when does a legitimate safety concern call for statewide rules, and when should local communities handle it themselves?

With some of these machines looking more like small dirt bikes than traditional bicycles, the distinction isn’t always obvious. But as Tom makes clear, his first instinct is still to keep government out of things whenever possible.

Source:

🔗: Lawmakers propose statewide e-bike regulations

▶️ YouTube: Ohio lawmakers propose statewide regulations for e-bikes

🚦 Speed Cameras: Public Safety or a Very Profitable Side Hustle?

traffic enforcement cameras installed and making money in Ohio

Ohio’s speed cameras get a substantial amount of airtime, with East Canton and Youngstown providing plenty of material. East Canton has issued thousands of citations, including more than 5,000 in just 10 days, while the hosts examine the money being collected and the share going to private camera vendors.

The guys also discuss Youngstown’s spending on school-zone improvements and the broader question of whether traffic cameras genuinely improve safety or simply generate revenue. Robert questions how drivers can verify citations, while Tom argues that putting an officer visibly on the roadside would be a more straightforward way to slow traffic.

And then there’s the irony of enforcement vehicles parked in places where an ordinary driver’s car might be considered a hazard. Apparently, the rules can look a little different depending on who’s parked there.

Sources:

🔗: East Canton continues to generate thousands of dollars in revenue from speed cameras

🔗: Youngstown City Council approves $1.2 million for school zone improvements

🔗: East Canton speed cameras issued more than 5,000 citations in 10 days, raising questions about fines

🏛️ Thirteen Ohio Bills, Plenty of Questions

Mike DeWine signs bills in July that took place in October of 2026.

The guys wrap up the Ohio legislative discussion by revisiting bills Gov. Mike DeWine signed in July that took effect in October. The list includes measures involving police drones, catalytic converter theft penalties, an Ohio Defense and Space Force advisory commission, and changes to Medicaid caregiver tracking requirements.

Robert questions how much attention these bills received when they were signed and what some of the provisions will actually accomplish. The discussion also touches on funding for veterans’ Memorial Day activities and requirements affecting identification during certain traffic stops.

The point isn’t that every bill is necessarily bad. It’s that legislation can move from the Statehouse to everyday life without most people having much idea what’s changed. Surprise! Your government has been busy while you were doing literally anything else.

Source:

🔗: Governor DeWine signs bills into law (7/7/2026)

🌟 Good Things

🎃 Meet the Halloween-Obsessed Ohioan Bringing Monsters to Life

David Lady makes Halloween masks at his home in the small village of Chatfield, Ohio.

After all the political wrangling, it’s time for something a little more seasonal. The guys feature Ohio mask-maker David Lady, whose passion for Halloween has turned into a collection of more than 400 monster masks, many of them handmade in his workshop.

From vampires and werewolves to original creations, Lady brings the spooky season to life one mask at a time. Robert and Tom admire his work and discuss how the story could have benefited from better photography and lighting. Leave it to the photography-minded hosts to find a way to critique the production values of a story about monsters.

Still, it’s a wonderfully weird Ohio story, and we’re here for it. Some people decorate for Halloween. Others apparently decide to build an entire monster department at home.

Source:

🔗: Meet the Halloween-obsessed Ohioan bringing monsters to life

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