Speed Traps, Self-Driving Trucks, Senate Drama & the Gulf of Cleveland — Crooked River Cast Show #75 🎙

September 21, 2026

The guys kick things off with the usual recap of their week, including Tom’s trip to Blossom for Billy Idol with Susanna Hoffs opening the show. Both put on seriously impressive performances, especially considering how long they’ve been doing this. From there, Robert and Tom jump right into one of the things Cleveland-area drivers know all too well: I-480 and the latest safety corridor enforcement. And from there, the conversation takes a very Ohio turn — literally and figuratively — with autonomous trucks, Cleveland’s newly christened “Gulf,” the U.S. Senate race, RTA’s funding problems and, of course, a couple of Good Things to finish it out.

Susanna Hoffs at Blossom Music Center on September 13, 2026.

🚨 I-480: Welcome to the Safety Corridor

The conversation gets rolling with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s latest enforcement numbers on I-480. During a five-day enforcement operation, troopers issued 334 speeding tickets, with a significant number involving drivers going more than 20 mph over the limit. The discussion gets into the bigger question surrounding safety corridors: do they actually change driver behavior, or do people simply slow down when they know police are nearby and then get right back to it?

There’s also the increasingly familiar problem of technology working both ways. Drivers have apps that can alert them to police activity, while law enforcement is trying to use enforcement corridors to reduce crashes and dangerous driving. In other words, the cat-and-mouse game on Ohio highways continues.

Source:

🔗: Troopers issued 334 speeding tickets in five days – clevelanddotcom on X

🌊 Cleveland Gets Its Own Gulf

From highway patrol to international-style geography, the guys move on to Cleveland City Council’s decision to rename a portion of Lake Erie the “Gulf of Cleveland.” The resolution covers the portion of the lake extending two miles from Cleveland’s shoreline, and the council even plans to notify mapping companies about the new designation.

The measure was presented as a tongue-in-cheek response to recent federal efforts to rename geographic features. Whether Google and Apple actually go along with Cleveland’s new terminology is another question entirely. But at least Cleveland can now claim its own gulf — because apparently Ohio needed one. Cleveland City Council formally passed the resolution on September 14.

Source:

▶️ YouTube: 19 News – Cleveland City Council passes resolution renaming portion of Lake Erie ‘Gulf Of Cleveland’

🚛 The Robots Are Coming for the Trucking Lanes

Self-driving trucks are cruising Ohio roads

Next up is a look at something considerably more consequential than changing the name of part of Lake Erie: self-driving trucks.

Autonomous and partially automated trucks are already being tested on Ohio roads. One of the projects involves trucks traveling between Indianapolis and Columbus, with the latest testing moving toward vehicles operating without a human driver on certain controlled roads. The technology combines cameras, lidar and other systems designed to allow the trucks to navigate without traditional human control.

That discussion also connects back to earlier Ohio testing on I-70, where partially automated semis used platooning technology. Those trucks still had professional drivers behind the wheel who could take over, but the technology allowed the lead truck to communicate with and guide the following vehicle.

So while fully autonomous semis aren’t exactly taking over I-480 tomorrow morning, Ohio is clearly being used as a testing ground for what transportation could look like down the road.

Sources:

🔗: Self-driving trucks are cruising Ohio roads

▶️ YouTube: Partially automated semi-trucks hit the highway in Ohio today, on test runs – clipped version

🗳️ Ohio’s Senate Race Gets Complicated

The conversation then shifts into Ohio politics and the 2026 U.S. Senate race, where polling and voter behavior are becoming part of the story. A Fox News poll examined Democratic unity and Republican crossover support while also looking at the issues Ohio voters say matter most. The survey found inflation was the leading issue among those polled, followed by healthcare and immigration and border security.

Robert and Tom also get into the candidates’ changing positions on data centers. Data center development has become a much bigger political issue in Ohio, with Sherrod Brown criticizing Jon Husted over his previous support for data center projects while both candidates have adjusted their messaging as the issue has gained attention.

And then there’s the question of debates. Vivek Ramaswamy and Sherrod Brown have both said they would like to debate their opponents, but saying you’re ready for a debate and actually getting everyone into the same room are two very different things. The discussion also revisits Ohio’s recent history of Senate and gubernatorial candidates skipping debates.

Sources:

🔗: Democratic unity, Republican crossovers shape Ohio Senate race

🔗: Ohio’s US Senate candidates recalibrate their stances on data centers

🔗: Vivek Ramaswamy, Sherrod Brown say they’d like to debate their opponents. Will they?

▶️ YouTube: WKYC Channel 3 -Can a vanquished Democrat like Sherrod Brown shift Ohio blue again?

🚌 RTA Wants More Money — and Riders Are Watching

Greater Cleveland RTA to put sales tax ask before voters in May 2027

The final major discussion turns local again with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and its plans to ask Cuyahoga County voters for a sales tax increase in May 2027.

RTA’s board voted to put a tax increase before voters, with the potential increase ranging from a quarter-point to a half-point depending on the final request. The additional revenue could provide tens of millions of dollars annually to help address the agency’s ongoing budget problems.

But there’s another piece to this story: planned service cuts. RTA staff recommended delaying another round of cuts that had been expected in December until after the May 2027 vote. The agency has already reduced service and says it continues to face a financial shortfall, while riders have raised concerns that additional cuts could lead to even more ridership losses.

So now RTA has a lot riding on the next several months: keep service running, convince voters that additional funding is necessary and figure out how to keep the system financially viable.

Sources:

🔗: Greater Cleveland RTA to put sales tax ask before voters in May 2027

🔗: RTA delays service cuts until after May sales tax vote

🌟 Good Things

🥃 A Fight Over Home Distilling Heads to Washington

A legal battle involving an Ohio distiller is raising questions about how far federal power can extend into what people do in their own homes. The case has attracted support from 61 organizations, public-interest groups, states and individuals filing briefs in support of the challenge.

The dispute centers on federal restrictions against distilling spirits at home and whether those restrictions are a constitutional exercise of Congress’s taxing and commerce powers. The case has produced a split between federal appellate courts, putting the issue in position for potential Supreme Court review.

Source:

🔗: 61 organizations file in support of Ohio distiller, challenging federal overreach that hits homes

🍂 AutumnFest Is Coming to Shaker Lakes

AutumnFest: Harvest Moon
A 60th Anniversary Celebration | Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 3-7PM

And finally, something a little more relaxing: AutumnFest: Harvest Moon at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes on September 26.

The event celebrates the Nature Center’s 60th anniversary with fall activities, food, music, moonlit adventures, family activities and even a birthday cake decorating contest. There will also be live animals, games, raffles and an adults-only Lunar Lounge. Basically, if you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve politics, traffic enforcement or arguing about who gets to rename a lake, this might be your ticket.

Source:

🔗: AutumnFest – Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

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That’s a wrap on Show #75. From I-480 speed traps to autonomous semis, a brand-new Cleveland “gulf,” Ohio’s Senate race and the future of RTA, there’s plenty to chew on this week.

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Crooked River Cast, share the episode with someone who follows Ohio news, and head over to www.crookedrivercast.com to catch up on the latest shows. Follow CRC Ohio News on X and join the conversation—because around here, something’s always happening along the Crooked River. Help us grow by sharing the show with your family and friends; we’d appreciate it.

Ohio’s Flock Camera Reckoning, School Testing Questions & a Whole Lot of Ohio News — Crooked River Cast Show #74 🎙

September 14, 2026

Show #74 kicks off with Robert giving a sermon to his dearly departed dishwasher. It’s been three weeks, and apparently getting a new dishwasher in stock was a bit of a search — but thanks to Grok, he found one! And just like that, it’s back to happy wife, happy life. We also had some sound issues during the show. We’re not exactly sure what happened there, but thanks for chugging through the technical difficulties with us. Hey, maybe the AI can help with that, too?

We also got an email from one of our producers, Sir Jay Stroke, with some boots-on-the-ground information about ICE activity — an interesting update you’ll want to hear. Then Robert wanted to share some of his favorite clips from the RNC. So, enough of the dishwasher drama… let’s roll!

😂 RNC Convention Clips

Next up, Robert has some of his favorite clips from the RNC — and this isn’t your typical political convention recap.

Trump has a knack for coming out at these events and doing a little comedy routine to get the crowd fired up. The clips Robert picked are the kind of schtick he uses to entertain the room, and whether you like him or not, you have to admit the guy can put on a pretty good stand-up routine.

No links here, guys. You’re going to have to listen to the show for these ones. Trust us — they’re pretty funny.

📷 Flock Cameras: Ohio Communities Are Starting to Say “Enough”

Flock cameras ditched in Lorain county by Sheriff Jack Hall.

The biggest discussion of the episode centers on Flock license plate reader cameras and the growing backlash surrounding their use.

In Lorain County, Sheriff Jack Hall announced that the county is ending its Flock program after the company raised the price of its two-year contract by nearly 80 percent. The county had been paying $58,650 and was facing a new price of about $105,000. Hall said the technology had been useful to law enforcement, but he could not justify the increased cost to taxpayers.

The discussion then moves beyond Lorain County. Reynoldsburg has also announced that it is shutting down its Flock system, following an investigation into alleged misuse of the technology by two police officers. In Columbus, Mayor Andrew Ginther suspended the city’s use of Flock cameras while an officer’s alleged misuse is investigated. That case involved searches of a single vehicle more than 200 times. Columbus currently has 65 cameras, and the city’s contract is scheduled to expire in December.

That leaves a much bigger question hanging over the technology: How do communities balance a tool that can help solve crimes with privacy, oversight, data access and the possibility of individual misuse? Robert and Tom take a look at that growing Ohio debate.

Sources:

🔗: Flock cameras to come down in Lorain County: Here’s why

🔗: Sheriff Jack Hall cancels his Flock camera contract after the price goes up 79 percent

🔗: Ohio city says get the Flock out of here

🔗: Ginther suspends Columbus’ use of Flock license plate cameras, citing officer’s alleged misuse

🎻 Cleveland Orchestra Contract Talks Could Get Loud

The Cleveland Orchestra are fighting for competative pay after their contract extension - they may strike.

This one comes courtesy of one of our producers, Sir Jay Stroke, who dropped this story into the mix for Show #74. Thanks, producer!

Cleveland Orchestra musicians have authorized a strike as they negotiate a new contract, with the current agreement set to expire September 23. Musicians are seeking raises and pointing to a significant pay gap between Cleveland and musicians in the other major U.S. orchestras. The timing is particularly interesting, with the contract expiration coming just days before a scheduled European tour.

Robert and Tom dig into what could happen if the musicians do walk — and what a strike could mean for one of Cleveland’s most recognizable cultural institutions.

Source:

🔗: Cleveland Orchestra Musicians May Strike This Year

🏫 Ohio’s School Testing Troubles Get Bigger

Ohio education officials are looking into irregularities with the state tests students took this spring at more than 50 schools, including three Cleveland public schools and a dozen charters in Cuyahoga County.

Next up is another story that keeps expanding: irregularities in Ohio’s spring state testing.

The state initially identified problems involving Cleveland-area schools, including three Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools and 12 Cuyahoga County charter schools. Students’ tests are being reviewed for unusual patterns, including answers being changed from incorrect to correct and other testing anomalies.

But the issue isn’t limited to Cleveland. State officials have now identified significant testing anomalies at 52 additional school buildings around Ohio, including schools in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. The state says the review is ongoing, and the findings could ultimately affect student scores, report cards and potential disciplinary action.

That’s a lot of questions for parents, students and schools — and Robert and Tom dig into what the state’s expanding investigation could mean.

Sources:

🔗: Ohio flags testing irregularities at 15 Cleveland area schools

🔗: State flags testing anomalies at 52 additional Ohio school buildings

🗳️ Amy Acton, the Canfield Fair Incident & What the Video Shows

An armed person lunged at Dr. Amy Acton, injuring multiple people during the Canfield Fair on Sunday, according to a statement from her campaign team.(Source: Associated Press/Mahoning County Jail).

The conversation turns to the incident involving Dr. Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair — and the guys take a closer look at the video and some of the conflicting descriptions of what happened.

Social media clips from Adam from Price Hill and Jack Windsor raise questions about the original characterization of the incident, while newly released video from WLWT appears to show something quite different from the initial reports. Robert and Tom break down what they’re seeing, including the claims of an “armed man” lunging at Acton and the video showing Havas never actually getting near her.

The bottom line? There are enough discrepancies here to make you want to watch the footage and decide for yourself.

Sources:

🔗: Adam from Price Hill (@still_hustling)

🔗: jackwindsor (@jackwindsor)

🔗: Suspect pleads not guilty after Canfield Fair incident involving Dr. Amy Acton

▶️ YouTube: Man arrested in incident involving Amy Acton that injured multiple people at Canfield Fair

▶️ YouTube: Video gives new insight into security incident at Amy Acton campaign event

🐀 Critter Corner

Critter Corner gets a quick-hit treatment this week with a look at several pieces of legislation moving through the Ohio Statehouse.

First up is House Bill 457, which would create new aggravated-murder offenses tied to political motivation and political victims, along with mandatory prison terms for politically motivated offenses of violence. The bill is currently in the Ohio House Judiciary Committee.

Then there is House Bill 292, creating the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission and a program intended to support Ohio’s defense, aerospace and space industries. The legislation has passed both chambers and was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine.

And finally, House Bill 210 takes aim at catalytic converter theft, increasing penalties, adding requirements for scrap-metal dealers and restricting motor vehicle salvage dealers from purchasing or accepting catalytic converters.

A quick trip through the Statehouse, with plenty to chew on.

Sources:

🔗: House Bill 457 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives

🔗: House Bill 292 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Senate

🔗: New Ohio law targets catalytic converter thefts with tougher penalties, restrictions

🌟 Good Things

🌳 Aurora Park at Geauga Lake

The old SeaWorld and Wildwater Kingdom property at Geauga Lake is getting a new life. Aurora’s new park is taking shape, with the first phase of Aurora Park at Geauga Lake expected to open in October.

What was once an abandoned eyesore is becoming a new community destination — and that’s exactly the kind of Ohio turnaround story we like to see. To learn more about the project, click here.

Source:

🔗: From abandoned eyesore to destination: The first wave of Aurora’s park at the old SeaWorld opens this October

🍷 Crocker Park Wine Festival

Looking for something to do around Northeast Ohio? The Crocker Park Wine Festival returns Friday and Saturday, September 18–19, giving Westlake another reason to head out for a weekend of wine, food and entertainment.

Source:

🔗: Home – 2026 – Crocker Park Wine Festival – Cleveland Wine Festival – Sept. 18-19, 2026

🎨 Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival

And in Cleveland, the Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival takes over the neighborhood on Saturday, September 19. It’s another chance to get out, support local artists and enjoy one of Cleveland’s most creative neighborhoods.

Source:

🔗: Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival – Tremont, Ohio

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That’s a wrap on Show #74.

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode and share the show with someone who likes keeping up with what’s happening around Ohio.

Visit www.crookedrivercast.com for the latest episodes, follow CRC Ohio News on X,, and join the conversation. The more people who listen, watch and share, the more Ohio voices we can bring into the mix.

Thanks for listening — and we’ll see you next time on Crooked River Cast.

Medina County Cancer Questions, Springfield ICE Activity & Ohio Political Crossfire — Crooked River Cast Show #73 🎙

September 7, 2026

Ohio is never short on things to talk about, and Show #73 is no exception. Robert and Tom kick things off with a little Northeast Ohio celebrity real estate news before getting into some much more serious local questions surrounding cancer diagnoses in Medina County. From there, the conversation moves into the Ohio governor’s race, media and political coverage, growing ICE activity in Springfield, the death of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel, and a couple of issues making their way through the Ohio Statehouse. And, as always, they wrap things up with some Good Things happening around Northeast Ohio.

🏡 From Taylor Swift to Medina County Cancer Questions

This is the community reported cancer case map through today at 11:00am, August 19, 2026

The show opens with a little Northeast Ohio fun: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have reportedly purchased a home in the area for less than the asking price. That leads to some joking about the fact that Taylor will be living right around the corner from where Tom works. Hey, you never know — maybe someday there will be a chance encounter!

But the conversation quickly turns much more serious with a WKYC investigation into Medina County families who are demanding answers after cancer diagnoses began raising concerns in their communities. Hundreds of families have been compiling cancer data and asking whether there could be something more going on. The investigation has also raised questions about a nearby landfill and whether environmental factors deserve a closer look.

Robert and Tom dig into the concerns and the bigger question at hand: when enough families start noticing the same troubling pattern, who should be responsible for investigating what may be happening?

Sources:

🔗: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce pay less than asking price for NE Ohio home

▶️ YouTube: WKYC Channel 3 Part 1: ‘Something’s wrong’: Medina County families demand answers after cancer diagnoses

🔗: Medina County Cancer Awareness & Support – Facebook Page

🗳️ Ohio’s Governor’s Race: Debate Anyone?

Ramaswamy announced Sept. 2 that he had accepted debate invitations from CNN and WLWT, an NBC local affiliate in Cincinnati.
"I challenge Amy Acton to join me on the debate stage so voters can make a well-informed choice in November," said Ramaswamy in a press release.
Hours later, Acton's campaign issued a statement that boiled down to a hard no.

The conversation then shifts to Ohio politics and the 2026 governor’s race. Vivek Ramaswamy has accepted invitations for televised debates, including invitations from CNN and Cincinnati’s WLWT, while Amy Acton’s campaign has rejected the invitation.

The guys talk about what it means when major-party candidates don’t share a debate stage, especially in a race that is already generating plenty of attacks and accusations. Ramaswamy is challenging Acton to debate so voters can make an informed choice, while Acton’s campaign has fired back over what it describes as inaccurate and personal attacks.

And that naturally leads into a little conversation about how political campaigns — and the media covering them — have changed.

Source:

🔗: Debate invitations accepted by Ramaswamy, rebuffed by Acton

📺 When the News Used to Look a Little Different

This was only 20 years ago when the Mainstream Media ran news segments like this. Can't imagine them doing anything similar now.

Robert and Tom also take a look back at an old news clip shared on X, with the observation that it was only about 20 years ago that mainstream news programs regularly produced segments like this.

The guys use it as a jumping-off point for a broader conversation about how television news has changed, what gets covered today, and whether you would see the same kind of reporting on a mainstream news broadcast now.

Source:

🔗: 20 yr. ago news clip on vacs – Jammie AA on X

🚨 Springfield, ICE Activity & a Community on Edge

The conversation then moves to Springfield, where immigration enforcement has become a very real local issue. Video captured at a Springfield car wash appears to show suspected immigration agents detaining a Haitian man and placing him into an unmarked vehicle. The incident drew attention throughout the community, particularly after the expiration of Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Haitians living in Springfield.

That story connects directly to the heartbreaking case of Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant and Wright State University student whose family says he died by suicide after struggling with the circumstances surrounding his immigration status and ICE ankle monitor. Bel had been a high-achieving student, a soccer player and a member of JROTC, with plans for his future. His family says the ankle monitor and the stress surrounding his immigration situation had a devastating effect on him. His death remains under investigation.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called Bel’s death a “horrible tragedy” and spoke about the young man’s life and potential. The discussion gives Robert and Tom a chance to step back from the politics and focus on the human side of what is happening in Springfield and the impact these immigration policies can have on real Ohio families.

Sources:

🔗: Video captures suspected immigration agents detaining man at local car wash

🔗: Who was Pierre Damas Bel? Ohio family on his life before and during ICE supervision

🔗: DeWine calls death of 20-year-old Haitian in Springfield a ‘horrible tragedy’

🐀 Critter Corner

It’s time for Critter Corner — and this one takes the guys into the world of drones.

The question is whether Gov. Mike DeWine will let Ohio’s so-called “drone bill” take flight or ground it with a veto. House Bill 251 would establish rules for how and when police agencies can use drones. Supporters say Ohio needs clear rules for rapidly developing technology, while critics have raised concerns about privacy, surveillance and First Amendment implications.

So will the drone bill fly? That’s the question.

Source:

🔗: Will DeWine let the ‘drone bill’ fly into law or will he ground it?

🎓 What’s Happening to Ohio’s College Degree Programs?

The discussion stays in the Statehouse for another Ohio policy issue: the impact of Senate Bill 1 on the state’s public universities.

Nearly 90 degree programs have been identified for elimination since the law took effect, with universities required to cut undergraduate programs that average fewer than five graduates annually over a three-year period. The changes have affected schools across Ohio and have sparked questions about what the future of higher education should look like — and who gets to decide which programs remain.

It’s another example of a state policy decision that sounds straightforward on paper but can have very real consequences for students, faculty and universities.

Source:

🔗: Ohio’s public universities are eliminating nearly 90 degree programs as a result of Senate Bill 1 • Ohio Capital Journal

🌟 Good Things

🎨 Cleveland’s Waterloo Arts Fest

The Waterloo Arts Fest 2026 on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from Noon to 7pm eastern.

If all the politics and serious news have you ready to get out of the house, Cleveland has a good reason to do exactly that. The Waterloo Arts Fest returns Saturday, September 12, bringing art, music, food and plenty of local creativity to Cleveland’s Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District.

The 2026 festival features more than 90 local maker booths, 10-plus galleries, eight stages and more than 40 local bands, along with food vendors, art activities and plenty to explore. It’s a great reminder that Cleveland’s neighborhoods have no shortage of things worth celebrating.

Source:

🔗: Cleveland – Waterloo Arts Fest 2026

🛍️ Village Peddler Festival

And if handmade goods, food and a good Northeast Ohio fall outing are more your speed, the 42nd annual Village Peddler Festival is coming to Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland September 12–13.

More than 150 artists will be on hand with handmade accessories, décor, furniture and more. Add food trucks, friends, family and the Farmpark setting, and you’ve got another solid reason to get out and enjoy Northeast Ohio.

Source:

🔗: Village Peddler Festival

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That’s another episode of the Crooked River Cast. Let us know what you think of the show; email us at crookedrivercast@gmail.com

If you enjoyed the conversation, don’t keep it to yourself — subscribe, share the episode with someone who follows what’s happening in Ohio, and help us spread the word. Visit www.crookedrivercast.com to catch up on the latest episodes, follow CRC Ohio News on X, and join the conversation.

Ohio has plenty going on. We’re going to keep talking about it.