crookedrivercast

Crooked River Cast Show 43

🎙️ New Year, Same Madness Venezuela, ICE Shooting Fallout, Ohio Politics & a Super Flu?

Robert kicks off the first show of the new year with a travel story just about everyone can relate to — TSA inconsistency.
Fresh off the New Year holiday travel, he breaks down how airport security rules seem to change depending on which terminal you’re standing in, especially when it comes to legally traveling with a firearm. Same federal rules, wildly different enforcement — and plenty of frustration for travelers trying to do things the right way.

After a quick detour down Travel Lane, Robert and Tom shift gears and dive straight into Venezuela chaos, an ICE shooting, Ohio political absurdities, AI in schools, measles fears, and some good news from around Northeast Ohio.

No victory laps. No look-backs. Just what’s happening right now.

🇻🇪 Venezuela, Iran & “Big Trouble”

The guys dig into the Venezuela situation and the political messaging surrounding it, including reactions to President Trump’s comments about voter support. Meanwhile, unrest continues in Iran as demonstrations spread and reports of dozens of protesters killed raise serious questions about where this goes next.

Sources:
🔗: President Trump says his voters loved the Venezuela attack — here’s what they think

🔫 ICE Shooting Sparks National Reaction

An ICE agent was seriously injured during a 2025 arrest attempt, a detail resurfacing after a recent Minneapolis shooting that’s now fueling protests and outrage nationwide. Tom and Robert break down what’s being reported — and what’s being spun.

Sources:

🔗:Officer in fatal Minneapolis shooting had previously been dragged by car, Vance says

🔗: Ice agent in Minneapolis shooting was seriously injured in 2025 arrest attempt

🔗: X – Musk demands the immediate ARREST of Somali UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman

🧾 DeWine: “What Fraud?”

Governor Mike DeWine responds to viral claims of widespread fraud tied to Somali daycare providers. Allegations, counterclaims, and a lot of heat — with multiple sides saying the story isn’t nearly as simple as social media wants it to be. Hold on to your seats, the links are plenty on this one, guys.

Sources:
🔗: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine defends Somali daycares amid fraud claims

🔗:Gov. DeWine addresses child care fraud prevention effort

🔗: EXCLUSIVE: Ohio daycare center owner says allegations of widespread fraud are ‘insulting’

🔗: X – Massive fraud in Ohio is ongoing

🔗:Day 1 into our Columbus, Ohio fraud investigation

🔗: X – Operation Somali Buckeye – 1

🔗: X – Operation Somali Buckeye – 2

🏠 JD Vance’s Home Targeted

Police say vandalism at Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home was driven by mental health issues — another reminder of how politics and personal safety are colliding more often than anyone’s comfortable with.

Sources:
🔗: ‘Mental health issues’ drove man to vandalize VP JD Vance’s home, lawyer says

🔗: Police investigate incident at Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home, suspect in custody

🗳️ Vivek & Amy Make It Official

Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton announce their running mate, officially locking in the ticket and setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a loud Ohio political season. On the Republican side, Vivek Ramaswamy chose the leader of the Ohio Senate President, Rob McColley as his running mate. On the Democratic side, Dr. Amy Acton picked the former head of the Ohio Democratic Party, David Pepper.

Sources:
🔗:Ramaswamy announces running mate

🔗:Amy Acton chooses David Pepper as running mate

🔗:Adding a funny from The Rooster on X

☁️ Airships… Seriously

Yes, really. Ohio lawmakers are once again talking about advancing modern airship research. Robert and Tom react accordingly.

Source:
🔗:Ohio lawmakers reintroduce bill to advance modern airship research

🤖 AI in Ohio Classrooms

Ohio schools are moving ahead with AI guidance in classrooms — raising questions about innovation, oversight, and how fast this is all happening.

Source:
🔗:How Ohio schools are set to use AI in the classroom

🦠 Measles Returns

Measles cases are confirmed in Cuyahoga County, prompting health officials to issue reminders and warnings.

Source:

🔗:Cuyahoga County Board of Health monitoring 3 confirmed, 1 probable case of measles in local children

🤧 The “Super Flu”

Doctors say this flu season is hitting harder and spreading faster — with Cleveland Clinic experts explaining what’s different this time around.

Source:
▶️ YouTube: ‘Super flu’ spreading: Cleveland Clinic doctor explains what makes this flu season different

🌟 GOOD THINGS

🎬 Christmas in January — Medina Movie in the making

Medina businesses keep the holiday vibe alive as a Christmas movie films downtown. Proof that sometimes small towns just get it right.

Source:

🔗: Christmas in January: Medina businesses extend holiday decor for movie filming

⛸️ Winterblast at Lock 3

Ice skating, lights, and winter fun continue at Lock 3 in Akron through February — get out of the house and enjoy it. Lock 3 Park

Source:
🔗:Winterblast at Lock 3

🔔 Subscribe & Share

New year, same mission. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it, and find the guys on X. Word of mouth keeps Crooked River Cast rolling.

Crooked River Cast Show 42

🎙️ Bourbons Later: Existential Dread, & 2026 Predictions – The Year-End Recap Part Two

If Part One was the reflection, Part Two is what happens when the bourbon gets refreshed… then poured neat… then goes back to ice because, well, too many bourbons at this point.

Robert and Tom pick up right where they left off, easing into the second half of their year-end recap with drinks in hand and absolutely no plan to keep things light. Somewhere between pours, Robert has a realization: they now actually look like the photos on the “About Us” page—yes, the very images I, your webmaster, chose when building the site. I fully expected this moment to happen on-air someday, and here we are. 😂

Tom follows that up with an epiphany of his own. What used to be casual meetups—brothers-in-law grabbing food, drinks, and talking about whatever was going on—has quietly evolved into the weekly Crooked River Cast. The difference now? The conversation is brought to you, the listeners. And because of that, the guys admit they now intentionally hold back on sharing news or updates with each other during the week, saving it for the show to get real, unfiltered reactions.

Then… things get philosophical.

With the end of the year staring them down, Tom drops the cheerful reminder that time feels like it speeds up because it becomes a smaller percentage of your remaining life. Thanks for that, Tom. Robert responds by asking the truly uncomfortable questions: How many Christmases do we have left? How many more times will we see our parents? Our family?

Yes—this episode briefly takes a bourbon-soaked detour into existential dread.

But fear not!

The guys course-correct with one of the most important questions of our time: “Can you find Robert on X?” (Seriously—can you?) From there, Tom asks about resolutions for 2026, which naturally turns into a real conversation about how to improve the show and make Crooked River Cast even better for our listeners next year.

That momentum carries them straight into predictions for 2026, mixing speculation, humor, and the kind of insight that comes from paying attention all year long. And before wrapping up, Tom drops a big one: he wants to set up a Crooked River Cast meetup next year. Stay tuned—because that idea is officially on the table.

This episode is reflective, funny, slightly depressing, and genuinely thoughtful—basically everything you’d expect when two guys look back on the year with one too many bourbons and a microphone.

👉 Subscribe & Share
If you’ve enjoyed the Crooked River Cast this year, make sure you’re subscribed and share the show with someone who appreciates honest conversation, Ohio-rooted perspective, and the occasional bourbon-fueled spiral. Your support keeps this thing going. Happy New Year to all – May 2026 be good to everyone.

Let’s not forget to sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio!

🔗: Citizens for Property Tax Reform

🔗: Ohio Tax

Crooked River Cast Show 41

🎙️ Forty Episodes In, The Year-End Recap (Part One)

Forty episodes. That’s a lot of headlines, hot takes, eye-rolling, and “are you kidding me?” moments. In Show #41, Robert and Tom kick off their end-of-the-year recap by looking back at how Crooked River Cast got here, why they started the podcast in the first place, and what they’ve learned after covering Ohio politics, national chaos, and everything in between—all while enjoying a fine pour of bourbon.

This episode is less about breaking news and more about reflection. Robert and Tom revisit memorable moments from the first 40 episodes, replaying clips that still hit, still frustrate, or still make them laugh. It’s a reminder of why the show exists: calling things as they are, cutting through nonsense, and giving Ohio-rooted commentary that doesn’t talk down to listeners.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a recap without grades being handed out. The guys rate Trump’s year, break down how Ohio’s government performed, and take a hard look at Cleveland’s mayors—what worked, what didn’t, and what left voters shaking their heads. No spin. No filters. Just straight talk and earned opinions based on months of coverage.

Between the clips, the commentary, and the bourbon-fueled conversation, this episode feels like pulling up a chair at the bar and replaying the year with friends who actually paid attention. And this is only Part One.

Settle in. Reflect. And get ready for Part Two.

Let’s not forget to sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio!

🔗: Citizens for Property Tax Reform

🔗: Ohio Tax

👉 Subscribe & Share
If you’ve been with Crooked River Cast from the beginning—or just found the show—make sure you’re subscribed and share this episode with someone who needs a smarter, sharper take on Ohio and national politics. Your support keeps the conversation going. By this time, you are recuperating from Christmas, and we hope it was filled with all the good and love that Christmas brings from our families to yours.