crookedrivercast

Ohio’s AI Boom, Flock Cameras, Burke Airport & Statehouse Shenanigans — Crooked River Cast Show #72 🎙

This week on Crooked River Cast, Robert and Tom bounce from music and a little boots-on-the-ground reporting to some very big Ohio questions. Robert kicks things off by talking about a CD he listened to with his youngest daughter, while Tom brings in a photo from Gregory showing an East Cleveland City Schools billboard that gets the guys talking about what “career ready” really means. From there, Ohio’s massive AI ambitions, surveillance cameras, Burke Lakefront Airport, Statehouse legislation, voting rules, and some genuinely good Ohio stories round out the show.

🎸 What’s Robert Listening To? “The Warning”

The Warning band members and their music Band: The Warning Ale Villarreal - Backing vocal, bassist. Pau Villarreal - Vocalist, backing vocal, drummer. Dany Villarreal - Vocalist, backing vocal, guitarist. Country: México

Robert starts things off on a more personal note, talking about listening to a CD with his youngest daughter from The Warning, the Mexican rock trio that has been getting plenty of attention. If you’re curious what Robert has been listening to lately, check them out. And yes, as the guys point out, the videos actually look like people playing instruments rather than something cooked up by AI.

Source:
🔗: The Warning

🪧 Boots on the Ground: “We Make Them Career Ready”

The billboard you are referencing is part of a real marketing and enrollment campaign launched by East Cleveland City Schools

Tom jumped in with a boots-on-the-ground report from Gregory, who sent along a photo of an East Cleveland City Schools billboard featuring the message, “WE MAKE THEM CAREER READY.”

Naturally, that opens the door to a conversation about what schools are actually preparing students for, what “career ready” means, and whether the message on the billboard matches the reality students are facing when they leave school.

Your one and only webmaster found a news segment connected to the billboard and the East Cleveland schools discussion.

Source:
▶️ YouTube: East Cleveland City Schools “We Make Them Career Ready” news segment

🤖 Ohio Wants to Be the AI Capital — But at What Cost?

Chris Wright, US energy secretary, fourth right, and Masayoshi Son, the chair and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, third right, during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Portsmouth site in Piketon, Ohio, in March. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Then the conversation gets considerably bigger — literally.

Tom brings up the massive AI data center project planned for Piketon, Ohio, which is expected to become one of the largest AI computing projects in the world. The project is promising 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 long-term operating jobs, an enormous economic opportunity for southern Ohio.

But the story isn’t simply about jobs and investment. The guys dig into the concerns surrounding a project of this size, including what happens to the surrounding communities, infrastructure and environment when an AI facility of this scale arrives. It’s another example of Ohio finding itself directly in the middle of the country’s rapidly expanding AI economy.

Source:
🔗: Hope and concern swirl for Ohioans around ‘world’s largest datacenter’

📹 Flock Cameras, Surveillance & Who’s Watching?

Darth Vader supports flock cameras

Robert brings out the Flock camera discussion with a couple of hilarious video clips that take the whole “we need more cameras” argument to its logical conclusion.

First up is the Darth Vader spokesperson, making the case for more surveillance. Then comes another clip suggesting that if cameras are such a good idea, maybe we should just go ahead and put them in all the government offices, too. Now there’s an idea!

Robert’s clips definitely bring some humor to what could otherwise be a pretty dry conversation — and the Darth Vader cameo is hard to beat.

Sources:
▶️ YouTube: Darth Vader spokesperson
▶️ YouTube: More Cameras — Let’s Put Them in All Government Offices

✈️ Burke Lakefront Airport: Moreno Says the Conversation Is Over

Bob Fenner/News 5 FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, left, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) talk about the future of Burke Lakefront Airport with News 5 reporter Michelle Jarboe.

From surveillance cameras, Robert moves into the latest fight over Burke Lakefront Airport.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno has now made his position clear: he isn’t going against the FAA on closing Burke. The FAA administrator is also opposed to shutting down the airport, effectively putting another major roadblock in front of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s effort to close it.

That means the fight over the future of the lakefront airport isn’t disappearing anytime soon — but the federal government isn’t exactly making the shutdown easy.

Source:
🔗: FAA administrator, Sen. Moreno say shutting Burke Lakefront Airport is a non-starter

🐀 Critter Corner

And then it’s time for Critter Corner, where the Ohio Statehouse delivers another reminder that apparently one bill is never enough when you can pack several different ideas into one legislative package. Gov. Mike DeWine signed 13 bills into law, including legislation dealing with carbon capture, the so-called “Success Sequence” and laser hair removal.

Carbon Capture Comes to Ohio

House Bill 170 gets the guys into the carbon-capture debate. Ohio is moving ahead with a legal framework for carbon capture and storage, while questions remain about how the technology works, what happens when captured carbon is stored underground and what the long-term implications could be.

The conversation includes both a WTOV News 9 report looking at concerns surrounding carbon-capture projects in the Ohio Valley and a Shell explainer showing how the technology is supposed to work.

Sources:
▶️ YouTube: Critics Warn of Carbon Capture Project Risks Across Ohio Valley
▶️ YouTube: How it works: Carbon Capture and Storage

📚 The “Success Sequence” Gets Added to the Mix

Next up is Senate Bill 276 and the “Success Sequence” — the framework built around graduating high school, getting full-time work and marrying before having children.

The guys get into the criticism surrounding the legislation, including the fact that SB 276 started out dealing with school psychologists before picking up additional provisions. That’s one of those Statehouse moves that makes you wonder how many bills can fit inside one bill.

The discussion also looks at the WTOL11 coverage of the legislation and the broader debate over what belongs in an Ohio public-school curriculum.

Source:
▶️ YouTube: WTOL11 — Senate Bill 276 / Success Sequence

⚡ Quick Hit: Laser Hair Removal

And because apparently Ohio legislation can’t be allowed to remain predictable, the guys hit a quick one on House Bill 377, dealing with the use of light-based medical devices for hair removal.

Yes, laser hair removal made it into the Statehouse conversation. That’s Ohio for you.

Source:
🔗: House Bill 377 — Ohio Legislature

🗳️ Judge Puts Ohio’s Voter Citizenship Requirement on Hold

The show then turns to another Ohio legal fight as a federal judge blocks the state’s requirement that people provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.

The law is on hold while the state appeals. The ruling says the requirement conflicts with the National Voter Registration Act and creates an additional burden for people registering through the BMV. The guys dig into what the ruling means and where the issue goes from here.

Sources:
🔗: Judge puts proof of citizenship requirement for voters registering at Ohio BMVs on hold
🔗: Judge blocks Ohio from requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration

🌟 Good Things

📚 Ohio Kids and Dolly Parton’s Legacy

Here in Cuyahoga County, 2.7 million books have reached over 90,000 children because of Dolly Parton. Thank you for letting your legacy impact the children of Cuyahoga County

The show closes out with a story that is a pretty easy reminder that some things really do make a difference.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has delivered books to children across Ohio since the program expanded here in 2019. More than one million Ohio children have received free books through the program, with nearly 28 million books distributed.

That’s a heck of a legacy — and a good example of philanthropy that actually reaches families where they live.

Source:
🔗: Ohio children benefited from Dolly Parton’s philanthropy

🇭🇺 Cleveland’s Hungarian Festival

Date: September 6 Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Event Category: Hungarian Festival Website: https://csbk.org/en/scout-festival/

Next up is one of Northeast Ohio’s great traditions: the 70th Annual Hungarian Festival at German Central Park in Parma.

The festival celebrates 75 years of Hungarian scouting in greater Cleveland and brings together food, culture, music and community — exactly the kind of Northeast Ohio tradition worth keeping alive.

Source:
🔗: 70th Annual Hungarian Festival

🎆 Labor Day Weekend Around Northeast Ohio

https://northeastohiofamilyfun.com/labor-day-weekend-events-northeast-ohio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

And finally, if you’re looking for something to do before summer officially checks out, there’s no shortage of Labor Day weekend events around Northeast Ohio — festivals, fairs, fireworks, flea markets and plenty of opportunities to get outside.

Because around here, Labor Day weekend isn’t just the unofficial end of summer. It’s one last excuse to get out and enjoy Ohio before the weather starts changing.

Source:
🔗: Top Labor Day Weekend Events Across Northeast Ohio

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That’s another Crooked River Cast in the books — with AI, surveillance cameras, airports, Statehouse legislation, voting rules, books, festivals and a little rock music thrown in for good measure.

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Crooked River Cast, share the episode with someone who follows Ohio news, and keep the conversation going.

Visit www.crookedrivercast.com, follow CRC Ohio News on X, and let us know what you think. There’s always something happening in Ohio, and we’re going to keep talking about it.

Cedar Point Adventures, a Southern Ohio Road Trip & the Growing Fight Over Data Centers — Crooked River Cast Show #71 🎙

The guys kick off Show #71 the way they usually do: catching up on the week. Robert found himself back at Cedar Point for more summer fun, while Tom took a driving adventure through southern Ohio that included raw milk, a farm, wine, cider and one particularly funky stop along the way. Then the conversation turns to new developments in vaccines and cancer research, Amazon’s drone delivery ambitions, and the increasingly heated debate over data centers, electricity and whether Ohio communities should have more say over what gets built in their backyards. The episode wraps up with a little Oktoberfest news in this week’s Good Things.

🎢 Cedar Point, Southern Ohio and One Funky Road Trip

Bent Ladder is a hard cidery and winery located at Rittman Orchards in Doylestown, OH
Bent Ladder Winery

Before getting into the news, Robert and Tom spend some time catching up on their respective weeks. Robert, apparently not tired of roller coasters yet, made another trip to Cedar Point.

Tom, meanwhile, headed south for a driving adventure and made several interesting stops along the way. His route included Bent Ladder, Ohio Raw Milk, Zoe Farms, Rohr’s Wine Room, and The Funky Truckeria. If you’re listening along and wondering exactly where Tom ended up, these are the places he visited.

Sources:

🔗: Bent Ladder

🔗: Ohio Raw Milk

🔗: Zoe Farms

🔗: Rohr’s Wine Room

🔗: The Funky Truckeria

💉 A New Flu Vaccine and a Possible Shift in Cancer Treatment

A stock image of a medical professional filling a syringe. Moderna and Merck are studying an mRNA therapy that could help reduce melanoma recurrence.

Tom’s news this week starts with some interesting developments in medicine. One involves a new flu vaccine specifically geared toward older adults, while another looks at the potential impact Moderna and Merck’s cancer vaccine research could have if the technology continues to deliver promising results.

The conversation looks at what these developments could mean beyond the headlines. Medical advances always come with questions about availability, cost and how quickly new treatments move from research into everyday care, but the possibility of better protection against flu and new approaches to fighting cancer certainly gives people something worth watching.

Sources:

🔗: A new flu vaccine geared to older people is coming soon

🔗: Moderna’s cancer vaccine could change America in 7 surprising ways

🚁 Amazon Wants to Drop Your Packages From the Sky

An Amazon Prime Air delivery drone on display in 2023. JASON REDMOND/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Robert’s news begins with Amazon’s continued push into drone delivery. The idea of having packages delivered through the air has been talked about for years, but now the technology is increasingly moving from futuristic concept to something people may actually encounter.

Of course, that also raises plenty of questions. How practical is it? Where will these drones fly? How much noise will they create? And how comfortable are people with having delivery drones regularly moving through their neighborhoods?

Source:

▶️ YouTube: WKYC Channel 3

⚡ Data Centers, Electricity and the Fight Brewing Across Ohio

"Community Reported" pins show data submitted by concerned residents across the US about AI data centers. Note that locations might be approximate, covering reported ZIP codes or nearby areas.

The biggest discussion of the episode focuses on data centers and the growing concern surrounding their impact on Ohio communities.

As more companies build the massive facilities needed to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence, communities are beginning to ask some basic questions: How much electricity do these facilities require? Who pays for the infrastructure? What happens when a project is proposed near homes, farms or established communities? And how much control should local residents have over the decision?

The guys look at reports from central and northeast Ohio, along with videos and commentary examining just how significant the power demands of AI and data centers could become. The conversation goes beyond simply being for or against data centers. These projects can bring investment and development, but the infrastructure required to support them is substantial, and Ohio is now finding itself in the middle of a much larger national conversation.

That debate has also reached the courts. In Ashville, the Ohio Supreme Court cleared the way for an anti-data center referendum to move forward, giving voters a chance to weigh in on a proposed project. Meanwhile, the issue of electricity and utility infrastructure continues to be a major part of the conversation, with AEP Ohio and other players facing increasing scrutiny.

The discussion also looks beyond Ohio at the broader effort to track where AI data centers are being proposed and how communities across the country are responding. Whether you’re excited about AI, concerned about your electric bill, worried about development near your home or simply trying to understand why these enormous facilities are suddenly popping up everywhere, this is an issue that isn’t going away anytime soon.

Sources:

▶️ YouTube: WBNS 10TV

▶️ YouTube: News 5 Cleveland

▶️ YouTube: Benn Jordan

▶️ YouTube: Piedmont Media

🔗: AEP Ohio Archives

🔗: Ohio Supreme Court greenlights Ashville anti-data center referendum

🔗: U.S. AI Data Center Awareness & Issue Map

🌟 Good Things

🍻 Cleveland Oktoberfest Is Back

The Cleveland Oktoberfest Committee Delivers a 6-Day Blockbuster Event, Sept 4-7 & Sept 11-12, 2026

Cleveland Oktoberfest is returning for two weekends this September, bringing plenty of food, drinks, music and Oktoberfest fun back to the area. The event will once again take place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, with some new additions planned for this year’s celebration.

If you’re looking for a reason to get out and enjoy the beginning of fall in Northeast Ohio, this might be one worth putting on the calendar.

Source:

🔗: Cleveland Oktoberfest to return for 2 weekends in September: Here’s what’s new this year

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If you enjoyed this week’s conversation, subscribe to Crooked River Cast so you don’t miss the next episode. Share the show with someone who enjoys Ohio news, local stories, and conversations that go a little deeper than the headlines.

Visit www.crookedrivercast.com for more episodes and information, follow CRC Ohio News on X and join the conversation. Ohio always has something going on, and Robert and Tom will keep talking about it. Email is at crookedrivercast@gmail.com for any comments, concerns, or news suggestions, we would love to hear from you!

COVID’s Long Shadow: Amy Acton, Ohio’s Pandemic Response & the 2026 Governor’s Race — Crooked River Cast Show #69 ☯️ 🎙

Robert kicks off the show with something a little more personal than politics—he’s in the middle of dealing with a Zelle scam. If you’re unfamiliar with Zelle, it’s a digital payment service similar to Venmo or PayPal that scammers have increasingly targeted. The guys encourage listeners to learn how these scams work so they can avoid becoming the next victim.

Sources:

🔗: This Zelle Scam Is Emptying Bank Accounts in Minutes 😳

▶️ YouTube: THIS Zelle Scam Is DEVASTATING — Your Bank Won’t Save You!

From there, the conversation shifts to Ohio’s 2026 governor’s race and one of its most controversial candidates: former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert and Tom argue that many of the assurances and policies promoted during that period have not held up under later scrutiny. They discuss their belief that Ohio’s pandemic response relied heavily on fear-based messaging and criticize Acton’s continued defense of her actions, despite her remaining a respected figure among many Democrats and public health supporters.

The hosts also touch on the broader national debate surrounding pandemic-era decision-making, including criticism of former federal officials such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, before asking whether Ohio voters are ready to revisit that chapter as they choose their next governor. While neither host is especially enthusiastic about the current field of candidates, they conclude that voters will have to decide which option they believe is the better of an imperfect set of choices.

🦠 Amy Acton, COVID-19 & Ohio’s Political Future

parody cartoon of Governor Mike Dewine and Dr. Amy Acton by Dave Stofka of Stofka
Visitors at all 88 Ohio county fairs this summer will see a life-size cutout of Acton, displayed by Ohio Republicans in hopes of tying her to the pandemic shutdowns. 2026

The discussion begins with the growing reality that COVID-19 is no longer just history—it’s campaign material. Robert and Tom examine how Amy Acton’s tenure as Ohio’s health director has become a defining issue in the race for governor. Well, let’s roll down memory lane and revisit some of the clips of Acton’s past to refresh everyone’s memory of her statements.

Acton is now revisiting those early months through interviews and keynote speeches, presenting herself as a steady leader who faced impossible choices. At the same time, the hosts compare those retrospective interviews with what she actually said during the daily COVID briefings in 2020, discussing whether her messaging and predictions held up over time.

Robert also references a comprehensive Google search compiling Acton’s public record throughout the pandemic, using it as a timeline to revisit executive orders, interviews, public statements, and media coverage. The discussion includes reactions from physicians such as Dr. Simone Gold, whose criticism of pandemic policies became nationally known, and how differing viewpoints continue to shape the public debate.

The guys also discuss more recent developments, including Amy Acton campaign cut-outs appearing at county fairs that tie her directly to Ohio’s COVID response. Whether viewed as accountability or political theater, Robert and Tom note that the pandemic remains impossible to separate from her campaign for governor.

Sources:

🔗: The long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic creeps into the race for Ohio governor

🔗: OHIO exclusive: Dr. Amy Acton shares insights from early pandemic with medical students

▶️ YouTube: Dr. Amy Acton answers when and how will the coronavirus quarantine end?

▶️ YouTube: Full interview: Dr. Amy Acton on early days of pandemic and how to move forward two years later

🔗: Robert’s Google Search: amy acton covid record

▶️ YouTube: A cut-out tying Dr. Amy Acton to COVID-19 response appears at Ohio fairs

▶️ YouTube: Dr. Amy Acton reflects on events of COVID pandemic during keynote speech for Case Western Reserve University conference in Cleveland

▶️ YouTube: Dr. Amy Acton to Ohioans: Don the mask, don the cape

🔗: Dr. Simone Gold (@drsimonegold)

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Share this episode with friends and family, visit www.crookedrivercast.com for previous episodes and updates, follow  CRC Ohio News on X, and join the conversation as we continue covering the issues that matter most to Ohioans.