News, Topics, Banter of the Week

Crooked River Cast Show 34

🎙️ Shutdowns, Snap Cuts & Rock ’n’ Roll Revival

It’s a new era for the Crooked River Cast with a fresh intro theme from our very own in-house musician, Tom! 🎶

Robert kicks things off with his computer setup talk (Apple fans, you’ll relate) and a dose of “Boomer” energy as he geeks out over tech that mostly works when it wants to. Nothing’s perfect, right?

Wake Up, Ohio — Let’s Go!

🏛️ Shutdown Shockwaves

The government shutdown saga rolls on — and it’s hitting closer to home than ever. Ohio may see 9,000 state workers furloughed as federal funding dries up. It’s eye-opening just how much our state depends on D.C. dollars.

🔗: Ohio agency warns federal shutdown could mean furloughs for state workers

🐾 Feeding Pets Before Politics

Even in tough times, some Ohioans step up. A West Park business is making sure pets stay fed through the shutdown, while Swenson’s is offering free meals to kids who rely on SNAP benefits. Sadly, refugees in Northeast Ohio aren’t as lucky — federal SNAP cuts just ended their benefits altogether.

In Cleveland, hundreds of refugee families are suddenly losing food assistance after the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” slashed access to SNAP benefits for recent arrivals.

Afghan father Akbar Shenwari, who resettled in Cleveland with his family of seven, says the cuts are forcing families to choose between rent, utilities, and food. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) warns that 13,000 refugees statewide—including 4,000 in Cuyahoga County—will be affected.

“It’s a very bad situation right now,” said Shenwari, who now works up to 18-hour days to keep his family afloat. Despite it all, he’s urging others to stay hopeful: “This country is a beautiful country… with quiet patience, you will achieve your goal.”

🗳️ Election Results: Levies, Lawsuits & Lousy Accounting

Robert kicked things off with the Cincinnati mayoral race, where Vice President JD Vance’s half-brother made headlines — but not the kind he wanted. His loss highlights how tough it still is for Republicans to gain traction in urban strongholds like Cincinnati, even with big-name connections, that were pretty much non-existent.

From there, Tom and Robert unpacked the local election ripple effects — with school levies failing in some districts, lawsuits piling up, and new legislation that could ban library levies from even making it onto ballots. Ohio’s education funding picture is… complicated, to say the least. Election season wrapped up — and some districts are feeling the sting.

From Mt. Healthy Schools and Lakeside High facing more cuts to a bill that might ban library levies from ballots, Ohio’s education funding story is getting messy. The November elections left some districts scrambling. Mt. Healthy City Schools faces deeper cuts after voters rejected its levy yet again, putting essential programs at risk. In Ashtabula County, Lakeside High’s future hangs in the balance as a failed levy collides with an ongoing lawsuit over district finances.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are eyeing a bill that could ban library levies from ballots altogether—raising questions about how communities will fund critical resources. With budgets tightening and legal battles brewing, Ohio’s education funding picture is anything but clear.

😂 Comic Relief: 🐝 Babylon Bee Funnies

Sometimes, you just need a little laughter — and Tom and Robert had plenty this episode. From the absurd to the downright ridiculous, here’s what had them cracking up:

💰 Levies, Libraries & Local Lifelines

While some levies tanked at the ballot box, Northeast Ohio voters showed heart where it counts — overwhelmingly approving county mental health and recovery levies that keep vital services funded. A rare bit of good news in local politics, and proof that when it comes to helping our neighbors, voters still show up.

But not every funding fight is over. A new proposal at the Statehouse would let Ohio taxing authorities block library levies from even appearing on ballots — essentially silencing communities before they get to weigh in. Critics say it’s a move that undercuts local control and transparency.

🗺️ New Redistricting Map: Déjà Vu?

Ohio’s new congressional map is here, and it’s giving us flashbacks. Democrats and Republicans struck another deal that might keep things just gerrymandered enough to make everyone equally mad. It’s hard not to notice the pattern—Ohio’s GOP keeps stumbling over internal divisions while Democrats present a united front.

🔗: These are Ohio’s new congressional districts
🔗: Why Democrats struck a deal with Republicans on an Ohio congressional map 🔗: Coughlin bows out of Ohio 13th Congressional District Sykes rematch

🤖 Is Robot Love Real Love?

Ohio lawmakers are getting ahead of the sci-fi curve — a new bill would ban AI from marrying humans or owning property. House Bill 469 would declare that artificial intelligence systems can’t be considered people — meaning they can’t marry, own property, or act as someone’s legal proxy.
Yes, seriously. Even Kim Kardashian’s ChatGPT study buddy gets a mention. Can we say this is a waste of our tax dollars?

🔗: Ohio bill would ban AI from marrying humans, owning property 🔗: ‘I’ll get mad and I’ll yell at it’: Kim Kardashian blames failing law exam on studying with ChatGPT

🚓 Safety Patrol Shuffle

Cleveland’s Downtown Safety Patrol is expanding — or is it? A new report dives into whether the specialized sheriff’s unit is actually improving safety or just changing its patrol zones. This decision just reinforces how disorganized and ineffective the department has become. Instead of prioritizing public safety with a clear strategy, they keep shifting resources without accountability. It’s hard to take them seriously when consistency and leadership are missing.

⚡ Power to the People

Community solar power might soon be lighting up Ohio farms and neighborhoods. The new community power pilot has supporters buzzing, especially rural farmers looking for renewable options. Better than a data center? What do you think?

🔗: Ohio solar supporters, farmers eager for proposed community power pilot

🚗 Failure to Identify Bill

A controversial new proposal would require drivers to identify themselves even if they haven’t committed a crime. Critics say it targets “sovereign citizen” antics — supporters say it’s about safety.

🔗: ‘Failure to identify’: New bill targets drivers who don’t provide name during traffic stops

🐀 Ahhhh Rats!

Ohio ranks high on the “most rat-infested cities” list. Between Cleveland’s trash woes and urban growth, exterminators are staying busy. “Ohio has two cities in the top 25, but thankfully not the top 10” 🎉 YAY!?

🔗: Do we need a rat czar? Cleveland among ‘rattiest’ cities in US in new study

🌤️ Good Things

Because every Crooked River Cast needs some light at the end of the tunnel…

💖 Lung Cancer Awareness Month

One Northeast Ohio survivor turned her hospital work into a mission of hope for others battling cancer.
🔗: Northeast Ohio cancer survivor turns daily hospital work into mission of hope

⚡ AC/DC Brings the Power to Ohio Stadium

Rock legends AC/DC are headed to Columbus next summer for their “Power Up” tour — and Ohio is ready to thunder!

🔗: AC/DC to bring ‘Power Up Tour’ to Ohio Stadium next summer

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Crooked River Cast Show 33

🎙️ The SNAPocalypse, School Levies, and Pepper Spray Football?!

Tom and Robert are back behind the mics for Crooked River Cast Show #33, opening the show with a laugh (and maybe a little disappointment) about another Halloween with zero trick-or-treaters. Turns out, when your houses are tucked away where no candy-hunting kids dare to roam, the candy bowl stays full — and that’s okay.

From there, the guys roll right into Ohio’s latest wave of chaos: the SNAPocalypse brought on by the government shutdown, bills threatening to rewrite school funding, a pepper-spray fiasco on the high school gridiron, and some good news tucked in at the end to keep things balanced.

Grab your coffee (or maybe something stronger), because this one’s a ride.

💸 The SNAPocalypse Hits Home

As the government shutdown drags on, 1.4 million Ohioans could lose SNAP benefits — and the ripple effect is hitting everything from food pantries to Head Start programs. Local air traffic controllers are even protesting the shutdown’s impact on safety and pay. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has created a free pantry of food items to assist air traffic controllers, TSA officers and other employees affected by the federal government shutdown are taking advantage of the program.

👉 SNAP benefits set to expire for 1.4 million; Ohio looking at options
👉 State providing $25 million for food assistance as loss of SNAP benefits looms
👉 Cuyahoga County leaders address SNAP cut-offs
👉 Ohio Head Start programs lose funding amid shutdown
👉 Air traffic controllers protest shutdown

🏫 A New Bill to End School Levies?

An Ohio legislator is floating an idea that could replace local school levies entirely, promising a more “equitable” funding system. But with EdChoice and voucher debates still raging, this might just open another can of worms for public schools. Under SB 93, school districts would no longer be able to levy property or income tax levies. Instead, Brenner proposes a statewide 20-mill property tax, to be distributed across public and charter schools. He also suggests raising the state sales tax by 1.75%, bringing the total tax to 7.5%. All of the additional sales tax revenue would go directly to education funding.

👉 Ohio legislator proposes school finance system without local levies

🌿 New Marijuana & Hemp Rules… “For the Children,” Of Course

Lawmakers are cracking down on hemp products — while marijuana gets a pass. Apparently, “the children” are the reason, though adults who rely on CBD for pain might disagree. It’s another round of political smoke and mirrors from the Statehouse.

👉 Statehouse advances bill to tighten Ohio marijuana, hemp laws
👉 Marijuana wins while hemp loses in Ohio House’s bipartisan bill

💰 Inside the Ohio Teachers’ Pension Mess

The hits just keep coming for the Ohio Teachers’ Pension Fund. This week, former STRS board members Rudy Fichtenbaum and Wade Steen are facing trial in Columbus, accused of steering massive contracts toward a barely-tested investment outfit called QED Technologies.

The case blew open after a whistleblower memo hinted at a potential $65 billion corruption scheme—yes, billion. If convicted, the two could be permanently banned from any future public pension roles.

Tom and Robert break down what this could mean for Ohio’s teachers who’ve watched their retirement funds swing from one scandal to the next — and why trust in state-level “fiduciary duty” is starting to sound like a punchline.

👉 Ohio teachers’ pension fund corruption trial begins

🔦 Spotlight Ohio: Hocking Hills 🌲

This week’s “Spotlight Ohio” takes us to Hocking Hills, a destination that never disappoints. Whether you’re hiking, hitting up the quirky Pencil Sharpener Museum, grabbing a pint at Hocking Hills Brewing, or touring the Columbus Washboard Company, this is one slice of Ohio worth the road trip. Turn your phone off, get some fresh air and vitamin D and disconnect…

👉 Hocking Hills Official Visitors Website
👉 Columbus Washboard Company
👉 Pencil Sharpener Museum (link issues may happen on this, try googling this and the same link works, don’t know!)
👉 Hocking Hills Brewing Co.

💼 Cuyahoga County Budget Cuts

Cleveland’s home county is tightening the belt — again. Rising healthcare costs mean spending cuts across departments, and local agencies are bracing for impact. Instead of calling it what it is — a major cut — county leaders are selling this as a “strategic reduction.” Employee furloughs are off the table (for now), and they claim they’re just trimming line items to “preserve high-impact programs.” Tom didn’t buy it for a second. He said, “If a government finance director was a dietician, and I gained 50 pounds this year and 30 next year, he’d tell me I lost 30 pounds.” Robert jumped right in — “Exactly. That’s the dodge. Cutting the increase and calling it savings.” Calling this a “strategic reduction” masks the impact. It’s not just trimming fat — it’s cutting muscle from services that vulnerable residents rely on.

👉 Cuyahoga County’s proposed budget reduces spending

🏈 Pepper Spray at the 50-Yard Line?!

Yep, you read that right. A Massillon High School football game ended with police using pepper spray to break up a sideline brawl. The viral clip has everyone talking about where the line between school sports and police presence really should be.

👉 Ohio Police Deploy Pepper Spray at Brawling High School Players – YouTube
👉 St. Louis school demands accountability in Massillon police incident

💵 Ohio High School Athletes Getting Paid?

Thanks to a recent court ruling, Ohio high school athletes can now temporarily sign NIL deals — meaning they can earn money off their name, image, and likeness. A big win for the kids… but for how long?

👉 Ohio high school athletes can temporarily sign NIL deals

🌞 Good Things

⏰ Lock the Clock Movement

The push to finally ditch Daylight Saving Time is picking up again — and most of us are cheering. Maybe one less thing to forget this fall?

👉Making daylight saving time permanent: Where all 50 states stand | wkyc.com

💸 Unclaimed Funds Challenge

The state up north (you know which one 👀) is challenging Ohioans to see who can claim more forgotten cash. Time to check those old accounts! OH!

👉Ohio and Michigan face off in friendly unclaimed funds challenge | wkyc.com

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Crooked River Cast Show 32

Kings, Queens & Data Dreams: Ohio’s Wild Ride

Tom and Robert kicked off Show #32 with a bang — talking new vinyl drops, big concerts, political pearl-clutching, and the digital gold rush reshaping Ohio’s future. From data centers draining energy to Cleveland cruise ships and Cuyahoga County’s cash return, the guys dive into everything shaping the Buckeye State this week. Let’s get right into the latest lineup from the Crooked River Cast crew.

🎶 Rock & Roll and Vinyl Vibes🎸

Robert started the show hyped about the new Mammoth WVH vinyl drop — and their latest track “Same Old Song” 🎧 Watch on YouTube, there’s plenty of buzz about this next-gen rock act bringing back real guitars and raw sound. The guys talked live music energy and the upcoming Cleveland Agora concert on November 18th — the perfect prelude before diving into Ohio’s latest political and economic madness.

👑 They Don’t Want Kings… But Love Their Queens

After the music hype, the guys revisited the “No Kings” protest from October 18th, where demonstrators made a loud statement about leadership and power (and maybe a little pageantry). The discussion got lively as Tom and Robert broke down the irony and media reaction to the event.

📎 MSNBC Interviews a Unicorn and Bear at ‘No Kings’ Rally: ‘Looking As Ridiculous As We Can’ To Protest ‘Ridiculous’ Trump

🏛️ Pearl Clutching Time: White House East Wing Gets a Makeover

Talk about political décor drama — photos from WKYC showed the White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction. Tom and Robert couldn’t help but laugh (and cringe) at the “remodeling priorities” playing out in D.C.

📎 White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction

💼 JobsOhio or “Jobs? Ohio…”

Ohio’s economic engine is in the hot seat again. Critics say JobsOhio is big on promises but short on transparency and measurable results, while defenders claim it’s boosting long-term growth. The guys debate where the truth lies. Robert and Tom tried to untangle the web of JobsOhio — and its equally confusing cousin, the JobsOhio Beverage System (JOBS) — but even after reading through multiple articles, they couldn’t quite make sense of it all.

🧾 JobsOhio is supposed to be a private nonprofit driving Ohio’s economic development.
🍸 JobsOhio Beverage System (JOBS) is its liquor-handling affiliate, managing the state’s booze business and funneling those profits into JobsOhio’s programs. That setup allows the organization to operate without direct public funding — at least on paper.

Then Ryan Squire, VP of Communications & Marketing for JobsOhio, chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), defending the model and insisting it’s transparent and effective. But after sifting through both the official spin and the investigative reports, the guys admitted they’re still scratching their heads. Is this a smart, self-funded success story — or a confusing cocktail of public money and private management?


📎 JobsOhio Big on Promises, Short on Transparency – Ohio News
📎 Understanding JobsOhio’s Financial Impact – JobsOhio

🖥️ Data Centers: Big Money, Bigger Bills

It’s official: the Norton Data Center project is dead, but the conversation about Ohio’s energy strain is very much alive. The guys dig into how data centers are reshaping communities — and possibly your electric bill. Robert dug into the story behind the Norton Data Center project, officially called Project Triton, and uncovered why the big plans fell apart. The proposal — slated for the former PPG Mine site — was withdrawn after residents strongly opposed it during a town hall meeting. Concerns over environmental impact, noise pollution, local wildlife, and water quality led the city council to pull the plug entirely.

The project promised 280 construction jobs and new tax revenue for the Norton City School District, but the pushback showed how community voices can still steer big development — especially when the details aren’t crystal clear in the reporting.

Meanwhile, across Ohio, energy prices continue to climb, and data centers are partly to blame. As more tech giants move in, the strain on the grid is becoming real — and it’s showing up on electric bills.


📎 Proposed Data Center in Norton Will Not Move Forward – WKYC
📎 $1B Planned Data Center Backs Out of Central Ohio – 614Now
📎 Ohioans’ Electric Bills Are Spiking – Cleveland.com

🏠 Population Shifts: Shrinking & Exploding at Once?

Ohio’s population is projected to decline by 2050, but some towns are booming — especially those tied to new jobs and industry growth. The ripple effects? Housing crunches, shifting politics, and strained infrastructure.


📎 Ohio Faces Population Decline by 2050 – WKYC

🔦 Spotlight Ohio: ⚓Cleveland Cruise Capital of the Great Lakes?

Yep, you read that right — Cleveland’s cruise season wrapped up strong, and plans are already in motion for expansion in 2026. Robert’s calling dibs on the first ticket.


📎 Port of Cleveland Ends Landmark Cruise Season, Eyes Expansion – WKYC

💸 Money Back in Cuyahoga County

Good news for local budgets — $35 million in assessment funds are being returned to Cuyahoga County taxing authorities. The guys call it “a rare win for taxpayers.”


📎 $35M in Assessment Funds Returning to Taxing Authorities – Ohio News

🎓 Ohio Spent More Than $1 Billion on Private School Vouchers

The latest numbers are in: for fiscal year 2025 the state of Ohio poured $1.09 billion into five private-school voucher programs, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

  • Nearly half of that amount — $492.8 million — went into the “Education Choice Expansion” scholarship program.
  • Private‐school enrollment (in nonpublic schools tied to these vouchers) was about 181,244 students, up 4.6 % from the previous year.
  • Some critics argue the scale and growth are troubling — for example the Ohio Education Association said: “it seems like the EdChoice voucher program is expanding … and there aren’t nearly as many students … to warrant that kind of infusion of money.”

📎 Ohio Spent More Than $1 Billion on Private School Vouchers in 2025 – Ohio News

👮 Cincinnati Police Chief on Paid Leave

In Cincinnati, Ohio, the drama continues as Teresa Theetge — the city’s police chief — was placed on paid administrative leave effective October 20, 2025, pending an investigation into her leadership of the Cincinnati Police Department.

  • A letter obtained by reporters shows the city manager’s office formally authorized the leave. The letter also restricts access to email and city facilities for the chief during the leave.
  • The city announced they’ll hire outside counsel for the investigation “to ensure a timely, fair and thorough process.”
  • The chief’s attorney maintains she has no intention to resign and suggested politics may be driving the move.

📎 Cincinnati Police Chief Placed on Paid Leave – Ohio News

✋ Ashland Dems Sue Over Removal from County Fair

In Ashland County, Ohio, the local Democratic Party is suing following events at the county fair. The Ashland County Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil‐rights violations after being kicked off fairgrounds because they distributed buttons with messages about the former President.

  • The incident occurred September 18, 2025: the fair board and sheriff’s office removed their booth over buttons with slogans like “Is he dead yet?” and “8647” (references to President Trump). (FIRE)
  • The lawsuit lists the sheriff, fair‐board officials, and deputies as defendants. It alleges viewpoint discrimination (i.e., removal because of what they were saying).)

📎 Ashland Sheriff, County Fair Sued Over Booting Dems – Ohio News

⚖️ Hamilton County Judge Under Removal Process

In Hamilton County, Ohio, state lawmakers have initiated proceedings to remove Municipal Judge Ted Berry following controversial social-media posts about the death of political activist Charlie Kirk.

  • Lawmakers say Judge Berry’s comments violated portions of the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct — namely, maintaining public confidence, avoiding bias, and not letting personal views influence judicial duties.
  • One resolution describes his posts as “vitriolic, racially charged and political language” related to Kirk’s death. (dayton-daily-news)

📎 Lawmakers Begin Process to Remove Hamilton County Judge – Ohio News

🌞 GOOD THINGS

Because not everything in Ohio is doom and gloom.

💵 The Cleveland Cash Challenge

Image suggestion: people holding cash envelopes in Cleveland landmarks
Locals are hiding cash around Cleveland and dropping clues on Instagram — it’s a citywide scavenger hunt with real rewards.


📎 Instagrammers Challenge Clevelanders to “Find the Cash” – Cleveland Scene

🎃 Ohio-Made Horror

Spooky season’s got a homegrown flair — four new Ohio-made horror films are out now. Support your local scream scene!


📎 4 New Cleveland-Made Horror Movies to Watch – Cleveland Scene

🧭 Citizen Portal Spotlight

Want to dig deeper or get involved in your local community decisions? Check out the Ohio Citizen Portal for resources, news, and engagement tools.

What is Citizen Portal? Citizen Portal AI is the ultimate tool for staying informed and holding leaders accountable. Get direct access to what elected officials say and do—no spin, just facts. Empower yourself with clear, reliable information straight from the source and make smarter decisions with confidence.


📎 Citizen Portal

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