cleveland news

Crooked River Cast Show 44

🎙️ Sanctuary Showdowns, Saturated Fats & Ohio on the Brink

Robert and Tom are back for the second Crooked River Cast show of the year, and Ohio wasted no time setting the mood — the first kind-of major snowstorm of the season hit as the guys fired up the mics. From winter weather headaches to national policy shakeups, this episode barrels straight into Trump’s sanctuary city funding crackdown, RFK Jr.’s food fight, ICE activity in Ohio, government fraud, and the slow-motion collapse of familiar Cleveland institutions.

The episode also drops on Tom’s 55th birthday 🎂. Snow on the ground, candles on the cake, and chaos everywhere else — welcome back to Crooked River Cast.

🏛️ Trump Takes Aim at Sanctuary Cities

Federal funding is on the chopping block. Trump announced plans to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities and states starting February 1, escalating the immigration battle nationwide — and potentially hitting Ohio communities hard.

🔗 Source:
Donald Trump ending federal funding for “sanctuary cities” Feb. 1

🧈 RFK Jr. Declares War… on the War on Saturated Fats

Butter might be back! Jr. says new dietary guidelines will finally end the decades-long war on saturated fats, calling out flawed science and corporate food influence. The conversation gets even more interesting with a viral South Park-style spoof laying out the new food pyramid.

Sources:
🔗:New dietary guidelines will ‘end war on saturated fats’: RFK
▶️ YouTube: Watch: RFK Jr. uses South Park spoof to showcase new food pyramid – YouTube

📉 America Sees Net Negative Migration

A first in 50 years. For the first time in half a century, the U.S. experienced net negative migration in 2025 — a seismic shift with massive economic and political implications.

Source:
🔗: Experienced Negative Net Migration in 2025 for the First Time in 50 Years | National Review

🚔 Prepare for More ICE Raids in Ohio

Tension rising statewide. Following an ICE-related shooting and escalating protests, officials warn Ohioans to brace for additional ICE enforcement actions.

Source:
🔗: In the Wake of ICE Shooting, Protests in Ohio, Preparation for More Raids – Cleveland Scene

🧾 Ohio Fraud Update: “Cost of Doing Business”

You paid for it anyway. A response from Governor DeWine’s office raised eyebrows after fraud was brushed off as something the state has “known about for decades.”

Sources:
🔗: Constitutionalist 🇺🇸 on X – Dan Tierney statement on X
🔗: Curt (@wcdispatch) on X
🔗: Lane (@Sober_In_Dublin) on X

🏛️ GOP Members Cross the Line on Obamacare Subsidies

Betrayal or Bipartisanship? Three Ohio Republicans joined Democrats to restore ACA subsidies, igniting backlash from voters who didn’t send them to D.C. for compromise.

Source:
🔗: Ohio Republicans join Democrats to restore Obamacare subsidies

🩺 Moreno Outlines Senate ACA Strategy

Reform withour chaos? Senator Bernie Moreno lays out a plan to cut costs, reduce fraud, and avoid political implosion while reforming ACA subsidies.

Source:
🔗:OHIO EXCLUSIVE: US Sen. Bernie Moreno Outlines Senate Push for Reformed ACA Subsidies, Aiming to Cut Costs and Fraud While Averting Political Chaos

🖥️ Norton Data Center Deal Pulled

Ah, Not happening. The controversial Norton data center proposal has officially been withdrawn — raising questions about transparency, infrastructure, and local leadership.

Source:

🔗: Norton data center proposal withdrawn – The Barberton Gazette

🏟️ The IX Center’s Last Dance

End of an era. Cleveland’s IX Center hosts its final shows, marking the end of a landmark venue that defined decades of trade shows, car expos, and home & garden events.

Source:
‘🔗: It’s bittersweet’: IX Center hosts its final set of shows before transition

🚒 Cleveland Fire Chief Gets an Easy Out

Convenient timing. The Cleveland Fire Chief retires amid an investigation tied to a controversial social media post — with plenty of unanswered questions left behind.

Source:
🔗: Cleveland Fire Chief retires amid investigation into social media post

🌟 Good Things

🏈 Hall of Fame Village Moves Forward

Canton keeps building. Canton’s Hall of Fame Village secured a $70M loan to continue development on a new water park and hotel — a big win for Northeast Ohio.

Source:
🔗: Canton’s Hall of Fame Village gets $70M loan for water park, hotel

🎶 Erin Stoll Comes Home

Local talent returns. Erin Stoll brings her Homecoming Tour to Wadsworth with Doug Kleiner, supporting the Wadsworth Square Foundation.

Source:
🔗: Erin Stoll Homecoming Tour with Doug Kleiner – Wadsworth Square Foundation

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Crooked River Cast Show 40

🎙️ Governors, Data Centers, Dark Streets & Some Ohio Good News

Robert and Tom come out of the gate with energy this week—because it’s been that kind of Ohio news cycle. Robert kicks things off with a proud‑parent moment, sharing which CDs he picked up for his youngest (because real music still matters) and giving major kudos to his oldest, who absolutely owned her debate debut with a 6–2 win arguing to abolish SNAP. Parenting win unlocked. 🏆.

From there, the guys dig into a packed lineup: national politics spilling into Ohio, a rapidly shifting governor’s race, data centers raising serious questions, and cities dealing with consequences—from billion‑dollar settlements to literal darkness, let’s get into it!

🇺🇸 Trump’s Address to the Nation

Trump delivered a nationally televised address touching on military compensation, national pride, and executive actions—framing what he called a “warrior dividend” for service members and veterans.

Source:

▶️ YouTube: ‘Warrior dividend’: Trump announces $1,776 checks for military

🏛️ Trump Displays New Plaques at the ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’

Trump also made headlines unveiling new plaques at the Presidential Walk of Fame, leaning into legacy-building optics and signaling how central symbolism and branding remain to his political strategy. Gotta love the ‘auto pen’.

Source:

▶️ YouTube: Trump displays new plaques at the Presidential Walk of Fame

🔔 Ohio Labor Endorses Amy Acton

Ohio labor unions jumped into the governor’s race by endorsing Amy Acton, drawing swift pushback from the Ramaswamy campaign, which questioned her record and priorities. Do Ohioans remember her during COVID? Makeovers and coaching do not change the person…

Source:

🔗: Ohio labor unions endorse Acton, Ramaswamy campaign responds with criticism of her record

🤔 Why Has DeWine Not Endorsed Vivek?

Despite party pressure and behind‑the‑scenes conversations, Governor Mike DeWine continues to withhold an endorsement in the governor’s race—raising eyebrows across Ohio GOP circles. No surprise here!

Source:

🔗: DeWine hasn’t endorsed Ramaswamy for Ohio governor, but says they’re talking

❌ Dave Yost Says Vivek Endorsement Was a “Wrong Choice”

Attorney General Dave Yost isn’t backing down, saying the Ohio GOP’s early endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy was a mistake—adding more fuel to an already fractured race.

Source:

🔗: Ohio GOP endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy in May. AG Dave Yost still says it was the wrong choice.

🆕 A New Challenger Enters the Governor’s Race

The governor’s race just got more crowded, with a self‑described “America First” candidate jumping in and taking aim at Trump‑endorsed Vivek. Keepin an eye on this one…

Source:

🔗: ‘America First’ candidate enters Ohio governor race, challenges Trump-endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy

💰 Ohio Treasurer Race Begins

Another statewide race is heating up as Treasurer Robert Sprague makes moves that could reshuffle Ohio’s political chessboard.

Source:

🔗: EXCLUSIVE: Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague plans to replace Secretary of State Frank LaRose

🚜 Ohio Farmers Lose Big on Tariffs

Ohio farmers are feeling the sting, with Chinese sales down 74%—a reminder that trade wars hit home, even when national numbers look better on paper.

Sources:

🔗: Ohio farmers see one-year, 74% loss in Chinese sales due largely to Trump tariffs, report shows

🔗: U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks to Five-Year Low as Exports Surge Under Trump Tariffs

🏗️ Lorain Mega Site Update

Neighbors are pushing back as Lorain County’s proposed mega site clears its first zoning hurdle—raising familiar questions about transparency, impact, and who really benefits. Fighting the good fight! Hold the line folks…

🔗: Neighbors push back as Lorain County ‘mega site’ receives first zoning hearing

☣️ Data Centers Linked to Cancer?

A new report is raising alarm bells by linking data centers to rare cancers, putting central Ohio residents on edge as development accelerates.

🔗: Report links data center to rare cancers, raising questions about central Ohioans’ safety

💧 EPA Wants Faster Data Center Water Permits

The Ohio EPA wants to streamline water permits for data centers—prompting concerns about environmental oversight versus corporate convenience. Can we say bad idea?

Source:

🔗: Ohio EPA looks to streamline water permits for data centers

🎶 Can You Legislate a Stronger Music Industry?

Cuyahoga County leaders think policy can help save local music—but with only 1 in 4 Cleveland indie venues turning a profit, the odds are steep.

Sources:

🔗: Cuyahoga Live Task Force Believes It Can Legislate Its Way Into a Stronger Music Industry

🔗: Only 1 in 4 Cleveland Independent Music Venues Were Profitable Last Year, New Report Says

⚖️ Cincinnati Approves BLM Protest Settlement

Cincinnati City Council approved an $8M+ settlement tied to 2020 protests—and plans to borrow to pay for it, leaving taxpayers with the bill.

Sources:

🔗: Cincinnati approves $8M settlement with 2020 protesters; city will borrow to pay for it

▶️ YouTube: Cincinnati City Council to vote on $8.1 million protest lawsuit settlement

💡 Cleveland in the Dark

Thieves stole thousands of feet of copper wiring, knocking out streetlights across parts of Cleveland—because apparently even infrastructure isn’t safe anymore.

Source:

🔗: Parts of Cleveland in the dark after thieves steal thousands of feet of streetlight wiring

🌟 Good Things

💵 Unclaimed Funds Hit Record Returns

Ohioans reclaimed more unclaimed funds than ever this year—proof it is worth checking that database.

Source:

🔗: 3News Investigates: Unclaimed funds claims quintuple after Cleveland Browns stadium announcement

🍽️ Ohio’s New Restaurant of the Year

Northeast Ohio’s food scene gets national love with a brand‑new Restaurant of the Year.

Source:

🔗: Check out Northeast Ohio’s New Restaurant of the Year

🎄 Special Christmas Display

A North Royalton neighborhood is lighting up the season with a can’t‑miss Christmas display. Being an animal-loving household, the display collects donations for Stearns Homestead, an educational farm in Parma that takes care of various animals. Go check it out!

Where: 10020 Applewood Drive, North Royalton, OH 44133

Source:

🔗: Special Christmas display on Applewood Drive in North Royalton

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Crooked River Cast Show 37

🎙️ Turkeys, Term Limits & Tighter Pants – Ohio News Gets Spicy

After a long Thanksgiving weekend of too-tight waistbands and overpriced Christmas trees, Robert and Tom jump straight into another busy week across Ohio and D.C., from a tragic National Guard attack to the DOJ’s “we’re totally not spying on you” antics, to Cleveland’s usual politics, the guys break it all down with punchlines, clips, and rants.

Let’s jump in. 👇

🔫 National Guard Attack in D.C.

A heartbreaking start: a National Guard member was killed in an attack in D.C. The guys open the show by acknowledging the tragedy and the human cost behind headlines. No politics, no spin — just a moment of real-world seriousness.

Source:
🔗: National Guard member dies after DC attack, President Trump says

🦃 Turkey Pardons… Just Not the Human Kind

Trump makes jokes at the turkey pardoning ceremony but still throws shade at enemies, real and some that believe they are imagined. The guys react accordingly to the clip!

Source:
🔗: Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

📉 Georgia Drops Election Interference Case

The last of Trump’s major “political enemy” cases falls away. Robert and Tom unpack why this matters and what happens now that these prosecutions have fizzled.

Source:
🔗: The Georgia election interference case against Trump and others has been dropped

👀 DOJ Spying on Jim Jordan & Others

The guys go hard on this one — and realistically, who wouldn’t? Secretly grabbing phone data from lawmakers for 2.5 years under the Biden administration? Even Cleveland.com called it “out of control.” Tom stresses that most people have no idea why Trump targets certain officials… and this is exactly the context.

Sources:
🔗: [LISTEN] ‘If they can do that to us, think what they can do to all Americans’: Jordan Blasts DOJ Spying Expedition
🔗: Justice Dept’s secret grab of Jim Jordan phone records shows government ‘out of control’

👋 Shout-out to the Webmaster (Hey, That’s Me!)

When the guys got into voter ID clarification and proof-of-citizenship requirements, they gave me a shout-out for correcting the record. Thanks, boys, much appreciated!

Tom claims he never makes mistakes. Uh-huh. Sure, buddy. 😄

🐀 CRITTER CORNER

🕰️ Ohio Legislature Wants… Term Limits?!

Ohio is calling for federal term limits. The guys say “wait for it…” and then dig into the irony: lawmakers asking to limit themselves. We’ll believe it when we see it. The link below is not the one the boys referenced, which is actually: Ohio resolution calls for federal term limits | Ohio | theohiopressnetwork.com, however if you don’t have a subscription, you cannot read this, so let’s go to “Just the News.”

Source:
🔗: Ohio resolution calls for federal term limits

🕶️ Ohio Supreme Court: Police Can Hide Their Identities

Under Marsy’s Law, police officers involved in cases can now redact their names. Robert asks, “Why is this needed and what’s next?” Less transparency = more shenanigans, don’t you think?

Source:
🔗: Ohio Supreme Court rules police officer identities can be hidden from public under Marsy’s Law

🏈 Student Athlete NIL Shake-Up

Ohio high schools voted yes on student NIL deals. The GOP almost immediately said: “Wait just a minute…” (Clip included in the show.) The whiplash is real.

Sources:
🔗: Ohio high schools vote to allow student athletes to strike NIL deals, ending lawsuit
🔗: Ohio GOP lawmakers moves to ban Name, Image, and Likeness bendfits for high school athletes: This comes a day after OHSAA allows for NIL deals…

❤️ New Bill: Mandatory Heart Screenings for Student Athletes

A bipartisan push that actually sounds sensible: ensuring young athletes get heart checks. No jokes here — feels like a win? Not really. House Bill 437 would require student athletes to get screenings for heart conditions during physicals, for asymptomatic patients and conditions that may not be detected in screenings, which is why CPR training and having AEDs nearby would still be essential. These tests can lead to further risks or symptoms to trigger further testing with a specialist…..

Source:
🔗: New Ohio bill requires cardiac screenings for student athletes

🗳️ Recounts Coming in Cuyahoga County

Five races in recount territory — and in one of them, the socialist wins! (Cue the clip from the show.) Tanmay Shah takes Cleveland’s Ward 12.

Sources:
🔗: Five Cuyahoga County races headed to recount, including close Cleveland City Council contest
🔗: ‘A lot of excitement’: Tanmay Shah wins Cleveland City Council Ward 12 seat after Danny Kelly concedes

🏟️ Cleveland City Council Fumbles the Browns Settlement

Leave it to Cleveland to take a football issue and fumble that, too. Council is wrestling over settlement money with the Browns, because nothing is ever simple.

Source:
🔗: Cleveland City Council Wrestles With Browns Settlement Deal, With Lakefront Money at Stake

🚢 Great Lakes Cruise Line Says “No Thanks” to Cleveland

American Cruise Lines is dropping Cleveland from its 2026 itineraries due to docking issues. Ouch. Another L for the lakefront.

Source:
🔗: American Cruise Lines removes Cleveland from stops on its 2026 Great Lakes voyages

✨ GOOD THINGS!

Because we all need a break.

🏃‍♂️ Tim Ryan Not Running for Governor

Is this good? Bad? Depends on who you ask. But with Amy Acton as the only prominent Dem in the lane, the guys say: “Yeesh.”

Source:
🔗: Tim Ryan opts to stay out of Ohio’s 2026 race for governor

🛍️ Hyper-Local Markets Bringing Small Biz Together

Small businesses teaming up in Mentor Mall to reinvent local retail. Very cool story and very Ohio. Let’s bring indoor malls back, please, it’s snowing here, ya know?

Source:
🔗: ‘Re-defining retail’: Small businesses team up for hyper-local market, share the wealth inside Mentor mall

🎄 New Christmas Song from Cleveland’s Anita Keys

A little new Christmas music never hurts — except maybe your wallet after buying that overpriced tree (right, Robert?).

Source:
🔗: anitakeys Releases New Christmas Song

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