🎙️ 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!
👉 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.
🔥 Shutdown Fallout, Ballot Battles, Cleveland Shake-Ups & The Horses of North Ridgeville🐎
Robert and Tom kick off this week’s show with a little life update before the headlines hit. Robert’s just back from a work trip to Kentucky — complete with some very respectable bourbon tasting. Check out Justin’s House of Bourbon — while Tom is nursing the aftermath of an unplanned meeting with the ground (and gravity definitely won).
Before diving into the news, Robert throws a question to the listeners:
“What kind of music would you introduce to an 11–15 year old? Suggestions welcome!”
With that, the guys roll straight into another stacked lineup of Ohio stories, political curveballs, and a couple of moments that will make you shake your head and laugh out loud. Let’s get on with it.
🧾 Shutdown Ends — But What About SNAP Money?
The 43-day federal shutdown is finally over, and SNAP benefits are flowing again — but Ohio families are asking what happens next.
Here’s the quick Google breakdown the guys walk through:
Restored Benefits: Ohio has federal guidance to restore full November SNAP payments. Households who only received partial benefits will get the rest, and those who received nothing will be made whole.
Federal Reimbursement: The new funding bill includes $107.5B for SNAP nationwide, restores reserve funds, and guarantees support through September 2026. Stability returns for Ohio’s 1.4 million recipients.
Congressional Pay Politics: The bill also guarantees back pay for federal workers and secures congressional salaries — which, yes, stay untouched during shutdowns under federal law.
And with that crisis wrapped (for now), Robert and Tom pivot into the rest of Ohio’s political circus.
💸 “Free Money for All”… Well, Almost
The buzz around Trump’s $2K “tariff check” proposal continues. Tom and Robert unpack what it really means, who qualifies, and whether Ohioans should expect a surprise deposit — or just political fireworks.
The Supreme Court is sitting this one out. By refusing to revisit same-sex marriage, they’ve stirred up the alphabet-mafia petition crowd — and Ohio grassroots groups are already reacting.
🗳️ Absentee Ballot Bill — A Tightening of the Rules
Ohio’s Senate approved a bill requiring absentee ballots to arrive by Election Day rather than just be postmarked. That shift could’ve tossed out over 3,000 Cuyahoga County ballots last cycle — a stat that made the guys sit up straight.
Ohio’s Secretary of State is shipping voter-fraud allegations to the Trump DOJ. The guys ask: Is this due diligence or political theater, there is evidence, right? Either way, the investigations are officially federal.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent 1,000+ alleged voter fraud cases to the U.S. Justice Department, though past reviews found most claims baseless. Only 167 cases of noncitizens voting occurred over eight years—just 0.0006% of ballots. Critics call the move political “forum shopping,” noting state prosecutors largely declined to act. Experts warn LaRose’s push for federal involvement contradicts his past stance against federal oversight and raises concerns about using stale evidence for partisan goals.
To recap regarding presenting documents at the BMV: Yes, you are required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or present your Green Card. Once your license is issued, this status is documented. Ohio has implemented a system where, if the license holder is a non-citizen, a small notation appears on the back of the license. This allows poll workers to verify eligibility when checking ID at the polls. And yes, poll workers need to be checking all valid identifications. Link
A new Ohio bill would give workers more control over tax reciprocity credits — especially cross-border commuters. Tom and Robert break down how it affects anyone who lives in one state and works in another.
Ohio Republicans want to amend the constitution to allow land-value taxation. It’s bold, it’s unusual, and the hosts unpack whether this is a tax revolution or a headache in the making.
Senator Moreno is pressing for answers on whether Cleveland’s police department is nearing the end of federal oversight. The guys weigh the politics against the policing realities.
Canton City Council shut off the mic — literally. Public comment is banned, and residents are not taking it quietly. Tom and Robert dig into the community’s loud response to being silenced.
Cleveland is bracing for its biggest school shakeup in decades: 29 buildings closing, 18 emptied out. Parents, staff, and neighborhoods are scrambling — and the guys break down the what and why.
Cleveland officials are searching for answers after discovering a homeless encampment inside a cemetery. The guys talk about how this reflects broader struggles in the city.
Cleveland’s annual leather weekend, CLAW, returns — and not everyone is thrilled. Feelings range from betrayal to hope as the event navigates new cultural tension. Tom and Robert… had thoughts.
Four horses sprinting full speed down Center Ridge Road — and the North Ridgeville police handled it like a live episode of Yellowstone: Ohio Edition. A chaotic but surprisingly wholesome moment.
After undergoing a fifth aggressive procedure related to his liver condition, Bernie Kosar is reportedly stable and OK. Browns fans across the state exhaled at once.
If you love the show, hit that subscribe button and share with fellow Ohioans who like their news unfiltered, funny, and straight from the Buckeye State backyard. New episodes drop every week — stay tuned!
