ohio politics

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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Ohio stories. National impact. No corporate filter.

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

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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

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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.