ohio politics

Crooked River Cast Show 36

🔥 Epstein Fallout, Ohio Drama, & Holiday Laughs: Your Weekly Buckeye Breakdown

Robert and Tom kick off Show #36 with a full breakdown of their night at the Mammoth concert — the sound, the energy, the crowd, and everything they loved (and didn’t). From there, the show takes a wholesome turn with a significant proud dad moment: Robert shares how his 15-year-old daughter wanted to give a school speech on the SNAP program and not only that — she’s now joined the debate club and dove straight into the topic of the electoral college, questioning how it works and why, after 250 years, there STILL might be a better way. Proud dad energy was off the charts, and the guys ride that warm moment straight into this week’s political madness.

Show #36, and this week’s episode is loaded: the Epstein list fallout continues, healthcare subsidies are vanishing, Ohio lawmakers are doing Ohio-lawmakers’ things, and we even learn what happens when the BMV says your license plate is “too gay.” Plus — laughs, lighter stories, and a few Thanksgiving warm fuzzies. Let’s get into it.

🧨 Epstein List Fallout— “Something Isn’t Adding Up…”

Robert launches into the Epstein segment with his suspicion meter fully pegged. This sudden “list release” and all the connected headlines? It smells off. The timing feels way too convenient and, as he puts it, “like a trap.” Tom agrees — when something this big resurfaces out of nowhere, right before major political moments, it’s almost never by accident.

Robert also brings up a detail strangely absent from most mainstream reporting: Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D–USVI) has a documented history of receiving donations from Jeffrey Epstein. Somehow, nobody wants to talk about that part of the story.

To illustrate how bizarre this whole moment feels, Robert plays a clip from Liberal Hivemind, where the creator breaks down how even some on the left are raising eyebrows. He points to Cenk Uygur (TYT) reacting in real time to revelations during the hearings, and the quote is jaw-dropping:

“I’m on the left. I’m a Democrat. But what the hell was that? That was crazy.
So he’s apparently got these Congress people on speed dial…
He’s watching the entire hearings and texting people different directions.
Did anybody know that Epstein was running our government?”

That’s not coming from a “right-wing source.” That’s coming from TYT territory, which only adds fuel to Robert’s suspicion: why is all this coming out now, and who benefits from this sudden transparency?

The conversation then shifts to the newest person distancing himself from the Epstein fallout: Larry Summers, former Harvard president and longtime political fixture. Summers has announced he is stepping back from multiple public commitments in what he calls a “broader effort” amid renewed scrutiny.

“While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort.”

The guys point out: this isn’t a random bureaucrat. Summers is a major player. And stepping away from high-profile roles right at this moment? Combined with everything else surfacing, it raises more questions than answers. Meanwhile, this story still keeps detonating as more information is released.

Sources:
▶️ YouTube: The TYT just realized how BAD the Epstein drop is for them… LOL

🔗: Larry Summers Steps Back From Another Major Role Amid Epstein Backlash

🥫 SNAP Check-In With Diane

We circle back with Diane as Ohio families continue feeling the aftershocks of the 43-day shutdown. The guys revisit who Diane Howard is. Robert looked into Diane Howard after hearing her comments about Ohioans losing $63 in food assistance. According to the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), Commissioner Diane Howard serves on the Ohio City Incorporated Board of Trustees. So basically, she is an activist?

Sources:

🔗: CMHA – Diane Howard Profile
🔗: You asked, so we’re checking in with Diane

💸 Healthcare Subsidies Set to Expire

Tom and Robert break down what the expiration of federal healthcare subsidies could mean for everyday Ohioans. Premiums across Northeast Ohio are already creeping up, and without congressional action, families could see even bigger jumps.

The guys highlight how this ties into Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s recent vote against ending the government shutdown—she says the bill wasn’t good enough for working families, even though it included $3 million for her district. Robert and Tom question whether political strategy is overtaking practical help at a time when people are already stretched thin.

Robert questions whether political maneuvering is taking priority over Ohioans’ well-being. Tom adds that if subsidies expire, many families could see hundreds of dollars more per month in healthcare costs, at a time when inflation remains high. Why is it that whenever the government gets involved, the price rises?

Sources:

🔗: Northeast Ohioans face sharp health insurance hikes as federal subsidies expire

🔗: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur votes against ending government shutdown, $3 million for her district

🐀 CRITTER CORNER

(Robert brought it back — and we’re thrilled.)

📜 Catch-All Budget Bill Passes

Ohio lawmakers approve a “do-everything-at-once” bill meant to patch budget issues… and also jam in a bunch of extras, because of course they did. Can you say Omni Bus?

Source:
🔗:Ohio lawmakers ok catch-all budget correction bill, though not without complaints

🛸 New Rules for Police Drones

Lawmakers are working on regulating drones used by police with House Bill 251, sponsored by Rep. Bernard Willis (R-Springfield)- the bill was passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for consideration. Privacy watchers are keeping receipts.

Source:
🔗:Ohio lawmakers look to regulate use of drones by law enforcement

🐝 Laugh Break: How to Talk to Your Racist MAGA Uncle

Thanksgiving is coming… and so is Uncle Red Hat. Robert and Tom share a comedic survival guide via the The Babylon Bee

Source:
▶️ YouTube: How to Talk to Your Racist MAGA Uncle This Thanksgiving

🏠 Property Tax Chaos Continues

Lawmakers are pushing new tax‑control measures while local auditors brace for major shifts. Youngstown is one of the first to signal big changes, and the ripple effects could reach homeowners across the state.

Sources:

🔗:OH Political News — Property tax chaos continues

🔗: DeWine expected to sign bill giving auditors tax control

🔗: Auditor says new legislation will change property taxes in Youngstown

🌿 The GOP Is Still Messing With Marijuana

Ohio lawmakers continue tinkering with marijuana and hemp policy. Some compromises are floating, but nothing changes immediately.

Sources:
🔗: Ohio Lawmakers burn Hemp, but protect marijuana policy

🔗:Ohio lawmakers my compromise on Marijuana, hemp policy bu no changes to take efffect soon

💉 Hep B Vax Removal for Pre-K?

A new Ohio bill proposes removing Hepatitis B from required preschool vaccines and promoting broader exemptions.

Source:
🔗:Ohio Bill Would Remove Hep B From Required Preschool Vaccines

💰 Did NEO Really Reject New Taxes?

School levies failed across Northeast Ohio — but the bigger question is why. Tom and Robert dig into what voters may actually be signaling.

Source:
🔗:Ohioans refuse to pay more taxes, as school levies fail

🏗️ Lorain vs. the Mega Site

Residents are pushing back against a major industrial “mega site” project — from zoning disputes to concerns about land near the county airport.

Sources:
🔗: Residents push back against proposed ‘mega site’ in Lorain County

🔗: Controversy continues over land near Lorain County Airport

🏳️‍🌈 Your License Plate Is GAY!

A Lakewood man finally celebrates after the state reversed a decade-old denial for his “GAY” vanity plate — and he couldn’t be happier.

Source:
🔗:Lakewood man revels in receiving previously rejected ‘GAY’ license plate

🌟 GOOD THINGS (Because we all need some.)

🧡 Bernie Update

Bernie Kosar continues to recover, and his donor’s mother gives an emotional update.

Source:
🔗:I-TEAM: Mother of liver donor speaks out, Bernie Kosar continues to recover

For more Information on the event 🔗: Lebanon Area Chamber Ohio

🐴 Ohio’s Biggest Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade

Coming next month — an old-fashioned holiday classic.

Source:
🔗:Ohio’s largest horse-drawn carriage parade happening next month

🍪 Gingerbread Competition Time!

The Cleveland Botanical Garden reveals plans for its 2025 gingerbread showdown.

Source:
🔗:Cleveland Botanical Garden plans for 2025 Gingerbread Competition

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving!

Robert and Tom share what they’re thankful for — and want to know what YOU’RE thankful for.

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Crooked River Cast Show 29

🎙️ “Shutdowns, School Levies & Spooky Season”

Tom and Robert are back for episode 29 of the Crooked River Cast — and Ohio’s got no shortage of drama. From the government shutdown’s local ripple effects to the never-ending battle over school levies, the guys tackle it all with their usual mix of facts, fun, and fiery opinions. Plus, a look at Ohio’s haunted hot spots and a milestone birthday for a certain toll road we all love (and love to hate). Buckle up — it’s a wild October ride!

🏛️ Shutdown Showdown — Ohio’s Ripple Effects

Governor Mike DeWine says the federal shutdown isn’t yet hitting Ohio hard, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.
👉 DeWine: Federal shutdown not having immediate or widespread impact on Ohio — Ideastream
Still, experts warn even a short lapse could slow research, delay grants, and freeze local projects.
👉 What does the federal government shutdown mean for Ohioans? — Cleveland.com

💰 School Spending & Property Taxes — Where’s It All Going?

Ohio homeowners are now paying the 8th-highest property tax rate in the nation — but are schools actually benefiting?
👉 Ohioans are paying eighth highest property tax rate in U.S. — Cleveland.com
Tom and Robert dig into where that money’s going and whether “more funding” has really translated into better outcomes.

Meanwhile, some watchdogs are calling out how property tax levies and “school funding formulas” quietly shift costs onto homeowners.
👉 Pulling the Curtain Back on Ohio’s Public Schools & Property Taxes — Lobbyists for Citizens

🏫 Senate vs. DeWine — The Levy Fight Heats Up

Ohio Republicans just voted to override Gov. DeWine’s veto and restrict how schools and local governments can place certain property tax levies on the ballot.
👉 Ohio Republicans restrict school levies — Cleveland.com

In response, DeWine’s working group rolled out 20 recommendations for reform — some practical, others pure politics.
👉 Ohio working group releases 20 recommendations for property tax reform — Ideastream

And with House Bill 466 making its way through the legislature, questions remain: who really gets to decide how schools raise and spend local dollars?
👉 OH HB 466 | 2025–2026 | 136th General Assembly — LegiScan
👉 This is your school, and you deserve it’: Ribbon cut at new CMSD preK-8 school

🔫 2A Update: Lorain’s Local Battle

Two new Lorain ordinances addressing youth violence — one involving gun restrictions — are inching closer to a council vote.
👉 2 Lorain ordinances to address youth violence move closer to council vote — WKYC

Tom and Robert weigh whether local action helps or hurts Ohioans’ Second Amendment rights — and where this debate heads next.

⚖️ Abortion & Education — Unlikely Allies?

Ohio’s GOP is pushing for a 24-hour abortion waiting period, despite last year’s reproductive rights amendment.
👉 Ohio GOP pushes 24-hour abortion waiting period — Cleveland.com

At the same time, a new bill would require schools to show a fetal development video annually.
👉 Republican bill requires Ohio public schools to annually show video on fetal development — Ideastream

The guys unpack how these two “unrelated” policies seem to march in the same direction — blurring lines between moral messaging and mandated curriculum.

🎭 Celebrezze Drama — Courtroom Chaos Continues

The family feud isn’t cooling off: the retaliation lawsuit against Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze is officially moving forward.
👉 Retaliation Lawsuit Against Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze Can Move Forward — Cleveland.com

Tom doesn’t mince words — calling out that taxpayer dollars are footing the bill for this legal circus. While most of Ohio is tightening belts, one politically connected courtroom battle is draining public funds. Robert’s take? “If it’s personal, it shouldn’t be public money.” The guys agree this saga is a poster child for what’s wrong with the system.

🚨 “Operation Next Door” — Priest Arrested in Ohio Sting

Over 100 people were arrested in a statewide human trafficking crackdown dubbed “Operation Next Door.” Among them: a 76-year-old Cleveland priest who admitted to a prior solicitation offense.
👉 Full story via FOX 8 News

Rob notes that Ohio remains one of the worst states for trafficking, making operations like this crucial.
Tom isn’t convinced — calling it virtue signaling by Dave Yost and saying the story lacks proof of child trafficking. Still, he admits Ohio’s central location makes it an easy pass-through for this kind of crime.

🌾 Tariffs, Taiwan & Ohio’s Farmers – Who’s Feeling the Pain?

As Ohio’s harvest season ramps up, farmers are caught between politics and profits.
👉 As Ohio farmers prep for harvest, many are concerned about profits and politics — Cleveland.com

Ohio farmers are bracing for trade impacts with Taiwan and China, but not all farmers are affected equally.

The twist? Taiwan’s also committing to buy billions in Ohio soybeans and corn — showing that global trade cuts both ways.
👉 Taiwan will buy billions of dollars worth of Ohio soybeans and corn — Ideastream

Mark Meyer, who runs a small organic soybean farm near Marysville, sells primarily within Ohio and nearby states. He says exports aren’t a big issue, and his self-sufficient approach — cultivating with his own seed and building up soil health — keeps costs low. “All I have is my time and fuel,” Meyer says.

Tom and Robert note the divide: small, local-focused farms are mostly doing fine, while large commercial operations exporting to China are complaining about tariffs. One farmer even flipped politically, but 82% of Ohio farmers still identify with the GOP.

📱 Driving Into the Future — The New Ohio App

Ohio’s new driver app is rolling out — a digital tool meant to streamline ID, records, and licensing. But as Tom and Robert dig in, they flag big red lines: who controls the data? What safeguards exist? And is convenience worth the trade?

👉 New Driver App

✅ Good Things — Because We All Need a Breather

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Crooked River Cast Show 28

🍂 Politics, Pumpkins & Porta-Potties

Tom and Robert are back behind the mics for another week of Crooked River Cast, bringing their mix of straight talk, humor, and side-eye at Ohio’s headlines. This week they dig into the new faces running for governor, the fallout from some pretty disgusting reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and even a sheriff’s deputy who had a very bad day involving a porta-potty. As always, they keep it sharp, funny, and right on point with the news you should know.

🗳️ Meet the Ohio Governor Hopefuls

The governor’s race is heating up—and it’s not just Amy Acton or Vivek Ramaswamy. There’s a whole cast of characters stepping into the spotlight, and Tom and Rob give their take on the contenders you probably haven’t heard of yet.
👉 Meet the lesser-known candidates for Ohio governor | Fox 8 Cleveland WJW

💸 Medicaid Fraud Sweep

Healthcare dollars aren’t supposed to line private pockets, but a new sweep found $1.6 million in Medicaid fraud right here in Greater Cleveland. The guys break it down with their signature commentary.
👉 Greater Cleveland providers indicted in $1.6 million Medicaid fraud sweep – cleveland.com

🚒 Fire Chief Fallout, Council Drama & ☕ Starbucks

Remember the Cleveland Fire Chief who thought it was funny to celebrate Charlie Kirk’s assassination? Well, that post didn’t age well. He’s now out of a job. But the controversy didn’t stop there—when the Cuyahoga Council tried to hold a moment of silence, three members actually walked out. Tom and Rob talk about what that says about politics in Cleveland and the state of public discourse. One Ohio woman was shocked to find a hateful message scrawled on her Starbucks cup at a Kroger’s store. Tom and Rob cover the story and point out how something as simple as ordering coffee shouldn’t turn into this kind of ugliness.

👉 Cleveland fire chief on leave over Charlie Kirk post
👉 3 Cuyahoga County Councilmembers walk out over Charlie Kirk tribute | wkyc.com
👉 Fairview Park outrage over Charlie Kirk comments

👉 ‘I couldn’t believe it’: Ohio woman shocked by hate message left on her Starbucks order

🛂 Lake & Geauga Counties Cozy with ICE

Lake County is openly partnering with ICE, and Geauga County is reaffirming its secret ICE jail contract. The guys dive into what this means for Ohio communities.
👉 Lake County Sheriff’s Office to partner with ICE on immigration enforcement
👉 Geauga County commissioners ‘reaffirm’ secret ICE jail contract – cleveland.com

🚔 Akron Police Review Use of Force

Akron is bringing in PERF to review its police use-of-force policies. Tom and Rob dig into what this actually means—and whether it’s just optics.
👉 Akron to review police use-of-force policies with help from PERF | wkyc.com

🎨 Transformative Art & a $900M Jail

Only in Cleveland: turning a vacant house into “food for art” while simultaneously rolling out renderings of a nearly billion-dollar county jail. The contrast wasn’t lost on Tom and Robert.
👉 Transformative Arts Fund project turns vacant Cleveland house into art | Ideastream Public Media

🔎 Where does the Cleveland’s $3 million Transformative Arts Fund get its fund – Google Search
👉 Cuyahoga County releases first images of new jail campus, a $900M project

🚽 Sheriff’s Deputy & the Porta-Potty Incident

Yes, you read that right. A Cuyahoga Sheriff’s deputy accidentally fired a gun after a porta-potty mishap. Tom and Rob couldn’t let this one slide without some laughs.
👉 Special deputy fires gun after porta-potty incident in Cuyahoga County | wkyc.com

🌟 Good Things

🎃 Pumpkin & 🍎 Apple Picking Season

Cooler weather, family outings, and cider donuts—it’s that time again! The guys highlight some of the best spots in Northeast Ohio.
👉 Best pumpkin patches in Northeast Ohio
👉 Apple Picking in Ohio | Ohio, The Heart of It All
👉 Apple Picking Schedule | Lynd Fruit Farm

🎣 Stocking Ohio Lakes

Good news for anglers—Ohio’s lakes are being stocked with muskies, making for some exciting fishing ahead.
👉 Muskies stocked in 9 Ohio lakes make for ‘excellent fishing’: ODNR

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