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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