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 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 42

🎙️ Bourbons Later: Existential Dread, & 2026 Predictions – The Year-End Recap Part Two

If Part One was the reflection, Part Two is what happens when the bourbon gets refreshed… then poured neat… then goes back to ice because, well, too many bourbons at this point.

Robert and Tom pick up right where they left off, easing into the second half of their year-end recap with drinks in hand and absolutely no plan to keep things light. Somewhere between pours, Robert has a realization: they now actually look like the photos on the “About Us” page—yes, the very images I, your webmaster, chose when building the site. I fully expected this moment to happen on-air someday, and here we are. 😂

Tom follows that up with an epiphany of his own. What used to be casual meetups—brothers-in-law grabbing food, drinks, and talking about whatever was going on—has quietly evolved into the weekly Crooked River Cast. The difference now? The conversation is brought to you, the listeners. And because of that, the guys admit they now intentionally hold back on sharing news or updates with each other during the week, saving it for the show to get real, unfiltered reactions.

Then… things get philosophical.

With the end of the year staring them down, Tom drops the cheerful reminder that time feels like it speeds up because it becomes a smaller percentage of your remaining life. Thanks for that, Tom. Robert responds by asking the truly uncomfortable questions: How many Christmases do we have left? How many more times will we see our parents? Our family?

Yes—this episode briefly takes a bourbon-soaked detour into existential dread.

But fear not!

The guys course-correct with one of the most important questions of our time: “Can you find Robert on X?” (Seriously—can you?) From there, Tom asks about resolutions for 2026, which naturally turns into a real conversation about how to improve the show and make Crooked River Cast even better for our listeners next year.

That momentum carries them straight into predictions for 2026, mixing speculation, humor, and the kind of insight that comes from paying attention all year long. And before wrapping up, Tom drops a big one: he wants to set up a Crooked River Cast meetup next year. Stay tuned—because that idea is officially on the table.

This episode is reflective, funny, slightly depressing, and genuinely thoughtful—basically everything you’d expect when two guys look back on the year with one too many bourbons and a microphone.

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If you’ve enjoyed the Crooked River Cast this year, make sure you’re subscribed and share the show with someone who appreciates honest conversation, Ohio-rooted perspective, and the occasional bourbon-fueled spiral. Your support keeps this thing going. Happy New Year to all – May 2026 be good to everyone.

Let’s not forget to sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio!

🔗: Citizens for Property Tax Reform

🔗: Ohio Tax