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 35

🔥 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.

Source:
🔗:What to know about Trump’s $2K tariff check proposal

🏳️‍🌈 SCOTUS Declines Gay Marriage Case

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.

Sources:
🔗:Supreme Court declines to revisit gay marriage decision
🔗:Ohio grassroots group leader ‘breathing a little bit easier’ after SCOTUS same-sex marriage decision

🗳️ 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.

Sources:
🔗:Republican senators approve bill requiring Ohio absentee ballots arrive by election day
🔗:3,000 Cuyahoga County ballots would have been thrown out if this Ohio bill was law

⚖️ Voter Fraud Cases → DOJ?

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

Source:
🔗:Ohio Secretary of State Sends Voter Fraud Allegations to Trump Justice Department

💼 Income Tax Reciprocity Gets a Shakeup

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.

Source:
🔗:New Ohio House Bill 503 would give earners more power over income tax reciprocity credits

🏘️ Taxing Land Value — A Big Constitutional Swing

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.

Source:
🔗:Taxing land values? Ohio Republican introduces constitutional amendment

👮 Moreno Wants Federal Oversight Update

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.

Source:
🔗:I-Team: Senator wants update on possible end to federal oversight of Cleveland police

🚫 Canton Bans Public Comment

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.

Source:
🔗:‘Disappointed, but not surprised’: Canton community reacts to city council’s public comment ban

🏫 Cleveland Schools Closing 29 Buildings

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.

Sources:
🔗:‘Gobsmacked’: Cleveland braces for school district’s biggest school shakeup in decades
🔗:Cleveland’s school district plans to empty out 18 of its buildings. Remaking them could be tricky

⚰️ Living Among the Dead — Cemetery Encampment

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.

Source:
🔗:City of Cleveland looking for answers to cemetery homeless encampment

🏳️‍🌈🧥 CLAW… Oh Boy.

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.

Source:
🔗:Amidst Feelings of Betrayal and Hope, Cleveland’s Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW) Leaves Its Namesake City

🌟 GOOD THINGS

🐎 Runaway Horses in North Ridgeville

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.

Source:
🔗:Video | North Ridgeville police wrangle 4 horses running down Center Ridge Road

🏈 Bernie Kosar Updates — Hanging Tough

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.

Source:
🔗:Cleveland Browns legend Bernie Kosar undergoes 5th ‘aggressive procedure’ while awaiting liver transplant

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Crooked River Cast Show 34

🎙️ Shutdowns, Snap Cuts & Rock ’n’ Roll Revival

It’s a new era for the Crooked River Cast with a fresh intro theme from our very own in-house musician, Tom! 🎶

Robert kicks things off with his computer setup talk (Apple fans, you’ll relate) and a dose of “Boomer” energy as he geeks out over tech that mostly works when it wants to. Nothing’s perfect, right?

Wake Up, Ohio — Let’s Go!

🏛️ Shutdown Shockwaves

The government shutdown saga rolls on — and it’s hitting closer to home than ever. Ohio may see 9,000 state workers furloughed as federal funding dries up. It’s eye-opening just how much our state depends on D.C. dollars.

🔗: Ohio agency warns federal shutdown could mean furloughs for state workers

🐾 Feeding Pets Before Politics

Even in tough times, some Ohioans step up. A West Park business is making sure pets stay fed through the shutdown, while Swenson’s is offering free meals to kids who rely on SNAP benefits. Sadly, refugees in Northeast Ohio aren’t as lucky — federal SNAP cuts just ended their benefits altogether.

In Cleveland, hundreds of refugee families are suddenly losing food assistance after the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” slashed access to SNAP benefits for recent arrivals.

Afghan father Akbar Shenwari, who resettled in Cleveland with his family of seven, says the cuts are forcing families to choose between rent, utilities, and food. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) warns that 13,000 refugees statewide—including 4,000 in Cuyahoga County—will be affected.

“It’s a very bad situation right now,” said Shenwari, who now works up to 18-hour days to keep his family afloat. Despite it all, he’s urging others to stay hopeful: “This country is a beautiful country… with quiet patience, you will achieve your goal.”

🗳️ Election Results: Levies, Lawsuits & Lousy Accounting

Robert kicked things off with the Cincinnati mayoral race, where Vice President JD Vance’s half-brother made headlines — but not the kind he wanted. His loss highlights how tough it still is for Republicans to gain traction in urban strongholds like Cincinnati, even with big-name connections, that were pretty much non-existent.

From there, Tom and Robert unpacked the local election ripple effects — with school levies failing in some districts, lawsuits piling up, and new legislation that could ban library levies from even making it onto ballots. Ohio’s education funding picture is… complicated, to say the least. Election season wrapped up — and some districts are feeling the sting.

From Mt. Healthy Schools and Lakeside High facing more cuts to a bill that might ban library levies from ballots, Ohio’s education funding story is getting messy. The November elections left some districts scrambling. Mt. Healthy City Schools faces deeper cuts after voters rejected its levy yet again, putting essential programs at risk. In Ashtabula County, Lakeside High’s future hangs in the balance as a failed levy collides with an ongoing lawsuit over district finances.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are eyeing a bill that could ban library levies from ballots altogether—raising questions about how communities will fund critical resources. With budgets tightening and legal battles brewing, Ohio’s education funding picture is anything but clear.

😂 Comic Relief: 🐝 Babylon Bee Funnies

Sometimes, you just need a little laughter — and Tom and Robert had plenty this episode. From the absurd to the downright ridiculous, here’s what had them cracking up:

💰 Levies, Libraries & Local Lifelines

While some levies tanked at the ballot box, Northeast Ohio voters showed heart where it counts — overwhelmingly approving county mental health and recovery levies that keep vital services funded. A rare bit of good news in local politics, and proof that when it comes to helping our neighbors, voters still show up.

But not every funding fight is over. A new proposal at the Statehouse would let Ohio taxing authorities block library levies from even appearing on ballots — essentially silencing communities before they get to weigh in. Critics say it’s a move that undercuts local control and transparency.

🗺️ New Redistricting Map: Déjà Vu?

Ohio’s new congressional map is here, and it’s giving us flashbacks. Democrats and Republicans struck another deal that might keep things just gerrymandered enough to make everyone equally mad. It’s hard not to notice the pattern—Ohio’s GOP keeps stumbling over internal divisions while Democrats present a united front.

🔗: These are Ohio’s new congressional districts
🔗: Why Democrats struck a deal with Republicans on an Ohio congressional map 🔗: Coughlin bows out of Ohio 13th Congressional District Sykes rematch

🤖 Is Robot Love Real Love?

Ohio lawmakers are getting ahead of the sci-fi curve — a new bill would ban AI from marrying humans or owning property. House Bill 469 would declare that artificial intelligence systems can’t be considered people — meaning they can’t marry, own property, or act as someone’s legal proxy.
Yes, seriously. Even Kim Kardashian’s ChatGPT study buddy gets a mention. Can we say this is a waste of our tax dollars?

🔗: Ohio bill would ban AI from marrying humans, owning property 🔗: ‘I’ll get mad and I’ll yell at it’: Kim Kardashian blames failing law exam on studying with ChatGPT

🚓 Safety Patrol Shuffle

Cleveland’s Downtown Safety Patrol is expanding — or is it? A new report dives into whether the specialized sheriff’s unit is actually improving safety or just changing its patrol zones. This decision just reinforces how disorganized and ineffective the department has become. Instead of prioritizing public safety with a clear strategy, they keep shifting resources without accountability. It’s hard to take them seriously when consistency and leadership are missing.

⚡ Power to the People

Community solar power might soon be lighting up Ohio farms and neighborhoods. The new community power pilot has supporters buzzing, especially rural farmers looking for renewable options. Better than a data center? What do you think?

🔗: Ohio solar supporters, farmers eager for proposed community power pilot

🚗 Failure to Identify Bill

A controversial new proposal would require drivers to identify themselves even if they haven’t committed a crime. Critics say it targets “sovereign citizen” antics — supporters say it’s about safety.

🔗: ‘Failure to identify’: New bill targets drivers who don’t provide name during traffic stops

🐀 Ahhhh Rats!

Ohio ranks high on the “most rat-infested cities” list. Between Cleveland’s trash woes and urban growth, exterminators are staying busy. “Ohio has two cities in the top 25, but thankfully not the top 10” 🎉 YAY!?

🔗: Do we need a rat czar? Cleveland among ‘rattiest’ cities in US in new study

🌤️ Good Things

Because every Crooked River Cast needs some light at the end of the tunnel…

💖 Lung Cancer Awareness Month

One Northeast Ohio survivor turned her hospital work into a mission of hope for others battling cancer.
🔗: Northeast Ohio cancer survivor turns daily hospital work into mission of hope

⚡ AC/DC Brings the Power to Ohio Stadium

Rock legends AC/DC are headed to Columbus next summer for their “Power Up” tour — and Ohio is ready to thunder!

🔗: AC/DC to bring ‘Power Up Tour’ to Ohio Stadium next summer

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