🎙️ Episode 22: Senate Races, Redistricting, and the Fight Over Property Taxes

Robert and Tom are back with a full slate of Ohio politics, policy debates, and community happenings. Here’s what they’re talking about this week:

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🏛️ Politics & Policy

• Sherrod Brown running again – Ohio’s senior Democrat is expected to seek another term in the U.S. Senate in 2026. Meanwhile, Democrats are eyeing Amy Acton as a possible candidate for governor.
  🔗Sherrod Brown Ohio’s Highest Profile Democat Expected to Seek a Return to the US Senate in 2026

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• Gay marriage back in the spotlight – Advocates push back as the U.S. Supreme Court is asked to revisit the same-sex marriage decision. 🌈
  🔗 Ohio advocates fight back as U.S. Supreme Court asked to review same-sex marriage decision

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• Redistricting, Ohio-style – With new maps on the way, will Ohio’s process look like Texas? 🗺️
  🔗 Ohio congressional redistricting process begins on heels of Texas battle

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• Property tax debate – Governor DeWine’s “working group” continues to meet, but county auditors and educators remain skeptical. 💰
  🔗 Auditor Talks Property Tax Future and Fight To End It

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• Data centers & your electric bill – A closer look at how these massive facilities may be driving up utility costs across Ohio. ⚡
  🔗 States feel pressure to act as evidence mounts that data centers share blame for higher electric bills

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• Bellbrook High School closes library – The district shelves access until it decides what books can stay out and which must be removed. 📚
• 🔗 Bellbrook closes high school library temporarily for review of ‘sexuality content and gender identity’

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• Browns stadium dispute – ODOT rejects the proposed new stadium as “too tall” before a permit is even filed, while the Browns point to FAA approval. 🏈
  🔗 ODOT rejects new Browns stadium as too tall. Browns push back, citing FAA’s OK

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• Spotted Lanternfly update – Six more Ohio counties added to the quarantine list. Officials say: kill them on sight. 🪰
  🔗 Ohio Department of Agriculture expands spotted lanternfly quarantine area to 6 more counties: See if your area is included and what it means
• 🔗 Spotted lanternfly eggs set to hatch soon in Ohio

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🎉 Community & Events

• Hulk Hogan tribute – The wrestling legend will be honored at the Real American Freestyle League launch in Cleveland on Wednesday, August 20th. 💪
  🔗 Hulk Hogan Tribute Planned at Clevealnd Wrestling Event

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• Garlic Fest – Shaker Square hosts the Cleveland Garlic Festival on August 23–24. 🧄
  🔗 Cleveland Garlic Festival Returns to Shaker Square August 23 and 24

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• Vet Fest 2025 – North Ridgeville welcomes Vet Fest August 22–23, raising funds for veterans with 25% off tickets. 🇺🇸
  🔗 https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/northeast-ohio-vet-fest-set-for-aug-22-and-23-in-north-ridgeville-event-raises-money-for-veterans
  • Northeast Ohio Vet Fest

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🎙️ Episode 21: Ohio Mess, Crime, Politics and more…

Robert and Tom came in hot this week with stories ranging from billion-dollar blunders to bizarre headlines. Here’s what they covered.

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🏭 Where’s the Chips!?

The much-hyped Intel plant project is spiraling — taxpayer costs balloon, political pressure mounts, and Trump, Husted, and Moreno are all weighing in. But… what’s the governor got to say?

• The Intel Debacle: Taxpayers, private citizens pay for bad decisions
• Trump, Sen. Bernie Moreno call for Intel CEO to resign, citing China ties

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⚖️ Indictments in Cincinnati’s “Jazz Fest Attack” 
Thugs and Russians don’t mix — especially when violence erupts at a major public event.

• Suspects indicted in Cincinnati’s ‘violent attack’

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🏛️ Politics & Policy

• Separate ballot issues for the “anti-discrimination” amendments — What’s really going on here?
  • Backers of Ohio anti-discrimination amendment decide to split it in two
• Student mental health days? Come on, man!
• Ohio bill proposes 3 mental health days for students

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🏈 Sports & Big Money

• Browns and the sin tax scam 
  • Cavs, Guardians concerned about sin tax with Browns plan to build dome
• Prop bets discussion — Why is big government so concerned with what you bet on?

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😂 The LOL Files

• Massage parlor busts end in not-so-happy endings?
  • 4 Ohio massage parlors raided by human trafficking task forces

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🐾 Columbus Critters Club 

• SB 236 — the “Suicide Self-Defense Act”
• Ohio Innocence Act — takes effect Sept. 29th

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🌟 Good Things 

Peacock’s The Paper — a The Office spinoff — is set in an Ohio newspaper office with Domhnall Gleeson at the helm.

• The Paper trailer: The Office spinoff with Domhnall Gleeson

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🎧 Listen to the full episode for the unfiltered hot takes, tangents, and laughs that only Crooked River Cast delivers.