Crooked River Cast Show 45

🎙️ Salt Shortage, Snowpocalypse & Trump at Davos

Show #45 kicks off on a fun and heartfelt note as Tom wishes Robert a very happy birthday — including a story about Robert’s 15-year-old daughter drawing him a birthday card with a speedometer hitting 51 mph that read: “Wow, that was fast!” 🚗💨

And yes — she also got her temps just in time to drive in the Snowpocalypse ❄️, which is where things immediately take a sharp turn into Ohio chaos, global politics, and Washington power plays. From there, Robert and Tom dive straight into Trump’s Davos speech, healthcare policy, ICE drama in Ohio, and why nobody can find road salt when they actually need it.

🌎 Trump at Davos

Trump didn’t just show up at Davos — he took over the room. From calling out global power brokers to floating the idea of America buying Greenland, it was classic Trump: think big, go bold, and let everyone else catch up. Some people clutch their pearls when he speaks this plainly, which raises an interesting question — why? Whether you see it as genius or chaos, it’s straight out of The Art of the Deal, and it had the entire world watching.

🔗 Sources:

▶️ YouTube: LIVE: Trump speaks at World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos (full speech)

Greenland clip:
▶️ YouTube:Asking Greenlanders About Becoming Part of The United States

🏥 How “Great” Is Trump’s Healthcare Plan?

The fine print matters. The administration released a document called The Great Healthcare Plan — but does it actually improve healthcare access or just rebrand old policies?

Official White House PDF:
🔗: The Great Healthcare Plan

🚨 Ohio Commissioner Calls ICE & DHS “Terrorists”

That escalated quickly. A Lucas County Commissioner went on record calling ICE, DHS, and U.S. Border Patrol “terrorist organizations” — a serious accusation with massive implications. But when reporters asked him to explain or defend the claim, he suddenly went quiet. If you’re going to drop rhetoric that explosive, you should be ready to stand behind it.

What do you think? Was this reckless political theater or a legitimate critique of federal agencies? Email the show and tell us where you land — we want to hear your take. Douche or no douche?

Sources:

🔗: Ohio Commissioner Silent When Questioned on Calling ICE, DHS & Border Patrol Terrorist Groups

🧂 Ohio’s Rock Salt Shortage

Snow everywhere. Salt nowhere. Just as Northeast Ohio got buried in snow, cities suddenly ran out of rock salt — leaving roads slick and drivers frustrated.

Source:

▶️ YouTube: Northeast Ohio cities dealing with rock salt shortage during peak of winter season

🐀 Critter Corner

🗳️ Election Day Could Become a Holiday

Finally making voting easier? Ohio lawmakers are floating the idea of turning Election Day into a state holiday. Like it’s currently, it’s that hard to vote.

Source:

🔗: Ohio lawmakers propose bill to make Election Day a holiday

📹 Daycare Cameras to Stop “Fraud”?

Parents get surveillance, not answers. So… are they even investigating? Ohio Republicans are pushing for cameras in daycare classrooms to combat supposed “fraud,” yet there’s been no solid evidence presented that widespread fraud actually exists. Meanwhile, millions of taxpayer dollars are flowing out of Ohio’s childcare system, and instead of following the money, lawmakers want to put surveillance cameras on kids and teachers.

Let’s be honest — that’s not just ineffective, it’s creepy. If there’s real fraud happening, the answer isn’t turning daycares into reality TV… it’s doing a real audit and fixing the system. Ohio can do better than this.

Source:

🔗: Ohio GOP lawmakers want daycare cameras to combat ‘fraud’ that hasn’t been proven

💊 Ohio Pushes for More Abortion Pill Restrictions

The fight continues. Despite voters backing reproductive rights, new legislation aims to further restrict abortion pills.

Sources:

🔗: Reproductive Rights Regulated, Tested in Ohio Republican Bills, as Dems Continue Attempts to Protect

🔗: Sen. Jon Husted cites Ohio case in push for abortion drug restrictions

🚁 Using Drones as First Responders

Eyes in the sky over Ohio. Police departments across Northeast Ohio are rolling out “drones as first responders” to reach emergencies faster, assess danger, and track suspects before officers even arrive on scene. On paper, it sounds futuristic — but in practice, it raises some big questions.

One of the wildest examples came out of Stark County, where deputies used a drone to track down a man who fled a crash into the woods. Efficient? Sure. But it also begs the question: Why risk a high-speed chase when you can just run a plate or let a drone do the tracking? Technology is changing policing fast — whether we’re ready or not.

Sources:

▶️ YouTube: Police in Northeast Ohio plan to use ‘drones as first responders’ to help with emergency calls

🔗: Stark County Sheriff’s deputies use drone to find wanted man who fled crash into woods

🚗 Willoughby Hills Speed Cameras = Big Money

Slower cars, faster cash. The city says speeding is down — but revenue is way up. Love that money!

Source:

🔗: Willoughby Hills’ photo enforcement program shows dramatic reduction in speeding

⚖️ Judge Celebrezze Follow-Up

More fallout in Cuyahoga County. Former judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze has now had her law license suspended. Finally, the system seems to be working here in this case.

Source:

🔗: Ohio Supreme Court suspends law license of former Cuyahoga County Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze

🌟 Good Things

🍽️ Cleveland Supper Clubs Are Thriving

Strangers. Food. Real conversations. As solo dining rises, Cleveland’s supper clubs are bringing people together the old-school way.

Source:

🔗: As Solo Dining Becomes Commonplace, Cleveland’s Supper Clubs are Bucking the Trend

🦫 A Fisher Returns to Ohio

First sighting in 100+ years! A fisher — a rare mammal — has been spotted in Ohio for the first time in more than a century.

Source:

🔗: Animal spotted in Ohio for first time in more than a century

🔔 Subscribe & Share

If you like smart, unscripted conversations about Ohio, politics, culture, and real-world news, help us grow:

👉 Subscribe
👉 Share the show
👉 Follow the show on X at CRC Ohio News

You’re the reason Crooked River Cast keeps rolling.

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

📢 Subscribe & Share

If this episode made you think, laugh, or shake your head — share it.
Follow the show, subscribe wherever you listen, and find us on X – CRC Ohio News to keep the conversation going.

Ohio stories. National impact. No corporate filter.

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

🔔 Subscribe & Share

New year, same mission. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it, and find the guys on X. Word of mouth keeps Crooked River Cast rolling.