http://www.wksu.org/news/ WKSU News Headlines en-us Copyright 2009, WKSU Radio Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:33:06 -0400 WKSU RSS Generator 1.2 - Two more people plead guilty in Cuyahoga County corruption probe. - Butler County man dies of swine flu. - Metro RTA using $8 million in federal stimulus money to buy new buses. - Cavs introduce Shaq to Cleveland, says he wants to "win a ring for the King." - Indians open a weekend series with Oakland's A tonight at Progressive Field. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23395 Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Cuyahoga County's Republican party hopes to have the tens of thousands of petition signatures it needs within weeks to try to oust county commissioner Jimmy Dimora. The G.O.P says a massive federal corruption probe has crippled the Democrat's ability to govern. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23672 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:14:57 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Government For Cleveland Cavalier fans it was a big day as the team's new "big" man was officially introduced. He says he's here to "win a ring or the king." WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23671 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:59:58 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Sports It was a tough day for some Ohio Lottery retailers, who have been dealing with glitches from a vendor switch-over. The Lottery says a few winning tickets were not recognized, and the new system did not properly read some tickets from the system being replaced. Lottery director Mike Dolan says it was a major undertaking. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23669 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:00:26 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Karen Kasler) Ohio Ohio is now operating on a temporary one week budget and another week budget appears to be in the works if lawmakers don't pass a new permanent two year budget by Tuesday. But some groups that rely on state money say their organizations can't operate effectively because they don't know how much money they'll be getting in the permanent budget. Democratic state representative Jennifer Garrison says she's not a fan of the temporary budgets either because they do not allow the state to attract federal dollars for which it would be eligible. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23667 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:45:29 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government A southwest Ohio man is the first victim in Ohio to die of the H1N1 virus. Kristopher Weiss of the Ohio Health Department explains the disease is taking its toll on Ohioans. Weiss says the best way to prevent the spread of the disease is to stay home when you are ill. Frequent hand-washing is also recommended. More than 60 Ohioans, ages 18 or younger, have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23661 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:39:10 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Health and Medicine The Ohio Supreme Court says parents who are suing over their underage daughter's abortion cannot see confidential medical records of other girls and women who went to the same clinic. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23670 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:05:27 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Karen Kasler) Health and Medicine Ohio is now operating on a one-week temporary budget and another one-week budget is in the works in case state leaders don't pass a permanent budget by Tuesday. The temporary budget is meant to allow agencies to continue to operate while budget negotiations continue but as Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports, some groups are finding it hard to get by right now under uncertain circumstances. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23668 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:53:20 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government The deadlock over a new two-year state budget for Ohio continues at the capitol, but there are a couple new wrinkles. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23666 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:40:47 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government Tensions are high between Democrats and Republicans in the Ohio legislature because of a deadlock over a new two-year state budget. And the stalemate is spilling over into other issues. In fact, two other proposals that lawmakers generally agree on are now in limbo because of the partisan squabbling. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23665 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:36:56 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government Environmentalists say a new report shows Ohioans will spend more than $993 billion on fossil fuels during the next 20 years if major advances aren't made in clean energy technologies. Jeff Greenfield own a company in southern Ohio that makes solar panels. He says what Ohio does right now to bring new energy technology to the state will determine what happens with the industry in the future. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23663 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:17:32 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Environment Safety officials throughout the state are warning Ohioans to beware of backyard fireworks displays. While most fireworks sold in Ohio cannot legally be set off here, there are some that can be used. By Dr. Gary Smith with Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus says parents should think twice before allowing their children to play with legal fireworks like sparklers. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23662 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:07:27 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Health and Medicine J. Kevin Kelly will likely serve six to seven years in federal prison for his role in the massive Cuyahoga County corruption scandal. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on Kelley's plea deal today (Wednesday) in federal court... WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23660 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:34:53 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Government Cleveland was the backdrop for the announcement of a federal program to put billions of dollars into expanding broadband internet access in urban and rural areas. The Obama administration believes it's a key to economic development. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23659 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:16:29 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Economy and Business Since the 2006 inception of the project development partners have been seeking but not finding an operator for the local grocery component of a retail revitalization for Highland Square. Mayor Don Plusquellic says the city will now step in and try to forge a deal with a pair of non-profit organizations to create an appropriate size store that can serve the basic needs of the community, and at the same time advance their missions to help persons with disabilities. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23658 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:52:27 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Lifestyle The stalemate over a new two-year state budget for Ohio continues at the Statehouse in Columbus. That's why state lawmakers have just approved a one-week interim budget to keep state government afloat, until a more long-range spending package is passed. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23656 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:15:31 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Starting today, the speed limit for trucks on Ohio's rural and suburban highways will rise from 55 miles an hour to 65. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23655 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:09:59 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Ohio . The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the free agency signing period today with money to spend and a number of prospects. Meanwhile, the Indians sit in last place and the outlook for the future is worse. WKSU commentator and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto joins Amanda Rabinowitz each week to talk sports WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23654 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:33:49 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Sports Ohioans with disabilities are one of the most recent groups that have rallied at the Ohio Statehouse to protest proposed budget cuts. Advocate Sue Hetrick says lawmakers need to provide more money in the budget for people with disabilities who don't want to live in nursing homes. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23664 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:22:21 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a pair of close calls on Cleveland Hopkins Airport's runway this month. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23653 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:49:53 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Government A long running project to get more life out of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority light rail cars should wrap-up by the end of the year, but it'll cost millions more than originally planned. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23651 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:54:37 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Government Cleveland sewer district staff are no closer to finding the source of a non-petroleum oil spill that killed hundreds of birds in the Cuyahoga River last week. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23650 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:14:37 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment After 15 years, the U.S. EPA is still trying to figure out what to do about toxic chemicals dumped in a west Akron neighborhood for decades. The EPA discovered that a series of drycleaners at Copley Square Plaza had dumped wastewater with the chemicals into pits in the ground, polluting nearby water up to 20 feet under the ground. Today, the mess remains, and the EPA is asking community members for feedback on a proposed clean-up plan. The EPA project lead, Sam Chummar says the agency wants the cleanup to come in two stages. By Holly Schoenstein reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23649 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:47:02 -0400 letters@wksu.org (By Holly Schoenstein) Environment While lawmakers themselves are busy trying to come up with a new two-year state budget, the people who work for those legislators are busy with another task - answering the phones. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23648 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:43:09 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government NASA astronaut and Broadview Heights native Michael Good helped repair and upgrade the 19-year old Hubble Space Telescope. The astronauts' fifth overhaul of the telescope will also be the last. With the retirement of the space shuttle in 2010, NASA will lose the ability to visit orbiting satellites and fix them in space. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23644 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Science and Technology One of the great things about baseball is that when you go to a game, you may see something you've never seen before: a player hitting for the cycle, Len Barker's perfect game, Asdrubal Cabrera's unassisted triple play, or a slow-footed catcher named Glenn Brummer trying to steal home in the bottom of the twelfth and making it. But WKSU commentator Paul Gaston can top that with the very first major league game he ever say, 50 years ago today. WKSU's Paul Gaston reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23608 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Paul Gaston) Commentary Ohio's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against three Ohio companies in his ongoing efforts to rid the state of foreclosure rescue scams. AG Richard Cordray explains how he's taking action against companies that he says are preying on homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgages. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23647 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:39:39 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Crime and Courts With one exception, House members from Northeast Ohio voted along party lines on a landmark climate change bill. Matt Laslo reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23646 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:33:02 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Matt Laslo) Government The former president of a mortgage company convicted of bilking Northeast Ohio investors, homeowners and lenders out of more than 16- million dollars is headed to prison. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23643 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:40:58 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Crime and Courts Ohio legislators and the Governor have given up trying to hammer out a compromise two-year state budget by the Wednesday morning deadline. Instead, they now plan to enact a short-term budget to give them more time. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23641 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:17:02 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government It remains an open question as to whether turning Thistledown into a "Racino" by adding slots or other casino style gambling would save the track, and horse racing in Ohio WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23639 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Economy and Business On the same weekend the Cleveland Museum of Art opened its new East Wing to public and critical praise came word that the museum's director is leaving. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23640 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:38:03 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Arts and Entertainment As Ohio lawmakers consider what to keep and what to cut from the new two year state budget, a group that represents charter schools hopes a new study will be considered in that decision making process. But a group representing traditional public schools says lawmakers should disregard that study because it is flawed. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23657 Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:38:15 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Education A new two-year state government budget for Ohio remains in limbo at this hour and the clock is ticking towards a Tuesday night deadline. Governor Ted Strickland and lawmakers are the ones with their backs against the wall. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23642 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:26:28 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government In the same week that Cleveland celebrated forty years of clean-up of the Cuyahoga River, a non-petroleum oil spill has killed more than 4-hundred sea gulls. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23638 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:50:30 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is paying special tribute to Micheal Jackson who died Thursday. But visitors are already spending more time viewing his permanent exhibit. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23637 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:39:28 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Arts and Entertainment Representative Dennis Kucinich pushed Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernake to explain why he wasn't tougher on companies in a financial merger. Eric Niiler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23636 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:48 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Eric Niiler) Government There are several new developments on the gambling front in Ohio. One group that's pushing for a ballot issue has filed thousands of petition signatures to try to get their proposal in front of the voters. Meanwhile, the governor and legislators are debating how to enact a totally different plan for expanded gambling, and several business groups have just endorsed it. Critics of both gambling proposals are speaking out and threatening a lawsuit. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23635 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:44:30 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government There are indications from leading lawmakers - including Governor Ted Strickland - that a budget may be in place by the deadline of June 30. And two well-known state senators say it will not include any sort of tax increase. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler asked Sen. Tim Grendell, a Republican from Northeast Ohio, and Sen. Capri Cafaro, a Democrat from Youngstown, whether tax hikes should even be talked about right now. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23634 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:25:28 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Karen Kasler) Government People who work with Ohio's oldest and sickest citizens are watching the Ohio Statehouse very carefully this week as lawmakers work to make decisions about how to fund services in the next two year state budget. And as Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports, people working in the nursing home and home health care industries say those decision could mean life or death to some Ohioans. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23633 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:54:24 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a blockbuster trade - sending Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal. WKSU commentator Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer talks with WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz about why the move is a win-win for the Cavs. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23632 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:17:51 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Sports The birthplace of pro football becomes the catalyst to grow the sport globally this weekend. Teams from eight countries are in Canton to compete in the first ever Junior World Championships. The U.S. team features some of the top college recruits in the country. But athletes from countries where American football is relatively new, have struggled to get here. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23631 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:29:05 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Sports The unofficial totals of would-be candidates for offices in Akron and around Summit County are: 22 Republicans and 67 Democrats. Seven of the Democrats running for Akron city council say they will work together as an informal opposition slate to the Plusquellic administration's policies and agenda. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23630 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:39:30 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics Ohio autoparts suppliers are still in trouble, despite government aid and timely payments by the Detroit three automakers. But two industry trade groups are seeing some positive signs. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23629 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:15:13 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Economy and Business For now, a Michigan judge has ordered Northeast Ohio-based steelmaker Republic Engineered Products to keep the steel supply flowing to a struggling autoparts manufacturer. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23628 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:05:33 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Economy and Business The band Van Der Graff Generator is not a household name, and their music isn't necessarily for the household. As founding members of the British progressive rock scene in the early 1970's, Van Der Graaf Generator reached beyond the pretension of prog rock and into the fury of punk. The group hasn't toured the States since 1976, but tonight, they'll be playing a rare show at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Chris Boros reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23625 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:27:05 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Chris Boros) Governor Ted Strickland's proposal to balance the upcoming two-year state budget with $2.4 billion worth of spending cuts is igniting a firestorm of protests from citizen-lobbyists across Ohio. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23627 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:14:22 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government It looks like there's a very good chance Ohio voters will be voting this fall on a measure intended to set standards for the state's farm industry. Lawmakers are throwing their support behind a plan that would give voters a chance to decide whether to amend the constitution to allow for a commission that would oversee the care of livestock in Ohio. The Ohio House passed the plan Wednesday and the Senate is expected to do the same Thursday. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23626 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:59:52 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Ohio Ohio's Senator Sherrod Brown is introducing a bill to update how school children qualify for free and reduced lunch programs. He hopes to add nearly a third again as many children to the program... WKSU's M.L. Schultze and Stacy Puzo report. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23624 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:30:50 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze and Stacy Puzo) Ohio Would-be candidates must file, and take out petitions, by 4:00 Thursday, June 25th if they want to run in the September 8th primaries in Akron or in a number of other Summit county communities. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23623 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:52:11 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics The lobbying to stop massive cuts in state funding for libraries continued today. Hundreds of people - most of them library workers from across Northeast Ohio - rallied on the steps of the Cleveland Public Library to protest proposed cuts of as much as 50-percent. And most say merging some the region's smaller library systems to save money is not an option. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23621 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:36:51 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Ohio WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23617 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:09:07 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government The parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls has agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement, so that dozens of states, including Ohio, will drop their complains over a massive security breach involving the companies' credit card holders. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23616 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:02:19 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Economy and Business Despite last night's win in Pittsburgh, the Indians have been struggling of late, losing 7 of their last 9, and fans are getting frustrated. The question of a managerial change has come up recently as one possible solution. WKSU commentator and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talked with WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz about the future of Tribe manager Eric Wedge. WKSU's Amanda Rabinowitz reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23615 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:34:30 -0400 rabinowitz@wksu.org (Amanda Rabinowitz) Sports Akron's mayor won big even though the election turnout was relatively small. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports from our Akron studios on Don Plusquellic's victory over those who tried to force him from office, and on what comes next. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23614 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:28:22 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics Northeast Ohio's longest serving mayor will serve a while longer. Don Plusquellic, in his sixth term as mayor of Akron, easily beat back a recall attempt in a special election yesterday(Tuesday). The recall was rejected by a nearly three-to-one margin among the 28-thousand votes cast. The mayor and his supporters are talking mandate for Plusquellic's vision for Akron -- and are already campaigning for City Council candidates he supports. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23613 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:20:10 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23620 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:51:22 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Other Stories Ohio legislators and Governor Ted Strickland are looking at a plan to authorize slot machines at the state's seven horse racing tracks, but that's not stopping backers of another gambling expansion plan from moving ahead with their own proposal for casinos in big cities. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23619 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:43:53 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) The Ohio Department of Tourism thinks its marketing campaign last summer helped to keep the industry alive in the Buckeye state. In an interview with Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles, the director of the Ohio Tourism Division, Amir Eylon, says last year's media blitz brought in about $437 million worth of new visitor spending for Ohio. He also says that for every dollar the state invested in marketing Ohio for tourism, $12 worth of local and state taxes were generated. He says there are good deals for travelers right now, and they can be found at discoverohio.com WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23618 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:20:23 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Ohio By a nearly 3-1 margin, Akron voters have chosen to retain Don Plusquellic as their mayor for another 2 1/2 years. About 28,000 people voted in today's special election. Plusquellic is in his sixth term as Akron's mayor. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23612 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:17:51 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) It was a perfect day for voting, but for Akron residents it was not a usual day for it. Polling hours were scheduled for 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 PM for a special election to decide whether Mayor Don Plusquellic should be recalled or serve the remainder of his sixth term. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23611 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:28:49 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics NPR's All Things Considered tackled this weighty issue with help from the Plain Dealer's Connie Schultz. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23610 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:09:54 -0400 Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is temporarily stepping aside as chairman of the county's Democratic Party. Dimora is a target of the ongoing federal Cuyahoga County corruption probe,and some fellow Democrats says he needs to permanently leave the position. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23609 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:37:01 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Crime and Courts Governor Ted Strickland has changed his stand and is now asking Ohio legislators to approve a plan to authorize thousands of slot machines at race tracks. As statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports, critics of the plan are vowing to fight it in court. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23607 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:44:00 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government Ohioans may soon have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that will decide how farm animals are treated. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23606 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:35:33 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government As part of his plan to close the state budget gap, Governor Ted Strickland last week proposed cutting state funding for public libraries by 227-million dollars over the next two years. Libraries in Northeast Ohio say that's too much. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23605 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:26:50 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) If today's recall of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic succeeds, the mayor of Akron could be a non-elected official, at least for a short time. The whole recall process is dictated by Akron's charter, and so is the succession if voters decided today to remove long-time Mayor Plusquellic. the interim mayor under the charter would be City Law Director Max Rothal, an appointee of Plusquellic. "If the recall is successful, the present mayor would not be able to serve and the charter of the city of Akron provides that the law director becomes the acting mayor until there is an election to elect a new mayor," Rothal explained. Mayor Plusquellic would not be eligible to run for Mayor again until after his current terms expires, which is more than two years away. Rothal is an appointed official and has been law director since 1987. He is a Kent State graduate, got his law degree from the University of Akron, and was in private law practice for 25 years before joining the city administration. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23604 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:59:54 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Government Turnout for today's Akron mayoral recall election was heavy even before election day. More than 9,000 people cast early ballots through Monday. That's nearly half the total number of votes in the 2007 Democratic primary that gave Don Plusquellic his sixth term as Akron's mayor. Summit County Board of Elections Director Mary Jane Donofrio said the Get Out The Vote campaign among both the mayor's supporters and detractors has been vigorous. "It's hard to say. It's either people for the mayor or the people for Mendenhall or both, but I know the mayor has had a lot of literature in the mail. I don't know if that's had anything to do with it, but the turnout has been steady," Donofrio said. Polling locations throughout Akron are open until 7:30 tonight, and first results are expected by 9pm. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23603 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:52:26 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Government WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23602 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:37:29 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Government Cleveland Browns' wide receiver and special-teams player Joshua Cribbs is OK with playing out his $6 million, six-year contract extension " for now. The former Kent State football player was on campus last week to speak at a youth football and cheerleading camp. Though the Pro-Bowler and popular player is the subject of trade rumors, he told WKSU that he's focusing on playing with the team he loves and letting his agent, J.R. Rickert, do any renegotiating. Cribbs has said the Browns promised to renegotiate last year after his outstanding season. And he held out during a Browns minicamp earlier this spring. He also asked to be traded. But Cribbs told WKSU he just wants a "fair" contract price, a figure in line with what other comparable NFL players have signed for. He declined to say what number would be acceptable. Cribbs had signed a contract extension, which included a $2 million signing bonus, when he was with a different agent before making the Pro Bowl at the end of the 2007 season as a special teams player. Cribbs has rejoined the team's practice sessions. Holly Schoenstein reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23622 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:04:06 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Holly Schoenstein) Sports Local, state and federal officials celebrated the 40th anniversary of the clean-up of the Cuyahoga River today. But they say it could take another 40-years to finish the job. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23601 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:13:54 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment Absentee voting in the recall election of Northeast Ohio's longest- serving mayor already is approaching 9,000 ballots. That's nearly half all the votes cast the last time Mayor Don Plusquellic faced Akron's voters. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23599 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:13:22 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Politics WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23598 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:21:04 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Environment Summer vacation appears to be a long way off for state lawmakers. They're back for a full week of work with a variety of bills, with the state budget and the $3.2 billion hole in it and the governor's new proposal to allow slot machines at racetracks, at the top of the agenda. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23597 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:15:59 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Karen Kasler) Government Governor Ted Strickland has proposed what he's calling a framework for plugging the $3.2 billion hole in the state budget. He's proposing cutting $2.4 billion in spending and is reversing his stance on slot machines, allowing them without an okay from voters. WKSU's Karen Kasler reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23596 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:05:27 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Karen Kasler) Government One of Northeast Ohio's highest profile political dramas is nearing the wrap up. Akron voters are set to go to the polls to decide whether Don Plusquellic will complete his sixth term as mayor of the city. For some final perspectives WKSU's Tim Rudell met in our Akron studios with two people who have followed the recall issue from its earliest moments as well as the years of Akron politics from which it arose. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23592 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics Forty years ago today in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River caught fire. It wasn't the first time the river burned, but it was the last. The fire sparked public outrage across the nation and drove Congress to pass the Clean Water Act. Since then there've been years of clean-up. Where vacuum boats once sucked up oil spills, boating clubs now enjoy an evening rowing on the river. The Cuyahoga is so much cleaner, state officials have applied to take parts of it off a list of the most polluted Great Lakes waterways. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23583 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment WKSU's Jeff St. Clair reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23577 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 stclair@wksu.org (Jeff St. Clair) Education Ohio's official unemployment rate has shot up again. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has the newest gloomy figures. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23595 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:59:54 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Economy and Business Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has reversed his position on slot machines at racetracks as a way to help fill the projected $3.2 billion hole in the upcoming two-year state budget. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23593 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:45:36 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government Jarred by an estimated $1.6 trillion pricetag, Congress scrambled this week to rework its draft of healthcare reform. But T.R. Reid will continue to preach the need for reform when he visits Cleveland Saturday night, with the chorus provided by his comparison of healthcare costs and quality in other industrialized nations. T.R. Reid will speak at 7 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23591 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:52:29 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Health and Medicine The new East Wing of the Cleveland Museum of Art officially opens to the public next weekend. But Friday was the official unveiling. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23590 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:05:45 -0400 goodman@wksu.org (Vivian Goodman) Arts and Entertainment A Cleveland housing judge has ordered Wells Fargo Bank to bring any foreclosed properties it owns in the city up to code. The ruling is a victory for housing officials who say dilapidated properties are ruining Cleveland's neighborhoods. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23589 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:00:37 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Crime and Courts Nobody has built a nuclear power plant in the U.S. since the 1970's. But plans were unveiled in Southern Ohio yesterday to try to build a new one there. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23588 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:37:52 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Other Stories State environmental officials will have another reason to celebrate the rebirth of the Cuyahoga River when they gather in Cleveland Monday on the 40th anniversary of its burning. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23587 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:26:20 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment A new wing of the Cleveland Museum of Art officially opens to the public next weekend, but tomorrow is the unveiling. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23586 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 goodman@wksu.org (Vivian Goodman) Arts and Entertainment No nuclear plant has been built in the U.S. since the 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, but plans were unveiled today to research the possibility of building one in Southern Ohio. The proposed site is near the grounds of a former uranium-enrichment plant in Piketon. That's where utility and government officials announced the details of the project. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23594 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:49:44 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Environment One of the first big trade disputes faced by the Obama administration centers on 46 million Chinese tires and is likely to be impacted by problems ranging from U.S. debt to North Korea. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23585 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:36:40 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora today defied fellow commissioners and critics by continuing to vote on public contracts at the commissioner's weekly meeting. Dimora has been asked to not vote because he's the subject of a federal corruption probe. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23584 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:03:08 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Government WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23582 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:12:23 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Economy and Business Bankruptcy is a complex process and Thistledown's corporate parent had problems navigating the system as it entered bankruptcy protection. But, a $36,000 payment issued yesterday meant the track stayed open. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23571 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Economy and Business Fathers and sons working together is nothing new. Fathers and sons being unemployed together is not uncommon either these days. But in Bay Village, an advertising executive with nothing to advertise, and a hiring specialist with no one to hire, are re-inventing themselves as a songwriting team, and redefining their relationship as father and son. WKSU's Vivian Goodman reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23553 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 goodman@wksu.org (Vivian Goodman) Arts and Entertainment Ohio has settled a lawsuit over controversial issues that surfaces in the 2004 general election. And because of this settlement, the state will be forced to make some changes in the way elections are conducted in the Buckeye State in the future. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23581 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:05:03 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Government Governor Ted Strickland is floating about $2 billion in spending cuts to help plug a projected $3 billion hold in the proposed new state budget. That is drawing cries of protest from supporters of programs for the poor and elderly. WKSU's Bill Cohen reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23578 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:51:37 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Bill Cohen) Government A Brookings Institute study suggests Ohio and Northeast Ohio will have a harder time recovering from the recession than much of the rest of the country. And the problem stems from more than just the dependence on the auto industry. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23576 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:46:31 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Economy and Business Jill Bacon-Madden, a former Summit County development official, saw potential in the old Firestone Bank building in 2007. With the help of about 1-point-5 million dollars from the city for sidewalks, lighting and other basics, she and her husband Robert rehabbed it into a tech center where they will operate their information technology company. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23575 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:23:45 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Economy and Business An Akron company has withdrawn its permit to build a small hydroelectric project on the Edison Gorge Dam in Summit County. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23574 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:43:30 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is pushing for 30 billion dollars in federal loans to transform old manufacturing into new. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23573 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:21:19 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) A judge is expected to decide today if a northeast Ohio steelmaker should be forced to at least temporarily keep its supply going to a multi-million-dollar customer-- despite fears it will never get paid. WKSU's M.L. Schultze reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23572 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:16:28 -0400 schultze@wksu.org (M.L. Schultze) Ohio's Inspector General has determined a state employee mishandled payments directed to the agency he worked for. And the report shows the agency itself could use some improvements in the way it processes payments. WKSU's Jo Ingles reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23579 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:59:47 -0400 letters@wksu.org (Jo Ingles) Crime and Courts Akron could see a shot in the arm for local employment. The mayor's office says a developer's news conference on the near south side will lay out plans that could involve a thousand jobs. WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23570 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:14:27 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Economy and Business Until President Obama supports limits on malpractice lawsuits,a Northeast Ohio doctors association says it will not support the president's Obama's call for fewer medical procedures. WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23569 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:02:36 -0400 niedermier@wksu.org (Kevin Niedermier) Health and Medicine The U.S. EPA says eight counties in Northeast Ohio now meet federal clean air standards for smog. But state officials say those same counties will most likely NOT meet tighter smog regulations next year. WKSU's Karen Schaefer reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23568 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:15:25 -0400 schaefer@wksu.org (Karen Schaefer) Environment Some Akron residents say they are receiving auto-dial calls from the Fraternal Order of Police urging them to vote for the recall of Mayor Don Plusquellic a week from today (Tuesday). The local FOP head says "not so." WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23567 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:40:44 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Politics Providing healthy, environmentally sound, affordable homes for low income families is the goal WKSU's Tim Rudell reports. http://www.wksu.org/news/story/23562 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:23:04 -0400 rudell@wksu.org (Tim Rudell) Environment