All Sides with Ann Fisher

Spring is just a few weeks away and the Columbus arts scene is blossoming with activity.On this edition of All Sides Weekend, host Christopher Purdy is getting the inside scoop from several members of the Columbus arts community on what audiences can look forward to.Host:Christopher Purdy, Classical 101 morning hostGuests:David Baghat, director, Butterfly Guild for Nationwide Children's HospitalChad Whittington, president/CEO, CAPALeda Hoffman, producing artistic director, Contemporary Theatre of OhioIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

On May 15, Columbus resident Robert Alt summited the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest.Since then, his journey has continued. Now he has summited six of the seven highest peaks in the world.A local author is fusing history lessons with ghost stories to create a fun and interesting way to learn Ohio history.Having already written two books in his “Ohio Kids” series and coming out with a third, Logan Lyon is continuing his family tradition of finding new ways of teaching.Middletown, Ohio is the home of the oldest documented continuously operated stained-glass studio in the United States.Their glass is acquired from all over the world and design techniques date back to the original owners.We'll learn more about the history of the BeauVerre Riordan Studio.Guests:Robert Alt, mountaineer/founder, Profound Climbing/president/CEO, The Buckeye InstituteLogan Lyons, author, The Chillicothe GhostsLinda Moorman, owner, BeauVerre Riordan StudiosIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

Columbus City Schools is addressing a budget shortfall by cutting more than 60 administrative positions, closing four buildings and making some busing changes.Despite these moves, projections still show the district will be out of money by 2030.School leaders say rising costs, property tax changes and reduced state funding have backed them into a corner.We'll discuss what's being done to get out of that corner with Columbus City Schools' Superintendent Angela Chapman.Guest:Columbus City Schools' Superintendent/CEO Angela ChapmanIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

Having spent more than 10 years as the president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Tom Katzenmeyer stepped down from his post in 2025.Late last year, it was announced that the GCAC board of trustees selected Mitch Menchaca as its new president and CEO.During the next hour, we'll meet the arts advocate and fundraiser, who comes to Columbus from Phoenix, where he was the city's arts and culture director.The GCAC board said they picked Menchaca because of his experience in securing funding and running grant programs.We'll learn about his vision for the future of the Columbus arts scene.Guest:Mitch Menchaca, president/CEO, Greater Columbus Arts CouncilIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

President Donald Trump's primetime address to Congress on Tuesday night set the stage for the rest of this midterm election year.Trump touted his administration's efforts to lower costs for everyday Americans and reflected on his first-year accomplishments.He also addressed recent news.The U.S. Supreme Court said the president does not have the ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.ICE activity in Minnesota has slowed down in an effort to de-escalate tensions with local authorities.The issues discussed impact every Ohioan and inform Ohio politics as well.We will have reaction to President Trump's "State of the Union" speech from two political scientists on this hour of All Sides.Guests:Paul Beck, political science professor emeritus, Ohio State UniversityBrianna Mack, associate professor, politics and government, Ohio Wesleyan UniversityIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Matt Rourke / AP)

AI will never be outrightly rude or racist, but that doesn't mean it doesn't formulate racist opinions based on harmful stereotypes.This covert racism has major implications from hiring to even legal decisions.We will be talking about covert racism in AI.Streaming services have become one of the most dominant and popular forms of media consumption since Netflix and Spotify revolutionized how we watch and listen to our favorites.These services are not without downsides, though, and as they grow, how does their environmental impact grow with them?One of the most popular online games, Roblox, has been in hot water because of its seeming neglect of children's safety.Guests:Soroush Vosoughi, associate professor, computer science, Dartmouth CollegeKyle Devine, professor of environmental studies and sciences, University of WinnipegRussell Holly, director of commerce content, CNETIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Sutthiphong / AdobeStock)

Former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor joins All Sides to talk about judicial independence in a time of partisanship, an effort to nationalize elections, and a movement by chief justices around the U.S. to push back on what some legal scholars view as executive overreach into the judiciary. Is it?She served as chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court from 2011 through 2022.O'Connor's insights will provide us an in-depth look at the issue on this hour of All Sides.Guest:Maureen O'Connor, former Ohio Supreme Court chief justiceIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Julie Carr Smyth / AP)

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which began on the night of Feb. 17 and ends on March 19.Muslims across the United States will be celebrating and observing the month through fasting, night prayers and gatherings with their local community.The Columbus Muslim community has their own traditions and practices. There are more than 20 mosques in the city, and each one hosts their own nightly prayers and community gatherings during the month.Ramadan is not just about fasting. The month signifies a time to reflect, give charity and increase acts of service.We'll be speaking with three local Muslim community leaders about what it's like to celebrate Ramadan in Columbus.Guests:State Rep. Munira AbdullahiMohammed Azhar Masood, executive director, Noor Islamic Cultural CenterNicol Ghazi, executive director, Muslim Family Services of OhioIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(photo: Mahesh Kumar A. / AP)

Ohio State University is fielding hundreds of calls to remove Les Wexner's name from campus buildings, amid growing anger over his ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.A new term, WEXIT, has been coined by groups pushing for removal. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine defends keeping Wexner's name.Meanwhile, Democratic members of Congress who traveled to New Albany last week to depose Wexner said they found Wexner's denial of knowing about Epstein's criminal conduct hard to believe.In other news, a judge has removed the chairman of the state's second-largest pension for violating his fiduciary duties.We'll talk about what we're learning from the First Energy trial.It's all coming up during this week's Reporter Roundtable.Guests:George Shillcock, reporter, WOSU Public MediaJo Ingles, senior reporter, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News BureauLaura Bischoff, politics and state government reporter, The Columbus DispatchJake Zuckerman, reporter, Signal OhioIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

The time is always right to start a new book.On this edition of All Sides Weekend, host Christopher Purdy and his guests are offering up some suggestions on titles you might want to add to your pile of must-read books.Host:Christopher Purdy, Classical 101 Morning HostGuests:Kassie Rose, WOSU Book CriticKris Hickey, youth services coordinator, Columbus Metropolitan LibraryMichelle Herman, professor emerita creative writing, Ohio State UniversityIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(photo: CCAC North Library / flickr)

On this week's Fascinating Ohio, we're talking to a fashion influencer, a pair of restaurant owners and a museum director.

Author, journalist and Columbus native Wil Haygood takes an in-depth look at the Vietnam War from the Black American perspective.He traces the lives of Black men and women who were in Vietnam.The racial divide of the 1960s and 1970s did not stay on American shores, it followed these men and women all the way around the world.Haygood's book The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home tells the story of race in America and abroad.And he connects the war in Vietnam to the racial tension the United States continues to grapple with today.The Pulitzer Prize-nominated author joins us for this hour of All Sides.Guest:Wil Haygood, journalist/author, The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at HomeIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

What does it mean to flourish, to find meaning and joy in life and be fulfilled?How do we create meaning, especially now, in times of division and struggle for many families?On this hour of All Sides, we're talking to an author who literally wrote the book on the topic.New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle joins us to discuss his new book Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy and Fulfillment.Guest:Daniel Coyle, author, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy and FulfillmentIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

What would drive someone to physically hurt someone they love?Domestic violence homicides in Ohio are way up, along with murder-suicides. Why?Those who study and work in the field note that victims and perpetrators are trending younger.And the cases aren't exclusive to intimate partner relationships, but reflect a rise in family-on-family violence.Officials in Columbus and Franklin County have new initiatives meant to address the root causes and save lives.Guests:Rena Shak, executive director, Office of Violence Prevention, City of ColumbusLisa DeGeeter, senior director for policy and prevention, Ohio Domestic Violence NetworkDiana Williams, founder and CEO, Ohio Women Against Domestic ViolenceLt. Jason Garner, domestic violence unit, Columbus Division of PoliceIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Louis-Paul Photo / Adobe Stock)

The Winter Olympics are underway in Milan, and people across the world are watching their countries' teams compete.The way that people watch the games has changed with new technology.From drones to real-time replay to AI technology, viewer experiences are being enhanced.We will talk about more Olympic news and pivot to the Paralympic games that will begin next month. Technology is at the heart of the Paralympics. We will discuss adaptive sports technology that enables athletes to compete.We'll hear about the latest in wireless earbud technology and it's expensive.Plus, can soil testing help keep your indoor plants alive longer?We're talking about all these topics on this week's Tech Tuesday.Guests:Mila Fiordalisi, journalist, WIRED Italia (pre-taped)Theresa Berner, rehabilitation clinic manager, Assistive Technology Center, Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitative SciencesRussell Holly, director of commerce content, CNETIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Luca Bruno / AP)

Thirty states, including Ohio, require high school students to complete a personal finance course to graduate.In some cases, schools are taking creative approaches with real world consequences.We'll learn about one high school using endowment money to give each student $1,000 to invest and track throughout high school.We're talking about new ways of teaching teens about money on this hour of All Sides.Guests:Joann Lublin, regular contributor/former career columnist, Wall Street JournalJason Savage, business teacher, Worthington High SchoolJohn Pelletier, director, Center for Financial Literacy, Champlain CollegeIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

At the start of the year, economist Bill LaFayette and the Columbus Metropolitan Club predict what Columbus' economic forecast may be.Will jobs grow, will housing stay affordable, and will new industries make moves in Ohio?With big changes on the national scale, such as immigration crackdowns, tariffs and more, how will central Ohio be affected?How will these changes affect the average Ohioan and the big businesses that work here?We'll find out more in Columbus' economic forecast during this hour of All Sides.Guests:Bill LaFayette, owner and economist, Regionomics, LLCBenjamin Ayers, senior economist, NationwideDoug Buchanan, editor in chief, Columbus Business FirstIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

Jeffrey Epstein once lived in New Albany, forging strong personal and financial ties to Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, as well as connections to others in the state.Wexner, named in the Epstein files as a potential “co-conspirator,” is set to be deposed at his home Wednesday by members of Congress. That's in place of testifying in Washington.Meanwhile, several statewide and local politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, have received campaign contributions over the years from Wexner and his wife.Should they keep the money or return it? What's the political calculus?State lawmakers are back at work and are considering a mix of new and unfinished legislation.We're talking about all of it on this week's Reporter Roundtable.Guests:George Shillcock, reporter, WOSU Public MediaJessie Balmert, state government and politics reporter, The Columbus DispatchMorgan Trau, Columbus bureau reporter, NEWS 5 ClevelandIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Jay LaPrete / AP)

We're talking to people who are working to prevent sex trafficking, make videos and empower students to create art in central Ohio.

Ohio State University is getting ready to open its new 26-story, nearly two million square-foot hospital tower.Meanwhile, the OSU Wexner Medical Center's namesake is being subpoenaed to Capitol Hill to testify about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. That deposition is scheduled to take place on Feb. 18.The most recent release of Epstein files by the Department of Justice shows that Les Wexner was named as a co-conspirator in 2019.Plus, there are several new programs aimed at making college more accessible and affordable, and Ohio State athletics saw some record-breaking revenue.We will talk about the latest news at Ohio State, the future of higher education and more with Ohio State University President Ted Carter during this hour of All Sides.Guest:Ted Carter, Ohio State University PresidentIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

ICE activity continues to be a part of American life. Photo documentation of ICE activity has occurred since the beginning of ICE encounters. But ICE has its own techniques it uses to track down immigrants and protesters.Consumer Reports recently released its 2026 best cars list. For the first time, every car on the list can be purchased as an electric or hybrid model. We will be talking about electric vehicles and car safety features to inform consumers' buying decisions.And then Apple has a new photo clean-up tool that's pretty easy to use. And the thermometer of the future is here, and it's pretty expensive.Guests:Lily Hay Newman, senior writer for WIREDKeith Barry, senior autos reporter for Consumer ReportsRussell Holly, director of commerce content for CNETIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.(Photo: Alex Brandon / AP)

COSI and the Ohio History Connection are two local nonprofits experiencing layoffs.These layoffs, combined with eroding federal funding, are contributing to an invisible job crisis in America's nonprofit sector.This hour of All Sides will address the challenges facing nonprofits and what it means for the communities they're serving.Guests:Rick Cohen, chief operating officer of the National Council of NonprofitsMichael Corey, executive director of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin CountyIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially unveiled its long anticipated list of Oscar nominations, and as always, it's already sparking plenty of conversation.While some of the heavyweight contenders felt inevitable, like Sinners and One Battle After Another, there were also a few surprises that shook up the usual predictions.Looking back now, what did the 2025 film slate really look like after a full year of releases, buzz and box-office results?Were there actors who reclaimed their old glory with career-reviving roles, and is there a new generation of box office stars?What are some of the biggest nominees, the most talked-about snubs and the performances that captured audiences and critics alike?We'll also look ahead to which films are already generating excitement and which projects should be on your radar as we head into 2026.GuestsAlissa Wilkinson, New York Times film criticScott Mantz, film critic, entertainment journalist and producerPaul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst, ComScoreIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)

Millions of dollars from recreational marijuana sales are finally flowing into communities all around Ohio.For some small towns, it's a much-needed windfall, while other communities continue to keep dispensaries out.An effort to repeal a new intoxicating hemp law clears an early hurdle, as opponents include some in the cannabis industry.On the legislative front: two lawmakers want to prevent high school athletes from receiving NIL deals.Disrupting a church service in Ohio could become a felony if two Republicans have their way.Candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, Congress, governor and more officially file to run.We're talking about all these hot topics on this week's Reporter Roundtable.Guests:Sarah Donaldson, reporter, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News BureauMarty Schladen, reporter, Ohio Capital JournalLaura Hancock, politics and policy reporter, Cleveland.comIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Jim Mone / AP)

The way music has been stored and listened to has changed so much in the past few decades. But many people keep coming back to one of the original mediums of storing musical data: vinyl records.Used Kids Records is a staple of the music scene in Columbus. We'll talk with the owner.We'll meet an artist who was born in Taiwan, raised in Belize and attended college in Canada. Now living in Columbus, she puts the rhythm of her worldly movement into her art.One entrepreneur has single-handedly brought the tastes of the world to the Midwest. We will meet the franchise owner of multiple restaurants and cafes that are bringing different international-inspired menus from Palestinian bread and Yemeni coffee to shawarma and desserts to central Ohio.It's all part of this week's Fascinating Ohio.Guests:Greg Hall, owner, Used Kids Records - (00:00)Yani Sheng, artist - (17:57)Ibrahim Al Mahaireh, owner, Juice Time, Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., Al Manakeesh, Farooj Abo Al Abed Ohio - (35:18)If you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitian families living in Ohio has been temporarily extended. Previously, a federal judge stepped in at the last minute and blocked the Trump administration's attempt to end the TPS agreement.With their protected status still in effect, many Haitians in Ohio can breathe a sigh of relief– for now.But a court battle over the issue will continue. And the temporary stay does not take away the worries about immigration enforcement activity.We're talking about the status of the Haitian community in Ohio and the impact they have on the Buckeye state.Guests:Emily Brown, director, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law's Immigration Clinic - (00:00)Sophia Pierrelus, entrepreneur/former secretary of the Mouvement Patriotique des Haïtiens Conscients - (17:01)Viles Dorsainvil, executive director, Haitian Community Help and Support Center - (36:17)If you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Jessie Wardarski / AP)

Do you feel like you matter? It is a core human need.Author Jennifer Wallace says we are in a “mattering” crisis.She talked to several people, including teachers, parents, caregivers and first responders.She was searching for how to live a life of deep connection and purpose.What she found was that in today's world there has been a significant “erosion of mattering.”Wallace's book Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose explores how our lives are transformed when we are reminded of our value.Guest:Jennifer Wallace, journalist/author, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and PurposeIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.

It's been three years since East Palestine, Ohio residents lived through a train derailment and chemical burn that released more than one million pounds of vinyl chloride and other industrial chemicals into the air and water.Residents have reported ongoing medical issues and federal rail safety legislation remains stalled.What's the status of the $600 million pledged by Norfolk Southern?Guests:Jami Wallace, former East Palestine resident and co-founder, Chemically Impacted Communities CoalitionMindy Bish, managing partner, Keenan Law FirmDr. Beatrice Golomb, professor of medicine, UC San Diego School of MedicineAntonio Diaz-Guy, village manager, East PalestineAbigail Bottar, reporter, Ideastream Public MediaIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.Photo Credit: Columbiana County Board of Commissioners via NTSB

Phone ban legislation in schools have been enacted in many states to keep incidents of poor behavior low and test scores up.We'll discuss why these bans had to be enacted and what it looks like to enforce the bans in schools.And then AI chatbots have a variety of personal uses. We will be talking about whether AI can be trusted to dish out relationship advice and the risks that come with confiding in AI chatbots.Then, we will be talking about a foldable phone to enrich your 2026 Winter Olympic viewing experience and second generation air tags.Guests:Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist, The Wall Street JournalEllen Hengesbach, researcher and advocate, Public Interest Research GroupRussell Holly, director of commerce content, CNETIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Giovanna Cornelio/Pixabay)

Organizations across Ohio have been preparing for a possible surge of ICE activity related to the Haitian community in central Ohio and Springfield. A federal judge issued a last-minute reprieve blocking the Trump administration's attempt to end temporary protected status for thousands of Haitian immigrants in the U.S. Having their TPS status extended is welcome news for many Haitians, but it does not take away the worries about immigration enforcement activity.Local groups labeled as ICE Watch are gathering community members to spot ICE presence, and advocacy groups are holding protests and trainings. We will hear from leaders and professionals about how these groups are training protestors and educating immigrants on their rights in case of an ICE encounter. Guests:Dallas Eckman, organizer, Party for Socialism and Liberation, ClevelandDeja Gaston, organizer, Party for Socialism and Liberation, ColumbusJill Garvey, co-director, States at the CoreCésar Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, Gregory Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Ohio State University College of LawIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Adam Gray/AP)

Playwright George Bernard Shaw famously described the United States and United Kingdom as “two countries separated by a common language.”Helping us sort out our language foibles and fumbles is Mignon Fogarty, author and host of the "Grammar Girl" podcast.She joins us this hour to explain the grammatical phenomena that are eggcorns and familects.Guest:Mignon Fogarty, author/"Grammar Girl" podcast hostIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation, you can request an alternative format.

Tuesday is when thousands of Haitians in Ohio and nationwide are expected to lose their legal status to live and work in the U.S.Gov. Mike DeWine last week said to prepare for a possible ICE surge in Springfield, heightening concerns following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.In Springfield, home to a sizable Haitian population, officials are urging federal ICE agents to forgo masks and carry ID.How is Ohio working through federal changes to food assistance, childcare, and the loss of Affordable Care Act extensions?One in five people in Ohio have dropped insurance so far. Will a new rural health fund help?Candidates for state office are racing to meet Wednesday's filing deadline. Can Democrats finally break Republican rule in Ohio?We're talking about all these topics on this week's Reporter Roundtable.Guests:Karen Kasler, bureau chief, Ohio Public Record Statehouse NewsShane Stegmiller, reporter, Hannah News ServiceSusan Tebben, reporter, Ohio Capital JournalIf you have a disability and would like a transcript or other accommodation you can request an alternative format.(Photo Credit: Luis Andres Henao/AP)

We're meeting a doctor who travels far from Ohio to treat patients and two people who are putting a major Ohio city on the map...literally.

Coming up on this hour of All Sides, we're discussing the bankruptcy of Value City Furniture, Saks Fifth Avenue and other big name stores and what it means about the future of retail.

On this hour of All Sides, we're discussing why all farmers are not on board, and why more food companies, from McDonald's to Costco, are adopting ethical animals.

Gee was president of Ohio State University twice, and now he's back for a third time in a consulting role.

We'll discuss what an AI toy is and what parents should be on the lookout for.

Co-authors and podcast co-hosts Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon look at the damage cars have had on our society and better modes of transportation.

More than half of U.S adults consume their news through social media. But how do we make sure that news comes from a trained, educated and ethical journalist?

In a special weather-related Roundtable, we'll talk about how the cleanup is going, and get an update from ODOT, the city, and NBC4 meteorologist Ben Gelber. Plus, reporters discuss the ICE-involved fatal shooting in Minneapolis and bring you the Ohio reaction.

Host Christopher Purdy is talking with three of the leaders in our local arts community on this edition of All Sides Weekend.

We're talking to three Fascinating Ohioans who are connecting with the community through food, literature and tourism.

What does it mean to have endless betting possibilities on your phone? Who are the real winners and losers?

JD Vance ascended to the vice presidency one year ago.

The Ohio Newsroom has been working on a year-long investigation into volunteer firefighting departments in the state.

The energy demand is growing by the day in Ohio. BRITE Energy Innovators is a startup that aims to power energy innovation by supporting other startups. We'll also look at creating opportunities for rural students to access career-oriented tech education and the latest in tech news.

An effort to repeal a new cannabis law hits a snag and heads back to the drawing board. The deputy director of ICE resigns to run for Congress in Ohio. We discuss this and more on the Weekly Reporter Roundtable show.

Join host Christopher Purdy and his guests for their monthly book discussion.

We're meeting two authors and an entrepreneur on this week's edition of Fascinating Ohio.

On this hour of All Sides, we're talking about how the U.S. exiting several international organizations is changing its place in the world.

The Columbus Dispatch is one of several local organizations whose employees are making an effort to unionize. We're talking about the factors pushing Columbus employees toward unionizing on this hour of All Sides.