Podcasts about ideastream public media

On this week's edition of Community Focus, I'm joined by Stephanie Metzger-Lawrence, a digital producer for Cleveland NPR affiliate Ideastream Public Media. We're discussing the potential for Medicaid cuts, as well as how the state — and individuals — are responding.

Perhaps no widespread social initiative has been targeted by the presidential administration and others in political power as aggressively as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. Among the Executive Orders signed by President Trump on day 1 was an order "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." Another that day took aim at so-called "gender ideology." Here in Ohio, an aligned effort has taken shape with Senate Bill 1, which among many changes to higher ed, would eliminate DEI programs at colleges and universities.rnrnThe Executive Orders immediately reverberated across the country. In higher education, healthcare, the non-profit sector, and private enterprise, firms and institutions tried to assess the potential impact on their work, their stakeholders, and their future. Some engaged in what's come to be known as "pre-emptive compliance." Some have maintained a "wait and see" posture, understanding that even Executive Orders may not be durable and may face court battles, which they, in fact, do. And others, such as Costco and the Cleveland Cavaliers publicly redoubled their commitment to DEI and creating environments in which everyone feels a sense of belonging.rnrnAfter decades of progress in addressing systemic and structural racism, to many, this moment represents a step backwards. Join us to hear from local leaders who have long supported the community in creating more welcoming spaces and institutions. We'll assess the state of DEI, the meaning of this moment, and the prospects for the future.

Ideastream Public Media reporters are asking what is being done, and what could be done to stop unnecessary firearm deaths in Northeast Ohio.

More than a century of civil rights activism reached a mountaintop with the arrival of a Black man in the Oval Office. But hopes for a unified, post-racial America were deflated when Barack Obama's presidency was met with furious opposition, and a volcanic new movement-a second civil rights movement-began to erupt.rnrnNew Prize for These Eyes is a follow up to his bestselling novel Eyes on the Prize, which accompanied the PBS series of the same name. In his new book, Williams outlines what fires, furies, and frustrations distinguish this 21st century movement from its predecessor and brilliantly traces the arc of this new civil rights era--from Obama to Charlottesville to January 6th.rnrnToday's movement is dealing with new realities. With demographic changes and a social media savvy generation, activists are making history in a new economic and cultural landscape. In an interview with Fox News, Williams said, "I hope that all Americans, all people in this country will be able to say after they read this book, 'Oh my gosh. I am a historic figure.' And see themselves as actors in this moment of creating American history."rnrnJuan Williams is a prizewinning journalist and historian and the author of numerous books. Williams worked for The Washington Post as a celebrated national political correspondent, White House correspondent, and editorial writer. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Ebony. He is currently the Senior Political Analyst for Fox News Channel and a columnist for The Hill.

Successful companies innovate every day and create products and value for their customers. Efforts to build a robust workforce are no different. Here in Northeast Ohio, manufacturing leaders are innovating, testing, and scaling new ways to solve their talent needs. Through innovative workforce partnerships, changing policies, and adjusting conditions to be more inclusive, these companies are producing results. Currently, strategies are underway to remove barriers to employment, increase coaching, and provide necessary support for non-native English speakers, for example.rnrnAs onshoring heats up and manufacturers shift their supply chains closer to home, talent competition - and the need for innovation - will be stronger than ever. Is Northeast Ohio ready?rnrnPanelistsrnPete AccortirnPresident, Talan ProductsrnrnGeoff LipneviciusrnSenior Manager, Workforce Development, The Lincoln Electric CompanyrnrnDalithia C. Smith, SPHR, SHRM-SCPrnSVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Oatey CornrnStaci WamplerrnChief Business Solutions Officer, Towards EmploymentrnrnModeratorrnGlenn ForbesrnHost/Producer, Ideastream Public Media

People like Mo Rocca, Nell Greenfieldboyce, and Sarah McCammon all wrote books in 2024 and spoke to Ideastream Public Media about those works.

Ideastream Public Media reporters talk to voters at polling locations across the region about what issues or races brought them to the polls. 

In November 2023, Cleveland's West Side Market named Rosemary Mudry it's first Executive Director of the Market's new nonprofit arm, the Cleveland Public Market Corporation.rnrnHome to more than 60 small, local business owners, and boasting 800,000 visitors annually--the West Side Market serves as a neighborhood anchor and economic hub. Yet, it continued to struggle to live up to its full potential. A 2023 master plan by the Bibb administration suggested - as many have over the decades - that the Market transition to a nonprofit management style to improve vendor and visitor experience. The switch would align with nationwide best practices for public markets. In April 2024, Mudry officially took the helm.rnrnPreviously, Mudry served as Executive Director of West Park Kamm's Neighborhood Development; was Director of Neighborhood Development at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation; and started her community development career working for Ohio City Inc. during the heyday of the Market's Centennial Celebrations. In addition to her leadership in community development and urban planning, Mudry is a small business owner, serving as Midnight Owl Brewing Co co-owner with her husband Joel Warger.rnrnTo kick off our 2024 Outdoor Summer Series, join us as Ideastream Public Media's Mike McIntyre talks with Rosemary Mudry about her new role and vision as the first Executive Director of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation.

"You are Welcome" discusses what makes a positive school climate with students and educators at Ellet Community Learning Center.

On Monday, a total eclipse will cut its way across a swath of North America. Millions are expected to flock to states along the eclipse's path, from Texas to Maine in hopes of capturing a glimpse (through eclipse glasses) of this celestial event. The last total solar eclipse in the U.S. was in 2017. The next one won't be until 2044. Although the Bay Area will not experience a total eclipse, there will still be opportunities to see part of one. We'll talk to experts about what to expect, hear from folks in the path of the totality, and answer your questions. Guests: Andrew Fraknoi, astronomer and professor, Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco and the OLLI Program at SF State; author of many textbooks and popular books about astronomy Anna Huntsman, reporter, Ideastream Public Media, Cleveland's public radio station Polly Martin, resident of Buffalo, NY Rob Semper, chief learning officer, Exploratorium; member, National STEM Education Advisory Panel

Ideastream Public Media's commentator Terry Pluto talks about Deshaun Watson's new backup quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about Kyrie Irving, one of the most important — and polarizing — players in franchise history.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about Northeast Ohio's nationally ranked smaller college basketball teams.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about the complicated life of offensive coordinators as the Browns have hired Ken Dorsey to help run the offense.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about the complicated life of offensive coordinators as the Browns have hired Ken Dorsey to help run the offense.

Ahead of South Carolina’s Democratic primary, the Washington Post looks into how it may indicate about Black support for Biden in the general election. One year after the toxic derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, residents are still worried about the health of the town. Ideastream Public Media reports. Tony Snell’s mission to return to the NBA is about more than just basketball. Yahoo Sports has the story.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto says injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley forced the Cavs to make a change that has paid off.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt's outlook as the young manager takes over for the legendary Terry Francona.

The Ideastream Public Media series, which began in 2021, is back with another installment of stories.

A pair of debut albums from Northeast Ohio bands top the list of this year's favorites for Ideastream Public Media's music podcast Shuffle. Hosts Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader discuss their picks.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto talks about how the banged-up Browns keep finding success on both sides of the ball, even with a rookie quarterback.

A wild Browns win over Baltimore Sunday has kept their hopes alive for a division title. Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto has the midseason report on the 6-3 Browns.

What do the victories of Issues 1 and 2 in Ohio mean? Northeast Ohio political experts and Ideastream Public Media reporters offer analysis and insights on those issues and a number of local races.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto said hope has turned to despair once again for Browns fans, after another loss in Pittsburgh and a season-ending injury to star running back Nick Chubb.

Join me & host Justin Glanville as we dive into his latest podcast; Mary & Bill: An Ohio Cold Case. In 1970, two university students who'd recently fallen in love were murdered in a Columbus apartment, in a crime so brutal it drew comparisons to the Manson murders of the previous year. Their names were Mary Petry and Bill Sproat, and the case has never been solved. In the new Ideastream Public Media true crime podcast "Mary & Bill: An Ohio Cold Case," reporter Justin Glanville, whose parents knew Bill Sproat, investigates the case alongside the victims' two sisters. Apple Podcasts NPR Mary & Bill: An Ohio Cold Case- Website/Timeline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The notion of equitable public health seeks to address health disparities and social determinants of health that affect an individual's ability to achieve optimal health. While public health inequities are not a new concept, research in recent years has revealed how a community's demographics and surrounding environmental conditions impact residents' quality of life and actual life expectancies. Health equity requires dismantling systems that lead to inequalities and providing additional resources to underserved communities. Currently, equitable public health is a goal that many are working towards, with physicians such as Dr. David Margolius striving to make it a reality.rnrnDr. David Margolius was appointed as Director of Public Health for the City of Cleveland in 2022. Prior to that, he served as the Division Director of General Internal Medicine at MetroHealth. An active educator, Dr. Margolius is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and was faculty co-lead for the Medical Director Leadership Institute at Harvard Medical School's Center for Primary Care.rnrnDr. Margolius' work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals on a wide range of public health topics from COVID-19 response in underserved communities to best practices in primary care and preventative and family medicine.rnrnJoin us for a free outdoor LIVE broadcast on 89.7 Ideastream Public Media in Playhouse Square on equity in public health.

Access to performance art plays a critical role in enriching communities. It can give a voice to the unheard and challenge the perspective of others. Art can be found and made anywhere, but for certain communities, it is not always accessible.rnrnBorderLight is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Dale Heinen and Jeffrey Pence. Their mission is to make art accessible while also giving exposure to up-and-coming and BIPOC artists by highlighting self-produced work. This year marks the first fringe-only festival, which will showcase 130+ performances from 37 unique local and national acts from August 3-5.rnrnJoin us for a free LIVE broadcast on 89.7 Ideastream Public Media, in the heart of Cleveland's theatre district about equity in performance art and how it can help revitalize our communities.

After eclipsing 200 career home runs, José Ramírez has developed a special relationship with Cleveland and with the franchise, says Ideastream Public Media sports commentator Terry Pluto.

On February 3rd, a train carrying 20 cars with poisonous, flammable chemicals derailed in East Palestine, OH. In this episode, we're going to get some answers. Using testimony from four Congressional hearings, community meeting footage, National Transportation Safety Board preliminary reports, and lots of articles from local and mainstream press, you will learn what Congress is being told as they write the Rail Safety Act, which both parts of Congress are working on in response to the East Palestine train derailment. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! View the show notes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd274-norfolk-southern-train-derailment-in-east-palestine Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD247: BIF: The Growth of US Railroads East Palestine Derailment Overview “It's been more than a month since a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in Ohio. Here's what's happened since.” Alisha Ebrahimji and Holly Yan. Mar 23, 2023. CNN. “Residents can return home after crews burned chemicals in derailed tanker cars.” Associated Press. Feb 8, 2023. NPR. “WATCH: Smoke billows over East Palestine after controlled burn at train derailment site.” Feb 8, 2023. Cleveland 19 News. Vinyl Chloride and Dioxins “East Palestine Train Derailment: What is vinyl chloride and what happens when it burns?” Associated Press. Feb 8, 2023. CBS News Pittsburgh. “Dioxins and their effects on human health.” Oct 4, 2016. World Health Organization. “Medical Management Guidelines for Vinyl Chloride.” Last reviewed Oct 21, 2014. Centers for Disease Control Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. National Transportation Safety Board Findings “Norfolk Southern Railway Train Derailment with Subsequent Hazardous Material Release and Fires: Investigation Details.” Last updated Mar 21, 2023. National Transportation Safety Board. “What appears to be an overheated wheel bearing seen moments before East Palestine train derailment, NTSB says.” Ian Cross. Feb 14, 2023. ABC News 5 Cleveland. “Vent and Burn” Decision “Ex-EPA Administrator Doubts Agency's East Palestine Claims: 'Hard to Believe They Were Silent' Before Norfolk Southern Detonated Toxic Vinyl Chloride Cars.” Jordan Chariton. May 25, 2023. Status Coup News. “East Palestine emails reveal insight into decision to vent and burn toxic rail cars.” Tara Morgan. May 15, 2023. ABC News 5 Cleveland. “EXCLUSIVE: 'I truly feel defeated and useless.' Emails and texts reveal anguish of East Palestine fire chief over lack of adequate health advice after he was told to treat chemical disaster 'like a normal house fire.'” Daniel Bates. May 15, 2023. The Daily Mail. EPA failures “East Palestine Bombshell: EPA Official Admits It May Be Missing Toxic Chemicals in Air Testing, Admits Some of Its Decision Making Has Been to Prevent Lawsuits.” Louis DeAngelis. Mar 29, 2023. Status Coup News. East Palestine Resident Health Problems “No one has accepted real responsibility for the East Palestine disaster.” Zsuzsa Gyenes. May 16, 2023. The Guardian. “East Palestine survey reveals residents experienced headaches and anxiety after train derailment.” Nicki Brown, Artemis Moshtaghian and Travis Caldwell. Mar 4, 2023. CNN. “People in East Palestine showing breakdown product of vinyl chloride in urine tests.” Tara Morgan. Apr 28, 2023. ABC News 5 Cleveland. Norfolk Southern “Making it Right.” Norfolk Southern. “Norfolk Southern unveils compensation plans for homeowners near derailment site.” Andrea Cambron, Jason Carroll and Chris Isidore. May 11, 2023. CNN Business. “‘32 Nasty:' Rail Workers Say They Knew the Train That Derailed in East Palestine Was Dangerous.” Aaron Gordon. Feb 15, 2023. Vice. “Wall Street says Norfolk Southern profits won't suffer from derailment.” Rachel Premack. Feb 14, 2023. Freight Waves. “US rail industry defends safety record amid staffing cuts.” Josh Funk. May 16, 2021. AP News. Lobbying Against Regulations “Rail Companies Blocked Safety Rules Before Ohio Derailment.” David Sirota et al. Feb 8, 2023. The Lever. ECP Brake Deregulation “USDOT repeals ECP brake rule.” William C. Vantuono. Dec 5, 2017. Railway Age. Railway Safety Act “Railway Safety Act passes committee, moves to Senate floor for full vote.” Abigail Bottar. May 10, 2023. Ideastream Public Media. Staffing Cuts “Railroads are slashing workers, cheered on by Wall Street to stay profitable amid Trump's trade war.” Heather Long. Jan 3, 2020. The Washington Post. Long Trains “The True Dangers of Long Trains.” Dan Schwartz and Topher Sanders. Apr 3, 2023. Propublica. Bills S.576: Railway Safety Act of 2023 Audio Sources Senate Executive Session May 10, 2023 Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Clips 36:30 Sen. JD Vance (R-OH): This bill has changed a lot from what I introduced just a few short months ago. We've made a number of concessions to industry; a number of concessions to the rail industry, a number of concessions to various interest groups, which is why we have so much bipartisan support in this body but also why we have a lot of support from industry. East Palestine Community Meeting March 28, 2023 Status Coup News Government Response to East Palestine: Ensuring Safety and Transparency for the Community March 28, 2023 House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Watch on YouTube Witnesses: Debra Shore, Regional Administrator, U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Wesley Vins, Health Commissioner, Columbiana County General Health District Anne M. Vogel, Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Clips 30:40 Debra Shore: Since the derailment, EPA has been leading robust, multi-layered air quality testing, using state of the art technology in and around East Palestine, and that extensive monitoring has continued daily at 23 stations throughout the community. Since the fire was extinguished on February 8, EPA monitors have not detected any volatile organic compounds above established levels of health concerns. EPA has also been assisting with indoor air screenings in homes through a voluntary program to keep residents informed. As of March 21, more than 600 homes have been screened, and no sustained or elevated detections of chemicals have been identified. 33:00 Debra Shore: Here's how EPA is holding Norfolk Southern accountable. On February 21, EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Norfolk Southern, including a number of directives to identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources, to attend and participate in public meetings at EPA's request, and to post information online, and ordering the company to pay EPA's costs for work performed under the order. All Norfolk Southern work plans must be reviewed and approved by EPA. It must outline all steps necessary to address the environmental damage caused by the derailment. If the company fails to complete any of the EPAs ordered actions, the agency will immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then seek punitive damages at up to three times the cost. 46:30 Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH): In one case, trucks were actually turned around at the gate of a proper, certified disposal facility and sent back to East Palestine to sit practically in my constituents backyard. Why did the EPA believe that it needed to send those letters? Debra Shore: Chairman Johnson, the instance you cite occurred before EPA assumed responsibility under the Unilateral Administrative Order for the cleanup. We don't know who told those trucks to turn around, whether it was the disposal facility itself or someone else. 48:50 Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH): Why were they turned around? Debra Shore: This occurred during the transition period between Ohio EPA and US EPA assuming the lead for the emergency response. As such, under the Unilateral Administrative Order, all disposal facilities are required to be on the CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) approved off-site disposal list. So, we needed a few days to review what had occurred and ensure that those facilities that Norfolk Southern had contracts with were on that approved list. Once we determined which ones were on the approved list, it's up to Norfolk Southern to ship waste off the site. 1:03:30 Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO): Is the EPA intending to use the Unilateral Administrative Order to ensure that Norfolk Southern establishes a health and environmental screening program beyond this initial cleanup period? Debra Shore: Right now, the focus of the Unilateral Order and our work with Norfolk Southern is to make sure the site is cleaned up. I think the responsibility for that longer term health effort, I support what Dr. Vins recommended, and that may have to be negotiat[ed] with Norfolk Southern going forward. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO): Obviously, that hasn't started yet. Debra Shore: Not to my knowledge. 1:09:05 Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA): What will take place in the remediation phase, what happens then? Debra Shore: Then there'll be restoration of stream banks and the places where the soil was removed from along the railroad sites and I think a larger vision for the community that they're already beginning to work on, such as parks and streetscapes. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA): Right. Any idea of what kind of timeframe we're talking about here? I mean, are we talking like in my district, decades? Debra Shore: No. We believe the core of the removal of the contaminated site and the restoration of the tracks will be several months. 1:11:35 Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ): When did clean up responsibility shift from EPA to Norfolk Southern, and what protections were put in place to ensure the health and safety of the community during that shift? Debra Shore: Thank you, Congressman Pallone. The transition from the State agency, which has the delegated authority in every state, has an emergency response capability, and so Ohio was on the ground working with the local firemen and other agencies as EPA arrived shortly after the derailment. It is typical in these kinds of emergency responses for the state agency to take the lead in the early days and Norfolk Southern was complying with the directives from the state. They continued to comply, but we've found over time that it's important to have all the authority to hold the principal responsible party in this case Norfolk Southern accountable, which is why on February 21, several weeks after the derailment, EPA issued its Unilateral Administrative Order. 1:19:55 Debra Shore: In the subsequent soil sampling that's been conducted, we looked at the information about the direction of the plume from the vent and burn event and focused that primarily where there might have been aerial deposition of soot or particulate matter, and that those soil samples have been collected in Pennsylvania. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA): And today, what soil, air, and water tests are continuing to occur in Pennsylvania? Debra Shore: Additional soil samples will be collected in collaboration, principally, with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the local Farm Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 1:28:36 Anne M. Vogel: The reason that we have been able to say that the municipal drinking water is safe is based on an Ohio EPA map that pre-exists the derailment. This is the source water protection map. So the municipal wellfield is right here, if folks can see that, that big well in the blue. So the derailment happened way over here, a mile and a half away from the wellfield. And we know how the water flows, down this way, down this way, down the creeks. So the derailment would not have affected the municipal water source and we knew that very quickly after the derailment. 1:49:05 Debra Shore: Norfolk Southern has encountered some difficulties in finding and establishing contracts with sites to accept both liquid and solid waste. And I think we could accelerate the cleanup if they were able to fulfill that obligation more expeditiously. 1:51:20 Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA): What are some of the long term health concerns that residents and your providers have? Wesley Vins: We've heard a whole wide range of concerns long term. Certainly, cancer is first and foremost, because of much of the information that the residents see online and here, as well as reproductive concerns, growth concerns, hormonal concerns Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA): Do you think there's a potential with the carcinogens or any of the toxins that it could lead to ailments for five years from now? Wesley Vins: Yeah, I understand your question. So the some of the constituents that we have related to this response, obviously are carcinogenic, however, we're seeing low levels, is really the initial response. So I think the long question is, we don't know. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA): We don't know. 2:04:50 Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA): Administrator Shore, one concern my office has heard is that relocation costs are not being covered by Norfolk Southern for everyone in East Palestine. How is it determined whether a resident is eligible to have their relocation costs paid for? Debra Shore: I'm sorry to hear that. My understanding was that Norfolk Southern was covering temporary relocation costs for any resident who sought that, and I would direct you to Norfolk Southern to ask why they are being turned down. Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA): Can the EPA require that Norfolk Southern cover relocation costs for anyone in East Palestine? Debra Shore: I'll find out. 2:11:45 Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA): I guess my concern is, if the EPA is website says that the sampling data hasn't been quality assured, how did the EPA make the determination that the air is safe to breathe when it appears that the sampling data has not been quality assured? Debra Shore: Congresswoman, I'm going to ask our staff to get back to you with an answer for that. Executive Session and Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment March 22, 2023 Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation View on Senate website Introduction Panel: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown U.S. Senator J.D. Vance Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio Misti Allison, Resident of East Palestine Witnesses: Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board David Comstock, Chief, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District Clyde Whitaker, Legislative Director, Ohio State SMART-TD Alan Shaw, CEO, Norfolk Southern Ian Jefferies, CEO, Association of American Railroads Clips 1:35:00 Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): Is there any relief being offered now to say, if you make the decision to move your home and move your family somewhere else, there is an avenue for you to sell your home and get a fair market price for it? Misti Allison: The short answer is, as of today, no. There is not a clear cut explanation or parameters of how you would do that. We've heard time and time again from Norfolk Southern that they're going to make it right and that they're looking into some long term health care monitoring and assistance and home value protection, but details of that plan have not been disclosed to residents as of today. 1:42:05 Jennifer Homendy: This derailment, as all accidents we investigate, was 100% preventable. 1:43:20 Jennifer Homendy: First, the definition of high hazard flammable train should be expanded to a broader array of hazmats and the definition's threshold of 20 loaded tank cars in a continuous block or 35 tank cars dispersed throughout a train should be eliminated. Second, DOT 111 should be phased out of all hazmat service. They're not as protected as DOT 117 tank cars. Third, people deserve to know what chemicals are moving through their communities and how to stay safe in an emergency. That includes responders who risk their lives for each of us every single day. They deserve to be prepared. That means access to real time information, obtaining the right training and gear, and having the right communications and planning tools. Fourth, light cockpit voice recorders in the aviation, audio and video recorders in the locomotive cab are essential for helping investigators determine the cause of an accident and make more precise safety recommendations. Recorders also help operators proactively improve their safety policies and practices. In the East Palestine derailment, the locomotive was equipped with an inward facing camera. However, since the locomotive was put immediately back into service following the accident, the data was overwritten. That means the recorder only provided about 15 minutes of data before the derailment, and five minutes after. The FAST Act, following terrible tragedies in Chatsworth and in Philadelphia, required Amtrak and commuter railroads to maintain crash and fire hardened inward and outward facing image recorders in all controlling locomotives that have a minimum of a 12 hour continuous recording capability. This was extremely helpful in our DuPont Washington investigation. Now is the time to expand that requirement to audio, and include the Class One freight railroads in that mandate. In fact, now is the time to address all of the NTSB's open rail safety recommendations, many of which are on our most wanted list. Fifth and finally, as the committee works on enhancing rail safety, I trust that you'll consider the resources that we desperately need to carry out our critical safety mission. Investments in the NTSB are investments in safety across all modes of transportation. 1:52:05 Clyde Whitaker: This derailment did not have to happen. And it makes it so much more frustrating for us to know that it was very predictable. And yet our warnings and cries for help over the last seven years have fallen on deaf ears and the outcome was exactly as we feared. Now the result is a town that doesn't feel safe in their own homes, businesses failing to survive and a railroad that prioritized its own movement of trains, before the people in the community, as well as its workers. It truly is a shame that operational changes in place prior to that incident are still in place today and the possibility for a similar disaster is just as possible. My entire railroad career I've listened to the railroads portray a message and image of safety first, but I have never witnessed or experienced that truth, one single day on the property. For years I've handled complaint after complaint regarding unsafe practices and unsafe environments, and for almost every single one I've been fought every step of the way. The truth is, ask any railroad worker and they will tell you, that their carriers are masters of checking the boxes and saying the right things, without ever doing anything meaningful toward improving safety. They're only focus is on the operating ratios and bottom lines, which is evidenced by the fact that their bonus structures are set up to reward timely movements of freight rather than reaching destinations safely, as they once were. Actions do speak louder than words. And I assure you that what you have heard, and will hear, from the railroads today are nothing more than words. Their actions are what's experienced by men and women I represent as well as what the people of East Palestine have been through. This is the reality of what happens when railroads are primarily left to govern and regulate themselves. 1:54:05 Clyde Whitaker: On July 11, 2022, I filed a complaint with the FRA (Freight Railroad Administration) regarding an unsafe practice that was occurring on Norfolk Southern (NS), despite existing operating rules to the contrary. NS was giving instructions to crews to disregard wayside detector failures and to keep the trains moving. This meant the trains were not being inspected as intended, and that the crews were not able to ascertain the integrity of such trains. This practice remained in place even after East Palestine. 1:54:40 Clyde Whitaker: It is a virus that has plagued the industry for some time, with the exception of precision scheduled railroading. Across America, inspections and maintenance is being deferred to expedite the movement of trains. No longer is identifying defects and unsafe conditions the goal of inspections, but rather minimiz[ing] the time it takes to perform them, or the elimination of them all together. 2:17:40 Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): Why did Norfolk Southern not stop the train then and examine the bearing to make sure that it didn't melt the axle and that you didn't have a derailment? If you'd stop then it would have prevented the derailment. So my question is, why did the second hotbox reading not trigger action? Alan Shaw: Senator, my understanding is that that second reading was still below our alarm threshold, which is amongst the lowest in the industry. In response to this, the industry has agreed to work together to share best practices with respect to hotbox detectors, trending technology, and thresholds. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): So when you and I visited my office yesterday, you said your threshold is now 170 degrees above ambient temperature. As I understand it, at the time of the derailment, your threshold was 200 degrees above ambient temperature. 2:20:15 Clyde Whitaker: Make note that trending defect detector technology from being in the cab of a locomotive, when we pass a defect detector, it trends to an office like Norfolk Southern in Atlanta, Georgia. It doesn't convey to the railroad crews, which is a problem in this incident as well as many others that still continue to this day. What we need as a train crew -- which they say they listen, they haven't been listening for quite a while -- we need to be notified whenever these trending detectors are seeing this car trend hotter. That way we can keep a better eye on it. 2:22:35 Clyde Whitaker: It is feasible. The technology is there. Several days after East Palestine, we almost had a similar incident in the Cleveland area on Norfolk Southern. The defect detector said no defects to the crew. The train dispatcher came on and said, "Hey, we have a report of a trending defect detector on the train. We need you to stop and inspect it." Immediately after that the chief dispatcher, which is the person that controls the whole railroad, told them to keep going. If it were not for an eastbound train passing them and instructing them, "Hey, your train is on fire, stop your train." And we set that car out. They had to walking speed this car five miles. So the technology is there. They're just raising and lowering their thresholds to move freight. 2:25:15 Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): His testimony is loud and clear: it would have been worse if there was only one person as a crew on that train. Do you disagree with him? Alan Shaw: Senator, I believe that we have operations infrastructure on the ground to respond to derailments. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): I think you're not answering the question, okay? It's almost like the last hearing all over again. Because I think the evidence is very clear that these trains can be absolutely safer, but that technology is no replacement for human beings. For example, it can't provide the cognitive functions of a conductor and can't collect visual cues during an emergency. Two-person crews make our trains safer and I wish that you would commit to that today, because I think it's pretty obvious that is the correct answer. I just get sick of industry executives talking about supporting the principles of regulation, while they lobby against common sense regulations like this one behind the scenes. 2:38:50 Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT): I understand that the business plan of Norfolk Southern includes a $7.5 billion stock buyback that is ongoing. Do you believe it would be appropriate to suspend that buyback program until all of the assurances that you are making to this committee and also to the people of East Palestine, about "making this right," that that stock back buyback program should be suspended until you have accomplished what you've assured us and what you've assured that people of East Palestine that you would do? Alan Shaw: Senator, we think about safety every day. We spend a billion dollars a year in capital on safety. And we have ongoing expenses of about a billion dollars a year in safety and as a result over time, derailments are down, hazardous material releases are down and injuries are down. We can always get better. Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT): Right, so you won't answer my question about suspending the buyback program. Alan Shaw: Senator, stock buybacks never come at the expense of safety Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT): I take that is that you will continue with your plan on the buyback. 2:51:30 Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): I know that high hazardous flammable trains have more safety regulations. Why would this not have been characterized as a high hazard flammable train if it had th ese hazardous materials on it as part of the 149 car train? Alan Shaw: Senator, thank you for your question. I'm not familiar with the entire makeup of the train. I know that a highly hazardous train is defined by a certain number of highly hazardous cars in it or a certain number of cars in a block. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): Miss Homendy, maybe you can help me with that question. Jennifer Homendy: Yes, the definition of a high hazard flammable train involves class three flammable liquids only, 20 car loads in a continuous block, which would be a unit train, or 35 car loads of class three flammable liquids in a mixed freight train. That was not what was on this train. There were some that were class three defined flammable liquids, but this train was not a high hazard flammable train. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): Right. It wasn't a high hazard train, but it had high hazardous materials that are very flammable that just lit up the sky. So is that something that you would consider that should be looked at as a safety improvement? Jennifer Homendy: Yes, Senator. We think that the thresholds of the 20 and 35 should be eliminated and we think a broader array of hazmat should be in the definition of high hazard flammable train. Protecting Public Health and the Environment in the Wake of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment and Chemical Release in East Palestine, Ohio March 9, 2023 Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works View on Senate website Witnesses: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) Alan Shaw, President and CEO, Norfolk Southern Corporation Debra Shore, Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region V Anne Vogel, Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Richard Harrison, Executive Director and Chief Engineer, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission Eric Brewer, Director and Chief of Hazardous Materials Response, Beaver County Department of Emergency Services Clips 26:50 Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH): The company followed the Wall Street business model: boost profits by cutting costs at all costs, the consequences for places like East Palestine be damned. In 10 years, Norfolk Southern eliminated 38% of its workforce. Think of that. In a decade they cut more than a third of their jobs. We see what the company did with their massive profits. Norfolk Southern spent $3.4 billion on stock buybacks last year and were planning to do even more this year. That's money that could have gone to hiring inspectors, to putting more hotbox detectors along its rail lines, to having more workers available to repair cars and repair tracks. Norfolk Southern's profits have gone up and up and up and look what happened. 33:35 Sen. JD Vance (R-OH): It is ridiculous that firefighters and local officials don't know that hazardous chemicals are in their community, coming through their community. In East Palestine you had a community of largely volunteer firefighters responding to a terrible crisis, toxic burning chemicals, without knowing what was on them. 34:50 Sen. JD Vance (R-OH): I've talked to a number of my Republican colleagues and nearly everybody has dealt in complete good faith, whether they like the bill or have some concerns about it, and these comments are not directed at them. Who they are directed at is a particular slice of people who seem to think that any public safety enhancements for the rail industry is somehow a violation of the free market. Well, if you look at this industry and what's happened in the last 30 years, that argument is a farce. This is an industry that enjoys special subsidies that almost no industry enjoys. This is an industry that is enjoys special legal carve outs that almost no industry enjoys. This is an industry that just three months ago had the federal government come in and save them from a labor dispute. It was effectively a bailout. And now they're claiming before the Senate and the House that our reasonable legislation is somehow a violation of the free market. Well, pot, meet the kettle, because that doesn't make an ounce of sense. You cannot claim special government privileges, you cannot ask the government to bail you out, and then resist basic public safety. 40:10 Alan Shaw: Air and water monitoring have been in place continuously since the accident and to date it consistently indicated that the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink. 47:20 Debra Shore: Since the fire was extinguished on February 8, EPA monitors have not detected any volatile organic compounds above levels of health concerns. 47:45 Debra Shore: EPA has been assisting with indoor air screenings for homes through a voluntary program offered to residents to provide them with information and help restore their peace of mind. As of March 4, approximately 600 homes had been screened through this program and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride have been identified. 48:40 Debra Shore: On February 21, we issued a unilateral administrative order to Norfolk Southern which includes a number of directives to identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources, to attend and participate in public meetings at EPA's request, and to post information online, to pay for EPA's costs for work performed under this order. EPA is overseeing Norfolk Southern's cleanup work to ensure it's done to EPA specifications. The work plans will outline all steps necessary to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment. And most importantly, if the company fails to complete any of the EPA ordered actions, the agency will immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then force Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost. 1:04:30 Eric Brewer: Norfolk Southern hazmat personnel and contractors arrived on scene shortly after 11pm. At around midnight, after research of the contents, it was decided to shut down fire operations and move firefighters out of the immediate area and to let the tank cars burn. This is not an unusual decision. This decision was made primarily by Norfolk Southern's hazmat coordinator, as well as their contractor. 1:05:15 Eric Brewer: There was a possibility of explosion and we should consider a one mile evacuation. Ohio officials notified us that the one mile radius would now be from the leaked oil address. This would add additional residents from Beaver County in the one mile evacuation zone. Donington township officials went door to door, as well as using a mass notification system to advise the residents of the one mile recommended evacuation. It was stressed that this was a recommendation as we cannot force residents from their homes. Social media posts began to circulate stating that arrest would be made if people refused to leave during the evacuation. Let me be clear that was not the case in Pennsylvania, as this was not a mandatory evacuation. Monday morning, we assembled at the Emergency Operations Center in East Palestine. We learned Norfolk Southern wanted to do a controlled detonation of the tank car in question. We were assured this was the safest way to mitigate the problem. During one of those planning meetings, we learned from Norfolk Southern that they now wanted to do the controlled detonation on five of the tank cars rather than just the one. This changed the entire plan, as it would now impact a much larger area. 1:21:25 Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): Why did you wait a month before you started to order the dioxin testing when the community was asking for this? Was that a decision that you made early on that it wasn't critical? Or how was this decision made? Debra Shore: Senator Capito, our air monitoring was searching for primary indicators, such as phosgene and hydrogen chloride, immediately during and after the burn. We detected very low levels which very quickly went even down to non detectable. Without those primary indicators, it was a very low probability that dioxins would have been created. They are secondary byproducts of the burning of vinyl chloride. 1:25:40 Alan Shaw: As you saw just this week, a six point safety plan that included a number of issues which we're implementing immediately to improve safety, including installing more wayside detectors. The first one was installed yesterday outside of East Palestine. 1:30:20 Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK): Mr. Shaw, when the vent and burn process was being made, who who made those decisions? And what was other considerations other than just burning it and letting the material burn off? Alan Shaw: Thank you for that question. The only consideration, Senator, was the safety and health of the community. And that decision was made by Unified Command under the direction of the Incident Commander? Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK): Who's that? Alan Shaw: The Incident Commander was Fire Chief Drabick. Norfolk Southern was a part of Unified Command. 2:07:25 Alan Shaw: Senator, the NTSB report indicated that all of the hotbox detectors were working as designed. And earlier this week, we announced that we are adding approximately 200 hotbox detectors to our network. We already have amongst the lowest spacing between hotbox detectors in the industry. And we already have amongst the lowest thresholds. 2:15:35 Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Will you commit to compensating affected homeowners for their diminished property values? Alan Shaw: Senator, I'm committing to do what's right. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Well, what's right is a family that had a home worth $100,000 that is now worth $50,000 will probably never be able to sell that home for 100,000 again. Will you compensate that family for that loss? Alan Shaw: Senator, I'm committed to do what's right. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): That is the right thing to do. These are the people who are innocent victims, Mr. Shaw. These people were just there at home and all of a sudden their small businesses, their homes are forever going to have been diminished in value. Norfolk Southern owes these people. It's an accident that is basically under the responsibility of Norfolk Southern, not these families. When you say do the right thing, will you again, compensate these families for their diminished lost property value for homes and small businesses? Alan Shaw: Senator, we've already committed $21 million and that's a downpayment Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): That is a down payment. Will you commit to ensuring that these families, these innocent families, do not lose their life savings in their homes and small businesses? The right thing to do is to say, "Yes, we will." Alan Shaw: Senator, I'm committed to doing what's right for the community and we're going to be there as long -- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): What's right for the community will then be balanced -- which is what we can see from your stock buybacks -- by what's right for Norfolk Southern. C-SPAN: Washington Post Live March 6, 2023 Speakers: Heather Long, Columnist and Editorial Writer, Washington Post Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board Clips 5:14 Jennifer Homendy: Hazardous materials are transported on all modes of transportation. Our aviation system is the safest, but they're limited in what they can transport for dangerous materials. Pipelines can also be safe as well. They have a generally good safety record until one big rupture occurs. But then our railroads also have a good safety record. Train accidents in general, per million trains miles, are going up. So it's trending upwards, accidents. With that said, going on our nation's roads with these materials is not something we want to see. You know, we have 43,000 people that are dying on our nation's roads annually. We have a public health crisis on our roads. Millions of crashes are occurring, so transporting hazmat on our roads would be more dangerous than on our railways. 6:50 Jennifer Homendy: The numbers are trending upward on accidents overall and also for Norfolk Southern 8:20 Jennifer Homendy: That is a role that's very important for the NTSB and why we are independent of the Department of Transportation. We are not part of the Department of Transportation because we do conduct federal oversight to see if DoT's oversight of the freight railroads is adequate or inadequate and we may make recommendations on that. 10:20 Jennifer Homendy: Once it hit well over 250 degrees, it was time for the train crew to stop to inspect the axle, to inspect the wheel bearing and to possibly, in this case, set out the car. But it was too late because as they were slowing and stopping, the train derailed, the wheel bearing failed. And so there might need to be more conservative temperature thresholdss o that started earlier. Also, something the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has looked at is real time monitoring of temperatures and data trending from the control center so that they can see the temperatures increase over a period of time. In this derailment, or what we saw of this train and its operations, is the temperature of that wheel bearing was going up pretty significantly over the course of the three different wayside detectors, but you know, the crew doesn't see that. So that real time monitoring and data trending so that there's some communication with the crew to stop the train and take immediate action is definitely needed. We'll look at that as part of our investigation as well. 12:30 Jennifer Homendy: One thing I will mention is that these decisions about the placement of these hot bearing detectors and the thresholds really vary railroad by railroad and so there needs to be good decision making, some policies and practices put in place. 18:00 Jennifer Homendy: Electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes don't prevent a derailment. It could lessen damage. So let me explain that. So in this one, car 23 still would have derailed because a wheel bearing failed. So car 23 still would have derailed. Still would have been a derailment, still would have been a fire, and the responders, and Norfolk Southern, and the state and locals would have had to still make a decision on whether to vent and burn the five vinyl chloride tank cars. There could have been a possibility of less damage, meaning a few cars could have remained on the track later in the train. But as for most of the damage, that still would have occurred whether we had ECP brakes on this train or not. 19:50 Heather Long: There's a lot fewer people working on rail, especially freight rail. Does the number of people make any difference here? Jennifer Homendy: Well for this one, as you said, we had two crew members and a trainee. They all stay, as with every train, in the cab of the head locomotive. So I do not see where that would have made a difference in this particular train and this derailment. One thing we are going to look at is whether any changes in staffing lead to any differences in how these cars are maintained or how they're inspected. That is something we will look at. 21:05 Jennifer Homendy: Yeah, so the fire chief, upon arrival at the command center following the derailment, had electronic access to the train consist, which is the list of cars and the materials or liquids that the train is carrying, but none of the responders had the Ask Rail app. You could look up a UN number for a particular car and get the whole consist of the train. It's in an app that the railroads developed for helping emergency responders to get information following an accident. 25:05 Jennifer Homendy: And we have over 250 recommendations that we've issued on rail safety generally that have not been acted upon yet. Music Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Editing Pro Podcast Solutions Production Assistance Clare Kuntz Balcer

Led by Senator Jerry Cirino, statehouse Republicans are working to pass Senate Bill 83, known as the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act. It would lead to sweeping changes for the state's public universities and colleges if passed. While SB 83 mainly applies to public institutions, it could also affect private colleges and universities that receive state dollars. The bill was introduced last month and is currently in Senate committee.rnrnSupporters believe the bill will strengthen First Amendment rights and reshape Ohio's higher education system to meet the needs of the 21st century. In a news release, Senator Cirino said, "This bill will move us toward true academic freedom. We need students to be taught how to think not what to think.rnrnCritics of the bill include education groups and college faculty from across the state. The Ohio chapter of the American Association of University Professors accused the bill of attempting "to micromanage public-and to an extent, private-colleges and universities on a variety of issues, most of which are rooted in the culture wars."rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Glenn Forbes from Ideastream Public Media leads a conversation with both proponents and opponents of SB 83, and what it could mean for higher education in Ohio.

Theodore Ginn, Sr. is a man of many titles: He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ginn Academy, which is the first all-male public high school in the City of Cleveland. He is a native Clevelander, a visionary, and leader in the community for over 45 years--25 of which he has been called Coach Ginn. And now - together with the Glenville High School Football Team - State Champions has been added to the long list of much-deserved accolades.rnrnLast December, the Glenville Tarblooders entered the Ohio Division IV state championship game with an already storied legacy. The team had made the playoffs 19 times since 1999 under Coach Ginn's leadership. But this time, they soundly beat the Wyoming High School Cowboys 26-2, and finished a perfect 15-0 season. The Tarblooders became the first Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) football team to win a state football championship, and rightfully celebrated with an escorted parade and rally at Cleveland's Public Hall later that month.rnrnWhat does this all mean for the City of Cleveland and CMSD athletics? Join us at the City Club as Mike McIntyre with Ideastream Public Media sits down with Coach Ginn for a conversation on perseverance and what is next for the Glenville Tarblooders.

As the NBA regular season winds down, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in position to host a first-round playoff series. Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto looks at how head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has changed the basketball culture in Cleveland.

Empty fountains. Quiet corridors. Shuttered storefronts. Once the bustling centers of a community's social scene, malls aren't the fixtures of everyday life they used to be. Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland brings us the story of how one photographer is documenting these once-grand structures. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

What's next for the NEXUS pipeline school funding? - Season 3, Episode 13Let's be real: The topic of public utilities' property tax valuations probably doesn't sound like the most exciting thing in the world. But the ongoing questions around the property tax valuation for the NEXUS pipeline is having a huge impact on school districts in more than a dozen Ohio counties along the pipeline's path. Ideastream reporter Anna Hunstman went searching for answers for a news story earlier this fall, and she joins us to help us understand what her reporting uncovered.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.LISTEN AND READ | Click here for Anna Huntsman's full September 22, 2022, Ideastream report, "NEXUS windfall was less than expected for Northeast Ohio schools. A local auditor is fighting back"READ | Click here to see The Sandusky Register's reporting on why Edison Schools postponed a bond issue for a building proposal because of the NEXUS pipeline valuation appeal Featured Education Matters guest:  Anna Huntsman, Ideastream reporterAnna Huntsman covers Akron, Canton and surrounding areas for Ideastream Public Media, Northeast Ohio's NPR and PBS member station. She previously reported on health news during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining Ideastream, Anna was a Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellow at Arizona State's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, where she traveled the country reporting on natural disaster recovery. Anna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Kent State University. Connect with OEA: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Education Matters topics Like OEA on Facebook Follow OEA on Twitter Follow OEA on Instagram Get the latest news and statements from OEA here Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues  Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch About us: The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools. Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded November 15, 2022.

Speaker: Jerika L. Richardson is Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives at the National Urban League. She leads the organization's advocacy, public education, and strategic work on civic engagement, voting rights, police reform, criminal justice reform, and other justice related areas. Moderator: Marlene Harris-Taylor is director of engaged journalism which includes managing Ideastream Public Media's health team and the special project Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health. Prior to this role she was the managing producer of health for two years and a reporter on the health team for more than three years. For more event details and full speaker bio please visit bit.ly/3h5D2cz

On the "Sound of Ideas," Ideastream Public Media reporters discuss what's on this year's election ballot. Detailed show notes at https://www.ideastream.org/programs/sound-of-ideas/get-to-know-the-midterm-election-ballot-in-northeast-ohio.

Thanks for joining Jill Baughan today on Finding Joy ...No Matter What. Make a Joy Box for Someone You Care About: https://jillbaughan.com/joy-box/ Hastings, Deborah. “New York's ‘Bra Lady,' Selma Koch, Dies at 95.” Washington Post, June 15, 2003. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2003/06/15/new-yorks-bra-lady-selma-koch-dies-at-95/7d4d4910-0b1e-4a5d-b967-8844cf954695/ “Martin Luther King Jr.'s Powerful Message to Cleveland Students.” IdeaStream Public Media, January 20, 2019. https://www.ideastream.org/news/martin-luther-king-jr-s-powerful-message-to-cleveland-students “Selma Koch, Bra Saleswoman.” Radio Diaries. https://www.radiodiaries.org/selma-koch-bra-saleswoman/ Town Shop: https://www.townshop.com West Sider. Bursting at the Seams, Beloved Bra Shop Will Expand into Much Bigger Space. West Side Rag, March 9, 2013. Connect with Jill: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~  Website

In the Spring 2022 premiere of Around the Sphere, senior journalism major Maddy Haberberger sits down with MDJ alum, Anna Huntsman, Class of 2019 who reports for Ideastream Public Media, to discuss post-graduation life and what to expect while on the job hunt. Anna shares the ins-and-outs of searching for a job that is right for you – and why it's okay if that dream job doesn't happen right away. Also in this episode, learn more about how Kent State has just been awarded the highest recognition for research universities, the prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification.

A 1,500-year-old statue of the Hindu god Krishna just got a 21st century makeover at the Cleveland Museum of Art. From PBS station Ideastream Public Media, David C. Barnett takes us behind the scenes to see how the museum has reassembled an ancient puzzle. This report is part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On November 2nd, Cleveland voters will vote on Issue 24-a charter amendment that would bring significant changes to police accountability in the city. This very issue drew some of the starkest distinctions between candidates Justin Bibb and Kevin Kelley during the recent Cleveland Mayoral debate we hosted in partnership with Ideastream Public Media.rnrnBut what is Issue 24 actually about?rnrnThose in favor believe there must be civilian oversight of police conduct investigations-a change to regain the trust of the public and improve transparency of the department.rnrnThose against cite concerns about placing power into the hands of unelected civilians-which could steer officers away from the sector and undermine safety.rnrnJoin the City Club in-person on Friday, October 22nd to hear from both sides as we welcome key representatives to discuss what Issue 24 could mean for our city and our communities.

After months of campaigning, the results of the September primary elections have narrowed seven candidates down to two. On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Clevelanders will have a chance to cast their votes for their city's next mayor.rnrnThe City Club of Cleveland, in partnership with Ideastream Public Media, will host the general election debate on Monday, October 11th with Cleveland mayoral candidates: Justin M. Bibb, nonprofit executive, and Kevin J. Kelley, President of Cleveland City Council. The debate will feature the voices of Clevelanders on the issues that matter in their neighborhoods and communities.rnrnNick Castele, Senior Reporter/Producer at Ideastream Public Media will host the debate. Joining alongside him are a panel of journalists: Lawrence Caswell, Field Coordinator at Cleveland Documenters; and Elizabeth McIntyre, Executive Editor at Crain's Cleveland Business.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reliable scientific consensus and critical epidemiologic information about the virus was often inconsistent. Despite having programs and protocols in place for this sort of challenge, the pandemic caught hospitals and healthcare providers off guard.rnrnTo address urgent public health needs, the moment called for collaboration across traditional silos and required Northeast Ohio's world class health systems to find common ground.rnrnSo, what happens when traditional competitors make the decision to come together to ensure the well-being of all communities? And what are the lessons learned in this partnership to tackle COVID-19 that can be replicated for future public health emergencies?rnrnJoin us for a virtual forum moderated by Marlene Harris-Taylor with Ideastream Public Media; featuring Chief Executive Officer and President of the Cleveland Clinic, Tomislav

In May 2021, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced he would not be seeking a fifth term as Mayor of Cleveland-opening up a race for new leadership not seen in 16 years.rnrnIn the lead-up to the 2021 Cleveland Mayoral election, The City Club of Cleveland-in partnership with Ideastream Public Media-will be hosting two debates. All seven candidates seeking office have been invited to participate in both debates.rnrnThis debate is the second of two, and will exclusively feature questions coming directly from voters like you asking about issues and topics that are most important to you and your communities.rnrnTopics will be divided among the two debates. This second debate will cover: Education, jobs, the economy, environmental issues, and transportation.

In May 2021, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced he would not be seeking a fifth term as Mayor of Cleveland-opening up a race for new leadership not seen in 16 years.rnrnIn the lead-up to the 2021 Cleveland Mayoral election, The City Club of Cleveland--in partnership with Ideastream Public Media--will be hosting two debates. All seven candidates seeking office have been invited to participate in both debates.rnrnThis debate is the first of two, and will exclusively feature questions coming directly from voters like you asking about issues and topics that are most important to you and your communities.rnrnTopics will be divided among the two debates. This first debate will cover: Racial equity, public safety, housing, transparency in government, and health equity.