Best Akron Roundtable Podcasts (2025)

1
Board makes a quick change in leadership for Akron Public Schools| Reporters Roundtable 50:19

17h ago50:19

50:19

Akron’s board of education accepted the resignation of the current superintendent and hired its next district leader without a search. It all happened in one very long meeting this week. Out is Michael Robinson who leaves after less than two years leading the district. An investigation found allegations that he bullied and intimidated staff were cr…

1
As Akron celebrates its bicentennial, developers look to bring back an iconic landmark 50:39

10h ago50:39

50:39

As part of Akron's yearlong bicentennial celebration, the city has planned various events through the summer, including the Heart of Akron Festival on July 3 and 4.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Kent State University marks 55th anniversary of May 4 shootings 51:25

1d ago51:25

51:25

On May 4, 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine students. Events are planned on campus from May 2–4 to commemorate the day.By Ideastream Public Media

1
What can we learn about the United States from examining Ancient Rome? 50:35

3d ago50:35

50:35

For years, scholars have been drawing parallels to the evolution of the Roman Republic and the modern United States.By Ideastream Public Media

1
House budget calls for large cuts to Gov. DeWine's H2Ohio program 50:51

4d ago50:51

50:51

Gov. Mike DeWine started the H2Ohio program in 2019 to address water quality issues in Ohio, but it could see massive cuts if cuts in the House version of the budget are incorporated into the final spending document.By Ideastream Public Media

1
East Cleveland's interim mayor reflects on first month in office 51:35

8d ago51:35

51:35

Sandra Morgan was appointed to serve as East Cleveland's interim mayor in late February, following the suspension of Mayor Brandon King, who soon faces trial for corruption-related charges.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Mayor says lakefront development will happen with or without the Browns| Reporters Roundtable 51:28

11d ago51:28

51:28

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb delivered his state of the city Wednesday and said the city needs to be resilient due to cuts and proposed cuts from the Trump administration and Congress. Washington is not coming to save us, the mayor said. He touched on the accomplishments made in his first term and touched on a number of other topics. Bibb said the c…

1
Composting helps take a bite out of the food waste piling up in landfills 52:02

12d ago52:02

52:02

According to the United Nations, food waste now accounts for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio Catholics mourn Pope Francis and discuss his legacy 51:42

13d ago51:42

51:42

Catholics worldwide are mourning the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died Monday, one day after he blessed the Easter crowds gathered in Rome. Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of social justice with his primary concern for the world's poor and a focus on environmental stewardship.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Great Lakes, tiny threats: Experts explore the impacts of microplastics 50:39

14d ago50:39

50:39

The issue of microplastics continues to grow as a threat to public health and the environment. Local researchers and engineers are tackling the problem through educational programming and innovative filtration technology.By Ideastream Public Media

1
West Side Market marks one year since transitioning to non-profit leadership 52:09

15d ago52:09

52:09

The Cleveland Public Market Corporation has been running the West Side Market since April of 2024.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Akron superintendent placed on paid leave | Reporters Roundtable 50:58

18d ago50:58

50:58

The board of the Akron Public Schools placed Superintendent Michael Robinson on paid administrative leave this week after an independent investigation found credible allegations of abusive behavior, bullying and retaliation toward staff. The board held a special meeting this week after receiving the report. Robinson signed a five-year contract with…

1
Economists worry Ohio's agricultural sector could be hit by Trump's tariffs 51:28

19d ago51:28

51:28

Some academics think that President Trump's 100+% tariffs on China could have an adverse effect on the state's farmers, who export a lot of corn and soybeans.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Tree canopy restoration: Can we rebuild the 'Forest City?' 51:33

20d ago51:33

51:33

Cleveland's urban tree canopy stands at 18% and is rapidly declining. Community groups like the Cleveland Tree Coalition and Holden Forests & Gardens are working together to reverse the trend.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Is the United States an oligarchy, a plutocracy, a democracy or something else entirely? 51:08

21d ago51:08

51:08

As President Trump surrounds himself with wealthy tech moguls, the term "oligarchy" is being used more and more, but is it an appropriate label for this moment in American history?By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio child labor bills offer differing views on how much teens should work 51:38

22d ago51:38

51:38

By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio lawmakers increase library money but nix funding formula guarantee| Reporters Roundtable 51:07

25d ago51:07

51:07

Ohio libraries will get more funding under the House's budget, which was passed Wednesday. That after intense backlash over proposed library funding cuts prompted lawmakers to reconsider. Still, there's big worry about future budgets because lawmakers refused to restore the method of funding libraries in place since the Celeste administration of ea…

1
Cleveland Health Survey reveals some residents struggle to meet basic needs 51:23

26d ago51:23

51:23

A survey of nearly 1,500 residents reveals that Clevelanders were two to three times more likely to have unmet food, housing and transportation needs, as compared to the state and nation.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Redevelopment of brownfield in Cleveland presents opportunities for jobs, workers 51:58

27d ago51:58

51:58

In Cleveland, large parcels of land for development or redevelopment are hard to come by. But a new project may be a rare opportunity to reimagine a current industrial brownfield site and bring people back to the city. Spurred by state and city funding, the former National Acme building on East 131st Street will be demolished and the newly vacant l…

1
Northeast Ohio libraries push back against proposed state budget cuts 51:08

28d ago51:08

51:08

A proposed state budget calls for the end of the Public Library Fund, as libraries from across the state descend on Columbus for Library Legislative Day.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Local experts discuss statewide voting changes, upcoming elections 50:47

29d ago50:47

50:47

April 7 is the last day to register to vote in the May 6 Primary Election. Visit your county board of elections website to learn about changes to polling locations and accepted forms of identification.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio House budget moves away from bipartisan schools funding plan | Reporters Roundtable 51:38

1M ago51:38

51:38

The Ohio House unveiled its version of the state budget this week. The two-year spending plan makes several changes to proposals put forth by Governor Mike DeWine in his budget. One major change involves funding to K-12 public schools, with House Republicans signaling the intention to move away from the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan agreed to…

1
Reframing the 'Rust Belt' narrative through the humanities 51:34

1M ago51:34

51:34

The Rust Belt Humanities Lab at Ursuline College is using community events and guest speakers to help students and residents re-imagine the region and its future.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio education experts discuss pandemic learning loss 50:59

1M ago50:59

50:59

The pandemic has permanently altered K-12 education, leaving long-term consequences that are still felt today by students, teachers, administrators and parents. Many experts are concerned that these challenges will persist for years to come. Today, students—both locally and across the country—are still struggling to catch up. The latest scores from…

1
MetroHealth doctors explore microaggressions in health care in new book 52:11

1M ago52:11

52:11

Two MetroHealth medical professionals have published a collection of case narratives exploring health inequities among patients and health care providers.By Ideastream Public Media

1
The next chapter for Shaker Square 51:56

1M ago51:56

51:56

Local organizations are working together to bring Shaker Square back to its glory days and make it a thriving destination for year-round shopping, dining, and recreation.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Many Cleveland voters will have new polling locations for the May primary | Reporters Roundtable 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

Cleveland lost two council seats this year as prescribed by the city’s charter and based on population numbers from the decennial census. Ward maps were redrawn to accommodate the reduction in the council’s size. That process means that a third of Cleveland’s voters will have to cast their ballots at a new polling location in the upcoming May prima…

1
Senate Bill 1 seeks to overhaul higher education in Ohio 53:03

1M ago53:03

53:03

The “Enact Advance Ohio Higher Education Act,” or Senate Bill 1, will eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, prohibit faculty strikes and grants university trustees more power over financial decisions.By Ideastream Public Media

1
New Ohio law lifts license suspensions for unpaid court fines and fees 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

A new Ohio law will lift driver's license suspensions for people with unpaid court fines and fees. The law takes effect on April 9. Going forward, courts can no longer issue immediate license suspensions when drivers don't pay a court fine or fee. It's a change advocates have been seeking for years, arguing that license suspensions unfairly impacte…

1
How will closing the Education Department’s Cleveland Office for Civil Rights impact students? 52:20

1M ago52:20

52:20

The Trump administration is working to fully eliminate the Department of Education, and has started by closing some of the smaller offices and laying off staff.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Research shows more Americans are ditching going out for staying at home 52:08

1M ago52:08

52:08

America is becoming a nation of homebodies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we all spent more time at home - sometimes more than we'd have liked to. However, researchers have found that the trend of spending more time at home actually predates the pandemic by several decades. And perhaps unsurprisingly, technology may play a role in our reluctance to…

1
Northeast Ohio leaders dig in on opposition to Browns move to Brook Park |Reporters Roundtable 51:51

2M ago51:51

51:51

The mayor of Cleveland and the Cuyahoga County executive tag teamed this week to hammer the Cleveland Browns' plan to build a new complex in Brook Park with a domed stadium as its centerpiece. The story begins our discussion of the week's news on the "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable." Also on the Roundtable, Senate Bill 1 sailed through the Ohi…

1
Experts discuss key drivers of economic growth in Northeast Ohio 38:15

2M ago38:15

38:15

How does Northeast Ohio measure up against peer cities regionally and nationally? Team NEO and the Cleveland Talent Alliance discuss where we're ahead of the curve and where we need to gain ground.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio marks 10 years since the state opened its adoption records 37:06

2M ago37:06

37:06

It's been 10 years since an Ohio law went into effect that gave 400,000 adopted Ohioans the chance to access their original birth certificates and adoption files.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio organization is helping adults who need literacy support 36:33

2M ago36:33

36:33

Seeds of Literacy serves hundreds of Northeast Ohioans each year from a wide variety of backgrounds.By Ideastream Public Media

1
President Trump's tariffs strain trade relations and Northeast Ohio economy 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

This month, President Donald Trump rolled out tariffs on goods coming from Mexico, Canada and China. Amid talks of economic uncertainty, the U.S. stock market is seeing historic declines.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Browns detail stadium financing plan for Ohio lawmakers | Reporters Roundtable 51:41

2M ago51:41

51:41

The Haslam Sports Group laid out the case for state funding of a mixed-use development in Brook Park that would include a domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns. The team wants the state to approve $600 million in bonds, paid off with taxes generated by the project, and sought to reassure legislators that the risk to taxpayers would be minimized. O…

1
Spring weather brings bugs and increased potential for infectious diseases 49:17

2M ago49:17

49:17

Most people look forward to spring, but some scientists and entomologists are warning that with climate change, insects that spread diseases are wintering less.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio economic and staffing experts weigh in on ‘frozen’ job market 51:43

2M ago51:43

51:43

Unemployment rates have been at historical lows for the past several years, but that doesn't mean it's easy to find a new job. Employers aren't hiring, and many job seekers are reporting that it's taking six months or longer to findBy Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio aviation experts discuss flying safety after high-profile incidents 51:55

2M ago51:55

51:55

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll discuss air travel and safety with two experts, including some recent headline-grabbing incidents and the lessons learned from them. We'll also talk about the air traffic controller shortage and staffing and how that's affecting travel. Later in the hour, there's a new sheriff in Stark County for the first tim…

1
Lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic, five years later 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

March marks five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and health officials warn that they are still fighting an uphill battle regarding public trust.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Cleveland City Council and mayor differ on neighborhood spending in budget talks | Reporters Roundtable 51:09

2M ago51:09

51:09

Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb are tussling over the city budget, specifically over how much money is earmarked for neighborhoods. Council members wanted an allocation so they can control how $600,000 can be spent in each of their wards. In Akron, the budget season is marked by belt tightening. The $798 million budget proposed by Mayo…

1
Northeast Ohioans share concerns as Russia-Ukraine war enters fourth year 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

Last month marked the three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Consumer protection groups say people are losing more money to scams 52:40

2M ago52:40

52:40

Scams that involve imposters, phony investments, and social media fakes are becoming more creative and more confusing.By Ideastream Public Media

1
How can Northeast Ohio and the rest of the state keep up with Columbus-area developments? 51:40

2M ago51:40

51:40

In the last few years, central Ohio has landed major development deals. What can be done to help other parts of the state land projects?By Ideastream Public Media

1
Talking Foreign Policy | Should Russia be prosecuted for environmental war crimes against Ukraine? 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

A team of legal experts, including some from Northeast Ohio, are looking into how Russia has targeted some of Ukraine's environmental assets.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio Senate approves changes to voter-approved marijuana law | Reporters Roundtable 51:52

2M ago51:52

51:52

Republicans in the Ohio Senate passed a series of new restrictions on legal recreational marijuana sales this week, saying adjustments were needed to protect the health and safety of the public. Democrats who opposed the changes said legislators opposed to legal pot were undoing the will of the voters, who approved recreational marijuana in 2023 — …

1
Northeast Ohio movie lovers discuss Oscars picks and hidden gems 52:46

2M ago52:46

52:46

Local cinephiles say 'The Substance,' 'Anora' and 'Flow' top their favorite films from 2024.By Ideastream Public Media

1
UH center will focus on preserving limbs and reducing amputations 51:22

2M ago51:22

51:22

Amputating a limb should be a last resort, but people in lower socioeconomic groups as well as African Americans are up to four times as likely to undergo an amputation than white Americans, according to Dr. Mehdi Shishehbor, president of the University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. We will begin Wednesday’s “Sound of Ideas” talk…

1
Education Department new guidance leads schools, colleges to reevaluate DEI policies 50:29

2M ago50:29

50:29

In a "Dear Colleagues" memo, the U.S. Education Department gave schools 14 days to stop using racial preferences as a factor in admissions, financial aid or hiring.By Ideastream Public Media

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Akron Roundtable Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen