In this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal reporter Betty Lin-Fisher are joined by Dr. Robert McGregor, Chief Medical Officer of Akron Children’s Hospital, to talk about delta variant COVID concerns with school-aged children and its impact on hospitals as case numbers rise.

“We’re seeing an increased number of kids that are coming in symptomatic, and we’re seeing an increased positivity rate among kids who come in with respiratory symptoms,” McGregor said.

“The delta variant is much more contagious. It tends to make the kids sicker, faster.”

Akron and other major cities across the country are experiencing a wave of gun violence and an increase in homicides. In this edition of the podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal reporter Sean McDonnell are joined by Lt. Michael Miller, head of Akron’s community relations department for Akron police; Russ Neal, the councilman serving Akron’s Ward 4; and Tim Anderson, founder of the Fallen Father’s Foundation. The group has a roundtable discussion on the recent rise in gun violence in Akron and what can be done about it moving forward.

In this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, guest host B.J. Lisko is joined by Akron native and former Judas Priest singer Tim "Ripper" Owens. The accomplished heavy metal/hard rock vocalist talks about his new band with fellow Judas Priest alum, KK Downing, KK's Priest. "Ripper" also chats about getting the gig with Judas Priest, his connection to Akron and more. 

Song clips used in this podcast: "Brothers of the Road" - KK's Priest; "Hellfire Thunderbolt" - KK's Priest; "The Way" - A New Revenge. 

In this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal reporter Sean McDonnell are joined by new Akron police chief, Steve Mylett. Mylett talked in the midst of his journey from Bellevue, Washington to Akron, where he started on Aug. 9. The new chief says he’s anxious and excited to being building relationships with the city.

On this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal education reporter Jennifer Pignolet are joined by new Akron Public Schools Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack. Fowler Mack is starting her second month in the position, and she’s the first woman and first Black woman to hold the job. An Akron graduate herself from East High School, she comes to Akron from Cleveland schools, where she helped oversee the Cleveland Plan to transform high schools similarly to the way Akron has implemented College and Career Academies. 

On this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston are joined by Shontel Brown and Nina Turner, frontrunners in the Democratic primary of the 11th Congressional District that includes Cleveland and parts of Akron. 

As reported by Livingston, fundraising totals and polling point to a two-woman race. Brown, a councilwoman and party chair in Cuyahoga County, has gobbled up endorsements from party establishment figures, including Hillary Clinton, while former state Sen. Nina Turner leads the left wing of the party with the backing of progressives, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

And they're off! On this week's edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb is joined by All-American Soap Box Derby President and CEO Mark Gerberich to talk about the return of the Derby in 2021 following last year's cancelation due to the pandemic. Gerberich talks about the challenges and differences in this year's race as compared to previous years and how he balances tradition with new ideas in the nearly 90-year-old event. 

On this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb is joined by Beacon Journal reporter Amanda Garrett, who has been reporting on the hot real estate market in the Akron area and how it's not only impacting those looking for a new home, but also those attempting to find an apartment. Cuyahoga Falls mayor Don Walters also joins the discussion to talk about how his zip code has become a particularly hard place for potential homebuyers and renters.

In this week's edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb and Beacon Journal reporter Phil Keren are joined Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter. The retired colonel talked about how he wanted to inform people about a lesser known aspect of Memorial Day history during a speech in Hudson, Ohio, and how his recent time in the national spotlight was a "humbling" experience.

In this edition of the Now You Know Akron podcast, host Craig Webb is joined by recent "Jeopardy" contestant and winner Katie Sekelsky. The graphic designer and Kent, Ohio native talks about her experience on the show, strategies that helped her win and the dreaded "opera" category.