Ray Horner Show

As more of the population begins to get vaccinated in the race towards herd immunity, the thought of normalcy returns to the minds of everyone, from business and political leaders to everyday citizens. That means taking in a ballgame or a concert, and re-experiencing what places like Akron have to offer.

Akron mayor Dan Horrigan joined the Ray Horner Morning Show for his weekly visit, and he talked about some of those things that can put us back on the track of normalcy. He first touched on the East Exchange corridor project, from different traffic patterns to bike and pedestrian lanes.

The RubberDucks will return to Canal Park this year, though with limited capacity, around 31%. Horrigan believes this is an indicator that things are going in the right direction with vaccines and the trajectory of the virus. He says his office will continue to look at the numbers and correspond with public health when it comes to holding downtown events.

It has been seven weeks since the riots on Capitol Hill, and the fallout has been the blame game. Who was at fault for letting it get that out of hand? What are the repercussions?

Paul Viollis is a law enforcement analyst with CBS News, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to go over what the public knows so far from the congressional hearings. According to Viollis, as well as former security officials at the Capitol, the intelligence fell far short ahead of the protests and subsequent riots on January 6th, and the finger-pointing and rhetoric continues.

Viollis speculates that some people knew of a potential insurrection ahead of time, and that accountability needs to be held.

Dr. Demond Scott - Black History Month

The school board from Akron Public Schools met on Monday night, and it was decided that March 8th will be the day the younger students will return to the classrooms, from pre-kindergarten to second grade. A week later, on the 15th, students in grades three through twelve can return.

Akron Public Schools superintendent David James joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to go over the process of having the students return to the classrooms, from spacing to sanitization. According to the school board, close to 70% of parents will have the kids come back, while 30% will keep their children with remote education.

For any concerned parents, the staff who got their first dose in the first round of vaccines will have their second booster this Saturday, while the second group will get theirs next weekend.

Al Bragg - Black History Month

President Joe Biden has been in the White House for a month, and one of his administration's goals has been to alter the perception the world has on the United States.

Dr. Mark Cassell is a professor of political science at Kent State University, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the United States' role in world relations. Dr. Cassell touched on the US getting back into the Iran Deal and coming back to the table in negotiations within the European Union, and the relationship politically and economically with China.

Mike Williams - Black History Month

Massive unemployment fraud, identity theft, and what to do about it. Jeanne Destro interviews identity theft victim Natalie Hadjes, and Legal Aid Attorney, Michelle Wrona Fox.

Will Akron Public School students go back in person March 1, or some other date? The latest, from School Board President, Dr. N.J. Akbar.

The numbers of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are finally starting to come down from the holiday surge, whether that be locally or across the country. But still, the impact of the pandemic rages on, especially from an economic standpoint.

Akron mayor Dan Horrigan joined the Ray Horner Morning Show for his weekly Thursday radio hit, and he talked about not just the slowing down of the numbers, but getting the economy and businesses to grow now that the curfew has been lifted and everything is largely opened. Horrigan says there should be another round of stimulus for the small businesses effected, and they continue to do what they can to support them.

Horrigan also talked about the city services that may have suffered during the pandemic, though Akron seems to be better off than other parts of the country in the wintertime.