Ray Horner Show

WAKR and the Ray Horner Morning Show are featuring a member of the black community in Akron who have made an impact by their courage and leadership.

Kemp Boyd is the executive director of Love Akron, and he has been a prominent figure and coach in the area for a number of years. He has made a mission in directing young men and molding them into gentlemen and future leaders.

Akron’s Celebration of Black History this month is brought to you by the Akron-Summit County Public Library and the Metro Regional Transit Authority.

In President Joe Biden’s CNN Town Hall on Tuesday night, he was asked the question about when the United States can return to some normalcy. Depending on the vaccine and the push for herd immunity, many experts, as well as the president, believe we could see that as early as the fall.

Do the economists feel the same way, or has the economic devastation dug a bigger hole to climb out of than originally expected? Prism Wealth Management’s Robert Dodaro (also the host of the Sunday morning radio show, Financial Focus, heard on WAKR) joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to cover the major economic topics of the day, which include saving money and investing it, and the state of the housing market. Dodaro believes the saving and spending habits have changed during the pandemic, especially the older Americans who are not spending the money they were before COVID-19 and have built up their savings.

Dodaro also covered the topic of higher education and the costs, which includes what is called the 529 plan, similar to a 401k.

Marco and Margo Sommerville

Monday afternoon’s heavy snowfall turned to ice later in the evening. Residents of Northeast Ohio, as well as countless other cities and states in the country, woke up to a layer of ice on their cars and driveways.

The snow and ice will have to be taken care of eventually, but depending on one’s health, that may need to wait, according to Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s Dr. Debbie Plate. She joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about taking the proper precautions when not only shoveling or snowblowing in the frosty temperatures, but just being outside in general.

If one has to go outside on days like Tuesday, Dr. Plate stresses the need to really bundle up, stay hydrated, and stretch out beforehand. She says to avoid shoveling in the morning, as those with heart conditions would be at higher risk at that time.

Robert DeJournett - Black History Month

Eddie Sipplen - Black History Month

Governor Mike DeWine came down hard on school districts Friday for not being ready for the return to in-person learning by March 1st.

One of those districts the governor criticized is Akron Public Schools, and superintendent David James had the pulpit on the Ray Horner Morning Show to respond. Weeks ago, James admitted a return to full in-person learning would be a tall task, and he reiterated those sentiments on WAKR, due to the logistics with everything from busing schedules to instruction based on safety precautions.

The common theme, from the governor to the school boards, is the safety of the children. James says he does not want to get in a “war of words” with the governor, but admits a full return is not as easy. The first round of vaccines have been distributed for the staff, and he mentions there are 2,000 students doing a “remote plus” model, where they have a hybrid of in-person and remote learning.

Col. Gregg Hesterman with the Ohio National Guard, outlines the Guard's role in helping Ohioans get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler - Bliss Institute

Teresa LaGrier - Black History Month