The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped its term Tuesday with a series of major decisions on immigration, presidential power and election law.

Among the final rulings, the court voted against President Donald Trump to uphold the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment declaring anyone born within the borders of the U.S. a citizen of the country.

Last week, the justices held that courts cannot review Department of Homeland Security decisions to end Temporary Protected Status, clearing the way for the Trump administration to end legal protections for Haitians and Syrians, which includes a large Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio that drew national attention.

The court also ruled that Congress cannot prevent the president from removing members of the Federal Trade Commission. In doing so, overturning a 90-year-old precedent that had preserved federal agencies' independence.

Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, saying it greatly increases presidential power "at a time when it is most needed." Two of the dissenting justices said this decision completely reshapes our government.

The court also upheld a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted for up to five days afterward.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk about these decisions, what they say about the direction of the high court and what they could mean for everyday Americans and the balance of power in Washington.

Guests:
- Jonathan Entin, Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University
- César García Hernández, Professor of Law, The Ohio State University
- Ali Masood, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Politics, Oberlin College and Conservatory

"The Big Shrink"

Cleveland's population was 930,000 at its height in 1950. Now, it's a little more than a third of that.

With that population loss, comes fewer students enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. And those dropping enrollment numbers has led to the district needing to closure buildings and lay off hundreds of employees.

Cleveland is far from the only district experiencing this issue, which one education researcher has called "the big shrink."

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas" we'll learn more about what's happening with CMSD, and other districts across the state. You can read Ideastream Education Reporter Conor Morris's reporting on the issue here.

Guests:

- Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Meryl Johnson, Former Educator and State Board of Education Representative

- Vladimir Kogan, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University

U.S. Annual Esperanto Conference

Vi aŭskultas la radioprogramon "Sono de Ideoj" de Ideastream Public Media. Mi estas Stephanie Haney, dankon pro via restado kun ni.

What you just read translated to English reads, "You're with the 'Sound of Ideas' from Ideastream Public Media. I'm Stephanie Haney, thanks for staying with us."

But you may not have understood it, because that first line was written in Esperanto.

Esperanto was created in the late 1800s, meant to be a universal secondary language. It's not tied to any particular region in the world so it has no native speakers, and it's not intended to be anyone's first language. It's meant to be easy to learn, no matter what your background, and its goal is to promote international communication and even world peace.

The language of Esperanto is encouraged here in the United States by a non-profit organization called Esperanto-USA, which is hosting a weeklong course and its national conference at Cleveland State University, now through July 6th.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we have leaders of Esperanto-USA and a Cleveland member joining us to teach us about the language and its Northeast Ohio connection dating back to the 1930s, and hopefully help us walk away knowing a few key phrases.

Guests:

- Brandon Sowers, President, Esperanto-USA

- Amanda Schmidt, Executive Director, Esperanto-USA

- Jeremy Genovese, Member, Esperanto-USA

America 250 Reflections

Saturday is America's 250th birthday. It's a time to look back at our nation's history and reflect on where we are today as a country.

The Declaration of Independence in 1776 guaranteed the rights to equality, liberty and democracy for all.

Is America today living up to the promise of its founding? Do citizens today have equal rights and opportunities? Some will say, absolutely, but for others, it's a bit more complicated.

On Monday's "Sound of Ideas" we're convening a panel of Northeast Ohioans from a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences to hear what life is like for them in this country ahead of the 250th, and whether they like the direction the country is going at this moment in time.

Guests:

- Neil G. McCormick, Retiree, Cinecraft Productions

- Poojajeet Khaira, M.D., Psychiatrist Physician

- Dominic Harrison, Junior, John Carrol University

- Michele Weiss, Mayor, City of University Heights

Connect250 Project

As the nation marks America's 250th birthday, the oral history nonprofit, StoryCorps, and NPR's Morning Edition are launching a nationwide initiative called "Connect 250" — pairing strangers from different parts of the country to record a conversation about their lives today and what America means to them.

These 40-minute long dialogues will be permanently preserved in the Library of Congress, to serve as a time capsule of what life in America was like at 250 years old.

StoryCorps Founder and President Dave Isay told us more about this initiative.

Guest:

- Dave Isay, Founder and President, StoryCorps

Gov. Mike DeWine this week vetoed a bill that would mandate photo ID for mail-in ballots starting in 2027.

On the heels of DeWine calling on Ohio lawmakers to abolish the death penalty, we learned this week that for the first time in his tenure, he granted clemency to a death row inmate.

The U.S. Supreme Court signed off on the Trump administration's plan to strip temporary protected status from Haitian immigrants. The move could leave more than 10,000 Haitians living in Springfield at risk for deportation.

Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno has an unexpected ally in the effort to shore up social security: Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

And Cleveland has been raking in cash since it implemented changes to its parking pricing structure earlier this year.

We will discuss these topics and other news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

Guests:
- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Public Media
- Gabriel Kramer, Reporter/Producer & "NewsDepth" Host, Ideastream Public Media
- Sarah Donaldson, Reporter/Producer, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Employee Ownership Models

There are over 6500 businesses that in some form participate in an employee-owned model, according to a study from Rutgers University. These businesses vary from an ESOP, or employee stock ownership plan, which is the most common form or profit-sharing, to a worker-owned cooperative, where workers can vote on things like a board of directors.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll take a deeper look at the employee ownership model, and find out why some aging business owners are embracing that model.

We'll hear from one Northeast Ohio business that recently transitioned to an employee trust model with the help of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University.

Guests:
- Michael Palmieri, Associate Director, Ohio Employee Ownership Center, Kent State University
- Jonathan Welle, Lead Organizer & Founding Board Member, Cleveland Owns
- Mike Miller, Founder and Managing Partner, Music Box Supper Club
- Hannah Scott, Program Director, The Ohio State University - College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Center for Cooperatives

"The Menu: Employee Ownership and Food"

Later in the program, we'll stay with the employee ownership discussion, and look at one local coffee roaster, Phoenix, who is a employee-owned cooperative.

They have five cafes, and a roastery, across Northeast Ohio. We'll hear from the General Manager about why he says that model serves the business.

Guests:
- Toby Reif, General Manager, Phoenix Coffee

- Jonathan Welle, Lead Organizer & Founding Board Member, Cleveland Owns

Funeral arrangements and burial alternatives

The cost of planning a funeral has risen dramatically over the past several decades. From 1986 to 2025, funeral costs increased by 304%, meaning something that cost $1 in 1986 now costs about $4. Inflation, changing consumer preferences and rising labor and material costs have all contributed to the price hike.

Today, cremation is the most common end-of-life choice in the U.S., with more than 60% of Americans choosing it in recent years. While cremation is often less expensive than a traditional burial, funeral arrangements can still carry a significant cost.

As a result, some are turning to alternatives such as green burials, human composting and body donation programs. For some, these options can reduce costs. For others, they offer a way to align final arrangements with personal values, environmental concerns or a desire to contribute to medical research.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll explore these alternatives and find out whether they still leave loved ones with a meaningful way to remember you.

Guests:

- Chad McGreevey, Funeral Director, McGreevey Funeral Homes

- Danielle Davis, Director of Anatomical Services, Body Donation Program, Ohio State University

- Tom Harries, CEO and Co-Founder, Earth Funeral

- Geoffrey Gompf, President-Elect, Ohio Funeral Directors Association

Tri-C JazzFest 2026

Live music is back in downtown Cleveland this week, with the return of the annual Tri-C JazzFest, this Thursday through Saturday. Located on Playhouse Square, the three-day event will feature both local and national artists, accompanied by face painting, line dancing and local food vendors.

The festival will feature local artists such as Dominick Farinacci, as well as national artists like Sheila E., Durand Bernarr, and others.

JazzNEO host and producer Dan Polletta previewed the festival with “Sound of Ideas” host Stephanie Haney.

Guest:

- Dan Polletta, Senior Producer, Host of JazzNEO, Ideastream Public Media

As a country, we're living longer than ever before. The average life expectancy in the United States is now 79 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

But how are we doing when we get to our golden years? In Ohio, the answer is not necessarily the best, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Senior Report. This study from The United Health Foundation ranked Ohio 36th in the country in overall health for seniors. Some major concerns include suicide rates, drug related deaths, poverty and food insecurity concerns and levels of physical activity.

When you add in concerns about mental function and emotional wellbeing, there's a lot to think about as we age. On Tuesday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas," we're looking at what we can do in our younger years to try to maintain our mental, emotional and physical health for as long as our bodies will let us.

Guests:

- Gary Grosel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of Ohio

- Lester Carney, age 92, Olympic athlete who won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy

- Robert Bermel, M.D., Staff Neurologist, Neurological Institute's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Cleveland Clinic

- Roopa Anmolsingh, M.D., Lead Geriatrician for Community Programs, Cleveland Clinic

Ohio Auditor Candidates

In November, when voters go to the polls, they'll be voting on every statewide executive office in Ohio, one of those being auditor of state.

The two candidates for that position are the current Secretary of State, Republican, Frank LaRose, and the Mayor of Maple Heights, Democrat, Annette Blackwell.

They recently spoke at forums organized by the Akron Press Club. We'll bring you excerpts from that on Monday's "Sound of Ideas."

You can watch the entirety of LaRose's speech here.

You can watch the entirety of Blackwell's speech here.

Guests:

- Frank LaRose, Secretary of State; Candidate, Ohio Auditor

- Annette Blackwell, Mayor of Maple Heights; Candidate, Ohio Auditor

Foreign Relations with India

Then, we turn our attention to international affairs and look at U.S.-India relations.

The most populous country is home to a quickly growing economy, and could be a major player in global policies, from immigration to trade, over the coming decades.

Akriti Kalyankar, a woman who worked as a journalist in India, is now coming to speak in Northeast Ohio on Thursday, at the invitation of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.

You can find out more about Kalyankar's appearance here.

Guest:

- Akriti Kalyankar, Fellow, Stimson Center

Gov. Mike DeWine is urging Ohio lawmakers to permanently end the death penalty, saying the issue should go before voters if the legislature declines to act.

DeWine has postponed every scheduled execution since taking office in 2019 and has said the moratorium stems partly from pharmaceutical companies' opposition to the use of their drugs in lethal injections.

However, some prosecutors and lawmakers who support the death penalty dispute that justification.

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voter engagement group for left-leaning and progressive causes, was raided by the FBI.

Board member Prentiss Haney said agents searched the organization’s Northeast Ohio offices, questioned staff and associates and in some cases seized laptops and other electronic devices.

Several Democratic members of Congress, including Ohio U.S. Reps. Emilia Sykes and Joyce Beatty, have criticized the raid and expressed support for the organization.

Cleveland City Council members voiced strong skepticism about Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposal to extend the city’s contract with surveillance camera company Flock Safety, questioning whether the system justifies its cost.

A council committee voted against the extension, though the measure could still advance. Cleveland has about 100 Flock cameras and has paid $250,000 annually for the program since 2023.

Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before non-school days with parental and school approval. Current law bars 14- and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year.

The measure follows Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a broader proposal last year. Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster said he negotiated the change between him, DeWine and the Ohio Restaurant Association.

We will discuss these topics and other news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

Guests:

- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

- Anna Huntsman, Akron/Canton Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Zaria Johnson, Environment Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

How some local religious groups welcome LGBTQ+ members

June is Pride Month, an annual celebration honoring LGBTQ+ people, their history and an ongoing movement toward equality.

Most celebrations are secular in nature - but there are some religious organizations in Northeast Ohio hosting Pride events this year.

For many, religion is a source of belonging and spiritual guidance. But for others, experiences with faith communities have led to rejection, exclusion or religious trauma.

Studies from Pew Research Center shows that 80% of LGBTQ adults in the U.S. believe in spirituality and nearly half identify with a religion.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're bringing together faith leaders to discuss how their congregations engage with LGBTQ people, how they interpret their faith traditions' teachings on sexuality and identity, and what that relationship looks like not just in June, but throughout the year.

Guests:

- Rev. Dr. George Graham, Pastor, Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ

- Shoshana Nyer, Rabbi, Suburban Temple Kol Ami

- Fr. Damian Ference, Vicar for Evangelization, The Cathedral Saint John the Evangelist

- Rev. Derek Terry, Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition and Part-time Pastor, St. Peter's United Church of Christ

"Easy Day Away": Chautauqua and Jamestown in New York

As the summer gets underway, you might be feeling the urge to travel. But the cost of getting away has gotten more expensive lately, as the U.S. war on Iran continues to squeeze access to oil, driving up the cost of both airfare and gas to fill up our cars. As a result of increasing prices, a survey from US News and World Report released in April showed that 65% of Americans have changed their summer travel plans.

For those of you who are being budget-conscious but are still feeling that wanderlust, we're launching a new summer series on Thursday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas" called "Easy Day Away." We'll bring you ideas for simple trips you can take that are within a short drive of Northeast Ohio, and don't require an overnight stay.

For our first feature, we're highlighting Jamestown and Chautauqua in New York's Chautauqua County. These two cities are on either side of Chautauqua Lake, both about a two hours' drive east of Cleveland.

Jamestown is home to both the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and the National Comedy Center, and Chautauqua is known for its Chautauqua Institution, a historic, 750-acre lakeside educational and cultural center.

Guests:

- Journey Gunderson, Executive Director, National Comedy Center

- Gary Hahn, Board Member and Secretary, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

- Deborah Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Chautauqua Institution