Early voting for the May primary and the SAVE Act

The Ohio Primary will be decided May 5 when voters choose the party candidates for a number of races including Ohio governor where Vivek Ramaswamy is the leader on the Republican ticket and Amy Acton is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket, while Don Kissick is running on the Libertarian ticket. Other statewide offices as well as federal, statehouse and judicial races are on the ballot. And voters in some areas will also decide school and other issues.

The voter registration deadline is Monday, April 6. Early voting, both in-person and by mail, begins on April 7. And now is the time for voters to check on their registration and decide how they plan to vote.

Ohio Secretary of State web site
Directory of Ohio county boards of elections
Early voting calendar and hours

During this primary cycle, there is also talk in Washington of hardening voter registration and voting rules, including adding a proof of citizenship requirement. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act is being discussed in the U.S. Senate. It's already passed the U.S. House. While we don't know if that legislation will pass or if lawmakers will hammer out changes to it, the media coverage may have confused some voters for this primary.

On Wednesday's "Sound of Ideas," we will talk about registering and voting in the May primary and how the SAVE Act could impact access to voting if it passed.

Guests:
- Jen Miller, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Ohio
- Aaron Ockerman, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Election Officials

Northeast Ohio Iranian community members react to ongoing war, talks of a ceasefire

The war in Iran began just over a month ago, when airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for more than three decades. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was named successor soon after.

At least 1,900 Iranians have been killed since the war began, according to Iran's Health Ministry. On the U.S. side, 13 service members were killed, and more than 300 have been injured.

Efforts to end the conflict remain uncertain. The U.S. has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan, but Iranian officials have rejected it, calling the terms unrealistic. Last weekend, Pakistan's foreign minister announced that his country is willing to facilitate peace talks between the two nations.

But beyond the headlines, the war is being felt deeply in Northeast Ohio.

The region is home to a vibrant and longstanding Iranian American community that shares its culture through traditions such as local Ramadan festivities and One World Day. This year, Cleveland also hosted its first Nowruz, or Persian New Year, celebration at City Hall.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll turn to members of that community to hear how they are processing this moment — balancing ties to their heritage, concern for loved ones abroad and life here in the U.S.

Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, one of our guests will be referenced by their first name only.

Guests:
- Mohammad Sohrabi, Northeast Ohio Resident
- Hengameh Arjomandi, MBA Candidate, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
- Manouchehr, Northeast Ohio Resident

Tax deadline nears

Tomorrow is April, which in addition to the anticipated "April showers," means that Tax Day is approaching on April 15 — and there are some changes to take note of.

For instance, a growing number of filers are facing tax refund delays amid the Internal Revenue Service's decision to phase out paper checks.

And we'll talk about the change to "no tax on tips" in which some filers will be able to deduct up to $25,000 of tips from federal income taxes.

Guest:
- Alexis Kim, Tax Lawyer & Partner, Thompson Hine LLP

How Ohio is failing to stop drug smuggling and overdose deaths in state prisons

Drug-related prison rule violations doubled in Ohio, from 2020 to 2024. It's a problem that leaders say is representative of the greater communities we all live in, but the outside world isn't subject to the same controls that incarcerated people are supposed to be subject to.

A year-long investigation by journalists with the Marshall Project Cleveland and the Columbus Dispatch has revealed the alarming extent to which Ohio prison officials are failing at stopping drugs from being smuggled inside, and how those drugs are leading to inmate deaths.

On the "Sound of Ideas" on Monday, we talk with those journalists and hear from some of their interviewees, including people who are currently serving sentences for their roles in Ohio's prison drug trade.

Guests:
- Doug Livingston, Staff Writer, Marshall Project Cleveland
- Laura Bischoff, Ohio Politics and State Government Reporter, Columbus Dispatch
- Alex Krotulski, Ph.D., Director of Toxicology & Chemistry, Center for Forensic Science Research and Education

How prison gerrymandering impacts voting districts and what rights incarcerated people have when it comes to voting

Voting rights experts say people who are incarcerated have been incorrectly represented by their governments for decades due to a practice called "prison gerrymandering," by which the Census counts individuals as residents of correctional facilities, rather than their homes prior to incarceration.

Research shows this tends to boost the political power of districts that contain prisons, often in rural areas, and decrease the political power of urban communities and communities of color.

On the "Sound of Ideas" on Monday, we dive into the issue of prison gerrymandering and voting rights for incarcerated people, in the latest installment of our "Law of The Land" series.

Guests:
- Emilia Sykes, Democrat, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 13th District
- Kareem Crayton, the Brennan Center for Justice's Vice President for Washington, D.C.

Preliminary ideas were released this week by the North Coast Waterfront Development Corp. outlining possible uses for Burke Lakefront Airport if it is decommissioned, a move supported by the mayor and county executive.

A large lakefront park. Walking trails. A downtown campground. Hotels. Perhaps a nine-hole golf course. Are these transformative ideas? Nothing close to a formal proposal has emerged.

In Akron, a master plan is now in place for redevelopment of the abandoned Innerbelt, which bisected a once-thriving Black neighborhood decades ago. The plan would restore the area as a neighborhood, with 4,500 new homes and space for local businesses.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now patrolling terminals at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, deployed as funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration remains in flux amid a congressional dispute. However, Hopkins has not experienced the disruptions seen at other airports, such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. It is also unclear what role the agents are playing in Cleveland.

The Ohio House voted to ban drag performances in locations where children may be present, effectively ending events such as library drag story hours. Meanwhile, the Ohio Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming medications and non-surgical treatments for transgender minors. The law passed in 2023 and took effect in 2024 after the Legislature overrode Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto.

Guests:

- Zaria Johnson, Environment Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Josh Boose, Supervising Producer - Newscasts, Ideastream Public Media

- Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public/Radio TV

Cleveland photographer captures women expressing rage in public

Many psychological studies have shown that when men outwardly express anger, it's generally perceived as showing strength and power. But when women do it, it's often viewed as being difficult or out of control, so many women have learned to bottle their rage, for fear of social repercussions.

During a personal struggle, photographer Christina Ramirez felt like she couldn't voice her frustrations, and realized if she felt stifled, others might too, so she invited others who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) regardless of how they identify today to join her in what became "the rage project." On Thursday's episode of the "Sound of Ideas," we're exploring "the rage project" sessions where Ramirez takes photos of her subjects displaying their anger in public places. She's now in the process of photographing round four of the project.

Guests:
- Christina Ramirez, Photographer, Creator of Cleveland's "the rage project"
- Carrie Williams, "the rage project" subject
- Samantha Cocco, "the rage project" subject
- Shayla Redding, "the rage project" subject

Playhouse Square announces 2026-27 Broadway season

Cuba, Hogwarts and Greece are just a few of the places you can go next season with Playhouse Square. The 2026-2027 KeyBank Broadway Series unveiled Wednesday includes a pair of jukebox musicals and a revival alongside some of the Great White Way's most popular shows from the past decade.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," Ideastream Public Media's Kabir Bhatia previews what you can snag tickets to, while they're still available, with Playhouse Square's Senior Vice President of Programming David Greene.

Guests:
- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
- David Greene, Senior Vice President, Programming, Playhouse Square

Two Northeast Ohio musicians bring unfinished ideas to life

Two longtime Northeast Ohio folk artists, Gretchen Pleuss and Adam Reifsnyder, are reuniting to take care of some unfinished business.

On this week’s "Shuffle," Ideastream Public Media’s Amanda Rabinowitz shares the story of their creative partnership.

Guests:
- Amanda Rabinowitz, Host and Producer, "Shuffle" and "All Things Considered," Ideastream Public Media
- Gretchen Pleuss, Artist
- Adam Reifsnyder, Artist

Foster parents needed in Cuyahoga, Summit Counties

There are more than 14,000 children currently in foster care across Ohio, down from a record high of 17,000 in 2020, according to the state Department of Children and Youth.

Foster care can play a critical role in supporting children and families during times of crisis, but the number of available foster parents has declined in recent years.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're talking about what's driving that trend — including economic pressures like the ongoing affordability crisis — and what it takes to become a foster parent in Cuyahoga and Summit counties.

We'll also hear about existing support systems for foster families and the impact they can have on children in need.

Guests:
- Karin Austin, Social Program Administrator, Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services
- Traci Foley, Director, Placement Services Department, Summit County Children Services
- Kathleen Paydo, Foster Parent, Summit County
- Kathy DiVincenzo, Executive Director & Founder, Honey from the Rock (Cleveland Foster Care Closet)

Cleveland Humanities Festival: FREEDOM to Play

Recreation and play are essential to children’s health and development, but not all communities have equal access to safe, well-resourced spaces.

As part of the 2026 Cleveland Humanities Festival, an upcoming panel conversation titled “FREEDOM to Play” will examine how these disparities, along with the over-policing of Black and brown youth, shape childhood experiences.

The discussion will also explore how recreational freedom influences children’s mental and emotional health and their overall sense of self.

This year’s festival is co-sponsored by the Schubert Center for Child Studies and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities.

Guest:
- Harrison Pinckney IV, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management, Penn State University

On Jan. 22, the Trump Administration held a ceremony to launch the Board of Peace, a new international organization designed to implement peace in Gaza and other conflict areas. 

Some have described the organization as President Donald Trump’s alternative to the United Nations, which he has repeatedly criticized. So far, 24 countries have signed up, although none of the signatories are America’s traditional allies.

On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll hear the latest installment of "Talking Foreign Policy," our quarterly series in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, host Michael Scharf and a panel of experts discuss the implications of President Trump's Board of Peace.

They'll also discuss how the current war with Iran impacts the mission of the Board of Peace. Does that conflict stand in contrast with President Trump's attempts at a global peace?

Guests:
- Michael Scharf, President, The American Branch of the International Law Association; Former Dean, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Harold Hongju Koh, Professor & Former Dean of Yale School of Law; Former Assistant Secretary, The U.S. Department of State
- Milena Sterio, Distinguished University Professor, Cleveland State University College of Law; Managing Director, The Public International Law & Policy Group
- Leila Sadat, Professor, Washington University School of Law; Board Chair, The American Branch of the International Law Association
- Jessica Peake, Director, The International and Comparative Law Program, UCLA School of Law

Canton native seeks to find out if a relationship with a younger man can work for her on Netflix's age-based dating show, "Age of Attraction"

When it comes to love, is age just a number? A new Netflix dating show, "Age of Attraction," is trying to answer that question by giving people the opportunity to connect while at a beautiful resort in Canada, without revealing their ages. On Monday's episode of the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk with participant and Canton native Vanessa Drozda, 50, about her experience with this social experiment.

According to the Pew Research Center, heterosexual married couples are trending toward becoming closer in age. But just because it might not be resulting in marriage for most people, doesn't mean Americans aren't exploring relationships with people in different age brackets. An Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Cougar Life in 2024 showed that many American adults have been in relationships with an age-gap of 10 or more years.

That was Vanessa's experience while starring on the show, as she turned 50 a few months ago, and is seen on the show dating Logan Goodrid, who is twenty years younger than her.

Guest:
- Vanessa Drozda, Salon owner and "Age of Attraction" participant

Clevelanders test theory that love can bloom without initial physical attraction on Netflix's "Love Is Blind"

Netflix's "Love Is Blind " is a long -running dating show where people get a chance to try to connect without seeing each other in person, and two Clevelanders gave it a shot on the most recent season featuring an all-Ohio cast.

What happens when you like what you hear from someone, before you can put a face to their name? On Monday's edition of the "Sound of Ideas," we'll talk with Clevelanders Michael Gibney and Ashley Carpenter who lived this reality, and neither ended up saying "I do" to their matches on the show after coming face to face.

Guests:
- Michael Gibney, Sales manager, "Love Is Blind" participant
- Ashley Carpenter, Claims manager, "Love Is Blind" participant

First 50 years of Apple technology explored by Shaker Heights native and journalist David Pogue in latest book

As the Apple company approaches 50 years in business on April 1, a new book by Shaker Heights native and author David Pogue explores its ongoing legacy.

The CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent returns to the "Sound of Ideas" on Monday to talk about his book, "Apple: The First 50 Years," which covers how Apple launched from humble beginnings in Cupertino, California and went on to shape our relationship with technology through the iPod and iPhone devices.

Pogue will be discussing his book at the City Club of Cleveland this Friday.

Guest:
- David Pogue, Author, "Apple: The First 50 Years"

Northeast Ohioans got an unexpected free show in the sky this week when a meteor streaked across the region and broke up over Medina County.

According to NASA, the space rock weighed 17,000 pounds and was 6 feet in diameter. It broke apart, traveling more than 40,000 miles per hour creating a wave of pressure and a loud "boom" heard across much of the area. Some cameras were able to catch the streaking ball of fire as it made its descent through the atmosphere.

We will talk about the meteor and the scramble for pieces of it left behind on the "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable."

But first, over the last few months, we've been talking about the pushback on data centers in the state due to concerns including noise, water use and demand on the electrical grid. Now some people in rural southern Ohio want voters to decide whether the state should stop rolling out the welcome mat for data centers. The group wants to put it to a vote with a proposed constitutional amendment.

The plan to develop a "mega site" in Lorain County hit a snag on Tuesday. Russia Township trustees unanimously voted against an application to rezone 600 acres from agricultural to industrial use. County officials back the plan which supporters have described as a "once in a generation" opportunity. But people living near the project are strongly opposed to the plan.

A new Ohio law that bans intoxicating hemp goes into effect today, after efforts to block it fell short. This includes a ban on hemp-infused THC drinks and candies.

Changes to Ohio's dangerous dog law are now in effect. Those changes are collectively known as "Avery's Law," named after a teenage girl near Columbus who was attacked by two pitbulls while she was visiting a friend's house for a playdate.

Ohio became the 19th state in the nation to ban an election format known as ranked choice voting.

The city of Canton has reversed course and will now allow water access for residential properties in Perry Township. The city had stopped approving new requests and service transfers in early February due to an ongoing dispute with Perry Township trustees over a Joint Economic Development District, or JEDD agreement.

The monitor overseeing the implementation of a federal consent decree focused on policing reforms in Cleveland has cast doubt on the push to bring process to an end. In mid-February the city and the Department of Justice asked a judge to bring an end to the federal decree which has been in place for more than a decade.

Guests:

- Matt Richmond, Criminal Justice Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Abbey Marshall, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public/Radio TV

Protein in Diet
If you've been to the grocery store lately, it is hard to miss the new diet fad — protein. It is being added to everything from milk to ramen to popcorn to cereal to sports drinks.

Last week, Buffalo Wild Wings released a wing-flavored protein-filled espresso martini that they're calling "Espresso Proteini."

But what does the science say about how much protein we actually need in our diets? Is this filling a nutritional need or is it just another food craze?

The recently-revised food pyramid from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department emphasizes protein, as well as dairy, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables as the largest categories of our diet. Previously, protein was suggested in smaller portions.

We'll start Thursday's "Sound of Ideas" by talking protein and other questions about a healthy diet.

Guest:
- Kristi Artz, M.D., Vice President & Christopher M. and Sara H. Connor Chair in Integrative Health, University Hospitals Connor Whole Health

Geauga County Maple Festival
Next in the "Sound of Ideas," we'll switch from protein to another important food group — sugar, specifically maple syrup and the people who produce it.

Geauga County is the top maple syrup producer in Ohio and is celebrating its 100th Maple Festival next month.

Maple syrup is the focus of this installment of our food series, "The Menu," which is produced in collaboration with Cleveland Magazine, which has featured reporting on maple syrup production as well as the Geauga County Maple Festival.

Guests:
- Tim Cermak, Maple Syrup Farmer, Sugarbush Creek Farm
- Marc Burr, Emcee & Board Member, Geauga County Maple Festival & Owner, Potti & Burr Funeral Homes