AI and the future of journalism

In February, "Ideastream Explores: Artificial Intelligence" covered the myriad ways AI is rapidly evolving and changing our lives.

It's impacting how students learn, reshaping the workforce, and we're learning more and more about the environmental costs of data centers and the massive processing power needed for generative AI programs.

Ideastream hosted a "Sound of Ideas Community Tour" at the Idea Center and took part in another live event as well, about the intersection of journalism and artificial intelligence and concerns the public has about how we might be using it and what guardrails we’re setting in place.

The Akron Press Club has pulled together a panel today to talk about the choices newsroom are making and what the next generation of journalists are being taught about AI.

Guests:

- Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor, Ideastream Public Media

- Phil Trexler, Editor-in-Chief, The Marshall Project - Cleveland

- Mizell Stewart, Professor-in-Residence, Kent State University

Colorectal Cancer Rates

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths among people younger than 50 in the United States, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The recent deaths of actors James Van Der Beek and Catherine O'Hara have brought renewed attention to the disease.

While most cases still occur in people over 50, rates among younger adults are rising. Screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society adopted in 2018 now recommend that average-risk adults begin screening at 45 instead of 50.

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when detected early, and experts say screening options, including colonoscopies and at-home stool tests, are saving lives.

Guests:

- Joshua Sommovilla, M.D., Colon and Rectal Surgical Oncologist, Cleveland Clinic

- Mengdan Xie, M.D., Gastroenterology, MetroHealth

- Amy Fogerty, Teacher, Shaker Heights High School

The city of Cleveland and the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation this week opened an online survey to get public input on how to use Burke Lakefront Airport's acreage if the airport is decommissioned.

Planners say they're open to all ideas for how to use the 450 acres of prime real estate.

But closing the airport, which Mayor Justin Bibb is pushing for, is not a done deal. City Council is holding committee hearings and needs to agree, and the feds must sign off.

The story begins our “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

It will also be the topic of our next Community Tour on March 4 at Burke Lakefront Airport.

A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill that would punish colleges and universities that don't comply with Senate Bill 1 by withholding their state money. The law went into effect last June to remove what supporters say is “liberal bias" on campus. Among the law's many provisions is a ban on most diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. This new bill is touted as an accountability measure to assure schools are actually complying and not just checking a box.

Ohio is on track to join a number of states that have banned ranked choice voting. The House this week voted on a bill that prevents local governments from using the system.

We got more details this week about how the Akron School District will slash $11 million from its budget this year, with more to come, after the superintendent briefed the board of education this week.

The courts are still deciding whether Ohio can fund sports facilities, including the new Browns stadium, from the state's unclaimed funds account. But since the legislature voted to create a pool to fund not only the Browns stadium but others, the line is already out the door with sports teams seeking cash.

Guests:

-Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor for News, Ideastream Public Media

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

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

Team NEO 2025 Performance & Impact Annual Report
The headline numbers from Team NEO's new 2025 jobs report include nearly 3,000 new jobs, more than $450 million in capital investments, and 92 business investments across Northeast Ohio.

The report also highlights the rollout of the JobsOhio Relocation Incentive Program, which offers businesses up to $15,000 for making successful hires in certain industries, with a focus on STEM and technical roles.

There's also the expansion of LayerZero, a manufacturer for power systems like data centers. The company is opening a new facility in Portage County that expects to create 535 new jobs.

At the same time, new federal trade policies could affect Northeast Ohio's economic outlook. A 10% U.S. tariff on most global imports took effect Tuesday, despite President Donald Trump's earlier pledge to set the rate at 15%.

And findings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland say that tariffs are contributing to price increases across Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia. Manufacturers and retailers add that their products cost more to make, so consumers are paying more.

On Thursday’s the “Sound of Ideas,” Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan joins the program to discuss what the report’s findings mean for Northeast Ohioans and the state economy.

Guest:
- Matt Dolan, CEO, Team NEO

2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
Later in the hour, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees are here, and we'll discuss who made the cut. Of this year's 17 nominees, 10 are appearing on the ballot for the first time.

Here are the nominees:
- The Black Crowes
- Jeff Buckley
- Mariah Carey
- Phil Collins
- Melissa Etheridge
- Lauryn Hill
- Billy Idol
- INXS
- Iron Maiden
- Joy Division/New Order
- New Edition
- Oasis
- P!NK
- Sade
- Shakira
- Luther Vandross
- Wu-Tang Clan

Guest:
- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

Shuffle
To close the program, we'll hear a new installment of "Shuffle."

Akron musician Brett Auerbach once drove 15 hours for a 30-minute gig. It was a gamble that helped launch his band, Rye Valley, onto national tours.

This week, Ideastream Public Media's Amanda Rabinowitz talked with Auerbach about the journey, and how it led him to create a space for other songwriters in Northeast Ohio.

Guests:
- Amanda Rabinowitz, Host, Ideastream Public Media
- Brett Auerbach, Musician, Rye Valley

How did the State of the Union play in Northeast Ohio?

"Our nation is back," that was the topline message from President Donald Trump in his marathon and at times combative State of the Union speech Tuesday night.

The speech clocked in at 108 minutes, which broke his previous record set last year when his speech before Congress came in at 100 minutes.

Trump lavished praise on his administration and GOP lawmakers for their accomplishments of the last year.

He also openly scolded Democrats who were at the speech for failing to show any support. Some Democrats skipped the speech for a separate "Peoples' State of the Union" protest.

During the speech, the president chided the Supreme Court justices who were present. He's been openly critical of the 6-3 decision last week that went against him when the court ruled he exceeded his legal authority on tariffs.

The speech at times also played like an awards ceremony with several guests being honored, including bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on the USA men's hockey team goalie. The team won gold over Canada at the Olympics last weekend.

Gold was also the message for voters and Americans too, as the midterm election cycle begins. The president described this as a new "golden age" for the United States.

Today, we will drill down on the speech and the politics of this moment as the midterm election cycle gets underway.

Guests:

- Tom Sutton, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Political Science, formerly at Baldwin Wallace University

- Rob Walgate, President, American Policy Roundtable

-David Cohen, Ph.D., Professor of political science, Director of the Applied Politics Program, University of Akron

-Stephanie Howse-Jones, Cleveland City Council Member, Ward 8

We'll discuss the city and U.S. Department of Justice's decision to seek an end to the 11-year police consent decree. While police and city officials believe its time to return to local oversight, community members say they are concerned about reform progress.

The "Sound of Ideas" spoke with AI experts and took audience questions during a live event at the Ideacenter.

The city of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice agree the city has done enough to be released from a consent decree imposed due to unconstitutional policing involving excessive force in 2015. They've asked a federal judge to sign off. The mayor says work still needs to be done, but the city should be in charge of it, not the feds.

The story begins our discussion of the week’s news on the “Sound of Ideas” Reporters Roundtable.

Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel filed a lawsuit this week claiming County Executive Chris Ronayne's office has no right to take over financial control of his department. It's the latest salvo in a long-standing conflict over spending in the sheriff's department, where overtime has ballooned.

Employees of Lorain County's Department of Job and Family Services went on strike Wednesday morning after contract talks failed to reach a new deal. The previous contract for employees, represented by United Auto Workers Local 2192, expired in September.

Ohio has expanded its quarantine for the spotted lanternfly to all counties in the state. The invasive species was first spotted in Ohio in 2020. State officials say there’s no need to report the bugs any longer. If you see one, squash it.

Two Ohio lawmakers want to punish people who don't heed crossing guards. House Bill 690 would also levy penalties for harassing, threatening or intimidating crossing guards.

A year-long celebration of Lorain native Toni Morrison began this week. Morrison, who once worked for the Lorain Public Library, was celebrated for her novels, children's books, and plays. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for her novel 'Beloved' - and this year's celebration shares that name.

Guests:

-Matt Richmond, Criminal Justice Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

-Kabir Bhatia, Sr. Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

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

Case Western Reserve University turns 200

One of Ohio's oldest colleges, Case Western Reserve University, just turned 200 this month. It traces its founding to Western Reserve College in Hudson in 1826, named after the region which was known then as the Western Reserve of Connecticut.

At the time, Northeast Ohio's population was growing, and the Industrial Revolution was leading to opportunities for technical and scientific advancement in Cleveland, with the help of philanthropists like Leonard Case Jr.

200 years later, colleges and universities across the country are facing a completely different environment, from threats to federal and state funding, major enrollment decline, population loss in Ohio and changing attitudes over whether a four-year degree is worth the cost of admission amid major workforce changes and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence. Several long-standing universities in Ohio have had to merge, severely cut staff and programs or close completely as they deal with financial uncertainty and debt.

On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll start by talking to Case Western Reserve University President, Eric Kaler, about the role of higher education today, and how he plans to not only weather the current storm but lead on a global level. Case Western Reserve University was recently named one of the top 30 colleges in the world by Time Magazine.

Guests:
- Eric Kaler, Ph.D., President, Case Western Reserve University

Frederick Douglass' historic speech resonates today
The power of education and the ability of young people to reshape the world were among the broader themes of a historic commencement speech delivered by abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Hudson in 1854 at what was then known as Western Reserve College.

The speech sharply debunked so-called scientific racism, the belief that different racial and ethnic groups have innately differing levels of physical, intellectual and moral development that distinguish them as superior or inferior. Douglass' words are getting renewed attention in an award-winning documentary that features academy students.

The film, "Just and Perfect" is being shown as part of this year's multi-city Black History Festival which begins this weekend.

CeCe Payne the writer and producer of the film, and Iiyannaa Graham-Siphanoum, the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Western Reserve Academy spoke to us recently about the film and how the speech still connects to students today.

We originally had this conversation on Jan. 21 in advance of an event at the school commemorating the speech and a campus visit by a descendant of Frederick Douglass.

That show was pre-empted by President Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland.

Guests:
- CeCe Payne, Writer & Producer, "Just and Perfect"
- Iiyannaa Graham-Siphanoum, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Western Reserve Academy

The Menu: Fish Fry

Lent began this week. It's the 40-day reflective period observed by Catholics and with that another cherished community tradition has returned as well: fish fry season.

From church halls to local breweries, diners will be filling plates with beer-battered cod, fried Lake Erie perch, pierogies and coleslaw.

We're talking fish fries on this installment of The Menu, our biweekly look at Northeast Ohio's food scene in partnership with Cleveland Magazine.

We're going to talk about where to participate, what to expect, and why this tradition continues to bring people together year after year.

Guest:
- Dillon Stewart, Editor, Cleveland Magazine

Experts discuss the history of politics and the Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics are well underway in Milan, marking the Games' return to Italy for the first time since 2006. The theme of this year's Opening Ceremony was harmony, or "armonia" in Italian, a message of unity on a global stage.

But as American athletes chase medals abroad, the political climate at home is anything but harmonious. President Donald Trump has just marked his first year back in office, as a partial government shutdown continues and mass deportation efforts expand nationwide.

Some U.S. athletes competing in these Winter Games have acknowledged the complicated emotions they're navigating while representing their country.

Freestyle skier Chris Lillis said he feels "heartbroken" about what's happening in the United States. His teammate, Hunter Hess, said representing the U.S. "brings up mixed emotions" and that it's "a little hard."

Trump responded on Truth Social, calling Hess a "real loser." In the days that followed, additional Team USA athletes came to Hess' defense.

Beyond the U.S., global conflicts continue to unfold. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its fourth year. Fighting continues in Gaza despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. And in Sudan, a devastating civil war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises to date.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll explore the intersection of politics and the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, maintains a firm stance against the politicization of sport. But have the Games ever truly been apolitical? Our experts weigh in.

Guests:

- Leslie Heaphy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sports History, Kent State University

- Kathryn Lavelle, Ph.D., Professor in World Affairs, Case Western Reserve University

Akron Roundtable celebrates 50 years

In today's fragmented and divisive political landscape, many find it more important than ever for communities to come together to have an open dialogue about ideas of global, national and regional importance.

The Akron Roundtable has been promoting community dialogue for the past 50 years, ever since it was established in 1976. To date, it has hosted nearly 480 speakers from a variety of fields.

Closing out Wednesday's show, we’ll hear more about its history and how it is celebrating 50 years of public forums with the president of the Akron Roundtable, Curtis Minter Jr., and tomorrow's event speaker, Brian Windhorst.

To register for luncheon, visit the Akron Roundtable website. The conversation will also air live on 89.7 WKSU at 8 p.m. on March 5.

Guests:

- Curtis Minter Jr., President, Akron Roundtable

- Brian Windhorst, Senior NBA Reporter, ESPN

Last November, there were a number of historic wins across the country in the general election, including two women elected governors in New Jersey and Virginia bringing the total of women leading states in the U.S. at the same time to 14, a record high.

Other historic wins included the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the U.S. in Virginia, the first Muslim elected mayor in New York City, and the first woman elected mayor of Detroit. All of those were wins for the Democratic party.

This year, Ohio has the chance to make history with the two major candidates running for Ohio governor from both parties. On the Republican side, the leading candidate who has already been endorsed by the Ohio Republican party and President Donald Trump, is entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy. He would be the first governor of Indian descent and Hindu faith in Ohio if elected.

On the Democratic side, the only candidate on the primary ballot is Dr. Amy Acton, a physician who served as the former state health director. She would be the first woman elected governor and person of Jewish faith in Ohio if she won.

Late last year, we had conversations with both candidates, and we thought as the primary approaches, we would reshare those conversations on Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas." Military and overseas absentee voting begins on March 20, with early in person voting starting April 7.

Guests:

- Dr. Amy Acton, M.D., Democratic candidate for Ohio governor

- Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for Ohio governor