The tragic death of Haitian college student whose temporary protected status expired has added more fuel to Governor Mike DeWine's criticism of federal immigration actions in Ohio.

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy agreed this week to two gubernatorial debates. Democrat Amy Acton said no thanks.

After years of conflict and legal wrangling, the proposal to place a drop in center for homeless youth in an Ohio City neighborhood has been scrapped.

More opposition to Data Center development in Ohio.

And if you want to watch the Cavs on TV this season, it's gonna cost you monthly.

We'll discuss these stories and more on the Friday Reporters Roundtable hosted by Mike McIntyre.

Guests:

- Abbey Marshall, 'Power and Influence' Reporter, Crain's Cleveland

- Zaria Johnson, Environment Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

PB Cle Pilot Program

The concept of participatory budgeting made headlines in Cleveland back in 2023 when a citizen-led ballot initiative was voted on by residents. The initiative would have allowed Cleveland residents to decide how to spend a small amount of the city's budget.

That initiative failed during that November 2023 election, but People's Budget Cleveland, the backers of the ballot measure, went back to the drawing board and decided to implement participatory budgeting on a smaller scale.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll learn more about how PB CLE has been working in the city's Slavic Village neighborhood on a pilot program, allowing resident voices to decide to how to spend $100,000 in grant funding.

Guests:

- Cassie Park, Program Manager, Participatory Budgeting Cleveland

- Chuck Gliha, Slavic Village Resident

The Menu: Fruit Harvest

Then we turn our attention to Northeast Ohio fruit farmers and the tough growing season they've been experiencing.

On this installment of "The Menu," Christina Rufo from Cleveland Magazine shares some of her reporting on how unusual spring and summer weather has decimated cherry, peach and apple crops.

We'll also hear directly from a farmer who says they've lost nearly 70% of their peaches and 40% of their apples this year.

Guests:

- Christina Rufo, Reporter, Cleveland Magazine

- Ben Gammie, Co-Owner, Quarry Hill Orchards

The ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada could have lasting economic and political implications for both countries, particularly for businesses in Northeast Ohio.

ICE detains and deports former Temporary Protected Status holders

In August, the mayor of Springfield, Ohio confirmed increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the area. ICE agents are detaining and arresting Haitian immigrants whose Temporary Protected Status expired in July.

TPS is a legal designation afforded to people who are in the United States and cannot return safely to their home countries because of war, natural disasters, or extraordinary temporary conditions. It has allowed about 350,000 Haitians to live and work in the U.S.

The U.S. government warns Americans not to travel there because of the risks of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and limited health care.

Since the expiration date, at least one Haitian man who had been living in Springfield was deported.

Others in Springfield have been called to an immigration facility near Cincinnati, where they were fitted with ankle monitors to ensure they comply with being restricted to a 75-mile radius of their homes while their immigration cases are pending.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll discuss what the end of TPS means for Haitian immigrants in Springfield, and what happens when the place they may be forced to return to is facing a crisis of its own.

Guests:

- Kathryn Mobley, Education and Politics Reporter, WYSO

- Inna Simakovsky, Immigration Attorney, Simakovsky Law

The time to reduce global emissions is decreasing rapidly. What does that mean for Ohio?
In 2015, the United Nations Climate Change Conference brought world leaders together to discuss a treaty called the Paris Agreement, that would set global environmental standards in an effort to reduce the impact of climate change.

The Paris Agreement established a goal of maintaining global temperatures below 2°C, or 3.6°F, above pre-industrial levels. As emissions continue to increase, world leaders and scientists have emphasized the need to stay within 1.5°C, or 2.4°C, to prevent irreversible environmental consequences.

President Donald Trump officially withdrew the United States from the deal for the second time in January of this year. He first withdrew the U.S. in 2020, with former President Joe Biden reversing that decision during his presidency.

The climate clock hit its three-year mark earlier this year, indicating the time left to reduce global emissions before our planet reaches the critical temperature is dwindling. It can seem like Ohioans aren't feeling the impact of climate change, but experts say that's far from the case.

Guests:
- Jeff Opperman, Ph.D, Global Freshwater Lead Scientist, World Wildlife Fund
- Aaron Wilson, Ph.D, State Climatologist of Ohio; Assistant Professor & Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist, The Ohio State University

Climate change and environmental advocacy in Northeast Ohio
As global temperatures close in on the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, the impact is being felt throughout Northeast Ohio. Increased rainfall, higher temperatures and harsher winters threaten Ohio wildlife, its agriculture industry and its residents.

As farmers grapple with the effect these changes are having on their crops and food production, local climate activists are working with policymakers and community members to create a sustainable region built on climate resilience.

Guests:
- Brian Siggers, Cleveland Metro Advocacy Director, Ohio Environmental Council
- Anurag Rakesh, Neuroscience and Psychology student, Case Western Reserve University; Undergraduate Climate Leader, Climate Action Network
- Ame West, Co-Owner, West Orchards

A federal judge has blocked an Ohio law requiring people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the state plans to appeal.

The requirement, which took effect in 2025, applies to in-person registration at the BMV but not online registration. It remains on hold as the appeal moves forward, with another ruling possible before Ohio’s voter registration deadline Oct. 5.

Cleveland Public Library and its staff union have finalized a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. The contract, approved by union members Wednesday and the library’s board Thursday, provides an average 15% wage increase, including a 5% retroactive increase, as well as paid parental leave.

Union officials said the agreement represents significant gains, but trust between workers and library leadership remains an issue.

Cuyahoga County departments have been asked to cut expenses to help close two budget gaps totaling $37.2 million. Most departments must propose 3.3% reductions, while about 14 offices funded by the Health and Human Services levy face 8% cuts to address an $18 million shortfall.

The reductions come as the county’s general fund faces a separate $19.2 million deficit despite revenues coming in above projections. Departments must submit proposed cuts by mid-September.

Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags at public buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of country music singer Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday.

Ohio has the highest participation rate in Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children from birth to age 5. The state has allocated $8 million to the program, which has distributed nearly 28 million books to Ohio children since its expansion under DeWine.

We’ll discuss these stories and more news of the week on the "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable" hosted by Mike McIntyre.

Guests:
- Stephanie Czekalinski, Executive Editor, Crain's Cleveland
- Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media
- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Public Education Challenges

It's the start of school for many districts in the state, but many public schools are facing unprecedented challenges as they work to educate today's young minds.

There is greater support on a statewide level for school choice than ever. Ohio projects it will pay private schools $1.26 billion in the 2026-2027 school year in taxpayer-funded vouchers.

Public school advocates claim the state underfunds public schools and a coalition of Ohio public schools is suing over the constitutionality of EdChoice vouchers.

On a federal level, President Donald Trump established a national school voucher program last year that could soon provide taxpayer dollars for parents to spend on private school tuition.

Public districts are also facing lower enrollment rates, staff shortages, and new technology changes, with the growing popularity of artificial intelligence.

The National Association of Education president-elect is visiting Ohio as part of a back-to-school tour. On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll hear her thoughts about some of these challenges and what she sees as the path forward for public educators. We'll also hear from the Ohio Education Association president.

Guests:

-Princess Moss, President-Elect, National Education Association

-Jeff Wensing, President, Ohio Education Association

"Shuffle" Music Podcast

The Zerbo Brothers share their West African roots through music.

On this week's Shuffle, Ideastream Public Media's Amanda Rabinowitz talked with the trio about their homeland and how they found their voice in Northeast Ohio.

Guests:

- Amanda Rabinowitz, Host and Producer, "Shuffle" and "All Things Considered"

- Emmanuel Zerbo, Zerbo Brothers

- Joseph Zerbo, Zerbo Brothers

- Darren Hamm, Zerbo Brothers

Ohioans face changes to SNAP requirements

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the largest federally funded food aid program in the U.S. The program has been in place in some form since 1939. Last year, it saw sweeping changes with President Donald Trump's signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, limiting access to this support for families facing food insecurity.

The changes that have already taken effect include new work requirements for certain people, and restrictions on eligibility for some noncitizens, including refugees and people who have been granted asylum.

Following the implementation of these new rules, analysis of US Department of Agriculture and state data shows that 4.5 million fewer people are enrolled in SNAP today than were enrolled last summer.

Meanwhile the changes to SNAP contained within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have not yet fully taken effect. Later this year, funding and benefit calculation adjustments will take hold, and in 2027, SNAP changes for people on Medicaid will roll out.

Those adjustments could put added strain on state budgets, as well as local food banks and other organizations helping people who lose food assistance.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll discuss what this mean for those who rely on SNAP to help put food on the table.

Guests:

- Rachel Cahill, Visiting Fellow, The Center for Community Solutions

- Jon Honeck, Executive Director, Ohio Job & Family Services Directors' Association

- Janet Newcomer, Executive Director, Feeding Medina County

One World Day at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

In a few days, tens of thousands of people with gather at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens to celebrate One World Day. This will be the 80th year for the annual festival which celebrates global diversity, cultural heritage, and unity. It's hosted by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation which currently consists of 38 individual gardens honoring distinct nationalities and cared for by groups of people who celebrate those cultures.

The gardens, while beautiful to look at, are also full of carefully curated historical symbolism which will be on full display at the festival on Sunday, Aug. 30.

This year's activities kick off at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony being held at the Centennial Peace Plaza which will lead straight into a parade, which has blossomed into the cornerstone of the day's activities, which will be scattered throughout the gardens.

To end the hour, we'll learn about the meaning interlaced throughout the gardens and the spirit behind One World Day, including what's new with various gardens this year, and what's to come in the future.

Guests:

- Sheila Crawford, Chair of One World Day and Head Delegate of the Irish Cultural Garden

- Obie Shelton, Executive Director, African American Cultural Garden

- Tom Turkaly, Executive Director, Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation

"Easy Day Away: Ohio's Mounds"

This summer, the "Sound of Ideas" team has been bringing you suggestions for trips to take outside of Northeast Ohio, through the "Easy Day Away" series, which you can travel to within a short car ride.

This time, we head south to visit sites that are thousands of years old, and the significance of which puts them in the same category as the Acropolis in Greece, Stonehenge and the Great Wall of China.

The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are earthen mounds built by ancient indigenous cultures around 2000 years ago and in 2023 they were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, we learn more about these massive earthworks, why they're important and what to learn from them.

WOSU Public Media in Columbus has also been focusing on these mounds in a documentary series - "Hopewell Earthworks - Stories Written on the Land" which you can watch here.

Guests:

- Brad Lepper, Ph.D., Senior World Heritage Archaeologist, Ohio History Connection

- Susan Knisley, Director of Interpretation & Education - Hopewell Culture National Historic Park; National Park Service

- Logan York, Historic Preservation Director, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Host, "Hopewell Earthworks - Stories Written on the Land"

James Renner's New Book

Then, we hear from longtime Akron-based author James Renner, who has been covering true crime for years and has published books about some of the region's most infamous unsolved cases, including the murders of Amy Mihaljavic in Bay Village and Lisa Pruett in Shaker Heights.

In his latest book, “A Cruise to Nowhere: My Search for Amy Lynn Bradley,” he goes farther afield — to the disappearance of a young Virginian woman from a cruise ship in the Caribbean in 1998.

Ideastream Public Media's Deputy Editor of Engaged Journalism, Justin Glanville, spoke with Renner about the unresolved case and why it's maintained such a high profile for nearly 30 years.

Guests:

- James Renner, Author, "A Cruise to Nowhere: My Search for Amy Lynn Bradley"

- Justin Glanville, Deputy Editor - Engaged Journalism, Ideastream Public Media

Ohio's child immunization rates are dropping amid major measles outbreak
Back to school season is upon us, sparking concerns over the increased number of children returning to Ohio's classrooms unvaccinated. The number of kindergarteners nationally with exemptions has risen 18% since last year to 4% of all kindergarten students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccinations are a controversial topic nationally, with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being a strong advocate against immunization. As the country has seen a resurgence in measles, even he has changed his tune, urging families to vaccinate against the disease that was once considered eradicated.

In Ohio, 109 measles cases have been reported, according to the Ohio Department of Health's summary of infectious diseased dashboard. That's over double the number of cases for all of 2025. 24 reports were made in both Geauga and Ashtabula counties alone, which also have some of the highest nonmedical immunization exemption rates in the state.

Guests:
- Mark Evans, M.D., Pediatrician, Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Brecksville
- Valerie Wallace, RN, Public Health Communicable Health Disease Nurse, Tuscarawas County Health Department

OhioSEE program expands access to children's vision care
In January, the Ohio Department of Health launched the Ohio Student Eye Exam program, also known as Ohio SEE, hoping to reduce the number of children in the state with untreated vision problems.

Despite schools providing free vision screening to students starting in elementary school, 35,000 students who needed glasses in the 2022-2023 school year did not get them, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Vision problems are common in children, and the sooner they can be treated the better.

Guests:
- Bruce T. Vanderhoff, M.D., Director of Health, Ohio Department of Health
- Danielle Sabelli, O.D., Optometrist, Cleveland Eye Clinic