Ohio is expanding its fracking industry despite concerns of its environmental impact

1.4 billion gallons of fracking wastewater, or toxic brine, is being pumped into injection wells for long term storage in Ohio every year. This salty wastewater byproduct of fracking is full of heavy metals, radioactive materials, cancer-causing benzene and hazardous chemical additives from the fracking process.

Just outside of Marietta, the injection wells that are supposed to hold this sludge and keep it away from nearby drink water aquafers are failing.

At least one third of the toxic fracking wastewater currently stored underground in Ohio comes from other states. In addition to this already existing containment and importing concerns, Ohio has been increasing its own fracking footprint over the last three years by leasing out its public land to this industry, oftentimes to out-of-state developers.

In September, nearly 3,000 acres of Wayne National Forest, Ohio's only national forest, will be auctioned off for these purposes, despite concerns about fracking's environmental impact and effect on nearby populations.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll discuss fracking, its toxic wastewater byproduct and the impact its storage could have in Ohio.

The protest period for the September sale of land for fracking in Wayne National Forest is open until Monday, Aug. 17. Protests must be mailed or hand delivered to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management.

Note: We reached out to the Bureau of Land Management and the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, both of which are organizations involved in the leasing of development rights for possible fracking.

While the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission did not respond to requests for a statement, the Bureau of Land Management provided the following statement to the Sound of Ideas after this episode aired:

Oil and gas development on public lands generates substantial revenue that directly benefits the American people, with roughly half of all royalties and fees returning to states like Ohio to support local services and infrastructure. The Bureau of Land Management follows all applicable laws and regulations when evaluating lease parcels, and the Wayne National Forest has confirmed its consent for this lease sale.

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the techniques operators may use to produce energy resources, and the BLM requires thorough environmental review before development occurs. Multiple environmental analyses—including the 2016 Environmental Assessment and the 2025 Supplemental Environmental Assessment—found that oil and gas development in the region can provide economic activity, jobs, and revenue while operating under required environmental safeguards designed to protect land, water, wildlife, and surrounding communities.

Guests:

- Kevin Mueler, Assistant Professor of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University

- Tristan Rader, District 13 - D, Ohio House of Representatives

- Susan Vessels, President, Marietta City Council

"Shuffle" - Rent For Cheryl

Then we bring you another episode of "Shuffle," where we meet Rent For Cheryl, who is having a big year, from touring Europe to headlining Akron’s PorchROKR festival this weekend.

Ideastream Public Media’s Amanda Rabinowitz talked with two members of the Northeast Ohio band about their momentum.

Guests:

- Rent For Cheryl, Musicians

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

American Red Cross declares blood crisis

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, only the second time in its history it has taken that step. The first was in January 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This time, blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, and demand remains elevated. The shortage is especially urgent for type O blood, as supplies of O positive fell below a one-day supply in late July.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll look at what's driving this shortage, how it's affecting hospitals and patients, and how you can help rebuild the nation's blood supply.

Guest:
- Christina Peters, Northern Ohio Regional Communications Director, American Red Cross

Global HIV/AIDS research continues despite cuts to U.S. funding

Later in the hour, a conversation about HIV/AIDS funding and the latest in research and treatment options.

In 2019, during his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called for the elimination of HIV transmission in the U.S. by 2030. Two years later, the United Nations adopted a similar declaration globally. But in 2026, those goals are facing significant challenges.

In March 2025, the Trump administration terminated a federal advisory committee on HIV prevention and treatment. By the end of the year, global government funding to low and middle-income countries fell 25% compared with 2024, according to KFF.

This February, the administration rescinded $600 million in Centers for Disease Control grants supporting HIV prevention and surveillance programs. Then in April, Trump announced plans to remove all members of the HIV/AIDS Presidential Advisory Council.

Those changes came shortly after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services laid off more than 10,000 federal health employees, including staff working on infectious disease and HIV/AIDS.

The U.S. set out to reduce new HIV infections by 75% by 2025, which would have brought the number of new cases down to about 9,300. But the latest CDC data from 2024 puts the number of cases closer to 39,000.

So, is the 2030 goal line still within reach? The future is uncertain.

Guest:
- Asia Russell, Executive Director, Health GAP (Global Access Project)

Ideastream's Summer Interns

Last week, we said goodbye to our 2026 cohort of interns here at Ideastream Public Media. Throughout the summer, our nine Cleveland interns learned about their respective fields and honed their crafts throughout our multiple departments – including news, marketing and radio broadcast.

To learn more about these interns– what they accomplished here, their career aspirations and what they took away from this experience – we brought them on the show.

We heard from four interns last week, and on Wednesday we will hear from the remaining five.

Guests:
- Grace Claxon, News Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Benjamin Giesen, WCLV Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Kiera McGuire, Sound of Ideas Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Sonya Suri, Digital Content Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- TJ Thomas, Intern from University School, Ideastream Public Media

Lakewood Elementary School Consolidation Controversy

Follow Katie's journey at KatieSpotz.com

There was a time when the premise of nanny robots and artificial intelligence raising our children was merely the subject of Steven Spielberg's futuristic sci-fi films. The future, it seems, is now.

As AI enters nurseries, playrooms, and classrooms, parents are being sold a “smart” childhood at every turn. With mainstream use of artificial intelligence, the power of parent talk and human interaction in childhood development has become even clearer. In her latest book, Human Raised, author Dana Suskind, MD, reveals the possibilities and perils of using AI and related technologies for child-rearing.

What do parents and caregivers need to know to assess individual technologies and foster the skills needed to thrive growing up in an AI-driven future?

Dr. Suskind has authored over 45 scientific publications and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Fellow for the Council on Early Childhood. She is also the founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, Founding Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Her previous books include the New York Times bestsellers Parent Nation and Thirty Million Words.

This conversation originally took place on July 23, 2026 at the City Club of Cleveland.

Guests:

- Dana Suskind, MD, Author, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI

- Lisa Damour, PhD., Author, Psychologist, and Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies, Case Western Reserve University

Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller will be investigated by a congressional ethics panel following domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and a former girlfriend. Miller requested the probe himself, saying he wants to clear his name and has "nothing to hide." The Ohio congressman is facing growing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans but says he will remain in the race for reelection.

Ohio's third measles outbreak of 2026 has brought the state's total to 45 cases across 10 counties. Health officials say cases continue to rise nationwide as vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

Cuyahoga County voters will decide in November whether to approve a 2.5-mill increase to the Health and Human Services levy. They'll also weigh two charter amendments that would limit the county executive's authority to appoint and remove members of certain boards and commissions.

County Council also withdrew a proposal to make the sheriff an elected position, rather than appointed, and rejected a charter amendment clarifying the roles of the county law department and prosecutor. The subsequent measure could still return before the September ballot deadline.

Ohio's annual sales tax holiday begins Friday and runs through Sunday, offering tax-free purchases on eligible clothing and school supplies. Unlike the expanded tax holidays of the past two years, this year's exemption is limited to select back-to-school items.

We'll discuss these stories and more on this week's "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable."

Guests:
- Sarah Donaldson, Reporter, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau
- Zaria Johnson, Environmental Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

How structural racism shapes health outcomes for Black Americans, experts discuss

In a healthcare hub like Cleveland, home to several major hospital systems including one of the top ranked in the country, it's hard to imagine that there are residents who struggle with access to healthcare. For a large portion of the population, this issue has historical ties to systemic racism and disenfranchisement that continue to effect people of color today, in Cleveland and beyond.

Research shows that Black Americans are more likely to see higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, but less likely to seek and receive mental health support or treatment. They're also subject to greater discrimination in medical education. These kinds of disparities date back to and directly stem from the eras of slavery and Jim Crow laws, and a history of medical violence that has led to a distrust in the system.

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney, we discuss what health equity means, what Cleveland is doing to support its residents of color, and a new book by a Cleveland-born sociologist.

Guests:
- Dr. Timothy Goler, Associate Professor and Sociology Department Chair, Norfolk State University
- Stacey Easterling, Executive Director, National Institute for African American Health
- Lita Wills, Commissioner, City of Cleveland's Division of Health Equity and Social Justice

The Menu

Areas of Cleveland like Tremont, Ohio City, and the Downtown are often the first thought when considering where to go out for a bite to eat, spend an evening or recommend to an out-of-town visitor.

But what about lesser known areas, just a short drive away?

Bringing the outskirts of Greater Cleveland to the forefront is the mission of a new series from Cleveland Magazine, where writers there are diving into the gems in places like Canton, Oberlin, and Geauga County.

In this week's installment of "The Menu," where we dig into the region's food scene with the writers at Cleveland Magazine we look at their new "A Clevelander's Guide To..." write ups.

Guests:
- Annie Nickoloff, Senior Editor, Cleveland Magazine
- Julia Lombardo, Editor, Cleveland Magazine

Exploring Youth Sports Culture in Northeast Ohio

https://theclevelandcursebook.com/

Stress and the body

Stress is part of everyday life. For many of us, it stems from work, family, relationships or simply trying to keep up with the demands of a busy world.

In a study released last year by the American Psychological Association, 76% of adults said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress. The economy was close behind, at 75%.

While some stress can help us stay focused and respond to challenges, chronic stress can take a serious toll on both our brains and our bodies.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas" guest hosted by Anna Huntsman, we'll start the hour by exploring the different types of stress, how they can affect our long-term health, and the warning signs that it may be time to seek help.

Guests:
- Adam Borland, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, Cleveland Clinic
- Jasmeet Hayes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, The Ohio State University

2026 Summer Interns

As summer winds down, many college internships are also coming to a close.

This year, Ideastream Public Media welcomed eight college interns and one high school student from University School to the Idea Center to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience across multiple departments, from news and marketing to classical music.

To end the hour, we'll spend some time with a few of those interns to hear about the projects they worked on, how the experience has shaped their career goals and what they'll take away from their summer at Ideastream.

Guests:
- Alex Braun, Content Production Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Charlotte Jons, News Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Jillian Osredkar, Marketing Intern, Ideastream Public Media
- Lucas Yang, Arts & Culture Intern, Ideastream Public Media

Peptide Popularity

If you spend enough time on social media, chances are you've seen someone post about peptides and how they can be used for weight loss, help you recover from an injury and even keep that youthful glow to your skin.

The problem with those claims? They're often being made about synthetic peptide compounds, many of which are unregulated by scientific bodies in the United States.

Last month, an advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration weighed in and recommended the FDA approve several new peptides for wider use. This was celebrated by those who advocate for the use of peptides, but some medical professionals are still warning about the use of these compounds, which they see as being understudied and under-regulated.

On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," guest host Drew Maziasz speaks with national health reporters about the latest FDA hearings, and what medical experts are saying about the growing use of peptides.

Guests:

- Céline Gounder, M.D., Editor at Large, KFF Heath News

- Christina Jewett, Reporter, The New York Times

'The Odyssey' and the Classics

"The Odyssey," the epic poem chronicling the Greek warrior Odysseus' 10-year quest to return home to his wife and child is over 2500 years old, but it clearly still grabs our attention.

That's evidenced by director Christopher Nolan's new take on the epic as it nears $1 billion at the box office.

To close the "Sound of Ideas," Drew Maziasz hears from several scholars on why the themes and ideas within "The Odyssey" still resonate with modern audiences.

We'll also hear what high school students think when they're assigned ancient works in the classroom, as well as how female authors are publishing new spins on Greek and Roman works.

Guests:

- Andrew Hosler, Latin Teacher, Shaker Heights High School

- Paul Iversen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Classics, Case Western Reserve University

- Sarah Iles Johnston, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Religion, Department of Classics, The Ohio State University

East Cleveland officials are refusing to disclose how many police officers the city employs after denying social media claims that the department has only four active patrol officers and a single detective.

Ideastream Public Media reports outside estimates put the department at about six active-duty patrol officers, while the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office is providing supplemental patrols at the mayor's request. The staffing questions come as the city continues to recover from officer indictments and financial turmoil.

With Temporary Protected Status for Haitians now expired, thousands of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio face uncertainty as legal challenges continue over whether they can remain and work in the U.S.

Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday he has not been informed of any plans for Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Ohio.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton is calling for a conditional moratorium on new data centers unless developers meet requirements including using union labor, meeting environmental standards and covering their own utility costs.

Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy supports expanding data centers while emphasizing self-supplied energy. The issue is likely to remain a focus of the governor's race as Ohio weighs the economic benefits of data centers against concerns about energy demand and local impacts.

County fairs in Summit and Cuyahoga counties are increasing security this year following the 2025 shooting of a 17-year-old in the Summit County Fair parking lot.

Officials say the changes include more law enforcement officers, enhanced screening, visible and plainclothes patrols, and closer coordination among local and state agencies.

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

Guests:

- Matthew Richmond, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Michelle Jarboe, Reporter, News 5 Cleveland, WEWS

- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau