Ohio Medicaid Fraud Allegations

For months, there have been headlines coming out of Minnesota that millions of dollars have been taken from taxpayers through Medicaid fraud.

Now, there are claims that Ohio's Medicaid system has also been taken advantage of, particularly as it relates to how individuals are providing in-home caregiving.

The issue is also being politicized, with Vice President JD Vance weighing in, as well as the leading gubernatorial candidates speaking out on the campaign trail.

On Tuesday Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Director, Dr. Mehmet Oz was in suburban Columbus calling for reforms to the state's medicaid system.

To begin Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll dissect some of those fraud allegations, and wade into the political attacks being levied by lawmakers.

Guests:

- Tara Britton, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, The Center for Community Solutions

- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

"The Menu: The Flats Evolves"

Then, we shift our gaze to the banks of the Cuyahoga River, and the swaths of land in Downtown Cleveland known as The Flats.

That area has seen plenty of change over the decades, with new restaurants opening and closing seemingly ever year.

We'll speak with a business owner and a chef who have recently rebranded establishments on the east bank and west bank of The Flats.

Guests:

- Ryan Boone, Executive Chef, Shooters

- Bobby Rutter, COO, Forward Hospitality Group

The World Health Organization has flagged loneliness and social isolation as a major public health concern especially for older adults.

The organization says about 100 deaths per hour worldwide can be attributed to poorer health outcomes associated with loneliness.

In the U.S., the over 65 demographic is growing rapidly. COVID-19 prevention measures and other factors such as financial constraints and the gap in digital access for this age group have exacerbated the issue.

We've been exploring isolation and loneliness across other demographics such as young adults and new parents over the last few weeks.

During one of those conversations, Jim in Massillon emailed us to say: "Not sure if there will be a second panel... but, hello, the danger point for most people is after the working life, when work-related 'friendships' go away. That is, late 50s to mid-60s and beyond."

We heard your thoughts and we appreciate the comment, Jim.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" we'll talk to representatives from social groups around Northeast Ohio that are working to help older adults build connection and community.

Guests:
- De'Neitra Brown, iConnect Director, Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association
- Amanda Lathia, M.D., Division Chief, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, UH Cleveland Medical Center
- Eleanor Bergholz, Author, "When Knitting Becomes Nurture"
- Terry Vaiksnoras, Volunteer, Lake County Phone Pals
- Kathey Fury, Participant, Lake County Phone Pals

Cleveland is known as the birthplace of rock and roll, as in the 1950s DJ Alan Freed coined the phrase.

The city is stands at the center of iconic rock moments, from The Beatles' first concert in 1964 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, to David Bowie's 1972 Ziggy Stardust U.S. debut. The region is home to rockers like The James Gang, Devo, The Black Keys, Nine Inch Nails, and more.

But with all that history, the live music ecosystem continues to face challenges. Rising costs for artists, venues, and consumers have stretched budgets across the board. Reporting from last show shows that only 25% of independent music venues were able to turn a profit.

Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we bring you a recent City Club of Cleveland conversation the looks back at the history of music in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as asks what the future holds for our region.

Guests:

- Greg Harris, President and CEO, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

- Sean Watterson, Co-Owner, The Happy Dog; President, Ohio Chapter, Independent Venue Association

- Annie Zaleski, Music Journalist

The cities of Cleveland and Brook Park settled a long-standing disagreement this week that will clear the way for the Cleveland to redevelop the I-X Center. For decades, the two cities had been involved in a dispute over land involving a never-built runway at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Cuyahoga County and the city's pro sports teams want to ask voters to increase the current "sin tax" to help pay for the ever-growing list of repairs at sports arenas and stadiums. Currently, Cuyahoga County taxes liquor and cigarettes to pay for that upkeep but the amount generated is insufficient to keep up with the needs.

A coalition calling itself "Flock No" is demanding that the city cut ties with Flock Safety, a surveillance company that contracts to provide automatic license plate readers to cities and towns. Cleveland currently has a contract with Flock that is up for renewal.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik says his administration will roll out legislation soon to improve housing in the city. Additional housing initiatives will be presented by the city’s first-ever civic assembly, Unify Akron, according to Malik. The topic was a focus of Malik's State of the City speech on Tuesday.

And a proposed Cleveland City Council ordinance may increase the penalties for threatening behaviors toward healthcare workers in the city's hospital systems. The legislation would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to menace a hospital worker and requires at least a three-day jail sentence if the menacing occurs while on the job.

These stories and more will be part of this week’s discussion on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

Guests:

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

- Michelle Jarboe, Reporter, News 5 Cleveland, WEWS

- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

"Dangerous" and "vicious" dog law impacts animals, owners, rescue groups, dog wardens and humane officers

A new Ohio law took effect in March, aiming to deal with "dangerous" and "vicious" dogs. It was inspired by a brutal attack on an 11-year-old girl named Avery Russell while she was on a playdate, and so the law is being called "Avery's Law."

Avery was so badly injured that she was put into an induced coma for one week and spent several more weeks in the hospital, coming out on the other side with disfigurement to her face.

The dog owner was convicted of failing to confine her dogs, sentenced to four days in jail, and required to pay a $450 fine.

On Thursday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll walk through the Ohio legislature's unanimous response to this result with the passing of "Avery's Law." The new law codifies requirements related to dogs that attack people and other animals, while also impacting the work of dog wardens, humane officers and animal rescue groups.

"Sound of Ideas" coordinating producer Drew Maziasz hosts this episode, filling in for Stephanie Haney.

Guests:

- Ken Clarke, Executive Director, Rescue Village Animal Shelter, and Geauga County Humane Officer

- Jen Book, President, Cause for Canines animal rescue group

- Larry Williams, Licking County Chief Dog Warden and Southwest Director, Ohio County Dog Wardens Association

"Shuffle" music podcast

One of Cleveland's most beloved landmarks is coming back to life through music.

On this week's "Shuffle," Ideastream Public Media's Amanda Rabinowitz talked with composer and pianist Chris Neiner about "Tales of Euclid Beach Park", a work capturing the spirit of the historic amusement park.

Guests:

- Chris Neiner, Composer and Pianist

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

Ask a Gardener

Temperatures have topped out in the upper 80s this week, and with that many have begun spending more time outside in their gardens. But how should a novice green thumb approach these wild temperature swings that we've been experiencing here in Northeast Ohio? Is it too late to put seedlings in the ground? Or too early to clear away leaf cover and other debris from your beds?

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas" we once again invite several Northeast Ohio expert gardeners into the studio to answer your questions, as well as give suggestions on how to improve your outside spaces.

We'll learn more about what native plants will thrive in sun or shade, how to support pollinators that call Northeast Ohio home and how to get the most out of the fruit and vegetable crops this year.

Guests:

- Dave Tomashefski, Co-owner, Meadow City Native Plant Nursery

- Richard Rouser, Co-owner, Gales Garden Center

- Kim Hawkins, Volunteer, Ohio State University Master Gardener Program

- Ibrahim Jones, Garden Manager, Cleveland Roots

West Side Market updates

Cleveland's historic, 114-year-old West Side Market has been undergoing major change in recent years.

First, it went through structural change, moving from longtime city management to nonprofit management back in 2024, something that residents and vendors had been calling for for years to improve conditions at the market.

Now it's going through a major revitalization, as once the nonprofit team called the Cleveland Public Market Corporation began, it launched a years-long, $70 million transformation project funded in part by the city of Cleveland and City Council, as well as philanthropy and other government sources.

But there's still some millions left to raise to complete the vision, and many months left to go until residents see completion of the project.

In the meantime, there will be a lot of construction to wade through as you get your groceries and support local vendors.

We'll discuss these updates on Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas" and learn what you can expect when you visit the market.

Guests:

- Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director, Cleveland Public Market Corporation

- Don Whitaker, Owner, DW Whitaker Meats & Former President, United West Side Market Tenants Association

- Jessy Harb, Co-owner of Harb's Produce

What to know about hantavirus

More than a dozen American cruise passengers are currently under a 42-day quarantine in Nebraska in a specialized medical facility after spending weeks aboard a ship hit with a deadly hantavirus outbreak that infected at least 11 people, including three who died.

Hantavirus is a pathogen that some rodents carry that can sometimes infect humans. The passengers under quarantine are asymptomatic.

This incident is harkening memories of another virus that caused a global pandemic six years ago. But health experts say hantavirus is not the same as COVID-19.

We'll learn why by talking to a local epidemiologist.

Guest:

- Tara Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology, Kent State University

The Class of 2025 was the largest graduating class in U.S. history, as more than 3.8 million high school seniors and 2.1 million college seniors walked across their respective commencement stages, ready to start their next adventure.

For the Class of 2026, that next adventure will take place against an uncertain backdrop. Expectations are being shaped by a tough job market with high unemployment, high cost of living and the threat of artificial intelligence disrupting what previously might have been exciting entry-level opportunities.

Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we will talk with two new graduates about their hopes, dreams and concerns for this next chapter in life. We also talk with with people who have spent some time out in the workforce, who can share insight and perspective that is hard-earned out in the real world.

Guests:

- Ivory Kendrick, College Graduate, Kent State University

- David Margolius, M.D., Director of Public Health, City of Cleveland

- Sophie Frissore, High School Graduate, Aurora High School

- Jessica Tracy, Music Therapist, Cleveland Clinic Children’s

- Cecilia Conrad, Ph.D., Founder, Lever for Change

Can hundreds of acres of abandoned industrial land on a neglected section of Cleveland's East Side become an economic engine, providing accessible jobs where employees can walk or bike to work on new multipurpose trails. That's the strategy behind the Midline, an ambitious redevelopment project announced this week.

From aspirational development to unwanted development, namely a data center in Slavic Village. Cleveland denied a permit for what would have been the largest hyperscale data center in the city, on 35 acres in the Slavic Village neighborhood.

Cleveland joins a number of communities where data centers are being protested or rejected. It's an issue state lawmakers are paying attention to. A new bi-partisan committee of the legislature will focus on data centers as public concerns grow around the mega sites' use of energy, and the data industry pushes back.

Cleveland's Planning Commission will get a look Friday at a new plan for University Circle that looks to make the area known as Cleveland "second Downtown" more accessible and safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.

Sherwin-Williams finally cut the ribbon this week on its towering new headquarters in Downtown Cleveland. The building is the fourth-tallest building in the city and the sixth tallest in Ohio. The company announced plans for a new headquarters in 2019 and for a brief time considered moving out of state. The opening was slowed by construction delays.

The Tenth District Court of Appeals in Columbus will decide whether using public education money for private school vouchers violates the state constitution. A three-judge panel heard arguments this week in a lawsuit filed in 2022 by a coalition representing more than half of the state's school districts.

The monitor overseeing the U.S. Justice Department's consent decree with Cleveland meant to improve policing offered an 11-point plan to get Cleveland in compliance with the federal decree. Last week, just after we finished this show, a federal judge rejected the city's bid to exit the 11-year-old consent decree, saying more work was needed to reach compliance.

These stories and more will be part of this week’s discussion the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.

Guests:

-Abbey Marshall, Local Government Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

-Matt Richmond, Criminal Justice Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

-Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

"Law of the Land: Changes for Marijuana"

Since 1996, when California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana, there's existed a complicated legal gray area around the drug.

Some states have gradually made medical and eventually recreational marijuana legal, all while the federal government still had it classified as a Schedule I drug. That's the federal classification for drugs that are seen as having no accepted medical use, such as heroin.

But late last month, the U.S. Department of Justice moved state-licensed medical marijuana to a Schedule III drug, which has accepted medical uses. What might that do to marijuana at a state level?

Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll examine the changing legal landscape around marijuana. We'll touch on that federal reclassifying, as well as the reaction to Ohio's State Bill 56, which outlawed THC-infused beverages, among other things.

Guests:

- Tom Haren, Attorney, Frantz Ward LLC

- Megan Henry, Reporter, Ohio Capital Journal

"The Menu"

Historians say the first Greek families began immigrating to Northeast Ohio in the 1880s and 1890s, building communities that helped shape neighborhoods, churches, businesses and the local food scene.

In Cleveland, that history is reflected in landmarks like the Greek Cultural Garden and in traditions like the Tremont Greek Festival, which has drawn crowds for more than 50 years.

In Akron, Greek heritage is celebrated each fall during the Annunciation Greek Festival, where visitors gather for traditional music, dancing and dishes passed down through generations.

For this installment of The Menu in collaboration with Cleveland Magazine, we're turning our attention to the Canton Greek Festival coming up this June.

Guests:

- Georgia Paxos, Marketing Coordinator, Canton Greek Festival