Regional Features: Archive by Date

November 2001

Women in Construction
Posted Wednesday, November 28
Recent revelations about the Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan are heightening awareness of some disturbing trends regarding women here in the U.S. Since World War II American women have entered virtually every building trade and some now own their own construction companies. Yet women today still comprise less than two-and-a-half percent of the skilled trades workforce nationwide, denying many single heads-of-household access to high-paying jobs. And women continue to fight harassment and other forms of sexual discrimination in the workplace. One group of Northeast women trying to make some changes. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

Early Entry into the NBA Harsh Realities For Young Players
Posted Tuesday, November 27
It used to be said that if you want to make it in life, you graduate from high school, go to college, and then find a good paying job. However, more and more teenagers are finding the lure of multi-million dollar sports deals too tempting to pass up. This year, the Cleveland Cavaliers made history this year by drafting their first round pick out of High School. The NBA itself set a surprising trend for this season with teams drafting four high school players in the top ten and only one college graduate. Northeast Ohio boasts of having, one of the top high school players in the country. And at only 16 years old, he's already being rumored to make the jump to the NBA. But according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association only three out of 10,000 make it - and those who do often get a rude awakening. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports critics of this trend say these teens need be educated about the realities of making it to the NBA and what it's like if you get there.

Pakistan-U.S. Relations
Posted Monday, November 26
As the war in Afghanistan continues, 90.3 WCPN News is trying to remember the thousands of lives impacted by conflict in regions that may seem far away, but are close to the hearts of many Americans whose homelands are in South Asia. While we realize that one person cannot speak for a nation, we spoke to representatives of Pakistani and Indian Americans living in our region. 90.3 WCPN's Janet Babin begins by attending a festival of light celebrated in India.

Volunteers Serve Thanksgiving To Hungry
Posted Friday, November 23
The spirit of volunteerism was much in evidence on Thanksgiving at a west side hunger center, where hundreds of people sought and received a Thanksgiving Day meal. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice paid a visit, and prepared this report.

Holiday Travel
Posted Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for turkey - and travel. But this year, many far-flung families coming together for the holiday have reconsidered their travel plans. Fewer people are flying and more are taking trains and buses. They're also getting in cars in record numbers and driving long distances. Changes in holiday travel are accompanied by changes in the way officials are handling issues of security and safety. But they also spell changes in the culture of travel, as 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

Hazardous Materials Transportation:  Security Issues in the Trucking Industry
Posted Friday, November 16
Since September 11, changes in the way we handle security at airports have been paralleled by closer scrutiny of the trucking industry. Included in the recently-passed Anti-Terrorism Act are more extensive background checks for truck drivers licensed to carry hazardous materials. Department of Transportation officials say they can't be implemented right away. In the meantime, state agencies are doing what they can to crack down on hazmat shipments. But trucking industry spokesmen and the truckers themselves say licensing is just one of many security concerns. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

Don’t Laugh At Me: Project Respect
Posted Thursday, November 15
It's tough these days to be the schoolyard bully. Time was when bullies enjoyed a relatively free reign. Kids will be kids, adults rationalized, and, more often than not, let it go. Not any more. The shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado drove home to educators across the country that harassment and ridicule can profoundly affect children, sometimes with dire consequences. Many are adopting programs and concepts into their curricula that teach kids the value of respect and dignity. One such program - and the legendary singer-songwriter who created it - got a warm reception last night in Brecksville. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice prepared this report.

The Heroics of the Soul Sorcerer
Posted Wednesday, November 14
After September 11th there's been a lot of talk about heroes. Firefighters, policemen, emergency workers and soldiers gained new appreciation from average citizens. But many of us still can't shake the fantasy of having a superhero. As a little boy, Cleveland native Eric Dean Seaton dreamed of a superhero that looked like him. A few decades later his dream has come true. He created Nighthawk, an African American who fights the forces of evil seen and unseen. But as 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports, despite unsuccessful attempts by others to bring African American superheroes to the main stream, Seaton still sees a market open to cultural diversity.

Involving the Public With School Renovation
Posted Friday, November 9
City and state officials are beginning to pull together the details of how to spend nearly a billion dollars in school renovation funds. The money comes from the $340 million bond issue passed by Cleveland voters last May, coupled with a state match of about $700 million. Assessment of the schools - what needs to be done and how much it will cost - is now complete, but there are still unanswered questions. Last night the school district brought Clevelanders up to date on where they are in the planning process. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Interest Rates Parts 1 and 2
Posted Monday, November 5
Zero percent interest is becoming the name of the game when it comes to luring consumers to buy everything from new cars to furniture and appliances. With the slowing economy, some retailers need to sell their goods even if it means no financing profits. However, not everyone will share in the bounty of free interest rates. 90.3 WCPN's Mike West has this report. Aired November 5, 2001.

The Ward 8 Council Race
Posted Friday, November 2
The race for City Council in Ward 8 on Cleveland's eastside has gotten tighter since the primary. Longtime representative and finance chairman Bill Patmon lost the October second vote to challenger Sabra Pierce Scott. But, 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports the incumbent feels he should be given 4 more years to complete the job he started which he calls "Glenville's comeback," while his challenger says time's up.

The Ward 11 Council Race
Posted Friday, November 2
In Ward 11 on Cleveland's eastside, the city council race has a lot of people talking. One reason - there was no primary last month to determine which candidate residents were leaning toward. Also, accusations of "dirty politics" have surfaced - along with the question "do residents care about a politicians past versus the work the candidate can do for the community?" 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims examines the campaign trails of two council hopefuls in Collinwood who are doing what they feel is necessary to win votes.

Farmland Preservation in Wayne County
Posted Thursday, November 1
Some Ohioans believe one way to slow urban sprawl is to preserve the state's rural farmland. This November, voters in Wayne County will decide whether to pass a quarter-percent sales tax to fund the purchase of development rights from willing farmers. It's the second time an Ohio county has tried to pass such a measure. Almost two years ago a similar issue in Medina County failed. Ohio's Governor supports this latest effort. Earlier this year he signed into law a statewide fund that would provide matching dollars for local farmland preservation efforts. But one Wayne County resident believes the proposal goes too far. He's trying to get voters to turn it down. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.