Regional Features: Archive by Date

June 2002

Pellet Terminal Sparks Debate
Posted Wednesday, June 26
Many area residents fear the old LTV pellet terminal will end up making its move to the Cleveland Bulk Terminal without careful consideration of possible environmental implications. That message came through loud and clear at a public meeting last night. As 90.3's Renita Jablonski reports, about 200 people came out to challenge the Port Authority and other corporate leaders with a stake in the transfer of the iron-ore terminal.

Power Networking in Cleveland
Posted Wednesday, June 26
African Americans want more economic power and greater opportunities in Corporate America. Some minority leaders say networking is the answer. Last week hundreds attended a Power Networking Conference in Cleveland. It's goal was to teach learn african americans how working together can improve economic conditions. 90.3's Mike West has more.

Aboard The Lake Guardian
Posted Monday, June 24
Back in the 1970's Lake Erie was considered dead. Too many nutrients were flowing into the lake, causing algae blooms that used up the oxygen. Massive fish kills were one result. Until recently, scientists thought they had the problem licked. But a few years ago, researchers began to realize those conditions were returning, despite efforts to reduce nutrient pollution. Zebra mussels could be one culprit, but scientists aren't sure. So the U.S. EPA has launched its research ship, the Lake Guardian, on a summer-long project to gather data that may help to unravel the mystery. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

Young People In Debt
Posted Thursday, June 20
The interest rates for federal student loans will drop nearly two points from 5.99 to 4.06. That's the lowest rates for Stafford and PLUS loans. That's good news for college students who finding it harder to graduate without being in debt. A growing problem is credit card debt. A recent article in USA Today reported nearly 80% of undergraduate students credit cards and average balance was close to $3,000. Some students say they need the borrowed money simply to get through school, but that makes life after graduation difficult to manage. Carrying thousands of dollars of debt prevents young people from getting that first car or buying a home. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports on what some local schools and organizations are doing to help students understand and manage their debt.

The Gender Gap, Part 3
Posted Wednesday, June 19
While women have made great strides in recent years educationally, men have made comparatively little progress, according to statistics. Studies show men are earning fewer college degrees than women. Because the 21st century economy is becoming increasingly knowledge-based, some say such a gap foreshadows hard times ahead for men. If that's true for the overall male population, it's especially true among African Americans, for whom the gap is most pronounced. 90.3's Bill Rice examines the precarious plight of black men in an age that increasingly demands advanced education.

School Voucher Decision Reached
Posted Wednesday, June 19
The long wait for a verdict on Cleveland's school voucher program is over. In a five to four decision, the US Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of vouchers. The decision opens the door for expanding the program to other Ohio school districts, and for other states to implement their own voucher plans. Supporters of the controversial program are elated, while critics predict dire consequences for public education. 90.3's Bill Rice has more on the story.

Making Changes In Church Policy
Posted Tuesday, June 18
Bishop Anthony Pilla now faces applying a new policy to priests accused of sexual abuse in the Cleveland Diocese. The procedure adopted at the national meeting of Catholic Bishops strips priests who molest of their duties and keeps them away from parishoners - but it lets them keep keep their titles and remain in the priesthood. This spring, Pilla placed a dozen priests on administrative leave. According to a diocese official, allegations of past sexual abuse have been confirmed against almost all of them. While the Cleveland Diocese is working to restructure its response to clergy abuse, area Catholics are still digesting the outcome of the Bishop's conference. 90.3 WCPN's Renita Jablonski reports.

Realizing the Dream of Home Ownership
Posted Friday, June 14
Mayor Jane Campbell is expected to announce today that June is Homeownership month in the city of Cleveland. Owning a home is often described as the American Dream. But for some the process is more like a nightmare. Over the past few years, people have complained about the lack of opportunities for low to moderate-income families to get an affordable mortgage loan. Credit problems and extensive background checks have deterred many people. Some have even turned to predatory lenders. But now the local government and the banking industry are trying to address the problems that prevent the "underserved" from realizing that American Dream. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports.

Tattoo As Art?
Posted Thursday, June 13
There could be a tattoo parlor coming to your Cleveland neighborhood soon. A ban against tattooing within the city limits was lifted just last month. The change comes in the wake of a legal challenge that said the ban was unconstitutional. However, tattoo parlors have been put in the same category as topless bars and adult bookstores. That has some people questioning whether tattoos are a form of art or a questionable way to make money. 90.3 WCPN's Mike West has the story.

Skin Cancer and Sunscreen
Posted Wednesday, June 12
Summer is almost here and most of us will be spending a lot more time outside. Whether you're at the beach, on the lake, or just working in the garden, doctors strongly recommend the use of sunscreens to prevent burn and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Yet despite nearly thirty years of sunscreen use, the incidence of deadly skin cancers is on the rise around the world. And researchers aren't sure why. What's the best way to protect yourself while enjoying the summer sun? 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer has this report.

New Health Director Faces Greater Challenges
Posted Monday, June 10
This month marks the 9-month anniversary of September 11th, and with recent warnings from Washington, the possibilites of another terrorist attack are fresh in the minds of area residents. And now, as the city considers candidates for the Director of Public Health, the position has more responsibility than ever with new concerns like bioterrorism. As 90.3 WCPN's Renita Jablonski reports, the city is busy making its disaster preparedness plans as they work to recruit a qualified director.

The Gender Gap - Part 2
Posted Friday, June 7
A recent study comparing the number of men vs. women pursuing higher education shows that most of the increase in degrees attained is going to women. While they applaud the educational gains women have made over the last three decades, statistics show men have made little progress. Some say the rapidly changing nature of our society affects the prospects for men as well as women, and call for increasing efforts to steer men into college or other post-secondary opportunities. In the second of two reports, 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice looks at why many men aren't pursuing advanced education, and some possible solutions.

School Upgrades Approved By Board
Posted Friday, June 7
Cleveland's billion-plus-dollar school facilities plan is on its way to Columbus. Last night the school board approved the district's plan for replacing or renovating its 100 or so buildings - a project unprecedented in the city's history. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Museum Funding Crisis
Posted Friday, June 7
The smoke at Ground Zero in New York has cleared since last Fall, but after-effects of the terrorist attacks continue to ripple through the country. An already shaky economy, exacerbated by the shock of September 11th, has prompted many corporations to cut back on underwriting support for non-profit institutions. For museums in Ohio and across the nation, this only aggravates a continuing struggle to stay afloat financially. 90.3 WCPN's David C. Barnett reports.

The Gender Gap - Part 1
Posted Thursday, June 6
Throughout the 1970's, 80's, and 90's, much attention was paid to improving educational opportunities for women. Advocacy groups worked hard to recruit more women into college, and strongly pushed for programs and curriculum specially tailored to women's needs. Statistics now show that all that attention has paid off. Women are achieving post-secondary degrees in record numbers. But if equity is the goal, some researchers say current trends do not bode well, and it's men who stand to lose. In the first of a two-part series, 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.