Regional Features: Archive by Date

September 2002

Limiting Home-Based Businesses
Posted Monday, September 30
At least one Cleveland suburb is struggling with how to encourage the growth of new companies while preserving quiet neighborhoods. The city of Solon is considering new laws that would limit the ability of home-based businesses to operate. However, some entrepreneurs insist they need to work out of their houses until they're big enough to pay for office space. They also say if the city drives them out other communities will welcome them and the taxes and growth their companies create. ideastream's Mike West has this report on the clash over home-based businesses.

West Nile Raptors
Posted Monday, September 30
Human cases of West Nile virus have been worrying public health officials this summer, but wildlife experts are equally concerned about its effect on birds. Owls and hawks began dying in Louisiana in July. Then the virus skipped to Ohio. Since August, more raptors have died in this state than anywhere else in the country and scientists don't know why. Many people who work closely with the sick birds have voiced concerns about what that massive die-off might mean for future populations. But scientists say that raptor numbers will most likely recover. ideastream's Karen Schaefer has more.

West Nile Birds
Posted Friday, September 27
While human cases of West Nile virus have been worrying public health officials, wildlife experts are concerned about its effect on birds. Owls and hawks began dying in Louisiana in July, but then the virus skipped to Ohio. Since August, more raptors have died in this state than in any other and scientists don't know why. One Ohio bird rehabilitation facility has been particularly hard hit. ideastream's Karen Schaefer has more.

Regulating the NRC
Posted Tuesday, September 24
Last March, a football-sized hole was found in the lid of the reactor at the Davis-Besse nuclear plant near Toledo. The first question on most people's lips was, how could this have happened? Answers to that question have slowly emerged over the last six months. But there is still no answer to a second question being asked by residents, government officials, and nuclear industry critics... why didn't federal regulators' oversight of Davis-Besse find the problem sooner? This month, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expected to release a report that may provide some answers. But there's little likelihood the report will satisfy everyone. ideastream's Karen Schaefer reports.

The Need For Minority Doctors
Posted Friday, September 20
The disproportionate number of minority doctors is causing concern in the medical community.

Lake Erie’s Dead Zones
Posted Friday, September 20
The U.S. EPA has concluded this summer's special sampling of Lake Erie, trying to understand the cause of new 'dead zones.' ideastream's Karen Schaefer has more.

Election 2002: The Ohio Supreme Court
Posted Thursday, September 19
This month, 90.3 broadcasted a series of conversations with candidates for Ohio's Supreme Court. This quiet but powerful pod of judges isn't well known to the average person, but their is arguably second only the governor's in affecting Ohioans lives. In recent years, elections for Ohio Supreme Court have become more exciting, with campaign contributions skyrocketting. Now you can listen to what the candidates had to say about hot topics likely to reach the court's docket, their backgrounds, and judicial philosophies. Aired September 12-19, 2002.

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We began Thursday, September 12th, with the competition to replace retiring Justice Andrew Douglas.

September 11 Remembrances
Posted Friday, September 13
Remembrances of the victims of the terrorist attacks continued well into the evening last Wednesday, with dozens of events taking place in Northeast Ohio's mosques, churches and parks. ideastream's Janet Babin attended a variety of events, and has this sound portrait of the evening.

Coast Guard Undergoes Changes
Posted Friday, September 13
Last year, the U.S. Coast Guard came face-to-face with gaps in security that had never been considered. Since then the under-staffed force has worked to close those gaps, while still continuing its other missions. This fall, Congress will enter its final debate over moving the agency from the Department of Transportation to the new Office of Homeland Security. Proponents of the move hope to facilitate the Coast Guard's responsibility for protecting the nation's shores. But here in the Great Lakes, some are worried that the move might weaken the Guard's ability to safeguard local resources and protect the region's thousands of recreational boaters. ideastream's Karen Schaefer reports.

Taking the Reins of the Orchestra
Posted Friday, September 13
The Cleveland Orchestra is in the midst of a new season - with a new conductor. Franz Welser-Most received strong reviews on the Orchestra's Midwest tour. He'll return to the podium November 27th. 90.3's April Baer had a chance to speak with the new maestro recently. (This interview aired on WCPN Friday September 13th.)

What’s Changed?
Posted Tuesday, September 10
The experience of September 11th challenged Americans' deepest feelings about their safety and identity. But not everyone has come through it the same way. Few in people Northeast Ohio experienced the kind of catastrophe that wracked New York City. And yet, many Greater Clevelanders have experienced a radical shift in perspective because of the terrorist attacks, and their aftermath. In this series of three conversations, 90.3's April Baer talks to several northeast Ohioans about what's changed in their lives.

Nuclear Plant Security
Posted Monday, September 9
On September 11th, the federal government was forced to rapidly reassess the nation's biggest security risks. One of these was the vulnerability of nuclear power plants. Just days after the attacks on New York and Washington, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission acknowledged that nuclear plants were not built to withstand the impact of a large jet. In his State of the Union address, President Bush acknowledged that Taliban documents found in Afghanistan specifically targeted U.S. reactors. Since then, security has been heightened at all of the country's nuclear facilities. But nuclear watchdogs say many threats have yet to be assessed. ideastream's Karen Schaefer reports.

The 17th District Congressional Race
Posted Friday, September 6
Voters in Akron, Youngstown, and Warren have an important choice to make. The newly-redrawn 17th Congressional district challenges the way its residents think about their political representation. Youngstown and Akron used to be divided by Congressional boundaries. Next year, they'll be represented by the same person in the U.S. House of Representatives. With Congress closely divided, the national Democratic and Republican parties are closely involved in the campaign. ideastream's April Baer spoke to both.

NE Ohio Leaders Talk About U.S. Policy Toward Iraq
Posted Wednesday, September 4
The Bush administration continues to build a policy case against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein - a path many observers expect may lead to U.S. military action. Wednesday, September 4th, the president invited leaders of both houses of Congress to the White House, for a briefing on Iraqi policy. Aides insist Mr. Bush has made no decision about an assault on Baghdad - and knows he'll have to justify it to Congress, if he does. But Congress is divided on a course of action. This week, 90.3's April Baer talked with two members of Ohio's Congressional delegation about the possibility of a war with Iraq.