Regional Features: Archive by Date

April 2004

Outsourcing: Merely a Political Slogan?
Posted Thursday, April 29
Job outsourcing is a major theme in the presidential campaign, and it's also getting lots of attention from state officials. This month, Ohio lawmakers from both parties introduced bills to address the shipping of work overseas. But, as ideastream's Tasha Cook reports, some question whether outsourcing has become merely a political slogan.

Making Change: Race and Regionalism - Kentucky Style
Posted Wednesday, April 28
In the continuing quest to improve the economic well-being of Northeast Ohio, regionalism is a concept that's catching the imagination of area leaders. Its meaning is vague, referring to anything from inter-governmental cooperation to an actual merging of governments, such as a city with a county. In this segment of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports that wherever talks of regionalism are headed - the more public discussion there is, the better the chances for success.

What About the Boys?
Posted Wednesday, April 28
Web Exclusive - Question and answer session with Tim Shaughnessy, child and family therapist of Applewood Centers, conducted by ideastream's Marie Andrusewicz.

Mercury Rising, Part 2
Posted Monday, April 26
Since the U.S. EPA rolled out proposals last December for new regulations of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, warnings about the health risks of mercury have increased. The federal government considers consumption of too much mercury-laden fish to be the single-largest risk factor for women of child-bearing age. According to the government, that risk is small. But some members of the medical profession say mercury in any amount interferes with the immune system. To promote healing, they advocate the removal of excess amounts of heavy metals through a therapy called chelation. But when is chelation therapy the right choice? ideastream's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Jennifer Ferenstein Interview
Posted Friday, April 23
As Earth Day celebrations occur this weekend (4/24), there will be several commemorations of the past efforts at cleaning up our region, and challenges to do better in the future. One of those gatherings is being put on by the local chapter of the Sierra Club. The speaker for their Saturday event is former National President Jennifer Ferenstein, who was interviewed in the 90.3 studios by ideastream's Rick Jackson.

Mercury Rising, Part 1
Posted Thursday, April 22
The U.S. EPA has proposed first-time-ever standards for regulating mercury from coal-fired power plants. But those standards have come under attack from environmental groups and others who say they don't go far enough, fast enough. EPA administrator Mike Leavitt says current technology simply isn't ready to make larger reductions. But one Northeast Ohio company says the technology is here today. It's working with the Department of Energy to demonstrate a new process that can dramatically reduce mercury from existing plants at a cost much lower than competing technologies. ideastream's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Bill Wehrum Interview
Posted Thursday, April 22
Web Exclusive - The Bush Administration has come under attack from environmental groups and politicians who say the new mercury rulings for coal-fired power plants don't make deep enough cuts fast enough to reduce risks to human health. U.S. EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt says current technology doesn't make that possible. ideastream's Karen Schaefer talked to Bill Wehrum, council to the assistant administrator of the U.S. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation in Washington, D.C. about new technologies to reduce mercury emissions and the agency's thinking and research behind the new rulings. Listen to the complete interview above.

Making Change: What Brain Drain?
Posted Wednesday, April 14
There are two little words heard about Northeast Ohio that seem to scare people: Brain Drain. The phrase is uttered every time a young, educated person leaves the region. The fear is that if enough people head out, then Northeast Ohio will lose any competitive edge it has. But there are signs that the drain is backing up. According to the Census, the greater Cleveland area actually saw a 0.5% population gain of people between 25 and 34. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on why some young adults are going against the stream and what that could mean for our economy.

Regulating Hazardous Materials
Posted Friday, April 9
In January, a spectacular fire at a magnesium recycling plant in Garfield Heights served as a reminder that all around us, every day, industries and small businesses are handling hazardous materials and waste. State officials say most of the time they do it well. But with more than 20,000 permitted facilities in Ohio and only 60 state inspectors for hazardous waste alone, the job of oversight is overwhelming. Regulators rely on industry to follow the rules. But critics say more is needed, including stronger regulation and stronger enforcement. ideastream's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Gary Nolan Interview
Posted Thursday, April 8
You're familiar with most of the names in the presidential campaign. But there are other hopefuls in the race you may not know about. ideastream's Rick Jackson talked with one of those hopefuls, Gary Nolan, who's seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for President.