http://www.ideastream.org (c) Copyright 2012 ideastream - For Personal Use Only http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45120 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45120 A proposed Ohio ballot issue that Tea party activists love and labor union supporters hate has just cleared another preliminary legal hurdle. The Ohio Ballot board has given the green light to tea party members to begin collecting petition signatures to put onto the ballot….a measure they call "right to work." Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:33:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45119 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45119 Ohio is in line for hundreds of millions of dollars, now that five of the nation’s largest mortgage companies have agreed to pay $25 billion to settle complaints that they’d ripped off homeowners and used improper mortgage policies. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports that financially-pinched Ohio homeowners will get a share of the settlement cash…but the state also plans to use another chunk of the money in an unusual way. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:33:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45081 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45081 There's promising news for those suffering from Alzheimer's, the progressive brain disease that affects older people's memory, speech, and behavior. It is the leading cause of dementia. A drug that's been FDA approved for cancer treatment is now being studied for its potential in treating this debilitating disease. Health reporter Anne Glausser has the details. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45106 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45106 GOP Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich capped off a campaign swing through Ohio with a brief speech to workers at a Cleveland manufacturing plant. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:10:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45105 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45105 Today, WCPN’s “The Sound of Ideas” program revisited Governor John Kasich’s State of the State Address, where the governor highlighted Ohio’s rosier economic outlook and his views on state issues. Ideastream’s Brian Bull reports on some reactions to Kasich’s remarks. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:45:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45076 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45076 Midwest states are changing the relationship between unions and workers. Last week, Indiana became the first in the region to become a right to work state. Last year, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker dismantled collective bargaining rights for state workers. Public safety workers were supposed to be exempt. A year later, though, hundreds of police, firefighters and paramedics are finding that they're also facing less pay. In the second of two parts, Niala Boodhoo reports on the spillover effect from last year's law. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:03:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45075 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45075 Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson unveiled his latest plan to transform his city's public schools Monday night, and the reviews are decidedly mixed. He calls for a tax hike to help with the $55 million - $65 million deficit the school system faces and sharing part of that additional revenue with some charter schools. Ideastream’s Brian Bull has more on the plan and the reaction. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:06:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45074 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45074 Cleveland has long struggled to improve its troubled public schools. More than a decade ago the mayor took over the school district. Now Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has a bold new plan for the city’s schools. State Impact Ohio’s Ida Lieszkovszky reports that Jackson and school officials hope to make Cleveland a model of education reform for the rest of the state to follow. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:41:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45064 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45064 Ohio Governor John Kasich delivered his second state of the state address at a school in Steubenville. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports Kasich's main theme was Ohio's economic comeback. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:27:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45029 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45029 We all admit to getting older when it comes time to wear the glasses, or the contacts, permanently. But sometimes your deteriorating vision can be mistaken for something else...Doctors in Cleveland are looking into cases where diagnosed dementia, may have more to do with the eyes than the mind. That's the focus -pardon the pun- of this weeks Tuesday Check Up. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:35:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45050 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45050 Governor John Kasich is breaking with tradition by delivering his State of the State speech at Wells Academy in Steubenville today. StateImpact: Ohio’s Ida Lieszkovszky visited the 300-student public school, one of the highest rated schools in the state. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45054 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45054 Activist groups on Ohio's political left are lambasting a group on the political right for what they contend is "undue" influence over Ohio legislators. Details now from statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:11:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45052 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45052 Turning 100 is a big deal….so don't expect the West Side Market's centennial celebration to slip by quietly. Today, Cleveland city leaders and civic planners announced a series of events intended to highlight the market hitting the century mark. As ideastream's Brian Bull reports, organizers see the event as a major economic driver for the local community. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:33:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45051 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45051 Governor John Kasich will give his State of the State speech tomorrow/later today but for the first time in nearly a century, the speech won’t be delivered on Capitol Square in Columbus. Kasich will give the annual speech with a joint session of lawmakers at Wells Academy, one of the state’s highest performing public elementary schools. Ohio Public Radio’s Jo Ingles reports. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:40:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45005 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45005 Forty-one percent of college freshman in Ohio have to take at least one remedial course. That’s a class that essentially teaches what students should have learned in high school. The Board of Regents wants to reduce that number, and simultaneously save the state, universities, and students money by eliminating remedial classes at the state’s four-year universities. StateImpact: Ohio’s Ida Lieszkovszky visited Wright State University in Dayton and talked to students taking remedial classes. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45015 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45015 Ohio is revving up its campaign against prescription painkiller abuse. You’re likely to see or hear it in several ways. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:20:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44998 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44998 Controversial education advocate Diane Ravitch is in Cleveland today to talk about school reform. The one-time supporter of school choice and standardized testing now backs teacher unions and says charter schools undermine public education. Ida Lieszkovszky sat down with Ravitch to get her thoughts on school reform. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44987 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44987 How does diet affect pain? Listen to tips on reducing your pain through changes in what you eat from Dr. Tanya Edwards, Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45003 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45003 Recently, we reported on how property taxes locally and nationwide are holding steady….even as home values are drooping to historic lows. We have more on that story, with ideastream's Brian Bull. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:20:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45001 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45001 The Ohio Secretary of State says the process for redrawing congressional district boundaries is flawed, and should be changed now rather than pass the buck to future General Assemblies. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:55:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45000 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45000 For many school districts, deciding when to ask voters for new taxes is just as important as deciding how much money to ask them to approve. Ideastream’s Michelle Kanu reports on the Akron Schools’ strategy for getting a new levy passed this fall. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:37:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44999 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44999 A think tank on the political left says if an oil and gas drilling boom really does come to Ohio as predicted, taxes on the drillers should be hiked. The mere mention of the idea has leaders of the drilling industry seeing red. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:31:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45002 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/45002 Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel is headed to the University of Akron - again. StateImpact Ohio's Molly Bloom reports that the school announced that Tressel will be the school's new Vice President for Strategic Engagement. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:18:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44986 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44986 The millions of gallons of chemical- laced wastewater that fracking produces must flow somewhere, and Ohio is trying not to be that place. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:51:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44984 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44984 One year into his tenure as Cuyahoga County’s first executive, Ed Fitzgerald gave his assessment of the county’s progress during in a speech in downtown Cleveland. And he outlined a sweeping plan that he says in time could fully regionalize local government. ideastream’s Bill Rice has more. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:36:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44980 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44980 A cultural crossroads of Northeast Ohio turns 100 this year. Cleveland’s West Side Market has been serving up fresh meat, produce and vendors with attitude since 1912. ideastream reporters David C. Barnett and Brian Bull recently paid a visit to this popular operation to review its history and explore what the future has in store. In the first of a two-part story, we hear about the personal connections the Market has forged over the course of a century. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:55:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44953 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44953 With Cleveland's West Side Market turning 100 this year, city officials and marketers are envisioning change as a way to keep the market going for at least another century. But the prospect has some vendors troubled. Ideastream's Brian Bull follows David C. Barnett's report, with a look at what the future has in store for the market. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:57:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44941 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44941 A transportation agency panel has voted unanimously to push back some major road work projects for years - and in some cases, decades - because there isn't enough money to finish them. But Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler reports this vote isn't the final word on the issue. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:14:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44924 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44924 The nation was riveted on Madison Wisconsin last year when tens of thousands of people protested Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to dismantle most union rights for state and local workers. Walker was successful – and those changes made life different in Wisconsin. Changing Gears has been taking a look at the impact state governments have on everyday life. In the first of this two-part story, Niala Boodhoo reports on how state workers are faring Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:32:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44936 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44936 Democrats are deep in the minority in the Ohio House of Representatives. But --- that's not stopping them from unveiling a long list of priorities. Their TOP one involves helping Ohio cities and schools reverse employee layoffs….but, as statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports, the Democrats aren't likely to get their way. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:33:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44935 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44935 Backers of the controversial heartbeat abortion bill that's stalled right now in the Ohio Senate are trying a new tactic to get Senators to take up the bill soon. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:24:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44937 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44937 Over the last year, Youngstown Schools have embarked on a reform plan to raise student test scores and improve the district’s academic rating. Six months in, ideastream’s Michelle Kanu reports the district has started by replacing most of the students and the teachers at one of its low performing high schools. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:09:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44923 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44923 The office of Ohio's Inspector General probes alleged corruption in the executive branch of state government. But now the current HEAD of the office - Randy Meyer - is being criticized himself....and that's bringing calls for a change in the way the I.G. is appointed. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:37:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44922 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44922 As Florida voters go to the polls for a critical Republican primary today, Ohio voters can start casting their ballots as well. Statehouse bureau chief Karen Kasler reports. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:32:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44751 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44751 More and more states are betting on casinos to drive up business and tourism, and the Rust Belt's no exception. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and now Ohio have gotten on board with what backers say is a massive cash cow for hard-luck communities. As Ideastream's Brian Bull reports, there's much to be excited…and a little concerned about… Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:33:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44893 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44893 Of all the things that we are taught to stay away from - for health reasons... one of the newest is the controversial chemical bis phenol-A, or BPA for short... If you've heard of it, consider yourself enlightened. If you think you've eliminated it from your everyday life --- then consider yourself wrong. BPA is the subject of this week's Tuesday Check Up. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:35:01 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44907 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44907 The number of homeless youth in Ohio is on the rise, more than doubling since 2005. Many of these young people know a degree is their best bet to get out of homelessness, but as StateImpact: Ohio's Ida Lieszkovszky reports, getting A’s can be tough when you’re looking for a roof to sleep under. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44855 http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/44855 In the Midwest, it’s hard to get around without a car. These days, people are holding onto them longer … the average vehicle age is almost 11 years. And used cars prices are on the rise. All this adds to the pressure on the bottom rung of consumers, people with bad credit. Today our Changing Gears project looks at ‘Buy Here-Pay Here’ lots, where dealers finance deep subprime customers at interest rates up to 25%. Kate Davidson reports. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:35:01 -0500