The Sound of Ideas: Archive by Date

March 2012

Republicans in the Running

Posted March 1, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

Super Tuesday arrives next week, but will it be super in Ohio for Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum? And do Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul have a chance to make a good showing here? What kind of momentum would a win provide? On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll take a closer look at the Republican presidential primary in Ohio and hear from Republicans who may disagree on the candidate, but are unanimous in their opposition to President Obama. Join our conversation, Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Reporters’ Roundtable 3/2

Posted March 2, 2012
Topics: Economy, Education, Government/Politics, Health, Children's Health, Miscellaneous, Courts/Crime - Fire/Law Enforcement

Charges are filed against the teen accused in one of the region's worst crimes...Jimmy Dimora's request for a mistrial denied...and jobs, jobs, jobs - coming up from the ground--without the bubbling crude. From one time joke to a viable industry packing an economic wallop, now even the most optimistic numbers about fracking jobs are being called conservative. Our journalists analyze the week's top news on the Reporters' Roundtable, Friday at 9 on 90.3.

Northeast Ohio’s Economic Landscape

Posted March 5, 2012
Topics: Economy

Gas is headed toward four bucks a gallon and the nation's economy isn't exactly humming, but there's good economic news in Northeast Ohio. Federal Reserve Bank chief Sandra Pianalto says this region has weathered the recession better than many other parts of the country. Monday on the Sound of Ideas, we'll examine why and find out what will drive the Northeast Ohio economy in the future. Join us at 9.

Case Western Reserve University President Barbara Snyder

Posted March 6, 2012
Topics: Education

In fours years at the helm, president Barbara Snyder has put once-troubled Case Western Reserve University back on course. She's the highest paid among Ohio's private college presidents and those who've worked with her say she's earned every dime. We'll find out how she mended the fences and what challenges lie ahead. Join host Mike Mcintyre for a conversation with Case Western president Barbara Snyder Tuesday at 9:00 on 90.3.

Election Analysis

Posted March 7, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

Primary election day has finally arrived. What will a Super Tuesday win in Ohio mean for the prevailing Republican presidential candidate? And which long-time Democratic member of Congress will be put out of office: Marcy Kaptur or Dennis Kucinich? Plus, details on the race for Cuyahoga County prosecutor. Join our election wrap, Wednesday at 9 on the Sound of Ideas.

Will Independents Flex Their Muscles?

Posted March 8, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

The Republican faithful will hit the polls Tuesday as the Democratic base gears up for November. But they can’t win a thing if they don't get that swing. Independents, or swing voters, decide elections. Tuesday, we'll meet the author of a new book, The Swing Vote, to find out why she says Ohio is the swingiest of swing states. If so many people here occupy the political middle, why is politics so polarizing? Tuesday at 9:00.

Reporters’ Roundtable 3/9

Posted March 9, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics, Miscellaneous, Ethics/Religion

What does the reversal of a dozen Catholic Parish closings mean for members churches? We'll talk about the Vatican's decision, already being termed "historic." What's next for the parishes? And might the Bishop simply appeal this decision? And we'll examine Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's State-of-the-City address from Thursday afternoon. Friday at nine - on 90.3.

Guilty

Posted March 12, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora used his office as a base of operations for a criminal enterprise, a federal jury has ruled. He's been found guilty on 33 of 34 corruption charges, including racketeering, nearly four years after the FBI raided county offices. Join our conversation about the crimes, the trial and the long-term impact the verdicts will have on our community. Monday at 9 on 90.3.

Vatican Orders Churches Reopened

Posted March 13, 2012
Topics: Miscellaneous, Community/Human Interest, Ethics/Religion

In a stunning move last week, the Vatican reversed the Cleveland Catholic Diocese's closing of 13 parishes. Bishop Richard Lennon closed 50 churches across Northeast Ohio due to shortages of priests and cash, but 13 parishes appealed to the Vatican. We'll examine when the churches might re-open, whether the Bishop will file an appeal, and why the Vatican took such an unusual step.

Consumer Complaints

Posted March 14, 2012
Topics: Economy, Miscellaneous, Community/Human Interest

Scam artists abound trying to separate you from your cash in ever more sophisticated schemes. Bogus weight loss supplements, phantom debt collectors and too-good-to-be- true sweepstakes prizes. On the next Sound of Ideas, Plain Dealer Consumer Columnist Sheryl Harris and the local director of the Federal Trade Commission tell us about the latest scams and how to keep our guard up. Wednesday at 9 on 90.3.

Money Challenges for Legal Aid

Posted March 15, 2012
Topics: Miscellaneous, Community/Human Interest, Courts/Crime - Fire/Law Enforcement, Housing/Real Estate

The law firm for the poor, Legal Aid, has found itself short of cash after big reductions in federal funding and other income sources. That means steep cuts at a time when demand for legal help from the poor for evictions, foreclosures and other cases is growing. Thursday on The Sound of Ideas, we'll find out how two local Legal Aid programs serving our region, and local law firms, are responding. Join us Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Friday Reporters’ Roundtable 3/16

Posted March 16, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

Governor Kasich unveiled plans for new regulation of oil and gas companies, a new tax on financial institutions, an income tax cut and a lot more. Most of the nation's biggest banks passed the latest government "stress test," including PNC, Fifth Third and Key Bank. The audit of Cleveland firefighters moves to a criminal phase. And convicted racketeer Jimmy Dimora gets to keep his house.... for now. That's the line-up for the Friday reporters roundtable - do join in Friday at 9 on 90.3

Science Cafe: Our Radioactive World

Posted March 19, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics

A year ago, the tsunami-related meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan caused a radiaton release aniut 12,000 times greater than Three Mile Island. Monday on a Science Cafe edition of "The Sound of Ideas," we'll look at the risks of exposure to both high and low level radiation. We'll define radiation, explain how it causes damage and discuss ways in which the medical community harnesses radiation to fight cancer.

Construction Boom

Posted March 20, 2012
Topics: Arts and Culture, Architecture, Economy, Regional Economy/Business - Analysis and Trends, Miscellaneous, Community/Human Interest

The new Medical Mart & Convention Center rises in the heart of Cleveland. An old department store is set to re-open as a casino. The flat-lining east bank of Cleveland's Flats is being transformed. New apartments and condos fill in downtown. Nearly $7 billion dollars in public and private investment is starting to take shape here. Tuesday on The Sound of Ideas, we'll talk about why it's happening now and how to keep the momentum going in the future. Join us at 9:00 a.m.

Civility in Public Discourse

Posted March 21, 2012
Topics: Government/Politics, Miscellaneous, Community/Human Interest

Talk seems to have taken a nasty turn these days, in political speech, on talk radio, on the Internet -- where anonymity emboldens the angry -- and on cable TV. Lots of talk. Little listening. Why does one person have to be a left-wing pinko and the other a right-wing zealot? Can't we disagree without being disagreeable? On the next sound of ideas, a discussion about civility in our culture. All viewpoints accepted, Wednesday at 9 on 90.3.

Teaching the International Baccalaureate

Posted March 22, 2012
Topics: Education

As schools wrestle with how to teach students and measure their success with mandated standardized tests, some have seek a different path: Written exams. Student-led discussions. A global perspective. The Geneva-based International Baccalaureate program seeks to teach students not just what they need to know, but how to think and learn. Several local schools are converts. Is it a better approach?

Reporters’ Roundtable 3/23

Posted March 23, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

It's tax season - and while part of the state legislature wants to find a way to level tax rates across the state...there are others ready to lower yours, and tax big energy to make up the loss. Plus; we'll hear how Cleveland's mayor hopes for support for a revolutionary education idea that many people desperately want to see succeed. But even that simple desire.... has its’ critics. Join us for those stories and more - Friday at 9 on 90.3.

Left Behind

Posted March 26, 2012
Topics: Health, Mental Health

Suicide has a profound effect on those left behind to deal with the grief, the guilt and the stigma. One of those people is ideastream reporter David C. Barnett, whose brother, Frank, took his life in 2010. David's report about Frank's death examines how survivors -- brothers, parents, spouses, kids – cope with their tragic loss.

Northeast Ohio Innovators

Posted March 27, 2012
Topics: Economy, Regional Economy/Business - News, Miscellaneous, Technology

A doctor creates a new kind of neck brace that selectively cools the brain, protecting against neurological damage from stroke, heart attack or injury. A college professor invents a glass and silicone sponge that can suck an oil spill out of water. A Cleveland start-up finds a way to turn the bones of old homes into usable furniture. Innovators in Northeast Ohio are shaking the rust off the rust belt. Find out how,Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. on the Sound of Ideas. Program initially aired March 27, 2012.

Homelessness in Northeast Ohio

Posted March 28, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics, Health

History professor Daniel Kerr spent years listening to the homeless on the streets of Cleveland and studying the history of homelessness here. He contends in his book, Derelict Paradise, that urban renewal strategies have contributed to the problems. And, he says, many people benefit from entrenched homelessness. We'll discuss the book and meet with people currently working to assist the homeless. Are we making progress? Join the conversation, Wednesday at 9 on 90.3.

More Public for Public Transit

Posted March 29, 2012
Topics: Miscellaneous, Energy, Transportation

After several years of tight budgets, service cuts and fare hikes, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority now has its healthiest budget in years. Ridership is up all over the country and Northeast Ohio is no exception. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll talk leadership of RTA and Akron Metro about their budget plans and efforts to meet the increased demand and compliment new developments in the region. And are fare cuts possible? Join us Thursday at 9:00.

Friday Reporters’ Roundtable 3/30

Posted March 30, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

Would adding financial incentives to the Medicare mix help senior citizens stay healthier? The question is drawing attention in Washington - spurred by efforts that originated in Ohio. We'll also learn about a potential move of the racing track out of Cuyahoga County. And examine the continuing fall in housing prices. Join us for those stories and much more Friday at nine - on 90.3.

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