The Sound of Ideas: Archive by Date

April 2012

Health care in the balance

Posted April 2, 2012
Topics:

The Supreme Court is deliberating the fate of President Obama's health care law after three days of arguments. How will it rule on the mandate requiring individuals to purchase insurance? And what will come of the suit by 26 states, including Ohio, challenging the law's requirement that states expand Medicaid? Monday, we'll review the arguments, lay out the possible scenarios and examine the impact for Ohio and the nation after the court rules. Join us at 9 on 90.3.

Bringing Jobs Home

Posted April 3, 2012
Topics: Economy, Regional Economy/Business - Analysis and Trends, Government/Politics

We've heard for years the complaints about American companies shipping jobs overseas. Off shoring is done in such large numbers that often it can be difficult to find a product that's truly American made. A new movement is afoot, though, to bring those jobs back home from places like China, India and Mexico. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll examine the reshoring initiative and look at how it's impacting manufacturing in Ohio.

Heroin on the Rise

Posted April 4, 2012
Topics: Health

Addicts who find it difficult to get their hands on expensive prescription opioids like Oxycontin are turning to a cheaper, easier-to-get alternative: Heroin. How easy is it to get that? Heroin users in a state study on drug abuse trends say it's "falling out of the sky." We'll talk about the alarming rise in heroin use, particularly among teens, and find out what law enforcement is doing to respond.

Black Buying Power

Posted April 5, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Economy, Race

What Maggie Anderson wanted to do sure seemed like a good idea—spending money exclusively with black owned businesses—where she knew the owners, knew the workers and knew the community would benefit from an injection of cash. But as the author of Our Black Year will tell us, perceptions of her idea were far different outside her own circle. On Thursday’s Sound of Ideas, we’ll hear about Anderson’s Empowerment Experiment and whether targeting your dollars to one community makes a difference.

Reporters’ Roundtable 4/6

Posted April 6, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

Union negotiations have slowed Mayor Jackson's improvement plans for Cleveland schools. But if a deal comes, and legislators permit changes - then comes pitching the plan to voters, who will have to support it --- with their wallets. Plus a look at why the state's moratorium on the death penalty was lifted this week. And Cleveland Indians President Mark Shapiro joins us to debrief after opening day.

Science Cafe: Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted April 9, 2012
Topics:

Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that affects memory, speech, behavior, even personality. It's the leading cause of dementia, and researchers everywhere are on the hunt for ways to treat it. Right now, there's no cure. But could that change? Researchers at Case Western just found a promising drug that could potentially treat the disease, though it's still in the early stages of development. Join us Monday at 9 as we talk about the future of Alzheimer's on a Science Cafe edition of the Sound of Ideas.

Loung Ung: Writer, Survivor and Activist

Posted April 10, 2012
Topics: Arts and Culture, Literature, Community/Human Interest, Ethics/Religion

10-year-old Loung Ung survived the Killing Fields of Cambodia. She fled the genocide that killed nearly two million people. But more than 20 of her relatives died including her parents and two siblings. We'll meet with Ung – now grown up and living in Northeast Ohio. Join us for a conversation on the extraordinary courage of the human spirit. Originally aired 10/3/11.

How Are We Teaching the Teachers?

Posted April 11, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Education, Government/Politics, Parenting/Child Care, Technology, Schools That Work, StateImpact Ohio

With a new school year underway, we are devoting a program to the grooming of future teachers. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said that most of the country's 1,450 teacher-training programs are doing a "mediocre job.” So, what do we know about the best way to educate candidates for the classroom? Originally aired 9/6/11.

Of Two Minds: Bipolar

Posted April 12, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Health, Mental Health

Super-confident, high energy, racing speech; these are some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder as are reckless behaviors, intense guilt, irritability, crushing depression. One of the most daring films at this year's Cleveland International Film Festival presented intimate details of what it's like to live with the extraordinary mood swings of bipolar. "Of Two Minds" is the basis for our conversation on The Sound of Ideas.

Friday Reporters’ Roundtable 4/13

Posted April 13, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

It's official: Mayor Frank Jackson and the Cleveland Teachers Union strike a deal after weeks of negotiations on how to improve academic performance in the city's schools. That's one topic we'll be discussing on this week's edition of the Sound of Ideas Reporters' Roundtable. Also why some gay rights groups oppose a constitutional amendment to overturn the state's same-sex marriage ban. And why one Cleveland firefighter will be spending six months in jail. Join us for those stories and much more with host Karen Kasler.

Reevaluating Autism

Posted April 16, 2012
Topics: Health, Children's Health

One of every 88. That's how many American children are classified as autistic... essentially double the rate of just a decade ago. Is the increase real - or are we just better at diagnosing autism? There are experts who argue either way - and some who maintain even that number is missing some kids who suffer. Join Rick Jackson Monday morning for a look at identifying who is at risk for developing autism.

Local Income Taxes

Posted April 17, 2012
Topics: Economy, Regional Economy/Business - Analysis and Trends, Government/Politics

Tuesday is tax deadline day, thanks to April 15th falling on a Sunday and a little-known District of Columbia holiday, Emancipation Day, buying us another 24 hours. But a day or two will likely make no difference clarifying your local income taxes. How much do you owe the city where you work? What about where you live? Are credits available? Which income is taxable? Sorting through local taxes, and learning about a push for uniformity, Tuesday at 9:00 on The Sound of Ideas.

Tracing our Roots

Posted April 18, 2012
Topics: Arts and Culture, History, Community/Human Interest

More than 100,000 census takers went door to door to produce the 1940 Census, a snapshot of America as the Great Depression wound down and the country verged on entering World War II. Seven decades later, that census data -- 3.8 million images scanned from more than 4,000 rolls of microfilm -- is available at the click of a mouse to anyone who desires to fill in the branches of the family tree. Finding out who we are and where we came from, Wednesday at 9 with host Mike McIntyre on the Sound of Ideas.

Watergate at 40

Posted April 19, 2012
Topics: Ethics/Religion, Government/Politics

As White House counsel, John Dean helped cover up and then blow the cover off, the Watergate scandal 40 years ago. He lost his law license and served a four-month sentence for obstruction of justice. Now Dean is using his Watergate experience to lecture practicing lawyers about legal ethics. Do as I say, not as I did? We'll spend the hour with Dean Thursday at 9:00 on The Sound of Ideas

Reporters’ Roundtable 4/20

Posted April 20, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

President Obama and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stump in Northeast Ohio this week talking jobs and the economy. Election 2012 is in full swing in the Buckeye State. Plus, Bishop Lennon announces he will not appeal the Vatican ruling to reopen 12 closed churches. And the Ohio Democrats' plan to restore $400 million to schools and local governments. All this and more on the Friday reporters' roundtable with host Karen Kasler.

Preparing for the Worst

Posted April 23, 2012
Topics: Economy, Health

In the best case scenario, you'd be totally prepared for the worst case scenario. But with the doomsday bust of Y2K nearly a generation behind us, many people give little consideration to being ready for disaster. There are simple steps you can take right now -- like making sure you have a flashlight with batteries and a week's supply of must-have medicines. The Plain Dealer's Sheryl Harris helps us prepare for the worst, Monday at 9 with host Mike McIntyre on the Sound of Ideas.

Family Matters

Posted April 24, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Economy, Health, Aging/The Elderly, Parenting/Child Care

More multi-generational families than ever before are living under the same roof. Grandparents, adult children and the generation sandwiched in between, worrying about the needs of both. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll use the NPR special series "Family Matters" to guide our discussion about aging parents, boomerang kids and issues of money, duty and love. NPR's Marilyn Geewax joins us. Join host Mike McIntyre Tuesday at 9 on 90.3.

Self-Defense in Ohio

Posted April 25, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Courts/Crime - Fire/Law Enforcement, Government/Politics

The so-called stand your ground law in Florida has been debated in the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting. In Ohio, no such law exists. Retreat, if possible, is required if a person is outside his or her home or car and perceives a threat to his or her life. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll talk about the rights of Ohio citizens in cases of self defense. Should you be required to flee trouble if it's possible or allowed to stand your ground even if it calls for deadly force? Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

Stopping the Hate

Posted April 26, 2012
Topics: Community/Human Interest, Education, Ethics/Religion, Race

The young essayists honored by the Maltz Museum's Stop the Hate contest aren't satisfied with just slamming the brakes on ugly behavior. They're interested in action, affirmation and in becoming part of the solution. Thursday on The Sound of Ideas, we'll spend an hour with three local teenagers who'll share their plan for doing the right thing. If you're a cynic, they may just restore your faith in the next generation. Join us at 9:00 on 90.3.

Friday Reporters’ Roundtable 4/27

Posted April 27, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics

The Ohio House left the door open to spending surplus revenue instead of saving it - Democrats like that - Governor Kasich doesn't. The bulk of the budget bill that now goes to the Senate is to the governor's liking. Most Northeast Ohio counties continue to get poor grades in a new air quality survey. And the Sound of Ideas drafts The Plain Dealer’s Bud Shaw to review Browns picks. It's the reporters' roundtable with host David Molpus Friday at 9 on 90.3.

The Weight of the Nation

Posted April 30, 2012
Topics: Economy, Government/Politics, Health, Fighting Fat

Obesity in America has become a killer crisis. And your zip code, not just your genetic code, may contribute to the epidemic. Poorer neighborhoods have fatter and sicker people. A new HBO documentary, for example, points out that life expectancy in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood is 64. Less than ten miles away in Lyndhurst, it's almost 90. We'll talk about the film, the factors contributing to obesity and the urgent call to combat the fat, Monday at 9 on the Sound of Ideas.

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