The Mahoning River is the topic of a reporting series focused on its comeback

For nearly 100 years, the Mahoning River, which flows through Youngstown, Warren, and into Pennsylvania - was the dumping ground for all matter of industrial waste.

But in the decades since the mills closed, the river has been recovering - thanks to the hard work of some of the regions concerned citizens.

Today, on the Sound of Ideas, we'll recap our "Changing the Course of a River" series - which has examined the health and recover of the Mahoning River.

Later in the hour, we'll hear some reporting from Nick Castele, and how he was investigating absentee landlords.

We learn about a company that owns dozens of properties in Northeast Ohio, but is based in California.

Finally, a conversation with beloved PBS host and world traveler Rick Steves, who has a new series out examining the finest art Europe has to offer.

- Jacqueline Marino, Professor of Media Studies, Kent State University

- Tom Smith, Board Chair, Friends of the Mahoning River

- Stephanie Dyer, Environmental Program Manager, Eastgate

- Nick Castele, Former Senior Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

- Jenny Hamel, Temporary Host, Ideastream Public Media

- Rick Steves, Host, “Travel With Rick Steves”

- Kabir Bhatia, Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media