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ideastream - Economic News

ideastream - Economic News


ideastream - Economic News



Tue, Jan 06, 09
Regional News Stories: New House Members Sworn in Monday (Tuesday, January 6)

All 99 representatives of the Ohio House were sworn in today -- a third of them are new members. And they're all going to face a major challenge with the upcoming state budget. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler was there.

Tue, Jan 06, 09
Regional News Stories: Daunting Task for Freshmen Lawmakers (Tuesday, January 6)

With a sinking economy as the backdrop, the 128th session of the Ohio General Assembly has opened in Columbus. For many of the lawmakers, it's a totally new job and with a growing budget shortfall, it promises to be a frustrating job. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen talked with several of the freshmen, and filed this report.

Tue, Jan 06, 09
The Sound of Ideas: Congressman Ralph Regula (Tuesday, January 6)
For 36 years, Ohioans in Stark, Wayne and portions of Ashland and Medina Counties kept Ralph Regula employed in the US Congress. In return, the Buckeye State got a National Park, a medical school, and a congressman loved on both sides of the aisle. On our program, we'll talk to the retiring Republican Congressman about his career, how politics has changed in the last four decades, and the legacy he leaves behind. You're invited to join us Tuesday morning at 9.

Tue, Jan 06, 09
Regional News Stories: New Legislature Sworn In (Monday, January 5)
Lawmakers arrived at the Statehouse for their first day of work in the new General Assembly. The swearing-in ceremonies marked a major change in power in the House and business as usual in the Senate, and that might create problems in dealing with the state's economic challenges. Statehouse correspondents Karen Kasler and Jo Ingles filed this tag-team report.

Mon, Jan 05, 09
The Sound of Ideas: News Coverage for 2009 (Monday, January 5)
These days every news organization has to do more with less. So that makes the decision about what to cover, and how to cover it, more important than ever. So, we'd like to hear from you: what stories should we cover? On the next Sound of Ideas; we'll be joined by editorial decision makers from The Plain Dealer, WKYC TV and ideastream®. We invite you to join us to talk about what direction all of our news coverage should take in 2009. We hope you'll be there, Monday morning at nine on 90.3.

Mon, Jan 05, 09
Regional News Stories: Strickland Joins Forces with Other Governors (Monday, January 5)
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is joining forces with other governors nationwide to tell the federal government that any economic stimulus plan being considered must include money for individual states. From our statehouse bureau, Jo Ingles reports.

Thu, Jan 01, 09
Regional News Stories: Social Welfare Advocates Call For Halting Tax Cuts (Thursday, January 1)
Consider raising taxes.... Don't just cut government programs. That's the theme of a campaign that social welfare advocates across Ohio are just beginning to plan. They're worried that if the governor and legislators use spending cuts ALONE to plug a projected 7 billion dollar budget shortfall, Ohio's most vulnerable citizens will suffer. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Wed, Dec 31, 08
Regional News Stories: Public Universities Offer Extra Financial Help in Uncertain Economy (Wednesday, December 31)
Colleges are taking emergency steps to deal with the number of expected dropouts in the coming year, despite the prospect of funding cuts that could eventually mean higher tuition rates. ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Wed, Dec 31, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio’s 2008 Ballot Issues (Wednesday, December 31)
The week, as 2008 draws to a close, statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has been reviewing the year in state government and politics. He's already reminded us about major bills that Ohio legislators passed and newsworthy measures that did not become law. Today, in Part 3 of the series, Cohen takes a look at November ballot issues, that let Ohio voters become lawmakers.

Wed, Dec 31, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio Reaches Agreement with Countrywide Financial (Wednesday, December 31)
Ohio's Attorney General has reached a settlement agreement with one of the nation's major mortgage companies. In an interview with Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles, Jeff Lazer of the Ohio AG's office explains Countrywide Financial will provide foreclosure assistance to thousands of Ohioans. While the final judgment resolves allegations that Countrywide used unfair and deceptive practices in its loan origination and servicing activities, the agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing on the part of the company.

Wed, Dec 31, 08
The Sound of Ideas: The Recession of 2008 (Wednesday, December 31)
It started back in 2007, maybe even earlier, with the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and initially many economists and bankers called it an isolated isolated issue. The problem snowballed in 2008, and started taking down major financial institutions, eventually including Cleveland's own National City Corporation. The federal government sprang into action with a controversial bailout plan. Then the American auto industry started teetering. Now, many fear national unemployment numbers could reach double digits. How did we get here? We turn again to two local economists who have been helping us understand the crisis all year. Join us Wednesday morning at 9.

Tue, Dec 30, 08
Regional News Stories: Stories from the Line: Real Estate Woes (Tuesday, December 30)
It's not a good time to have a job related to real estate. The collapse of the housing market was a key catalyst to the recession we're currently in. And many people connected to that industry are out of a job or have seen a sharp drop in income. That's where we pick up Stories from the Line, our ongoing look at the struggles of everyday Ohioans. ®ideastream's Eric Wellman reports.

Tue, Dec 30, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio’s Sinking Economy—and Other Big Stories of 2008 (Tuesday, December 30)
All this week, statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has been helping us look back over the big events in state government and politics this past year. We've heard about the big bills that have become law, other proposals that have not, and the hot-button ballot issues that Ohio voters decided in November. Today, in Part 4 of the series, a look at some other highlights of 2008. Actually, it begins with what you might call a low-light -- Ohio's economy.

Mon, Dec 29, 08
The Sound of Ideas: 2008 Year in Review (Monday, December 29)
Twelve months ago, the major party nominations for President were up for grabs, Ohio's budget was less than a billion dollars short and Marc Dann was Ohio's Attorney General. Suffice it to say, things are a little different now. Monday morning at 9, we'll take a look back at 2008--a year when the state went from Red to Blue and local government went under the microscope. Join us for a conversation about the biggest headlines and the biggest stories that somehow stayed under the radar.

Wed, Dec 24, 08
Regional News Stories: Cleveland School Official’s Time at Toledo District Investigated by State (Wednesday, December 24)
A Cleveland public school official currently on administrative leave in connection with missing equipment is now under scrutiny at his old job. ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Wed, Dec 24, 08
Regional News Stories: Shareholders Sign off on PNC’s Acquisition of National City (Wednesday, December 24)
Shareholders in Cleveland and Pittsburgh signed-off on the end of a banking institution, yesterday. PNC Financial Services was given the green light to acquire Cleveland's National City Bank --- the first acquisition to take place using money from the $700 billion federal bailout fund.

Tue, Dec 23, 08
Regional News Stories: Shareholders Okay the Sale of National City Bank (Tuesday, December 23)
P-N-C bank of Pittsburgh has passed the last major hurdle in its planned purchase of Cleveland's National City Bank.

Mon, Dec 22, 08
Regional News Stories: House Barter? Some Frustrated Sellers Try to Swap Homes (Monday, December 22)
Anecdotal evidence suggests bartering may be making a comeback in this down economy, and some are even putting their homes up for trade. ideastream®’s Dan Bobkoff explains.

Mon, Dec 22, 08
Regional News Stories: Senior Center To Close, Funding Difficulties Cited (Monday, December 22)
A Cleveland non-profit social service agency for low income seniors is closing one of its centers and reducing hours and services at three others. Golden Age Centers of Greater Cleveland says declining resources is forcing it to shrink and consolidate. ®ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Fri, Dec 19, 08
Regional News Stories: Social Services Tell Senator Of Needs (Friday, December 19)
Joblessness is a typical reason more people are crowding into Greater Cleveland's shelters, food banks, and help organizations.. This morning, representatives of the social service community detailed to a U.S. Senator just how tough the daily situations they face, have become. ideastream®s Rick Jackson was with them

Fri, Dec 19, 08
State of Ohio: Gov. Ted Strickland Conversation (Friday, December 19)
2008 has been quite a test for Governor Ted Strickland. The state's economy seems to be in free fall, the budget crisis seems to have no end in sight, and another serious situation with the state's spending plan looms into the next budget cycle. And the governor will introduce into all of this his long-awaited plan to reform education in Ohio, and specifically his proposed changes on how Ohioans pay for it. Gov. Strickland talks about the budget crisis, his education reform plan, and his thoughts on some of the most controversial bills that passed in the lame duck legislature.

Fri, Dec 19, 08
Regional News Stories: Political Foes Compete for Charity (Friday, December 19)
There was a contest of sorts raging in front of the Statehouse yesterday, featuring two longtime foes -- the goal -- to see who could raise the most money for the Salvation Army. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.

Fri, Dec 19, 08
Regional News Stories: Upside Downside: Taxing our way out of budget shortfall (Friday, December 19)
With Ohio government facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, Governor Ted Strickland talks about two ways to plug the money shortfall --- slashing state spending and getting a bail-out from Washington. A third option, a tax increase, Strickland says is not an option. But as statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports, if history is any indication, a tax hike is an option that the governor and Ohio lawmakers may have to resort to.

Thu, Dec 18, 08
Regional News Stories: Twinsburg Braces For Chrysler Holiday Shutdown (Thursday, December 18)
Chrysler's announced closure of manufacturing plants for 30 days is certainly not good news for the Summit County city of Twinsburg, home to the Chrysler stamping plant since 1957. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

Thu, Dec 18, 08
Regional News Stories: House Passes Pilot Land Bank Bill (Thursday, December 18)
Cuyahoga County officials got a big win in the state legislature. It appears the county will soon have the opportunity to set up a land bank to help neighborhoods that have been hurt by large numbers of foreclosures. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Thu, Dec 18, 08
The Sound of Ideas: Reporters’ Roundtable (Thursday, December 18)
This week, the Ohio legislature moves to tap the rainy day fund to pay bonuses to veterans, and the governor threatens a veto. Meanwhile, lawmakers push for an end to same-day voter registration and ballot casting. In a national ranking of corrupt states, Ohio makes the top ten. Also, retail real estate giant Developers Diversified sees a key deal fall through. And a move is underway to recall the mayor of Toledo. Join us Thursday at 9 a.m. for a conversation about those and other stories, including the fate of Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
Regional News Stories: Educators Look for Ways to Stop Brain Drain (Wednesday, December 17)
Educators and business leaders gathered at Case Western Reserve University today/Wednesday to try to figure out ways to combat the exodus of educated young people from the state. Ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg has this report.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
Regional News Stories: Job & Salary Freeze at Cleveland Clinic (Wednesday, December 17)
Cleveland Clinic Chief Executive Dr. Toby Cosgrove announced to employees that the hospital system has instituted a hiring and salary freeze. However, the freeze does not affect employees needed for direct patient care, hospital spokeswoman Eileen Sheil said. Other exceptions must get approval from hospital leadership. There can also be exceptions to the salary freeze. Increases for medical staff (doctors) will continue based on market conditions, and salary adjustments will be considered for other positions on an exception basis only according to market competitiveness, Cosgrove said in an e-mail to employees. A Clinic official said no layoffs are planned.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
Regional News Stories: Silver Lining: What good has come out of this recession? (Wednesday, December 17)
Vanessa Gilbert tells 90.3 that the silver lining she sees coming out of this economic crisis is the opportunity to spend more time with her children. Gilbert has a small business and business has been very slow in recent months. She told her story to ideastream®'s Eric Wellman.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
Regional News Stories: Layoffs’ Trickle Down Effect on Child Care (Wednesday, December 17)
We've heard how the weakening economy has led to tens of thousands of layoffs in Ohio. Those layoffs have a trickle down effect. One industry directly impacted when a parent loses a job is the child care industry. Mandie Trimble from Ohio Public Radio Station WOSU in Columbus found some day care centers are getting creative, as they ride out this recession.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
Regional News Stories: Upscale Convenience Store Finds Workers Hard To Come By (Wednesday, December 17)
November's unemployment numbers come out this Friday, and no one's expecting any kind of turnaround from October's 7.3 percent jobless rate. In this atmosphere, many people on the unemployment line are being forced to take positions they're overqualified for. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson tells us about one man who's done just that. It's our latest installment of Stories From The Line.

Wed, Dec 17, 08
The Sound of Ideas: Rising Cost of Higher Ed (Wednesday, December 17)
The average cost of a year at a private college topped $37,000 this year, and some in Ohio are paying a whole lot more. Today's economic realities are causing families of the college-bound to make some tough choices, including deciding whether they can afford go back to school in January. Wednesday morning at 9, join us for a conversation about the costs and sacrifices for a college education.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: Financial Troubles Force Newspapers to Experiment (Tuesday, December 16)
Newspapers have been in an downward spiral that has caused massive layoffs across the country, including Ohio, where the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently cut 50 newsroom jobs. On the Sound of Ideas today, media experts and callers talked about the problems in the news business, and what changes we're likely to see in the future. ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: Bankers Say Business Loans Still Available (Tuesday, December 16)
Representatives of area banks told a group of manufacturers today/Tuesday that it's still possible to get a business loan in Cleveland. The troubled economy has just made things a little more complicated. ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: NOACA Seeks Federal Cash For Construction (Tuesday, December 16)
The possibility of federal dollars for local roads is causing some excitement on the transportation front in Northeast Ohio. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: Mattel to Pay Ohio More than $500,000 (Tuesday, December 16)
Ohio will be getting more than a half million dollars as part of a settlement with one of the nation's largest toy companies. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: Wal Mart Foundation Gives $300,000 to Ohio Foodbanks (Tuesday, December 16)
The Wal Mart foundation has given a check for $300,000 to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. The director of the Foodbanks association, Lisa Hamler Fugitt, says the money will allow her organization to meet the growing need. The Wal Mart Foundation's contribution is the second largest from a single source in the foodbank association's history.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
Regional News Stories: The Journalism Field: Enter at Your Own Risk? (Tuesday, December 16)
The last few weeks have been brutal ones for the media. The Plain Dealer cut 27 newsroom staff in its latest round of layoffs; Local stations like WKYC and Channel 19 also let people go. Outside of Ohio the Tribune Company - publisher of papers in Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere, filed for bankruptcy protection while NPR reduced its workforce by 7 percent. Clearly the news media business is in deep trouble and so are all those young people who are poised to start their journalism careers. ®ideastream’s Caitlin Johnson reports on how she and many of her colleagues have hit brick walls in the job hunt -- and how some are finding ways to break through.

Tue, Dec 16, 08
The Sound of Ideas: The Uncertain Future of News (Tuesday, December 16)
The Plain Dealer wasn't alone when it laid off 27 newsroom employees this month. Most of Ohio's major papers have cut staff several times in the past couple of years, and so have many smaller papers as well as numerous local television and radio stations. NPR just announced it's eliminating seven percent of its staff. We'll talk to local and national media analysts about what all the shrinkage means for newsgathering and for the workings of democracy. We'll also hear about possible ways forward for media companies. Join us Tuesday morning at 9.

Mon, Dec 15, 08
Regional News Stories: Chinese Institutes Grow at American Universities (Monday, December 15)
It's an arrangement only possible in an economically challenged, post-Cold War world where one superpower is starved for cash and the other needs an image makeover. Currently the Peoples Republic of China is paying for Chinese language courses on more than 300 American college campuses. These Confucius Institutes provide a needed infusion of funds, and arm students with a key tool for competing in the global economy. ideastream'®s Kymberli Hagelberg has this report.

Mon, Dec 15, 08
Regional News Stories: Strickland Says Ohio Could Need 25 % Cut in Spending (Monday, December 15)
Dozens of programs many Ohioans rely on could be on the chopping block if the state doesn't get more money soon. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Mon, Dec 15, 08
Regional News Stories: Elyria-Cleveland-Mentor-Akron Hit Hardest By New Joblessness (Monday, December 15)
As company after company in Northeast Ohio gave workers pink slips this year, the region saw nearly 7,000 jobs disappear through October. The decline raises a concern among some economists that the region's historically reliable industrial supply chain could suffer irreparable damage. Area-wide employment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for January through October were consistently lower than those from the same months of 2007. Numbers for both years are not seasonally adjusted.

Mon, Dec 15, 08
Regional News Stories: Stories From the Line: Huron County Town Tries to Save Plant (Monday, December 15)
As part of our series, Stories From the Line , we head to Norwalk, Ohio. The housing crunch hit the small town's second largest employer, Norwalk Furniture, hard. When the corporation closed its doors this past fall, business leaders and furniture workers found a way to keep the plant going. ideastream®'s Mhari Saito reports.

Mon, Dec 15, 08
The Sound of Ideas: What’s Next For The Auto Industry and the Future of Unions (Monday, December 15)
The Senate just killed one possible bailout for the auto industry. Will anyone come to the rescue? On our program, we'll have the latest on attempts to save Detroit auto makers. Also, we'll here a debate about proposed federal legislation that could dramatically expand the ranks of our nation's unions. Join us Monday morning at 9.

Sun, Dec 14, 08
Regional News Stories: 30 Years Since Cleveland Defaulted (Sunday, December 14)
Monday marks an infamous moment in Cleveland history. It was 30 years ago that the city government defaulted on more than 15 million dollars in loans; becoming the first city to default since the Great Depression. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson looks back at 1978.

Sun, Dec 14, 08
Regional News Stories: Condo Boom In Little Italy (Sunday, December 14)
In the face of a collapsed housing market, new construction has almost come to a standstill in parts of Ohio. An exception emerged last week though, from Little Italy...a neighborhood that's part of Cleveland's University Circle area. Activity is planned in Little Italy, where new, high-dollar condos seem to be the choice of developers. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Honda To Cut Production In Ohio (Friday, December 12)
By Dan Gearino THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH / Associated Press For the second time in less than a month, Honda is announcing a cutback in North American production, but no layoffs, as the company deals with a worsening auto-industry downturn. Honda said this morning it will reduce production by 119,000 vehicles at plants in the United States and Canada. At Ohio plants, that means 39,000 fewer vehicles will be made in Marysville and 19,000 fewer in East Liberty.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Feagler & Friends: Bailout Prospects & City Council Doings (Friday, December 12)
Newsmaker--Gary Adams, president, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association: Automakers are in the throes of their worst downturn in decades. And it’s not just the Americans. Sales are down across the board. Locally, car dealers report sales off nearly 37 per cent compared to November of last year. Adams is just back from Washington where he and a national dealers trade group lobbied for the car bailout. He and Mr. Feagler will discuss prospects for getting customers back in the showrooms. Roundtable: Joan Mazzolini, reporter, The Plain Dealer; Henry Gomez, reporter, The Plain Dealer; Dan Shingler, reporter, Crain’s Cleveland Business. Auto Bailout: The House of Representatives approved a $14-billion package of emergency loans for General Motors and Chrysler. The package moves onto the Senate, where its future is uncertain because many Republicans in the body do not support it. Ohio Senator George Voinovich, who does support the bailout, is not optimistic that Republicans will change their minds. City Council Doings: Cleveland City council has been the center of attention this week, some of it unwelcome. Longtime councilman Robert White resigned after being accused of accepting a $500 bribe from a local business. Council approved a city domestic partner registry. It would allow same-sex and other couples to make a legal declaration of their partnership. But it would not grant such couples the same legal rights as spouses in traditional marriages. Medical News: The Cleveland Clinic has become one of the first hospitals in the country to reveal its doctors’ business ties. The Clinic began this month posting the information as part of physician and researcher profiles on its website. Hospitals are acting in response to increasing questions about potential conflicts of interest on the part of practitioners who might be prone to recommend treatments from which they stand to gain financially. Mayors and Money: What’s good for business would be good for American cities. U.S. Mayors, including Akron’s Don Plusquellic, were in Washington this week asking Congress to pass a public-works stimulus package that would pay for large-scale projects in cities and create thousands of jobs.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
State of Ohio: Worse-Case Budget Scenario (Friday, December 12)
It may be a just a worst-case scenario, but it’s a scary one for many people in Ohio. Gov. Ted Strickland has compiled a worst-case budget document that envisions cuts as high as 25% to state agencies to deal with a projected budget deficit of $7.3 billion. Pollsters are also looking ahead to 2010 and asking which candidates will do well. It's been a busy week for state lawmakers trying to push through some last-minute bills before two-year the session ends. Among those is a bill to help deal with the mortgage meltdown. Marion Gardner of Cleveland brought pictures to show lawmakers her devastated neighborhood, as they consider a bill that was created in part by Cuyahoga County treasurer Jim Rokakis, which creates a government land bank that allows homes to be bought and rehabbed or demolished. One state official is wrapping up 2008 by doing something he never would have expected a year ago. Richard Cordray is preparing to move out of the treasurer’s office after less than two years. And he’s is moving into an office he ran for a decade ago, and lost, but won a few weeks ago.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Auto Bailout Collapses in Senate (Friday, December 12)
Both Ohio's Senators voted for an auto bailout, but the procedural vote in the Senate failed when the auto workers union refused to concede to Republican demands that their wages be cut to levels that Japanese manufacturers earn. Peter Granitz reports from Capitol Hill.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Stories from the Line: a Retail Perspective (Friday, December 12)
In the coming weeks on Morning Edition, we're telling stories from the line. We're talking to people who have either lost or are at risk of losing their jobs. ideastream®'s Eric Wellman profiles a man who lost a retail job and can't find another one that pays nearly what he was making before.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio Could Face $7.3 Billion Deficit in 18 Months (Friday, December 12)
State leaders are warning Ohio's economic outlook is not good. New budget documents show the state could face a $7.3 billion dollar deficit in a year and a half if action isn't taken now. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Managing Large Sums of Money Not For the Faint of Heart (Friday, December 12)
If you think you've lost a lot of money in the market this year, consider the hit that many foundations and university endowments have taken. Harvard University has seen its endowment lose some $8 billion this year. Crains Cleveland reports that The Cleveland Foundation's nest egg is at least $200 million dollars lower. In this week's edition of upside/downside we're going to hear a bit about the people who manage these enormous sums of money. The folks who manage things like pension funds, endowments, and mutual funds are known as Chartered Financial Analysts, CFA's. Last night the President of the CFA Institute gave a talk to members of the Cleveland Chapter. Jeffrey Diermeier spoke with ideastream®'s Eric Wellman.

Fri, Dec 12, 08
Regional News Stories: Governor Strickland Seeks Input on Funding Fix (Thursday, December 11)
Governor Ted Strickland brought his search for equitable school funding to Cleveland Thursday. The second of his latest education forums held here at the ideacenter concentrated on getting feedback from the crowd, not revealing much about where he's headed.® ideastream's ;Kymberli Hagelberg has this report.

Thu, Dec 11, 08
Regional News Stories: FBI Raids Offices of Realty Corporation of America in Downtown Cleveland (Thursday, December 11)
The FBI today raided the offices of Realty Corporation of America, a mortgage brokerage company based in downtown Cleveland. 90.3's Gretchen Cuda reports.

Thu, Dec 11, 08
The Sound of Ideas: Reporters’ Roundtable (Thursday, December 11)
In the news this week, the fallout from the economic crisis reaches more large employers, including one local county government. A Cleveland Councilman resigns in response to allegations of accepting bribes. Also, Cuyahoga County prepares for another expensive vote recount. We'll find out if there's any way to avoid that, we'll hear how any rescue for the auto industry would affect Ohio, and we'll find out why one local writer wants to scale back the Obama hero worship. Join us Thursday morning at 9.

Thu, Dec 11, 08
Regional News Stories: Land Bank Bill on its Way to State Senate (Thursday, December 11)
The Ohio Senate has passed a bill designed to allow Cuyahoga county to establish a land bank that will be used to buy foreclosed properties. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Wed, Dec 10, 08
Regional News Stories: FirstMerit Suspends 401(K) Contributions (Wednesday, December 10)
Akron-based FirstMerit Bank joins a growing number of employers cutting 401K matches for their workers. ideastream®'s Dan Bobkoff reports.

Wed, Dec 10, 08
Regional News Stories: Stories from the Line: Unemployment in Ohio (Wednesday, December 10)
You’ve heard the numbers. 435,000 people in Ohio are out of a job. That’s 435,000 stories. Over the coming days and weeks ideastream® will be bringing you stories from the line…. The unemployment line. We're talking to a banking executive, an appliance salesman, a construction worker and more.. We'll hear how they are coping emotionally, how they dealing with bills that pile up, what they think is next for them. ideastream®’s Dan Bobkoff and Eric Wellman talk about the statistics behind the faces.

Tue, Dec 09, 08
Regional News Stories: Northeast Ohio Workers Prepare for Layoffs (Tuesday, December 9)
As unemployment figures continue to rise, more and more Northeast Ohioans are dealing with the reality of job loss. For some, the prospects for landing another job seem bleak, while others are doing their best to keep a positive attitude -- as we heard on 90.3's the sound of ideas. Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Tue, Dec 09, 08
Regional News Stories: New Report Shows School Lunch Programs Under-Utilized (Tuesday, December 9)
A new report by the Children's Hunger Alliance shows more than 90 percent of Ohio's low income kids don't participate in summer lunch programs. And more than 63 percent of low income kids are not getting breakfast at school. The group's Kim Wisecup says the more meals children must eat at home, the more likely children will go hungry because of their family's tight food budget. Wisecup wants more schools and community groups to participate in food programs for low income children. She's also hoping Ohioans will donate food and money to local food pantries.

Tue, Dec 09, 08
Regional News Stories: Plusquellic Hopes Cities Will Reap the Benefits of Obama’s Proposed Stimulus Package (Tuesday, December 9)
Akron's mayor Don Plusquellic was on Capitol Hill yesterday with a group of mayors. They went to lobby for their piece of a potential stimulus package to build the nation's roads and bridges. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports from Washington. .

Tue, Dec 09, 08
The Sound of Ideas: The New Layoff Economy (Tuesday, December 9)
Layoffs are everywhere: almost 900 auto workers in Lordstown, possibly 1,000 steelworkers in Warren, more in construction, retail, and health care. It's beginning to seem that no matter what sector of the economy you name, odds are it's shedding jobs. On our program, we'll take a hard look at the reality of unemployment in NE Ohio. We'll talk to employers making tough choices, workers looking for opportunities, and those involved in retraining workers for their next career. Join us Tuesday morning at 9.

Mon, Dec 08, 08
Regional News Stories: Cliffs And Forest City Respond To Economy (Monday, December 8)
Two major companies headquartered in Cleveland announced actions related to the down economy. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

Mon, Dec 08, 08
Regional News Stories: Charities Feel the Strain of Poor Economy (Monday, December 8)
Job cuts and soaring prices are straining the budgets and workloads of local churches and groups that help people in need across Ohio. Last Christmas Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler visited a fairly small all-volunteer charity organization in Fairfield County southeast of Columbus. She checked back in to find out how things are going this holiday season.

Mon, Dec 08, 08
Regional News Stories: Recession Takes a Toll on Pets (Monday, December 8)
As Ohio's economy continues to worsen, animal shelters throughout the state are continuing to see pets surrendered and abandoned. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Mon, Dec 08, 08
Regional News Stories: Plusquellic Seeks Federal Dollars to Improve Akron’s Infrastructure (Monday, December 8)
President Elect Barack Obama wants to rebuild the economy by rebuilding the country's infrastructure. Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic would like a piece of that. He's among a group of mayors from across the country who are in Washington today pushing for a Mainstreet Economic Recovery Package. Ideastream's Caitlin Johnson reports.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Is an Economic Rebound in our Future? (Friday, December 5)
Once a year, KeyBank holds a breakfast with top economists to talk about where the economy is headed. Normally, about a hundred business leaders and potential clients come to hear the financial forecasts over bagels and coffee. This year, Key Vice President Lisa Oliver noted, turnout was a LOT higher. ideastream®'s Dan Bobkoff reports.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Claims Auto Industry Tied to National Security Disputed (Friday, December 5)
Just where do all the tanks, trucks and ships that the military needs come from? Advocates of the auto industry bailout would have you believe they come from GM, Ford, and Chrysler. But as Gretchen Cuda reports - that's just not the case.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Feagler & Friends: Newspaper Layoffs and Recession (Friday, December 5)
Newsmaker: Susan Goldberg, editor, The Plain Dealer: The city’s daily newspaper terminated 27 employees, many of them in the newsroom, in a cost-cutting move that’s being echoed at newspapers across the country. The papers are trying to get their costs in line with steadily-decreasing revenues, down 11 per cent in 2008 at publicly-held companies. One financial ratings service predicts some cities will lose their daily newspaper. Roundtable: Mark Naymik, politics reporter, The Plain Dealer; Harry Boomer, reporter, 19 Action News; Brian Tucker, publisher & editorial director, Crain’s Cleveland Business. Yes, It’s a Recession: Key economists admitted this week that the U.S. economy has fallen into recession. The National Bureau of Economic Research says the recession actually began in December of last year, and there’s no sign no long or how deep it’s going to be. The economy has dropped 1.2-million jobs this year. Congress, meanwhile, continues to wrestle with the question of whether to extend bailouts to the auto industry. State Budget Mess: The Strickland administration said this week it’ll have to plug a $640-million hole in the state budget for this year, then find ways to save more than $7-billion over the following two years. The declining economy has dried up a portion of the state’s revenue stream and state officials fear Ohioans’ overall paycheck is about to shrink, something that’s never happened. Ted Strickland was among the Governors who met with President-elect Obama this week to request help. Save National City: When the Treasury started doling out bailout money to financial institutions, Cleveland’s National City was not among the recipients. This forced National City to seek a suitor in Pittsburgh’s PNC. Cleveland-area representatives Steve La Tourette and Dennis Kucinich, hoping at least to preserve some National City jobs, met this week with banking regulators but refused to discuss the outcome of the meeting. Bail Us Out Too: What’s good for banks and automakers is good for the schools. That’s why the Olmsted Falls schools applied this week for money from the federal bailout pool. Olmsted Falls wants $100-million dollars. Superintendent Todd Hoadley says half the money would pay for more classroom space, the other half would reimburse the system for meeting federal mandates.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
State of Ohio: Layoffs and Big Cuts Possible for Ohio (Friday, December 5)
It’s the start of the holiday season, but there wasn’t much to celebrate on Capitol Square this week. For the third time in this two year budget cycle, Ohio is facing a multi-million dollar budget gap, and layoffs and big cuts are possible soon. State budget director Pari Sabety laid out the bad news, and though Gov. Ted Strickland says he won’t go for a tax increase, he may have to support dipping into the state’s rainy-day fund. And the numbers of people in need are swelling in Ohio – unemployment is at 7.3%, compared to 5.7% a year ago. When the economy is in free fall and services are slashed, local charitable groups and faith based organizations are on the front lines to fill in the gaps, providing food, clothing, and other good and services. Two experts in the field talk about what they’re dealing with now. Lisa Hamlar Fugitt is the executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, which is also the lead agency in the Ohio Benefit Bank, which seeks to connect people in need with programs that can help them. And Barbara Packer is the corporate director of all the Ohio food pantries operated by Lutheran Social Services. It wasn’t all doom and gloom this week. It is, for many people, the most wonderful time of the year. And the state tried to create some magical holiday moments by turning the lights on not one, but two live trees on the west side of the Statehouse lawn. And this week brought back an annual holiday tradition – lunchtime entertainment at the Statehouse from choirs from around the state – this week featured the Chamber Singers from Lancaster High School.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Lincoln Electric Cuts Unspecified Jobs (Friday, December 5)
Amid layoff announcements the past two days from ArcelorMittal, General Motors, Lorain County government, and AT&T - was one you may have missed.... Lincoln Electric is reducing its own staff and letting go contractors, despite posting large third quarter profits. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: More Layoffs Ripple Through NE Ohio (Friday, December 5)
The Plain Dealer reports ArcelorMittal is eliminating 340 jobs. The Lorain Morning Journal reports Lorain County is cutting 100 county government jobs by year's end. The Tribune Chronicle reports a local steel company is seeking voluntary layoffs. The Plain Dealer reports Lincoln Electric is reducing staff even though the company is still making a profit.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Car Dealership Owner Holds Her Breath (Friday, December 5)
Central Ohio business tied to the automakers are watching the proceedings closely. Ohio Public Radio member station WOSU's Mandie Trimble went to a local Pontiac dealership to find out what's going on in the minds of its employees.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Recession Puts Strain on Charities (Friday, December 5)
Job cuts and soaring prices are straining the budgets and workloads of local churches and groups that help the needy in Ohio's inner cities, and also in more rural communities. Last Christmas Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler visited a fairly small all-volunteer charity organization in Fairfield County southeast of Columbus. She checked back in to find out how things are going this holiday season.

Fri, Dec 05, 08
Regional News Stories: Upside/Downside: Europe’s Good News for NEO (Friday, December 5)
There has been no shortage of bad news for the local economy lately. Automakers and financial institutions are the bedrocks of our regional economy, and they're up against the ropes. Northeast Ohioans heard something Thursday that offered cause for a bit of optimism. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson phoned WCPN's Sound of Ideas® from Brussels, where he was about to meet with trade officials from the European Union who are interested in establishing a North American presence based in Cleveland. ideastream®'s Eric Wellman spoke with SOI host Dan Moulthrop who has been tracking this story.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio Tuition Freeze Thawing (Thursday, December 4)
Memo to students at state-supported colleges and universities across Ohio - you may be enjoying a freeze on your tuition bills, but don't expect it to continue. That's basically the message that university officials are sending out, following a closed-door meeting this Thursday with Governor Ted Strickland.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: Cleveland Sues Standex (Thursday, December 4)
Cleveland officials say the city has spent at least $1.5 million to clean up a Detroit Road brownfield site owned by the firm. Demolition and environmental clean up began on the site in October of 2006, and officials say the reimbursement could help fund additional clean up at other brownfields throughout Cleveland. Law Director Robert Triozzi says unlike many companies which abandon properties, Standex has not gone out of business, and could be forced by courts to pay for removal of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) left behind. The US EPA has previously ordered Standex to take over the clean up efforts.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: Will Hollywood Come to Ohio? (Thursday, December 4)
Ohio legislators are looking at plans to try to lure a bit of Hollywood and its jobs to the Buckeye State.In fact, the House of Representatives has just okayed a tax incentive plan. Just about everyone at the capitol likes the prospect of new jobs, but not everyone is convinced this measure is the cheapest way to create them. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohio Senator Optimistic About Auto Bailout (Thursday, December 4)
Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown says he's optimistic that Congress will pass some kind of package to help the Big 3 U.S. automakers.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: What Silver Lining Do You See In Today’s Economy? (Thursday, December 4)
With the economy down and so much of the news gloomy, we've been asking WCPN listeners whether they see a silver lining in this economic crisis? Many listeners responded. Even when hit with devastating financial ills, Joe Novak knows it is possible to bounce back. And it makes him feel pretty good in today's uncertain economy. Before he founded a successful manufacturing business, Novak's finances hit bottom in the early 1980s.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
The Sound of Ideas: Reporters’ Roundtable (Thursday, December 4)
State government officials announced this week there's a bit of a problem with the books. According to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland's budget director, Over $2.6 billion in forecast revenues have evaporated. And the problem is likely to get worse. Join us Thursday morning at 9 for conversation about the battered state budget, Congressman LaTourette's battle to block the National City sale, job cuts throughout the local media industry and a few other stories, too.

Thu, Dec 04, 08
Regional News Stories: Ohioans React to GM Restructuring Plan (Wednesday, December 3)
GM, along with Ford and Chrysler presented their restructuring plans to Congress Tuesday. But even a multi-billion dollar cash influx won't save the jobs of many Northeast Ohio auto workers. Gretchen Cuda reports.

Tue, Dec 02, 08
Regional News Stories: Youngstown Leads Way In Regional Revenue Sharing (Tuesday, December 2)
The Chamber proposes that towns and cities in the Mahoning Valley share the money they bring in from taxes. Tony Paglia, the Vice President of Government Government Affairs for the Chamber, explains the plan to ideastream's Rick Jackson.

Tue, Dec 02, 08
Regional News Stories: Economy Forces Brunswick to Cancel Holiday Parade (Tuesday, December 2)
The state didn't let its dire financial situation keep it from starting its annual holiday celebration. But the economy is forcing at least one city to cut back this Christmas. From our Statehouse bureau, Karen Kasler reports.

Tue, Dec 02, 08
Regional News Stories: Strickland Warns of Big Budget Shortfall (Tuesday, December 2)
More big cuts in state government programs and the layoff of hundreds of state employees in Ohio are now a growing possibility. Governor Ted Strickland and his budget advisors have unveiled some stunning new numbers that show state government is facing a new and growing budget deficit --- actually two of them. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Tue, Dec 02, 08
Regional News Stories: Akron Develops Economic Ties With German Sister City (Tuesday, December 2)
Northeast Ohioans are getting a taste of German culture with the opening of the fifth annual Chriskindl Market in Akron. But, this year's holiday collaboration between Akron and Chemnitz, Germany features more than just beer and bratwurst. Government and business leaders used the kick-off of the downtown shopping fair to announce a new business relationship between the two cities. ideastream®'s David C. Barnett has more.

Mon, Dec 01, 08
The Sound of Ideas: Local Retailers Ride Out Economic Storm (Monday, December 1)
The holiday weekend, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, marks what are traditionally the busiest shopping days of the year, and they are busy. But if you consider it from the retail business perspective, are they busy enough? And what about local independent retailers, the ones that can't compete on price with the 70 percent discounts at the chain stores? How are they faring? And what's the argument for paying a little more there when money is so tight at home? Join us Monday morning at 9 for a report from the front lines of the local independent retail industry.

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