The Sound of Ideas: February 2009

Forensic Fact Checking
Friday, February 27
Bite marks, hair samples, blood splatters and fingerprints make identifying criminals easy - on TV. A new report to Congress by the National Academy of Science says many forensic techniques are, in fact, questionable tools at best. The report calls for sweeping changes in how crime evidence is collected, analyzed and used in court. It says crime labs are grossly under-funded and lack scientific foundation. The impact of the report on the criminal justice system may be huge. A look at the future of forensics with guests from the NAS and the FBI, Friday morning at 9 on 90.3.

Thursday Reporters’ Roundtable
Thursday, February 26
Police have made arrests in a double shooting outside a Cleveland night spot. One man is dead, another is gravely wounded and downtown Cleveland's image has taken a fresh blow. Students are preparing for their return to Lorain County Community College after an arson fire forced a week-long shut down. And the Cleveland auto show opens at a time when car buyers are harder to find than a tick on a mustang. Join us for discussion of the week's top stories Thursday at 9:00 a.m. On 90.3.

President Obama’s First Speech to Congress: The Morning After
Wednesday, February 25
President Obama's first address to a joint session of congress has been billed as a sober assessment of where we are and the challenges we face - but with signs of hope. The new President sets a course for fiscal discipline even as his administration borrows hundreds of billions of dollars. Wednesday on The Sound of Ideas, we’ll discuss his plans for closing the nation's deficit and holding down health care costs. It's a morning after breakdown of the President's prime-time address. Join guest host Tamara Keith, a Washington reporter, and tell us if you feel inspired or gloomy, beginning at 9 on 90.3.

Help for the Housing Market
Tuesday, February 24
President Obama recently unveiled his Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan designed to stem the tide of foreclosures. Thousands in Northeast Ohio are in trouble. Who will this plan help? Mr. Obama says it's aimed at responsible homeowners, but some question whether the plan will also reward people who took on more home than they could handle. Guest host, Tamara Keith, who frequently covers business news for NPR in Washington, will be joined by housing and mortgage experts to examine the President's foreclosure prevention plan and how it matches up with the realities on the ground. Also new tax credits for home buyers and other efforts to get the housing market back on track.

Strickland’s Plan for Health Care Reform
Monday, February 23
More than 1 million Ohioans have no health insurance. If the economy worsens and more people get laid off - that number will likely go up. But Governor Strickland has a plan to get some of the uninsured covered. The question is - who exactly will benefit and at what cost? Dan Moulthrop is back with a discussion on Strickland's plan for Ohio health care reform. Monday at 9am, on The Sound of Ideas®.

Recent Automaker Tune-up Not Enough
Friday, February 20
American Automakers received a tune-up of $17 billion over the last 2 months. But they say they're headed for a deadly crash if they don't get more federal money. GM and Chrysler are cutting jobs and closing plants to survive. Auto workers fear for their livelihood. Hummers, Saabs, and Saturns could be goners. The PT Cruiser, Aspen and Durango will be history. Can northeast Ohio cities like Parma and Twinsburg do anything to preserve their plants? What good is another federal loan if it only helps short term? We'll talk about the future of the American automakers, Friday morning at 9 on 90.3.

Thursday Reporters’ Roundtable
Thursday, February 19
Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner have set the stage for a spirited primary in next year's U.S. Senate race. The high-profile Democrats both want the seat being vacated by the retiring George Voinovich. General Motors and Chrysler have announced restructuring plans that are likely to have an impact on northeast Ohio. And the Cleveland Clinic announces an expansion plan that focuses on Las Vegas, Nevada. Join us for discussion of those and other stories Thursday morning at 9:00 on 90.3.

Will the Federal Stimulus Plan Help Northeast Ohio?
Wednesday, February 18
Billions of dollars will soon flow into Ohio as part of the federal stimulus package, but how will it flow and where, exactly, will it end up? Local democratic Congresswoman Marcia Fudge says the $789 billon dollar spending bill is a good first step toward economic stability and job creation. Ohio Republicans say, though, the bill doesn’t stimulate anything but the nation’s debt - a grab bag of big spending slapped onto the national credit card. How the stimulus bill affects the country, northeast Ohio, and also discussion on Congresswoman Fudge's plans for the 11th District. Wednesday at 9 on 90.3.

Innerbelt Update
Tuesday, February 17
Ohio's Department of Transportation expects to begin work this spring on the I-90 Innerbelt bridge in Cleveland. ODOT intends to build a pair of bridges with five lanes of travel in each direction. It's not certain yet whether ODOT will repair the old span before building the new. What is certain is that at least two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions during the entire construction process, expected to last through at least 2015. Join us for an update on the Innerbelt, plus conversation on possible priorities for nearly a billion dollars in stimulus money targeted for Ohio transportation projects. Tuesday morning at 9:00 on 90.3.

Connecting Employers with Skilled Workers
Monday, February 16
Even in this difficult economy, where layoffs are commonplace, there are jobs to be had. Good jobs. High paying jobs. Northeast Ohio has plenty of career training programs but there's often a disconnect between the employers who need skilled workers, the teachers who help train people for specific skill sets, and those who need the job. The new Regional Talent Network aims to bring them all together. That in itself is a BIG job. Find out how big, Monday at 9 on 90.3.

Coping with the Added Stress of a Feeble Economy
Friday, February 13
With the economy still in free fall and high anxiety about job security, stress becomes a bigger threat to health. Everyone has stress, but how we deal with it is vital. Stress leads to more accidents, infections, depression and heart disease. So, in these vulnerable times, what can we do about the added stress in our lives? We have a special guest to help answer that question, Dr. Michael Roizen, Cleveland Clinic Chief Wellness Officer. Staying healthy in the face of rising stress, Friday at 9 on 90.3.

Thursday Reporters’ Roundtable
Thursday, February 12
U.S. Senators have passed their version of an economic stimulus package; the House has passed its version. Now the two bodies will iron out their differences in a conference committee. Until they do, Ohio leaders can't be sure of their own budget situation. We'll talk about Ohio's potential piece of the federal bailout. We'll also discuss a proposed statewide moratorium on foreclosures, get the latest on the Med Mart/convention center saga and find out why the federal Environmental Protection Agency is suing Akron for up to $100-million. Join the conversation Thursday at 9:00 a.m. for the reporters' roundtable on 90.3.

Ranking Your Neighborhood
Wednesday, February 11
Which is the best community in Northeast Ohio to live in? The one with the best schools, the least crime, the most stable housing values? Cleveland Magazine is now gathering data for its most popular annual issue "Rating the Suburbs." Many Northeast Ohio mayors, though, say it's not about who is best but what's best for our region. They contend the suburbs ranking issue does little but sell magazines and sow dissension. How does your neighborhood tally up? Should it matter if your city is number 1, 10 or 20? Should "rating the suburbs" rate so much concern? Wednesday at 9 on 90.3. *Photo courtesy Rocky River, Ohio website.

Dry Basements at a Price
Tuesday, February 10
In Northeast Ohio when it rains, it pours--off roofs and parking lots and into pipes, culverts and streams often ill-equipped to handle the flow. Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's storm water management plan is aimed at dealing with the water that can flood our basements and foul our waterways by ending the patchwork approach that has every community fending for itself. But it comes at a price, a new bill that would come at a time when many homeowners are already strapped for cash. Find out if the storm water plan holds water with guest host, Plain Dealer columnist Mike McIntyre, Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. on the Sound of Ideas.

Science Cafe: Bioimaging from the Inside Out
Monday, February 9
Every day doctors peer inside the human body without making a single incision. X-rays, ultrasound, MRI's and CT Scans allow physicians to bring the mysterious inner workings of the human body to life. Today medical imaging technology is used to examine broken bones, find clogged arteries, and target cancer cells. It assists docters in making diagnoses, determing the best course of treatment, and even guide surgical procedures. Join ideastream health reporter Gretchen Cuda and get the big picture on medical Imaging, including how it got it's beginnings right here in Northeast Ohio, Monday at 9 on 90.3.

Is Black History Month Necessary?
Friday, February 6
Some people say America has two histories – white and black. That’s one of the rationales for Black History Month. As black history events hit high gear some African Americans say it has outlived its usefulness. We’ll hear from Plain Dealer Columnist Philip Morris who says the time would better be spent examining current racial disparities, and looking forward, not backwards. We'll also hear from those who feel "racism should be abolished, not Black History Month." And we'd like to hear from you, should black history month become history? Join us at 9 on 90.3.

The State Budget & the State of Cleveland Schools
Thursday, February 5
Governor Ted Strickland's administration presented a new two-year budget this week that calls for what he called 'shared sacrifice.' Meanwhile, the 2010 Governor's race has its first Republican entrant. Cleveland's school chief tells teachers they'll have to perform or find a new line of work. And Cleveland City Council approves limited urban farming: residents will be allowed to raise chickens, ducks and bees on their property. It's all up for discussion in our weekly reporters' roundtable. Join us Thursday at 9:00 a.m. for The Sound of Ideas.

Governor Strickland: “Build Our Education System Anew”
Wednesday, February 4
Governor Ted Strickland says it's time to remake Ohio's public schools. He wants to increase the length of the school year, send kindergarteners to class all day, create a teaching career path for professionals not trained as educators and make it easier for administrators to terminate underperforming teachers. The Governor unveiled these and many other education reform goals in his recent State of the State message in which he also launched a plan to fix the funding problems that have long plagued education. How does his plan measure up? We'll talk to the Governor's education adviser and other experts Wednesday at 9:00 on the Sound of Ideas.

Battling Debt Collectors
Tuesday, February 3
As the economy worsens - so does the squeeze to collect old debt. What should you do when a debt collector calls? What on earth is zombie debt and is it as scary as it sounds? Exactly how much is your debt worth? Plain Dealer consumer columnist Sheryl Harris joins us as co-host with ideastream's Rick Jackson for conversation about what debt collectors can and can't do and advice for consumers who do find themselves legitimately being hunted by debt collectors. Also joining us, a representative from the largest trade association for debt collectors, and a local attorney who sues them on behalf of consumers. If you have a question about what debt collection - this is your chance to have it answered. Debt collection and your rights beginning at 9 on 90.3.

An End to City Residency Requirements?
Monday, February 2
The Ohio Supreme Court recently heard arguments for and against a law which says it’s illegal for cities to require public employees to live within municipal limits. Cities like Lima, Cleveland and Akron say if the state law is upheld it will have disastrous public policy ramifications. They also say the law violates the Ohio Constitution which states that cities have the right to “home rule.” We’ll talk to people on both sides of the issue: If the law is upheld, how would it impact cites like Cleveland and Akron? Would it mean an end to those communities’ middle class neighborhoods? Monday at 9 on 90.3.