Land Trust Merger: Shaping the Landscape of Northeast Ohio
December 28, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

There's a quiet revolution underway that could reshape the landscape of Northeast Ohio - or rather, help keep the shape it already has. On January 1st, eight different land trusts from Sandusky to the Pennsylvania border will come together to become one regional organization. The goal of the group is to protect thousands of acres of land that might otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Karen Schaefer reports on an effort that may ultimately help to preserve the character of our region.

Success Story
December 23, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Books have been written about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, but behind each success is a story. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz spoke with two women - a mother and daughter - about their path to success.

The Workplace According To...
November 21, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Do employers know how to keep their workers happy? Results from a recent workforce study released by Spherion Corporation suggests most don’t. As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on the study’s findings.

Gay-Friendly Policies in the Workplace
November 7, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Societal attitudes about homosexuality have undergone dramatic change in recent years, but one thing that has not changed is the controversial nature of the topic. Companies make a variety of decisions that place them on one side or another of fierce debates about homosexuality, whether in the realm of morality, civil rights, or public policy. How are such decisions made and what impact do they have? As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports.

Can Business Make the World Better?
October 25, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

At Case last week, faculty, students, and business leaders came together to consider what role business - and business school curricula - could play in changing the world for the better. ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz attended some of the three-day summit, and as part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, prepared this report.

Renewable Energy
October 7, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

After living with widely fluctuating - and generally skyrocketing - energy prices for months, Americans are showing more interest these days in alternatives to fossil fuels. But for some, the desire to increase the country’s use of renewable energy - like solar or wind power - is nothing new. As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on such efforts underway in Ohio.

The Other Side of Globalization
September 8, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

When we hear about globalization, often it’s in connection with American companies moving overseas. Certainly, our region has seen significant job-loss related to globalization. But the phenomenon isn’t as simple as that. As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on the multi-faceted impact of globalization on Northeast Ohio.

The Demographic Shift to Older Workers
August 25, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

American workers are aging. Within a few years, according to AARP, 20% of our workforce will be over 55. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on how some employers are preparing for this demographic shift.

The Future of Manufacturing
August 11, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

We’ve all heard the sobering statistics about manufacturing in Northeast Ohio. Factories shutting down. Jobs moving out of state or overseas. Whole industries struggling to maintain or gain a competitive edge. As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on the present and future of manufacturing.

Minorities In (and Out) of Business
July 27, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

It’s never been easy being an entrepreneur, but, historically, it’s been easier for whites than for minorities. Over the years, programs providing minorities with money and support have helped many go into business for themselves. But whites still enjoy far more success in business. As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Economy, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on the state of minority entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio.

Improving the Economy - What's the Answer?
July 14, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

A new biennial budget brings changes to the tax code intended to make life easier for business in the region. Yet we continue to hear of companies shutting their doors and moving away. Experts describe economic development in the region as a two-steps-forward-one-step-back process - leaving many still asking: just what will it take to propel the region solidly forward economically? As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz went looking for some answers.

Union or Bust, or Unions Busted?
June 29, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Earlier this month, five major unions announced formation of a coalition that could change the structure of - or even split - the AFL-CIO. This week, another union joined them. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz looks at where the labor movement is, and where it’s going.

To Fund and How to Fund: Public Education and Ohio's Future
June 17, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Over the next couple of weeks, lawmakers will put the finishing touches on the state's biennial budget. Already, the funding picture for public education is coming into focus-and not everybody likes what they see. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on how the ongoing struggle over school funding affects education, the economy, and the future.

Money Matters
May 18, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

How strong is the economy? Often, the answer to that question depends on who you ask. Macro-economists might look to unemployment, durable goods sales, or the stock market for clues as to the strength of the economy. Individuals are likely to see a strong economy in their own ability to pay their bills and save some money. According to many experts, both approaches have merit. As part of Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz looks at what our individual financial behavior says about the economy.

Graduation or Bust: The Economic Impact of High School Failure
May 4, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Graduation rates in the Cleveland city schools have gone up substantially in recent years, but have just now reached 50%. A handful of other mainly urban Ohio school districts are also struggling to graduate their students. As part of our ongoing series Making Change: Building the Region's Future, ideastream's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on what dropping out does to kids' prospects, and their community's future.

Raising the Innovators of the Future: Teaching Kids Entrepreneurship
April 20, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Some say you can gauge the strength of an economy by assessing its entrepreneurial spirit. So, how are we doing? As part of Making Change: Building the Region’s Future, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on efforts to grow a new generation of business owners.

Preschool and the Economy
April 6, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Few would argue that education is key to economic growth. The question is, where along the educational timeline does it make most sense to commit limited resources? As part of Making Change, ideastream’s Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on efforts to focus attention on the youngest learners.

Vocational Education Funding in Jeopardy
March 23, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

President Bush has proposed eliminating all federal funding for career and technical - also called vocational education. Such a move would have a devastating effect on the regional economy. But vocational education enjoys broad bipartisan support in Congress. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports on why vocational education inspires loyalty among Democrats and Republicans.

Restaurants Unite!
February 23, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

At least one industry is feeling optimistic about the economic outlook. The National Restaurant Association reports nearly half of their membership experienced an upswing in business in 2003. Still, that’s less than the majority of restaurants. Lately, independently-owned restaurants in Northeast Ohio have been grappling with a new challenge to their success. Many area restaurant owners have united in an effort to overcome this new hurdle. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on what the locals are cooking up.

Workplace for your Lifestyle
February 9, 2005 @ 7:35 am and 9:10 am on 90.3

Governor Taft delivered his state of the state yesterday in Columbus, with an emphasis on helping big business. It's doubtful that the Governor's plans called for changing the workplace to make it more fun - but that's exactly what some northeast Ohio businesses are doing to have greater appeal to the younger worker. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on a management trend that makes work a lot more fun, profitable and appealing to the twenty-something worker.

What Brain Drain?
January 19, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

There are two little words heard about Northeast Ohio that seem to scare people: Brain Drain. The phrase is uttered every time a young, educated person leaves the region. The fear is that if enough people head out, then Northeast Ohio will lose any competitive edge it has. But there are signs that the drain is backing up. According to the Census, the greater Cleveland area actually saw a 0.5% population gain of people between 25 and 34. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on why some young adults are going against the stream and what that could mean for our economy.

Leadership New Style
January 5, 2005 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Northeast Ohio is in a state of change, but who will lead after those changes take hold? Some are concerned that there isn’t much high quality talent lining up to guide Northeast Ohio in the decades to come. But ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports there may be plenty waiting to take the reigns – they just don’t resemble the kind of leaders the region is accustomed to, and many of them are off the radar. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, Shula reports on an emerging style of leadership.

See also: Craig James Interview [Web Exclusive Interview]