Akron Fire Chief, Steven Kaut, described what his department's emergency service personnel encountered, when they responded to the scene of a mass shooting in East Akron, early Sunday morning. He also talks about how those first responders also experienced trauma, and what the City will be doing to help them deal with it.

Both candiates in the Barberton mayoral race, Megan Eberhart (0:00) and incumbent mayor Bill Judge (8:09), discussed their cases for the role with Ray.

Kent State University is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its Washington Program in National Issues this week, with a reception for current program participants and alumni at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on Thursday, April 27. As one of those alumni who had a life changing, and really positive experience with the program back when I was a student at Kent State; I was happy recently to talk about it with Political Science Professor, Dr. Mark Cassell, who is the Director of that program now.

Most people know what it is like to be in debt for things like a credit card purchases, car payments, and a mortgage. But there's another kind of debt that a number of people in our community are facing right now, that most people don't even know exists; court debt. Jeanne Destro recently talked to John Petit, who is Managing Attorney at Community Legal Aid in Akron, who tells us the "court debt spiral" is a growing problem. Find out why, and what we might be able to do about it.

From new business to a brand new state of the art playground near City Hall; good things are happening in Stow, according to Mayor, John Pribonic. Jeanne Destro talked to him recently, about what worked in 2022, and what's on the horizon this year.

There is a nationwide shortage of home health care workers, at the very same time as the number of elderly people who need them, is increasing. It is due, in part, to the increased need for care brought on by the pandemic, but mostly, according to Abby Morgan, CEO of Direction Home, Akron-Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, by the extremely low wages that are paid to those vitally needed workers. As a result, she's advocating for an increase in the amount of money the federal government allocates to Medicaid, which is the agency which most often pays for the workers who act as caregivers for low income elderly and disabled people. But what about all the other elderly residentsi n our area and around the country who are on Medicare, not Medicaid, and who may also have a private insurance supplemental or advantage plan? It turns out, Morgan tells us; they're mostly out of luck, as home health care is generally not covered by those plans, other than for a short while after a hospitalization. Find out why, and what can be done about it, as she talks about it with Jeanne Destro.

Akron's historic Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is open again for another season, with big events like their annual Father's Day Car Show, and AA Founder's Day Weekend, along with house and garden tours, Shakespeare plays, and more coming up now through the end of December. Jeanne Destro talked about the grand old mansion's history, as well as what's new for this year, with Stan Hywet Communications Director, Donna Spiegler. Listen now.

Kent State University is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their School of Fashion, and inducting internationally renowned fashion designer, Omar Salam, into their hall of fame. In a release on the University's website, Salam, who is the founder and creative director of fashion house, Sukeina, is described as "global, sophisticated, and highly respected." Salam spent most of his childhood traveling and living throughout Europe, and graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in fashion. In 2001, he started working for Sonia Rykiel in Paris and became visual director for the New York City office, spending seven years there until joining Christian Lacroix for two years in 2010. In 2012, Salam established his own fashion house called Sukeina after his late mother, meaning “bright light.” The designer plans to exhibit a selection of the Spring/Summer 2023 collection, titled "Cardinal," this spring at the Kent State University Museum, home of extraordinary collections of historic dress, fashion, textiles and decorative arts. A full exhibition of work will follow in January 2024. Jeanne Destro talked about the designer's influence on fashion, and Fashion Week activities that will be taking place on campus April 26-29, with Interim School of Fashion Director, Dr. Mourad Krifa. Listen now.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is pushing hard for schools throughout Ohio to return to teaching reading through the phonics method, as opposed to the "whole language" method, because data shows this is the path to better reading comprehension and results for young children. Jeanne Destro talked about it with Akron Public Schools Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Nicole Vitale, to find out how they do it at Akron Public Schools, and where they are in terms of making that the preferred method of teaching.

Do you have to get "set in your ways" as you age? Can you break bad habits and make positive changes? Yes you can! That's the word from Akron area Psychologist and Author, Dr. Toni Cooper. Listen now as Jeanne Destro talks with her about how to create positive changes that will make you feel better, and better about yourself.