Dear Ohio - Politics, Issues, and People

To many, book banning and burnings probably seem like an issue found in small towns in movies like Footloose, but since the publishing of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the 1880s, the banning of books has been a part of our society. Challenged classics, like To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men, to modern stories continue to face backlash from parents and organizations who want to implement their beliefs in schools.

Curtis Jackson speaks with Ashley Perez, literature professor at Ohio State University and author of the banned book, "Out Of Darkness," to talk about book banning and the effect that it's having on children in education.

State legislation requires all 88 counties to maintain a dog shelter, but in some instances, that is where the mandatory care for animals stops. Some people are hopeful, however, as individual municipalities are creating more animal care requirements and humane societies work for pet population control and humane treatment.

Guest host Mindy Drayer talks with Kellie Difrischia, Director of the Columbus Dog Connection; and Julie Mercer, of Pike Pet Pals, how the people of Ohio can help to care for pets across the state, how the cat overpopulation problem is "10 times worse" than dogs and how humane societies do not receive government funding.

Ohio voters continue to receive partisan and gerrymandered maps as a result of the process currently in place that puts state politicians in charge of the redistricting process. The first group of maps already were struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court and the second set are receiving objections.

Curtis Jackson speaks with multiple law and politics experts to discuss if a citizen panel, like the nationally-acclaimed one used in Michigan where panel members are vetted for no obvious political bias, is the way to go.

Johnny Carson is considered by many as the golden standard for what late night talk shows should be. Carson’s balance of comedy and politics and his style of hosting a top-rated late night comedy show is seen as very different from today's late-night stars, including Fallon, Kimmel and Colbert.

Curtis Jackson speaks with Brian Calfano, Spectrum News 1 contributor and journalism professor at the University of Cincinnati, to discuss Calfano’s latest research effort, an in-depth look at Carson’s work, giving a picture of how the nature of late night’s interface with political topics has changed in 50 years.

Ohio is being considered for the site of a large new semiconductor factory outside Columbus and is already home to Amazon fulfillment centers and dozens of tech-based startups and organizations.

Guest host Mike Kallmeyer speaks with Rep. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark), and other guests, to discuss technical talent attraction in Ohio and the climate that's been established to make Ohio friendly to workers in the ‘smart economy.’

COVID-19, politics, employment and more have caused one of the most stressful times many people have experienced during the past two years.

On this episode, guest host Mindy Drayer speaks with Ann Hurst, a licensed counselor in Columbus, to discuss stress and how to manage it amid an uninterrupted flow of COVID-19 variants, a new year and the winter season. They discuss keeping track of obligations while remaining aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder and how it impacts people during this time of year.

“Remember, remember the 5th of November — the gunpowder, treason and plot.” The British nursery rhyme recalls the foiled plot to destroy the House of Lords and assassinate King James I. Nov. 5 is celebrated by the British as the day the plot against the government and king failed.

On the first anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, the question is posed — how is the current health of the U.S. democracy? Curtis Jackson goes in-depth with several guests, including a state representative, former Ohio Democratic Party Chair and two professors of political science to see where our country has gone since.

Ohioans have seen a turbulent year in politics in 2021, involving the COVID-19 pandemic, gerrymandered redistricting and more.

Curtis Jackson visits with Gov. Mike DeWine to discuss a multitude of items that were in the news in 2021, and a look ahead to 2022. Jackson and DeWine discuss COVID-19, redistricting, the state of modern era politics DeWine's plans for running for a second term among other things.

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are traumatic experiences that can be divided into categories of abuse, neglect and household challenges. A study found a connection between exposure to ACEs and multiple risk factors in the leading causes of death in adults.

Curtis Jackson sits down with Spectrum News 1 political analyst and University of Cincinnati journalism professor Brian Calfano to discuss building resilient communities and how issues like violence affects families.

The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on three challenges to the redistricting and gerrymandering of Ohio's legislative districts that would ensure the GOP keeps a veto-proof supermajority at the Statehouse.

Curtis Jackson speaks in-depth with Steven Steinglass, professor emeritus from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, to analyze the comments from the Ohio Supreme Court pertaining to drawing legislative districts and whether the plans were drawn within the confines of the Ohio Constitution.

Legislation has been making waves as multiple states look to make localized decisions on items already decided federally, like abortion.

Curtis Jackson visits with Spectrum News Ohio political analyst Rory Riley-Topping to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. They discuss the ramifications of the case and what impacts it may have on other issues facing the court, as well as what types of precedents it could set.

Concerns about inflation, and the power of the mighty dollar, have been concerns for citizens and politicians alike. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about inflation continue to grow.

Curtis Jackson goes in-depth about inflation with Michael Goldberg, Association Professor of Design and Innovation at Case Western Reserve University. They explore the challenges with the supply chain, a partial history of inflation as it relates to today and pandemic-era concerns about unemployment. Goldberg said the biggest surprise for some analysts is the speed at which labor has disappeared, and the bleak number of workers available in the market.

Since Sen. Rob Portman’s announcement that he will not seek reelection for his seat in the U.S. Senate, a crowded race in the Republican primary to replace him has formed, with all but one candidate publicly desiring the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Curtis Jackson sits down for an in-depth interview with U.S. Senate candidate Jane Timken, a Republican from the Canton area, to ask about her views on critical issues facing Ohio voters, including her stances on Critical Race Theory, former President Donald Trump's endorsements and COVID-19, among other items.

Rep. Jim Jordan, OH-4, is releasing a new book called Do What You Said You Would Do: Fighting for Freedom in the Swamp. In the book, Jordan details how he rose to prominence on former President Donald Trump's radar and how the congressman pursued television news bookings with the understanding that anyone discussing matters relatable to the former president had an audience of one: Mr. Trump, himself.

Curtis Jackson speaks with Spectrum News 1 political reporter Taylor Popielarz to discuss Jordan’s use of the media and where his political future may lead.

Red wave rising? Ohio’s election on Nov. 4 turned out mostly as expected, with Mike Carey (R) winning a Congressional seat in OH-15 and Shontel Brown (D) winning in OH-11. However, across the country Republicans made a push that makes it appear likely the GOP could take back Congressional majority in 2022.

In this episode, Curtis Jackson speaks with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball, to discuss the current state of politics in America, Congressional races in Ohio, gerrymandering and its impact on politics across the Buckeye State and how the Ohio Supreme Court will have a major influence on it moving forward.

Election Day 2021 is still fresh on the minds of Ohio voters, but the campaign trail for 2022 is already in full swing, especially the attempts to win a seat in the U.S. Senate after Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced he would not seek another term.

Curtis Jackson talks with Spectrum News 1 political reporter Taylor Popielarz to discuss the upcoming 2022 U.S. Senate race in Ohio and what strategies the candidates are using to reach voters and receive endorsements.

Professor Steven Steinglass has participated on a commission in the modernization of the Ohio Constitution to review it and make recommendations to bring it current with modern times. He served as senior policy advisor, providing advice and guidance on working through the process. In 2017, the Ohio General Assembly ended the work of the commission, leaving behind a "research trove of documents and memoranda," which he hopes someday someone will use as a work product of the commission when they take another look.

In this episode, Curtis Jackson goes in-depth with Steinglass to analyze the Ohio Constitution and what makes it unique from the United States Constitution.

Spectrum News 1 has been focusing on the impact of climate change in advance of the United Nations meeting on the topic in Glasgow, Scotland at the end of October.

Spectrum News 1 anchor Curtis Jackson discusses climate change with Bryan Mark, Director of the State Climate Office of Ohio, about how climate change is impacting the Buckeye State.

Mike Kallmeyer guest hosts this episode of Dear Ohio, introducing Dear Ohio listeners to Spectrum News 1's flagship public affairs program, In Focus. He delves deep into criminal justice reform.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed several bills last year, which took effect this year and serve as a patchwork for reforming Ohio's criminal justice system. Kallmeyer discusses with his guests the virtues and pitfalls of reforming the way Ohio provides justice for victims and incarcerates or rehabilitates offenders.

Sports betting legislation is being considered at the Ohio Statehouse. In this episode, Curtis Jackson discusses the matter with James Kahler, Executive Director of the Center for Sports Administration at Ohio University. They discuss the progress of sports betting legislation, how it will impact Ohio's sports venues and teams, and previous cases of sports betting scandals including Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose and former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter.