Regional News Stories Archive: December 2003

Reaction to Steel Tariffs in Cleveland
Originally aired Thursday, December 4, 2003
President George W. Bush has just made the decision to lift tariffs on steel imports. The tariffs were imposed in the spring of 2001, much to the relief of steel interests here in Ohio. The move is credited with helping International Steel Group put the former LTV steel plant in Cleveland back into production, and propping up the steel industry as a whole. But just as opinions vary nationwide on the tariffs, so do they here in Northeast Ohio as well. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

End-of-the-Year Tax Concerns: Your Questions Answered!
Originally aired Friday, December 5, 2003
Got enough to do? December tends to be a hectic month for a lot of people. But spend an hour with us and we'll save you some work on your taxes. Accounting expert Kathy Seitz Watson was in our studios to take your calls about end-of-the-year tax issues. Some changes in the tax code might require attention long before April 15th, and there's no reason to wait to get your questions answered. Take a listen to the show!

Making Change:  TeamNEO Proof Positive of Regional Cooperation
Originally aired Wednesday, December 10, 2003
TeamNEO is up and running. The region's new economic booster's first executive director took the helm last month and is taking a crash course in the local economy. Many see TeamNEO as proof that regional cooperation is possible in Northeast Ohio - something many economists and civic activists say is needed. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on this first high-profile regional effort.

Curbside Recycling Trashed
Originally aired Tuesday, December 16, 2003
The recent announcement that the City of Cleveland can no longer afford curbside recycling means that many of those bottles and cans will now be going into the trash. However, the last landfill in Cuyahoga County is expected to close sometime next year. So the losers in all of this may be residents of Stark, Lorain and other surrounding counties who have open landfills in their back yards. ideastream's Karen Schaefer reports.

Focus on Gerontology, Part 1: Not Enough Care to Go Around
Originally aired Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Ohio, like most states, isn't fully equipped to deal with the needs of its older residents. Ohio already is among the nation's top ten states with the highest number of adults age 65 and older. Aging specialists say there are simply not enough doctors to care for seniors. ideastream's Renita Jablonski takes a look at the challenges of providing services to the state's fastest growing population.

Focus on Gerontology, Part 2: Turning Students to Geriatrics
Originally aired Thursday, December 18, 2003
As providers of health care for the elderly attempt to cope with a shortage of doctors, the state's medical schools are trying to figure out ways to get more students in the classroom. ideastream's Renita Jablonski reports that opening up students' minds to even consider geriatrics is still easier than inspiring them to make a living at it.

Small Schools, Part 1: Smaller Learning Communities
Originally aired Monday, December 22, 2003
For years educators have been talking up the notion that smaller is better. That concept has typically referred to class size, but lately the focus has been more on entire schools - especially high schools. Most agree it's not practical for school districts to abandon their large high school buildings and build new, smaller ones, but a movement to create so-called "smaller learning communities" within existing schools is gaining momentum - with help from private money. Some hail the concept as a revolution in school reform. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Small Schools, Part 2: Teacher Apprehension High
Originally aired Tuesday, December 23, 2003
There's a move afoot that many say could be the most meaningful education reform idea to come along in decades. The typical American high school, the thinking goes, is too big, too impersonal, and allows too many students to fall anonymously through the cracks. And so, with money donated primarily by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ohio-based Knowledgeworks Foundation, several Ohio school districts are creating smaller, self contained high schools within single existing buildings. But as ideastream's Bill Rice explains, despite enthusiasm from top administrators for smaller schools, apprehension among some teachers is running high.

Making Change:  Growth Association Merger Hopes to Energize Cleveland Economy
Originally aired Wednesday, December 24, 2003
The Greater Cleveland Growth Association approved a resolution last week to begin consolidation with two other Northeast Ohio business groups. Combined with Cleveland Tomorrow and the Greater Cleveland Roundtable, the business community expects to increase its effectiveness at energizing Cleveland's economic climate. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on what expectations and reservations are forming around the new organization.

Reflections from Lakewood: A Talk with Mayor Madeline Cain
Originally aired Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Perhaps one of the most talked about stories out of northeast Ohio this year was the controversial West End Development project in Lakewood. It not only got major play in local headlines, but became a national fixation as well. Lakewood Mayor Madeline Cain was at the story's center: painted as a villain by some, and a hero by others. With only days left in office, Mayor Cain sat down with ideastream's Renita Jablonski and reflected on being the leader of one of Ohio's best-known suburbs.