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Morning
News Archives
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| June 2001 |
The Master
Plan For Cleveland Schools
The Cleveland Municipal School District is winding down its initial assessment
of its 22 school buildings. That's the first stage in developing a strategy
for how to spend more than $800 million from the recently passed bond
issue and state match to refurbish schools. One state official says the
assessment process will likely stretch into July, beyond the June 30th
target originally set by by Cleveland Schools CEO Barbara Byrd Bennett.
In the grand scheme, though, that's a minor delay. Talks on developing
a master plan for rebuilding schools won't begin in earnest until the
fall. And there are some unresolved issues. 90.3
WCPN®'s Bill Rice reports. Aired June 29, 2001
Fish Advisories
- Is It Safe to Eat the Fish?
It's fishing season on Lake Erie and other Ohio waterways. Time to get
your lures and lines in order - or make reservations for that Friday night
fish fry. Many doctors say fish is brain food, high in protein and low
in fat. But did you know that eating too much fish could be bad for you?
Every year Ohio publishes fish consumption advisories, designed to help
you decide just how many meals of fish a week are safe for you and your
family. Some environmentalists say the advisories don't go far enough.
90.3 WCPN®'s
Karen Schaefer reports. Aired June 28, 2001
Enforcing Environmental
Laws
A government lawyer from the Cleveland area is turning the tables on his
employer - he's suing the U.S. Department of Justice. Assistant US Attorney
Gregory Sasse claims the Justice Department discriminated against him
as he tried to uphold Federal Environmental laws. His hearing is scheduled
to begin later this morning. 90.3
WCPN®'s Janet Babin has the story. Aired June 26, 2001
Giving Homeless
Shelters New Life
This week, two lease agreements for the site of two shelters for the homeless
will expire. One program was for women, the other for the mentally ill
and homeless people. For months Cuyahoga County and Catholic Charities
claim to have been negotiating the terms of the contract with the buildings
owner Care Alliance. But there was little movement – until now. Last
night the pleas for an extension of the lease agreements proved to be
somewhat successful. Care Alliance offered to allow the women's program
to continue in their building for another month while they consider a
request for a year-long extension. At this hour Catholic Charities has
yet to agree. The other building, which was used as a safe haven for mentally
ill and homeless people, will be signed over to Cuyahoga County. 90.3
WCPN®'s Tarice Sims reports on this 11th hour decision that still
has some of the homeless in limbo. Aired June 26, 2001
Transportation
In Cleveland: How Public vs. Private Transportation Affects Daily Life
The future of Northeast Ohio rests with how well we can move goods
and people in the 21st century. A transportation summit was recently held
called "Moving Toward 2025." Among the topics covered at the conference
was public transportation. The experts say the area is in relatively good
shape. But the ability to move around is actually a problem in itself.
How we travel is also having a big impact on the way we behave outside
of our cars. Mike
West has this report. Aired June 22, 2001
Transportation
In Cleveland: How Public vs. Private Transportation Affects Daily Life
The future of Northeast Ohio rests with how well we can move
goods and people in the 21st century. A transportation summit was recently
held called "Moving Toward 2025." Among the topics covered at the conference
was public transportation. The experts say the area is in relatively good
shape. But the ability to move around is actually a problem in itself.
How we travel is also having a big impact on the way we behave outside
of our cars. Mike
West has this report. Aired June 22, 2001
Tracking the West
Nile Virus
Public Health departments in Northeast Ohio have had their hands
full recently, contending with tainted water wells and outbreaks of meningitis.
This week's return of summer brings with it the possibility of another
health concern. Officials are preparing for the possibility of a mosquito-borne
disease that's heading our way from the East Coast. 90.3's
David C. Barnett reports. Aired June 20, 2001
The Making of
"Welcome to Collinwood"
Filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo are hard at work cutting together
"Welcome to Collinwood", the film they shot this spring in Cleveland.
This love-letter to the down-and-out took 42 days to shoot. Those weeks
may go down in history as the coldest and wettest spring in living memory,
but they were also a very exciting time for the film crew, and the folks
who got to see them on location. So, what's it like on the set of a feature
film? 90.3's April
Baer spent some time on the set, observing the small army of technicians,
actors, and support people who came to town. Aired June 20, 2001
Ohio Archaeology,
Part II: Sheriden Cave
Indian Mounds, a reconstructed Native village, a Civil War prison,
and museums around the state will be open for special programs through
this weekend as part of the second annual Ohio Archaeology Week. Organizers
hope to give the public a deeper understanding of Ohio's prehistory, especially
that of its earliest residents, who came to North America across the Bering
land bridge more than 10,000 years ago. At a site in western Ohio, researchers
are still sifting through the evidence of one of the state's richest -
and oldest - finds. As 90.3's
Karen Schaefer reports, Sheriden Cave is a time capsule of life at
the end of the Ice Age. Aired June 20, 2001
Ohio Archaeology,
Part I: Summer Field School
Ever have a hankering to follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones? Well,
now you can. This week at sites around the state, archaeologists are inviting
the public to participate in some hands-on activities that let you be
the scientist. As part of Ohio Archaeology Week, the Cleveland Museum
of Natural History will hold an Archaeology Day this Saturday, where you
can watch a demonstration of flint-knapping or learn to cast an ancient
spear thrower called an atlatl. But for those who crave the real, dirt-grubbing
experience, there's a special opportunity available through the museum
every summer. That's a field school, where anyone can join a team of excavators
on an archaeological dig. 90.3's
Karen Schaefer brings us this report from a prehistoric village site
in Independence.
LTV Steel Shutdown
For the first time in 90 years, LTV Steel's West Side Mill lies dormant.
Early Saturday morning, workers produced what may be the very last slab
of steel to ever come out of the plant. The company closed the operation
as part of its restructuring plan, leaving 900 steelworkers without jobs.
But still, the future of the workers is not certain. While LTV, its creditors
and the union continue negotiations today involving pensions and health
benefits for its workers and retirees, there's a new twist to the talks.
A deal was struck the night before the plant's shutdown that will keep
the furnaces on, allowing for a possible revitalization of the mill. During
a rally that was meant for saying good-bye, the news of the deal was cause
for celebration. 90.3's
Janet Babin and Renita Jablonski captured the stories and sounds as
workers gathered in the mill's old parking lot on a day full of mixed
emotions. Aired June 18, 2001
Urban vs. Suburban
Schools
Tomorrow is the deadline for the general assembly to present evidence
in support of its school funding proposal to the Ohio Supreme Court. But,
not all school systems are happy with the final product, saying the plan
favors suburban schools more than urban school districts. Not only that,
but because of the unfavorable feedback from area schools, some legislators
are afraid that they may have to start building a new funding plan from
scratch. 90.3's Tarice
Sims reports. Aired June 14, 2001
The Future of School
Funding, Part 2
The state General Assembly has until Friday to file briefs defending its
new school funding remedy with the Ohio Supreme Court. In DeRolph vs.
the State of Ohio, the seven justices had found the current system to
be unconstitutional. Next week the court will hear testimony from both
sides in the case as to whether this latest funding fix - which includes
a $1.4 billion boost for public education - meets or does not meet constitutional
requirements. Yesterday we traced the DeRolph case from its original filing
in 1991, through two Supreme Court Rulings, to its present status. 90.3
WCPN®'s Bill Rice picks it up there, in part two of our story.
Aired June 12, 2001
The Future of School
Funding, Part 1
The funding of public schools in Ohio has gone through many legal battles
lately, trying to find an appropriate resolution to the problem. 90.3
WCPN®'s Bill Rice looks back on the DeRolph lawsuit that took
the school funding issue all the way to the state's highest court. Aired
June 12, 2001
New 401(k) Study
It started in 1978 as paragraph "401" of the Internal Revenue Code.
Now 401(k) tax deferred retirement plans total in the billions, and could
be growing. Part of President Bush's $1.3 trillion tax cut raises 401(k)
retirement plans and similar pension program increases the amount of tax-deferred
savings to $15,000 by 2006. But a new study suggests some people would
be better off reducing their 401 retirement savings. 90.3's
Janet Babin reports. Aired June 8, 2001
Holding School
Accountable
If school funding is the top education issue on Ohio's agenda, then
school accountability surely runs a close second. It's is one tier of
a national school reform movement that's grown and matured over the last
decade, and it will be the focus later today of a roundtable forum to
be broadcast on 90.3 WCPN®. There's much disagreement over accountability
standards, and just how accountable schools can and should be held for
teaching kids to read, write, do math, and think critically. 90.3's
Bill Rice reports. Aired June 6, 2001
Becoming a Beekeeper
Honey bees are nature's pollinators. In addition to providing us
with honey, they help pollinate most of our food crops. But wild honey
bee populations are largely extinct, so people have been giving Mother
Nature a hand. Nowadays anytime we smell a flower, eat an apple, or even
grill a steak, it's not bees we have to thank, but beekeepers. A program
in Lorain County has been teaching hundreds of people how to become beekeepers.
90.3's Karen Schaefer
has this report. Aired June 5, 2001
Blocking Foreign
Steel
During the past 4 years, steel executives and labor leaders have
begged the government to block the amount of steel flowing into the U.S.
They point to imports as the reason behind thousands of layoffs in the
Greater Cleveland area and elsewhere in the region. Now the Bush administration
has decided to get more involved -- but it could too little, too late
for some companies. Mike
West reports. Aired June 5, 2001
The Need
For Minority Mentors
Big Brothers/Big Sisters program has quite a challenge this month.
Their goal is to recruit 50 minority mentors by June 30th. And after nearly
a month of trying, they're only half way there. The shortage of minority
male mentors has hundreds of boys looking for role models. Recruiters
have launched campaign to get the word out that mentors are needed. Because
being a big brother can offer benefits for both people involved. And in
Cleveland there is crying need for more of these types of relationships.
90.3's Tarice
Sims tells the story of how Big Brothers/Big Sisters is trying to
fill the void. Aired June 4, 2001
Bush Energy Plan
and Ohio's Nuclear Power
Increased production of electricity is a centerpoint of President
Bush's national energy policy. In addition to encouraging the building
of new natural gas and coal-fired plants, the policy also calls for a
reconsideration of the nuclear industry and its potential for increasing
the nation's electricity supply. But critics here in Ohio say Bush's plan
doesn't address the problems the state already has with its existing nuclear
power. 90.3's Karen
Schaefer reports. Aired June 1, 2001
| May 2001 |
PUCO Schedules Public
Hearings for Proposed Telephone Rules
The state of Ohio is in the process of changing the rules for local
phone service. The proposed rules would freeze the price of basic service,
but other phone services could be raised. The Ohio Consumer's Council
and at least one senior citizen's group feels the new regulations would
lead to higher prices. The future of local phone service in Ohio is the
subject of a series or public hearings being held throughout the state
right now. Click here for
more on the meetings. Aired May 31, 2001
Radio Traficant
Congressional maverick James Traficant, Jr. was indicted in April
on federal charges for alleged illegal activities in his homebase of Youngstown.
Traficant faced similar accusations in 1983 and emerged victorious in
a high profile trial. 90.3's
David C. Barnett reports on how this master of the sound bite has
used the media to maintain a folk hero status in his home district. Aired
May 31, 2001
Summer Brings
Ozone Concerns
With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer can't be too far away.
But along with backyard barbeques and trips to the beach, summer can also
bring high ozone days, days when you're not supposed to gas up your car
until after sunset. High ozone can cause breathing difficulties for seniors
and people with respiratory problems. It can also trigger asthma attacks
in children and adults. But did you know that even low levels of ozone
can affect the quality of life for sensitive populations? 90.3's
Karen Schaefer brings us this primer on ozone. Aired May 29, 2001
The Healing
Power of Plants: Horticultural Therapy
Have you ever noticed that you feel more relaxed or less stressed
after spending time working in your yard or garden? Chances are you're
harvesting the benefits of horticultural therapy. Horticulture has been
used as a therapeutic tool for centuries. Work in the garden was prescribed
as treatment for mental illness even before psychiatry became a science.
At the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, about a half-hour east of Cleveland,
a horticultural therapy program has emerged that's the only kind like
it in the country. 90.3's
Renita Jablonski had a chance to sit in and watch the healing power
of plants at work.
Mike White Vs.
The Plain Dealer
This week has been full of surprises at Cleveland City Hall. The
biggest is that 3-term mayor, Michael White, will not run for re-election.
While some speculate that the pressures of public life have taken their
toll on the mayor, Cleveland's longest serving top official is showing
no sign of fatigue in his long simmering fight with Cleveland's daily
newspaper. The dispute between the mayor and the Plain Dealer remains
strong, even with the end of White's tenure in sight. 90.3's
April Baer reports. Aired May 25, 2001
Making Room
For Breast Cancer Funding
Today the state budget will be debated on the floor of Ohio Senate. The
budget has already been adjusted several times as policy makers juggle
funding priorities around public schools. Although many programs have
suffered cuts, one of the latest adds to funding plan is money for breast
and cervical cancer care. Now, the women suffering from these types of
cancer wait for word that the budget proposal has passed, making their
struggle, at least financially, a little easier. 90.3's
Tarice Sims reports. Aired May 23, 2001
Tremont
Air Pollution
Tremont residents have been complaining recently about poor air quality.
In response, the City of Cleveland's Environment Division set up a 15-day
monitoring system. Tremont is located in Cleveland City Councilman Joe
Cimperman's Ward 13. He's introducing legislation to beef up enforcement
of air pollution laws, but it's not likely the mayor will sign it. 90.3's
Janet Babin reports. Aired May 21, 2001
Ohio's Nuclear
Power Industry
Today a White House task force led by Vice President Dick Cheney unveils
the Bush administration's new national energy policy. The plan is expected
to call for more energy conservation, while increasing the nation's commitment
to oil and gas production and stepping up the creation of new power plants.
Earlier this week, Cheney announced that some of those plants should be
nuclear. Currently 20% of the nation's energy comes from nuclear sources.
But a recent poll shows that Americans -- even in California -- are still
strongly opposed to nuclear energy. 90.3's
Karen Schaefer gives us this look at Ohio's nuclear power industry.
Aired May 17, 2001
Dike 14 Free
From Dredge
Cleveland's Dike 14 on Lake Erie will remain a migratory bird haven, at
least for now. Environmental groups were concerned that the makeshift
wildlife sanctuary would be covered in sludge. 90.3's
Janet Babin reports. Aired May 16, 2001
The Tower Press
Building Debate
Cleveland City Council will consider an ordinance later today that could
make or break a $10 million downtown renovation project. The provision
would lease a parking lot to the developers for $1 per year. Some council
members don't have a problem with the parking deal, but they might vote
against it anyway. They're upset that the city-funded project will employ
non-union laborers and pay sub-standard wages. 90.3's Janet
Babin explains. Aired May 15, 2001
The "Straight
Release" Problem: Lack of Jail Space Sees Criminals Walk Free
Around 7,000 alleged criminals were "straight released" last year, a policy
which for the arrest, booking and then release of certain criminals back
into society sometimes within a matter of hours. Although this policy
isn't new to Cleveland, some city officials just found out a less than
two months ago. 90.3's
Tarice Sims reports. Aired May 16, 2001
Sane Enough
to Die: Mental Health and the Death Penalty
Jay Scott's attorneys have been trying for weeks to convince the courts
that conditions on death row have destroyed Scott's mind. They claim he
is too mentally ill to be executed. 90.3's
April Baer explains. Aired May 15, 2001
Cleveland's Hotel
Boom
The number of hotel rooms in northeast Ohio is increasing. But
tourism industry leaders say a glut of rooms could lead to job losses
and eventually hotel failures. Meanwhile, a new hotel has just opened
in downtown Cleveland. The building is also bringing a surge of new retail
shops to the heart of the city. 90.3
WCPN®'s Mike West explores whether the new businesses will satisfy
demand, or if they'll be another mouth to feed, hungry for tourist dollars.
Aired May 11, 2001
Free-Market
Schools: New Programs Give Alternatives to Public Schools
While school vouchers, charter schools, and home schooling are offering
new choices to parents, they're also stirring up plenty of controversy.
90.3's Renita Jablonski
has more on school choice in northeastern Ohio. Aired May 10, 2001
Ward 14 Election
Year Profile
An interesting city council race is brewing on Cleveland's near west side,
where prosperity has left several historic neighborhoods at a crossroads.
Nelson Cintron, Cleveland's first and only Hispanic councilman, is defending
his seat from challenger Joe Santiago. Cintron's first term in ward 14
has been a time of renewal and prosperity for neighborhoods like Ohio
City, Clark-Fulton, and Tremont. But at the same time Cintron's made some
enemies, as the citywide debate over urban renewal continues. 90.3's
April Baer reports. Aired May 8, 2001
Studying the Human
Ancestors: Interviews with Dr. Donald Johanson
The discoverer of "Lucy" was in Cleveland recently to talk about his latest
work on human origins. Dr. Donald Johanson is one of the world's most
famous paleoanthropologists. His work in the Afar region of Ethiopia in
the 1970's led to the discovery of a new species of human ancestor. The
3.2 million-year-old skeleton popularly known as Lucy was a kind of missing
link that radically changed our understanding of human evolution. But
discoveries of human ancestors in Africa are still continuing. Maeve Leakey's
recent find of an even older hominid species has led to new speculations
about the human family tree. 90.3's
Karen Schaefer spoke with Dr. Johanson about this changing picture
of human beginnings. He shares his views on the new finds and reveals
what he still hopes to discover. Aired May 7, 2001
Kent State -- Cost
of Freedom
Thirteen seconds of gunfire on this date, thirty-one years ago, turned
a quiet Middle-American university in Kent Ohio into a symbol of student
rebellion against the establishment. In recent weeks, a new controversy
at Kent State has pitted students against each other -- in the name of
free speech. 90.3's
David C. Barnett reports. Aired May 4, 2001
Lubrizol's
Low-Emissions Diesel Fuel
If you've ever been caught in traffic behind a truck or a city bus, you
know firsthand about the noxious black exhaust of diesel-powered engines.
Diesel exhaust contains both nitrous oxide and particulate matter, two
pollutants the U.S. EPA wants to reduce over the next few years. New technologies
such as cleaner-burning diesel engines and pollution filters can help
reduce these emissions, but at a price. A new low-emissions diesel fuel
developed by a Cleveland company could reduce pollution from the first
fill-up, but the EPA hasn't yet approved the fuel for use. 90.3's
Karen Schaefer tells us why. Aired May 3, 2001
New School
Helps Autistic Children
Last year the Ohio Board of Education diagnosed over 2,100 children
with autism. Recently a new school specifically for Autistic Children
opened in Cleveland, offering another approach to teaching these special
needs kids. For the parents who started this school with the Cleveland
Clinic the last few months have been able to watch and experience with
their children the benefits and limitations of this school. 90.3's
Tarice Sims reports. Aired May 2, 2001
School Levies
Aim to Fund Better Education
The Ohio Supreme Court ruling that ordered lawmakers to find a way to
fund public education more equitably has created a rift in state government.
Some Democrats interpret the court's decision as a demand for dramatic
change in a tax structure deeply rooted in Ohio history. And they see
Republican Governor Bob Taft and the GOP-controlled legislature resisting
such change with all they can muster. The struggle could conceivably play
out over several more years. And while local school officials know a solution
could affect their own tax situations, they aren't waiting around for
one. School levies are business-as-usual in some communities holding special
elections one week from today. 90.3's
Bill Rice reports. Aired May 1, 2001
| April 2001 |
Domestic
Violence Homicides on Rise
Numbers released in a new study paint a startling picture of domestic
violence in Cuyahoga County. A report shows that homicides related to
domestic violence increased by nearly 50% over the last three years. But
some domestic violence experts say the statistics are only a small part
of a much bigger picture. 90.3's
Renita Jablonski reports. Aired April 30, 2001
Airport
Expansion Runs Amuck - Again
Cleveland's long wait for regulatory approval to expand Cleveland Hopkins
International Airport may finally be coming to an end. An Army Corps of
Engineers Biologist has been in Cleveland these past few days looking
at the proposed expansion site. City officials say they'll break ground
on the new runway right after the Corps approves the project. But environmentalists
and other groups are doing everything they can to stop the city from moving
forward with its plan. 90.3's
Janet Babin reports. Aired April 27, 2001
The Politics of Clean Air Environmentalists say Americans are more concerned than ever about the quality of the air we breathe. A sharp rise in asthma and worries about smog and lingering industrial pollution have drawn the attention of many people in Cleveland to the health risks associated with air pollution. But this heightened awareness comes at a time when many environmentalists accuse the new administration in Washington of dragging its feet on issues like global warming and CO2 emissions. Republicans like Ohio Senator George Voinovich say their new proposals will help us move ahead on cleaning up the environment, but others aren't so sure. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report on the shifting politics of clean air. Aired April 26, 2001
Teen
Foster Care Improvement
In Cleveland a 2-year old boy died of head injuries while in the
custody of his foster mother. Stories of abuse and violence shock communities,
and for some people those images make foster children appear to be damaged
-- or too needy to be a part of a "normal" family. That image plagues
teens in foster care more than other kids. The older you are, the more
baggage you might bring. So two years ago the federal government intervened
to help teens without families make it on their own. And as 90.3's
Tarice Sims reports, advocates in Cuyahoga County are pushing for
more financial support to better the lives of teens in foster care. Aired
April 25, 2001
BCCNS-Afflicted Gather at First-Ever Retreat It's a condition that can have more than 100 different manifestations in a patient's body, from dozens of cancerous skin lesions to mental retardation. Basal Cell Carcinoma Nevus Syndrome affects one in 64,000 people in the world. This weekend BCCNS sufferers and their families found comfort in knowing they're not alone. 90.3's Renita Jablonski spent time at the nation's first-ever BCCNS Support Network spring retreat -- right here in northeast Ohio. Aired April 25, 2001
The Study of Prehistoric Man: Interviews with Dr. Donald Johanson
The discoverer of "Lucy" was in Cleveland last week to talk about
his latest work on human origins. Dr. Donald Johanson is America's most
famous paleoanthropologist. In 1974 he discovered the 3.2 million-year-old
hominid skeleton in Ethiopia -- popularly known as Lucy -- that radically
changed the scientific understanding of early human evolution. 90.3's
Karen Schaefer talked to Dr. Johanson about his work. Aired April
23, 2001
Steel Mill Clean-Up Issues Yesterday we heard about what happens to the economy -- and to people's lives -- when a steel mill shuts down. What we didn't hear was how the closure of a major industrial site affects the physical environment. Who will oversee clean up after LTV's west side mill closes? And how can that site be turned into land that attracts new businesses? 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report on what happened in another community -- and what could happen here. Aired April 20, 2001
Saving the Steel Industry The steel industry is in trouble. For at least the last three years industry leaders have warned of the current crisis. The situation has now exploded, leaving factory shut-downs and lost jobs in its wake. The list of reasons for the trouble are as long as the unemployment lines many steel workers are now facing. Today some experts doubt that American steel can or should survive. Mike West looks at what's being done to save an industry with deep roots in Cleveland. Aired April 19, 2001
Lastest School Funding Plan Unveiled State leaders continue to negotiate a plan for funding Ohio's public schools. The government has until June 15th to come up with a funding proposal that will satisfy a state Supreme Court mandate to provide an adequate education to all school children. The latest in a string of proposals was unveiled last week in Columbus. Some say that, just as others before it, this plan leaves unanswered questions -- like how to pay for it and will more money solve the problem. 90.3's Tarice Sims reports. Aired April 18, 2001
A New Beginning: Sudanese Refugees Make Home in Cleveland It's a journey that started in 1983 when 25,000 children had to run from the civil war taking over their homes in the Sudan. The children, mostly boys, walked thousands of miles before finally finding safety at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. By that time the trip, covering an area half the size of Western Europe, had killed more than 20,000. Now the survivors face a different challenge -- to begin a new life in the United States. Nearly 3,800 Sudanese refugees are being resettled in the U.S. and 40 will make a home in Cleveland. 90.3's Renita Jablonski introduces us to this special group. Aired April 16, 2001
Stressful Days May Be Linked to Office Noise When was the last time you were able to quietly work at your office desk, without overhearing phones, printers and colleagues? If it's been a while, chances are you could be harming your health. Researchers have known for years that loud noises like airports negatively impact some human activities, but 90.3's Janet Babin reports on a recent study that draws a correlation between low-level office noise and stress. Aired April 16, 2001
Predatory Lending in Cleveland: Sub-Prime Lending Creates Huge Debts Hide your valuables -- there's a predator on the loose in Cleveland. According to the latest data compiled by the Metropolitan Strategy group, Cleveland ranks #1 in the nation for predatory loan applications in minority neighborhoods. It's a form of sub-prime lending which, 10 years ago, opened the door for people with less than perfect credit to qualify for a mortgage or re-financing. These loans have been blamed for creating large debts for homeowners and dramatically decreasing property values. But the laws that were put in place to monitor this form of lending have loopholes that allow some mortgage brokers to manipulate consumers. 90.3's Tarice Sims reports on how this recent problem has grown and what state and local government plans to do about it. Aired April 11, 2001
Environmental Edition: Wolf Creek Center Every April for the past three decades Americans have celebrated their concern for the environment with Earth Day. Some of the most important components of the day are activities for children that teach them about our relationship to the natural world. But environmental education goes on all year long in classrooms, laboratories, and -- most especially -- on field trips where kids get hands-on experience experts say is vital to their understanding. At a new nature preserve in Medina County, that learning will continue long after school lets out. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired April 12, 2001
Alternative Teacher Licensing: Filling the Teaching Gaps Across the State Ohio is beefing up its teaching standards to meet rising demands for higher quality education in public schools. At the same time, though, a growing shortage of teachers has some working to loosen standards to attract more to the field. Some states, including Ohio, have devised ways around rigorous teaching prerequisites for those with special expertise needed in classrooms. There's disagreement on whether such provisions are a good thing, and whether they really attract any good teachers. 90.3's Bill Rice reports. Aired April 10, 2001
The Diversity of Cleveland Heights During a report on the 2000 Census, we told you that the city of Cleveland Heights lost residents over the past decade, and the city's disputing that. But the census figures released last month also shed light on the ethnic makeup of the city. 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired April 9, 2001
A New Life for Erie County's Edison Woods A year and a half ago, we first visited a unique habitat in northern Ohio that was up for sale. Today, that property is a brand-new nature preserve. Edison Woods in Erie County near Sandusky is the 1,400 acre remnant of a vast wetland forest that once covered much of the southern shores of Lake Erie. When the property was offered for purchase, Erie Metroparks was eager to buy it. A November ballot issue to pay for the park failed to pass. But through a new program of the Ohio EPA, Edison Woods is now the latest jewel in the Erie Metroparks' crown. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired April 5, 2001
Cleveland Heights Census Shows Population Drop: City in Danger of Losing Some Fed Funding According to the latest census figures, Cleveland Heights is few dozen people short of 50,000. The number is important, because the federal government uses it as a cutoff point to dole out funding. The inner ring city is fighting back, hoping to prove that the numbers are wrong. 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired April 4, 2001
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