Morning News Archives
July - September 2000

• September 2000
• August 2000
• July 2000

Racing to Beat the Welfare Clock The welfare deadline is fast approaching. On October 1st, thousands of welfare recipients in Ohio will lose their benefits. They are the ones that have been on the public dole for at least three years. Most have already received their last check and a termination letter from the state. Many people are already on the way to becoming self-sufficient, but other barriers, such as not speaking English, are still a major concern. 90.3 WCPN®'s Tarice Sims reports on how a local Hispanic woman is working to overcome the hurdles in the race to beat the welfare clock. Aired September 26, 2000

3-Year Welfare Limit Ready to Expire: The Next Steps For Those About to Leave Welfare: In just six days the first in a wave of Ohio's poor will lose their welfare benefits. Reforms enacted in 1997 limit welfare recipients to three years of cash benefits, after which they must find some other means of financial support. Those three years are up October 1st for people who have continually received monthly checks since the law took effect. Some still have no way to replace that lost income. In the first of two reports, 90.3's Bill Rice looks at what the government has in mind for those who still aren't ready for the end of welfare as we know it. Aired September 25, 2000

AIDS and the Hispanic Community: Social Stigmas Hurt Those Most In Need of Help: There's a growing problem within Cleveland's Hispanic community. Drug abuse among Latinos has led to an increase in the reported number of AIDS cases. In fact, according to the Cleveland Free Clinic, about 19% of the clients who use the needle exchange program are Hispanic, up 10% from just two years ago. But social stigmas within the community are hurting those that are most in need of help. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports. Aired September 21, 2000

Hispanic Leadership in the Community: New Program Trains Future Latino Leaders: While Hispanic population is growing in Ohio, it hasn't kept pace with representation in state government or decision-making roles among the area's corporations. The city and county of Lorain has the second largest number of Latinos in the state, outside of Cleveland. And their work to become a united political and economic front, while not easy, is beginning to reap some rewards. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on what some community leaders are doing to have their say when it comes to public policy. Aired September 21, 2000

Taking Lakefront Development to the Streets: White Administration Begins Holding Public Meetings About Project: Last night Cleveland Mayor Mike White's administration held a public meeting on its proposed Lakefront Development Project. It was one of five such meetings to be held around the Cleveland metropolitan area this week. About 40 Cleveland residents turned out at the Slovenian National home in the city's St. Clair Superior neighborhood. 90.3's Bill Rice was there and filed this report. Aired September 20, 2000

Drug-Resistant Bacteria On the Rise: Overuse of Antibiotics In Animals May Be a Cause: Scientists are worried that overuse of antibiotics is speeding the development of drug-resistant bacteria, and are calling for more scrutiny of when and how they are used. One target is the livestock industry which routinely administers low levels of antibiotics to hogs, poultry and cattle, a practice deemed by some to be unnecessary. Livestock industry advocates say farmers have already cut back on such usage, but they oppose a bill introduced in Congress that would make such cutbacks mandatory. 90.3's Bill Rice reports. Aired September 18, 2000

You're not in Kansas Anymore...: In honor of the 2000 Cleveland Air Show, 90.3's April Baer checked out a leisurely way to fly, with Bill and Sandy Cloninger of LTA Aviation. This Chagrin Falls couple has been ballooning for 11 years, ferrying customers from their home to a balloon launch site at the Geauga County fairgrounds. Listen to the whole story as April leaves the earth and gives us the bird's eye view. Aired September 18, 2000

New Environmental Center Creates Waves: Oberlin's Lewis Center Gains International Attention:A remarkable new classroom for sustainable living will be dedicated today at Oberlin College. The Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies is much more than an energy-efficient building. Designers say its mission is to change the way we think about our place in the natural world. Already a ripple effect has begun. Just months into its operation, the new building is attracting national and international attention from businesses, architects, and educators - and even the federal government. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired September 15, 2000

Making Multiple Trips to Juvenile Detention: Does Lack of Structure Hinder Juvenile Reform Process?: The juvenile correctional system in Ohio professes to have a structured environment to help reform youth offenders. But throughout the state a large number of teens aren't being reformed their first time in lock up. Some believe the lack of structure outside those walls causes them to fall again and again. Infohio's Tarice Sims reports. Aired September 14, 2000

The Legacy of House Bill 920: How It Has Affected School Funding: Ever since the State Supreme Court ruled that Ohio's reliance on property taxes to fund public schools was unconstitutional, lawmakers have struggled to devise a substitute system. Some observers mconnect this financial dilemma to the legacy of a law created by George Voinovich, back in the mid-1970s. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports that, depending on who you talk to, House Bill 920 is one of the greatest - or the worst - things that ever happened to school funding in Ohio. Aired September 12, 2000

Keeping Cleveland's Neighborhoods Beautiful: Cleveland Fix-up Fund Help Owners Maintain Their Homes : Lately the publicity surrounding the state of housing in Cleveland has been largely negative. Stories of quick-buck property transactions involving dilapidated city houses have raised hackles throughout the city. But housing authorities say recent property-flipping schemes are an aberration, and that the health of Cleveland's real estate climate hasn't suffered from them. Efforts to boost the quality and appearance of Cleveland's neighborhoods are very much alive, in the form of programs designed to help homeowners maintain and improve their homes. One such program, the Cleveland Fix-up Fund, is relatively young, but growing. 90.3's Bill Rice reports. Aired September 8, 2000

New Electric Car Helps Save Money at Gas Pump: Gas prices are on the rise again. After a summer of record increases at the pump, state and federal lawmakers are meeting to talk about what can be done. Meanwhile, two Japanese auto makers are done talking and have now introduced a car that would use less gas and more electricity - reducing the need to fill-up. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports this new hybrid is being marketed to young people as the ride of the future. Aired September 7, 2000

Financial Woes Trouble Cleveland San Jose Ballet: Monetary Problems Hinder 25th Anniversary Season: The Cleveland/San Jose Ballet continues to slip on the red ink of its balance sheet, despite a cost cutting program that has scaled back salary and staff. For the last decade, the company has danced around some deep financial chasms. But now, as the Ballet prepares to celebrate its silver anniversary season, dancers and management are having a hard time finding a silver lining in the dark clouds above them. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports. Aired September 6, 2000

Katherine Wright Haskell: The First Lady of Flight: Many women have played important roles in the development of aviation. While schoolchildren might recognize the names of Amelia Earhart and Anne Linbergh, others--like Harriet Quimby and Bessie Cochran --are not so familiar. One woman whose accomplishments have been largely forgotten was arguably the most important of all--Katharine Wright, sister of the Wright brothers. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired September 1, 2000

Preventing E-Coli Outbreaks: Health Officials Working Hard to Stop Food-Borne Illness: There are now 39 people in Ohio infected in the recent e-coli outbreak that may have started at the Medina County Fair. State and county health officials are investigating, but so far they've been unable to determine the source of the infection. While doctors understand how the disease is transmitted, they don't know why food-borne illnesses like e-coli seem to be on the rise worldwide. But health officials both here and abroad are working on a plan to stop them. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired August 30, 2000

Conflict in the Jewish Community: Searching for Unity Over Beachwood Land Dispute: Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman likes to emphasize that he is an "observant" member of the Jewish faith. To be more precise, he follows the Modern Orthodox strain of Judaism, one of several gradations that exist in American culture. The sometimes troubling impact of those gradations in Greater Cleveland are examined in a new book. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports that the local search for a common Jewish identity has its roots in a three-year-old land transaction. Aired August 28, 2000

A Challenge to the School Voucher System: Survival of Program in Doubt: All this week, as summer winds down and children begin to return to school, we're looking at various issues at the root of disagreement and discord in our education system. Among those is Cleveland's controversial school voucher program, designed to give parents an alternative to sending their child to a public school they feel doesn't meet their educational needs. The pilot program is heading into its fourth year, but its survival is in question. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of vouchers is now in a federal appeals court. 90.3's Bill Rice reports. Aired August 25, 2000

Making Schools Safe... For Teachers: How Some Local Teachers Plan to Stop Attacks from Students: Today is the first day of school for more than 70,000 students in the Cleveland school district. While kids prepare for a short week, teachers are making extra plans. Tomorrow, their union continues contract talks with the city school district. At the top of the union's list: issues surrounding teacher safety. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports what the teachers union and school district are proposing to stop the attacks by students against their teachers. Aired August 24, 2000

Removing Middle Schools in Cleveland: Will Students Want to Accept the Change?: As school begins this year, 14 schools in the Cleveland district won't be letting go of their sixth graders. Instead, students will be staying in their elementary schools. It's part of a district-wide K-through-8 expansion program. Administrators say the program solves two problems. It reduces the number of students in Cleveland middle schools, so that fewer pupils share the resources, and also helps those children that stay in elementary school to learn better. But some students don't want to be a part of the program. 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired August 22, 2000

Title IX Promotes Controversy Among Colleges: Al Gore's acceptance speech last night brought to an end the major political party conventions for 2000. Many notable discussions were held this year in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles. However, one non-traditional issue managed to get a brief moment in the national spotlight. For the first time in history, the Republican Party Platform included a statement of gender equality in sports. Although Title IX (9) became law in 1972, which gives women equal opportunity to compete in school athletic programs on all levels, recent cuts in some men's programs have prompted lawsuits and new controversy. 90.3's Tarice Sims reports on its impact in Ohio. Aired August 18, 2000

Funding Tight For Rural Railroad Overpasses: Huron County May Have Creative Solution to Problem: When the Conrail merger took effect a year ago last June and train traffic increased across northern Ohio by as much as 50%, communities began clamoring for help to build railroad overpasses. Urban areas quickly got funding, but it wasn't until this year that the state offered money from its coffers to help smaller communities and rural areas. But even $200 million won't go far. That's why a creative overpass design in Huron County could give some communities new light at the end of the tunnel. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired August 17, 2000

Abortion Topic All But Absent: 2000 Presidential Campaign Avoids Controversial Issue: This campaign season abortion is not quite the front and center issue it has been in the past. Republican campaigns in the past have been bold in denouncing abortion and the landmark Roe Vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision that guaranteed abortion rights. Democrats have campaigned equally hard on upholding Roe v. Wade. 90.3's Bill Rice looks at why abortion has thus far remained largely on the sidelines in the Gore/Bush race. Aired August 16, 2000

Hispanic Clevelanders' Effort to Boost Latino Vote: Like the Republicans two weeks ago, the Democrats plan to host a diverse panel of speakers during their convention. While both parties are courting Latinos, they're not voting in the numbers that reflect their status as the country's fastest growing minority. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on what some Hispanics in Cleveland are doing to try to get their community to participate in the process. Aired August 14, 2000

Creating a New Democratic Party: Ohio's Democrats Hope to Build New Legacy for Party: Democrats from around the country have gathered in Los Angeles for tonight's kick-off of their party's Presidential nominating convention. After the glitz and good feelings of the Republican convention two weeks ago, these delegates are looking to neutralize George Bush's 17-point advantage in the polls. 90.3's David C. Barnett spoke with some Ohioans who are in Los Angeles with the goal of building a new legacy for the Democratic party. Aired August 14, 2000

An Update on the Ward Bakery Standoff: Demolition Stopped... For Now: It's a happy day for two formerly homeless people who used to live at the Old Ward Bakery building on East 55th and Chester avenue. The building was purchased by the City of Cleveland in July, and demolition of the site began at the beginning of this month. 90.3's Janet Babin joins us live in the studio with an update on this story. Aired August 11, 2000

R Waterfront Dispute Comes to a Boil: Legal Action on Horizon Between City Council and the Mayor's Administration: Cleveland City Council and Mayor Michael White's administration are clashing over contracts. Council has threatened to take further action over contracts the city made with a Chicago architectural firm over East 9th Street and the Shoreway. But what actions can they take? 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired August 9, 2000.

Ripples in Plan For New Waterfront: City, Architects Disagree Over Project: Cleveland City Council and Mayor Michael White's administration are in dispute over architectural contracts for the Northcoast Harbor and waterfront development. 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired August 8, 2000.

Plans Move Ahead For New Juvenile Detention Center: Cuyahoga County is one step closer to building a new juvenile detention center at a brownfield site on Cleveland's East Side. A City Council committee has approved the rezoning of the 16-acre plot the county has chosen, and the County Commissioners will make a final vote to purchase the land at the end of the month. The land poses several political and financial risks, though, because of its extensive chemical contamination. 90.3's April Baer reports. Aired August 7, 2000

Containing Milfoil in Local Waters: An Ohio Company Helps to Control Water Plant: Eurasian water milfoil is an exotic plant that arrived in the U.S. in the 1940's through the aquarium trade. Scientists say it's destroying native plants like a biological wildfire out of control. The weed is now found in Ohio and 47 other states. Biologists have several methods to control it, but they're still looking for an ideal solution. A small Stowe, Ohio company is revolutionizing the way communities get rid of the milfoil. 90.3's Janet Babin reports. Aired August 4, 2000.

Uninformed, Uninspired Youths Fail to Show at Polls: As the Republican National Convention continues this week, so does an emphasis to showcase inclusion and diversity. Part of that is an outreach to younger voters. In Cuyahoga County, those between the ages of 17-24 make up a small percentage of people who can make decisions on their local, state, and national leaders. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on what young voters have to say about the political process and the people who represent it. Aired August 3, 2000.

City, Homeless Square Off at Abandoned Bakery: Yesterday the city of Cleveland confronted half a dozen homeless people occupying the old Ward Bakery on E. 55th and Chester. The city wants to tear down the building to make way for new development. But the homeless took a stand over the abandoned bakery, some even willing to risk their lives to protect their squatter's rights. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired August 2, 2000.

Ohioans Take Interest in GOP Convention: The Republican Presidential nominating convention kicks off today in Philadelphia. Among the attendees will be a number of Ohioans who haven't gotten jaded in an age of voter apathy. 90.3's David C. Barnett spoke with three of these Buckeye representatives, who

The Value of Wilderness: Old Woman Creek: This week, a U.S. Senate subcommittee approved a piece of legislation that would set aside billions of dollars in federal funding for environmental conservation. Supporters on both sides of the aisle are calling it one of the most significant commitments to conservation in U.S. history. At least some of that money would make its way to a tiny nature preserve near Huron, Ohio on Lake Erie. There, international scientists are conducting research that can safeguard environmental and human health around the world. From Old Woman Creek, 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired July 28, 2000 are looking for a change in national leadership. Aired July 31, 2000.

Airport Expansion Raises Questions, Concerns: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been in the spotlight lately as it prepares to proceed with a major expansion project. This spring, more than 700 people turned out for a celebration of the airport's 75-year history, hosted by Cleveland Mayor Mike White. The event came on the heels of a meeting the previous day between city council members and representatives of suburban towns that surround the airport. While the meeting dealt with the problems and controversies surrounding the expansion, not so at the airport's secondary hangar. 90.3's Bill Rice has this report. Aired July 26, 2000

A New Waterfront... For a Price: Cleveland City Leaders Try to Sell $700 Million Lakefront : Cleveland Mayor Michael White unveiled a new plan for revitalizing the downtown lakefront last week. The $700 million proposal drew immediate criticism from some quarters for it's lack of financing details. The biggest part of that package involves the construction of a new convention center & hotel complex. 90.3's David C. Barnett recently attended a community meeting where Cleveland city leaders were trying to sell this half-billion-dollar building program. Aired July 25, 2000

Ohio's Big Spending on Supreme Court Election: The Ohio Supreme Court is receiving much attention heading into the fall campaign season. Republicans have set their sights firmly on Justice Alice Robie Resnick, and are spending big this year to unseat the two-term incumbent. The effort is largely matched by Democrats who want to retain her. Observers say the amount of money going into the race could set a U.S record for state supreme court campaign spending. Some are worried that judicial independence is increasingly threatened by big-money politics. 90.3 WCPN®'s Bill Rice reports. Aired July 24, 2000

24-Hour Business in Lakewood: Do All-Night Businesses Present a Security Risk? Lakewood City Council recently voted on a controversial proposal that restricts businesses from operating 24 hours a day. It's not uncommon in Greater Cleveland to find people working lateãfrom the factories down in the flats to the long quiet nights spent in local hospitals. But in the West Side suburb of Lakewood, some homeowners say all late-night activity poses a threat to their quality of life. The Council members were be asked to weigh the demand for round the clock service with homeowners rights. This story is the first of two reports on how society serves the needs of people working the late shift. Aired July 17, 2000

Lonz Winery Accident Affects Island Community: The July Fourth weekend accident at a Lake Erie Island winery is still reverberating among victims and their families nearly two weeks later. One person died and dozens were injured when a terrace filled with holiday-revelers at the winery collapsed. But the victims were not the only ones affected by the incident. The winery's owner is now facing a possible class-action lawsuit that could mount into the millions of dollars. And residents of the small island are trying to put the events of the past few weeks behind them. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report from Middle Bass Island. Aired July 14, 2000

African American Gay Pride: Several gay pride events are taking place all over Ohio this month, including Cleveland this weekend. But one segment of the gay community is working on their own pride celebration for later this summer. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on how cultural and religious issues are affecting the way African Americans celebrate gay pride. Aired July 20, 2000

NRA Competitions Draw Interest of YouthIt began in the inner cities with school kids telling tales of guns available as close as the nearest street corner. Then the problem spread to the suburbs, and even rural areas. High profile tragedies in Littleton, Colorado, Paducah, Kentucky, Springfield, and Oregon have prompted fed-up parents to organize and call for tougher laws designed to keep guns out of kids' reach. Meanwhile, gun rights advocates - led by the National Rifle Association - deny that new restrictions will effectively address the problem. And, they say, with proper guidance, exposing kids to guns is appropriate, and even beneficial. Last weekend the NRA opened its annual series of shooting competitions at Camp Perry in Northwest Ohio, where kids compete alongside adults throughout the summer. 90.3 WCPN®'s Bill Rice reports. Aired July 13, 2000

Interview with Ray Suarez: Ray Suarez informed and entertained National Public Radio listeners for six years as the host of Talk of the Nation. This past fall, he started a new journalistic career as senior correspondent for public television's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Ray was in town recently and he stopped by our studios to talk with 90.3's David C. Barnett about his life as a reporter...and a role model. Aired July 13, 2000

Creative Writing Opens Doors for Mentally Ill Having a mental illness can be tough enough without confronting the stigma that society places on the diseases. Medical science has made great strides in the past decade finding treatments for these conditions and there are new strategies introduced all the time for use in the therapist's office. But one tool often overlooked is creative writing. 90.3's Lorna Jordan attended a workshop on the subject and filed this report. Aired July 12, 2000

Parents Rally to Reinstate Busing The use of busing to achieve racial balance in a segregated school district has long been a touchstone of controversy in cities across the state and across the country for more than a generation. Last week in Columbus, the Urban League warned that a lawsuit may be pending over segregation issues that busing failed to solve. Tonight in suburban Cleveland Heights, some local parents will rally to protest busing cut backs, but desegregation won't be on their minds. 90.3's David C. Barnett explains. Aired July 10, 2000

Help Shortages Force Cedar Point to Look Overseas It used to be that summer was a time when college students scrambled for jobs. But the recent tight labor market has sparked tough competition for employers looking for willing summer workers. Today a growing number of seasonal jobs in the nation's resorts and tourist attractions are being filled by students from outside the U.S. From member station 90.3 WCPN® in Cleveland Karen Schaefer reports. Aired July 7, 2000

Resurgence of a Cleveland Jazz Legend: Jimmy Scott Jazz singer Jimmy Scott turns 75 this month. He's enjoying a career resurgence after more than 30 years out of the spotlight. Scott's influence on everyone from Frankie Lymon to Frankie Valli to Nancy Wilson. Yolanda Perdomo of member station 90.3 WCPN® in Cleveland reports his unique vocal style is also attracting new audiences. Aired July 6, 2000