WTOL 11 Leading Edge with Jerry Anderson: Recent Episodes
WTOL 11 - Toledo Ohio
It's anything but the same old public affairs show. Jerry Anderson brings you the stories as only he can -- candid, in-depth, and occasionally tongue-in-cheek. Viewer input drives this program, as you decide what we cover from week to week.
Nadeem is hoping to unseat longtime Democratic representative Marcy Kaptur.
The Toledo Hands of Christ Gala benefits 13 Toledo area Catholic charities.
Republican Congressman Tim Walberg from SE Michigan gives his perspective on the government shutdown as well as the climate of political violence in the country following the death of Charlie Kirk and multiple mass shootings.
St. Francis de Sales School President Geoff Rose talks aboutthe school’s leadership symposium which connects students with area leaders.
Bob Helle, a proud Rogers High School graduate, a Marine Vietnam veteran, and a man who spent 5 long years in a North Vietnamese POW camp.
Bob Weinberg, a former board member of Flag City Honor Flight, who served in the Army including time as a sentry at Arlington Cemetery, marching at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
With guest host Tim Miller.
Steve Fought honors 9/11 in Gibsonburg, Gretchen Awadpreviews Race for the Cure, and Pat McColley details ODOT’s fall road projects and safety tips.
Robin Reese and others discuss reforming child protection in Lucas County; Northwest Ohio native JJ Reinhart shares his wild journey from Emmy-winning musician to celebrity chef.
Rep. Josh Williams aims to unseat Marcy Kaptur, citing what he says is a need for fresh leadership in D.C.
Sylvania Superintendent Veronica Motley discusses cell phone bans, AI in classrooms and school safety concern.
Dr. Steven Stanek discusses ProMedica's new, state-of-the-art robotic surgery system.
Shaun Enright, Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Union Executive Secretary/Business Manager and John Clemons, American Maritime Officers Vice President-Great Lakes, talk about the Labor Day parade, the political climate around labor and unions, and shifts in tone among unions.
Asst. Fire Chief Mark Grove | Woodville
Chief Deputy Rick Sluder | Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office
There's a quiet crisis affecting fire protection in smalltowns and rural communities nationwide.
Here in Ohio, nearly 70% of our nearly 1,200 firedepartments are staffed primarily by volunteer firefighters.
But between 2018 and 2021, Ohio saw a 6.5% drop involunteers, even as calls for service rose 9%.
Janek Schaller | Journalist | Midstory
While real estate surges in Toledo and home prices rise,many residents find themselves struggling — sometimes pushed to the brink ofhomelessness.
James Holloway is taking over the reigns at the University of Toledo. He sits down with WTOL 11's Jeff Smith to talk his goals for the institution.
Chelsea Ziss on Maumee civic unrest and resignations; Tom Bush on AI events and tech community expansion across northwest Ohio.
NFL Films' Supervising Producer/Director Steve Trout reveals how “Quarterback” captures the real lives of QBs Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins, and previews his new WWE documentary.
LUCAS COUNTY JAIL | Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken
DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT AND BUSINESS | Cheryl Hardy - ConnecToledo
MURALS IN TOLEDO | Dean Davis - Local mural artist
Bussinessman Bruce Rumpf, CEO of Job1 USA, previews O Canada Fest, an effort to maximize the potential of economic development in northwest Ohio from the new Gordie Howe Bridge.
Also, Personal Finance Expert Bobbi Rebell offers budgeting tips and insights on managing subscriptions.
Jeff Smith honors Ashley (Morris) Fonseca and talks with experts about domestic violence cycles, community roles and the urgent need for support and prevention.
Republican Derek Merrin discusses his renewed congressional bid.
Tedd Long explores Toledo’s rich dining legacy in his new book on lost local eateries.
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Republican Vivek Ramaswamy; Stephanie Kuhlman shares a scam affecting realtors.
Brittany Gibbons on influencer branding and Toledo events; Rick Springfield on fans, 80s music, and sharing the stage with fellow rocker Sammy Hagar.
Bart Lambergman discusses NIL law and college sports; Musician and actor Rick Springfield shares stories from his music career and his journey with mental health.
Bruce Baumhower reflects on his legacy at UAW Local 12; Jennifer Bohnsack outlines plans for Isaiah 117 House, which helps kids as they enter foster care.
Christine Michaels, the new leader at ConnecToledo, discusses downtown Toledo's future.
Sandy Spang, Executive Director for the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments outlines regional planning goals.
Stephen Zenner, investigative journalist at the Toledo Free Press covers a school identity scandal.
Police investigation into death of Kei'mani Latigue
The process and police work that goes into something so gut-wrenching and emotional with guest Mike Haynes, President of Toledo Police Patrolman's Association.
African American Legacy Project
Honoring the 2025 Sports Legends Hall of Fame class and the leadership who works to make sure the recognition and tradition is there with Robert Smith, African American Legacy Project Director.
Ohio Department of Transportation upcoming projects
More diverging diamonds are on their way to northwest Ohio. ODOT District 2's Patrick McColley clues us in on the when and the why of the projects.
Gregory Guzman discusses FAFSA failures, student loan default risks, and rising college costs—and how families can better navigate financial aid.
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Bryan Blair | Athletic Director | University ofToledo
It was July of 2023 when University of Toledo AthleticDirector Bryan Blair sat on the set of Leading Edge and said UToledo’s Glass Bowl has untapped potential and should be northwest Ohio’s premiere outdoor concert venue.
Jump ahead nearly two years and on May 24th - Zac Brown Band and a host of others will perform at the Glass Bowl as part of Glass City Live. UToledo is expecting more than 15,000 fans.
It’ll be the first major show there since 1994 (Beach Boys). But this effort isn’t just about a concert - it’s about a movement for the region - to make UToledo a centrally located hub of activity.
Mike White | Owner | Buckeye Real Estate Group
Mike White discusses this year’s St. Jude Dream Home and how his company got involved in the effort.
THE DEATH OF THE POPE
The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas | Toledo CatholicDiocese
The world was fascinated 12 years ago as the Catholic Churchsought a replacement for Pope Benedict. That process brought them the first-ever Jesuit Pope from Argentina in Pope Francis. With the sudden passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is once again in a state of transition.
The naming of a new Pope will be the third such namingprocess to play out in the last 20 years - Pope John Paul II (‘78-’05), - PopeBenedict (‘05 -’13), - Pope Francis (‘13 - ‘25).
CHANGE OF DIRECTION AT TOLEDO PROPULSION SYSTEMS
Tony Totty | President, UAW Local 14
After moving toward the manufacturing of electric vehiclepropulsion components a few years ago, General Motors is shifting the facility back toward gas powered transmissions in a major expansion.
U.S. Senator Jon Husted | (R) OHIO
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the freshman Senator. U.S.Senator Jon Husted returns to his hometown of Montpeiler, Ohio, as the keynote speaker of a Williams County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner.
WTOL 11 got the chance to sit down with him exclusively - and in of all places - the Montpelier High School gym.
Sen. Husted talks about his childhood. Growing up in a townof not even 4,000 people. A father who worked a blue collar-job and his mom athome.
KIDS AND TRAUMA
Jeffrey Griffith - TPS | Lead Counselor | StudentSupports
Marya Singleton - TPS | School Counselor
Anna - TPS | School Facility Dog
Following the death and discovery of 13-year old Kei’ManiLatiigue, TPS Lead Counselor Jeff Griffiths told WTOL 11, “it has been rough for certain students. This has acted like a trigger for some of the trauma that they've had in the past.”
It wasn’t long after the loss of Kei’Mani that we discoveredthat Joaquin Simmons had also tragically been killed in a senseless act of violence.
But how are parents and counselors supposed to help themthrough it - especially if these kids are either scared to ask for help, or too unaware of what they need?
BRIAN BYRD’S CANCER FIGHT
Brian Byrd - Fmr. Toledo Fire Chief/Fmr. Toledo SafetyDirector
He’s been a pillar of strength and leadership in thecommunity. In his spare time, this former Toledo Fire Chief and Toledo Safety Director teaches CCW classes. He maintains that he exercised and ate well.
So how is it, that this guy who seemed to have the world bythe tail at some points in his life, is in his biggest challenge yet. Brian Byrd has cancer - and is not backing down - though he might be weakened - he’s ready for his next test.
Art Wheaton - Cornell University | ILR School The U.S. is on the cusp of implementing significant tariff measures. These new trade policies, aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and encouraging domestic production begin this week. But when it comes to the auto industry, a specific 25-percent tariff on imported cars starts Thursday - and there's a tariff that'll take effect May 3rd on imported car parts.
Derek van der Merwe - Athletic Director | BGSUIn his short time at the helm, he’s been tasked with hiring a men’s basketball coach, a women’s basketball coach, an ice hockey coach, a women’s soccer coach, a gymnastics coach, a softball coach, a swim and dive coach, and a volleyball coach. And if that wasn’t enough - just in the last few weeks - he signed up OSU and NFL legend Eddie George as the new head football coach.
TOLEDO SAFETY DIRECTOR
George Kral - Toledo Safety Director
Former Toledo Police Chief George Kral now oversees Toledo's police and fire departments, as well as its gun violence reduction initiatives.
TOLEDO FAIR HOUSING GRANTS
George Thomas - CEO | Toledo Fair Housing Center
Wendy Pestrue | United Way of Greater Toledo
An update on a number of grants that were already approved by the federal government but have since been cancelled as part of billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
The president of DMC Technology gives the scoop on data centers; community ambassador challenges youth; mayor recalls the pandemic's challenges
ROSSFORD SCHOOLS AND DEVELOPMENT
Neil MacKinnon III – Rossford mayor; Dan Creps – RossfordSchools Superintendent
How are they doing it? What’s the blueprint for theirsuccess? Rossford Schools announced plans to not only construct a new $35million middle school without a levy - but also to decrease one of the currentlevies on the books. Are we finally starting to see the dream sequence play outfor the Crossroads area? What’s the secret to MORE success? Jobs,entertainment? How does the blueprint from other cities play into allthis?
SEGMENT 3 (IN STUDIO)
Investing in Northwest Ohio’s Youngest Residents Key toEconomic Future
Rev. John Jones - HOPE Toledo; Debbie Monagan - ToledoRotary & Chicks for Charity
Educating our young - and the state of education is at acrossroads.
Rotary Club of Toledo, Chicks for Charity Host Summit toAdvance Early Childhood Education in the Region
The focus of the summit is on northwest Ohio’s futurewell-educated workforce. And as they contend, four out of five children inToledo and seven out of 10 children in Lucas County start kindergarten notready to learn.
The summit happens Monday, March 17, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. atthe Glass City Center Ballroom.
Hear more about Race for the Cure and the work Komen does in northwest Ohio, plus get a spring weather preview with Chris Vickers to get ready for severe weather.
Jeff Smith interviews Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently announced his intention to run.
Also, Scott Hayes, with Project I Am, talks about this year's Acoustics for Autism music festival and the good it does for the community.
It’s a groundbreaking investigation into the murders of twoToledo teenagers. This story is like nothing you've ever seen in local news - five pieces on the murders of two young boys, Ke'Marion Wilder and KyShawn Pittman and the 11 people who conspired to lure, kidnap, kill them, then cover it up.
Investigative reporter Melissa Andrews and Brian Dugger discuss what they thought about the case… the wild speculation… the theories... how their love for true-crime lead them to dissect the case from a purely journalistic perspective.
This was a case where the prosecution focused on how the 11involved were focused on greed, vengeance, and revenge – even if it wasn't warranted.
What complicated matters more was the fact there was no DNA to link those who were prosecuted for the crime with the teenagers.
RUNNING FOR TOLEDO MAYOR
Roberto Torres | Toledo Mayoral Candidate
Roberto Torres is a Toledo native and a former staff member of both the Carty Finkbeiner and Jack Ford administrations. He’s no stranger to politics - holding economic development positions not only in Canton, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Michigan but also as part of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s team.
ADRIAN COLLEGE GROWTH
Jeffrey Docking, Ph.D. | President, Adrian College
Adrian College is a private liberal arts college located in Lenawee County. Founded in 1859, the college has experienced significant growth in recent years, both in academic offerings and campus facilities. Known for its commitment to fostering a well-rounded student experience, Adrian places a strong emphasis on athletics at the NCAA Division III level. The college offers a wide range of sports programs, from football to ice hockey, attracting student-athletes who seek both competitive sports and rigorous academics. This blend of academics and athletics has contributed to Adrian College's reputation as a dynamic and growing institution.
President Docking joins me to educate the viewers about the college and its growth/expansion, the cost of higher education, the competitive nature of schools to get students and the school’s efforts to lure in student/athletes.
LUCAS COUNTY REVALUATION TURMOIL
Katie Moline | Lucas County Auditor
Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline is currently at the centerof a property revaluation issue that has caused concern among residents. The revaluation process, which adjusts property values for tax purposes, has led to significant increases in property assessments across the county, sparking public frustration.
Recently, former Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez weighedin, expressing criticism of the handling of the situation. Lopez, who held the position before Moline, suggested that the current administration could have done more to mitigate the impact on homeowners and improve communication about the process. Her comments highlight the growing divide over how the revaluation was managed and its implications for local taxpayers.
Moline has engaged the services of an independent thirdparty to conduct a review of the county’s troubled property valuation processes. Ms. Moline says the precise scope of the third-party review was still being worked out and that the costs of such a review were, at this time, unknown. She added that the intention of the review is to look at “the glitch” that happened in 2024 and to determine best practices for future valuations in Lucas County. Ms. Moline reiterated that she is confident that her office has found the programming error that caused more than 1,400 properties to be incorrectly valued.
The owners of those properties that were erroneously valued have now been notified. They should receive a new tax bill, and refunds are being processed for those who have already made a payment based on an inflated property value.
MAUMEE’S CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Patrick Burtch | City Administrator | Maumee
A newspaper article back in 2020 … which you can find on MLIVE.COM … has a headline that reads, “LOVE HIM OR LOATHE HIM, THE FEATHER-RUFFLING PATRICK BURTCH CHANGED JACKSON.” It refers to Maumee City Administrator Patrick Burtch during his time as a “visionary” city manager for Jackson, Michigan. 2020 was right about the time he was resigning from that position to take the job in Maumee. The article reads:
“Burtch knew he’d have to ‘ruffle a lot of feathers’ to make Jackson the city he envisioned. But after seven years of ruffling, the pushback started taking its toll.’When you know you’re going into it, realizing you’re stirring up a fire by blowing oxygen on that fire and it could burn you - that’s a tough decision to make,’ Burtch said.’ But it’s not a decision I’m willing to go back (on).” The barrage of citizens spewing disdain for him at the City Council meeting occasionally got to Burtch. He’d sometimes argue back during public comment, and later said the vitriol is one of the reasons he knew it was time to move on.”
For the first time - Maumee City Administrator Patrick Burtch joins LEADING EDGE to discuss his vision - development - the sins of prior administrations - his management style - his public persona - his history - and the reason he believes Maumee’s best days are to come.
LOOKING BACK ON DISTRICT 9 ELECTION
Tom Pruss | Former Libertarian US House Candidate
Headlines in November read “This libertarian candidate mayhave swung Ohio’s most competitive congressional race.” Tom Pruss received 14,800 votes in what was one of the closer House races in the U.S. Without a doubt, it was one of the tightest races ever for the longest serving women in Congress, Democrat Marcy Kaptur. So, what was his read on the race and does he feel like he cost Republican Derek Merrin the race - in what was becoming a red wave across many parts of Ohio and the U.S.?
OHIO POLITICS
David DeWitt | Editor-In-Chief | Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio politics is in a state of flux with the appointment ofLieutenant Governor Jon Husted to fill JD Vance’s Senate seat. David DeWitt, with the Ohio Capital Journal, gives his thoughts on who’s names are in the running to fill the empty seat, including someone familiar to northwest Ohioans... Lydia Mihalek?
HIGHER EDUCATION & TOLEDO TOMORROW
Bob Savage | Toledo Tomorrow
How does Toledo Tomorrow "school" kids on what toexpect from higher education - and what they should expect in return for their choices when it comes to fields of interest?
TRUST IN LEADERSHIP Clint Longenecker, Ph.D. | Distinguished University Professor Emeritus | UToledoTwo years ago Clint Longenecker did a study with two-star retired Army Gen. John Gronski. Longenecker says the gist of the study is this simple fact that if you do not trust your leader or boss - it creates a strange and less than productive work environment. There are certain leader behaviors that drive leadership trustworthiness and another set of behaviors that breed a lack of trust and even mistrust which can have devastating organizational and career consequences. MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY & BREAKING THE STIGMA AMONG MINORITIES Bernadette Joy Graham - MA, LPCC | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Graham wrote in a recent edition of the Sojourner Truth newspaper: Being a therapist is a rewarding but often challenging profession that requires compassion, patience and a deep understanding of the human experience. For Black therapists, the journey is uniquely shaped by both their professional training and the cultural context in which they grew up with experiencing their own lived experiences.
SYLVANIA’S NEW MAYOR
Mayor Mark Frye - (R) Sylvania
Mark Frye was sworn in as Mayor of Sylvania on January 6,replacing longtime Mayor Craig Stough who is retiring before his final term is up.
Frye will fill the rest of Stough’s last term.
Frye talks about what he would like to accomplish whilemayor, the large number of trees that have been cut down near the U.S. 23 interchange, the city’s relationship with Lourdes University and his own future plans.
HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Erin Mrozek - Small Business Expert | LegalZoom
The new year is the most popular time to start a newbusiness. Many new businesses start off small with the majority of new business owners working out of their homes.
Small business is booming, and they have doubled from 2014to 2024. While you might have an incredible business idea, understanding the legal essentials to starting a business is also important. She talks about everything from the first steps to launching a business, from registering your business name, to tax and insurance requirements and more.
BGSU - MOMENTUM
Rodney Rogers, Ph.D. - President | BGSU
BGSU President Rodney Rodgers discusses what the university is doing to prepare for the future of education including what it is doing to ensure college remains affordable for students.
WHAT’S GOING AROUND?
Dr. Brian Kaminski - ProMedica
Dr. Kaminski discusses communicable diseases coming out of the holidays and heading into the winter stretch . Also, how AI is being used in healthcare.
MAYOR CRAIG STOUGH RETIRING
Craig Stough | Mayor | Sylvania
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough says he plans to retire at theend of the month.
"I have been one of the luckiest people on Earth to haveserved in Sylvania. It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve 10 years on Sylvania City Council and 29 years as Sylvania's Mayor."
Stough's current term runs through 2025 - but he says hewants to make the call on his terms - and give proper time for a seamless transition.
Stough was sworn in as Mayor in 1996 - first serving oncouncil in 1986.
A city representative says current council president MarkFrye will finish out the remaining term starting January 1 - and then choose whether to run for the office in 2025.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF TOLEDO COST ANALYSIS
Jim Ravas | President and Chief Executive Officer | Boys& Girls Clubs of Toledo
Recently, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio received a completed research work from Ohio University outlining the cost-benefit analysis of funding for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio.
Every $1 invested in the Boys & Girls Clubs will generate$35.16 in lifetime benefits for members, caregivers, youth workers, and Ohio Communities. Annually, $1 invested in the Boys & Girls Clubs generates $12.25 of economic and social impact.
Surveying 20,527 youth in Ohio who participate in after-school programming with the Boys & Girls Clubs, 9,442 or 46% are less likely to use drugs and drink than their peers not participating in the Clubs.
The strategy is to offer a safe place for our youth grades1-12 and proactively provide programming that will keep them safe and enable them to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Additionally - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo arecommitted to a clear vision: every young person should be equipped to make healthy decisions for their social, emotional, and physical well-being.
WHISKEY EXPERT (Re-air from August)
Elliot MacFarlane | Whiskey Wizard
SHERIFFS AS IMMIGRATION AGENTSGUEST: Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn - Wood CountyThe Trump administration is planning big changes in how the country is governed once they take power. One of those being the plans to give local sheriffs more power to act as immigration agents amid a mass deportation crackdown. Wood County Sheriff Wasylyshyn discusses how his office is preparing for the possibility; what it will take, how much it will cost, and do they have the wherewithal to do it. THE SEASON OF GIVING: CHARITABLE CHALLENGES GUEST: Mary Helen Darah | Sylvania Area Family Services
Arturo Polizzi just steered one of northwest Ohio's largestemployers out of a financial crisis. ProMedica was - as he puts it - hemorrhaging money when he became the leader of the company two years ago.
Today, the company is on, what he calls, solid footing.
WTOL 11 is the first Toledo station to sit down with ProMedica’s president-CEO for an in-depth discussion of the healthcare organization’s past and future.
Giving thanks by giving back
Caden Laney - Toys for Tiny Heroes - Congenital HeartDefects Patient
Tanya Laney - Toys for Tiny Heroes - Caden’s Mom
This story is about more than just the toy drive of thisSwanton congenital heart defect patient - it’s also about community connections- and family finding comfort in knowing they’re not alone. The Laney family isgiving thanks to love and time together.
Adrienne McCoy - Administrative Assistant | Toledo Fire& Rescue Dept.
According to Chief Allison Armstrong, McCoy has been througha lot this past year. She has batted through breast cancer, lost her mother,and her husband just got a kidney transplant - yet - Chief Armstrong says - shestays very positive and does things in the community.
Robert Pownell | Volunteer/Mentor | The Program Inc.
Pownell shares a story about one of the young men involvedin the Program Inc. mentoring program and his growth while being with us.
Pownell will be prepared to share why he chose to volunteerfor The Program as his personal story is deeply connected to the impact he ishaving with the young men in our community.
Giving thanks by giving back. Three stories that illustrate what theThanksgiving holiday is all about.
State Rep. Josh Williams ( R ) | District 41 / District 44 talks about his election to a new district. Also, what people in his district are saying are about what they think the top priorities in the statehouse should be.
Newly-elected State Representative-Elect Erika White (D) |District 41 says she is ready to get to work, and hopes people can come together in the “center” to get things done.
Nicole Kalaf-Hughes, PhD, Associate Professor of PoliticalScience at BGSU breaks down what the election results tell us about the state and the country.
The state of labor relations as it relates to layoffs atToledo Jeep plant; Local actress and mother of four seeing success asbackground actress in TV and movies.
GUEST: Art Wheaton | Cornell University | School ofIndustrial and Labor Relations (ILR)
Arthur Wheaton is an industry education specialist based in the Cornell University ILR School office in Buffalo, New York
Wheaton discusses the recent layoffs at the Stellantis Assembly plant in Toledo as well as what the recent election means for labor relationsin the U.S.
Art has more than 15 years of experience as a labor educator teaching collective bargaining, negotiations, and conflict resolution for unions and management. He also has extensive expertise in international labor union and management research and is a resource person of the ILO and the European Foundation Living and Working Conditions.
GUEST: Sydney Trumbull | Local Actress
Sydney Trumbull is a local actress who recently appeared inSeason 5 Episode 1 of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. She helped to tell the story of Kate Brown and Carnell Sledge and their unsolved murders that occurred in a Cleveland Metropark in 2019.
Trumbull is a background actor who has also appeared in TV shows like Law and Order SUV, a Toledo Walleye promo, and will be in a few more movies and TV shows to be released in 2025. Most recently she worked on the set of Happy Gilmore 2 and was able to introduce herself to Adam Sandler. She’ll be meeting Rob Schneider.
BGSU poll seeks to better understand where citizens stand on issues of government, elections, and political preferences. Guest Joshua Boston, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Political Science | BGSUDemocracy and Public Policy Research Network Poll • Voters’ election/campaign engagement• Voter evaluations of governing elites (approval and favorability), the country’s direction, economic situation, governing institutions, etc.• Ohio Issue 1 (redistricting/gerrymandering)• Direct democracy (elections that pose questions of governance/public policy directly to voters)• Perceptions of U.S. Electoral College and other challenges to election integrity• Past voting behavior in 2022 state elections and 2023 abortion ballot initiative
Ohio Dept of Development Director Lydia Mihilak discusses economic development in northwest Ohio .
I-475 Neighborhoods Coalition Coordinator PeggyDaly-Masternak discusses opposition to the widening of I-475 in west Toledo.
ConnecToledo and Toledo’s Master Plan
ConnectToledo President Paul Toth, MBA discusses updates to the 2017 Downtown Toledo Master Plan including work that has been done on the DowntownToledo Glass City Riverwalk.
Toledo area housing market
Eddie Campos, realtor and President of Northwest OhioRealtors talks about the area’s housing market.
Immigration
Baldemar Velasquez | F.L.O.C. - President & Founder
According to a new Scripps News/Ipsos survey, more than half of all Americans, including a quarter of Democrats, support the mass deportation of immigrants who are living in the country illegally.
Immigration continues to be in the top 5 issues drivingpeople to the polls in November. But, as we see with each report, there needs to be some perspective, and it may come from the American Immigration Council and a history lesson on the foundation of our ancestors.
Neighbor 2 Neighbor
Rev. Gayle Catinella | Rector, St. Michael’s in theHills Church
Raina Dawson | ABLE/LAWO
I’m sure you’ve seen the signs - HEART your neighbor.They’ve popped up all over NW Ohio in the past several months. It’s all part of the local neighbor2neighbor effort.
On their website they say:
The fracturing of our society into good and bad, people Iagree with and people I don’t agree with, people like me and people not like me, is moving us so far away from each other that it’s hard to imagine coming together again. If we look for differences, we will find them. But if we look for similarities, we will find that as well.
The time has come to repair the breach. The time has come to soften our hard hearts. It won’t be perfect. But if we can commit to treating our neighbors, all our neighbors, all people, with civility and respect, with basic decency, we will get back the society we all long for-peaceful, kind and productive. It takes everyone to declare that we value our neighbors for real change to occur.
So, during this time of political back-and-forth, during acontentious election season, conversation is happening.
ISSUE 30 - Lucas County Children Services Levy
Randy Muth | Exec. Dir. - Lucas County Children Services
1.5 Mill Levy. Executive Director says the agency will run out of money come December 2025.
UToledo Leadership
Matt Schroeder | University of Toledo InterimPresident
The Toledo Blade reported in September that the Universityof Toledo had experienced a 3.8 percent decline in total enrollment. As part ofthe article, UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder said, “It will takediscipline and execution of our enrollment and recruitment plans to turn thisaround. We have to hold ourselves accountable.” The school has said its planincludes efforts to diversify enrollment, improve student success, and tobetter tell the UToledo story to prospective students.
So what is Toledo’s story of now and of the future … whilealso drawing on its past.
Four Hundred and Nineteen Podcast
Gretchen DeBacker | Kevin Mullan | Matthew Killam
18 of ‘em and counting.
We always like to feature people with passion and purpose -and this group has shown it in producing this Toledo-based podcast. FourHundred and Nineteen focuses on some of the region’s movers and shakers.
WESTGATE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER - Its History and itsfuture
Liz Holland | CEO | Abbell Associates
In an uncertain and trying economy, the plans that once were on the books are now changing for Westgate Village North on the north side of Central and Secor and the former home of Sears and Elder Beerman. Until recently the plan was to go mixed-use on the site. But according to the Toledo Blade, housing is out and commercial is in.
So what are the current plans for the long vacant property?
FIRE SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Rudy Ruiz |6th Bugle Fire Service Exec. LeadershipConf.
As coordinator of the 3rd Annual Sixth Bugle Fire ServiceAdministrative Assistants Leadership Conference, Rudy Ruiz realized there needed to be a supportive conference for our administrative assistants.
Speakers discussed Culinary Medicine, Legal Issues Facing the Fire Service, Maintaining Mental Health, Using AI to improve Day-to-Day Administrative Work, and communication.
PROMENADE PAVILLION CONCERT SEASON IN REVIEW
Hunter Brucks | HB Concerts Inc.
Toledo city leaders handed Hunter Brucks the keys to operate the summer concert series at Promenade Park (newly renamed Promenade Pavillion)last year. Once all the t’s were crossed and the “i’s” were dotted … he had a shorter window to secure acts, secure a stage, and make something out of it. There were cancellations - low ticket sales for some and just a few shows that could be called successful.
Additionally, Lucas County is looking into a study withConnecToledo about the future of not only the site - but also the programming. So what’s the future of the summer concert series and how does Brucks grade himself on the job he did this year?
SCHOOL SAFETY | STRATISITE REVISITED
Scott Lowry - StrataSite
Jen Saba - St. John’s Jesuit HS
Disaster planning in an age of mass violence. How schoolsare preparing for the threat of emergency situations. StrataSite is a Toledo company meant to remove roadblocks toward the “outside” emergency response plancreation, sharing and adoption between all responding agencies during an emergency. The program serves hundreds of schools in Ohio and Michigan - including St. John’s Jesuit in Toledo, which is using Stratisite this Fall for the first time.
PRODUCER, ACTOR, AND COMEDIAN JOE GATTO
Joe Gatto | Producer, Actor, Comedian “ImpracticalJokers”
You know him from the popular show, “Impractical Jokers,” but Joe Gatto is much more than a prankster on TV. He’s a standup comedian, bringing his show to the Glass City this month. But he is also an author of a children’s book - “Where’s Bearry?”.
VOTING PREPS
LaVera Scott | Director | Lucas County Board of Elections
Lucas County BOE Director LeVera Scott talks about what it takes to put on a general election when one of the presidential tickets changes so late in the campaign.
“PARENT STRESS IS A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE”
Erin Wiley, MA, LPCC | Psychologist | The Willow Center
Psychologist Erin Wiley discusses Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's recent statement that parental stress is a major public health issue.
DOLLARS AND SENSE
Alan Lancz | Registered Investment Advisor
Bankrate reports just 6% of the nearly 400 items the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks are cheaper today than before the pandemic-induced recession, and most people are feeling it in their wallet.
Still, inflation is at the lowest point it’s been since March 2021.
At the same time, the Dow Jones is hovering around 40,000 and a record high.
So is the economy good… or not? The answer… It depends on who you ask.
SAFETY FORCES CULTURE/BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
Dr. Marvin Whitfield | Blue Force Mobile Training Team
Dr. Marvin Whitfield’s Blue Force Mobile Training team of subject matter experts conduct onsite training in professional development, workplace safety, and cultural competency for individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. They are recognized as subject matter experts based on experience, education, and advanced levels of continuous training.
Saving our Community: One Year Later | Peace in MotionMalcolm Cunningham & Josh Davies, Save our Community School-based teamIt’s been a little over a year since Malcolm Cunningham was tabbed as the leader of Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s initiative to combat gun violence in Toledo. In that time, there’s been a significant change in the number of gun violence-related homicides - since the peak during the pandemic. When he took over the program, Cunningham talked about the importance of youth programming, the technology of Boston University’s RISE lab and the forecasting of violence, and the violence interrupters program. So what have we seen in a year’s time - what’s working and what isn’t? Additionally, the Mayor has announced a five-year plan called “Peace in Motion” focusing on: Increasing protective factorsBuilding community capacity for violence preventionAddressing the role of social media in violent conflicts Providing comprehensive support for victims and survivors of gun violence … as well as economic opportunities and neighborhood development. Passion for foodMoussa Salloukh | Chef | Restaurateur | Owner - Souk Navy Bistro, La Scola, and Souk owner Moussa Salloukh is truly a generational talent and hopefully northwest Ohio appreciates what it has in his skill, his passion and his purpose. With Souk, over the last five years or so - he has been able to utilize social media, and his own YouTube Channel. But we haven’t even mentioned the food, the appetizers, the creative entrees, the desserts, the wine. Is it test fail for him … what is his palate for the downtown, the living/business/social climate, the Docks, the Metroparks, and the recently mentioned Culinary Mavericks venture.
“NEVER HAVE A BAD HAIR DAY: REDEFINING RESILIENCE BYEMBRACING LIFE CHALLENGES”
McKenna Reitz - Author | “Never Have a Bad Hair Day:Redefining Resilience by Embracing Life’s Challenges”
Former Springfield Schools’ teacher and volleyball coach,and Alopecia Areata-aware spokesperson, McKenna Reitz, has been on talk shows, she’s been on the TEDx circuit, and now she’s getting ready to release her first book. She says it’s a deeply personal journey, filled with stories of overcoming adversity, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength in the most unexpected places. It’s about transforming life’s challenges into opportunitiesfor growth and resilience.
Elliot MacFarlane “The Whiskey Wizard” - WhiskeyAmbassador
A local historian, MacFarlane (aka Whisky Wizard) is wellknown for his knowledge of whiskey provenance and lore; he will present the background of the featured spirits, as well as historical points of interest regarding the art of distillation.
A new electric vehicle center at Toledo Public Schools’Toledo Technology Academy will teach the mechanics and engineers of the future all about the cars and trucks that are quickly gaining a major presence on roads aroundthe world.
The initiative is something that car dealers and UAW representatives have been calling for for years and will keep Toledo at the forefront of the vehicle manufacturing of the future.
Leading Edge | Historic election, partnerships for growth, Wood Co. Fair - July 28, 20
Dr. Sam Nelson – University of Toledo, Political Science and Public Administration It’s been an historic summer ahead of the presidential election in the fall, with an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump followed one week later by President Biden announcing he will not be running for re-election but instead will be endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to run against Trump. D. Paul Zito – Regional Growth Partnership of NW Ohio, VP of Int’l Development Toledo continued its mission to reach out to communities around the globe and form partnerships this week when they hosted a contingent from China. Those partnerships are meant to bolster culture, the arts, business and communication. Additionally, in May, RGP Northwest Ohio was awarded the “President’s E Award for Export Service at the US Department of Commerce ceremony in DC. Paul Perry – Wood County Fair. It’s summer. That means it’s time for rides, milkshakes, Pork-A-Lean sandwiches and the culmination of 4-H club members’ hard work through the year. Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
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For more than two years, WTOL’s 11 Investigates team has looked into the blight issue in the city of Toledo. Thereare hundreds of homes that are uncared for or abandoned. And many times,the owners simply don't pay their real estate taxes.
But there’s something our team has never experienced before… a series of properties that have seemingly slipped under the radar of state and city officials including a trailer park off the Anthony Wayne Trail.
BRIAN DUGGAR | 11 Investigates leadreporterProcessing and dealing with traumatic events shownon TV, including the recent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump. How to help children who can be confused about what they see and how adultscan deal with the trauma itself and the stress of explaining it to their children.
NICK RYBAK, MSW - LSW | Mercy Health
Rick Longenecker is on a mission to connect UToledo graduates from around the country and help them share there stories. Also, teaching kids skills of the future.
Jamie Farr, well-known to Toledoans for his years on the hit television show MAS*H, as well as the professional women's golf tournament that bore his name, is 90!
Base Molecular Resonance Bo Short | Base Molecular Resonance Technologies
Lee Duke | Base Molecular Resonance Technologies
Touting it as a piece of technology with applications in military, medical, and security - BMRT contendsthat its Base Molecular Resonance tool will give those who have cancer and don’t know it more time - it will give schools, malls, governmental building a much more advance warning to molecules in guns - and it will warn border control agents of illegal drugs and/or dangerous weapons.
The investors say the technology is still two years away from being available commercially - but theybelieve it will be a game changer when it comes to more than 200 forms of cancer.
Teaching Teachers AI
Chelsea Chandler, Ph.D. -BGSU | Associate Dir. | Center for Faculty Excellence
Dr. Chandler is helping to lead discussions and trainings with BGSU faculty and staff on how the technology can be used and implemented ethically and responsibly in bothacademics and work. She’s also providing high-level insight on how the learning community is adapting to the semi-new technology overall, much like many othercolleges and universities.
Rossford Schools and the benefits of business
Dan Creps | Superintendent = Rossford Schools
Mayor Neil MacKinnon | Rossford
Northwest Ohio is an interesting study when it comes toits schools. As of late, a suburban Toledo district that’s been growing by leaps and bounds over the last two decades doesn’t have room for more kids - and voters have turned down two straight levy requests. The money to ease overcrowding - according to Perrysburg Schools - isn’t there. And the schools say - despite the failure of these ballot issues - the townships and city continue to approve new developments and multifamily units that will lead to adding more students - and the schools cannot turn students away. The schools say money is a problem - and apparently the tax base isn’t taking care of it.
Now - juxtapose that with what’s happening just a fewmiles away in Rossford. A smaller town - Perrysburg’s population is about 25k … Rossford is more than 6k - but in a town - where schools aren’t bursting at the seams - business and industry is flooding the schools with cash … and a lot of it.
Ohio’s political temperature
David DeWitt | Editor-in-Chief | Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio’s been important in most, if notall, presidential election years. But, much like the talk of tornado alley shifting – we are seeing trends that Ohio’s importance in determining the outcome is waning. Why is that?
City of ToledoLet’s Move program
City of Toledo, Director of Parks and Youth Services Jacqueline Johnson
Mercy Health Registered Nurse Sandy Sulier
Mercy Health Nurse Coordinator Bethany Pfeiffer
Let’s Move is a city of Toledo-run program designed to improve the overall health of Toledoans.
Flag City Honor Flight
Bob Weinberg –Flag City Honor Flight
NCAA Revenue Sharing and Lawsuit Settlement
Stewart Mandell | College Football Editor-in-Chief | The Athletic
We are living through what will undoubtedly be the redefining of college sports as we know it. The NCAA is about to not only settle a series of multi-million dollar lawsuits, but also embark on a revenue sharing program that will see Power 5 conference teams (Big Ten included) flooded with $20 million dollars a year to distribute to its players. Will the settlement have any impact on mid-major schools like UT or BGSU?
Gordie Howe International Bridge
Heather Grondin | Chief Relations Officer | Windsor- Detroit Bridge Authority
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open in September 2025. They've used the words "game changer" as if there's never been a link between the US and Canada before. Hear what the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has to say about the new span.
Carol Ann LaBounty – daughter of D-Day paratrooper
It’s Memorial Day weekend - a day forremembrance of those who have died in service to our country. In a matter ofweeks, Carol Ann LaBounty and her family will undertake a journey thousands ofmiles away. They’re headed to Normandy, France. This year marks the 80thanniversary of D-Day, when allied forces stormed the beaches at Normandy inwhat was a devastating battle in World War II. Carol and family will honor herfather who made quite a name for himself.
Today we honor Carol AnnLaBounty and her dad P-F-C George Rajner - a paratrooper - a member of EastCompany, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101stAirborne Division of the United States Army better known as the BAND OF BROTHERS.
Wendy Pestrue - President & CEO -United Way of Greater Toledo
United Way 211 is a free and anonymous information andreferral service available to anyone in Lucas, Ottawa or Wood County with ahealth or human service need. 211 has a database of thousands of differenthealth and human service resources for residents of Lucas, Ottawa and Woodcounties.
It connects the communitywith resource advisors 24/7 to get information about: food, housing and utilityassistance; employment services; childcare; healthcare; legal services; veteranservices; tax preparation services and so much more. Now, the United Way ismaking an effort to educate teenagers about the service.
Catching up with the President of Toledo City Council Carrie Hartman.Who is taking the ball when it comes to QOL? It’s not ProMedica - it’s not UT. What’s going on with the proposed roundabout at Secor and Kenwood. Hunter Brucks was given the keys to the summer concert series - so far there have been two shows booked. Life expectancy study from Area Office on Aging shows 20-year gap between Vistula neighborhood and the DeVeaux Village. Geoffrey Greif, Ph.D. - Author | University of Maryland | SociologyGreif, author of Buddy System – Understanding Male Friendships talks about friendships between men, how they work and why they are vital to men’s health and the health of the community.Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
Area Office on Aging - A Tale of Two Cities Within One City
Justin Moor - Exec. Dir. - Area Office on Aging
A Tale of Two Cities Within One City focuses on two neighborhoods, one that has the highest average life expectancy and one that has the lowest life expectancy, both in the same city, Toledo, and just less than four miles apart.
With this knowledge the Area Office on Aging felt the responsibility to try to do something to address this longevity gap that exists in our community.
Power phrases for dealing with workplace conflict
Karin Hurt - CEO, Let’s Grow Leaders
As a CEO and President of Let’s Grow Leaders, Karin Hurt is known for practical tools, highly interactive keynotes, and leadership development programs that stick.
She is an award-winning author of five books. Karin Hurt and her partner, David Dye, surveyed over 5000 full time workers in over 45 countries and in all 50 US states about conflict in the workplace.
It turns out conflict is becoming more of an issue everywhere you go.
They wrote POWERFUL PHRASES FOR DEALING WITH WORKPLACE CONFLICT to help all employees (and their managers) rebuild trust, collaboration, and ultimately enjoy more influence at work.
70% of participants in their survey report the same or more conflict over the last few years.
Only 30% reported less conflict - and nearly half of those say it’s because they (or the people they were in conflict with) changed jobs, or they’re working remotely.
Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
Toledo: a tech town?
Brandy Alexander - Activate Innovate Organizer | CEO, TandemTide Marketing
Michael Saleh - Technology Advisor & Consultant, JumpStart Inc.
The gameplan for Toledo’s Uptown was set. There would be a technology incubator going into the newly refurbished Jefferson Center. The jobs and the production coming out of the center would revolutionize Toledo’s identity and future forecast. BITWISE was looking to branch out and bring its tech savvy into underserved communities and give individuals a hand up instead of a handout. However, it wasn’t to be - at least in that form - BITWISE would go belly up in a financial scandal that rocked the worlds of nearly 20 local employees who believed in the message and the mission. Still, there is a newly renovated historic building in Toledo’s Uptown district, and there are individuals with passion and purpose who still see the possibility that Toledo could still be a tech town and an innovation hub. In fact, coming up Thursday, June 13, Toledo will play host to the Activate - Innovate Conference. The list of speakers, influencers, and local leaders is impressive.
Leadership Toledo - Regional tour days
Tedd Long - Author | Blogger | Storyteller - Holy Toledo Tours
Leadership Toledo has a long history of providing opportunities for Toledo’s youth. But last month, The Signature Program spent a day immersed in Toledo's rich and layered history. Between birds-eye views of the city and touring hidden gems, members learned about the building blocks of the community and the exciting opportunities coming our way thanks to the dedicated leaders who care so much for Toledo.
Tom Seeman | Author | Toledo NativeTom Seeman's book, Animals I want to See, is a lyrical coming-of-age story set in the projects of Toledo, Ohio, which explores themes of identity, ambition, religion, and friendship—often across racial and social lines. Seeman grew up in Toledo in the 1960s.Money MattersBilly Horn | Savage & AssociatesInterest Rates are still higher than they've been in decades. So how are people dealing with it and where are rates heading in the future?
Chicks for Charity
Emily Zarecki & Mona Shousher
Chicks for Charity provides girls and women of all ages with the inspiration and opportunity to participate in giving back, maximize impact, and experience the joy and dignity of being philanthropic. It’s not about how much you give. It’s the idea that you want to help.
BGSU Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative
Lara B. Wilken, DNP, RN - Assistant Clinical Professor, Bowling Green State University
Tracy McGinley, MA - Teaching Professor, Criminal Justice, Bowling Green State University Firelands
The Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative was created in 2024 to help fill the gap in the understanding of human trafficking, specifically labor trafficking. Through data, the Initiative seeks to offer insight to enable better identification of victims, services available, and best practices.
U Change Counseling & Behavioral Health Agency
Lashanna Alfred - CEO and Founder
Licensed Independent Social Worker as well as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toledo teaching Master Level Social Work classes. Her passion is to inspire others to become the trauma that has paralyzed them by empowering them and bringing them to a place of healing where they can be the best version of themselves.
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LeSean Shaw – VP, Empowered AI
It was the promise to not only transform a part of Toledo’s Uptown area, but also to bring change and create career opportunities for Toledo’s underserved communities by teaching people to code. However, the promise, the plan, the future wasn’t to be - as the powers behind the west coast tech hub operation Bitwise were found to be robbing Peter to pay Paul to keep the operation running, duping investors, including ProMedica, out of thousands or even millions of dollars.Since then, the former CEOs of Bitwise were charged with fraud and 18 local employees were furloughed.But now, some of those 18 former employees are determined to keep grinding for this city they love and the field that they know so well. Kate Fineske - Executive Director - National Museum of the Great LakesThe National Museum of the Great Lakes is celebrating 10 years in the Toledo area, but they aren’t growing complacent. In fact, the NMGL is about to undertake an expansion. Over the past ten years, the museum has captivated visitors with its diverse array of exhibits, featuring visual, audiovisual, and hands-on experiences spanning centuries of Great Lakes history.
From the era of fur trading, to the challenges of the underground railroad, and the exploits of rum runners, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through the pivotal moments that have shaped the Great Lakes into the vital resource it is today.
DAVID MANN - PRESIDENT & CEO - LUCAS COUNTY LAND BANK
The Lucas County Land Bank hosted a community update and debuted a series of short films showcasing its work building neighborhoods recently at the Imagination Station.
The event was to highlight progress under the Land Bank’s five-year strategic plan called Building neighborhoods and new initiatives to invest in land, buildings, and peoplein Lucas County. About 200 people, including elected officials, neighborhood leaders, and residents were there.
GUEST: TIM FRIEDMAN - OWNER - CULTURE CLASH RECORDS
Saturday, April 20th is the 17th annual global Record Store Day, and Culture Clash is throwing the best party in town.Record Store Day launched in 2008 as a means to celebrate and promote the distinctive culture and community surrounding thousands of independently owned record stores around the world.
H.O.O.V.E.S founder Amanda Held and veteran Dave Barker discuss a new documentary that has been produced about the non-profit organization that helps veterans struggling with mental health. John Burchfield talks about Tuesday’s Solar Eclipse and what towns and cities across the country and in Ohio will see the longest duration of darkness. Denny Vennekotter and Keith Truckor, area farmers from Putnam and Fulton Counties respectively, discuss the effects that the warmer winter had on this year’s planting season. Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
GUESTS: Bob Savage Sr. and Micheal Alexander
WTOL 11 recently reported how some localbusiness leaders were “working to gather petitions to equalize mayoral and citycouncil term limits.”
According to a press release from BJ Fischer, theindividuals feel that other cities in Ohio have benefited from the stability that having a mayor in office more than two terms can provide.
The question would go before voters inNovember. Supporters say it would give voters the option to “choose stability.”
GUEST Lilliana Mason - Johns Hopkins University - SNF Agora Institute
What happened to the middle in politics?
Lilliana Mason is a professor who specializes in Political Psychology.
She has looked at the ways in which peoplehave sorted themselves into the two parties on the basis of key identity characteristics like race and religion.
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Lance Woodworth - President and CEO | Destination Toledo
Toledo’s always wanted to be more - and there are those who are trying to make it happen - but it seems like there are those who want to keep it right where it is or where it’s been.
So what is Toledo's brand?
When you are charged with selling the image and potential of the city to businesses, conventions, or individual people, what is the pitch these days?
Tom Cole - Taylor Automotive Family Community Outreach
Terry Crosby - Taylor Automotive Family Community Outreach
There have been so many organizations that needed help to make their charity, and their love for others go. And that’s where Cole and Crosby, community ambassadors for the Taylor Automotive Family, come in, picking up the ball and getting it across the goal line.
Ed Moore - Dir. of Public Utilities | Toledo There are stressful jobs. We can argue about that all day long. But when you're the person in charge of a major metropolitan area's water system you can definitely say, that's stressful. City of Toledo, Director of Public Utilities, Ed Moore, announced his retirement recently. We asked Moore about the state of the region’s water system in the past, present, and future. OH State Rep. Elgin Rogers - (D) - Toledo As a co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Elgin Rogers is among a group of lawmakers who want to see the base salary for teachers in the state go from $35,000 a year to $50,000.While there are those who will say absolutely, they deserve more money, there are others who ask how are we going to pay for this.
Stan Eichelbaum - President, Marketing Developments/PlanningDevelopments, Inc.
Mall and retail consultant Stan Eichelbaumhas been called a shopping savant. He was instrumental in making Toledo’sFranklin Park Mall a success in the 1970s. At the time - the mall was aboutretail greatness and less about a real estate transaction - securing anchorsand bringing in unique to the market shopping opportunities.
But online retail, overbuilding, questions about safety, and the pandemichave all taken a toll on malls. Eichelbaum says the enclosed mall is not a deadconcept - but that going forward, it requires strict management and vision.
Chad Bringman - Ronald McDonaldHouse Charities of Northwest Ohio
The Heartwarming Party at the HiltonGarden Inn is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Ronald McDonald HouseCharities of Northwest Ohio - Chad Bringman will share stories of success andfamily and how this event creates a home away from home for families dealingwith tough circumstances - having their kids in the hospital.
CONTINUING THE RENAISSANCE
Toledo’s Director of Economic Development, Brandon Selhorst, wrote an editorial in the Sunday Blade last week touting Toledo momentum. He said a number of major development projects are poised to redefine Toledo landscape and continue an upward trajectory into 2024 and beyond. He listed five “major” projects including: the Glass City Riverwalk, the Toledo Social Innovation District (UpTown Neighborhood), Four Corners, Toledo Trade Center Industrial Park, Westgate North & Colony Lofts.
But how do all Toledoans benefit from these projects? Why will they make a difference?
Chris Nixon - Madeline’s Patisserie
SWEET IN SYLVANIA
The former owner of Element 112 and its head chef - Chris Nixon - have big plans. And the city of Sylvania gave those plans a major jump start this week. A meeting allowed for purchase and prepping of the site at 4815 Holland-Sylvania Rd. It was the site of a former Baptist church. The city purchased it in 2015. But now - they’re in the beginning stages of designing a bakery and shop with the hopes of expansion in just a short period of time. The specialty is croissants - and they have contracts with the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Delta Airlines first class, and the universities of Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. Mr. Nixon has been pursuing new croissant contracts in Las Vegas.
What is the secret of their success?
Rev. Donald Perryman, Ph.D. - ‘Sojourner’s Truth’ Contributing WriterIn a recent edition of Fletcher Word’s Sojourner’s Truth newspaper, the Reverend Donald Perryman, Ph.D., submitted an opinion piece entitled “Listening through the cracks: Potential Moves in Toledo Politics”. It caught my attention because of the “tea leaves” he was reading when it came to candidates and positions on Toledo City Council and in Lucas County government. He pretty much called the Katie Moline move to Lucas County Auditor before it happened this week - leaving two vacancies on Toledo City Council. We’ll talk with Perryman about the current climate in Toledo politics - and why NOW that we have the final act in the city council “pay-to-play” scandal - how the city council and its politics moves on. Jonathan Haynes, M.A., CMPC - NW OHIO COACHING SUMMITBella Johnson, M.S., CMPC, ATC - NW OHIO COACHING SUMMIT March will mark the inaugural NW Ohio Coaching Summit. Organizers say the goal is to elevate coaching standards, enhance athlete well-being, and positively impact the communities they serve. Through fostering a culture of continuous improvement, inclusivity, and community engagement, we aim to contribute to the broader development of athletes, coaches, and the NW Ohio coaching community. They will cover topics like motivation in coaching, communication with athletes, and the psychology of excellence.
Cerrsandra McPherson – Toledo City Council | At-LargeVanice Williams - Toledo City Council | District 4Residents have been dealing with “deplorable living conditions” at the Ashland Manor and Covenant House Apartments. Now, Toledo City Council is trying to figure out what it can do to ensure it never happens again in the city. At the same time, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz was in Washington DC recently talking with Federal officials - including HUD - about the situation. But how did it get to this point? Nick Eyde - ITALIAN BOWL 2025 Fresh off the success and surprise attendance to the Italian Bowl in July of 2023 the game will make a return visit stateside in 2025. McKenna Reitz - Former High School Volleyball CoachGreg Reitz - Head Coach | Men’s Volleyball | Lourdes Univ. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the professionalization of youth sports can lead to burnout and its prescription is that athletes need time off.
COL. GREGORY GADSON (RET.) - “Finding Waypoints: A Warrior’s Journey Toward Peace and Purpose” TERESE SCHLACHTER - “Finding Waypoints: A Warrior’s Journey Toward Peace and Purpose”
As part of a national book tour, WTOL 11 interviewed Retired Army Colonel Greg Gadson and his co-author Terese Schlachter. Their book, entitled “Finding Waypoints: A Warrior’s Journey Towards Peace and Purpose” details Gadson’s life and the many turns it’s taken, including the 2007 IED attack in Iraq that nearly took his life. As a double amputee, Gadson has persevered and has become an inspiration to many including his co-author and Toledo native, Terese Schlachter.
KRISTINA WHITE - Dir. of Events Operations | Springfield Twp. TOM ANDERSON, JR. - TRUSTEE Springfield Twp.
Springfield Township is positioning itself … without ever moving an inch … because it’s in line to experience the TOTAL ECLIPSE in APRIL. Township officials are set up for the experience and are putting on special events for the next several weeks. Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
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Greg Dempsey, Central Catholic AD/Head Football Coach talks about high school sports in 2023; Filmmaker Christopher Wegman talks about filmmaking workshop for kids.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine talks about the year ahead for northwest Ohio including what is happening to make the drive from Toledo to Columbus less time-consuming.
AI expert Jamie Ward talks about the pros and cons of the technology and how we should prepare ourselves as AI becomes more widespread.
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Scott Carpenter, Director of Public Relations for Metroparks Toledo, talks about the future of the ever-expanding park system and its role in improving the quality of life of northwest Ohio residents. Diana Patton, founder of Rise Advocates Academy, is calling for a “revolution” in the way the community deals with violence among young people, saying “the old way of doing things is not working.”Robin Isenberg, Executive Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Toledo is moving on to a position with the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo.
Car dealer pushback of electric vehicle mandates. Where is the stock market heading in 2024. A preview of Lucas County Children Services Gift of Joy event.
DEBT & THE DEFICIT
David Black, Ph.D. - Chairman | Dept. of Economics | UToledo
What exactly is the difference between the debt and the deficit?
THE HEALTH OF NURSING
Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN - President & Exec. Dir | OhioNurses Association
The recently named leader of the Ohio Nurses Association discusses the group’s multifaceted, multi-year campaign that focuses on the issue of understaffing and workplace violence in Ohio’s hospitals.
HAROLD JAFFE JEWELERS CLOSES
Jeff Jaffe - President & CEO | Harold Jaffe Inc
Harold Jaffe Jewelers announced it is closing its west Toledo location which will bring to an end a household name that thousands have grown to love and adore - just like their diamonds.
Cornell University Dir. of Labor Studies Art Wheaton discusses what's next for the UAW and Big Three Automakers. Also, author and former Wood County Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Jakubowski talks about Wood County's role as an election bellwether in the state and nation. Subscribe to the Leading Edge Podcast, and never miss an episode.
Apple Podcasts
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Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Romulus Durant talks about two renewal levies on the ballot on Tuesday, Issues 9 and 10.
Plus, all the programs available at Toledo Public Schools that are exposing kids to growing industries and opportunities.
Jim Fritz - Supt. | Anthony WayneSchools
Tom Hosler - Supt. | PerrysburgSchools
Kevin O’Shea - Supt. | OtsegoSchools
Ted Haselman - Supt. | Bowling Green CitySchools
Superintendents discuss school levies on theballot this November.
Dr. Dione Dorsey Somerville - Pres.| Owens Community College
Owens president discusses the climate forcommunity college education, the expansion plans (Toledo campus) and progress underway, and the importance of being a community partner.
Lydia Mihalik - Director | OhioDepartment of Development
Rebranding - "Ohio, The Heart of it All"
The ripple effect of Intel and other projects NOT reaching NW Ohio because of US 23
The Findlay Formula? What is it? How does it work? What are they doing to lure in economic development and some of the big names?
Wade Gottschalk - Director | WoodCounty Economic Development
Investing in Wood County during a period of highinterest rates
Can Northwest Ohio benefit from governor’s desireto make the state the Silicon Valley of the Midwest
Student loan repayments are starting up again even as the economy struggles... Daniel Jones - Master Accountant - Buckeye Tax & Accounting Enterprises, LLCThe search for referees and officials in Ohio... Beau Rigg - Dir. of Officiating and Sport Management | OHSAAToledo mayor discusses 20 under 40... Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
Leaders with the Neighborhood Health Association talk about a family event - Superheroes Need Support Too – a resource workshop for grandparents and kinship caregivers on October 11.
Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association CEOMonica Morales, workshop coordinatorLeaders with Team Recovery talk about their work helping families recover from addiction.Juan Duarte – Team RecoveryBrian Herrick – Team Recovery
Discussions on the ongoing UAWstrike, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and over 20 years of the 20 Under40 awards with Art Wheaton - Cornell University Dir. of Labor Studies; GretchenAwad – Executive Director of NW Ohio Susan G. Komen; Gretchen DeBacker - 199620 Under 40 Recipient.
WWJ auto reporter Jeff Gilbert discusses UAW strike. Terry Rentner, Ph.D. and David P Burns, authors of new book, “Social Issues in Sport Communication”, discuss intersection between sports and society.
It's football season! Jeff Smith discusses shake ups to the leagues in the high school and college ranks with Blade sports writers Steve Junga and Kyle Rowland.
Plus, Jeff talks with Dan Cummins about the brand new 4 p.m. newscast on WTOL 11.
Jeff Gilbert - WWJ-950AM - Auto Beat Reporter discusses the potential UAW strike | Sonya Quinn - NAMI talks mental health as kids go back to school.
Hunter Brucks, President/CEO of HB Concerts Inc. talks about the abandoned Waterville Amphitheater project as well as his group taking over the 2024 summer concert series at Promenade Park from ProMedica. Also, Shannon Jones, Interim Health Director at the Lucas County Health Department, talks about an uptick in COVID cases across the state and how the county should react.
Steve-O - 'Jackass' television/movie star, comedian, author talks about his upcoming show at the Stranahan Theatre as well as what he's learned living a life of bad decisions.
Also, Chad Bringman - Exec. Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of NW Ohio talks about the work the organization does for the families of kids inpatient and outpatient medical care.
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari - (R) Perrysburg
Since his first days in office - Haraz Ghanbari has been on the go. Whether it’s traveling through his district, hopping in a cruiser with the Ohio Highway Patrol, or catching a flight to our nation’s southern border - accompanying state troopers on orders from the Governor. Now, he’s home to share what he saw, what he experienced, and how, for him, it goes beyond politics, and is truly a human crisis.
Steve Harmon - Pres. | NAI Harmon
At one time - it seemed NW Ohio was a hot ticket item when it came to commercial real estate. And for whatever reason - the economy, the pandemic, etc., there was a cooling-off period. But now - as you scan the landscape - we’re starting to see more and more building happening. Still - is perception reality? What is really happening with businesses wanting not only to set up shop, but to set up shop here?
This week on Leading Edge, Jeff speaks to UT Women's Head Basketball Coach Tricia Cullop before they embark on a trip to Greece. Plus, we talk about mentoring our youth with Tramain Rayford.
Disaster planning in an age of mass violence. How schools are preparing for the threat of emergency situations.
Scott Lowry - StrataSite founder and president. Retired Findlay PD Lieutenant. Instructor of Dept of Homeland Security classes on Crisis Management for Schools
Matt Cooper - Findlay School Board President and Battalion Chief of the Findlay Fire Department, where he has served the community for 16 years. Cooper is also involved in Fire Department Operations for Tactical Emergency Medical Services with the Findlay Police Department. Matt has been instrumental in the selection and deployment of StrataSite for his community.
StrataSite is a Toledo company meant to remove roadblocks toward the “outside” emergency response plan creation, sharing and adoption between all responding agencies during an emergency. The program serves hundreds of schools in Ohio and Michigan.
Dr. Lisa Pescara-Kovach, Ph.D. - UT | Center for Education in Mass Violence and Suicide
Dr. Pescara-Kovach teaches graduate-level courses in school violence, prevention through postvention of mass violence, domestic terrorism, and suicide.
Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted talks Issue 1, college admissions, and what 2026 means to him.
Malcolm Cunningham, the leader of the city’s new Office of Neighborhood Engagement and Safety, joins Jeff Smith for his first sit-down interview with WTOL 11. Plus, Toledo City Council member John Hobbs III talks about crime in the Glass City.
It was something never seen for generations. A tornado touching down in Toledo. But the Governor wants the National Weather Service to answer why there was a lackluster warning. And it wasn’t just one in the region - no there were nine.
Abby Buchhop - Director | Lucas County Emergency Management Agency
Lisa Sobecki - Lucas County Commissioner
LGBTQ+ pride and tolerance
Kurtis Landis - NW Ohio LGBTQ+ Coalition Member
Joseph Wood - Equality Toledo | Chairman - Board of Directors
Kurtis Landis - NW Ohio LGBTQ+ Coalition Member
Joseph Wood - Equality Toledo | Chairman - Board of Dir.
Trying to understand mass shootings in this country, from a global perspective.
Unni Turrettini - Author and speaker
Also, what will the Gordie Howe International Bridge mean for our region.
Michael Beazley - ConnecToledo Brian McMahon - Danberry National Ltd. Rex Huffman - Spitler Huffman, LLP
Guests discuss elder abuse awareness. Research shows that elder abuse takes many forms: physical, sexual, psychological abuse, neglect, financial exploitations, and self-neglect. Christopher Jones | Adult Protective Services Coordinator | Lucas County Job & Family Services Paula Birney | Arista Home Care Solutions
Flag City Honor Flight is getting ready to take another group of veterans to visit the memorials in Washington D.C. Steve Schult | President | Flag City Honor Flight Dan Cummins | WTOL11 + FOX 36 | Flag City Honor Flight Ambassador
Breaking through the barriers, and finding mental health care for minority communities.
Diana Patton - Founder of Rise Advocates Academy Sonya Quinn - NAMI, Community Outreach Coordinator
Also, the boots on the ground, doing the work, at the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo.
Jim Rivas - President/CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo
Former Toledo mayors Donna Owens and Carty Finkbeiner respond to current Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz's announcement on the creation of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. Also, Charles Hiser, Executive Director of Lucas County Veterans Services Commission talks about importance of Memorial Day.
The state of motherhood in 2023. Examining the special issues that mothers face in today's world and how they can get help dealing with the stresses of the job.
Chelsea Miller, Inner child coach Anita Prielipp, Lucas County Job and Family Services Agency and Community Outreach CoordinatorJazmin Woodard, LCJFS peer educatorMynica Harris, LCJFS mentorFlorence McLennan, Mother's Day honoree
Young people coming back home, and telling the stories of the midwest. You're going to learn about the cofounders of Midstory and the vital tales they tell This week on Leading Edge.
This week on Leading Edge, we talk mental illness and the stresses our kids are under. Why the kids of today aren’t dealing with a puddle, they’re dealing with an ocean. Addressing mental health in our youth and young adults.Philip D. Atkins, Chief Care Coordination Officer/VP at Harbor discusses the need to address the mental health crisis in young people. Linda Parra - Director At Large, Nuestra Gente and Diana Patton - Motivational Speaker and author also add insight into the issue especially as it relates to minority communities.
Social media- Who needs it? Leading Edge takes on the pros and cons of social media with guests Kylee Doty, Digital Media Coordinator for Lourdes University; Katie Peters, PhD - Dir. of Communications - Washington Local Schools; Prof. Louisa Ha, PhD - BGSU Schools of Media and Communications; as well as local radio personalities Charlie Mack and Fred LeFebvre.
Since 2017, a number of educators around the state have been trying to come up with a formula that makes better sense. How much per pupil actually works? How much should it cost to educate a student, and does it matter where the school is located?
Recently retired ProMedica CEO Randy Oostra sits down to discuss the major changes and challenges in the healthcare landscape in the last few years.
This week, on Leading Edge, we talk to the University of Toledo Women's Basketball, Head Coach Tricia Cullop, we hear from Flag City Honor Flight, and the Total Solar Eclipse is coming.
Since 2017, a number of educators around the state have been trying to come up with a formula that makes better sense. How much per pupil actually works? How much should it cost to educate a student, and does it matter where the school is located?
After multiple city council meetings, letters written, and decrees submitted, it looks like Columbus is listening when it comes to a US23 bypass. Plus, after years of talking about putting another intake in Lake Erie and supplying other water options... it appears the issue is far from dead.
With March Madness upon us, we talk gaming here in Ohio (the gambling kind) with Jessica Franks from the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Plus, talking about how an area 85-year-old man got the ball rolling on those sports gaming kiosks with Tatum Lenavitt, Director of Marketing for UBetOhio.
March 11, 2023: What's fair, when it comes to housing? We talk about “Zip Code Matters” a new documentary, from The Fair Housing Center of Toledo.
Consumers Energy Vice President of Electric Distribution discusses last week's ice storm in southeast Michigan; Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz discusses the state of the city, including what his administration.
Retired Toledo Police Chief Jack Smith and TPD Captain Joe Heffernan talk about Toledo’s “Trail of Terror” on February 13, 1998, one of Toledo's most tragic days; Dr. Kristie Jenkins talks about trauma, the response to it, and the treatment.
Bob Weinberg and Steve Schult with Flag City Honor Flight talk about this year's schedule; Earl Mack and Fred LeFebvre of The Buffalo Soldiers talk about the work they do around the Toledo area.
Karen Ranney Wolkins with the city’s Parks & Youth Services talks about summer youth programs in the Arts, Theatre, Spoken word, sports, construction. Tiffany McNair, Housing Commissioner for City of Toledo talks about new funding the city received to help residents pay their rent. Dr. Heminder Singh with Toledo Cardiology Consultants and Mercy Health talks about heart disease in the community.
Newly-elected Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki talks about the long-delayed plan for a new jail. Steve Miller; General Manager of the Glass City Center talks about all the changes at the convention center and his hopes for the kind of events it can attract to the city; New Lake Twp. Fire Chief Barrett Dorner discusses his new position.
Robert Smith talks about the African-American Legacy Project, which collects stories from members of the community to preserve African-American history in the area. Lisa Kronbach-Eisenbach and Terry Hogan talk about the mission of Nightingales Harvest Cancer Family Pantry. Author and Social worker Lashanna Alfred talks about women's empowerment.
Toledo’s new interim police chief Michael Troendle talks about his first week on the job and his plans for the department under his leadership. New city prosecutor Rebecca Facey talks about her passion for domestic violence law.
Dr. Marvin Whitfield with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio.
Entrepreneur Will Lucas and Touchstone Award winner talks about where he thinks local business in Toledo is heading.
Steven Lewis, from Emergency Heartbeat CPR, talks about the importance of learning life-saving skills.
Retiring Toledo Police Chief George Kral talks about his experiences after decades of service with TPD - what has changed, what he has accomplished, and what's next for his career.
New District 41 State Representative Josh Williams talks about what led him into politics and what he is hoping to accomplish.
Advocates Rachel Gagnon, from Lucas Metropolitan Housing, and Michael Hart, from the Lucas County Homelessness Board, talk about homelessness in northwest Ohio.
How small businesses are handling the challenges in the economy today. Wendy Gramza with Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder on the rise with colder weather. Dr. Rajiv Parinja, Psychiatrist at Mercy Health.
New Lucas County Canine Care and Control Shelter. Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon-Wozniak
Todd James, Ex. Dir. of the Red Cross of North Central Ohio talks about responding to natural disasters.
Former Oregon Fire Chief Dennis Hartman and his replacement, Chief Clayton O'Brien talk about the Oregon Fire and Rescue Department's brand new fire station on Wynn Rd.
Lucas County Children Services' Julie Malkin talks about a very successful Gift of Joy toy drive.
Author Kevin Hazzard talks his book American Sirens, which tells the story of the world’s first paramedics, a group of black men in Pittsburgh. Rob Dodson with Master Fluid Solutions talks about the spirit of giving at work. Ohio Guidestone Therapist Shelly Kepford talks about grief and loss around the holidays.
Leading Edge takes a look at the movement to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote with Chuck Corra from Generation Citizen; also, new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rules in effect at college athletic programs with University of Toledo Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Brian Lutz.
UT Associate Professor of Political Science Sam Nelson talks about the mid-term elections and what they mean for the major political parties going forward.
Clinical Dietian Kelly Layton and Rita Sowinski from Mercy Health talk about Diabetes Awareness Month.
Local farmers, Keith Truckor and Denny Vennekotter, talk about how high inflation is affecting their business. President of Ohio Realtors, John Mangas, talks about it’s the effect oh higher mortgage rates on the housing market. Marsha Rose and Arcelia Armstrong, with the Area Office on Aging, talk about their Caregiver Expo.
Sam Nelson, University of Toledo Political Science Dept. talks about November’s election
Pat McColley, District Deputy Director of ODOT talks about the I-475 construction project
Jodi Gross, Ex. Director of East Toledo Family Center
Guests share personal stories to highlight importance of adoption and the importance of CPR.
Bruce Tronolone - life was saved by a quick acting bystander
Tymeeka Gipson - Adoption supervisor with Lucas County Children's Services
Larry and Regina Mack - Adoptive couple
Diedre Lashley, Executive Director of Bethany House talks about Domestic Violence Awareness Month… Jared Bryan with Dana talks about what the move to EV automobiles means for the company… Author Chris Bores talks about ghosts in the Glass City
D. Paul Zito with Regional Growth Partnership, talks about how local companies can go global. Also, Tim O’Donnell from Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport talks about the importance of passenger traffic out of Toledo Express.
The total solar eclipse is coming to Wood County and one local expert says people need to be prepared for the influx of visitors who will almost certainly be coming into the area for the rare event.
This week on Leading Edge, Dan talks veterans. Bob Weinberg, Director of Flag City Honor Flight, and Charles Hiser with the Lucas County Veterans Services Commission
Jeff Clegg - President CEO of Toledo Memorial Park on September 11 remembrance Tess Healy - Coordinator of Momentum Art and Culture Festival Dr. Marvin Whitfield - on Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio
Kevin Dalton, President of the Toledo Federation of Teachers and Lori Reffert from Toledo Public Schools talk about the nationwide teacher shortage and what it means for local schools.
Adrian City Administrator Greg Elliott talks about what is being done for the residents of the Riverview Terrace Apartment Complex, which has been deemed unsafe.
Gretchen Awad, Director of Northwest Ohio Susan G. Komen, talks about their biggest event of the year, the Race for the Cure.
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough (R) talks about his 26 years in the office and the what he sees for the future of the city. Bryan Blair, UT athletic director, looks forward to his first Rocket football season as the leader of University of Toledo Athletics.
Pat McColley with the Ohio Dept. of Transportation talks about road projects around the area including the DiSalle Bridge replacement. Lucas County Treasurer Lindsay Webb talks about the demolition of the old Rosemary Apartments building. Amy Boros award winning teacher at Hull Prairie Intermediate School.
Lucas County Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski talks about Monkeypox cases in Lucas County. Penny Tullis and Jonathan Dorcely with the City of Toledo’s Human Relations Commission.
BGSU Political Science professor Sam Melden, Safe Kids Greater Toledo's Gina Veres, ProMedica Oncologist Dr. David Macari
Sonya Quinn from NAMI Greater Toledo. Jeanne Wingate, board member with Ovarian Cancer Connection. Billy Mann from Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo.
WTOL 11 chief investigator Brian Dugger talks about the Cedar Point dorm sexual harassment allegations. Motivational speaker and advocate for Alopecia patients McKenna Reitz.
City of Toledo Commissioner of Economic Development Brandon Selhorst talks about the past future projects happening around the city. Alan Lancz talks about investing during a time of rising inflation and rising interest rates.
David Bush, Commissioner of the City of Toledo's Save our Community initiative talks about getting a handle on gun violence in the city with Isaac Miles, one of the city's violence interrupters.
Attorney Rex Elliott talks about the civil case against Bowling Green State University after the death of student Stone Foltz.
Dr. James Price, from the University of Toledo talks about H.B. 99, which authorizes schools to arm teachers, as well as gun legislation going through Congress. Heidi Fought, executive director of the Ohio Townships Association, talks about house rentals and who is in charge of regulating them.
Democratic candidate for governor and former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley talks about her plans for the state including her plans for a $350 inflation rebate for Ohioans.
Lake Erie Waterkeeper Sandy Bihn talks about the new documentary the Erie Situation and what has led to the algae blooms in Lake Erie.
Commissioner of Toledo's Department of Parks and Recreation Karen Ranney Wolkins talks about activities for young people in the city. University of South Carolina basketball star Zia Cooke talks about winning the national championship and her days at Rogers High School in Toledo.
Memorial Day weekend is here. The start of summer, but when it comes to travel and tourism, are we back to pre-pandemic levels?
Lance Woodworth, President and CEO of Destination Toledo answers that question and more.
Sara Swisher, from EPIC Toledo and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, talks about retaining talent in the Toledo area for area businesses.
There's a new man in charge of the University of Toledo’s athletic program, Bryan Blair, and Jerry speaks to the new Executive Director of The Ability Center.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks about the city’s plans for the federal funds Toledo got from the American Rescue plan.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz talks about the city’s gun violence problem.
Lake Township Police Department Chief Mark Hummer talks about policing in small communities.
Bowling Green State University associate professor of political science Dr. Nicole Georgette Kalaf-Hughes discusses the influence of Donald Trump over Republican Party voters. Also, Associate Director of Ohio Common Cause discusses the continuing saga of redistricting in Ohio.
Theresa Gavarone is running to be the Republican candidate for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District this fall and a chance to oust Democrat Marcy Kaptur from a seat Kaptur has held for decades.
Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre and Springfield Twp. Trustee Andy Glenn talk about Issue 5.
Communications Director for the Ohio Republican Party Dan Luschek talks about Republican primary in Ohio.
State Representative Lisa Sobecki (D) is challenging fellow Democrat Gary Byers for a seat on the Lucas County Commissioners.
Lucas County Commissioner Democrat Gary Byers is facing a challenge for his seat from fellow Democrat Lisa Sobecki.
Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan talks about his campaign to be the Republican candidate for U.S. Senator in Ohio in the fall.
Also, Former Cincinnati Mayor John Crandley and Toledo State Senator Theresa Fedor talk about their campaign for the Democratic nomination.
Deidra Lashley, Executive Director at Toledo's Bethany House, talks about the link between domestic violence and murder. Also, the voice of the Mud Hens, Jim Weber, talks about his hall-of-fame career.
John Mangas, President of Ohio Realtors talks about the hot housing market and where it’s headed from here. Also, Eric Ibsen from the Toledo Mud Hens talks about the excitement for the new season.
Greg Dempsey, Asst. Principal, AD, football coach at Central Catholic talks about what’s next, athletically, for Toledo’s Catholic high schools. Also, reporter Susan Tebben talks redistricting and JoJuan Armour talks gun violence.
JoJuan Armour, former director of Toledo's, Gun Violence Reduction program talks about what kind of impact the program had under his leadership.
Also, Kathleen Krueger CEO of AAA HealthConnect, talks about the new partnership between AAA and ProMedica.
Abena Rowlands talks about going back to school thanks to a generous gift from a benefactor, Pete Kadens, her life after the death of her husband and son and the hope she continues to have.
Also, Jen Miller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio discusses the latest redistricting maps.
Toledo City Councilperson Nick Komives talks about the Ohio Redistricting Commission's ill-fated maps as well as critical race theory. Also, London Mitchell talks about his career in radio.
UT President Dr. Gregory Postel talks about new money UTMC has received from the federal government, Toledo's new athletic director, and the role of research at the university. Also, Scott Hayes with Acoustics for Autism talks about the popular music festival.
Fake News. How serious an issue is fake news? Today's guests include BGSU Assistant Professor Dr. Christy Galletta Horner and Radio Newscaster London Mitchell.
February 13, 2022: Would be state lawmakers submitted their paperwork to represent citizens. Guests include Dr. Michele Grim, Ph.D and Joshua Williams
February 6, 2022: Two pioneering women. The new Chief of Toledo’s Fire and Rescue Department, and the co-chair of the Ukraine Caucus, who just happens to be the longest serving member of The House of Representatives. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Allison Armstrong, Chief of Toledo Fire and Rescue.
Majority Republicans come up with a new plan to redraw the congressional districts in Ohio. The new plan has Zero bipartisan bye-in. Also, coach Larry Tuttle a coach that has won 1.332 game, the most in Michigan High School history.
Candidate For Ohio House Jim Obergefell
Former Blissfield Baseball Coach Larry Tuttle
January 23, 2022: The Ohio Supreme Court rules that the legislative maps are illegal nd are Gerrymandered. Also, Former University of Toledo Rocket, and College Football Hall of Fame member, Chuck Ealey
Promedica becomes Title sponsor of the U.S. Women's Open in Toledo. Supreme Court rules to end Gerrymandering. Guests Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Nan Whaley and Promedica CEO Randy Oostra
A lawsuit has been filed against the school voucher program, and the two leading candidates for governor have named their running mates. Guests include Teresa Fedor, John Cranley and Jim Witt
Governor candidate John Cranley and Lt. Governor candidate State Senator Teresa Fedor. Superintendent of Lake Local Schools Jim Witt
Happy New Year! Jerry has Rob Ludeman , Dr. Cecelia Adams and John Hobbs, III on the show, as theyfinish out their careers as public servants As well as John Hobbs, III from Toledo City Counci
December 26, 2021: Hopes for a brand new vaccine one year ago, thousands sidelined from their jobs, and now local government is just flush with cash! Help house veterans with Veterans Matter.
Guests include Gary Byers, Denny Schaffer and Shawn Clark
Lucas County Commissioner Gary Byers, Longtime radio host Denny Schaffer and Shawn Clark from Veterans Matter
The race to be Ohio Governor . Line 5, a Fossil Fuel Line running all the way to Toledo. Guests include John Cranley , Mayor of Cincinnati , and Scott Hayes, Toledo Refining
All aboard the train to Columbus. Would a licensing fee fix some of the issues with the seedy convince stores popping up in town. Guests include Theresa Morris, Toledo City Council Member and Jake Zuckerman from Ohio Capital Journa
November 25, 2021: Richard Lane, son of Dick Night Train Lane and formerBruce Gradakowski
November 18, 2021: Redrawing congressional districts, and the Toledo's record high homicide rate
In the latest edition of Leading Edge with Jerry Anderson, candidates for elected office make their last pitches for votes. Joining Jerry are Toledo City Council hopeful George Sarantou, incumbent Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and his challenger, former mayor Carty Finkbeiner.
- A conversation with TPS Superintendent Romules Durant
Educating during a pandemic - At Toledo Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Romules Durant responds to having the state's highest number of COVID-19 cases among students. TPS is OHio's fourth largest district. Durant says transmission in the classrooms is low, student-to-student, but cases are popping up at gatherings outside of school. TPS has a mask mandate for most, but not all students with medical exemptions. Durant estimates that 99% of the students district wear masks. Durant also weighs in on the recent Ohio Department of Education report card that was released. A highlight for the district came on the most recent state report card, with a jump in the four-year graduation rate from 74.5% to 82.3%.TPS has vocational and career training, but it's not at one central building like the previous Macomber school. Durant said there are about 40 career tech training programs throughout Toledo Public Schools. About 2,200 students take advantange of these programs, Durant said. The superintendent also discusses the controversy surrounding perceived Critical Race Theory education, the difference between CRT and teaching history and the line that politicians are treading in diving into the educational controversy. * * Toledo City Council candidate profile: Michele Grim
Endorsed candidate Dr. Michele Grim says the key to creating a safer community involves both prevention and intervention. She envisions investment in mental health and neighborhoods, job creation and evidence-based law enforcement strategies. As a member of council. Grim says effective and accountable policing strategies would be part of her mission to stop violent crimes and also maintain a police department "that all of our citizens can trust." Grim is from Ashland, Ohio, originally but has called Toledo home since 2001 when she attended UToledo. * * Toledo City Council candidate profile: Tim Ryan
Endorsed Republican candidate Tim Ryan is a small-business owner who seeks the council seat to make a difference right here in Toledo. He wants to bring a businessman's perspective to the council. Ryan said the top issues to address are crime/gun violence. He notes that he's been a victim of crime as well, with multiple break-ins at his Ryan's Pharmacy.
On the crime front, Ryan wants to increase the budget for police and wants to improve neighborhoods through the budget as well.
He's a Toledo native who attended St. John's Jesuit and was a walk on at the Ohio State University for a time before an injury.
President of the Lucas County Port Authority Thomas Watson discusses how Toledo is feeling the effects of the shipping supply chain kinks. Recently, President Joe Biden announced his plan to help fight the supply chain. These plans include turning ports into 24/7 operations. Shipping companies FedEx and UPS and Walmart also are expanding efforts to ease supply chain strain.
Toledo City Council candidate profile - Ron Murphy. Murphy is a lifelong Toledoan who describes himself as a devoted Christian and loving family man. He says he believes in giving Toledoans a voice and pledges to bring "common sense back to government" and focus on the issues of corruption, crime, neglected communities and more.
Toledo City Council candidate profile - Cerssandra McPherson. McPherson, who's currently serving on council, is a Toledo native and longtime educator with Toledo Public Schools. She touts her deep ties within the community and has been involved in the faith and labor communities for over 30 years. McPherson says she plans to reinvest in neighborhoods, increase youth engagement, and support local business.
U.S. Senate candidate Jane Timken (R)
Timken, the former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Republican Rob Portman. Timkin is a native of Cincinnati, currently living in Stark County, and is a mother of two and married to husband Tim. Allied with former President Donald Trump, Timken touts her party chairmanships as on that "transformed the Party into a well-oiled machine that won conservative victories and advanced an America First agenda at every level – and delivered a second victory for President Trump in our state."
Other Republicans with their hats in the ring for the primary are businessman Mike Gibbons, author J.D. Vance ("Hillbilly Elegy"), former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan and Dayton-area Congressman Mike Turner. For the Democrats, northeast Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan is the declared candidate. The primary will occur on May 3, 2022. The general election will occur on November 8, 2022.
Toledo City Council candidate profile: Tony Dia
Tony Dia, father of falled Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia, is again vying for a seat on Toledo City Council as an endorsed Republican. He's part of the 12-way race for the at-large seat on the ballot on Nov. 2.
Toledo City Council candidate profile: Tiffany Preston Whitman
Appointed to council in the wake of the alleged bribery scandal that hit council and dislodged four members, Whitman now seeks the votes to keep her there.
Corine Dehabey, Director of Programs for US Together's Toledo Office. US Together is a refugee resettlement agency and an affiliate of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. US Together welcomes refugees from all over the world who are forced to seek refuge in another country due to the inability to stay in their native country. Services are provided in the agency's Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo offices. "We serve people who came from many countries where their rights and very lives are in danger. They are starting their lives anew in the United States."
In the first of our city council candidate profiles, meet Toledo City Council at-large candidate Mac Driscoll, the endorsed Democrat for the seat. He grew up in the Toledo area, received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Toledo, and a Master of Urban Planning and Development from Cleveland State University.
September 26: with Mike Ferner, Lake Erie Advocates and Bill Phillis, Ohio Coalition For Equity and Adequacy of School Funding
State Senator Teresa Fedor and Petee Talley, Executive Director of Ohio Coalition for Black Civic Participation