Dear Ohio - Politics, Issues, and People
The political system can feel like a complicated and gridlocked machine that we have little ability to influence. The truth is, you CAN change things when you know how. Enter Spectrum News 1 Anchor Curtis Jackson, who brings to the table decades of experience covering political news and events. Join him for meaningful conversations with decision-makers that will help guide listeners to an actionable understanding of the issues in Ohio.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 23 minutes
- Episodes
- 65
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2022
Redistricting legislative maps — Side rooms and late decisions
The redistricting process of Ohio’s legislative maps has been a point of contention and drama for the state’s lawmakers and policy watchdogs. In some instances, members of the same party find themsel…
Senate candidate J.D. Vance
Venture capitalist J.D. Vance, who is also the author of the best-selling book ‘Hillbilly Elegy,’ is part of a crowded Republican field in the race to succeed Sen. Rob Portman. Curtis Jackson talks w…
Critical Race Theory — Fantasies vs. Facts
In the last episode of Dear Ohio, Gerald Torres, Yale School of Law professor and one of the founders of Critical Race Theory, explained what it is and what it is not.
In this episode, Curtis Jackson…
From a founder — What Critical Race Theory means
Local school board meetings have been besieged by parents and others who claim children are being exposed to Critical Race Theory concepts in the classroom.
In this episode, Curtis Jackson takes a lo…
From Afghanistan to Ohio
Saving our Afghan allies is an arduous process. It takes years of vetting for them to get a special immigrant visa, a crucial step in the process. The costs of medical exams and vaccinations is also …
What we owe to each other during a pandemic
The surge in delta variant COVID-19 cases has reignited the debate over whether people should get vaccinated and wear masks to protect others against the coronavirus. For more than half of the countr…
Name, image and likeness in college sports
The NCAA now allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, or NIL. It clears the way for endorsement deals and other opportunities, but the NCAA implemented the policy quickl…
What made the August Congressional primaries so special?
The special elections in the 11th and 15th Congressional districts drew national attention, a flood of campaign cash and the involvement of former President Donald Trump. Now that the primary has bee…
The divide over investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack
Seven months after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, some Ohio lawmakers are playing direct roles in investigating what happened, while others could become part of…
The case for permanently expanding the child tax credit
On July 15, families across Ohio and the rest of the country started receiving new, larger monthly payments from the federal government for their children. The child tax credit was temporarily expand…
Are all politics still local?
Congressional races and an open Senate seat have once again put Ohio in the national political spotlight. What's unusual this time is the influence of a former president and other national figures wh…
Take this job — please!
The government added 850,000 jobs last month in another sign that the economy is rebounding after the pandemic, but the recovery is happening amidst an unprecedented demand for workers.
The good news…
Conspiracy-minded thinking rooted deep in America's history (Part 2)
Happy Birthday, America! As we near the 245th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’re going to take a look at what drives American exceptionalism.
Our national character …
Conspiracy-minded citizens and politicians impact how we vote (Part 1)
Can anything be done to slow or stop the spread of disinformation and delegitimizing surrounding the 2020 election?
In this episode of Dear Ohio, Curtis Jackson talks to Spectrum News 1 political ana…
The roots of racial inequality - Part 3: The push to close the racial wealth gap
The Biden Administration recently announced an effort to close the racial wealth gap between white and Black Americans. But how big is that gap and how did it form?
In the third and final part of our…
The roots of racial inequality – Part 2: Critical Race Theory in Ohio’s public education
There is a new battleground in the culture wars: the classroom. Republican legislatures are targeting Critical Race Theory, including lawmakers in Ohio. But what is Critical Race Theory and how much …
The roots of racial inequality — Part 1: The plan to rescue socially disadvantaged farmers
The federal government is moving to repay the loans of socially-disadvantaged farmers, including Black, Latino and Asian producers. The initiative is meant to address financial disparities laid bare …
Vax-a-Million, scholarship lotteries may lessen vaccine hesitancy
The first lotteries of $1 million and college scholarships for vaccinated adults and adolescents will be held Wednesday, May 26. The Ohio Department of Health said the lotteries are driving more Ohio…
What's behind police-caused deaths? The reality behind police reform
White police officers in Columbus have killed five Black people in five months. The shootings have once again amplified calls for police reform that reached a fever pitch last summer, but the compone…
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and highlighting the rise of violence against Asian Americans
This year's celebration of AAPI Heritage Month comes at a time of unprecedented pain and promise for Asian Americans in Ohio and across the country. An increase in violence against Asian Americans is…