Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson

Urban Wholistics in Toledo is part of a new pilot program in the state for youth farmers. The organization's founder and executive director, Sonia Flunder-McNair, joins me on this week's Community Focus.

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by the incumbent in the Lucas County commissioner's race, Pete Gerken (D). He's responding to his opponent's remarks on last week's show, while also discussing current challenges and progress.

A former member of Toledo City Council, Republican Tom Waniewski is now running to unseat Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. He joins me on this week's Community Focus, to discuss how he'd lead in the position, if elected.

For this week's Community Focus, I took a trip to check out the latest exhibition at The Toledo Museum of Art — which exclusively features the work of artists over the age of 55. Community Outreach Manager Jessica Mack joins me to explain.

After three years of searches, an end to the mystery of what happened to Dee Ann Warner. Remains found on property owned by her husband, Dale, have been positively identified as Dee's. Her nephew, Parker Hardy, sits down for an interview on Community Focus.

Today, I'm serving as a presenter — after also judging — for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities' CommUNITY Film Fest! But before I do that, Lori Balogh from the board joins me on Community Focus to discuss its mission.

I do it only every so often: a Community Focus Rundown Edition! In place of the typical interview format of Community Focus, I make sense of the news. And in the case of this show, developments in the presidential race.

On this week's Community Focus, I sit down with the founder and trustee of 'Chicks for Charity,' Martha Vetter, to discuss what her organization is all about — as well as how it continues to evolve.

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Editorial Director Logan Sander and Creative Director Ruth Chang — both of 'Midstory' — to discuss their new exhibit on the regional impacts of climate change.

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by the chief of the Statehouse News Bureau in Columbus — Karen Kasler — to discuss the events of the Republican National Convention, as well as her reporting on the U.S. Senate race here in Ohio.

On this week's Community Focus, legislative research manager for the National League of Cities, McKaia Dykema, discusses her group's differing perspective on the Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that cities can fine homeless individuals who sleep in public. Marcus Roth, spokesperson for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, joins me on Community Focus with his group's perspective.

The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington recently had 12 members of its reporting team laid off, as new management aims to cut costs. But with this being a trend nationwide, the paper's union is fighting back. The paper's local news editor, Caleb Hutton, joins me on Community Focus.

Did you hear? There's a presidential debate Thursday! And I'm getting you set, with the Community Focus Pre-Debate Show. From the rules of the debate to the candidates and the issues, I'll have you well-prepared!

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Eddie Campos, real estate agent and president of Northwest Ohio Realtors, to discuss the struggles of today's homebuyer, how the housing shortage will be solved, and tips he has.

On this week's Community Focus, former Toledo TV news reporter Kristy Gerlett's own story. After traumatically witnessing her mother's death from a medical emergency, she now faces a probate court battle, which has taught her lessons she wants to share.

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Miami Hurricanes Head Women's Basketball Coach Tricia Cullop, to discuss her time in the Glass City, reaction to having so much local support in her move, and starting fresh in South Florida.

On this Memorial Day Weekend edition of Community Focus, just the headlines. From Trump's hush money trial 🏛 to Biden's Ohio ballot battle 🗳️ to a new poll on Americans' assessment of the economy 💴 to a group of Senators' letter to Canada 🇨🇦

Mom's House is where mothers from The Pregnancy Center are, at times, referred to continue their journey. However, growing need has strained that relationship. But The Pregnancy Center's executive director has good news, on this week's Community Focus!

His mother, Eunice (sister of JFK), visited Sunshine Communities in 1963. And now, in 2024, Tim Shriver — who serves as the board chair for Special Olympics (which his mother founded) — returns to NW Ohio for Sunshine's 75th anniversary celebration. I caught up with him before his remarks!

Partners in Education is a local nonprofit that understands schools and teachers are stretched thin, which is why they offer classroom solutions. I speak with Executive Director Brooke Schlageter, on this week's Community Focus.

The Lucas County Democratic Party, this week, announced its new chairwoman. Sky Beckwith sits down to talk her prior experience, plans for this big election year, and message for unenthused voters — on this week's Community Focus.

Abortion? The economy? Immigration? Big issues for voters. Foreign policy? Depends on who you ask. That's why I'm asking questions to Sam Nelson, associate political science professor at the University of Toledo, on this week's Community Focus.

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Channon Craig of the Toledo Early Learning Coalition, to discuss the coalition's work and the benefits of having a community filled with learners who begin their journeys early.

On this week's Community Focus, Lucas County Land Bank President & CEO David Mann joins me to discuss the land bank's latest project and the surprising things you may not know the land bank can do for you.