Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Megan Vahey Casiere, who announced her resignation from the position of administrator with Lucas County. Casiere reflects on her last 10 years with the county, and talks about what's next. Originally Aired: October 9, 2022

Originally Aired: October 2, 2022  On this week's edition of Community Focus, I'm chatting with State Representative Lisa Sobecki of Ohio's 45th House District, to discuss electric vehicles and their role in combatting climate change, as well as what other action on climate we could expect from the state legislature.

Originally Aired: September 25, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Dr. Brian Kaminski, VP of quality and patient safety at ProMedica, to discuss the pandemic three years later, as well as his reaction to President Biden's proclamation of the pandemic being over.

Originally Aired: September 18, 2022 It has been a little over seven months since Allison Armstrong was appointed as Toledo's first female fire chief. Since then, she has gotten to work on the many challenges facing the department. And in this one-on-one interview, nothing's off limits.

Originally Aired: September 11, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Jan Materni, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio's 75th House District, which encompasses all of Wood County, from Perrysburg & Bowling Green to the small, rural communities.

Originally Aired: September 4, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Lucas Camuso-Stall, director of government relations & advocacy for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, to discuss the system's 3.7 mill levy, which they're hoping you'll renew this fall.

Originally Aired: August 28, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm discussing the closely-watched 43rd House District race with another one of the two candidates: Republican business owner Wendi Hendricks. Hendricks addresses her stance on abortion rights, as well as crime here in Northwest Ohio.

Originally Aired: August 21, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm sitting down with Joshua Williams, the Republican candidate running for state representative in Ohio's 41st House District. Hear Williams' thoughts on abortion rights, gun laws in Ohio, and inflation, during this one-on-one interview.

Originally Aired: August 14, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Councilwoman Michele Grim (D) to discuss her candidacy in Ohio's 43rd House District. From the issues facing voters to the challenges of running in such a diversely-drawn district. We cover it all.

Originally Aired: August 7, 2022 Following Tuesday's primary defeat, Colin Flanagan (D) joins me on Community Focus to look back on the campaign he ran, and future of the Democratic Party — heading into November.

Originally Aired: July 31, 2022 Councilwoman Michele Grim was initially scheduled to appear on this week's Community Focus, but had to reschedule. To accommodate, here's my extended conversation with Daniel Ortiz, the other Democratic candidate running to represent OH-43.

Originally Aired: July 24, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm discussing a special redevelopment project in downtown Toledo, which entered an important stage this week, with Brandon Sehlhorst, director of economic development for the City of Toledo.

Originally Aired: July 17, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Nancy Larson (D), a candidate running to represent OH-41. Hear her plan for abortion rights, gun violence, as well as police reform, in the wake of Jayland Walker's death in nearby Akron.

Originally Aired: July 10, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm giving you local perspective on nationwide issues, from gun violence to women's rights, with Toledo City Councilwoman At-Large Cerssandra McPherson (D). You'll also hear her outlook on the August primary election.

Originally Aired: July 3, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I sit down with the Ability Center of Greater Toledo's new executive director — Stuart James! We discuss the organization's wide range of programming and how you can get involved.

Originally Aired: June 26, 2022 On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by AAA's Kara Hitchens, to discuss President Biden's plea to states for them to drop their gas tax, as well as the possibility of that happening here in Ohio and how it could impact you in more ways than one.

Originally Aired: June 12, 2022 This week's Community Focus continues the conversation regarding gun violence, our youth, and our future — with community activist and leader Montrice Terry. We discuss the youth programs being offered this summer, and how our city can get the most out of them.

Originally Aired: June 5, 2022 Inflation has caused the price per gallon of gas, food at the grocery store, and everything in between to skyrocket. So what’s really behind it? I’m getting answers, not from Facebook memes, rather an expert: Dr. Kevin Egan, the University of Toledo's professor of economics.

Originally Aired: May 29, 2022 Next week, we'll mark two years since a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Toledo turned violent, the direct result of swift, aggressive action from the Toledo Police Department. One of the protestors who were there, Ny'Asia Mathis, joins me on Community Focus to take a look back.

It's been a week since his trip to Washington D.C. to participate in a roundtable discussion, hosted by the White House and attended by mayors from across the country, and now Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (D) has sat down for a one-on-one interview with me. Find out what was discussed, how it impacts you, and what lies in the Glass City's future. Original Air Date: May 22, 2022

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) to talk last week's primary election challenges, as well as his outlook on the potential August primary, where state house and senate representatives will be decided. Original Air Date: May 15, 2022

On this Mother's Day edition of Community Focus, I'm sitting down with Alfonso Narvaez, a local activist and the president of ONE Village Council, to discuss gun violence, which has taken away the pride and joys of many mothers here in the Glass City. Original Air Date: May 8, 2022

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Toledo NAACP President Willie Perryman Jr. to discuss the recent rise in gun violence, as well as his thoughts on the resignation of JoJuan Armour, and who believes should fill Armour's shoes in the city of Toledo's ongoing efforts to reduce violence. Original Air Date: May 1, 2022 

On this week's Community Focus, I'm sitting down with local LGBTQ+ advocate Sheena Barnes, to discuss the recent introduction of some bills that would ban teachings of gender/sexuality to K-12 students in Florida, and most recently, Ohio. While Florida's bill passed, Ohio's hangs in the balance, which is why Barnes has a message to those who support it. Original Air Date: April 24, 2022

On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Gary Byers, president of the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, to discuss his campaign for reelection, as well as the potential for a new county jail and the importance of a productive city-county relationship. Original Air Date: April 17, 2022