Franklin County Media

If you’re curious about life in Utah County, what makes it tick, or just looking for your next adventure—or your next meal—join me as we shine a spotlight on a county that’s deeply rooted in community values and brimming with opportunity. I’m Kenneth Wilson, your county administrator and host for today’s County Administrator series. In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Ezra Nair,...

On this episode of Talk Of The County, host Kenneth Wilson welcomes Al Vanderberg, County Administrator for Kent County, Michigan, for a wide-ranging conversation about what makes West Michigan and Grand Rapids such dynamic places to live and work. The two longtime colleagues talk about the unique challenges and opportunities facing county governments, draw out fun connections between their Michig...

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners held its General Session on January 6, 2026, launching the new year with leadership selections and key county decisions. The Board elected Commissioner John O’Grady as President for the 2026 term and heard his remarks outlining key priorities, including fiscal responsibility, affordable housing, workforce development, and community partnerships. The sessi...

This is an episode that’s both informative and inspiring, revealing why public health matters and how it touches the lives of every county resident—every day. Kenneth Wilson sits down with Franklin County Public Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola for an insightful and engaging conversation about all things public health in Franklin County. Whether you’ve ever wondered what a health commissioner does,...

Whether you’re a student navigating college choices, someone interested in public service, or just looking for genuine inspiration, this episode delivers honest insight and energetic storytelling you won’t want to miss. On this episode of Talk Of The County, County Administrator Kenneth Wilson welcomes Kennedy Hampton, a driven bio pre-med major from Hampton University, for an inspiring and lively...

Host Kenneth Wilson sits down with Damika Withers, Franklin County’s newest Deputy County Administrator. Damika shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, to leading transformative work in health and human services, and now playing an integral role in county administration. Never Forget Where You Come From: "I never forget where I come from, partly because, I mean, it's who...

Finding Your Path in Public Affairs: "I'm so happy to be here with the county, because I'm learning so much about all of the different government and public affairs roles that I could have that I never knew about." - Olivia Peebles Host Kenneth Wilson sits down with Olivia Peebles, a dynamic county intern and rising senior at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Olivia...

Whether you’re passionate about local government, leadership, or just want a front-row seat to the stories that shape our communities, this episode has something for you. In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Betsy Keller, the newly elected president of the National Association of County Administrators. We talk about what it really means to run one of the nation’s 3,069 counties and the u...

This episode is a celebration of kindness, community, and the idea that every day is an opportunity to learn from—and care for—our elders. Whether you’re a senior, a loved one, or simply someone who believes in the power of togetherness, this conversation will warm your heart and inspire you to connect with the extraordinary people around you. Welcome back to Talk Of The County! Franklin County Ad...

"So just because mine started a couple generations ago and maybe in another family's, it didn't. But it has to start with somebody. So just because theirs didn't start in the 30s and 40s like mine did, doesn't mean that it can't start in 2025 for their family." - Laurel Beatty, Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals Chief Judge Kenneth Wilson sits down with the trailblazing Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt...

"Combating Overdose and Addiction": "We are so resource wealthy here in Franklin County, but sometimes connection poor." - Dr. Nate Overmire I'm excited to share with you a fascinating conversation I recently had with Franklin County Coroner, Dr. Nate Overmire. He's known for his deep commitment to servant leadership and his drive to improve public health in our community. In this episode, I take...

In this episode of Talk Of The County, we focus a pivotal chapter of American history as we celebrate Black History Month. I sit down with Gregory Edmonds, the esteemed president of the Tuskegee Airmen Ohio Memorial chapter. Gregory shares his journey of discovering the rich legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen through a Black studies program at college and recounts how a visit to their national museum s...

Restorative Justice Vision: "I have said over and over again that the job extends beyond the courtroom. If you wanted a prosecutor that was only gonna be concerned about winning cases and cycling people in and out, then I wasn't the person for you." - Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor I am excited to bring you another insightful episode of Talk of the County, where we get into the heart and...

In the January 28th General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $102,000 investment in cultural fluency training , reaffirming their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public service. Key Topics Discussed: • The role of cultural fluency in improving service outcomes for residents • Commissioner Boyce’s challenge to go beyond existing DEI efforts • Commissi...

In the January 28th General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 6525 , allocating $235,000 to support Zora’s House and its Women of Color Wealth Builders Program . Listen in to hear: • 📢 Zora’s House’s mission to provide financial literacy and economic support • 💰 How the program helps first-generation wealth builders • 🏛️ Franklin County’s commitment to econo...

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners officially supports the hiring of Tyler Parsons as the new President and General Manager of the Columbus Clippers, ushering in a new era of leadership for the team. After a diligent selection process, Parsons was chosen to guide the Clippers into the future, following the legendary tenure of Ken Schnacke, who is set to celebrate 50 years with the organiza...

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has approved a one-month extension for dog licensing in 2025! This means pet owners now have until February 28 to register their dogs without penalties. 🐶 Listen to find out: 🎯 Why dog registration matters for public safety & lost pet recovery 📅 How the extension helps pet owners and increases compliance 💡 The Auditor’s role in ensuring proper lic...

In the January 21st General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners welcomed Karen Washburn, Executive Director of the Columbus chapter of the American Red Cross, to spotlight National Blood Donor Month. Washburn shared critical insights into the life-saving importance of blood donations, home fire prevention efforts, and local Red Cross initiatives. Hear personal stories from commissi...

In the January 2025 General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners celebrated Tech Corps and their transformative 6th Annual Hackathon. Thanks to Franklin County’s $100,000 sponsorship, over 150 high school students explored computer science and created mobile apps addressing global sustainability challenges. This session highlights inspiring stories of innovation, community impact, a...

On January 21, 2025, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Reeb Avenue Center, a cornerstone of hope and service for the South Side of Columbus. Reeb Center representatives Vanessa Mora and Ally Zahler share stories of impact, including serving over 5,500 individual clients and partnering with the Community Shelter Board to expand housing resources. Lear...

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners General Session on January 21, 2025, celebrated innovation, service, and impactful resolutions. Key Highlights: • TechCorps showcased the success of its $100,000 Hackathon sponsorship, inspiring 150 high school students in computer science. • The Reeb Center celebrated 10 years of empowering South Side residents. • Recognized National Blood Donor Month wi...

Breaking Down Silos in Human Services : "One of the things that was, negotiated at the table was, hey, we need to figure out how do we break down the silos in our human service agencies." We are honored to speak with Joy Bivens, the Deputy County Administrator for Health and Human Services in Franklin County. Joy is a highly passionate public servant, dedicated to fighting for the marginalized and...

In the January 14, 2025, General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recognized the achievements of state champion athletes from fall 2024, showcasing their dedication and success. Key Highlights: • President Erica Crawley commends the athletes’ resilience and leadership. • Reflections from Commissioners Kevin Boyce and John O’Grady on sports as a foundation for personal and commun...

In the January 14, 2025, General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners balanced celebrating fall 2024 state champion athletes with advancing resolutions for community progress. 📌 Key Topics Discussed: • Recognizing state champion teams from across Franklin County, including Bexley, Columbus Academy, Thomas Worthington, New Albany, Olentangy Liberty, and Bishop Watterson. • Approving...

In the first general session of 2025, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners elected Erica Crawley as Board President, marking her second time in the role. Commissioner Crawley emphasized the county’s commitment to being a steady hand for residents, opening opportunities to ensure everyone can thrive—not just survive. This session also welcomed Prosecutor Shayla Favor , who made history as the...