That's So Cincinnati

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and two of his granddaughters were walking into a Columbus pub to grab a carryout meal on St. Patrick's Day – and what would've been Ohio's primary Election Day – when his cellphone rang.  It was President Trump calling. In an interview with The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast, DeWine said the president called to discuss the governor's decision to delay the election a...

Leading in a time of crisis is nothing new for John Cranley.  The Cincinnati mayor told The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast that he's reflected on his experience of helping the city through the 2001 riots while leading the city's response to the new coronavirus.  Cranley was a member of city council in 2001, when civil unrest occurred after an unarmed black man was shot and killed by a pol...

Cincinnati's heavily populated West Side finally has a representative on Cincinnati City Council, and Betsy Sundermann has a message for Westwood and the Price Hill neighborhoods:  "I'm listening to you," the Republican said on The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast this week.  Sundermann was appointed to council last week to replace Amy Murray, who left for a job in the Trump administration....

The "R" word has been mentioned a lot in Cincinnati politics the past week: Reform.  Should Cincinnati voters implement a recall provision in the city charter? Should City Council have a mandated attendance policy?  Should each City Council members' $65,000-a-year salary be cut?  Should city law be changed on how open council seats are filled?  Few people know city law better than COAST attorney a...

Democrats could have an open seat on Cincinnati City Council soon, with the possibility of Tamaya Dennard either resigning or being removed from office amid legal troubles. Who could be in line to fill the seat?  Cincinnati.com City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge and political columnist Jason Williams broke down potential candidates on their That's So Cincinnati podcast this week. Here are some of...

No one knows Cincinnati politics better than Pete Witte, who some jokingly call the "Mayor of the West Side." The West Price Hill resident and small business owner is plugged in with both Republicans and Democrats and he offers his insight and analysis on That's So Cincinnati about: The candidates to replace Republican Amy Murray on Cincinnati City Council  Who he thinks should be the front-runner...

David Mann sure sounds like he's going to run for Cincinnati mayor.  But the city councilman isn't quite ready to go all in just yet. "My wife and I are having a lot of conversations, and I'm talking to other people," Mann said on The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast this week. "There seems to be some interest (from the community), and I'm continuing to look at it very actively." Asked abou...

Some say long-time Hamilton County trial Judge Robert Ruehlman is controversial. There's no doubt he's tough – and can be tough-talking from the bench. Ruehlman has been in the news a lot in the past year, notably for his public lambasting of Cincinnati City Council's so-called "Gang of Five" Democrats and for not hesitating to call ICE on suspected illegal immigrants.  But there's also a human si...

It's a double-feature of guests this week on That's So Cincinnati. Jean-François Flechet , owner of Taste of Belgium: He tells the unique story of how he went from crunching data at Nielsen to building a Cincinnati waffle-making empire. He offers a candid assessment of The Banks, where Flechet has one of his four restaurants. Flechet also discusses his efforts to help the restaurant industry overc...

It's hard to believe Bill Cunningham was once a Democrat who aspired to be elected judge in Hamilton County.  He's long since become one of the Midwest's top conservative voices, closing in on 40 years of calling 'em like he sees 'em weekdays on 700 WLW. Cunningham's powerful mic has helped to thrust him into a new role in recent years – unofficial adviser to President Donald Trump.  "He'll call m...

Crossroads' Chuck Mingo is on the frontline of working to bring racial reconciliation to Greater Cincinnati.  Thousands have gone through the megachurch's six-week "Undivided" program, which emphasizes people of different races and backgrounds to build long-term relationships. Mingo joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to chat about the successful program he started; race relations in the city; Cros...

Happy New Year, That's So Cincinnati listeners.  Your favorite local podcast is out of the gate in 2020 with an insightful interview with attorney Brian Shrive, who's become a major player on the local political scene for his work on exposing the text-message scandal Cincinnati City Hall. Shrive talks about overcoming personal tragedy and struggles with addiction to go onto a successful law career...

What do Greater Cincinnati's political, business, media, entertainment and other top leaders want for the region in 2020?  Nearly 20 regional leaders, including Joe Deters, Bill Cunningham, Alicia Reece and John Morris Russell, share what their New Year's resolutions are for Greater Cincinnati. You won't want to miss this special short but engaging New Year's episode of That's So Cincinnati.

Where did the City Hall text message scandal and the riverfront music venue end up on That's So Cincinnati's rankings of the top political stories of 2019?  Find out in this special Christmas week episode.

The Nutcracker isn't unique to Cincinnati. But Victoria Morgan's version of the ballet classic certainly is. Morgan's dog, Cammy, inspired the poodle character in Morgan's revamping of the Cincinnati Ballet's version of The Nutcracker in 2011. “I really wanted it to be fresh, and I really wanted it to feel new,” Morgan, the ballet's artistic director, said on That's So Cincinnati podcast. “And I w...

John Morris Russell's passion and energy is unparalleled year-round – and especially at Christmastime. The Cincinnati Pops conductor joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to discuss all sorts of things, including: The Pops' recent Grammy nomination and his celebration on an airplane World renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and smartphone usage at concerts The importance of including all people in...

Cincinnati Fire Chief Roy Winston talks about the Downtown building collapse, how his department responded and how tragedies impact first responders. The Enquirer's Amber Hunt discusses the launch of season three of the popular "Accused" podcast.  And fake or real? As in Christmas tree.

Cincinnati cares, and the Freestore Foodbank is proof of that. Freestore CEO Kurt Reiber discusses the work one of the region's top nonprofit organizations is doing this holiday season. He also talks about:  The importance of remembering that people are struggling with hunger year-round Tear-jerking stories about children in need -- and about children who are helping to address the issue of hunger...

Hamilton County prosecutor candidate Fanon Rucker highlights the major differences between him and long-time prosecutor Joe Deters. Top among those differences: Rucker is opposed to the death penalty. "I cannot see a circumstance, with all the inequities that we have in the system, that I would pursue a death penalty case," the Democrat told That's So Cincinnati. Find out more about Rucker's stanc...

How can Democrats appeal to rural and working-class Trump Country voters?  U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is among few Democrats who knows the answer.  The only Democrat to hold a prominent statewide office in Ohio joined That's So Cincinnati podcast to talk about:  The presidential field and why he's not endorsing anyone Why he's staying out of the race, despite people continuing to ask him to jump in H...

Cincinnati City Councilman Greg Landsman came bearing news on That's So Cincinnati podcast this week, saying Mayor John Cranley and Commissioner Todd Portune had brokered a deal on The Banks. Landsman also discussed:  The future of The Banks Joint Steering Committee City-county relations His legislation to help prevent evictions And his assessment of Council nearly halfway into his first term Also...

Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman joins That's So Cincinnati this week. The Cincinnati native, hired this year by Gov. Mike DeWine, talks about:  New customer-friendly ideas to reduce the pain of waiting in long lines at the BMV Visiting the license plate factory inside the Lebanon Correctional Facility How the BMV handles requests for politically charged specialized plates Also this week, Enquire...

What makes Jeff Ruby a true Cincinnati treasure? Well, besides his world-renowned steakhouses, he's never one to mince words. The famous restaurateur joined That's So Cincinnati to discuss:   The possibility of opening a restaurant in Las Vegas His take on The Banks riverfront development Working on a new book called "Art of the Meal" How his Downtown restaurant was originally envisioned as a New...

You've read their columns on The Banks-Bengals deal. Now listen to The Enquirer's Paul Daugherty and Jason Williams discuss the issue on That's So Cincinnati podcast. They address the Bengals' future, The Banks and the idea of a new referendum on the stadium tax.  Plus, the That's So Cincinnati crew breaks down the 2020 Hamilton County prosecutor's race in the wake of Democrat Fanon Rucker announc...

The Banks needs help from a team of development experts. That's what Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus told That's So Cincinnati podcast this week in response to a question about whether the riverfront project needs a master developer. That question comes amid the highly controversial decision to build a music venue and rework the Bengals' stadium lease.  The Banks have been without a m...