21-wfmj news podcast by 21-WFMJ Newsroom

On the episode of The Radar, meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo sits down with Mill Creek Metroparks educator Lynn Zocolo to discuss fall weather and when we can expect to see that beautiful fall foliage this year.

In today's The Score podcast, 21 Sports Director Dana Balash is joined by Tyler Burk, Assistant Athletic Director and the Director of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) for the Youngstown State University Athletic Department.

In today's Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by reporters Ally Ross and Kaitlyn McCarthy, discussing the critical role that you, our viewers, play in helping stories make it on the air with valuable tips that we investigate.

In this episode of The Vibe, 21 News's Jodie White and Nicole Kapalko are joined by Steve Johnson, AKA Farmer Steve, from Apple Castle in New Wilmington to talk all about apples. 

In this month's 21 News podcast 'The Radar,' WFMJ chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm speaks with Tim Stuart, Youngstown State University's Senior Associate Director of Athletics, on how the university prepares for and monitors weather conditions for its outdoor events.

On this episode of The Score, 21 News Sports Director Dana Balash is joined by Mark Porter of Scouting Ohio to learn all about the website and what it does for student athletes in the Mahoning Valley and beyond. 

Pursuing some news stories is more difficult when they involve private businesses or private schools.

Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek sit down with Canfield Fair Director of Entertainment George Roman to talk about what's new and everything else you can expect to find at the 179th Canfield Fair. 

 In today's Radar podcast, 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhem is joined by Curt Spivey, Planetarium Engineer for Youngstown State University. Spivey discusses what is going on at Ward Beecher Hall, which houses the astronomy center, and some of the astronomical events for the rest of this year and next. 

 In today's Score podcast, 21 Sports Director Dana Balash discusses High School Football, which begins next week. Joining Dana are Valley sports historian Champ Summers, along with YSN founder DJ Yokley, who discuss the 2025 high school football season, from changes in coaching to looking at the local teams and their divisions. The Score is a monthly podcast for sports enthusiasts around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. 

In today's 21 News Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by 21 News reporter Ally Ross and Weekend Today anchor/reporter Leslie Huff, who discuss all the news coming out of Trumbull County.

 In today's Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell talks with the Senior Digital Content Manager, Robert McFerren, about what Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, may announce regarding something coming to the former Lordstown GM plant. Foxconn, part of Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan, announced Wednesday that they were working with TECO Electric & Machinery Co., which owns Westinghouse and builds engines in Texas, on AI data centers. While not much is currently known about what to expect here, Mitchell and McFerren discuss some of the potential options based on recent news from the company. 

Vibe hosts Jimmy Wendolek and Jodie White discuss the Panerathon — a 10K/2 Mile Walk/Run held in downtown Youngstown — which benefits the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center. The annual event attracts thousands of people to Youngstown.

In today's 21 News podcast, The Radar, WFMJ's chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm talks about all the people who submit those beautiful weather photos to us here at WFMJ.

This week on The Score, Dana Balash sits down with Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar to talk about sports including his favorite teams and players, as well as his time as Chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In today's The Outcue podcast, assistant news director Justin Mitchell talks with guests 21 News reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren. All have worked on investigating and reporting on the sale of the Southern Park Mall, the new ownership, and some of the troubles the new ownership has experienced at other shopping malls it has owned nationwide.

In this episode of The Vibe, Jimmy Wendolek and Jodie White sit down with Eric Ryan of JAC Management and Alyssa Connelly-Bissett of Sunrise Entertainment discuss several upcoming concerts in the Mahoning Valley.

21 Storm Tracker Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and guest weather enthusiast Ralph Mack talk about how to be a weather geek including how to set up your own personal weather station and rain gauges, which ones are best and how much they cost, what you learn in a SKYWARN training session and what kind of weather forums there are fore weather hobbyists. 

On this week's episode of The Score, 21 News's Dana Balash catches up with former Major League Baseball umpire John Hirschbeck.

This week on The Outcue, 21 News 5pm producer Brandon Brown discusses everything that goes into getting 21 News at 5pm on the air every day. 

In today's Outcue podcast, we look back on the first anniversary of the Realty Building explosion, which killed one and injured nine people after workers cut into a natural gas line.

The Vibe podcast hosts, meteorologists Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek, talk with Luke Shelton of Pure Flight Disc Golf of Boardman.

In today's The Radar podcast, 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm looks back at the 40th anniversary of the May 31, 1985, tornado outbreak that impacted the Valley and Northwest Pennsylvania, and beyond, leaving behind death and destruction.

This week on The Score, Dana Balash talks with the YSU Bowling Team who just brought home the National Championship.

In today's episode of The Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses building trust in our reporting with Corey McCrae, weekend anchor and reporter at 21 News, and Robert McFerren, Senior Digital Content Manager.

 This week on The Vibe lifestyle podcast, hosts Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek speak with Brooke Klenke, owner of 3 Maples on Market, located in North Lima, who talks about everything tomatoes and the 51 heirloom varieties she grows and sells. 

Everyone is excited for the warm temperatures of Spring. But no one likes allergy season, with pollen from the flowers blooming, the buds on trees growing, and the weeds growing.

21 Sports Director Dana Balash is joined by Curbstone Coaches President Bob Camardo and First Vice President Tom Miller. They discuss who they are, what they do, and their upcoming annual Hall of Fame banquet.

In today's 21 News podcast, 'The Outcue,' 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell sits down with reporter/weekend anchor Sydney Canty and reporter Leslie Huff to discuss the ongoing developments at Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull. 

The Vibe is a 21 News podcast hosted by Jodi White and Jimmy Wendolek, who will bring you information on entertainment, pop culture, and events around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys and the region.

This week, 21 News Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm introduces the new weather-related 21 News podcast, "The Radar."

 'The Score' is a 21 News podcast hosted by 21 Sports Director Dana Balash that will discuss all things sports around the Valley. Youngstown State University Executive Director of Athletics Ron Strollo joins Dana in the debut episode. Their conversation provides an overview of the YSU athletic department and its recent men’s basketball appearance in the Horizon League Championship. 

Today's Outcue isn't a look behind the story but an introduction to 21 News' expansion of its podcasts — adding three additional podcasts that will join The Outcue to our lineup.

 In today's Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy discuss the four-part Watchdog Investigation into JobsOhio, a non-profit organization that receives state liquor profits for funding. However, for transparency's sake, the spending of these public funds can't be viewed once given to the private entity. McCarthy discussed JobsOhio with Democrats and Republicans, some of whom shared their concerns about the corporation's lack of transparency and some about issues with the organization itself. The Outcue will now be posted weekly every Thursday morning and listen for next week's Outcue, where we will introduce three new additional podcasts that will be added to our rotation. 'The Score' — a sports-based podcast with Dana Balash, will premiere on March 13, followed by 'The Radar' with 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo discussing weather on March 20, and 'The Vibe,' an entertainment, events and culture in the Valley, hosted by Jodi White and Jimmy Wendolek beginning March 27. 

This week on the story-behind-the-story podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by some of the reporters who have spent the last two years covering the toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, quickly followed by the decision to vent and burn the hazardous chemicals inside the derailed tanker cars.

In today's 21 News podcast 'The Outcue,' Assistant News director Justin Mitchell talks with 11 pm Anchor/Reporter Erin Simonek and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren about what it is like to cover breaking news on the fly while gathering information to report to viewers.

The second season of the 21 WFMJ News podcast begins today.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses some of the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024 with the reporters that covered them.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses all the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024.

In today's Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell and reporter/WFMJ Weekend Today anchor Sydney Canty discuss understanding complex court filings and other similar complicated stories that reporters have to deal with in the day-to-day duties of doing their job — and make them understandable for all.

On today's Outcue, we talk about Public Records Requests, what they are, what they do, and why they are becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain.

21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and reporter Leslie Huff sit down to discuss Feed Our Valley, a campaign started by 21 News in 2007 to raise awareness of those in need in our community and to get food to those in need.

21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and anchor/reporter Madison Tromler discuss the two-part Watchdog Report investigation into the conditions inside Ohio's only privately run county jail in Columbiana County.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

 “The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories. Each week, the 21 News staff, including reporters and managers, will discuss behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast. In this week's episode, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell looks behind the scenes with 21 News Coordinating Producer Rachel Kerr and what a news producer does. Many of you may remember that Mary Tyler Moore's character on the classic sitcom was a news producer, but we never saw Mary do much work.  Listen and learn about the tasks that go into producing a daily newscast. The podcast name — The Outcue — is a broadcast term meaning the last few words of reporting before the package ends. We hope you enjoy it. 

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

 Natural gas accidents happen more often than you think. Experts we sought out, including the NTSB, say the lack of state and federal safety regulations is to blame. Could it happen again? Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and Watchdog reporter Madison Tromler discuss the backstories behind the investigation into the Realty building explosion and what needs to change to stop "The Danger Beneath Us." 

Assistant news director Justin Mitchell sits down with reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy to talk about her path from working behind the scenes to holding the powerful accountable. McCarthy, a Valley native and YSU graduate, has only been reporting since April, but in that time has broken major developments on the Realty building explosion and exposed potential conflicts of interest at a major development organization.

In this week's Outcue podcast, 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren discuss the story behind the story, looking at the fast-changing coverage of the Steward Health bankruptcy filings.

In this week's Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert discuss the story behind the story of 21 News coverage for months concerning the bankrupt Steward healthcare facilities in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

"The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective on our top news stories, but with a different approach. It talks about the week's biggest story but gives you the perspective of the story behind the story.

On this edition of the 21 News podcast, 'The Outcue,' Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell talks with Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren about the drive and burn that makes journalists do what they do.

In today's Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by 21 News Director Sheila Miller and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren to discuss how we address news bias in coverage in today's political climate.

In this week's The Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell talks with anchor/reporter Madison Tromler, who speaks about the National Transportation Safety Board hearing this week in East Palestine, discussing what caused the February 3, 2023 train derailment and why the vent-and-burn was a botched decision.

The NTSB issued more than two dozen recommendations Tuesday in East Palestine concerning the toxic train derailment and vent and burn of the vinyl chloride that began nearly a year and a half ago. These recommendations found that the rail industry had no standards in place for overheating wheel bearings and detectors and that the chemicals' vent and burn were unnecessary.

In this week's The Outcue, senior digital content manager Robert McFerren talks about the heat wave that has stalled over the Valley with chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo.

After a major breaking news story like the Realty Building explosion, there are often questions that remain.

In this week's The Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell, anchor Derek Steyer, and chief videographer Pat Connelly discuss covering breaking news in the aftermath of the explosion at the Realty Building from an apparent gas leak.

On this week's Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell sits down with two veteran WFMJ videographers - Ron Martin and Bob 'Bubba' Meluch - who share their stories about their time in the field and talk about stories that will stick with them their entire life.

In this week's The Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell, anchor Madison Tromler, and senior digital content manager Robert McFerren discuss stories we cover when someone calls us with concerns over a purchase they have made and are unhappy with the company.

This week, after months of speculation, Steward Healthcare filed for bankruptcy.  The move was not unexpected, but it leaves questions about what its impact will be on the future of healthcare in the Valley. Will hospitals remain open? Will nurses unions remain? Could another hospital system move in and take over? 

Gene Steratore is the NFL/NCAA Basketball rules analyst for CBS Sports.  After a 15 year career on the field, Steratore is now in the broadcast booth.   

In today's 21 News Special Edition of The Outcue, 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and anchor/reporter Sydney Canty discuss behind the scenes of this week's 21 News "101 West" on the complicated and often misunderstood perception of human trafficking and how it happens.

 In today's 21 News The Outcue S01E09, we update you on the ongoing financial investigation, which started in March in Vienna Township. This small community has been impacted by missing township funds—$1.3 million—leading to layoffs in the emergency services, including police and fire, and township officials working for free. While the state auditor's office is investigating the missing funds, 21 News has also been investigating what is happening. However, this case is complicated. Traditionally, one can make a public record request and see what the money trail shows. Public records are all documents for a village, city, township, state, school district, etc., paid for with taxpayer funds. They can include documents, audio recordings, emails, texts, or instant messages. 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell, along with anchor/reporter Erin Simonek and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren, discuss the public documents 21 News requested and received and why, in this case, it may not be as simple as following the money trail. 

"The Outcue" is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

In this 21 News podcast, assistant managing editor Justin Mitchell and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy speak with Hannah Grieco, a nationally recognized expert, author, educator, and advocate for parents of children with developmental disabilities when it comes to education.

Have you ever seen adorable pictures of puppies for sale on social media and thought you should buy one?

With spring comes the increased risk for severe weather around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

"The Outcue" is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

Every year, there is a primary and a general election. And this year will actually bring three elections to the Valley - with the Ohio 6th District US Congressional special election in June.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

As the March primary draws closer, we speak with the Republican candidates looking to challenge incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown for his seat in the US Senate this fall.

As the March primary draws closer, we are speaking with the Republican candidates who want to challenge incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown for his seat in the US Senate this fall.

"The Outcue" is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

"The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

Norfolk Southern, which has long promised to join the Close Call Confidential Reporting System (C3RS), signed the pilot program agreement, allowing rail workers to anonymously report safety concerns without fear of punishment or retribution by railroad managers or the railroads.

21 News spoke with Daniel Hornung, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, about unemployment and inflation rates in Ohio and when people can start to feel an economic boost from the recent decline in both.

After more than four decades in journalism in the Valley, WFMJ 21 News Director Mona Marie Alexander has decided to retire at the end of the year.

After a six-week strike by United Auto Workers against the Big Three Automakers - General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis - GM workers narrowly finalized their contract Thursday, which will add the Lordstown Ultium Cells union workers into its master agreement, meaning raises for the employees and additional benefits.

 During a General Motors third quarter earnings conference call Tuesday, GM CEO Mary Barra said Ultium Cells joining "under the scope" of the automaker's master agreement is still on the table, however... UAW president said the offer is "dead in the water."

21 News is launching a brand-new news program that will change how in-depth news looks in the Valley.

21 News managing editor Justin Mitchell speaks with Dr. David Niven of the University of Cincinnati's political science department about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s announcement that he'll run for President as an Independent.  Niven weighs in on whether the Kennedy name could spell trouble for President Joe Biden, or if RFK, Jr.'s policy positions endear him more to Republicans looking to move on from Donald Trump. 

After the tragic hunting death of a 12-year-old boy earlier this week in Columbiana County, the 21 News podcast talks with Ohio Department of Natural Resources Law Officer Operations Manager Jeremy Carter about things hunters can do to ensure a safe hunt.

In today's 21 News Podcast, WFMJ Digital Manager Robert McFerren speaks with CNBC auto and airline industry reporter Phil LeBeau about the United Auto Workers after workers overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization vote by 97 percent of its membership.

Corey McCrae speaks to Mitch Landrieu, former Mayor of New Orleans and senior advisor to President Joe Biden, about federal efforts to rebuild the nation's electricity grid. Ohio is set to receive over $14 million, nearly half of the total amount set aside for such improvements, to shore up the grid. Once in place, power outages should be fewer and shorter and the capacity will be much more equipped for emerging industries like electric vehicles. 

Chris Cerenelli talks with Danielle Frizzi Babb of the Ohio Lottery about what happens in the moments and days right after someone wins the lottery. What do you do? What do you have to sign? What should you do with the ticket ? Do you have to take a check or is it direct deposit? 

 Lordstown is ground-zero for a battle between Ultium Cells workers and its owners of the EV battery plant - GM/LG Energy Solution. 

Boardman police said that it was a serial killer amongst our community that took the lives of 13-year-old David Evans in 1975 and12-year-old Bradley Bellino three years earlier.

US Marshals Service, along with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office and the Youngstown Police Department, have recovered seven missing children from Youngstown during an operation with federal, state and local agencies.

In this episode of the 21 News Podcast, Madison Tromler speaks with former Republican Ohio Governor Bob Taft on why he's joined a chorus of voices, including several other prominent Republicans, who want to stop Ohio lawmakers from making it harder for voters to pass ballot measures. Taft says changing the rule, which has been in place for more than a century, would be expensive and unnecessary and would water down Ohioans right to vote on matters that impact their lives. 

Bharat Ramamurti talks about the latest economic data and what it means for the overall state of the economy. Is it possible to bring down inflation without leading into a recession? Ramamurti believes the answer is yes, but that it won't be an overnight solution. Also, could ongoing tensions over paying the nation's bills threaten any potential for progress? 

Ohio has reported people have spent more than $1 billion on sports bets in the first two months since being legalized within the state and collected 10 percent of tax revenue for the state.

WFMJ's chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo talk about what precisely some severe weather terms are.

Robert Fenn, Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist, joins host Madonna Chism Pinkard to discuss Social Security. They will discuss the cost of living (COLA) increase, the www.mymoney.gov website, types of filings for Social Security benefits, and the "Slam the Scam" program to protect the elderly.

Derek Steyer speaks with Kent State economist Dr. Omid Bagheri about the state of the economy. Inflation is improving,  the federal government is moving to protect some banks and the market is a rollercoaster ride. So what does all of this mean for you and your money? 

Bradley Droy is President and CEO of T.E.A. Inc. of Baton Rouge, an environmental company that investigates hazardous spills, designs and handles remediation, and assesses the toxicology issues and risk assessments for communities involved.

 Albert Presto, Research Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, and member of the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies speaks with 21 News about the concern of a by-product from the chemical burn in East Palestine, and speaks about the health concerns and what residents should do.