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. After parents raised concerns about the planned sunsetting of an Austintown School district program for children with developmental disabilities, we asked Grieco for her thoughts on incorporating students into 'mainstream'...

Have you ever seen adorable pictures of puppies for sale on social media and thought you should buy one? Today's 21 News Outcue podcast looks at our Watchdog brand reporting... or Watch Puppy in this case... involving an investigation of alleged puppy fraud that started here in the Valley but left people around North America without a puppy or a refund.  Our previous reporting told you about a Goshen Township woman who was facing multiple civil lawsuits over Dachshunds and English Bulldog...

With spring comes the increased risk for severe weather around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. After saturating rains on Tuesday caused some soggy yards and minor flooding, there is a chance of severe weather through 10 p.m. We hear the terms of severe risk categories, which fall under categories like thunderstorms: marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate, to high. But what do they mean? What is the difference being a tornado watch and a warning? Are there increased risks that come with...

"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 what goes on 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 episode, assistant news director J. Breen Mitchell sits down with Madison Tromler and Sydney Canty to discuss how a story develops when it starts with concerns from community...

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. While voting is usually a fairly quick event for voters, it takes our newsroom, reporters, videographers, web team, and people inputting election results weeks of planning and preparation. This week, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by 21 News Director Sheila Miller and Senior Digital...

“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 what goes on 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. This week, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by anchor/reporter Corey McCrae and anchor/reporter Madison Tromler to discuss how reporters cover difficult 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 what goes on 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 episode three, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren to discuss 21 News coverage of the East Palestine train...

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. WFMJ's assistant news director Justin Mitchell speaks with Bernie Moreno, a self-described "political outsider," who is the only candidate in this primary officially endorsed by Trump. 

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. WFMJ's assistant news director Justin Mitchell speaks with Frank LaRose,  a former Army Green Beret, has been Ohio's Secretary of State since 2018.

"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 what goes on 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 episode two, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by anchor/reporter Madison Tromler and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren to discuss our deep dive...

"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 what goes on behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process all the way to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast. In episode one, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by anchor/reporter Chris Cerenelli and reporter Leslie Huff to discuss how we first told you of the story...

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. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) General Chairman Scott Bunten spoke to 21 News about why this pilot program is a good step for improved rail safety for workers and the community.

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. Assistant News Director Sheila Miller and Managing Editor Justin Mitchell are joining Mona to reflect on her impact on news coverage in the Valley and the changes she made during her time at WFMJ - including adding the Feed Our Valley, which helps numerous people in our community, and growing our news coverage by adding WFMJ Today, WFMJ Weekend...

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. The salary bump for the UAW workers at the facility will bring an economic boost to the employees and the Valley. Joining us to explain how the millions of dollars headed to the...

 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." We talk with CNBC auto reporter Michael Wayland to find out what is going on. 

21 News is launching a brand-new news program that will change how in-depth news looks in the Valley. The new show is called '101 West,' named after our news station location here in downtown Youngstown ... 101 West Boardman Street... and it debuts Tuesday, October 17 on WFMJ at 7 p.m. In this 21 News Podcast, managing editor Justin Mitchell, assistant news director Sheila Miller, digital content manager Robert McFerren, and reporter/anchor Madison Tromler, all sat down to talk about the...

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. Carter speaks about the hunting season and says hunting is a safe event despite unfortunate incidents.

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. In the podcast, we talk about how much the strike occurs, how much it is expected to cost the auto industry, and the potential impact on anyone looking to buy a new vehicle.

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?  Everything you'll need to know if you happen to be that one in (several hundred) million to strike it rich. 

 Lordstown is ground-zero for a battle between Ultium Cells workers and its owners of the EV battery plant - GM/LG Energy Solution.  And Ford and Chrylsler's parent companies are closely watching as both build their own EV battery plants around the US.  Joining us in the 21 News Podcast is Detroit Bureau Chief David Welch, who reports on the auto industry for Bloomberg. What does the fight here in the Valley mean for other battery plants and what does it mean for UAW workers making combustion...

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. 21 News digital content manager Robert McFerren speaks with former Boardman Twp. Chief of Police Glenn Bowers of what it was like to investigate these cold cases with very little to go on.

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. Operation 'We Will Find You' goal was to recover endangered missing children, and 35 children were recovered, including the seven local children. The Ohio portion of this nationwide operation was focused in the Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown areas. In this...