Aya Cathey

4 days ago | ideastream.org | Rachel Rood |Aya Cathey

Local news deserts are spreading at an alarming pace, according to the 2024 State of Local News report from Northwestern, which found that 204 counties in the U.S. don't have any news outlet, and 1,500 counties only have one. When communities aren't informed, it can lead to increased polarization, decreased voting and increased government corruption.

1 week ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Drew Maziasz

Not long ago, talk therapy was spoken about in whispers. Today, it's become a central way many Americans manage their mental health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen not only a rise in anxiety, depression and burnout, but a shift in how people respond to those feelings. More are choosing therapy to treat these conditions, while medication is on the decline for the first time in years, according to a recent in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

3 weeks ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Jenny Hamel

In Northeast Ohio, issues like lead exposure, aging infrastructure and air pollution are more than just nuisances — they're public health concerns, hitting some communities harder than others. And here's the connection that doctors say people miss: these environmental risks are tied to heart disease, the leading cause of death in Ohio. From water pollution to heavy metals, the very factors harming our environment are also damaging our cardiovascular health.

3 weeks ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel |Aya Cathey

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pause was put on nearly all federal student loan payments in order to offer relief for borrowers. Payments resumed in fall of 2023, though borrowers didn't face consequences from missed payments until the following fall. But this month, the Trump administration resumed collection efforts on defaulted student loans -- which occurs after 270 days or more of nonpayment. It marks the end of the pandemic-relief for student borrowers.

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Jeff St. Clair

This year, Akron is celebrating its 200th birthday. The year-long Bicentennial celebration includes a calendar of events, public forums, July 4th fireworks and a big parade. These events are in addition to the closing ceremonies in December to mark the city's founding in 1825. As part of the celebration, Akron last month opened its long-planned history center.