Jenny Hamel

Cleveland

Reporter at Ideastream

Reporter at WCPN-FM (Cleveland, OH)

Host of the Sound of Ideas on @WKSU in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio/ [email protected] Formerly @KCRW in Los Angeles

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Articles

Environmental threats facing Northeast Ohioans, explained by a cardiologist

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.
Federal government resumes collections on defaulted student loans, impacting millions of borrowers

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.
Composting helps take a bite out of the food waste piling up in landfills

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

Every year, hundreds of millions of tons of food goes into landfills. This includes food that never makes it to the dining table from the kitchen, or the restaurant or the grocery storeroom. Instead, those food scraps, that leftover pasta and sauce, those spoiled strawberries sit in landfills emitting methane as the food breaks down over time. Methane is a greenhouse gas nearly 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Cleveland Health Survey reveals struggle to meet basic needs

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Jenny Hamel

Nearly 30% of Cleveland residents experienced food insecurity in the past year, more than double the national average. Additionally, 27% of community members faced housing insecurity, compared to just 10% nationwide. These statistics come from the Cleveland Health Survey, a comprehensive study conducted in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Case Western Reserve University.
The next chapter for Shaker Square

2 months ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

In 2022, two nonprofit organizations took ownership of Shaker Square in an effort to revitalize the commercial center. The nonprofits Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten, Bell, Carr Development have been involved in planning and critical repair work to ready the commercial center for its next chapter.
New Ohio law lifts license suspensions for unpaid court fines and fees

2 months ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

A new Ohio law will lift driver's license suspensions for people with unpaid court fines and fees. The law takes effect on April 9. Going forward, courts can no longer issue immediate license suspensions when drivers don't pay a court fine or fee. It's a change advocates have been seeking for years, arguing that license suspensions unfairly impacted low-income drivers and people of color. State officials don't have an estimate of how many suspended drivers will be impacted by the law change.
Experts discuss key drivers of economic growth in Northeast Ohio

2 months ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

Talent recruitment is a crucial factor in the conversation about how Northeast Ohio can continue building a stronger economy. How does the region keep local college graduates in the area and recruit out-of-state graduates? How does it promote growing industries like healthcare, IT and advanced manufacturing? Team NEO, a regional economic development organization, has launched an online interactive tool highlighting Northeast Ohio's current economic opportunities and challenges.
Northeast Ohio aviation experts discuss flying safety after high-profile incidents

2 months ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

On Jan. 29, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial airplane over the Potomac River, killing 67 people, including members of the U.S. Figure Skating Community. The crash was the most significant air disaster to occur in the U.S. since 2009. Following the incident, a medical Lear jet crashed in Philadelphia, killing seven people. Last month, a Delta passenger jet flipped over during its landing in Toronto. Fortunately, everyone survived.
Sound of Ideas

2 months ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

The "Sound of Ideas" is Ideastream Public Media's weekday morning news and information program focusing on Northeast Ohio. Listen on WKSU. Watch on the Ohio Channel. Or subscribe on the podcast app of your choice. Call 866-578-0903 or email us with your comments or ideas for upcoming shows.
Los Angeles journalist gives update on devastating fires

Jan 16, 2025 | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel

For the past week, Los Angeles has been under siege by wind fueled wildfires that have killed at least 25 people and burned 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area, with more than 6 million people still under critical fire threat as firefighters work around the clock to try to get the flames under control. The fires have destroyed entire communities including the Pacific Palisades on the west of the county and Altadena on the east.