For weeks, the nation's flashpoint over immigration and enforcement has been Minneapolis where two protesters have now been shot dead by federal immigration officers.

<a href="https://www.ideastream.org/2026-01-28/ohio-springfield-officials-prepare-for-possible-ice-surge">Concern is now ramping up in Ohio, where there's concern that a surge of immigration enforcement is coming to Springfield</a>, near Dayton. The <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/2026-01-28/anticipating-ice-in-springfield-200-residents-gathered-for-rapid-response-training">temporary protected status</a> of thousands of Haitian refugees living there is set to expire on Feb. 3.

We will begin Friday’s “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with a discussion in how leaders are <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/2026-01-29/springfield-city-schools-prepare-for-an-ice-surge">preparing for a possible enforcement in Ohio.</a>

Jury selection began this week in the trial of two former FirstEnergy executives accused of being the architects of the House Bill 6 bribery scandal in which they bribed politicians and got legislation passed that bailed out their financially struggling nuclear power plants.

The trial is expected to last for two months and opening statements could happen as soon as Jan. 30.

The deep freeze over the last week will stay around, without an invitation, as we flip to February. It's the longest stretch of arctic temperatures we've seen here in years.

The deep cold also made it tough to dig out from last weekend's heavy snowstorm and complicated plowing roads. A combination of the numbing cold and icy roads led to schools closing for several days. Will students have to make up those days?

During this cold weather, owners have been warned in several Ohio counties -- including Summit and Cuyahoga -- to bring animals indoors. Cuyahoga County's prosecutor has formed a specialized unit to deal with that, and other kinds, of animal cruelty.

Northeast Ohio cities are starting to see the boon promised by the <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-01-27/how-much-has-cleveland-made-on-recreational-marijuana-first-round-of-funds-roll-in">sale of recreational marijuana</a>, legalized by voters in 2023. Sales began the next year, and cities are now seeing the first proceeds from the first year-plus of sales.

Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, president and chief executive officer of the <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/health/2026-01-26/cleveland-clinic-ceo-says-demand-is-sufficient-for-new-level-1-trauma-center-reports-surplus">Cleveland Clinic</a>, said the Clinic made money last year and did better financially than forecasted, and said he believes there is capacity in the community for the Clinic to build a Level 1 trauma center, though there are already two in Cleveland.

Guests:
-Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor for News, Ideastream Public Media
-Zaria Johnson, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
-Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV

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