Could loosening power outage regulations leave Ohioans in the dark longer?

FirstEnergy seeks more time to restore power

FirstEnergy wants to allow for longer and more frequent power outages in Ohio, arguing that extreme weather events are taxing its crew and resources.

The company is looking to the Power Utility Commission of Ohio to loosen regulations that deal with reliability standards.

Energy reporter Kathiann Kowalski discusses the issue further on Monday’s “Sound of Ideas.” We also hear from Rep. Tristan Rader (D-13), who has spoken out against changing the regulations. He represents parts of Lakewood, which has been hit particularly hard by outages.

Guests:
- Kathiann Kowalski, Energy Reporter, Canary Media
- Tristan Rader, Ohio State Representative, District 13

Exploring Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in the United States, with tens of thousands of babies born a birth defect every year.

We’ll learn from a woman whose life was impacted by congenital heart disease 17 years before she was born, and then again, many years later when she had her own son.

Guests:
- Danette Kubanda, Mother of congenital heart disease patient
- Ivan Bakhtiar, Survivor of congenital heart disease
- Catherine Allan, M.D., Pediatric Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic Children's
- Shelley Webber, Executive Director, Greater Cleveland American Heart Association

The Challenger Explosion, 40 Years Later

A new book remembers Judith Resnik, the Akron-born astronaut who died tragically, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986. Kabir Bhatia spoke with the author Marlene Targ.

Guests:
- Marlene Targ Brill, Author, "Judith Resnik: Unsung Astronaut"
- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media