Do You Own a Dangerous Dog? Click Play!

Today on the Akron Podcast, we got a stupid tax update.

That first energy trial is finally starting to wrap up.

Devo's coming to town.

We sadly have a shooting to report or two.

And who doesn't want a free prom dress?

And we're to start off with dangerous dogs right after this.

It's the Akron Podcast for March 20, 2026.

Our website is akronpodcast.com yeah, we are going to start it off by throwing it over to Clemens Hartley to talk about a new law going into effect, especially if you have what's called a dangerous dog, and these are always controversial.

Take it away.

Ohio dog owners heads up.

Starting March 20, a major overhaul to the state's dangerous dog laws takes effect.

The new law, known as Avery's Law, was signed by Mike DeWine and comes after a series of reports highlighting gaps in how Ohio handled serious dog attacks.

The law is named after 13 year old Avery Russell of Columbus, who was severely injured in a brutal 2024 attack.

Under the new rules, dogs that seriously injure or kill someone in an unprovoked attack must be euthanized, and authorities can immediately impound dogs involved in attacks.

It also raises the bar for owners requiring at least $100,000 in liability insurance, stricter confinement rules when guests are present, and tougher criminal penalties if negligence leads to an attack.

On top of that dog, wardens are now required to investigate every complaint, and both medical professionals and veterinarians must report dog bites within 24 hours.

Bottom line, after years without major updates, Ohio is taking a much tougher stance on dangerous dogs and their owners.

All right, this next one is about the first energy trial.

It's finally going to a jury.

Take it away, Nathan.

Ah, yes, another day, another lesson in how things work when you've got millions and a corner office.

A jury here in Akron is currently trying to figure out what exactly counts as bribery in the trial of former First Energy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling.

And honestly, you can't blame them.

It's apparently very complicated.

The case centers around a totally normal $4.3 million payment to Sam Randazzo, you know, before he became the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Now, the big question the jury is wrestling with is basically, does it still count as bribery if you pay the guy before he officially applies for the job you want him to influence?

Because apparently timing is everything.

Prosecutors say yes.

Shocking.

Paying millions to influence a future public official is still bribery.

Defense attorneys, on the other hand, are arguing that, hey, if the paperwork wasn't filed yet, Is it really corruption or just enthusiastic pre gifting?

Meanwhile, text messages presented in court include things like, we're going to get this handled paid in full, no discount, which definitely sounds like something you say during, I don't know, a completely innocent transaction.

So now it's up to the jury to decide where the line is.

Somewhere between illegal bribe and very generous coincidence.

Because as we all know, when regular people break the rules, it's a crime.

But when millions of dollars are involved, it's apparently a legal debate.

Stay tuned.

And now it's time for an update on the stupid tax.

Now it's time to talk about the stupid tax that is the Ohio Lottery.

The Powerball jackpot is growing to an estimated $120 million with a cash value of $54.6 million for the Saturday, March 21 drawing.

No one took home the top prize of $103 million for the Wednesday, March 18 Powerball drawing.

So get out there and light your money on fire.

A better use of your money would be to open an Acorns account and start saving your money.

Links are in the show notes@akronpodcast.com Back to you, Dave.

Thank you, Katie.

You always sound so excited when you talk about the stupid tax.

Here's some not so great news.

It's time for that news that we hate to hear.

Ugh.

Here we go.

A tragic road rage incident last week in Akron has left a 17 year old dead and a 15 year old facing serious charges.

Police say the shooting happened just after midnight on the ramp from East Tallmadge avenue to Route 8.

Investigators believe the 15 year old fired at another vehicle during the incident.

What is a 15 year old boy doing with a gun?

The driver of that car, a 28 year old man, returned fire before leaving the scene and calling police.

What is a 28 year old man doing with a 15 year old boy?

No one in the second vehicle was hurt, but the 15 year old's 17 year old brother was struck and later died at Akron Children's Hospital.

This is just tragic.

The younger teen is now charged with felonious assault, tampering with evidence and vehicle theft.

Police recovered multiple shell casings and continue to investigate.

It's another reminder that even a moment of anger on the road can turn deadly and ripple through families in the community.

Yeah, and I've put a pin, unfortunately, another pin in the Akron shootings map that is available out@akronpodcast.com let's step away from that bad news and go to

Hometown News, Akron's own Devo is coming home.

The legendary new wave band formed right here in akron back in 1973, is set to play a hometown show at the Akron Civic Theater on June 3.

The current lineup features founding members Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Mothersbaugh, along with Gerald Casal and drummer Jeff Friedl.

Josh Hager now handles rhythm guitar and synths, stepping in for the late Bob Cassaly.

If you want to catch a piece of Akron music history live, this is it.

For more local events, check the calendar@akronpodcast.com Back to you, Dave.

Thank you so much.

The remember, they're eating the dogs.

When Trump talked about that about the Haitians, well, it turns out that they're going to get to stay thanks to a federal judge's ruling.

They denied the Trump administration's request to pause a recent ruling that blocks temporary protected status.

That's what TPS stands for.

It was going to end.

And basically the US District Judge Annecy, I guess Reyes, denied a request to stop an earlier ruling that would have ended it.

The case now sits in a D.C. court for appeals.

Haitian immigrants here will be allowed to stay in the country as the case moves forward.

The part I thought was interesting is during the hearing, Judge Reyes also read aloud death threats that she's received since the initial ruling.

All right, this is almost two stories in one.

You may remember Holly Strano.

She was a former Channel 3 meteorologist who was fired back in September of 2024 after 22 years.

She's announced that she's joined the news team at the fairly new WCTU, Cleveland 13 News.

So the second thing is like, what the heck is channel 13?

She was arrested in November of 2023 and charged with one count of operating a vehicle under the influence by false police after her vehicle crashed near Topath Tennis center on Akron Peninsula Road.

She had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit in the Thanksgiving night crash.

So maybe, you know, sometimes hanging out with your family even for one day, three times the limit.

She later pleaded guilty and basically she did some gigs providing with a weather forecast for like mix 94 in Canton.

But really this is our first return to a more traditional tv.

And while its name may look like a typical TV channel, WCTU bills itself as a community driven news network, kind of like this thing that delivers news on digital platforms like cleveland13news.com, YouTube and other social platforms.

So when they say TV channel, kinda.

But basically she's obviously very sorry.

And you ready for this?

She said she's going to weather her way this time and Literally.

Yeah, okay, she's gonna throw in some bad puns, but I have never heard of Cleveland 13 News.

So, you know, if you want to see what Holly Strano looks like and listener tell you what you can get on your watch, you know, check it out.

What was that website again?

Let me scroll back up as I was looking@this cleveland13news.com but, you know, we all deserve a second chance.

So Holly, glad to have you back.

Here we go.

Yet another Akron shooting.

Akron police are working to find the person who shot a security guard in the leg after she stopped a group of people from re entering a bar from which they had just been ejected.

It happened just after midnight on Friday, March 20, outside the Status 8 Elite Bar and Grill.

It's located at 374 Paul Williams Street.

The 35 year old woman was working security at the bar when she was confronted by two women and a man whom she had previously escorted out of the building.

The guard used pepper spray to stop them from getting back in.

Soon after, someone fired a gun from a vehicle, striking the guard in the leg.

The suspects then fled in a silver sedan.

Responding police officers applied a tourniquet and the woman was transported to a hospital with injuries believed to be non life threatening.

Thank God.

She's gonna be okay.

Sheesh.

Back to you, Dave.

All right, this is happening next week, more or less.

It is a prom dress giveaway.

This is the actual event is Saturday, March 28th from 10am to 3 at E.J.

thomas Hall.

And so what it is is Altrusa, I believe is how you pronounce that.

Altrusa International of Akron invites all girls from high schools throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond to choose the prom dress of their dreams.

Free at ALTRUSA's 25th Annual Princess Night Project, presented in partnership with with the University of Akron, A complete free shopping experience awaits.

Well, who doesn't, you know?

Come on a.

Obviously Altrusa is getting a lot of exposure for this, but who doesn't want a free prom dress?

Since 2001, local members of Altrusa International, it's a volunteer service organization, have helped make prom dreams come true for nearly 3,500 girls by providing them with a free prom dress.

This year's Princess Night Project will be held again from 10 to 3 on Saturday, March 28th at EJ Thomas Hall.

And here's the even better one.

Free parking will be in the E.J.

thomas hall parking deck only.

So if you're not in that deck, you might want to bring some money for that other UA lots are subject to ticketing.

Of course they are.

Yes, our lovely University of Akron, said the guy who's got Never mind.

But yes, they love to ticket you.

It says no recommendation, pre registration or qualification is needed.

Any girl who attends can choose from over 2,000 gowns.

That's a lot of gowns hanging by any size on the many racks.

Altrusa asked only for the name of the girl's school and how she heard about the Princess Knight Project.

Well, be sure to say the akron podcast@akronpodcast.com once checked in.

The girls select a gown with the help of AIDS to direct them to the proper sizes.

The AIDS act as personal shoppers, helping make selections from the dresses.

The event also offers a large selection of dressy shoes, purses and jewelry.

Now notice it doesn't say that stuff is free.

I'm trying to figure out how they do this or if they just really that nice.

But hey, if you're looking for a free prom dress, March 28, e. J Thomas hall is the place to be.