21 Storm Tracker Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and guest weather enthusiast Ralph Mack talk about how to be a weather geek including how to set up your own personal weather station and rain gauges, which ones are best and how much they cost, what you learn in a SKYWARN training session and what kind of weather forums there are fore weather hobbyists. 

On this week's episode of The Score, 21 News's Dana Balash catches up with former Major League Baseball umpire John Hirschbeck.

This week on The Outcue, 21 News 5pm producer Brandon Brown discusses everything that goes into getting 21 News at 5pm on the air every day. 

In today's Outcue podcast, we look back on the first anniversary of the Realty Building explosion, which killed one and injured nine people after workers cut into a natural gas line.

The explosion sent shockwaves through our community, literally and figuratively.

Joining Outcue host Justin Mitchell are three reporters, Kaitlyn McCarthy, Sydney Canty, and Madison Tromler, who have covered the stories, including new information released by the National Transportation Safety Board on the explosion, as well as plans for the site. 

The Vibe podcast hosts, meteorologists Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek, talk with Luke Shelton of Pure Flight Disc Golf of Boardman.

With the warm temperatures of spring and summer come people looking to try new outdoor games, like disc golf.

Hear about the sport's history and places where you can get supplies for local courses.

In today's The Radar podcast, 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm looks back at the 40th anniversary of the May 31, 1985, tornado outbreak that impacted the Valley and Northwest Pennsylvania, and beyond, leaving behind death and destruction.

Joining Eric is Chris Cerenelli, 21 News weekend anchor and weather forecaster, along with meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo, talking about what happened that day.

This week on The Score, Dana Balash talks with the YSU Bowling Team who just brought home the National Championship.

The Youngstown State University bowling team defeated Jacksonville State in the National Championship match, 4-3 April 12.

This marked the first women's National Championship title in school history plus the school's first since 1997.

In today's episode of The Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses building trust in our reporting with Corey McCrae, weekend anchor and reporter at 21 News, and Robert McFerren, Senior Digital Content Manager.

We discuss how we built trust with sources in a case involving a Goshen Township dog breeder that was sentenced last week. From vetting sources to verifying facts, we examine how trust and truth are two of the most important aspects for a journalist to have and to seek.

 This week on The Vibe lifestyle podcast, hosts Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek speak with Brooke Klenke, owner of 3 Maples on Market, located in North Lima, who talks about everything tomatoes and the 51 heirloom varieties she grows and sells. 

Klenke also talks about varieties that may be best for you and your garden. 

The Vibe, a monthly podcast, offers information on entertainment, pop culture, and events around the Valley. 

Everyone is excited for the warm temperatures of Spring. But no one likes allergy season, with pollen from the flowers blooming, the buds on trees growing, and the weeds growing.

In today's latest installment of 'The Radar,' a 21 News podcast about everything impacted by weather and weather-related stories, meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo speaks with Dr. Benjamin Brocker with Mercy Health, who discusses seasonal pollen and ways to lessen your exposure to these elements.

21 Sports Director Dana Balash is joined by Curbstone Coaches President Bob Camardo and First Vice President Tom Miller. They discuss who they are, what they do, and their upcoming annual Hall of Fame banquet.

The non-profit was formed in 1958 when members of the Mahoning Valley's sports media recognized a need to create a group that would meet weekly and allow Valley sports fans to participate in programs concerning topics in athletics.

In today's 21 News podcast, 'The Outcue,' 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell sits down with reporter/weekend anchor Sydney Canty and reporter Leslie Huff to discuss the ongoing developments at Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull. 

The trio discusses the rapid events that led to the shutdown of the hospital, Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital and satellite offices in the Valley.

The discussion explores the impact on Trumbull County, the people, and the employees notified of the closing on the day of, who did not receive their paychecks, lost their healthcare insurance, and have an uncertain future.

The Vibe is a 21 News podcast hosted by Jodi White and Jimmy Wendolek, who will bring you information on entertainment, pop culture, and events around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys and the region.

In its debut episode, the hosts discuss the spring planting season with guests Laura Barovich of Joe's Greenhouse and Farm Market in Hermitage and Kim Sisco from White House Fruit Farm in Green Township.

This week, 21 News Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm introduces the new weather-related 21 News podcast, "The Radar."

This week is severe weather awareness week in Ohio, and Tyler Berry, a local storm chaser and weather enthusiast with his outfit "Chasing Ohio," will join Eric to discuss severe weather.

Other weather-related stories will air on "The Radar" in the next few months, including a 21 News Meteorologist discussing allergies that come with the changing seasons. 

In May, Eric and 21 News Weekend Anchor and weather forecaster Chris Cerenelli will discuss the 40th anniversary of the deadly May 31, 1985 tornado that tore through Niles and Wheatland, Pa.

 'The Score' is a 21 News podcast hosted by 21 Sports Director Dana Balash that will discuss all things sports around the Valley. Youngstown State University Executive Director of Athletics Ron Strollo joins Dana in the debut episode. Their conversation provides an overview of the YSU athletic department and its recent men’s basketball appearance in the Horizon League Championship. 

Today's Outcue isn't a look behind the story but an introduction to 21 News' expansion of its podcasts — adding three additional podcasts that will join The Outcue to our lineup.

Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell sits down with meteorologists Jodie White and Jimmy Wendolek, who talk about their new podcast called The Vibe, which will bring you information on entertainment and events around the region; and in the second half, Mitchell is joined by 21 News Sports Director Dana Balash and 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm, who speak about the new sports podcast 'The Score' and 'The Radar,' a weather-related podcast.

Here is the lineup for the additional 21 News podcast and premiere dates:

March 13: The Score

March 20: The Radar

March 27: The Vibe

 In today's Outcue podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy discuss the four-part Watchdog Investigation into JobsOhio, a non-profit organization that receives state liquor profits for funding. However, for transparency's sake, the spending of these public funds can't be viewed once given to the private entity. McCarthy discussed JobsOhio with Democrats and Republicans, some of whom shared their concerns about the corporation's lack of transparency and some about issues with the organization itself. The Outcue will now be posted weekly every Thursday morning and listen for next week's Outcue, where we will introduce three new additional podcasts that will be added to our rotation. 'The Score' — a sports-based podcast with Dana Balash, will premiere on March 13, followed by 'The Radar' with 21 News chief meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and meteorologist Andrew DiPaolo discussing weather on March 20, and 'The Vibe,' an entertainment, events and culture in the Valley, hosted by Jodi White and Jimmy Wendolek beginning March 27. 

This week on the story-behind-the-story podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by some of the reporters who have spent the last two years covering the toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, quickly followed by the decision to vent and burn the hazardous chemicals inside the derailed tanker cars.

Joining Mitchell to reflect and share stories from this anchor/reporter Derek Steyer, anchor/reporter Madison Tromler and weekend anchor/reporter Corey McCrae. All share insight and look at what has and hasn't been done in the last two years involving East Palestine and rail safety. 

In today's 21 News podcast 'The Outcue,' Assistant News director Justin Mitchell talks with 11 pm Anchor/Reporter Erin Simonek and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren about what it is like to cover breaking news on the fly while gathering information to report to viewers.

The journalists discuss this week's announcement by the White House that it was using an executive order to freeze all federal grants and loans to review the spending and the process of gathering information for breaking news stories.

If you have a story idea or something you want us to investigate, you can call the newsroom at 330-744-8821, email news@wfmj.com or watchdog@wfmj.com.

The second season of the 21 WFMJ News podcast begins today.

In today's episode, assistant news director Justin Mitchell talks with 21 News reporters Leslie Huff and Kaitlyn McCarthy and two stories we covered this week.

The first story-behind-the-story is ongoing in-depth coverage of the fast changes happening with Sharon Regional Medical Center, from the last-minute deal with Tenor Health to the Buhl Legacy Trust's statement that it is not backing down in litigation over the hospital.

The second story discusses a story we broke about Congressman Mike Rulli's (OH-6) decision to hire a man as his congressional communications director who was forced to repay tens of thousands of dollars as part of an alleged fake charity scheme set up purporting to assist the residents of East Palestine.

If you have a news story you think we should cover or a news tip that needs investigated, email us at news@wfmj.com, watchdog@wfmj.com, or call the newsroom at 330-744-8821.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses some of the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024 with the reporters that covered them.

Mitchell will be joined in part two by reporter/weekend anchor Chris Cerenelli, reporter/ 6 p.m. anchor Madison Tromler, and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy.

Listen to the stories behind the stories as told by the people on the front lines.

Also, watch for the daily Year in Review posting to WFMJ.com, which will be posted every day through December 31 and recall some of the bigger news stories of the year. Each day will cover one month until we reach the end of the year on New Year's Eve.

Thank you for listening, and we will be back next year with Season 2.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses all the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024.

Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren joins Justin in part one. They discuss the news stories we reported on each month throughout 2024, which was a very busy year with many big stories.

Listen to the stories behind the stories in covering the events, and stay tuned to next Friday for part two, in which Mitchell talks with the reporters about some of the big stories and their stories and perspectives behind them.

Also, watch for the daily Year in Review posting to WFMJ.com, which will be posted every day through December 31 and recall some of the bigger news stories of the year. Each day will cover one month until we reach the end of the year on New Year's Eve.

Part Two will be posted to WFMJ.com on December 27.

In today's Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell and reporter/WFMJ Weekend Today anchor Sydney Canty discuss understanding complex court filings and other similar complicated stories that reporters have to deal with in the day-to-day duties of doing their job — and make them understandable for all.

Canty discusses her story earlier this week on the Ohio Supreme Court ruling that Trumbull and Lake counties' federal lawsuit against major pharmacy chains over their roles in contributing to the opioid crisis was not based on the correct law and cannot move forward. 

Canty shares with Mitchell some of the complex stories she has covered and how reporters learn to gather and sort through information quickly and accurately.

On today's Outcue, we talk about Public Records Requests, what they are, what they do, and why they are becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain.

What is a public records request? Government offices are paid for with taxpayers' money, and you have the right to view the documents, records, and data within the office.

According to the Ohio Attorney General's office, "The public’s right to access such information is a cornerstone of our democracy. So, in a very real sense, this [Ohio Sunshine Law Manual] equips Ohioans with the knowledge they need to keep watch over the officials they elect and the agencies that are in place at every level of state government."

Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren discuss some of the issues and ways public officials have found ways to battle public records requests.

21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and reporter Leslie Huff sit down to discuss Feed Our Valley, a campaign started by 21 News in 2007 to raise awareness of those in need in our community and to get food to those in need.

This partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank and Sparkle Markets has helped Valley residents for 18 years.

Huff shares what she has learned covering the food needs of our Vally residences.