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Snollygoster
New episodes every Thursday
Hosted by Mike Thompson

Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)

Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Latest Episodes
  • The Cleveland Browns defense takes a break during an NFL football practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Cleveland.
    The economics of replacing Ohio's sports venues
    Many of our major professional sports stadiums are between 20 and 30 years old, about the time owners start thinking of major renovations or new homes. Victor Matheson, economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross, joins the show.
  • Members of the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee hear testimony on a new map of state congressional districts.
    New report breaks down Ohio's gerrymandering
    It is no secret that Ohio’s congressional and legislative districts are gerrymandered to the extreme. The Brennan Center's Yuri Rudensky joins the show to discuss a new study that reveals how gerrymandering has taken away a true choice for many voters.
  • Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, right, speaks beside Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine during a news conference.
    FirstEnergy dark money tied to DeWine's gubernatorial campaign
    This past week, we learned that First Energy gave $2.5 million to a group that helped Mike DeWine be elected governor in 2018. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler joins the show to discuss the latest details in the ongoing nuclear bailout scandal.
  • A sign supporting Ohio Issue 2 sits in a residential yard on Election Day.
    Rolling out legal recreational marijuana in Ohio
    Remember Issue 2? The one Ohio voters passed last November? The one that makes recreational marijuana legal in Ohio? Attorney Tom Haren joins the show to talk about when consumers can expect to be able to make their first dispensary purchase.
  • Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chair Sam Randazzo leaves federal court in Cincinnati accompanied by his wife on Dec. 4, 2023.
    Ohio Public Utilities Ex-Chairman Sam Randazzo found dead amid bribery indictments
    This week, former Ohio Public Utilities chairman Sam Randazzo died of an apparent suicide. We discuss the role he played in the nuclear bailout scandal with WOSU reporter and host of The Power Grab Renee Fox.
  • The Randazzler
    Sam Randazzo’s texts and memes come back to haunt him.
  • Former President Donald Trump speaks at the East Palestine Fire Department
    Trump Country
    As we saw in last week's election, Ohio firmly remains firmly Trump Country. His endorsement of Bernie Moreno led to the Cleveland businessman's landslide victory.
  • Cleveland businessman and Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno speaks at a rally, March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. Republicans are watching two hot-button federal races in Ohio on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, that could affect their chances for potentially pivotal pickups this fall. Moreno failed to parlay Trump's endorsement into the type of runaway lead over his two rivals — Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan. That prompted Trump to hold a last-minute campaign rally for Moreno on Saturday.
    Trump endorsement propels Bernie Moreno to Republican Senate nomination
    There can be no doubt—at least for the Republican party—that Ohio is firmly MAGA country. A crowded primary for the U.S. Senate revealed a clear choice for Bernie Moreno by Ohioans. OSU Political Scientist Paul Beck joins the show to discuss this week's election results.
  • Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Dolan speaks to supporters during his primary election returns gathering, May 3, 2022, in Independence, Ohio. Ohio's Republican Gov. Mike DeWine parted ways with Donald Trump on Monday, March 11, 2024, and endorsed Dolan over Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno in the state's three-way GOP primary for a U.S. Senate seat.
    Matt Dolan surges ahead in Ohio senate race, leads polls
    Suddenly, Matt Dolan has become the center of attention in the Republican U.S. Senate Primary in Ohio. Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show to discuss the recent polls and endorsements in the race.
  • J.R. Majewski
    Ohio Congressional race tightens: Majewski faces fresh controversy
    Ohio's 9th Congressional District was a pretty safe Democratic district for years. It is much more competitive now, and Republicans think they have a shot. University of Toledo Political Science Professor Sam Nelson joins the show.
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