Jerry Kenney

On Thursday, May 23, 2013, the Boy Scouts of America National Council voted to ease a long-standing ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted as scouts. But, as WYSO’s Jerry Kenney reports, not all of the controversial issue was settled.

About 1,400 voting members of nation's leading youth organization, cast their ballots at an annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. More than 60 percent of those voting supported the proposal to life the ban.

Following GM’s pullout of the Moraine Assembly plant, the city lost residents, and an estimated 40 to 50% of its revenue. Five years later the city is working hard to revive Moraine’s economy.  

Moraine’s big revenue losses came as a result of losing GM, Delphi and a number of smaller auto parts contracting businesses. To try and compensate for the losses, the city took a number of steps to curb expenditures – Some city employees were laid off, furloughs were implemented for others, and the water park – Splash Moraine- was closed. 

American Red Cross shelters across the nation are joining in disaster relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma and other areas affected by this week’s tornados that ripped through those communities.  So far they’ve deployed 27 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and opened at least 6 shelters.

Laura Seyfang with Dayton Area Red Cross says they are  preparing their ERV for deployment – so far they have not received the request to send it, but they have sent at least three volunteers to disaster sites in Oklahoma.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, issued weather warnings this week that are credited with saving lives in Oklahoma. And it, like other government organizations, is dealing with the impact of the federal budget cuts knows as sequestration. The agency reports however, they will still maintain its critical missions.

Full episode of WYSO Weekend for May 19, 2013 including the following stories:

- In this week's PoliticsOhio, Jerry Kenney speaks with former Ohio House member Seth Morgan about the recent news that the IRS targeted conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.

- Study: Ohio Superintendents Support the Common Core, by Emily McCord.

- The Great Flood: Out of Devastation Comes Innovation