WYSO

Jess Mador

Managing Editor, Economics Reporter

Jess Mador comes to WYSO from Knoxville NPR-station WUOT, where she created an interactive multimedia health storytelling project called TruckBeat, one of 15 projects around the country participating in AIR's Localore: #Finding America initiative. Before TruckBeat, Jess was an independent public radio journalist based in Minneapolis. She’s also worked as a staff reporter and producer at Minnesota Public Radio in the Twin Cities, and produced audio, video and web stories for a variety of other news outlets, including NPR News, APM, and PBS television stations. She has a Master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York. She loves making documentaries and telling stories at the intersection of journalism, digital and social media.

Miami Valley's Last SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Shuts Down

By • 2 hours ago
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are urging people affected by the tornadoes to apply for financial help.
Jess Mador / WYSO

The Miami Valley's last-remaining federal disaster assistance center opened in the aftermath of the Memorial Day tornadoes closed this week.

The Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Dayton Children’s Hospital Health Pavilion shut down Wednesday. SBA officials say the agency approved more than $27 million in low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners across the statewide Memorial Day disaster zone.

Immigration Judge Grants Release On Bond To Yellow Springs Miguel's Tacos Owner

By • Sep 17, 2019

A Cleveland immigration judge has granted release on bond to the owner of the Miguel’s Tacos food truck business in Yellow Springs. 

Oregon District Shooting Survivors Share Struggles At Tragedy Fund Forum

By • Sep 16, 2019
Britney Nicole Jones and Brian Pinson survived the Oregon District shooting and attended the first Tragedy Fund forum Monday.
Jess Mador / WYSO

More than 50 people attended the first of two Oregon District Tragedy Fund public meetings at Sinclair Community College Monday. The meetings are designed to gather public comments on how the fund’s $3 million in donations should be distributed to survivors and victims’ families. Many people who testified pleaded with the fund's oversight committee to help people living with shooting-related injuries. 

Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund Public Hearings Set For Monday

By • Sep 15, 2019
Thousands fill 5th Street, in the quater-mile stretch of business and entertainment venues of the Oregon District.
Jerry Kenney

People directly affected by the deadly Aug. 4 mass shooting could receive financial compensation as early as Thanksgiving. The Dayton Foundation’s ongoing Oregon District Tragedy Fund has so far collected at least $3 million in donations.

Applications for compensation open October 1. The criteria for distribution is not yet finalized.

Dayton Public Schools Shows Improvement On New Ohio School Report Cards

By • Sep 12, 2019
school transportation bus buses DPS public schools transit children kids education
Ohio Department of Transportation Facebook page

The Ohio Department of Education school report cards are out, evaluating schools on a range of measures, including student graduation rates and performance on state tests. And while some Dayton Public Schools’ grades held flat over last year, the district showed progress in some key categories.

Whaley Joins Congressional Democrats In Push For Expanded Background Checks

By • Sep 9, 2019
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley speaking to reporters near the site of the shooting rampage.
Jess Mador / WYSO

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley joined a group of Congressional Democrats in Washington Monday to lobby for tighter gun regulations. The group that included Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is calling for passage of a bill to expand background checks for gun purchases.

The bipartisan proposal known as H.R.8 would expand background checks to cover private firearm sales.

Mayor Whaley urged the Senate to bring the House bill to a vote.

Public Invited To Offer Input, Ideas For Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund

By • Sep 5, 2019
Dayton's Oregon District
Jerry Kenney / WYSO

A charity fund established after the Oregon District mass shooting has so far collected nearly $3 million. Later in September, Miami Valley residents will have a chance to weigh in on how the fund’s dollars should be distributed.

The Dayton Foundation set up the Oregon District Tragedy Fund in the wake of the August 4 shooting  to help the family members of the victims and offer financial assistance to people injured in the attack.

Yellow Springs Miguel’s Tacos Owner In ICE Custody

By • Sep 3, 2019
Espinosa is expected to remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the U.S., immigration officials say.
Jess Mador / WYSO

Yellow Springs residents are reacting to news the owner of a popular village taco business could be deported. Miguel’s Tacos owner Miguel Espinosa is currently in immigration detention at the Butler County Jail.  

Village officials say Espinosa was first arrested in Greene County for driving without a license and other violations before U.S. Marshals officers brought him to the Butler County facility.

Maeve Korkan-Laughlin works at Asanda Imports next door to Miguel’s Tacos and says Espinosa’s food business improved the quality of life in the village.

Final Deadline For FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Aid

By • Sep 2, 2019
Four FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will be open Thursday, July 4, to help people affected by the storms.
Jess Mador / WYSO

The last Dayton-area Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center established after the Memorial Day tornadoes closed Friday. Emergency officials continue to encourage anyone affected by the storms to start a claim with FEMA before the final Tuesday, Sept. 3 deadline. 

More than 6,000 people have so far applied for disaster aid, FEMA reports. The agency recently extended the original August deadline to allow more time for people across the tornado zone to apply.

Dave Chappelle Gem City Shine Oregon District Benefit Show Draws Crowd, Celebrities

By & • Aug 26, 2019
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley appeared on stage at the Gem City Shine benefit show.
Jason Reynolds / WYSO

Thousands of people were in downtown Dayton Sunday for comedian Dave Chappelle's Gem City Shine benefit show. 

Chappelle and the city of Dayton organized the recently announced concert to raise money for The Dayton Foundation’s Oregon District Tragedy Fund, and help hard-hit Oregon District businesses recover after the Aug. 4 attack. 

 

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