In today's 21 News The Outcue S01E09, we update you on the ongoing financial investigation, which started in March in Vienna Township. This small community has been impacted by missing township funds—$1.3 million—leading to layoffs in the emergency services, including police and fire, and township officials working for free. While the state auditor's office is investigating the missing funds, 21 News has also been investigating what is happening. However, this case is complicated. Traditionally, one can make a public record request and see what the money trail shows. Public records are all documents for a village, city, township, state, school district, etc., paid for with taxpayer funds. They can include documents, audio recordings, emails, texts, or instant messages. 21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell, along with anchor/reporter Erin Simonek and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren, discuss the public documents 21 News requested and received and why, in this case, it may not be as simple as following the money trail.

"The Outcue" is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

Each week, the 21 News staff, including reporters and managers, will discuss what goes on behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast.

In this episode, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by 21 News Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm and weather forecaster Chris Cerenelli to discuss what goes on behind the scenes in our weather department to keep you safe during severe weather events like tornadoes like we experienced this week.

Watch it on our YouTube channel or listen to the audio version on all major podcast platforms.

The podcast name — The Outcue — is a broadcast term meaning the last few words of reporting before the news segment ends.

We hope you enjoy it.

In this 21 News podcast, assistant managing editor Justin Mitchell and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy speak with Hannah Grieco, a nationally recognized expert, author, educator, and advocate for parents of children with developmental disabilities when it comes to education.

After parents raised concerns about the planned sunsetting of an Austintown School district program for children with developmental disabilities, we asked Grieco for her thoughts on incorporating students into 'mainstream' classes and whether or not this was helpful in the long run for all students involved.

More than 100 parents have signed a petition asking the Austintown schools to rethink a decision to eliminate a program for students with disabilities.

The district says the change will benefit all students involved, but some parents are worried their children's needs could be unmet.

Have you ever seen adorable pictures of puppies for sale on social media and thought you should buy one?

Today's 21 News Outcue podcast looks at our Watchdog brand reporting... or Watch Puppy in this case... involving an investigation of alleged puppy fraud that started here in the Valley but left people around North America without a puppy or a refund.

Our previous reporting told you about a Goshen Township woman who was facing multiple civil lawsuits over Dachshunds and English Bulldog puppies that were allegedly paid for but never delivered.

Today, Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren, along with WFMJ Weekend anchor/reporter Corey McCrae, take a look at the story behind the story, how a post on social media led us to ask for additional information and proof of the dozens of people were claiming.

In a little digital digging, we found multiple civil lawsuits and judgments against April Waidman, also known as April Simon, and an investigation by the Goshen Township Police Department into her dealings with customers. We also found people in Florida, California, and right here in the Valley with very similar stories, most without a puppy they say they paid Waidman for.

Waidman had social media accounts where she shared updates or posted pictures of puppies for sale.

On Thursday, a Mahoning County Grand Jury indicted Waidman on 32 counts of felony theft from people who paid for puppies but never received them.

The Mahoning Co. Prosecutor told 21 News that the total amount paid by would-be dog owners was approximately $50,000, and this amount could grow if additional claims are filed.

With spring comes the increased risk for severe weather around the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

After saturating rains on Tuesday caused some soggy yards and minor flooding, there is a chance of severe weather through 10 p.m.

We hear the terms of severe risk categories, which fall under categories like thunderstorms: marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate, to high.

But what do they mean?

What is the difference being a tornado watch and a warning? Are there increased risks that come with tornadoes that come during the night?

21 News spoke with Aaron Treadway, a severe weather expert who works for the National Weather Service. He breaks down all the terms so you can be better prepared when extreme weather hits near you.

Listen up to this important information.

"The Outcue" is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

Each week, the 21 News staff, including reporters and managers, will discuss what goes on behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast.

In this episode, assistant news director J. Breen Mitchell sits down with Madison Tromler and Sydney Canty to discuss how a story develops when it starts with concerns from community members.

The three discuss the difference between the easy way, which involves simply amplifying what people are saying, to the valuable, which involves digging into what the worry is and whether it's well-founded or based in fears that are unlikely to materialize.

The Outcue is a term for the final few words at the end of a news story.

When what you see on television is only the beginning of the story.....this is The Outcue.

Every year, there is a primary and a general election. And this year will actually bring three elections to the Valley - with the Ohio 6th District US Congressional special election in June.

While voting is usually a fairly quick event for voters, it takes our newsroom, reporters, videographers, web team, and people inputting election results weeks of planning and preparation.

This week, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by 21 News Director Sheila Miller and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren, who discuss their combined decades (and decades) of covering election nights.

While most people think it is simply tuning in to watch on-air or online, find out what it takes to have all the results and interviews ready to air within a brief window of time.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.

Each week, the 21 News staff, including reporters and managers, will discuss what goes on behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast.

The podcast name — The Outcue — is a broadcast term for the last few words of reporting before the story ends, like, "With more local news, I'm [name]."

We hope you enjoy it.

“The Outcue” is a 21 News journalist perspective of our top news stories.
Each week, the 21 News staff, including reporters and managers, will discuss what goes on behind the scenes in covering stories for you - from the newsgathering process to getting the final product on the air, in this new video podcast.

This week, Assistant News Director J. Breen Mitchell is joined by anchor/reporter Corey McCrae and anchor/reporter Madison Tromler to discuss how reporters cover difficult stories involving death and grieving families.
The podcast delves into how and why news organizations speak with families during tragic events - and how reporters covering these stories are impacted by the people and their lives that - more than likely - they never knew.

We discuss what goes into those decisions and what it is like for reporters to cover stories that involve tragedy or death.

Turn in every Friday on our YouTube channel or listen to the audio version on all major podcast platforms.

The podcast name — The Outcue — is a broadcast term for the last few words of reporting before the story ends, like, "With more local news, I'm [name]."

We hope you enjoy it.