Episodi

  • Understanding Truancy: The Hidden Crisis in Cincinnati Schools

    Understanding Truancy: The Hidden Crisis in Cincinnati Schools
    Jan 20 2026
    • In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, host Todd Zinser delves into the pressing issue of truancy in Cincinnati Public Schools. He highlights the significant impact that absenteeism has on students' learning environments and the overall school district. Zinser discusses the evolution of truancy management, noting the shift from traditional truant officers to absence intervention teams, which aim to address chronic absenteeism through a more supportive approach rather than punitive measures. He emphasizes the confusion surrounding the definitions of chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy, and the challenges in gathering reliable data to assess the effectiveness of these intervention teams.

    • Zinser further explores the current state of chronic absenteeism in Hamilton County, revealing that Cincinnati Public Schools ranks 22nd out of 607 schools in terms of absenteeism. He raises concerns about the lack of data on the performance of absence intervention teams and suggests that the City of Cincinnati should commission an independent study to evaluate their effectiveness. The episode concludes with a call for greater oversight and collaboration between city government and public schools to ensure that students receive the support they need to attend school regularly.
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    19 min
  • Proposed Income Tax Increase

    Proposed Income Tax Increase
    Jan 12 2026
    In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the recent proposal to increase the earnings tax in Cincinnati, examining the city's financial situation, including the impact of COVID relief funds and previous tax increases. Todd argues that the city has sufficient funds and questions the justification for the proposed tax hike, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in city budgeting.

    Takeaways
    • The city has received significant revenue increases recently.
    • COVID relief funds were intended for more than just operational costs.
    • The earnings tax increase proposal lacks a solid justification.
    • The city has not fully utilized the COVID relief funds available.
    • There is a concern about overlapping funding for city projects.
    • The earnings tax increase is seen as a political maneuver rather than a necessity.
    • The current city budget is substantial, raising questions about the need for more taxes.
    • Historical context shows a shift in the city's taxation approach.
    • Transparency in city budgeting is crucial for public trust.
    • Future discussions will focus on the city's financial management and tax proposals.
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    21 min
  • Raising Taxes

    Raising Taxes
    Jan 5 2026
    In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinzer discusses the complexities of taxation in Cincinnati, focusing on the recent tax increases, historical context, and the implications of government spending. He critiques the current city council's approach to managing taxes and budgets, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency in public finance. The conversation also touches on the impact of property tax reassessments and the potential for earnings tax increases, urging listeners to remain vigilant about government financial decisions.

    ****** CORRECTION NOTICE **********

    At approximately 13:20, Todd misstated the gross increase in county property tax collections. He said the increase was $128 million; the correct figure is approximately $184 million. The error understated the increase, and the overall point remains the same.
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    25 min
  • Dissecting Cincinnati's $8.1 million Settlement

    Dissecting Cincinnati's $8.1 million Settlement
    Dec 11 2025


    In this episode, Citizen Watchdog Todd Zinser discusses the recent $8.1 million settlement approved by the Cincinnati City Council regarding a class action lawsuit stemming from the protests following George Floyd's death. He examines the public's reaction, the council's handling of the situation, and the broader implications for law and order in the community.

    Chapters

    00:00 Cincinnati's $8.1 Million Settlement Overview
    11:49 Public Reaction and City Council's Response
    17:06 Implications for Law and Order


    Takeaways

    • The $8.1 million settlement was approved by the Cincinnati City Council.
    • Public outrage stemmed from the perception that the city was rewarding rioters.
    • The council's due diligence in the settlement process was questioned.
    • There was a significant disparity between the city's settlement and the county's penalty.
    • The tactics used by police during the protests were scrutinized in the lawsuit.
    • The settlement reflects a broader trend seen in cities across the country.
    • The city opted for a settlement to avoid a potentially larger jury award.
    • Public communication about the settlement was poorly managed.
    • The council's lack of thorough questioning raised concerns about accountability.
    • The situation highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and community relations.
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    19 min
  • Inside the City's Lead Pipe Scandal

    Inside the City's Lead Pipe Scandal
    Nov 27 2025
    Join us on Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser as we unravel the complexities of the city's lead service line replacement program, which has been running for several years. This episode uncovers startling revelations from a recent audit that found significant mishandling of the scrap lead pipes, intended for recycling, that mysteriously went missing over a five-year period. We explore the implications of this oversight, the environmental hazards it might pose, and the city's accountability in ensuring proper disposal of these potentially toxic materials. We'll also discuss the procedures the city employed to protect workers, but question whether these measures are sufficient or merely scratching the surface of a much larger issue.
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    18 min
  • Fraud Indicators in the WIC Program

    Fraud Indicators in the WIC Program
    Nov 18 2025
    Could Cincinnati transform its city services by handing over the reins of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to Hamilton County? Tune in as Todd Zinser dissects the historical and financial intricacies of Cincinnati's administration of this vital nutrition initiative. With a substantial $3.5 million budget in play, Todd grapples with the perplexing lack of transparency in fund allocation between city and county residents. The deep dive zeroes in on the alarming gaps in the internal audit, revealing a failure to meet Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards (GAGAS) and exposing weak internal controls over EBT cards, crucial for program integrity.
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    21 min
  • Holding Leaders Accountable in Cincinnati

    Holding Leaders Accountable in Cincinnati
    Nov 10 2025
    What if your neighborhood was quietly being reshaped by unregulated group homes, or if the seniors in your community were living in appalling conditions? In our latest episode, we pull back the curtain on a host of pressing issues facing our city, starting with the growing concern over group homes in East and West Price Hill.

    We also examine the shift in how schools manage truancy, moving from truant officers to innovative absence intervention teams.

    Our journey doesn't stop there. We tackle the complex world of government contracts and grants, focusing on identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. This conversation is not just about oversight; it's about empowering you, our listeners, to play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability. Visit my Facebook page or www.cincinnatiwatchdog.com to share any insights or information you might have.
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    21 min
  • Breaking down Mayor Aftab's "Accomplishments"

    Breaking down Mayor Aftab's "Accomplishments"
    Oct 31 2025
    Is Mayor Aftab Purval over-hyping his achievements ? Join Todd Zinser as he unravels the truth behind his claimed milestones in Cincinnati. From the largest infrastructure grant in U.S. history to groundbreaking financial programs, Todd scrutinizes the reality of these declarations. Was the credit for the Brent Spence Bridge grant truly earned, or are we seeing a puffed-up narrative? And those so-called "baby bonds"—are they really what they seem, or just 529 savings accounts with a misleading label? Todd lays it all out, from grant funding discrepancies to the complexities of city finances managed by nonprofits, inviting you to question the transparency of it all.

    Todd sifts through promises of 40,000 new housing units and bold zoning changes. Are these goals feasible, or just political smoke and mirrors? Todd's critical eye also lands on the hefty millions poured into public safety upgrades—will these truly translate into safer neighborhoods? Lastly, Todd tackles crime prevention initiatives like Act for Cincy, pondering their real impact in the absence of concrete results.
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    27 min