This week on the story-behind-the-story podcast, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell is joined by some of the reporters who have spent the last two years covering the toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, quickly followed by the decision to vent and burn the hazardous chemicals inside the derailed tanker cars.

Joining Mitchell to reflect and share stories from this anchor/reporter Derek Steyer, anchor/reporter Madison Tromler and weekend anchor/reporter Corey McCrae. All share insight and look at what has and hasn't been done in the last two years involving East Palestine and rail safety.

In today's 21 News podcast 'The Outcue,' Assistant News director Justin Mitchell talks with 11 pm Anchor/Reporter Erin Simonek and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren about what it is like to cover breaking news on the fly while gathering information to report to viewers.

The journalists discuss this week's announcement by the White House that it was using an executive order to freeze all federal grants and loans to review the spending and the process of gathering information for breaking news stories.

If you have a story idea or something you want us to investigate, you can call the newsroom at 330-744-8821, email news@wfmj.com or watchdog@wfmj.com.

The second season of the 21 WFMJ News podcast begins today.

In today's episode, assistant news director Justin Mitchell talks with 21 News reporters Leslie Huff and Kaitlyn McCarthy and two stories we covered this week.

The first story-behind-the-story is ongoing in-depth coverage of the fast changes happening with Sharon Regional Medical Center, from the last-minute deal with Tenor Health to the Buhl Legacy Trust's statement that it is not backing down in litigation over the hospital.

The second story discusses a story we broke about Congressman Mike Rulli's (OH-6) decision to hire a man as his congressional communications director who was forced to repay tens of thousands of dollars as part of an alleged fake charity scheme set up purporting to assist the residents of East Palestine.

If you have a news story you think we should cover or a news tip that needs investigated, email us at news@wfmj.com, watchdog@wfmj.com, or call the newsroom at 330-744-8821.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses some of the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024 with the reporters that covered them.

Mitchell will be joined in part two by reporter/weekend anchor Chris Cerenelli, reporter/ 6 p.m. anchor Madison Tromler, and reporter Kaitlyn McCarthy.

Listen to the stories behind the stories as told by the people on the front lines.

Also, watch for the daily Year in Review posting to WFMJ.com, which will be posted every day through December 31 and recall some of the bigger news stories of the year. Each day will cover one month until we reach the end of the year on New Year's Eve.

Thank you for listening, and we will be back next year with Season 2.

In the final two-part episode of season one of the Outcue, Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell discusses all the big news stories in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in 2024.

Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren joins Justin in part one. They discuss the news stories we reported on each month throughout 2024, which was a very busy year with many big stories.

Listen to the stories behind the stories in covering the events, and stay tuned to next Friday for part two, in which Mitchell talks with the reporters about some of the big stories and their stories and perspectives behind them.

Also, watch for the daily Year in Review posting to WFMJ.com, which will be posted every day through December 31 and recall some of the bigger news stories of the year. Each day will cover one month until we reach the end of the year on New Year's Eve.

Part Two will be posted to WFMJ.com on December 27.

In today's Outcue, assistant news director Justin Mitchell and reporter/WFMJ Weekend Today anchor Sydney Canty discuss understanding complex court filings and other similar complicated stories that reporters have to deal with in the day-to-day duties of doing their job — and make them understandable for all.

Canty discusses her story earlier this week on the Ohio Supreme Court ruling that Trumbull and Lake counties' federal lawsuit against major pharmacy chains over their roles in contributing to the opioid crisis was not based on the correct law and cannot move forward.

Canty shares with Mitchell some of the complex stories she has covered and how reporters learn to gather and sort through information quickly and accurately.

On today's Outcue, we talk about Public Records Requests, what they are, what they do, and why they are becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain.

What is a public records request? Government offices are paid for with taxpayers' money, and you have the right to view the documents, records, and data within the office.

According to the Ohio Attorney General's office, "The public’s right to access such information is a cornerstone of our democracy. So, in a very real sense, this [Ohio Sunshine Law Manual] equips Ohioans with the knowledge they need to keep watch over the officials they elect and the agencies that are in place at every level of state government."

Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and Senior Digital Content Manager Robert McFerren discuss some of the issues and ways public officials have found ways to battle public records requests.

21 News Assistant News Director Justin Mitchell and reporter Leslie Huff sit down to discuss Feed Our Valley, a campaign started by 21 News in 2007 to raise awareness of those in need in our community and to get food to those in need.

This partnership with Second Harvest Foodbank and Sparkle Markets has helped Valley residents for 18 years.

Huff shares what she has learned covering the food needs of our Vally residences.