Jay Shah
Associate Producer “Sound of Ideas”Expertise: Environment, public policy, social issues, local music and arts, health and science, audio production and storytelling, solutions journalism
Education: State University of New York, Old Westbury - Bachelor of Arts, media and communications
Favorite spot in Northeast Ohio: Musica, Akron
Experience:
Jay Shah is an associate producer for the "Sound of Ideas." A former WKSU news intern and freelance producer, she's a New Yorker at heart but making Ohio her home has been her best adventure so far. She is passionate about the environment, local arts and music and social justice issues. She wants to tell more stories highlighting tangible solutions surrounding climate, poverty, health equity and public policy. Her motto is, "There can be truth in opinion, but there is no opinion in the truth."
Highlights:
- Covered Ohio Statehouse and local legislation, environment and public health issues as an intern for WKSU
- Audio diary featured on NPR's "The Takeaway" with Melissa Harris-Perry for its "Slice of Life" series
- Former host/producer, "Down in the Dark with Darth Jayder," Old Westbury Web Radio (OWWR), 2014 - 2018
- SUNY Old Westbury Media Arts Celebration (MAC) Award, Best Creative Production in Radio - 2017 & 2018
- SUNY Old Westbury Media Arts Celebration (MAC) Award, Best Event Promo in Radio - 2018
- Journalist of color and first generation immigrant
Why trust Ideastream Public Media?
The mission of Ideastream Public Media is to be a trustworthy and dynamic multimedia source for illuminating the world around us. Our highest priority is providing news and information that is reliable and accurate, that is gathered with integrity and professional care and that is presented with precision and respect for the intelligence of our audiences. We are transparent about how we discover and verify the facts we present and strive to make our decision-making process clear to the public. We disclose relationships, such as with partners or funders, that might appear, but will never, influence our coverage.
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Mayor Justin Bibb wants to spend a third of the city's American Rescue Plan Act money on home repairs, construction and rehabilitation; East Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner is on paid administrative leave after being indicted on 13 felony charges including tax evasion and tampering with records; and more stories. -
The Columbus Education Association voted on a new three-year deal with Columbus City Schools which includes pay raises and guarantees for air-conditioning in classrooms by 2025. The Canton Police Chief says the department will launch an internal investigation into the officer who shot and killed James Williams on New Year's Day ... and more stories. -
The Ohio Department of Health has launched a new portal that tracks cases statewide with Cuyahoga County showing the highest number of cases so far; Advocates are calling on Ohio leaders to allocate $308 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds towards affordable housing ... and more stories. -
The petition with 58,000 signatures from around the nation demands protesters arrested for peaceful demonstrations be cleared of all charges and for policy changes holding police accountable; Columbus teachers have paused their strike and reached a "conceptual agreement" with Columbus City Schools; and more stories. -
Supplies are running out rapidly and food banks but Gov. Mike DeWine's office says it is still reviewing a request for $50 million in additional COVID relief funds; Columbus students are starting the year online today due to the ongoing strike by teachers demanding better pay, improved building conditions and more staff; plus more stories. -
Antoine Tolbert was openly carrying a firearm, which is legal in Ohio, when police arrested him; The head of the Columbus City Schools Board of Education says she is still unclear on why teachers are striking; Ohio Ballot Board has cleared two new constitutional amendments for this November's election and opponents have nine days to take it to the Ohio Supreme Court ... and more stories. -
The state heath department recommends students and staff still isolate if they feel sick and mask up for as long as they test positive; Columbus teachers are on strike for the first time in five decades; Akron community organizers push for police reform during Jayland Walker Week of Action ... and more stories. -
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley is calling for Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to release their private correspondences with FirstEnergy executives in the nuclear bailout scandal; Northeast Ohio schools are still impacted by staff shortages and some are filling positions with substitute teachers; A Coventry High School teacher was forced to take down Black Lives Matter sign for its political nature and not having signs that depict both sides ... and more stories. -
A federal judge has ruled that CVS, Walgreens and Walmart owe $650 million in damages to the two counties due to the way the pharmacies distributed opioids; Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman wants to take the congressional map to the U.S. Supreme Court because he believes the Ohio Supreme Court overstepped by meddling in redistricting ... and more stories. -
Mayor Justin Bibb says officials are working as "quickly" as possible to end the seven-year-old decree signed after a federal investigation found a pattern of excessive force by officers; Ohio's schools are struggling to fill teaching positions as more people are quitting the profession due to high college costs and being targeted by extremist politicians ... and more stories.
