Students are heading back into the classrooms all over the country, and that means it is time for some back-to-school shopping. That shopping does not stop at school supplies; it has to do with fashion, as well. Marji Wachowiak is with the fashion design department at Kent State University, and she joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to look at the fashion trends for today’s students. The pandemic, which caused millions to work or study from home, has propelled casual trends back into the spotlight, to where people may prefer to feel comfortable when heading back into public settings. According to Marji, denim has made quite the comeback of late for all genders, and high-top sneakers are popular among the men. Marji also talked about Kent State’s school of fashion and how it is world-renowned.

As the fall approaches and the Delta variant continues to spread, there is much concern about children in schools, as they are the group mostly, if not completely, unvaccinated.

Dr. Donald Dumford is an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and he joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to answer some of the most pointed questions parents, grandparents, and others have had throughout the summer. First, he says the variant is causing stress in hospitals both locally and nationally not unlike what some experienced in the peak months of December and January. And with kids heading back into the classrooms, Dr. Dumford believes mask mandates are the sensible option until vaccines can get approved for children 12 and under.

On the topic of vaccines, Dr. Dumford also addressed the question of a vaccine booster, especially with a large chunk of the vaccinated population receiving their jabs nearly six months ago. For now, he says this will probably be the same shot folks had from Pfizer and Moderna back in the spring.

Imagine a world without plastic waste. 

It could happen, according to Assistant Professor of Polymer Science at the University of Akron Dr. Junpeng Wang. Listen now to find out more about his groundbreaking research on a new way to make and infinitely recycle plastic.

We'll also hear from MAGNET President and CEO, Ethan Karp, about thousands of good paying, high tech jobs that are open now in Northeast Ohio, KSS Robotics Director, Nathan Sterrett on the educational value of K-12 robotics competitions, and from Ohio Development Services Agency Director, Lydia Mihalik, on who won the recent TechOhio Startup Creativity Challenge.

Dr. Junpeng Wang, Assistant Prof., Polymer Science, University of Akron

Dr. Ethan Karp, President & CEO, MAGNET

Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio Department of Develoopment Services