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Snollygoster
New episodes every Thursday
Hosted by Mike Thompson

Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)

Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Latest Episodes
  • Ohio billionaire Les Wexner was questioned by U.S. House members and staff on February 18, 2026. The U.S. House Oversight Committee released a video of the deposition the following day.
    Wexner's testimony
    Les Wexner answered questions from members of the House Oversight Committee for about five hours about how much he knew about the sex offender and what role he may have played in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking.
  • A man who appears to be Les Wexner, center, puts his arms around Jeffrey Epstein, left, and a person whose face has been redacted at a social gathering in this undated image. The image appeared in the page after Wexner's handwritten note in a 2003 book celebrating Epstein's 50th birthday.
    Wexner's ties to Epstein and Ohio State
    University officials say they are considering all the facts, and they have a process to consider the requests to remove Wexner’s name from the medical center, the arts center, and the football complex.
  • small model of a house with keys
    Eliminating property taxes
    The Tax Foundation says Ohio has the eighth-highest effective property tax rate in the country. Some residents are fed up. Citizens for Property Tax Reform member Beth Blackmarr joins the show.
  • The headquarters of AEP in Columbus, Ohio.
    DeWine working to keep AEP headquarters in Ohio
    AEP seemed to survive the storm pretty well, at least in Ohio. But the utility made news when Governor DeWine mentioned his administration is trying to keep AEP's headquarters in Ohio. The company is looking to possibly move out of its 31-story headquarters in Columbus.
  • Vice President JD Vance speaks in front of three American flags.
    A closer look at Vice President JD Vance
    It has been an eventful year for the Trump–Vance administration. We’ve focused more on Trump than Vance, but Vance has been more visible than many vice presidents.
  • Protestors at the Ohio Statehouse call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to stay out of Columbus on Jan. 10, 2026.
    Anti-ICE protest vs. obstruction
    Protests continue in Minnesota and across the country. Here in Central Ohio, there is no sign of intense ICE activity, but detentions continue. Ohio State students protested the school, including the Border Patrol, at its career fair this week. Officials continue to warn protesters not to get in the way of any enforcement activity.
  • Back of a police officer wearing a tactical vest with a sign reading "POLICE ICE" attached to it.
    Ohio’s reaction to ICE's operations
    The new year started with a firehose-like stream of political news. Venezuela, ICE activity, the tragic shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis and false daycare fraud claims in Ohio have dominated the news.
  • Dr. Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is a Democratic candidate for Ohio governor in 2026.
    Poll shows glimmer of hope for Ohio Democrats
    A new poll from Emerson College in Boston shows some interesting trends that likely give Ohio Democrats hope and give Republicans pause.
  • nationwide arena
    Nationwide Arena makeover could cost taxpayers
    The public authority that owns the arena says it needs 400 million dollars—more than double the original cost—to renovate it. And it’s looking for taxpayers to pick up much of the tab.
  • Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Ohio, speaks to supporters after the polls closed on primary election day Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
    What Ohio's governor race will look like without Tim Ryan
    Tim Ryan, the former congressman, former presidential candidate and former U.S. Senate candidate said he will not run for governor.