Todd McCollum is joined by Eileen Cunningham - filling in for Russell Dryer who is out on special assignment - and this week's guest J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute. Longo joins the podcast to talk about his background, his experience in local government, and the work he is doing with AFPI across Pennsylvania.

The conversation covers energy, education choice, taxes, deregulation, government spending, economic opportunity, and the importance of keeping government accountable. Longo also discusses his experience managing Slippery Rock’s finances, including controlling spending, reducing debt, and avoiding property tax increases. This discussion is in comparison to the current financial challenges facing Pittsburgh - including pensions, public spending, transparency, and the role local leaders play in protecting taxpayers.

Later, the discussion turns to license plate readers and surveillance technology, including concerns about privacy, constitutional protections, and how law enforcement tools should be used. The episode closes with a look at the 100th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, college students getting involved in civic life, and some of the political issues shaping Pennsylvania.

Special Guests: Eileen Cunningham and JD Longo.

Todd McCollum is joined by Bob Crankovic - filling in for Russell Dryer, and returning guest James Hayes, candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 12th District. Hayes returns to the podcast to provide an update on his campaign, including voter outreach initiatives, fundraising, door knocking, and the issues he says he is hearing about across Western Pennsylvania.

The conversation covers public safety, energy production, gasoline and electricity costs, nuclear power, data centers, artificial intelligence, and economic development. Hayes discusses the role he believes Pennsylvania’s energy industry can play in regional growth, potential uses for brownfield sites, and how emerging technologies such as AI could affect small businesses and the broader economy.

The group also revisits the U.S. Steel–Nippon Steel partnership and its potential impact on the Mon Valley, steelmaking, advanced manufacturing, and future investment in Western Pennsylvania.

Later, the discussion turns to the recently unsealed City of Pittsburgh search warrant, questions surrounding no-bid contracts, financial oversight, city finances, pensions, and the responsibilities of the legislative branch when it comes to appropriations and accountability. The hosts and Hayes emphasize that the investigation remains ongoing and that no criminal charges had been filed at the time of the discussion.

The episode also examines Allegheny County’s proposed paid parental leave requirements, including possible impacts on small businesses, employers, the county tax base, and economic competitiveness. The group closes with a discussion of the UPMC settlement involving gender-related medical care for minors and a local feel-good story honoring 103-year-old World War II Merchant Marine veteran Anthony “Tony” Vaccarelli.

Special Guests: Bob Crankovic and James Hayes.

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, Eileen Cunningham fills in for Todd McCollum. She and Russell Dryer welcome Jim Edwards, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District.

A lifelong resident of the Mon Valley, Jim discusses growing up in North Braddock, his ties to Homestead and Munhall, and his decades of military service in the U.S. Air Force and Army. As he prepares to retire as a lieutenant colonel, Jim explains why he sees running for office as another opportunity to serve his community.

The conversation dives into Jim’s campaign priorities, including property-tax relief for seniors, lowering Pennsylvania’s fuel taxes, reducing regulations on small businesses, expanding the local tax base, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities throughout the Mon Valley. Jim also talks about what he is hearing while knocking on doors and his efforts to connect with Republican, Democratic, and independent voters across the district.

The group discusses the importance of the U.S. Steel–Nippon Steel deal, its impact on union jobs and businesses throughout the region, and the need to attract new investment to communities that have experienced decades of economic decline. They also examine public safety, police staffing, prosecution, affordable housing, conditions at Mon View Heights, property taxes, inheritance taxes, and Allegheny County’s continued population loss.

Later, the conversation turns to the redevelopment of Homestead and The Waterfront as an example of what economic growth can look like in the Mon Valley, along with the importance of grassroots organizing, voter registration, door knocking, and rebuilding Republican infrastructure in traditionally Democratic communities.

Plus, Jim shares how listeners can connect with his campaign as he works to become the first Republican to represent the 35th House District.

Special Guests: Eileen Cunningham and James Edwards.