Morning Drive

Rising rates of obesity are partly due to biological factors according to a new report by researchers at the Cincinnati Diabetes and Obesity Center.

In a remote part of Southeast Ohio, a 10 thousand acre nature and animal preserve called  The Wilds gives visitors the sense of being in Africa.  In this Postcard story, WNKU's Steve Hirschberg talked with Patty Peters, a spokeswoman for The Columbus Zoo, which partners in operating The Wilds.

On Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 a benefit concert to aid tornado disaster relief efforts will take place at Sherman Baptist Church in Dry Ridge, Kentucky. Leigh Ann Wilcher tells WNKU's Steve Hirschberg how she and her husband came up with the idea for the benefit concert.

GE Aviation is presenting today a special program for local elementary school students.  It's entitled "Bringing Them Home Safely...Discovering Our Aviation Purpose in the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen". The company's African-American Forum is hosting the program. WNKU's  Steve Hirschberg talked with Randall Stokes, the President of the forum's Cincinnati chapter.

The March edition of Cincinnati Magazine features an annual rating of the city's top 10 restaurants.  Food and Dining Editor Donna Covrett tells WNKU's Steve Hirschberg that she starts her preparations for the list in August.

Next Sunday night is Academy Awards night; and in Cincinnati that means it's time for the annual Oscar Night America gala. It's one of only 49 parties that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially sanctions around the country. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit group People Working Cooperatively. WNKU's Steve Hirschberg asked PWC spokeswoman Kim Sullivan how the group got to host an Oscar Night gala.

Tomorrow, the Victoria  Theatre in Dayton, Ohio is presenting the world premiere of a play called "Tenderly...the Rosemary Clooney Musical". WNKU's Steve Hirschberg talked about the production with Janet Yates Vogt, who co-authored the work with Mark Friedman.

The state of the county is strong.  That is what Greg Hartmann, President of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, said yesterday during his state of the county address. WNKU's Steve Hirschberg asked Hartmann why he is so upbeat about the county's strength.