The Kerry and Swerve Show

Resilience & Reform: Jeffrey Lake’s Run for Change

Jeffrey Lake discusses his Scranton roots, mental health work and the Lake Foundation, and why he’s running for office. He outlines priorities like expanding childcare, passing the Counseling Compact, and regulating data centers, emphasizing door-to-door engagement and community-driven solutions.

Reassessment 2025: Facts, Fears, and the Future — with Patrick Tobin

In this episode, we sit down with Lackawanna County Director of Assessment Patrick Tobin for a deep, transparent conversation about the county’s first full reassessment in more than 50 years. Tobin breaks down how property values were determined, what homeowners should expect next, how appeals work, and why this process is so critical for fairness across the county. Whether you’re a homeowner, taxpayer, or simply trying to understand what reassessment really means, this episode answers the questions residents are asking.

When Hospitals Close: The Hidden Cost to Our Community

This episode explores hospital closures, overwhelmed emergency rooms, and the critical role Medicaid plays in keeping families and vulnerable patients safe. Frontline nurses and community leaders share personal stories about lost services, strained capacity, and the ripple effects on jobs, long-term care, and access to specialty services like NICU and OBGYN. Listeners hear why local advocacy, prevention, and policy decisions matter — and what can be done to protect healthcare in rural and regional communities.

Taking on the County: Breeda Holmes on Corruption, Reassessment, and Community Power

On this episode of The Swerve and Keri Show, hosts Keri and Swerve sit down with Breeda Holmes, a fierce community advocate, to unpack local and county issues affecting Lackawanna County. They discuss the commissioners' drama, property reassessment concerns, the Dunmore landfill and school security decisions, a controversial gun raffle, the ICE detention, and the role of local party politics — all through the lens of grassroots activism and everyday families. Tune in for candid, thoughtful conversation and a call to get involved in local civic life.

From Ship to Scranton: Amber Viola’s Fight for Veterans and Community

Navy veteran Amber Viola joins The Swerve and Keri Show to discuss her eight years of service, struggles with PTSD, and the challenges veterans face navigating the VA system. She talks about local politics, community issues in Scranton like schools and data centers, and her advocacy work as an author and social worker aiming to improve housing and mental health resources for veterans and their families.