Steve Rhode

Steve Rhode is a nationally recognized consumer advocate and digital publisher with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate personal finance, debt relief, and online scams. As the founder of GetOutOfDebt.org and TapYourNews.com, Steve combines deep financial insight with cutting-edge technology to deliver trusted advice and local news without the noise. His expertise spans debt reduction strategies (including bankruptcy, debt settlement, and credit repair), SEO-optimized content automation, and AI-driven news curation. He has built scalable, ethical systems to bring reliable information to underserved communities, using tools like custom scoring algorithms to deliver relevant news, emails, and podcast episodes. Steve is also a seasoned WordPress developer, podcast host, and former search and rescue pilot. His unique blend of compassion, technical skill, and decades of lived experience has earned him the reputation of being a wise, no-nonsense voice people can count on, especially when things feel overwhelming. Through his work, Steve continues to help everyday people make smarter financial choices, stay informed, and find calm in the chaos of modern information overload.

Good Morning Maricopa County — Fentanyl Charges in Tempe, Vigils for Charlie Kirk

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Tempe is seeing a rare use of Arizona’s new fentanyl law: a 28-year-old alleged dealer has been charged after a fatal overdose. Local officials say it’s only the second case of its kind in the county — part of a tougher push to hold dealers accountable when their drugs kill.

Meanwhile, the Valley is mourning. Vigils and memorials have sprung up across Phoenix after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Whether you agreed with him or not, the outpouring of grief shows just how deeply his death is being felt here at home.

On the lighter side, Tempe’s Innings Festival just dropped a blockbuster lineup for 2026, Phoenix grocery stores are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with fresh tortillas, and we’ll close with today’s fresh dad joke.

Good Morning Wake County — Heartbreak, Healing, and Local Flavor

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Wake County is mourning the loss of former Rolesville High principal Ericka Lucas — a beloved leader remembered for giving students a voice. We’ll bring you the latest on the teen charged in her death, and how the Wake Forest community is coping.

There’s also hope and good news: Raleigh firefighters now have access to free cancer screenings, the Brier Creek Food Truck Festival is bringing flavors and fun to town, haunted houses are gearing up for October scares, and Hopscotch Festival just wrapped a milestone year in downtown Raleigh.

And of course, stick around until the end for today’s fresh dad joke — it’s one you probably haven’t heard before.

Good Morning Montgomery County — Fake Cop, Chevy Chase Fire, Lucky Teacher

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Start your day in Montgomery County with the stories neighbors are talking about. A man posing as a police officer was arrested after pulling drivers over with fake lights and badges. Firefighters knocked down a blaze at a Chevy Chase home under renovation. Wildwood Shopping Center is gearing up for its Fall Vintage Market, Rockville is welcoming back a beloved Mediterranean restaurant, and a Germantown teacher just hit $50,000 on a Powerball ticket.

Plus, Steve — or as neighbors call him, Granddude — brings a little wisdom, a lot of warmth, and your daily dad joke.

Martin Roy First – The Soccer Dad Who Revolutionized Transplant Medicine

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Martin Roy First left apartheid South Africa with two kids, two suitcases, and a thousand dollars. He became a global leader in kidney transplant medicine—authoring 400+ papers, meeting the Pope, and changing lives with his fierce compassion and brilliant mind. But he was also the kind of dad who got red-carded on the sidelines and fed the family dog like royalty. This is the story of a healer, a prankster, a wine connoisseur—and a man who never stopped showing up for the people he loved.

When You Kidnap the Wrong Person

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Suspicious broken smartphone with text message about killing all tonight, representing crime case news.

When You Kidnap the Wrong Person Follow on Spotify Follow on Apple Podcasts Listen to This Episode In November 2021, a young woman stayed to help after witnessing a carjacking in Detroit. That act of kindness became her nightmare. Mistaken for being involved, she was kidnapped, beaten, and terrorized by a group convinced she had … Read more

Chef Trial, Firefighter Tribute, and Valley Pride

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It’s Wednesday, September 10th in Maricopa County. Today’s stories include the Phoenix celebrity chef facing the death penalty, a firefighter’s sacrifice on the Dragon Bravo Fire, and a county crackdown on unlicensed taco stands. We’ll also preview the Innings Festival 2026 lineup, spotlight Phoenix students reading to therapy dogs, and celebrate local chef Yotaka Martin being named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs. Plus, stick around for a fresh dad joke to start your day with a smile. Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.

Wake Forest Loss, Safety Concerns, and Garner Pride

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It’s Wednesday, September 10th in Wake County. Today’s headlines include the tragic loss of Ericka Lucas, wife of Wake Forest High’s football coach, with two teens now facing charges. We also cover a body found at Cary’s Crossroads Plaza, a Cary High student charged for bringing an airsoft gun to school, and Wake County’s new storm-prep kit giveaways. Plus, find out where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Raleigh and how Garner’s own go-kart track became a world first. Stick around for a fresh dad joke to brighten your day. Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.

Weather, No-Right-on-Red Signs, and MoCo Pride

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t’s Wednesday, September 10th in Montgomery County! Today’s stories include a search for a missing Gaithersburg man, a parking garage thief caught on camera in Rockville, and hundreds of new “no right on red” signs aimed at making intersections safer. We’ll also share a quick Steveism, preview Bethesda Row’s upcoming Fall Soirée, and celebrate Germantown’s own Rei Ami starring in Netflix’s record-breaking KPop Demon Hunters. Plus, stick around for your dad joke of the day—it’s a pasta-powered punchline. Start your morning with the news you need and a neighborly smile. Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.

Good Morning Maricopa – Tacos, Heroes, and Suns Pride

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It’s Tuesday, September 9th — your five-minute Maricopa County update. Today: officials seize 7,000 pounds of unsafe meat, firefighters deliver a baby on I-10, and a Mesa dance crew stars in a national campaign. We’ll also cover a fallen firefighter at the Dragon Bravo Fire, a police-involved shooting in the West Valley, and Suns fans gearing up for training camp. Stay tuned through the end for your daily dad joke — a quick smile before you head out. Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.

Good Morning MoCo – Sandwich Glory, Safety Updates, Jaws

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It’s Tuesday, September 9th — your five-minute Montgomery County news update. Today: a Gaithersburg spot wins “Best Sandwich in Maryland,” Council eyes the University Boulevard Corridor Plan, and police announce arrests in the Long Branch shooting case. We’ve also got an update on shots fired near Castle Boulevard (no injuries), a Jaws 50th anniversary screening in Rockville, and Quince Orchard football flexing in a big win. Stay to the end for your daily dad joke — a quick laugh before you head out. Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.