The new year is fast approaching, and that means a new mayor will take office.

Mayor-elect Dan Horrigan has spent the last couple rounding out his cabinet, even before the election. Horrigan called into the Ray Horner Morning Show to showcase the names in his cabinet, including planning director Marco Sommerville.

Everybody loves a puppy. So why not give the love of your life an adorable fur baby?

Dan Schachner, a personality on the Animal Planet, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about some unique gift ideas involving pets for the holidays, whether it's adopting a pet or finding ways of pampering it.

If you recognize Dan, he's the referee from the acclaimed Puppy Bowl, which is aired opposite the Super Bowl for the animal lovers and football skeptics.

If you're a part of the Fiesta Bowl committee, Ohio State vs. Notre Dame is your Super Bowl of Super Bowls.

Jim Kebert, a member of said committee, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the selection process for the Fiesta Bowl. Jim says there isn't a school who travels better than Ohio State, and, coupled with the large Fighting Irish alum, the University of Phoenix Stadium will be packed to the rafters.

LeBron James once said, "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given; everything is earned." This certainly applies to his alma mater's chief rival, and they sure earned their hardware.

Tim Tyrell, the head coach of the Hoban Knights, called into the Ray Horner Morning Show to recap his team's Division III championship. The Knights took home the trophy with a 33-20 win over Toledo Central Catholic at Ohio Stadium.

Tyrell talked about his team's effort all season long, including the 162-yard a two touchdown performance by RB and future OSU Buckeye Todd Sibley.

The University of Akron has had some public relations difficulties of late, but a group of local business leaders are looking to help their image.

Chuck Jones, the CEO of FirstEnergy, stopped in the WAKR studios with UA president Scott Scarborough to discuss their efforts to come together to help the university and the community. Jones joins executives from FirstMerit, GOJO, Goodyear, and other area companies to address these issues and tackle the criticism and PR problems surrounding UA.

Revere High School senior basketball player Mike Hill is the WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week for December 4th-11th.

The Minuteman are off to a nice start and Mike has led the way early including a 20 point effort in the team's win over Cloverleaf on Monday night.

"I think we are going to be strong this year, a good team makeup" said Hill.

"Mike is a well rounded player as he can go inside or outside and always goes 100%" said Revere Boys Basketball Coach Dean Rahas.

Mike is a four year member of the Revere team and a two year starter.

"I have been a basketball kid for a long time even though I first did not like the sport until I found I could play" said Hill.

Mike's twin brother David is also a key member of the Minuteman team.

"It makes it a lot of fun to look at the game when we get home but there is certainly some competition there inside the house" said Hill.

"He is a young man with class and character, he exemplifies a Student Athlete" said Rahas.

Mike carries an impressive 3.5 GPA.

This week's 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week is Daichele Hatcher from Buchtel High School. Daichele is a Junior basketball standout for the Griffins and their head coach Brian Nuegebauer.

Daichele began playing basketball her Freshman year, and really enjoys the team chemistry aspect of playing. She loves to practice and because she is a former track runner, she doesn't mind all of the running during and after practice.

Her plans are to attend The University of North Carolina and play basketball for the Tar Heels someday. Daichele wants to study architecture in college.

Daichele likes to pattern her game after Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and really enjoys watching him play. She is looking forward to hopefully playing for the City Series Championship this year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a 13-5 start, which is impressive and not surprising, even though the Golden State Warriors can't seem to lose.

The Cavs sit atop the Eastern Conference, and because of the nagging injuries to key members, that stat looks extraordinary. The voice of the team, John Michael, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the struggles they've encountered and how they've played through injuries.

Since 1999, the Cleveland Browns haven't exactly played up to snuff by NFL standards. Since their return, the team averages a 5-11 record each year, and each loss brings more boisterous criticism.

Politicians and citizens fought tooth and nail to bring the Browns back, but was it all worth it? That's the question Kevin Kleps from Crain's Business asked. Kevin interviewed politicians and front office members about their efforts in bringing the team back, and he discussed his experiences on the Ray Horner Morning Show.

2016 will be a fresh start for the city of Akron, and the goal is to put the town back on the map.

Planning director Marco Sommerville, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the potential job growth in downtown Akron, as well as recruiting businesses to lay a foundation in the city limits.

Sommerville also touched on the demolition of homes in the city. His goal is to demolish 500 houses per year.