It's a weekly news roundup with members of the WXXI News team. First, deputy editor Jeremy Moule explains a major project in Brighton that's aimed at making Monroe Avenue safer and more efficient for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists. Then, the health care workforce has taken a hit due to high visa fees imposed by the Trump administration. That's according to reporting by health, equity, and community reporter Racquel Stephen. She joins us to discuss how a slow in recruitment of international nurses affects patients in our region. We end the week with a conversation with Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis. The Pittsford native is heading to Italy next month to compete in the men's aerials competition. He joins us from an Olympic training camp in Lake Placid to share what it's like to compete in the Olympic Games. Our guests:

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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The Epstein scandal has raised awareness of the realities of human trafficking. Prevention experts say the general public could be more versed in how to spot trafficking in order to help survivors. This hour, we discuss the state of human trafficking in this country, how the current climate is affecting survivors, and what advocates say is needed to curb an epidemic that hides in plain sight. Our guests:

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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A number of Rochester businesses are banding together in support of anti-ICE protesters across the nation. On Friday, a group of businesses will close in a show of solidarity, while others will donate proceeds to organizations that support immigrants. Hundreds of businesses in Minnesota made similar decisions last Friday. This hour, we talk to some of the local owners about why they made this decision and what they hope it accomplishes. Our guests:

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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We continue our series of conversations with local state leaders about the 2026 New York State of the State address. Assemblymember Sarah Clark represents District 136. She joined us recently on "Connections" to discuss Governor Hochul's plans to expand child care programs across New York. She's back with us this hour to explore additional state business — from affordability to taxes to economic development funding for Rochester, and more. Our guest:

• Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Have you heard of the Rochester Urbanarium? Formed in 1970, the independent citizens' organization was dedicated to helping residents become more engaged with their local government to solve community problems. The founder, Gene DePrez, died last year, but his legacy lives on. An upcoming symposium celebrates DePrez's work and explores how residents can put the ideas of the Urbanarium into practice today. Our guests preview the event and discuss what it means to engage with government and each other — and how to encourage more of it.

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston returns to "Connections." Years ago, Johnston predicted that if Donald Trump became president, he would seek to suspend the rule of law. When asked earlier this month if there were any limits on his global powers, President Trump told the New York Times, “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” Johnston joins us to discuss the current state of Trump's presidency and the rule of law. Our guest:

• David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, and professor of practice in journalism at RIT

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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“It does seem like something different is at play here, and part of it is how blatant the lies are.” That’s the assessment from LA Times columnist Matt Lewis, a conservative who has been shocked to see how many of his fellow Republicans are sticking with President Trump. Lewis joins us to discuss what a consistent conservative ethic might mean in the Trump era and beyond. Our guest:

• Matt Lewis, columnist for the LA Times

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is once again rebuking childhood vaccine guidance issued by the federal government. On Monday, the AAP published its recommended immunization schedule. It includes vaccines for a number of illnesses that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped in recent weeks — illnesses like hepatitis A and hepatitis B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and more. This is the second time in recent months that pediatricians are taking a stand against the CDC and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. The group has called the federal recommendations "dangerous." This hour, we talk with local pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Murray about what the science says and what parents and caregivers need to know. Our guests:

Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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The director of homeland security said that protestors can’t carry firearms — even in states that allow concealed carry. The director of the FBI said that engaging in Second Amendment rights is akin to breaking the law if a public protest is happening. And an administration lawyer said the deadly shooting of a protestor in Minneapolis Saturday morning will be justified because the man had a gun on his person. If the administration does not walk these positions back, it will represent a massive attack on gun rights. The NRA is making that clear. We talk about gun rights and whether this moment is a turning point. Our guest:

• Gary Pudup, retired command officer with the Monroe County Sheriff's Police Bureau, NRA-certified firearms range safety officer, former chapter director of the local ACLU affiliate, and former regional representative and law enforcement consultant for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

*Note: There are no YouTube broadcasts of "Connections" today.

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of the massive winter storm. The entire state is experiencing heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures. We discuss the state of the storm, safety tips, and the way the storm is impacting our region and other parts of the country. Our guests:

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. 

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.