Connections Podcast

What is the Climate and Community Investment Act? The legislation – which has passed the New York State Senate and Assembly – seeks to transition the state to 100 percent renewable energy. If enacted, supporters say the bill would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, protect workers in the fossil fuel industry, and support communities most impacted by climate change. We’re joined by local climate activists and Assemblymember Sarah Clark to discuss the Act, the impact it would have if

Some voters in Monroe County will head to the polls on June 22 to vote in the primary. Historically, there has been low turnout. Primaries often decide local elections, especially in Rochester, where Democrats outnumber all other voters. So why don’t more people vote in primaries? How does that impact polling? And would a stronger turnout in primaries mean for local elections? Our guests discuss these questions and more: Paul Hypolite , founder of Leading With Our Values Stephanie Townsend ,

Last month, workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama cast their votes in a historic election. The issue: whether to unionize. The majority voted against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). As reported by NPR, the results mean Amazon withstood the largest – and a heavily publicized – push to become the first unionized warehouse in the U.S. But, the vote may have a chance of being overturned. The RWDSU is arguing that Amazon interfered with the election and used

We talk with candidates for Rochester City School Board. Nine candidates are running in the Democratic primary, and there are three open seats on the board. Our goal is to hear from all nine candidates before voters head to the polls on June 22. During this conversation, we talk with Joe Klein and Camille Simmons about why they are running and a number of issues affecting the district. Our guests: Joe Klein Camille Simmons

Dr. Lucy McBride recently argued in the Atlantic that parents should not mask their kids outside, calling it a greater harm to their mental health than COVID presents as an ongoing risk factor for their physical health. Dr. McBride has become a respected voice in the community of pandemic analysts. She writes, "I’ve begun telling my patients that their kids, vaccinated or not, do not need to wear masks outside—despite the fact that the CDC recently issued summer-camp guidelines that recommend

Malik Evans, Rochester mayoral candidate, joins us to discuss his proposals on various issues, including illegal guns in the city. We invited both candidates in the upcoming primary; Mayor Lovely Warren declined our invitation. We also sit down with CITY Magazine reporter Gino Fanelli to discuss his recent interview of the mayor. Our guests: Malik Evans , candidate for Mayor of Rochester Gino Fanelli , staff writer for CITY Magazine

The CDC cleared the Pfizer vaccine for kids age 12 and up starting last week. In the first seven days of eligibility, federal authorities report that more than 600,000 kids got their first dose. Vaccine trials for children in different age groups are ongoing. This hour, our guests discuss the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in kids, and we hear from local children about getting the shot. Our guests: Jennifer Nayak , M.D., chief and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics,

The Rochester housing market is still booming, but when will it slow down? Local realtors say they are seeing a slight decrease in the number of offers made on properties and in the number of showings, but low inventory and high demand is still an issue. We talk with them about the state of the market, about possible issues related to gentrification, and more. Our guests: Jim Yockel , CEO of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors Lanie Bittner , president of the Greater Rochester

Are you making major life changes as a result of the pandemic? In a piece for the Atlantic Monthly, columnist Arthur Brooks writes that the pandemic presents a "once-in-a-lifetime chance to start over." This hour, our guests share how the pandemic has set them on a track for a new and perhaps better normal than their pre-pandemic life. Our guests: Antwan Williams, director of youth system services at RochesterWorks! Leah Stacy , writer Tracey Taylor , occupational therapist, academic fieldwork

The U.S. Supreme Court will take a case focused on abortion. The case could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade or even the criminalization of abortion in the United States. We've reached out to members of the New York State Legislature to discuss what happens if abortion law changes as a result of this case. Our guest: Assemblymember Jen Lunsford , District 135