Connections Podcast

We continue our series of conversations with local superintendents about their districts' reopening plans. This hour, we hear from the superintendents of the East Irondequoit and Churchville-Chili Central School Districts. They discuss their learning models for the fall, and their policies related to physical distancing, testing, masking, and more. Our guests: Mary Grow , superintendent of East Irondequoit Central School District Lori Orologio , superintendent of Churchville-Chili Central School

A new report from researchers at Yale shows how racial covenants and racist agreements in property deeds have created segregation in Monroe County. Our guests discuss the history of those covenants, the impact they've had on communities, and how to undo their effects. Our guests: Conor Dwyer Reynolds , clinical lecturer in law at Yale Law School Kevin Beckford , member of the Pittsford Town Board Shane Wiegand , board member for City Roots Community Land Trust

Would you consider volunteering for medical research? According to the New York Times Vaccine Tracker, researchers around the world are developing more than 165 coronavirus vaccines. 31 are in human trials, and one of them is being tested in Rochester. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health are leading a trial of a vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer, which is in the final stage of the federal approval process. This hour, we talk with two

Have you ever looked at your RG&E statement and wondered how the energy rates and delivery charges are determined? About every three years, when the utility wants to raise rates, it must request permission from the Public Service Commission. During that process, the public is invited to ask questions, and share comments and concerns. In recent years, the process has involved climate activists and social justice advocates pushing for not only lower rates, but also for clean energy

When we talk about COVID-19, often we use two categories: those who have died, and those who have survived. But this hour, we examine the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on survivors of all ages. This is a body of research still unfolding, and there are many unanswered questions. But there are now enough cases of long-term COVID-19 impact to inspire researchers and to inspire a social media meme under the hashtag "Long COVID." The research raises concerns: almost 60 percent of mild COVID-19 cases

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello wants to create an independent commission charged with drawing new boundary lines for the county's legislative districts. But, as reported by CITY Newspaper's Jeremy Moule, the measure is poised to be rejected by some legislators in both parties. Some say there is no evidence to support a claim that independent restricting has any effect on the impartiality of the process; they want to stick with the current system, where legislators form their own commission

Could or should Rochester have a publicly-owned bank? As reported by Gino Fanelli for CITY Newspaper, "the idea would have the city take the millions of dollars in tax revenue it currently deposits in big commercial banks and park the money in a city-owned and -operated financial institution that would invest in the local economy by providing inexpensive and accessible financing to city businesses, developers, and would-be homeowners." North Dakota is currently the only state that has a public

What can today’s African American youth learn from their elders about black history and social justice in Rochester? It’s a question explored in an upcoming documentary produced by Teen Empowerment’s youth history ambassadors. Throughout the past year, they’ve been working with men and women who grew up on or near Clarissa Street in Rochester. The area was known as a hub for international jazz music and thriving black-owned businesses, but it was forever changed by redlining, institutional

Dozens of small business owners held a news conference this week to call on New York State to allow for further reopening. The owners represented gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and more. They argue that New York State has handled the pandemic well, but has not been consistent with reopening plans. Is it time to open the gyms? Is there a case for comedy clubs or movie theaters? Our guests weigh in: Charles Moreland, co-owner of the Rochester Parkour Mark Ippolito, co

We mark the annual Black Women’s Equal Pay Day with a conversation about how to make change. Our guests are organizing local events and aim to – in the spirit of their 2020 theme – “sound the alarm,” while hosting a virtual awareness campaign. Our guests: Yversha Roman , co-founder of the Rochester Pay Equity Coalition, and Monroe County Legislator Ernesta Walker, member of the Rochester Pay Equity Coalition and the Education Committee of Citizen Action Rochester Candice Lucas, Ph.D., chief