Connections Podcast

We continue our series of conversations about the proposed cuts in the Rochester City School District. Last week, former RCSD teacher and current doctoral candidate at the Warner School of Education, Robert Hoggard, told the Connections audience that he thinks it’s time for new leadership in the Rochester Teacher’s Association. Adam Urbanski was elected president of the RTA in 1981 and has held the position since. Hoggard says Urbanski “has been wielding too much power in the school district and

On July 1, 2019, Sarah Mangelsdorf became the new president of the University of Rochester. She was selected for the role following the resignation of Joel Seligman, and is the university’s first female president. Mangelsdorf comes to Rochester from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she served as provost. She’s also a professor of psychology whose research focuses on the social and emotional development of infants and young children. We sit down with Mangelsdorf to discuss her

Weekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about: The debate over cancel culture; Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter's perspective on the county's anti-harassment law; Urbanism during Rochester winters; How student journalists suggest professional journalists reach their generation.

Does urbanism die in the winter? After the first major snowstorm of the season, a social media thread about a man who walked through the middle of the street went viral. Some community members said the man was trying to make a point about the sidewalks not being plowed. The thread lead to conversations about urbanism in the cold months. We sit down with local urbanists who discuss how to develop urban areas that remain multi-modal year round. Our guests: Justin Young, member of the advocacy team

Community conversations about the financial crisis in the Rochester City School District have taken many different forms. We've heard from people living in the suburbs who say they care about RCSD teachers and students, and have ideas and questions for how to offer their support. This hour, we're joined by several community members from the suburbs who share their ideas. In studio: Ginny Maier , community activist in Fairport Jessie Keating, community organizer and activist in Pittsford Robert

Last week, Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo signed an anti-annoyance bill into law, despite opposition from law enforcement. The law prohibits harassment of a police officer, peace officer, or first responder in Monroe County, and criminalizes behavior that “that “intends to annoy, alarm or threaten the personal safety” of those individuals as they perform official duties. Law enforcement agencies across the county have stated they will not enforce the law; Monroe County Sheriff Todd

Is “cancel culture” a thing? And if so, is it eroding our trust in one another? Author and social commentator Kat Rosenfield says yes. She writes, “ While celebrities, successful artists, and other too-big-to-fail types can survive a cancellation (or even seek one out as a means of drumming up publicity), the rest of us are trapped in an increasingly deranged surveillance state fueled by the disappearance of our most essential resource: trust.” But critics argue that so-called “cancellations”

The Rochester City School District has sent letters informing dozens of teachers that they will lose their jobs, or be shifted to different positions, pending board approval. Board president Van White has said that cuts have to be made, but they must be made as far from students as possible. This week, hundreds of students and parents have protested the proposed cuts, which would take effect in January. Our guests discuss next steps: Willa Powell , longest-tenured member of the Rochester City

A growing number of American cities are losing their newspapers. One result, as noted by the New York Times, is that some cities only have student journalists offering print coverage. It puts pressure on students who are supposed to be learning the craft, but who might not have established professionals to guide them. The Times reports, "Student journalists across the country have stepped in to help fill a void after more than 2,000 newspapers have closed or merged, leaving more than 1,300

Weekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about: Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? How to handle holiday greetings; The goals of local youth climate activists; The legacy and impact of LGBTQ rights icon Edie Windsor; The debate over the risk and reward of sharing nude photos.