Connections Podcast

We continue our 2019 election coverage with the first of several conversations with candidates for Rochester City School Board. This hour, we hear from four candidates about their platforms and their thoughts about the proposed state takeover of the board. In studio: Beatriz LeBron Anthony Hall Minister Clifford Florence Robert Hoggard

The Rochester Cocktail Revival is back. This year’s event includes seminars about drinks journalism and on how hospitality professionals create narratives and stories about beverage culture. We preview those events, and our guests discuss what’s new, trending, and hot in the local and national cocktail scene. Our guests: Donny Clutterbuck, Cure Bar / Pour Cost Chuck Cerankosky, founder of the Rochester Cocktail Revival, co-owner of Good Luck and Cure , and food and beverage director for Radio

The primary election is fast approaching, and WXXI and City Newspaper are teaming up to offer complete coverage of this year’s election season. Instead of horse race politics, the focus will be on the issues. What topics matter most to voters? Which issues are the primary focus of candidates? And what questions are voters and candidates asking? We preview the coverage with WXXI and City reporters. Then in our second half hour, we begin our series of interview with candidates for office. We sit

Developer Bob Morgan is charged in what prosecutor say was a Ponzi scheme. The indictment details a broad range of activity that investigator say was illegal and fraudulent. The case was covered recently by the Rochester Beacon. So how exactly might it have worked? And if prosecutors are correct, who was harmed? What comes next? Our guests explore it: Alex Zapesochny , publisher of the Rochester Beacon Michael Burger , attorney with Santiago Burger LLC Ben Widlanski , attorney with Kozyak,

We explore campaign finance reform at the national level and at the state level. Some advocates say that New York State Democrats have been hypocritical. They argue that Democrats claim to want public financing, but don’t follow through when they get the opportunity. At the national level, senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a new proposal. Our guests debate it: Leslie Danks Burke, founder and president of Trailblazers PAC David Primo , professor of political science and business administration at

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is bringing in one of the nation’s leading advocates for charter schools. David Osborne is the author of Reinventing America’s Schools; he’ll participate in the event on Thursday, and he’s been critical of calls to limit the expansion of charter schools. With the proposed state takeover of the Rochester City School Board, a broadening of the charter school model could come to Rochester sooner than later. Our guests: Adam Urbanski, president of the

A coalition has formed in Rochester to address gun violence – from prevention, to survivor support. In June, the coalition will engage in a variety of activities, and a mural in Rochester is intended to spark new conversations about the impact of gun violence. Does it work? What is effective, and what is not? Our guests will help us address the challenge of reducing gun violence: Willie Joe Lightfoot, member of Rochester City Council, and chair of the Public Safety Youth and Recreation Committee

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: Heroism, tragedy, and grief, with Lloyd Glick, the father of Jeremy Glick, who died heroically in the 9/11 attacks; How a young man with autism became a self-advocate and transitoned from high school to the working world; One women's faith journey as she questioned her religion.

The New York State Legislature will hold hearings on single payer healthcare next week. Advocates say that it’s up to states to pass single payer, with the federal government aligned against it. Opponents argue that it will be a massive hit to the business community in particular. Our guests debate the merits of single payer and the New York Health Act: Mike Sportiello, co-chair of the Rochester Campaign for New York Health Dr. Rae-Ellen Kavey, M.D., retired pediatric cardiologist Greg Biryla,

As reported by Tim Macaluso for CITY Newspaper and WXXI News, state education officials have drafted a plan to replace the Rochester Board of Education with a state-appointed board for at least five years. That's according to documents that CITY Newspaper has obtained. At the end of the five years, the district’s governance would return to an elected board. This report has already sparked heated debate about who’s in charge, and whether a state takeover would be a just and democratic step. Our