Connections Podcast

Sports gambling could soon be legal in New York State. This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday decided a 1992 federal law prohibiting sports betting was unconstitutional. Casinos and race tracks are celebrating the news; owners say the lift on the ban will generate revenue and a source of entertainment. But organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling say making sports betting legal could lead to higher rates of gambling problems. We discuss what the ruling means on all

We talk to teens involved with Rochester Teen Court . The program is in its 21st year and gives nonviolent teen offenders alternative sentencing in order to keep them out of the criminal justice system. Teen jurors recommend that sentencing for their peers. Our guests discuss the program, youth incarceration, Raise the Age, restorative justice, and more. Judge Frank Geraci, Jr. , Chief United States District Judge Jahne Robinson, teen juror with Rochester Teen Court Francis Pellegrino, teen

The debate over a proposed redevelopment project at Cobbs Hill Village continues, after Rochester City Council tabled a vote on the issue last week. Mayor Lovely Warren submitted an amended version of legislation to Council last Thursday. Developer Rochester Management wants to replace the current 60 apartments with 104 new units. Supporters say upgrades are needed, and the amended legislation would increase affordability of those new units. Those who oppose the project say the changes don’t go

A group of local churches is concerned about the health of caregivers, and they're imploring caregivers, "You don't have to do it alone." It's a series of four events designed to help provide support and resources for caregivers. Our guests discuss it: Biagio Zarcone, community care manager at Senior Options For Independence Ellen O'Connor, director of community services at Fairport Baptist Home Tim Alexander, senior pastor of Perinton Community Church Cathy Little, caregiver

Three-quarters of American college professors are adjuncts, according to various recent studies. The Atlantic Monthly framed the issue in terms of a battle for not just working professors, but the quality of higher education; the magazine explored the question, "Can a budding labor movement improve the lives of non-tenured faculty - and, in the process, fix higher education?" We discuss the move toward unionization among adjuncts, and what that might mean for professors and students. Our guests:

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 allegations against former New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman; The Death of Expertise , with author Tom Nichols; Medical cannabis, with music writer and Parkinson's disease patient Frank De Blase; The lack of services for bilingual students in the Rochester City School District.

What does it take to change the identity of a neighborhood? Residents of the Lyell Avenue neighborhood having been working to develop solutions to persistent challenges in the area, and now they want to share their work with the community. They will host a forum on June 1st, and it's open to the public. We hear from them, and from Monroe County Sheriff Baxter on what it takes to uplift a neighborhood. Our guests: Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter Molly Clifford , Rochester City Council member

A recent Reuters/Ipsos national poll shows the Democratic Party is losing support among millennials. The results of the poll, published last month, also show that millennials increasingly say the Republican Party is a better steward of the economy. That doesn’t necessarily translate into votes, but it has democratic strategists concerned as they head into election season. We talk with local millennials about their political affiliations, how those affiliations may have changed, and how they feel

The debate over a proposed redevelopment at Cobbs Hill is just one example of the heated debates that can happen regarding land use, housing, and the rights of neighbors to weigh in. A newly formed coalition of neighborhood groups called Our Land Roc is dedicated to what it calls "permanently affordable, sustainable development" in the city of Rochester. So what are their demands? We find out with our guests: Matt DeLaus, president of the Pearl-Meigs-Monroe Neighborhood Association, member of

Adam McFadden is running for Congress. The longtime member of Rochester City Council is one of four Democrats on the ballot for the June 26th primary. He details his ideas. It's the third in our series of interviews with the candidates.