Connections Podcast

Are urbanists trying to push cars out of American cities? A recent piece in The Urban Phoenix, which was created by a Rochesterian, argues that cars will always be king in this country, but we need to strike a much better balance. The piece was hailed by urbanists and mocked by some who saw it as an attack on the automobile. So what does a balanced mode of transportation truly look like, and are we close to achieving it? Our guests: Arian Horbovetz , creator of The Urban Phoenix Howard Decker,

Is “fake news” our own fault? Mike Johansson says in many ways, it is. He's a lecturer of communication at RIT with experience in a number of newsrooms. We talk about who's to blame, and what we can do to stop being so susceptible. Our guests: Mike Johansson , lecturer of communication at RIT Randy Gorbman , news director for WXXI Julie Philipp , senior engagement editor for the Democrat & Chronicle

Is “fake news” our own fault? Mike Johansson says in many ways, it is. He's a lecturer of communication at RIT with experience in a number of newsrooms. We'll talk about who's to blame, and what we can do to stop being so susceptible. Our guests: -Mike Johansson, lecturer of communication at RIT -Randy Gorbman, WXXI news director -Julie Philipp, Democrat & Chronicle Senior Engagement Editor

Life expectancy in the U.S. declined again in 2016, a trend that likely will continue when 2017 numbers are in. Drug-related deaths and suicide are major contributors. Our panel discusses this alarming development, and what might turn it around. Our guests: Eric Caine, former chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Jim Wesley, drug chemist and former head of the drug section of the Monroe County Crime Lab Kent Gardner, economist with the Center for Governmental

James Norman is retiring after 25 years of leading Action for a Better Community in Rochester. He discusses his career and the most pressing issues as he leaves his post.

Discussing the controversy over clearing the banks of the Erie Canal of vegetation. Our guests: John Callaghan, executive deputy director for the New York Power Authority Elizabeth Agte, administrator of the Stop the Canal Clear Cut Facebook page . Bill Smith, Pittsford Town Supervisor

The City of Rochester has entered a partnership with the Coalition for Police Reform – Community Justice Advisory Board to create more transparency in the Rochester Police Department's Body Worn Camera Program. Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli says more than 500 cameras have been used by officers since March, producing between 35,000 and 42,000 videos every month. While national studies in previous years have shown the use of body worn cameras contributed to a decrease in complaints

New York State's Teacher of the Year is back in studio. Christopher Albrecht is a fourth grade teacher at the Fred W. Hill School in Brockport. He joins us to discuss the value of community service and service-based learning, and the impact those models can have on students. Albrecht also shares what he has learned from other districts as he travels the state as a teacher ambassador. Our guests: Christopher Albrecht , fourth grade teacher at the Fred W. Hill School in Brockport, and New York

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 bullying epidemic; Phenomenon-based learning in schools; Our future with artificial intelligence; Why 2017 will not be remembered as science's best year.

There’s a dark, mysterious object visiting our solar system, and astronomers in Hawaii say its behavior has them wondering if it could be an artificial object. They’ve named it Oumuamua – Hawaiian for “messenger” – and it’s the first object of its kind to be observed by humans. Researchers say it behaves oddly and has a strange shape. They argue that while it is probably made of natural materials, they haven’t yet ruled out that it could be a spaceship. Scientists will soon probe the object for