Connections Podcast

In his book, Reinventing America’s Schools , author David Osborne argues that we should treat every public school like a charter school. He suggests an emphasis on autonomy, accountability of performance, diversity in school design, and parental choice. Osborne is in Rochester to meet with school leaders to discuss his ideas for the future of education, but first, he joins us Connections.

Last week, we heard from Congressman Tom Reed on why he wants the GOP tax plan to pass; today we hear from some who oppose it. Grad students in particular are concerned that it will balloon their expenses, blocking their career paths. And in Rochester, a bipartisan coalition of mayors and supervisors spoke about their concerns. We get their perspective on who will be impacted, and how. Scott O'Neil, University of Rochester graduate student Helen Davies, University of Rochester graduate student

Adam Serwer , correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly , joins us to discuss his recent piece titled "The Nationalist's Delusion." The piece has been hotly debated since its publication, and many prominent writers of color call it a landmark in analyzing America's history with white nationalism.

Is New York State spending enough on food from local farms? A new report from the New York Academy of Medicine and the American Farmland Trust says the state can do more. Four years after Governor Cuomo passed the Food Metrics Law to encourage state institutions to buy fresh food from farmers, it isn’t clear how much the state is actually spending on local foods. The report estimates the number could be about 10 percent, but it recommends an increase in spending to 25 percent. The groups say

When reports surfaced that not even BuzzFeed was meeting its earnings targets, young journalists might have wondered: is there a future in this field for me? BuzzFeed has been among the hottest media properties. If the strongest players are struggling, what does that mean for students considering journalism as a career? We discuss job prospects and the news media landscape. In studio: Dick Moss , news director for the Democrat & Chronicle Lauren Peace , suburban trends reporter Shappelle

An upcoming multimedia performance at The Little Theatre will tackle a number of social themes. Danielle Ponder is the lead singer of Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People, and on December 1, she and her band will introduce audience members to places and experiences that have inspired Ponder in her work as a storyteller, and also as a public defender. The performance, called "For the Love of Justice," will explore issues related to feminism, criminal justice, personal liberation, and racial

A fresh look at LED lighting challenges ideas as to whether it’s better for the environment. A recent piece published by Gizmodo argues that the benefits of LED lighting – energy efficiency and reduced costs – could lead to more lighting overall. It’s called the rebound effect, and there’s disagreement over the impact it may have. Some scientists say that concerns about the rebound effect are overblown. They argue that more efficient technology reduces threats to the environment; so, even if the

California will become the first state in the country to offer a nonbinary option on driver’s licenses and birth certificates. This comes as a growing list of colleges is allowing students to indicate which pronouns they use on registration forms. LGBTQ activists say these are big steps forward, but challenges remain. We talk about what policymakers can do to make institutions more inclusive. Our guests: Milo Primeaux , LGBT rights staff attorney at the Empire Justice Center and transgender

More than two months after Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, 53 percent of the island's residents are still without power, and 1,520 people are still living in shelters. While there are conflicting reports of the number of lives lost, the mayor of San Juan estimates that about 500 people have died. The gravity of the situation has accelerated an exodus to the mainland, with tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans seeking to rebuild their lives in cities across the nation. Hundreds of Puerto Ricans

Nearly 85,000 refugees were admitted into the United States in fiscal year 2016, and New York was one of three states that helped settle more than a quarter of them. We're joined by refugees living in Rochester, who share their compelling journeys and discuss the challenges they face. Plus, we talk about how the community can help them settle into their new lives, especially around the holidays. In studio: Abdullahi Mohamed, refugee from Somalia Parwez Askarzada, refugee from Afghanistan Kar Nar