Connections host Evan Dawson is taking some time off until September, and our very own health, equity and community reporter Racquel Stephen will be filling in all summer – but before she does that, senior editor Veronica Volk sits down to talk about her life and career, and reflect on journalism and media, and how it feels to be caught between two worlds. In studio:

• Racquel Stephen, health, equity and community reporter at WXXI News

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Assemblymember Stephen Hawley joins guest host Gino Fanelli to discuss the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Their conversation covers a range of issues, from the expected impact of Medicaid cuts in rural counties to state spending on areas like child care, school lunches, inflation relief checks, and more. Our guest:

• Assemblymember Stephen Hawley (R), District 139

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is joined by the president of City Council and the council finance chair to discuss the recent city budget. Guest host Gino Fanelli leads the conversation about the city’s focus on housing and economic development, recent debates about GBI (guaranteed basic income), downtown projects, and more. Our guests:

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Maintaining and repairing old homes requires sensitivity, a commitment to preserving historic characteristics, and an understanding of modern functionality. Author and restoration expert Steve Jordan provides guidance for homeowners in his new book, "The Historic House Handbook: A Sensitive Guide for Old-House Living." This hour, we talk with him about what homeowners need to know: design concepts; material availability; and how to navigate difficult decisions, especially in 2025. We also hear from local homeowners about how they've revitalized their old homes. Our guests:

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Assemblymember Harry Bronson is our guest this hour as we continue to explore what local state representatives see as wins and missteps with the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Bronson discusses his take on a range of issues — from health care affordability, to mental health crisis response, to labor issues, and more. Our guest:

• Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D, WF), District 138

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Will kids grow up with a mix of human and AI friends? Should we get comfortable with that? Should we set boundaries, and if so, how? Artificial intelligence is already part of human life and relationships – from virtual friends, to AI pornography, to work assistants, and AI counselors. How much do we trust AI — with our emotions and decisions? We discuss it. In studio:

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Rochester's Strasenburgh Planetarium was one of hundreds of locations around the world to host a watch party for the first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. As reported by WXXI's Veronica Volk, the advanced telescope is expected to answer some of the universe's greatest mysteries. This hour, we talk with experts about the galaxies, nebulas, and asteroids they saw and what it all means for the future of science research and our understanding of the universe. In studio:

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

"What if we didn't have to leave home to have a world class experience?" Those are the words of CITY Magazine editor Leah Stacy, writing about the Finger Lakes. The July issue of the magazine is all about the vacation destination right in our own backyard. This hour, we explore some of those world class experiences with the CITY team and with the people creating them. Our guests:

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Steven Holden is a Democrat who lost to Republican Claudia Tenney by more than 30 points in 2022. So why does he think he can close that massive gap in 2026? Holden says Republican policies, including the new spending plan, are hugely unpopular. We discuss Democrats’ ideas on retaking the House, and why he’s starting this race so early. In studio:

• Steven Holden, candidate for New York's 24th Congressional district 

*Note: We will offer equal time on the program to any candidates running against Holden in this race.

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

Fresh off her run for mayor, Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien joins us to discuss the city budget and city business. We talk about how the city is addressing housing and new development, about the future of downtown, and the path to revitalizing neighborhoods. In studio:

• Mary Lupien, member of Rochester City Council

Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.