The Debrief Podcast

As soon as the Seneca Nation heard about the coronavirus, non-essential staff were sent home and a COVID-19 response taskforce comprising of several stakeholders had been swiftly formed. The Nation with its sprawling five territories in Allegany, Buffalo, Cattaraugus, Oil Spring and Niagara has combatted the coronavirus across their entire reservation. Jason Corwin, the executive director of the Seneca Media & Communications Center located in Salamanca, candidly speaks to these obstacles, especially how his community has dealt with shutting down their tribal casinos.

Two brothers born and raised in Canandaigua speak about Haudenosaunee, also known as the Six Nations on their podcast with guests that openly include Indigenous voices and perspectives on the show about the history, folklore, politics, and culture of these peoples. Andrew Cotter, co-host of the Iroquois History and Legends Podcast joins the Daily Debrief to discuss their podcast and the history behind the naming of ‘Squaw Island’ after a recent debate has sparked in Canandaigua about renaming the historical site.

Two current Wells College student and close friends helped coordinate the Rally for Black Lives, Seneca Falls’ first public demonstration since the death of George Floyd while being held in police custody in Minneapolis.

What has it been like at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah, Wayne County? It has been busy, and that is a great thing for Chris Lejewski, who serves as center director. He was in-studio last week previewing some exciting events coming up at the center, and the ways in which families can get out and enjoy the outdoors. The Center is a short drive from many places in the Finger Lakes, which makes it an ideal daytrip into the Fall. 

Have you ever dreamt of becoming a falconry master? Today on the Daily Debrief, Joseph Therrein, the head of the Special Licenses Unit for the Division Fish & Wildlife at the Department of Environmental Conservation brings us soaring through the skies to show us what it takes to become a falconer here in New York state.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is content with speaking to his track record surrounding the nursing home situation, but some state lawmakers are not, including Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt [R-62] – who joins the Daily Debrief, airing his concerns ahead of August public hearings on the subject. Still, there are numerous unanswered questions left outstanding regarding handling of COVID-19 at nursing homes across the state. But even long before coronavirus, Ortt says the deteriorating condition of nursing home facilities was on his and other legislator’s radars. “There were other issues that surrounded nursing homes in New York, predating COVID-19,” Ortt told FingerLakes1.com.

What sports will return this fall? Will school bounce back like federal officials want it to? And how about enforcement of mask policies? This week we're tackling the biggest headlines and questions -- COVID-related and otherwise -- from the FL1 Newsroom. 

Today on The Weekend Debrief we catch up with the reporter who broke the news on FingerLakes1.com that Tully Environmental would be withdrawing it's application to build a sewer sludge composting facility in Butler, Wayne County. Peter Mantius' Water Front Online has been focusing on environmental issues in Upstate New York for years, bolstering his audience along the way. We also catch up with him about a Public Service Commission decision to not provide intense environmental regulation or oversight to a bitcoin mining operation along Seneca Lake in Dresden, Yates County.

From asymptomatic to dead. As our investigation into Elm Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing continues, another personal story from a former resident's daughter. Officials at the nursing home told Christina Miller than her father Ralph had contracted COVID-19, but was asymptomatic. She called the facility herself hours after finding out -- only to learn that her father had died.

It was 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21st when Harold Perryman of Shortsville called Elm Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Canandaigua. Each morning he would call-in to wish his wife Beatrice, “Bea” good morning as she would start her own day – but that didn’t happen on this particular occasion. Instead of hearing her voice, the phone kept ringing. It rang. It rang. It rang, and no answer. His daily routine had been disrupted. Today on the show, the heartbreaking story of Harold and Beatrice Perryman.