Connections with Evan Dawson

The stars are aligning for the Pegula family, when it comes to their Buffalo Bills: the new Bills stadium will open in 2026, and the team could be coming off their first Super Bowl win. Just imagine: the hottest team in professional sports, sky-high demand for tickets and seat licenses... and prices are already soaring! We predict that most fans will pay any increase happily if it follows a Super Bowl win. And we don't believe in jinxes -- the Bills are winning the Super Bowl this year. We'll discuss it with our guests.In studio: Scott Pitoniak, best-selling author, nationally honored journalist and longtime sportswriter Joe Sayre, Bills season ticket holder Sandy Wright, Bills season ticket holder and superfan ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

American birth rates fell after the great financial recession of 2007. Eighteen years later, there are fewer young adults who might go to college. For some schools, it's a crisis: the pandemic has combined with this smaller population of students to significantly cut the incoming freshman classes. In Western New York, some schools have already shut down. So what's next? How can higher ed deal with this challenge? How can they appeal to more students? Our guests discuss it.In studio: Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Amy Storey, president of Keuka College Ian Mortimer, president of the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Tax credits: on or off? Solar projects: full speed ahead, paused, or scrapped entirely? Depending on the day, the headlines have been wildly different. We sit down with one of the local leaders in the solar sector to discuss what's going in with the second Trump administration -- what that means for workers in the solar industry, what that means for homeowners, for businesses, and more.Our guest:Kevin Schulte, CEO of Greenspark Solar---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Tech innovator Kevin Surace recently said that artificial intelligence can solve the problem of writer's block. It can complete half-written songs. It can write lyrics when we hit the wall. It can figure out a great new bridge for your song. And it's true: AI can do those things, but should we let it? When does a song become something other than an artist's creation? Where is the line? AI music is already here, and will become more common. We sit down with musicians and songwriters to discuss it.Our guests: Sarah De Valliere, singer/songwriter, pianist, composer Jimmie Highsmith, saxophonist and flutist Scott Regan, musician and host of Open Tunings on WRUR and WITH ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is the latest in a series of political attacks in recent years in this country. We sit down with a leader in the nonviolence movement to talk about the cost to a society of increasing violence. And we welcome feedback from our audience about how to process this disturbing and tragic news.In studio: Jonathon Jones, community trainer with the Ghandi Institute of Nonviolence Kit Miller, director emeritus of the Ghandi Institute of Nonviolence

What would happen if cities offered free public transit for anyone who wants to use it? New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wants to do just that. Economist Amit Batabyal recently examined some data to see what the impact would be - and the answers were not what many of his readers in the Rochester Beacon expected. We'll discuss what could happen if transit were free and widely accessible.In studio: Amit Batabyal, Ph.D., distinguished professor and the Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics at RIT Cody Donahue, co-executive director of Reconnect Rochester

We continue our look at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their legacy. Evan Dawson and co-host Racquel Stephen welcome guests who are graduates of HBCUs, and can talk about why they chose to attend. They'll discuss the value of HBCUs today, after so much has changed in access to higher education.In studio: Shirley Green, Ed.D., commissioner of the department of recreation and human services for the City of Rochester and graduate of Delaware State Seanelle Hawkins, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester Kearstin Piper Brown, vocal artist, creative consultant, community activist, host at WXXI's Classical 91.5, and graduate of Spelman College

We condemn political violence, and we will have more to discuss on this tragic subject soon. For now, we continue as planned with our first-hour discussion: President Trump and Vice President Vance have said that the courts should not stand in the way of their administration's priorities. The courts are, of course, supposed to be an equal branch of government. But are they? We welcome three retired judges — Republican and Democrat — to discuss it.In studio: Hon. Richard Dollinger, New York Court of Claims Judge (ret.) Hon. Joseph Valentino, New York State Supreme Court Justice (ret.) Hon. Thomas VanStrydonck, New York State Supreme Court Justice (ret.)

Real estate broker Mark Siwiec says the newest data is stark, and tells a story of two Rochesters. For luxury homeowners, it's the best of times: soaring numbers of homes sold for more than a million bucks. For first-time buyers, it's the worst of times: tiny inventory, high pressure. But Siwiec says there's reason to think that change is coming. He joins us to discuss it.In studio:Mark Siwiec, broker and owner of Elysian Homes by Mark Siwiec and Associates

New data finds that teenagers want more freedom and autonomy. Give them those things, and they say they'll spend less time on their phones. Here's the problem: modern parents are giving kids freedom in the wrong places. They're giving kids more freedom online, where kids are getting addicted to social media and discovering violence and porn earlier than they used to. Meanwhile, parents are giving kids less freedom in the real world. So how can that be flipped?Our guests: Michael Scharf, M.D., Mark and Maureen Davitt distinguished professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center Hawa Ali, Edison Tech student

Six months ago, Senator Chuck Schumer persuaded his fellow Democrats to vote for a funding bill that President Trump and Elon Musk wanted. It averted a government shutdown. Some Democrats argued against funding a government acting in ways that betrayed their values. Schumer said he realized many colleagues would disagree with him, but he acted in courage and conviction. He doesn't think the government can be allowed to shut down, even if the party in power is acting in repugnant ways. Shut down the government, and you might shut down the courts, Schumer argued. And then what? In a few weeks, Democrats could face the same choice. Once again, there is a growing wave of anger at the way that the government is acting — including a president tweeting a photoshopped picture of him bombing the city of Chicago. Our guest leads the local Democratic party and will discuss the choices ahead.In studio:Avi Presberg, executive director of the Monroe County Democratic Committee

Kevin Surace is an RIT grad who has spent decades piling up patents and helping lead the field of technological innovation. He is much more optimistic about artificial intelligence than the doomsayers. Surace believes that AI will not devastate the job market, but he says it can certainly transform the nature of work in many ways. He says that can be a good thing if we know how to use AI. We sit down to discuss the future of work, and why he wants us to see the sunny side of technology.In studio:Kevin Surace, chief technology officer of Appvance and Silicon Valley pioneer

The Little Theatre's One Take Documentary series will feature "Remaining Native" on Wednesday and Saturday this week. The film is a coming-of-age documentary told from the perspective of a 17-year-old Native American runner. Ku Stevens has a dream of becoming a high-level collegiate athlete, but as Ku ages, he confronts his own great-grandfather's escape from Indian boarding school. We'll talk to the filmmaker, who is originally from Rochester and attended Ithaca College.In studio: Paige Bethmann, director and producer of "Remaining Native" Ansley Jemison, Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan and cultural liaison for Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site

How well do you know the story of Thurgood Marshall? For many Americans, Marshall was a Supreme Court Justice. But as noted in a new documentary about Marshall's life and impact, Marshall is the rare case of a Supreme Court Justice who is now known even more for his work before joining the court. Marshall was a Black lawyer at a time when predominantly white courtrooms, particularly in the south, meant that Black lawyers couldn't win. Instead, Marshall won 29 of his 32 civil rights cases that went all the way to the Supreme Court — including Brown v Board of Education. His rise through HBCUs, law firms, and eventually the high court are all center stage in Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect. The documentary airs on WXXI-TV on Tuesday night, but first, our guests discuss the impact of Thurgood Marshall today.In studio: Shaun Nelms, vice president of community partnerships and special advisor to the president at the University of Rochester Van Henri White, Rochester City Court Judge Note: This episode includes references to racial slurs.

Perhaps the single most successful marketing experiment in the last 10 years in this country is an independent baseball team that features dance parties at home plate and a player who bats while standing on stilts. The Savannah Bananas are often compared to the Harlem Globetrotters, but owner Jesse Cole says there are key differences. He wants to build a fanbase of one billion people, and so Cole says he keeps the team affordable: jerseys, hats, even tickets to games. Cole has turned down mega-million-dollar offers to sell the team. So we wondered: is this an example of conscious capitalism? Or is it something else? The founder of the Rochester chapter of Conscious Capitalism examines the case for us.Our guest:  Andrew Brady, founder of the Rochester chapter of Conscious Capitalism

Maybe it's the intrigue surrounding the nasty and expensive legal battle within Oak Hill Country Club; maybe it's the court reporting that made Gary Craig a legend in Rochester journalism. (He says it's Oak Hill.) But whatever the reason, Gary Craig just can't quit doing the work. He retired from the Democrat & Chronicle earlier this year. This summer, he launched his own Substack, which already has hundreds of followers. Craig joins us to dig into the juicy Oak Hill news, along with plenty of other work that is keeping him typing away. Our guest:Gary Craig, Substack-based journalist and former Democrat & Chronicle reporter

The Trump administration is downsizing NASA, with thousands of NASA employees leaving their careers behind. The White House's proposed budget would have eliminated some of our most ambitious missions in space, including the search to discover intelligent alien life. Astrophysicist Adam Frank says we are in danger of losing the next space race, with China aggressively moving ahead on plans to search for alien civilizations. Frank's popular new newsletter covers this and a lot more, and we'll discuss where space exploration is going — or not going — next. Our guest:Adam Frank, Ph.D., author and Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester

One in three elections around the world is being contested. Turnout is dropping. By many indicators, democracy is backsliding. So what can reverse this trend? Valery Perry, Ph.D., is a senior associate for the Democratization Policy Council. She's concerned with trends abroad ... and with trends in the United States, including, as she puts it, the "hacking of the federal civil service." Perry, a western New York native, joins us in studio before she returns to Europe. Our guest:Valery Perry, Ph.D., senior associate for the Democratization Policy Council 

Nearly 2.5 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits as part of the recently passed federal budget. Republicans in Congress have argued that these are not actual cuts to food benefits; rather, they represent an adjustment in benefits. At Foodlink, the message is clear: These are cuts, and the people who will bear the brunt tend to be older, including many veterans. We'll discuss what's actually happening with the Foodlink team: Mitch Gruber, Foodlink Chief Impact Officer Julia Tedesco, Foodlink CEO Whitley Hasty, Foodlink benefits navigation manager

The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft was formed six years ago as a kind of gathering place for anyone who wants more diplomacy, less war. In 2025, that means advocating for peace in Ukraine through a kind of land concession — and a concession that Ukraine will never join NATO. Critics call that capitulation to Putin, and a guarantee that Ukraine will be vulnerable to future attacks. But the Quincy Institute is calling for radical realism, and a plan to stop the destruction. Quincy's director of grand strategy is visiting Rochester to talk to the local chapter of the World Affairs Council, but first, he joins us in studio.Our guest:George Beebe, director of grand strategy at the Quincy Institute

The political left has been engaged in a heated debate about who's to blame for the high cost of living in blue states and cities. In the new book Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson take their fellow progressives to task for making it too difficult to build... well, almost anything. New housing. High speed rail. Clean energy projects. If thousands of Californians are moving to Texas, what does it mean for the effectiveness of Democratic governance? Our guests have strong views on how Democrats can accomplish more on the state and local levels.In studio: Senator Jeremy Cooney, District 56 Nate Salzman, Brighton Town Councilmember

Evan Dawson is back, and he has big plans for Connections in the coming weeks.He's diving into public policy, the free range kid movement, and... aliens?He sat down with Senior Producer Veronica Volk to talk about what audiences can expect.

We're continuing our summer tour of the Finger Lakes with a stop in Ithaca, a city where natural wonder meets vibrant culture. Nestled at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is home to more than 100 waterfalls, two major universities, and a rich history that has shaped its creative spirit. We'll explore its gorges and wineries, its stories and legends, and why this small city makes such a big impression. Our guests: Jose Molina, travel show host and filmmaker Peggy Coleman, president, Tompkins Chamber Carol Kammen, Tompkins County historian

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival is back with hundreds of performances across theater, music, dance, and more. But beyond the spectacle, why are audiences drawn to experimental art, and what drives artists to take creative risks? We explore Rochester Fringe as part of a global movement that gives performers a platform to experiment, connect, and rebel against the algorithm.Our guests: Erica Fee, CEO of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Martin Dockery, writer/performer of "1 SMALL LIE" Cat D. Olson, director of dance theater company CAT + THE COYOTE Dr. Jefferson Svengsouk, musician in Cobbs Hill Consort

Short films are having a moment. For student filmmakers, the short film is a space to experiment, take risks, and share stories that might not otherwise be told. They can capture a single emotion, a fleeting moment, or a bold new idea — and offer a glimpse into the next generation of storytellers. We talk with students from RIT's School of Film and Animation about their work, the changing role of short films, and what audiences can expect from the latest installment of RIT Shorts, airing August 28 on WXXI-TV.Our guests: Christine Banna, assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation at RIT Deanna Moorehead, 3D artist Vinh Nguyen, 2D/experimental animator Colin O'Brien, composer and sound designer

Trust in the American justice system is at a historic low, and even many judges acknowledge systemic racism exists within the courts. In Rochester, the Judicial Observation Project is working to change that by training community members to observe court proceedings and provide feedback directly to volunteer judges. Our guests tell us about how the program was built, what it's accomplished so far, and how it could be a model.In studio: Hon. Melissa Barrett, Rochester City Court judge and the supervising judge of City Courts in the 7th Judicial District Dr. Rashid Muhammad, director of community partnerships at JustCause

Jane Austen was born 250 years ago, but her work continues to entertain, delight, and inspire generations of readers. WXXI News' Beth Adams and WXXI's Classical Brenda Tremblay guest host this hour. Our hosts and their guests will celebrate her timeless works, remarkable life, and enduring legacy.Our guests: Dawn Kellogg, superfan Cherie Messore, superfan Mary Mintz, president of the Jane Austen Society of North America Lindsay Warren Baker, co-writer of "Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice"

For parents of children with disabilities, back to school time can be a mix of excitement and anxiety. They may be navigating complex education plans, arranging for specialized transportation, or making sure the right support staff are in place. For some families, it's a matter of making sure their child has access to therapies; for others, it's about fighting for accommodations they're legally entitled to but don't always get. And behind those hurdles is concern for whether their child will feel included, safe, and understood in a new school year. Our guests discuss their experiences and what resources are available.Our guests: Shenee Elzey, mother of a child who has Holoprosencephaly Kara Georgi, family education specialist at Starbridge Brentaysia Johnson, parent of a child with disabilities Kristen Lopez, communications manager at Starbridge and parent of a child with disabilities

Clarissa Street was once the cultural heartbeat of Rochester's Third Ward. It was home to legendary jazz clubs, thriving businesses, and a tight-knit community. Urban renewal and highway construction dismantled that neighborhood, but its legacy lives on through the annual Clarissa Street Reunion. In this hour, we hear from community leaders and elders about the history of Clarissa Street, why it matters in 2025, and how remembering the past can shape our future.Our guests: George Fontenette, finance committee member and elder for the Clarissa Street Legacy Bryce Long, youth representative for the Clarissa Street Legacy Renee Long, president of the Clarissa Street Legacy Patricia Mason-Williams, vice president of the Clarissa Street Legacy

Photographer David Liittschwager and a team from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History are back in the Genesee documenting one cubic foot of the river's environment.In studio: David Liittschwager, freelance photographer and contributor to National Geographic and other publications Chris Meyer, curator and chair of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Pamela Reed Sanchez, president and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society Tom Snyder, director of programming and conservation action for the Seneca Park Zoo Society

The new horror film, "Together," starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, focuses on a struggling relationship and features Cronenberg-levels of body horror ...but it has also been marketed as a date movie. This year has featured lots of films that eschew the typical formula of a date movie. Guest host Scott Pukos and his panel of movie lovers will explore this trend — is it just marketing or are audiences craving something beyond the standard rom-com?Our guests: Sarah Antao, rom-com expert and teaching staff member at the Focus Theater Roemer Johansson, copywriter and member of the Little Theatre Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Adam Lubitow, projectionist and programmer at the Little Theatre and programming director for Anomaly: The Rochester Genre Film Festival Dave Palmer, film critic for the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA)

Host Racquel Stephen takes us to this multi-faceted city on Owasco Lake to learn what makes Auburn unique. Once called “Prison City,” Auburn has embraced its history and developed a rich cultural and artistic scene.Our guests: Maria Coleman, director of development at The Seward House Geoffrey Starks, director of development and outreach at Cayuga Museum of History and Art David Wilcox, executive editor of The Auburn Citizen Ahna Wilson, superintendent at Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Host Racquel Stephen examines the trend of using travel nurses to fill gaps in health care systems and talks to travel nurses about their experiences.In studio: Brandy Brumfeld, RN, BSN, director of nursing for Wesley Gardens Jeri Hayes, LPN, travel nurse Shante Hill, RN, BSN, travel nurse Daniel Ireland, executive vice president, chief nursing executive and patient care officer at Rochester Regional Health

The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes has a huge impact on families. We'll discuss the condition with the family of a 10-year-old who will tell us how they're managing. We'll also learn about community resources offering support and advocacy.Our guests: Cai Eloi-Evans, child with Type 1 diabetes Sasha Eloi-Evans, Ed.D., parent of child with Type 1 diabetes LaShara Evans, parent of child with Type 1 diabetes Marianna Seefeldt, community engagement manager with Breakthrough T1D's Upstate New York Chapter Karina Vattana, MD, FAAP, medical director of pediatrics at Trillium Health

Today we're headed to the classroom. But the lessons are outdoors for some kids who attend environmental and sustainability camps in the area. We'll see how kids in Sodus are making their own version of Baywatch, and how young people in Rochester are learning about everything from growing food to bee pollination.In studio: Frank Keophetlasy,  community farm manager at Foodlink Donald Riling, president of Save Our Sodus Kyra Stephenson,  nature-based learning coach and consultant Chris Widmaier, executive director of Rochester Ecology Partners

The death of Rochester musical icon Chuck Mangione was a huge loss for countless fans around the world — felt especially keenly here in his hometown. Let's celebrate the man and his music, with favorite musical and personal memories. Guest host Mona Seghatoleslami is joined in the studio by his niece Ardis Mangione-Lindley and an "alum" of his band. And we want to hear from you — the community of musicians, fans, and friends who experienced iconic concerts like "Friends and Love," played alongside him, and more.Our guests: Ardis Mangione-Lindley, niece of Chuck Mangione Bob Sneider, associate professor of jazz studies at Eastman School of Music and alum of Chuck Mangione Band

We continue our tour of the Finger Lakes with a visit to Seneca Falls – a small town with a big legacy. Seneca Falls is home to just under 9,000 people, but it holds a major place in American history. It was here, in the summer of 1848, that a group of women gathered for tea and changed the world. More than 175 years later, the legacy of the Seneca Falls Convention and the women's rights movement is foundational to the town's identity. But this town isn't something out of a history book. It's a living place shaped by the people who live and work there, and keep its stories alive. Guest host Veronica Volk talks to four of those people.In studio: Pam Becker, historian of Seneca County Nellie Ludemann, museum and community relations manager for the National Women's Hall of Fame Andrew Olden, Ph.D., executive director of the Seneca Falls Museum and Tourism Center and Home of the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry Ahna Wilson, superintendent of the Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Seneca Nation is thought to be the first sovereign Native Nation to own a major professional lacrosse team. This is a game they say the Creator gifted their people, centuries ago, and they started playing here in New York and bordering parts of Canada. The Knighthawks President and GM says that this development will strengthen the connection between the Rochester team and the roots of the sport. Guest host Brian Sharp and his panel discuss what this means for the team, for the Seneca Nation, and for the sport.Our guests: JC Seneca, president of Seneca Nation Dan Carey, president and general manager of the Knighthawks Eli Hackett, contributing writer for CITY and Knighthawks fan

In selecting this year's annual "Rochester Ten" cohort, CITY looked to the helpers — those who are impacting our region daily; many doing it quietly. CITY's annual "Rochester Ten" issue hit stands last week, and the crew is here to talk about all the design, storytelling and photography that happens behind-the-scenes. CITY editor Leah Stacy guest hosts this discussion.Our guests: Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Matt Rogers, editor of The Lost Borough and contributor to CITY Magazine Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine

What does your elected official do all day? We usually hear about our state lawmakers when there's a big vote or controversy. This hour, guest host Veronica Volk is going behind the scenes with two Assemblymembers – a Republican and a Democrat – to hear how they spend their time, what constituents don't see, and how they work across party lines.In studio: Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135 Assemblymember Josh Jensen, District 134 

The New York Times recently reassigned four of its arts critics to other gigs in the newsroom. The roles aren't going away; the company is searching for new candidates fluent in “new story forms, videos and experimentation with other platforms,” per a memo. This language prompted the worker-owned publication Hell Gate NYC to ask: “Does the NYT want culture writing or TikTok videos?” The question could be extended to the entire media ecosystem. In an age when information travels faster than ever before and competition for audience attention is cutthroat, what is the role of the arts critic? And what does the future of arts criticism look like in that landscape? Guest host Patrick Hosken and his panel discuss it.In studio: Eric Grode, associate professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School Mona Seghatoleslami, music director, host, and producer for WXXI Classical 91.5 FM, and music coordinator for the Little Cafe Katherine Varga, theatre critic and arts educator

We continue our summer series highlighting communities across the Finger Lakes region. Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes and one of the most well-known, both for its natural features and for the communities along its shores. And at its northern tip: Geneva. Geneva has deep Indigenous and agricultural roots, a complex history, and a diverse range of identities today. It's been called the “Lake Trout Capital of the World,” and is also known for its arts scene, culinary offerings, and sustainability efforts.Our guests: Susie Monaghan, executive director of Smith Center for the Arts Jan Regan, photographer, board member of Geneva Industrial Development Agency and president of ReUse Systems, Inc. Steve Valentino, mayor of Geneva Jessica VanDeMar, marketing director for Visit Finger Lakes

This year marks the 39th anniversary of CariFest, Rochester's signature celebration of Caribbean heritage and unity. But beyond the costumes, music, and the food, CariFest tells a story of migration, perseverance, and the richness of cultures that have shaped this city for over a century. We'll explore the history, the music, the meaning of Carnival, and what it means to celebrate multiculturalism at a time when immigrants and communities of color are still under threat.In studio: Alan Prescod, president of the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization (RWIFO) Kadya Donadelle, vice president and parade coordinator of the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization(RWIFO)

WXXI's Racquel Stephen sits down with Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, for a conversation about some of the community's most pressing health issues. They discuss the persistent asthma crisis in city schools, the roots of childhood obesity, and the impact of poverty, housing conditions, and neighborhood safety on kids' wellbeing. Dr. Vélez de Brown also shares how Rochester is leading the way in preventing lead poisoning, and why federal funding cuts could threaten the region's ability to respond to future public health emergencies.

From measles scares to shifts around COVID guidelines, vaccine conversations have gotten more complicated. Parents have questions about what's required for school, who qualifies for exemptions, and how to navigate conflicting advice from the CDC, social media, and their own doctors. The Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health joins us to cut through the noise and talk about vaccines and public health, and how her department is building trust in a time of science skepticism. In studio: Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health Dr. Andrew Cox, associate director of Center for Infectious Disease and Immunology Research for RRH

One year ago, families gathered for a summer barbecue in Maplewood Park. It was a moment meant for joy and connection that turned into tragedy. More than 40 shots rang out. Five people were wounded. Two people were killed: 25-year-old Tyasia Manning, and 34-year-old Phylicia Council. The incident left the community reeling. This hour, we reflect on what happened, what it means, and where we are now.Our guests: Alex Council, father of Phylicia Council Keyvo Owens, CERV coordinator at Rise Up Rochester, Inc. Laquita Roundheart, mother of Tyasia Manning Chiara Smith, MHR program officer of Racial Health Equity at Greater Rochester Health Foundation

Artists have always helped society make sense of complex, overwhelming realities — and climate change is no exception. Local artists and educators explore how creative practices deepen understanding, foster dialogue and inspire action in response to the climate crisis. From dance and photography to digital media and public art, we'll examine how creativity can open new avenues of hope, connection and meaningful action.Our guests: Stephanie Ashenfelder, director of digital media studies at University of Rochester, co-director of echolab.art Andrea Gluckman, civic artist, photographer and educator Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp, professor of dance at University of Rochester

Climate change isn't just reshaping the planet; it's also reshaping our emotional landscapes. Climate-inclusive psychologist Emma Nelson joins host Jasmin Singer to explore "eco-anxiety," climate grief and the rising emotional toll of environmental uncertainty. We'll discuss how climate change affects our mental health — and how acknowledging these feelings can become a powerful tool for personal and collective resilience.Our guest:Emma Nelson, PhD, clinical psychologist working at the intersection of climate change and mental health

We continue our summer tour of the Finger Lakes with a trip to a place that's a little less traveled, a little less hyped... but that's part of what people say makes it magical. Keuka Lake is known as the "Crooked Lake" for its unusual Y shape, and its the only lake in the country that flows both north and south. It's ringed by small, proud communities -- Penn Yan, Hammondsport, and Branchport -- each with their own stories. We get into them with our guests: Sam Crastner, metalwork artist at Ironvine Studios LLC Angela Mattoon, office manager for Weis Vineyards Tricia Noel, executive director/curator of the Yates County History Center  Kyle Anne Pallischeck, director of programs for the New York State Wine and Grape Foundation 

Every summer, thousands of people gather in Rochester for one of the city's most beloved celebrations: the Puerto Rican Festival. It's music and food, dancing and community, but it's also something deeper. For many people, the festival is a symbol of heritage and pride. A space to be fully seen and heard. And a reminder that Puerto Rican history is Rochester history. Our guests discuss the 55th annual Puerto Rican festival.In studio: Adrián Franco, host of the Puerto Rican Festival Orlando Ortiz, president of the Puerto Rican Festival Angelica Perez-Delgado, president and CEO of the Ibero-American Action League

New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would require mental health warning labels on social media platforms with “addictive” design. It's a first-in-the-nation move. Supporters say it's a necessary step to protect young users. Critics question whether warning labels will have any real impact. Racquel and her guests explore the potential consequences of the legislation, what the research says about tech and mental health, and how families are navigating an increasingly digital world.Our guests: Kathleen P. Allen, PhD, researcher, educator, and author of "Stuck in Our Screens" Noelle Evans, education reporter for WXXI News Julie Scelfo, founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction(MAMA)