WAMC News Podcast

As the Republican Party begins to decide how it feels about a third White House run by Donald Trump, Fox News remains a major player in how the next campaign will shake out. But the defamation lawsuits against the cable news behemoth have helped uncover the distance between Fox's interest in appeasing its viewers with conspiracy theories and outright falsehoods and what its top talent and ownership have been saying behind the scenes since the 2020 campaign. New York Times reporter Jim Rutenberg has been covering Fox and the Murdochs for years. His latest New York Times Magazine story is called “How Fox Chased Its Audience Down The Rabbit Hole.”

Redistricting is supposed to happen once a decade, after the latest Census data is released, but if New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James have their way, the state could reopen this particular can of worms. For analysis, we speak with Columbia Law School Professor Richard Briffault.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing new scrutiny for failing to report expensive vacations and travel from a Republican megadonor and developer. According to an investigative report by ProPublica, the justice of more than three decades has traveled on a private jet and stayed in luxurious facilities every year without disclosing the trips. One destination has been in the Adirondacks, on St. Regis Lake. We speak with ProPublica reporter Justin Elliott.

We speak with NPR "All Things Considered" host Mary Louise Kelly about her new memoir, "It. Goes. So Fast.," about the last year with both children at home.

As the nation approaches the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning the landmark abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade, a new coalition of 22 lieutenant governors has formed. The Reproductive Freedom Coalition says it will work to protect and expand reproductive rights and access to care. Lieutenant Governors from New York, Massachusetts and Vermont are part of the group, which was put together by Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, a second-term Democrat.

We sit down with Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest and Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman, both Democrats.

From intrigue at the Vatican to the migrant crisis in Europe to the pleasures of the abundant food and culture of Italy, Sylvia Poggioli has spent more than 50 years in journalism, including the last 41 on NPR's international desk. Now, Poggioli is wrapping up her tenure — personally moving on to new adventures while simultaneously leaving these airwaves a little less rich. But before she goes, Sylvia Poggioli joins us to look back and ahead.

WAMC's Ian Pickus takes part in a media panel at Saratoga Springs Public Library along with Thomas Dimopoulos from Saratoga TODAY, Will Pedigo from WMHT Public Media, Miles Reed of the Daily Gazette, Tom Eschen from WRGB CBS 6 News, and Anya Tucker of WTEN ABC News10.

Housing. Criminal justice. Tuition. In the final days before the start of the new fiscal year on April 1st, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and fellow Democrats who control the legislature appear to be at odds over a number of issues. So — will the budget be late for the second year in a row? We speak with WNYC's Jon Campbell, who covers the capital. 

If you've ever heard a probing interview or feature report from a far-flung nation by Ari Shapiro on WAMC, you may have wondered about the person behind the “All Things Considered” voice. Things like: just how do you get a story filed from Air Force One? Why does this guy know so much about flora and fauna? And how did he go from reporting on Pink Martini to joining the band? Those are just some of Shapiro's experiences detailed in his new memoir, “The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening.”

The NCAA men's basketball tournament returned to Albany over the weekend for the first time since 2003.

A documentary that focuses on the ever-present question of immigration and refugee resettlement in upstate New York is beginning a weeklong run in Albany starting Friday. “Utica: The Last Refuge” is a poignant exploration of how Utica embraced refugees to turn around its falling population, fill vital jobs, and create a new future.

With the NCAA men's basketball tournament returning to Albany for the first time in 20 years, we take an audio tour of MVP Arena and inspect its many recent upgrades.

Central Hudson Gas and Electric is going through a period of intense public scrutiny and a related leadership transition. Chris Capone has just taken over as president and CEO as the utility responds to widespread criticism over its billing practices.

We preview Town Meeting Day in Vermont Tuesday with Middlebury College political science professor Bert Johnson, who hopes the old-fashioned tradition will continue.

We conclude our special series on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine by meeting two Capital Region figures who have marshalled local support.

We continue marking the anniversary of the war in Ukraine with stories about Russians and Ukrainians in the Capital Region. And experts from western Massachusetts weigh in on the geopolitical implications.

We mark the grim first anniversary of the war in Ukraine with a series of pieces about residents of the Northeast who have aided in the conflict. On this episode, a northern New York veterinarian travels overseas to help, and a Western Massachusetts woman with family ties to the nation helps refugees.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has named Travis Tellitocci its new commissioner. Tellitocci replaces the retiring Rich Ensor, who set a national record by spending 35 years in the role. Tellitocci, the conference's fourth commissioner, has served as assistant commissioner for football, basketball and officiating for the Ohio Valley Conference for the past six years. We speak with the 2004 graduate of conference member Marist, where he later served as deputy athletics director.

As we've been discussing for weeks here, the nomination of Hector LaSalle to be New York state's next chief judge is at a stalemate. Noah Rosenblum teaches law at New York University School of Law and has advocated for court reform in New York. He also clerked in the New York State Court of Appeals. He tells us why he thinks the nomination is dead.

For millions of Americans, betting on sports is getting easier all the time. And they seem to like it. That's the conclusion of a new survey from the American Gaming Association. The trade group says betting on the Super Bowl this year accounted for $16 billion in wagering from more than 50 million Americans. We speak with vice president of research of David Forman.

The football world has descended on Arizona for Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs and the Eagles, will take center stage Sunday. The Eagles are hoping to win their second title since 2017, while the Chiefs are in the big game for the third time in four years. For a preview, we speak with WAMC Sports Commentator Keith Strudler, director of the school of communication and media at Montclair State University.

The embattled longtime chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party has been ousted. Jim Lyons, a steadfast Trump backer who frequently clashed with two-term Governor Charlie Baker and often wound up in the headlines for controversial statements, was narrowly voted out last week. The state committee backed Amy Carnevale instead. For analysis we speak with Emma Platoff of the Boston Globe.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is confronting one of her first major tests after winning a full term in November. Her pick for the state's new chief judge, Hector LaSalle, is being opposed by a coalition of progressive groups — and crucially, more than a dozen Democrats in the state Senate. We break it down with Albany Law School Professor Vincent Bonventre, who has been following the twists and turns on his New York Court Watcher website.

By Albany standards, it has been a rocky start to the New York state legislative session, with Governor Kathy Hochul's pick for chief judge rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee and ongoing disagreement about how to approach public safety. Hochul delivers her state budget plan this week. We catch up with Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt.

“Mr. Patroon” is coming back to Albany. After Will Brown stepped down as head coach last month, the Albany Patroons say Derrick Rowland is returning as head coach for the 2023 season that starts in March. Rowland has played for and coached the Albany Patroons dating back to their 1982 inception. A star player who led the Patroons to two titles, Rowland will begin his third stint as head coach for the team that plays in The Basketball League. Rowland spent last season coaching in Oklahoma.

For as long as anyone can remember, New Hampshire has held the nation's first primary of the presidential election cycle. But that century-old tradition is in jeopardy now that the Democratic National Committee is looking to shake up the primary calendar.. A Granite State Poll from the University of New Hampshire finds two-thirds of respondents support the state's first-in-the-nation status. And support for it is growing. We break it down with Dr. Andrew Smith, Director of the UNH Survey Center and professor of political science.

Although he stepped aside after two terms earlier this month, former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker isn't going away. The Republican who played basketball at Harvard is about to take on another high-profile position as the new president of the NCAA. Baker starts the job in March, and it comes at a time of acute changes and challenges in college sports. For analysis of the move, we speak with Malcolm Moran, who directs the Sports Capital Journalism Program at IUPUI in Indianapolis, home to NCAA headquarters.

Listeners to WAMC count on hearing the regional weather forecast each day at 6:52 a.m. and during Midday Magazine — they really count on it — but meteorologist Paul Caiano got some big news at his home station the other day.  As he nears 30 years at NewsChannel 13, WNYT, Caiano was named Chief Meteorologist, a bit of ceremony that allowed the broadcaster to air some early 90s B-roll.

The U.S. House and Senate have been a study in contrasts in the early days of the new Congressional term, with majority House Republicans struggling just to get organized, while it has been business as usual for majority Senate Democrats. To discuss the highlights of 2022 and her hopes for the new term, we speak with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

After becoming the first woman sworn in for a full term as New York Governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul will deliver her State of the State address on Tuesday. It comes as she prepares to unveil her budget plan, and as she stands by her embattled pick for the state's next chief judge. To preview the governor's address and the legislative session, we speak with capitol reporter Jon Campbell of WNYC.

2023 means a major shakeup in Massachusetts state government and politics. Two-term Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey is preparing to replace outgoing two-term Republican Governor Charlie Baker. Healey has been naming cabinet officials and working with incoming Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll to staff up the administration. Massachusetts also has a new attorney general and state auditor on the way, and Democrats held overwhelming majorities on Beacon Hill after November’s midterms. For a preview we speak with Matt Murphy of State House News.

Now that she has a secured a full term, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has a busy agenda for 2023 including a new state budget, dealing with calls for criminal justice changes, and getting her pick for chief judge through the state Senate. As lawmakers return to Albany, the state is moving ahead with a new comprehensive climate plan, and confronting an uncertain economic outlook. For a preview of the legislative session, we speak with WAMC Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt.

After two special sessions in 2022, New York state lawmakers are coming back to Albany for the new term starting January 4. Democrats will retain their majorities in the state Senate and Assembly, and Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul is back for a full term after a narrow win in November's election. In addition to the state budget process, lawmakers are also likely to consider criminal justice measures and more. For a preview, we speak with state Assemblyman John McDonald of the 108th district.

Longtime Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison is wrapping up his tenure in that role, but he's staying in public office in the new year. After two terms as mayor, the Republican won November's election to represent the new 39th district in the New York state Senate. Public safety was a key campaign issue for veteran of the Poughkeepsie police.

The 2022 economic headlines were dominated by inflation at 40-year highs, the Federal Reserve dramatically raising interest rates, the impacts of the war in Ukraine and the bankruptcy of a cryptocurrency exchange. Heading into 2023, we speak with Hugh Johnson, chairman and chief economist at Hugh Johnson Advisors, about what 2023 might hold.

In January, Republican Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison will leave his post to assume his new role as State Senator from New York's 39th District.  City administrator Marc Nelson will be sworn in as acting mayor. Nelson joined the Rolison administration in 2016. He was appointed Finance Commissioner at a time when the city was facing tough fiscal hurdles. He was named city administrator in 2017.  

With another holiday season upon us, we discuss the risks of respiratory disease with Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, as health officials warn of a "tri-demic."

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., we speak with WSHU's Davis Dunavin about his new podcast, "Still Newtown." Dunavin covered the 2012 shootings that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

We speak with New York state Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who chairs the Higher Education Committee, about the appointment of John King as the next SUNY Chancellor.

The holiday season is always a busy one in the Saratoga Springs area, but this year there are new concerns about the downtown bar scene following a shootout around 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday. In the meantime, a new business is sprouting up in New York, after the first retail marijuana licenses were issued. We speak with Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

We recap the midterm election results and preview the next Congressional term, as Democrats move on from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with Joan Walsh of "The Nation."