Connections Podcast

Fairport has been growing — welcoming new businesses that mix with a range of housing designed for all ages. We talk about the vision of making a truly walkable, bikeable village with a diverse range of options for people who live nearby. Our guests:

By one measure, building a house now costs $11,000 more due to the new tariffs. Some builders are concerned about possible labor shortages to come. Meanwhile, the political discourse on the left is focused on why it's even more expensive to build new homes in Democratically governed states and cities. We explore the myths and realities with our guest:

It's the final discussion in our five-part series with candidates running in the Democratic primary for Rochester City Council. Early voting begins Saturday, June 14, and our goal on "Connections" is to help voters feel informed as they head to the polls. We talk to the candidates about their platforms, priorities, and their perspectives on a range of issues affecting the city. In studio:

The federal government is attempting to block Harvard's ability to bring in foreign students. While courts intervene, foreign students are weighing whether to come back in the fall — and what that means for their future in the United States. Our guests discuss their response to the administration's repeated efforts to keep students from abroad out. Our guests:

There’s growing momentum behind a proposal in Congress to eliminate federal income taxes on tipped earnings. Supporters of the “No Tax on Tips Act” argue it would put more money in the pockets of service workers. But critics say it might do more to help employers and high earners than the people who depend on tips to survive. This hour, guest host Gino Fanelli and his guests break down what the legislation would actually do, and what it wouldn’t. We hear from experts, organizers, and workers about what this means for take-home pay, wage structures, and labor protections. Our guests:

Why are concert tickets so expensive and who is really profiting? As New York lawmakers weigh a bill that would let artists block ticket resales, we take a closer look at how this plays out between musicians, fans, and powerful resale platforms like StubHub. We break down what the proposed policy could mean for the live music economy, and why some say it could hand even more power to Ticketmaster. We also hear from musicians and venue owners who’ve seen the impact of scalping firsthand. What’s the real cost of a ticket when it’s resold for five times its face value? And what alternatives exist to make live events more affordable and fair? Guest host Gino Fanelli addresses those questions with our panelists:

Rochester City Council candidates in the Democratic primary, part 4 In our second hour, we welcome candidates in the Democratic primary for Rochester City Council. It's part four of five in our series, where we give candidates the opportunity to discuss their backgrounds, platforms, and priorities for office, and answer questions from community members. Our guests: *Note: Tonya Noel Stevens was scheduled to join this discussion, but her team has since notified WXXI that she has decided to step away from the campaign.

The past week has seen the return of wildfire smoke, turning blue skies hazy and turning sunsets purple. But the air quality concerns are also back. We discuss what’s causing the smoke, and what it means for outdoor activity. Our guests:

Pride events are happening around the world. Some past sponsors are pulling out of festivals in different cities, citing pressures and politics. This year, the events are focused on both celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and addressing the current climate. Our guests preview local events and discuss how they are responding to national conversations. In studio:

The New York Times reports that "President Trump proposed chopping funding at the National Cancer Institute by more than $2.7 billion, nearly a 40 percent decrease." It's part of a significant cut to the National Institutes of Health. Our guests work in cancer research and treatment. They discuss the possible impact of this news, as well as the state of cancer care. In studio:

Dementia affects nearly six million Americans and causes more than 100,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. For caregivers, that can mean myriad challenges: providing the right kind of support; understanding disease progression; financial difficulties; and more. In this special edition of "Connections," we discuss what the experts say, and we hear from a local caregiver. In studio:

In this special edition of "Connections" with a live audience, we discuss the Medical Aid in Dying Act and other legislation that can affect the disability community. How often are people with disabilities — and caregivers — brought into the discussion? What are the risks of legislating without that input, whether it's Medical Aid in Dying or other proposals? Who should be helping guide policy? Our guests discuss it. In studio:

We continue our series of conversations with candidates running in the Democratic primary for Rochester City Council. Each discussion is an opportunity for the candidates to share their platforms and priorities for office, and to answer questions from community members. This is part three of five in our series. Our guests:

Over the past several decades, progressives and conservatives have sought to ban books for very different reasons. In recent years, conservatives are more actively trying to get books pulled from libraries. The ten most challenged books from 2024 were all targeted from the political right. The local organization Our Local History is hosting a community forum about children's freedom to read. They explore challenged books and book bans on "Connections." Our guests:

Fungi are among the most powerful yet overlooked climate allies. From storing vast amounts of carbon underground to breaking down pollutants and replacing plastic, fungi could be key to restoring ecological balance in a warming world. This episode of "Environmental Connections" explores how mushrooms and mycelium are contributing to climate solutions — and what’s at stake if they disappear. Our guests:

Despite increased gas prices and lower costs associated with buying an electric vehicle, drivers are still hesitant to make the switch. That’s due, in part, to charging anxiety: even though most daily trips are short, people still worry, 'what happens when you can’t find a plug?' A mandate from New York State that aims to have all new cars sold run on electric by 2035 has also exposed some of the communities’ more complex problems: utility limitations; lack of support from the federal government; and the problems presented by modern EV batteries. Our guests break it down:

A recent independent audit offered a scathing assessment of how RG&E has conducted its business. The audit concluded that the company puts corporate profits above customer service and demonstrates very little investment in the local community. But RG&E claims that the audit is out of date and ignores their efforts to make serious improvements over the past two years. We discuss the company’s response to the audit and its plans to improve service in our region. Our guests:

Local youth leaders are sharing their stories in an effort to help their peers. The Center for Youth has embarked on a new “Restoring Justice, Re-Engaging Youth” initiative in response to violence and other issues affecting young people in Rochester. The goal is to use restorative practices to connect youth back to school and community. This hour, we talk with initiative organizers and youth leaders about what it takes to breakthrough to other young people facing different challenges. In studio:

Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone shocked the theater world with a series of incendiary remarks in an interview with the New Yorker. Some of LuPone's fans have responded with ambivalence, saying they love her work, even if they don't love... her. So how should art consumers consider the creator of the art? Where should the line be drawn? Is there a difference between consuming art created by a deceased artists, versus a living artist? Our guests discuss it:

Five years ago, AI was hardly a priority on higher ed campuses. Now it's becoming mandatory coursework. At the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Rochester, students now take 12 credits of coding, analytics, and AI. And the institute will be launching a new AI and Business program. For students who don't want to learn AI, will they be left behind in the future job market? Our guests discuss the challenge of preparing students for a very different world. In studio: