News

By Chris Ulanowski

Cortland, NY – Governor Pataki delivers a primetime speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention to introduce George Bush as accepts his party's nomination for President.
Pataki is said to have his own presidential aspirations and his speech will no doubt enhance his prestige.
But whether it thrusts Pataki toward the White House in 2008 is doubtful, according to Cortland State political science professor Robert Spitzer, as he explains to WRVO's Chris Ulanowski.

By David Chanatry

Utica , NY – Many college students say their trips abroad are among their most memorable learning experiences, as they live and study with people from different cultures. Earlier this summer, a group from Utica College had such an opportunity. They spent three-weeks in a part of the world few Americans know much about, getting to know the people and their ancestors.
Journalism professor David Chanatry traveled with the group and has this report.

By Elizabeth Christensen

Oswego, NY – This presidental election year, the media and the candidates have been focusing on so-called "swing states."

As WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen reports, it's been a long time since New York has swayed the electoral vote... but that doesn't mean the candidates should gloss over their time in the Empire State.

By Skye Rohde

Onondaga Nation Territory – These days, most American lacrosse players use mass-produced metal sticks with plastic heads. But back when the Iroquois first created the game, they made their sticks out of wood, strings of raw cowhide and leather. Only a few stickmakers carry on this tradition today. WRVO's Skye Rohde has this profile of Alf Jacques, an Onondaga man who is one of them.

By Jeremy Hanlon

Syracuse, NY – Imagine taking 800 pounds of butter and sculpting it into a piece of art or at least an attraction that draws thousands of visitors. Butter sculptures have been regular exhibits at state fairs here in New York and in other dairy-producing states for decades.
But there's something different that will set this year's butter sculpture at the Great New York State Fair apart from all the rest. Jeremy Hanlon reports.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – The first female rabbi in the United States was ordained in 1972. But it was only last month that the first woman was hired to lead a Jewish congregation in the Central New York area. WRVO's Skye Rohde spoke with Rabbi Rachel Ain, who is now at Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra-Shas in DeWitt.

By Elizabeth Christensen

Albany, NY – WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen talks about the latest state budget in history with the Business Council's Matt Maguire.

By Elizabeth Christensen

Oswego, NY – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced late last week it would no longer make plants' security information available to the public, the press, and even some local officials.

WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen reports on how that decision is being received by nuclear watchdogs and local emergency management workers.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – Some saw it as an opportunity. Others felt it was a prison. Almost a thousand refugees came to the United States from Italy in 1944. They stayed for a year-and-a-half at a former Army camp in Oswego as "guests" of President Franklin Roosevelt. WRVO's Skye Rohde has this report about the experiences of some of the residents of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter.

By E.Christensen with J. Peck

Mexico, NY – A new program in the Mexico School District allows seriously ill children to learn from home using innovative new technology.

WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen reports.

(Technical assistance for this report was provided by Jon Peck.)

By Elizabeth Christensen

By Chris Ulanowski

By Chris Ulanowski

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse is still considering implementing a curfew for those under 18.

WRVO's Chris Ulanowski interviewed Councilor Jeff DeFrancisco about his proposal.

The proposal will likely be voted on later this month.

By E.Christensen

Oswego, NY – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is deciding whether or not to renew the licenses of the Nine Mile One and Two nuclear power plants.

WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen has an update.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – When people think of water in the Adirondacks, they envision clear lakes and flowing rivers. But some towns in the park are finding their drinking water isn't quite that pure. Earlier this week, an environmental group called the Adirondack Council proposed a constitutional amendment to let communities in the park drill wells to access clean water. John Sheehan is the group's communications director. He told WRVO's Skye Rohde that communities like Raquette Lake face serious problems with the water in their reservoirs.

By Chris Ulanowski

Syracuse, NY – Onondaga Community College near Syracuse, N.Y. is positioned to become a national leader when it comes to counter-terrorism training. That from the new coordinator of O-C-C's Public Safety Center.
Tom Creamer was introduced to the community yesterday. He later led a seminar attended by more than 300 public safety professionals. Creamer is considered an international expert in counter-terrorism and detection of weapons of mass destruction. He spoke with WRVO's Chris Ulanowski.

By Skye Rohde

Utica, NY – Runners often wonder what to do with their old shoes once the treads have worn too low to provide enough foot support. Central New Yorkers who have donated old shoes to charities or thrown them away have a new option now: a sneaker recycling program. WRVO's Skye Rohde reports.

By Skye Rohde

Utica, NY – Runners often wonder what to do with their old shoes once the treads have worn too low to provide enough foot support. Central New Yorkers who have donated old shoes to charities or thrown them away have a new option now: a sneaker recycling program. WRVO's Skye Rohde reports.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – As gasoline prices continue to rise, more and more people are talking about the alternative of hybrid cars. Honda and Toyota hybrids are selling briskly, but for Central New Yorkers, the biggest obstacle to switching to hybrids may be the wait for them. WRVO's Skye Rohde reports.

By Skye Rohde

Oneida, NY – Despite the economic success of its Turning Stone Casino, the Oneida Indian Nation is struggling to keep its language alive. Now nation leaders have turned to a worldwide language instruction firm to help increase the number of fluent Oneida speakers. WRVO's Skye Rohde has this report.

By Chris Ulanowski

Syracuse, NY – There's a growing trend among newspapers to publish same-sex commitment ceremonies with wedding notices for heterosexual couples. WRVO's Chris Ulanowski has the story.

By Kate Percival

Oswego, NY – Medieval vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 is in Oswego to perform the oratorio "Voices of Light." The women of Anonymous 4 have been singing together for 18 years. They recently announced that this is their last touring season together. They stopped by the WRVO studios to speak with Kate Percival.

By Kate Percival

Oswego, NY – "Voices of Light" is an oratorio composed by Richard Einhorn. It combines a silent film about Joan of Arc with a large chorus and the medieval vocal ensemble Anonymous 4. This piece of music will be performed at SUNY Oswego tonight and tomorrow. WRVO's Kate Percival has this report.

By Kate Percival

Oswego, NY – "Voices of Light" is an oratorio composed by Richard Einhorn. It combines a silent film about Joan of Arc with a large chorus and the medieval vocal ensemble Anonymous 4. This piece of music will be performed at SUNY Oswego tonight and tomorrow. WRVO's Kate Percival has this report.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – Two young Central New York musicians are making their national debut this weekend. Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand, 16 and 14 years old, have just released their first duet CD, "Driftage." Now the Fulton residents are finalists in a music competition on this week's "A Prairie Home Companion." The brothers stopped by our studios this week and spoke with WRVO's Skye Rohde.

By Skye Rohde

Dewitt, NY – Pete Renne is still adjusting to the newest chapter in his life, which began April 23rd. After 25 years at the Carrier Corporation, he lost his job making crank case compressors after the company shifted producton to Georgia and Asia. WRVO's Skye Rohde has been following Renne through this transition. She spent time with him after his last shift and has this report.

By Elizabeth Christensen

New York State – As cellular phones get cheaper and cheaper, more and more Americans are buying them.

That's leading to the demise of an old standby - The corner payphone.

WRVO's Elizabeth Christensen reports.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – Independent film enthusiasts in Central New York will have 140 films to choose from over the next four days. The Syracuse International Film and Video Festival begins today and runs through May 2. Husband-and-wife team Owen Shapiro and Christine Fawcett have been working behind the scenes for two years to create the festival. WRVO's Skye Rohde spoke with Fawcett.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – Forestport was just another town on the Erie Canal until three successive canal breaks at the end of the 19th century put it on the map. In his new book "The Forestport Breaks," author Michael Doyle retraces the way political patronage and corruption shaped the Erie Canal. Doyle told WRVO's Skye Rohde that the investigation into the Forestport canal breaks uncovered what prosecutors called the largest conspiracy in the history of New York State.

By Skye Rohde

Oswego, NY – Forestport was just another town on the Erie Canal until three successive canal breaks at the end of the 19th century put it on the map. In his new book "The Forestport Breaks," author Michael Doyle retraces the way political patronage and corruption shaped the Erie Canal. Doyle told WRVO's Skye Rohde that the investigation into the Forestport canal breaks uncovered what prosecutors called the largest conspiracy in the history of New York State.