Connections With Evan Dawson

The Seneca Park Zoo recently welcomed the first-ever North American river otters to be born at its facility. Leaders say it's a conservation success story that has been decades in the making. It comes at a time when a shift in federal priorities has affected environmental and wildlife protections: funding cuts to USAID and a funding freeze for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have halted projects centered on animals facing various threats, including extinction. Can the local project serve as a model for continued conservation work, despite changes at the federal level? Our guests discuss it. In studio: David Hamilton, general curator at the Seneca Park Zoo Larry Buckley, Ph.D., senior associate dean of the College of Science at RIT Laura Gaenzler, community science coordinator for the Seneca Park Zoo Society Tom Snyder, director of programming and conservation action for the Seneca Park Zoo Society

In a report earlier this month, the group Reporters Without Borders said, "Trump's second term as president has brought a troubling deterioration in press freedom." For two decades, the number of American journalists has been in decline. The Star-Ledger in New Jersey is an example of a high-profile newsroom that stopped producing a print edition and cut more staff in 2024. Fewer than a quarter of American newsrooms are in growth mode. We discuss the state of the profession with our guests: Gino Fanelli, investigations and City Hall reporter for WXXI News Veronica Volk, senior producer for WXXI News Natasha Kaiser, rising senior in the photojournalism program at RIT Roisin Meyer, rising senior in the international relations and economics program at the University of Rochester

Local Democrats will see a number of candidates for Rochester City Council on their primary ballot next month. We've invited all of the candidates in that race to join us on the talk show to discuss their platforms and priorities and to answer questions from community members. This is part one in our series. In studio:  Miquel Powell, candidate for Rochester City Council  Chiara "Kee Kee" Smith, candidate for Rochester City Council Kevin Stewart, candidate for Rochester City Council 

President Biden's cancer diagnosis has prompted prayers and well wishes, and it keeps the political spotlight on the former president and his health. Biden recently said that he would have beaten Donald Trump in 2024, and he's not surprised that Vice President Harris lost. Meanwhile, a new book details the ways that the Biden team concealed his cognitive decline from the public. Democrats are eager to move on and focus on the array of young leaders who could rise to prominence. But what lessons should they learn from the past four years? Our guests discuss it. In studio: Dylan Dailor, Democratic political consultant Nayeliz Santiago, vice president of Monroe County Young Democrats

It's prom season, and for high schoolers across the region, prom isn’t just a rite of passage anymore. It’s a stage. We’re talking crystallized corsets, embroidered tuxedos, motorcades, professional photographers, and send-off parties that look more like weddings. In many Black communities, prom has become a dazzling display of creativity, self-expression, and joy. Think of it as a teen Met Gala—shaped by tradition and TikTok. But there’s more to prom than just the glamor; it also raises deeper questions—about identity, performance, social media, and how a new generation is redefining what celebration looks like. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen dives into prom as fashion statement, cultural ritual, and social phenomenon. Our guests: Tania Casini, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Kasey Casini, fashion designer at Tania Casini Nathaniel Johnson, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Jeffrey McCune, Jr., Ph.D., founding chair of the Department of Black Studies and the Univers

Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. It’s a crisis fueled by systemic racism, medical bias, and structural inequities. But there’s also a growing movement to push back. Community-based doulas are stepping in to support Black mothers throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. They’re advocating, empowering, and providing care that’s culturally rooted and deeply personal. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen and her guests explore the role of doulas in Black maternal health, how and why they do what they do, and whether they are making a difference. Our guests: Jasmine Brewer, doula program manager at the Healthy Baby Network Ayanah Alexander, doula at the Healthy Baby Network Stefanie Hollenbach, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester Medical Center

For the past four years, former Democrat and Chronicle journalist Erica Bryant has turned her attention to reporting on the dream world. Bryant has gone deep, interviewing people about their dreams, and collecting hundreds of dream stories. She's preparing to debut her exhibition "Other People's Dreams" at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. But first, she and some of her dream interviewees join us on "Connections" to explore what our dreams mean: why we have them; what they say about our lives and desires; and what the experts say. Our guests: Erica Bryant, artist and associate director of writing at the Vera Institute of Justice Jon Gary, musician and artist Davida Rogers, graduate student and artist Wilfred Pigeon, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and public health sciences and director of the Sleep and Neurophysiology Research Lab at the University of Rochester Medical Center

A member of the New York State Assembly has proposals for how to regulate artificial intelligence. The AI Training Data Transparency Act would require AI firms to make their safety testing protocols visible, and it would protect whistleblowers who call attention to AI dangers. Is it enough? The Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act would require developers to meet certain safety and security requirements before launching their platforms. Our guests include the Assemblymember who has introduced the legislation. Our guests: Assemblymember Alex Bores, District 73 Max Irwin, founder of Max.io

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is running for re-election. We sit down with him to discuss his record, his campaign, and his goals for a second term. He also answers our questions and yours. In studio:Malik Evans, candidate for Rochester mayor

Rochester is often referred to as a "festival city," and if you're ready to explore the scene, CITY Magazine has you covered. This month's issue is a festival guide, with a look at the many events happening throughout the region through October. This hour, we sit down with the CITY team to preview those festivals, meet the people who make them possible, and we discuss the impact the festival season has on our region. Our guests: Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Jake Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Jenny LoMaglio, executive director of the 2025 Rochester Lilac Festival  Dave Drago, music director and talent buyer for the 2025 Lilac Festival  Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News and contributor to CITY Magazine Ken Glazer, CEO of Buckingham Properties

After a weeks-long delay, lawmakers passed the New York State budget on Thursday. Despite its approval, the $254 budget could require major changes if cuts are made at the federal level. This hour, we begin our series of conversations with local state lawmakers about the budget and how it will affect Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Our guest is Assemblymember Sarah Clark, who explains her takeaways — from housing, to children and families, to public safety, and more. Our guest:Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136

What do patients and families need to know about the latest in treatment for Type 2 diabetes? That question is the focus of an upcoming program at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. According to the CDC, more than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and the overwhelming majority of those individuals have Type 2 diabetes. Experts say that without effective management, the condition can result in serious complications, including blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. This hour, our guests help us understand the condition, how to manage it, and what's new when it comes to research and treatment. In studio: Benjamin J. Gigliotti, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center Sunkanmi (Suki) Ajewole, M.D., board-certified internist  Deborah Ajewole, local resident with Type 2 diabetes Naeem J., local resident with Type 2 diabetes

Astronomers recently detected a signature of life on a distant planet. This does not mean that we have discovered aliens, but it's reasonable to wonder what is giving off this signal. We discuss the mission to find planets that are brimming with life — or are at least habitable. We also talk about why the search for life remains so intriguing to so many scientists. 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

America is in what some industry experts are referring to as a kind of alcohol recession. Beer and wine sales have been hit hardest, but even some premium spirit brands are seeing significant declines. An annual event seeks to breathe some light into the scene. With that in mind, this week's final episode feels like happy hour: it's all about the twelfth annual Rochester Cocktail Revival (RCR), which returns June 2-8. RCR is the only weeklong festival of its kind in New York State, made possible by 30+ Rochester bars and arts venues that host 70+ events across downtown Rochester. This hour, Evan, co-host Leah Stacy, and our guests talk about new events, the ongoing tiki trend, immersive cocktail theater and more. Our guests: Chuck Cerankosky, director of Rochester Cocktail Revival Flo Cardella, head bartender at Leonore's Cat D. Olson, artistic director of CAT + THE COYOTE Patrick Stetzel, owner and operator of Ziggy's

The Trump administration has begun canceling grant funding for arts organizations across the country. As word of the funding cuts hit different communities — Oklahoma City; Pittsburgh; New Orleans; Rochester among the first — a group of senior officials at the National Endowment for the Arts announced their resignations. For some local organizations, the funding cuts are coming almost immediately, after they had planned for the money. Evan and co-host Leah Stacy welcome guests to discuss what's cut, and what could be lost as a result. Our guests: Peter Conners, publisher and executive director of BOA Editions, Ltd. Jessica Johnston, executive director of Visual Studies Workshop, Inc. Chad W. Post, publisher of Open Letter Books Sherry Vile, executive director of A Magical Journey Thru Stages

Self-driving cars are now regularly showing up on the streets of San Francisco. The man who leads the team that developed them says technology is speeding up the pace of human life. He has his eyes on even bigger accomplishments, in the fields of climate change, health care, and more. Astro Teller is the “Captain of Moonshots” at X Google’s Factory and Innovation Lab. He's in Rochester for an event at RIT, but first, he joins us on "Connections." In studio: Astro Teller, “Captain of Moonshots” at X, the Moonshot Factory for Alphabet Bob Finnerty, associate vice president of communications at RIT Lisa Chase, vice president and secretary of the university for RIT

We continue our series of conversations with candidates running in the June Democratic primary. This hour, we sit down with Mary Lupien, candidate for Rochester Mayor. Lupien is a current member of Rochester City Council whose priorities for office include guaranteed basic income, access to safe and affordable housing, community responder programs, and funding for youth programs. She joins us in the studio to discuss her background and her platform, and she answers our questions and yours. In studio:Mary Lupien, candidate for Rochester mayor

Research shows the use of e-bikes is on the rise. What would it take for you to switch from your car or public transportation to an e-bike or a bicycle? Our guests this hour say there are both benefits and challenges to e-biking or biking, but they make this case for it this hour as they preview the upcoming Bike Week in Rochester. In studio: Jesse Peers, cycling manager for Reconnect Rochester Steve Roll, board member for Reconnect Rochester and cargo e-bike rider

How can people who want to become more involved in developing public policy do so in tangible ways? Two national organizations say their approach to that question is unique. Civic Genius and YOUnify have teamed up to develop what they call citizen assemblies, where participants engage in deep, long-form discussions; develop solutions to common problems; and then give their recommendations to decision-makers. The model is meant to be different from traditional town halls, where the loudest voices often dominate meetings. The organizations are bringing their model to the University of Rochester Democracy Center, and they are inviting local residents to participate. This hour, our guests explain how the process works, how it has brought about change in other cities, and how you can get involved. Our guests: Jillian Youngblood, executive director of Civic Genius at the National Civic League Stu Jordan, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and associate director of the University of Rochester Democracy

The International Plaza opened this past weekend. Our guest this hour discusses ways the event space and marketplace will celebrate Latino art and culture this season, amid anxiety and uncertainty related to national conversations. In studio:Jason Barber, International Plaza site manager for Ibero-American Development Corporation