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What tools and technologies should be used to make Rochester's streets safer?  Rochester leaders cite a new report that includes a survey of city residents. In that survey, residents said they want action to make streets safer. And a majority of respondents support speed cameras and red-light cameras “in specific circumstances.” It’s not the return of the same red-light cameras from a decade ago. Rather, the new technology would be part of a broader automated traffic enforcement strategy.  This hour, we discuss the report, the possible solutions, and how technology would be deployed with safety and residents' concerns in mind.  Our guest: Mitch Gruber, co-chair of the ROC Vision Zero Committee and member of Rochester City Council

Why are Muslim voters leaving the GOP? Many American Muslims express culturally conservative views and would seem to be a natural constituency for Republicans. But the GOP saw its Muslim support collapse.  The founder of Arab Americans for Trump in 2024 said that he was disappointed with how President Trump has governed. The slurs hurled at Muslim candidates like Abdul El-Sayed have also contributed to the rejection of the party. President Trump has called El-Sayed a terrorist and a jihadist.  This hour, we discuss the impact of bigoted language and the decline in Republican support from Muslims.  In studio: Sareer Fazili, past president of the Islamic Center of Rochester Louis Sabo, secretary of the Rochester City Republican Committee

Democrats expected a big night, and we discuss how it panned out.  This hour, we talk to winners of races at various levels — local, state, and federal. It's a fast-moving hour to examine what happened and why voters made the decisions they did. Our guests:  Rep. Joe Morelle (D, WF), projected winner in New York's 25th Congressional District Assemblymember Jen Lunsford (D, WF), projected winner in District 135 Assemblymember Josh Jensen (R, C), projected winner in District 134 Assemblymember Sarah Clark (D, WF), projected winner in District 136 Assemblymember Andrea Bailey (R, C), projected winner in District 133 Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D, WF), projected winner in District 138 Jenn Townsend (D, WF), Perinton town supervisor

What can we learn from the allegations of sexual assault at a Cornell fraternity?  The legal case could take a long time, but the ripples of the allegations are already forcing new conversations about consent and assault across the country.  We discuss how the varying claims could affect the legal investigation. We also talk about why inviting dozens of strangers to join a sexual conquest of a woman has its own ethical problems, regardless of how the legal side plays out. Our guests: Meredith Ouderkirk, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York Sharon Stiller, Esq., of counsel for Abrams Fensterman LLP

Rochester is becoming a national hub for laser science, thanks to the National Science Foundation and New York State.  As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the University of Rochester will take the initial lead on a laser program that's part of a nationwide project called the NSF STELLAR Engine. The work will be based in downtown Rochester's Sibley Square and is expected to expand to the Lake Avenue photonics hub.  And speaking of photonics, there has been a slow buildup on jobs and activity. It’s not the next Kodak, but it amounts to thousands of jobs.  We discuss what the lasers will do (and no, they will not be attached to sharks, Dr. Evil) and we explore what the research might accomplish.  In studio: Sujatha Ramanujan, Ph.D., CEO of the NSF STELLAR Engine of the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York Thomas Brown, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Optics and Wyant Professor of Optics at the University of Rochester Alexis Vogt, Ph.D., executive director of New York Photonics and Barbara and John H. Bruning Endowed Director and Professor of the Optical Systems Technology Program at Monroe Community College Leah George VanScott, executive vice president of business development and strategy for Greater Rochester Enterprise

What does it feel like to live with Alzheimer's?  It's a question journalist Greg O'Brien has been answering for nearly two decades. O'Brien was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009 at age 59.  In his book, “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s,” he chronicles his own disease. O'Brien will be in Rochester for an event at St. John's, but first, he joins us on "Connections" to tell his story and to share what he wants the public to know about living with the disease. We also talk with local neurologist Dr. David Gill about the latest in Alzheimer's research and treatment. Greg O'Brien, career journalist and author of "On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's" David Gill, M.D., chief of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at University of Rochester Medicine  Tom Harner, director of marketing at St. John's *Note: WXXI is a media sponsor of the event at St. John's.

It's our weekly news roundup. The city of Rochester is short hotel rooms. That's according to Deputy Mayor Michael Burns. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the 2020 closure of the Rochester Riverside hotel and the more recent shutdown of the Wyndham has left a dearth of rooms. Meanwhile, the Hyatt Regency is slated for a $16 million renovation — a "positive note" amid the other hotels' uncertain futures, according to the Hyatt's general manager. What does the future hold? And how many rooms does Rochester need to support local travel and tourism? We talk to Sharp about the latest with downtown development. In studio: Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Then, we celebrate Rochester radio legend Scott Regan. The longtime host of "Open Tunings" on The Route will host his final weekday show on October 30. He'll continue to host his Saturday broadcast. Regan sits down with us to discuss his career, his music, and what he has loved and learned during his 22 years of "Open Tunings." In studio: Scott Regan, host of "Open Tunings" on The Route We end the week with a discussion about the most talked-about film currently on screen. "You Can See Everything" is a documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. The former CEO was convicted of defrauding investors and is serving an 11-year prison sentence. The film follows Holmes in the 34 days before that sentence began and has left audiences questioning what is fact and what is fiction. Our guests share their perspectives, and we invite you to weigh in as well. Our guests: Scott Pukos, director of communications for The Little Theatre Amy Adrion, filmmaker and assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation at RIT

What if the doctor treating your addiction is also in recovery from a substance use disorder? Research shows approximately 10% to 15% of physicians and 15% to 20% of nurses struggle with addiction — a rate similar to that of the general population. This hour, we're joined by healthcare providers in recovery who say their experiences give them a unique perspective when it comes to helping their patients. Our guests share their stories, why some healthcare professionals hide addiction, the barriers they've experienced in seeking help, and they discuss the current landscape for supporting people in recovery. In studio: Mark Winsberg, M.D., addiction medicine specialist Marcy Owens, RN, former ICU nurse Amy Vitkus, RN, regional coordinator for Western NY for the Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) program  Chuck Montante, LMHC, former president and CEO of Westfall Associates -- 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.

WXXI News is your source for election coverage. In this episode, we sit down with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 136. Democratic incumbent Sarah Clark and Republican challenger Clianda Florence discuss their platforms, their perspectives on state issues, and what they'd prioritize for the district, if elected. They also answer your questions throughout the hour. Our guests: Sarah Clark (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 136 Clianda Florence (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 136 *Note: Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Monroe County Board of Elections Certification of Candidates list. --- 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.

What do you want to know about signing up for Medicare Advantage? Open enrollment is in full swing, and if you or someone you know has questions about the process, we have answers. During this annual discussion, we're joined by experts who discuss how it works. We also hear from a local woman who shares her enrollment experience. In studio: Dave Kamholz, lead licensed Medicare agent for AAA Western and Central New York Andy Napierala, vice president of Medicare and individual market sales for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Cindy McDaid, Medicare Advantage enrollee --- 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.

WXXI News is your source for election coverage. This hour, we bring you a conversation with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 134.  Republican incumbent Josh Jensen and Democratic challenger Kurt VanWuyckhuyse discuss their policy ideas, their priorities for the district, where they agree, and where they differ. We also welcome your questions throughout the hour.  In studio: Kurt VanWuyckhuyse (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 134 Josh Jensen (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 134 *Note: Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Monroe County Board of Elections Certification of Candidates list.

We welcome a live audience at The Little Theatre for a conversation about student mental health on college and university campuses. Are colleges doing enough to support students? The issue is a growing concern, leading higher education institutions to establish new programs, services, and — in some cases — new grading and evaluation criteria to meet students' needs. WXXI has gathered data from more than 20 colleges and universities in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region related to how they are supporting students. You can access that data below. Our panelists discuss what works, where they see gaps, and what students say they need. Our guests: Becca Morris, Ed.D., vice president for campus life and dean of students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges Darlene Schmitt, MSEd, LMHC, director of the Counseling Center at SUNY Brockport Giulianna Volpe, psychology major at Finger Lakes Community College --- 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.

We continue our series of conversations with candidates running for office. This hour, we talk with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 135. Democratic incumbent Jen Lunsford and Republican challenger Kalinda Washington join us in the studio to discuss their priorities for the district, if elected. We ask them your questions throughout the hour. In studio: Jen Lunsford (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 135 Kalinda Washington (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 135 --- 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.

It's a buyer's market! According to Realtor.com, the U.S. housing market currently stands in favor of buyers. The platform still lists Rochester as a seller's market, but as one that's losing momentum. Homes that would previously sell in days are now staying on the market for weeks or even a month at a time. What has changed? Are high interest rates affecting purchasing power? What should both buyers and sellers in the Rochester region know as we head into late fall and winter? We're joined by local real estate agents who break it all down. In studio: Lanie Bittner, associate real estate broker with RE/MAX Plus Drew Hannan, team leader and owner of The Hannan Team Tysharda Johnson-Thomas, manager of the WealthForward ROC program and licensed real estate broker Richard Sarkis, associate real estate broker with Howard Hanna, who has 42 years of serving buyers and sellers --- 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.

WXXI News is your source for election coverage, including the race for New York's 25th Congressional District. Last week, we talked with Democratic incumbent Joe Morelle. This hour, we sit down with Republican challenger Virginia McIntyre. McIntyre is a Monroe County legislator. She shares her priorities for office and her perspective on affordability, foreign policy, AI, and more. We ask her your questions throughout the hour. In studio: Virginia McIntyre (R, C), candidate for New York's 25th Congressional District--- 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.