WAER 88.3 News | NPR from Central New York

You might have enjoyed Symphoria concerts when the orchestra took on movie soundtracks or Broadway hits. Saturday night the musicians turn their talents toward gospel music and they’ll be collaborating with local gospel singers in a special live virtual event, Gospel Meets Symphony . This is a special Sparks Series concert, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Sean O’Loughlin, who helped put the virtual event together. “When we were originally conceiving of this concept, we had in mind a full gospel choir accompanying us and sharing the stage. So, we had to pivot as things were changing, almost on a daily basis. So my recommendation was let’s at least get four singers to create that, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, which is the original voicing for a full choir. So at least we’ll get the traditional gospel harmonies." And to find those, Symphoria turned to WAER’s own Queen of Gospel Cora Thomas. That allowed the orchestra to connect on a deeper level with the community. “It came out of

The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association has decided to launch a campaign to interject the positive apsects that police bring to the community amid a growing call for police reforms. “The Syracuse needs Police” campaign follows two deadly homicides in the city – the most recent an 11 month-old infant last Sunday. SPBA President Joseph Moran says the association plans to further the conversation about hampered quality of life issues while raising awareness about the work they perform. “To further the discussion regarding the need for police in Syracuse. To share positive stories and interactions between the community members and officers. In attempt to return the city of Syracuse to a state of stability and secureness.” The community is mourning the loss this week of an 11 month-old infant who was struck by bullet while seated in a vehicle and a senior citizen living at Skyline Apartments was also killed. As Syracuse mourns an infant, another family is morning the loss of a young

A Syracuse University International Affairs professor says there is reason for concern after the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan this fall. President Joe Biden announced yesterday the United States will fully remove troops from Afghanistan starting September 11 th , exactly 20 years after the conflict began. Maxwell School Professor Robert Murrett also served in the navy for over 30 years. He says the US’ biggest focus now will be monitoring the Taliban’s activity in the country. “The continued territorial gains which are likely by the Taliban forces, the continued viability of the Afghanistan government and challenges with the Taliban make it to them: whether it’s some sort of shared governing model or one that’s not shared at all in the case of significant territorial gains by the Taliban.” said Murrett. Murrett says the main goal has been preventing terrorists from completely dominating regions in Afghanistan and elsewhere. “We’re able to conduct a series of operations in

Syracuse-area immigrants and their allies are joining a nationwide effort calling on a federal pathway to citizenship and other relief for undocumented immigrants. Just over a dozen advocates gathered in a steady rain Thursday afternoon to continue the Relay Across America that began a month ago in Washington DC. Kayla Kelechian is with the CNY chapter of the New York Immigration Coalition. She says now is the time to make progress on a number of fronts. " We got the Biden administration in. Now we need to be aggressive. We don't want broken promises. We hear there's a window, it's a small window, we'll go through it. Citizenship for all, Dreamers, DACA, essential workers who've been feeding us throughout this pandemic." The advocates have been stepping up pressure in recent weeks to ensure farmworkers, health care employees, hospitality staff, and other essential workers are part of the state and federal pandemic relief packages. Most are black and brown, and some are undocumented.

Just how far has police reform come in our community? That’s a main theme of a virtual public discussion hosted by Syracuse university Friday and Saturday. Shukri Mohamed will be heading a panel on school resource officers as part of Policed Bodies: A Community Conversation on Race, Disability, and Justice . (detailed schedule below). She says the public, including many parents, has a limited understanding when asked why police officers are in schools. “Who exactly is being protected by police officers in schools? … and the answer we often get is silence. And their idea of the purpose of police officers in schools doesn’t fit with what is put on paper for what SROs and police officers are supposed to be doing in schools.” Shukri has worked with a local youth Black Lives Matter group and has heard that police in uniform can have a negative impact, especially with the attention on police misconduct trials. “A lot of the students who come to us and share their stories, they’re traumatized

The East Syracuse-Minoa school district is one of many Central New York School Districts receiving a share of a record $1.1 billion in education funding in the new state budget. ESM will get an additional $3.4 million, or an 11.5% increase.

New Yorkers United for Justice and the President of the NAACP in Syracuse say the state’s parole system is unfairly locking up Black and brown residents and costing local taxpayers $7 million annually. NYUJ Executive Director Alexander Horwitz says a 76% recidivism rate in local prisons is due largely to ‘technical parole violations’ -not new crimes.

Back to ACC play for the Syracuse men's lacrosse team. SU closes out the season with three teams ranked in the top five, starting with UNC on Saturday. Hosts Ben Shulman, Owen Valentine, and Johnny Gadamowitz speak with Tar Heels head coach Joe Breschi (8:07-35:32) about the North Carolina men's lacrosse team this year.

Syracuse city officials say the recent murder at Skyline Apartments is just the latest example of deteriorating safety and living conditions that they’ve been trying to address for at least two years.

Use of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is on pause in New York State. The FDA and CDC Tuesday morning recommended suspending usage of the vaccine after 6 women developed severe blood clots following inoculation. Appointments for the shot were cancelled at the state’s vaccination clinics, like the one at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Rap artist Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, whose music dominated the charts in the 1990’s and early 2000’s passed away after spending days on life support. On this episode of Pop Life, host Joe Lee reflects on the artist's career and the impact of his music had on the hip-hop genre.

Criminal justice advocates say they hope to build on victories in recent weeks like the legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana, to gain more reforms for members of Black and Brown communities who are incarcerated at a higher rate than white New Yorkers.

Onondaga County plans to soon shift its COVID-19 vaccine efforts and resources to focus on specific communities. County Executive Ryan McMahon said today that close to 200,000 county residents have received at least the first dose of a vaccine, but around 75% of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity.

Syracuse’s lead-poisoning crisis has been a focal point for non-profit organizations across the city, as they try to protect children from the serious health effects. Many groups have played a crucial role in providing aid to Syracuse families, who face severe health impacts. They have also been pushing for a city-wide response to this ongoing public health crisis.

The Michael Greene for Mayor campaign kicked off in earnest this weekend when volunteers assembled outside the Staffworks employment agency in Syracuse. Ten new volunteers and campaign staff began dropping leaflets on the doorsteps of East Syracuse residents.

A Syracuse University Management Professor says the vote against unionizing an Amazon warehouse in Alabama is still a victory for the labor movement. The final vote tally was about 1,798 to 738. Whitman School Assistant Professor Lynne Vincent says organizers shouldn’t be disheartened.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh’s $265 million budget is meant to position the city to recover from the pandemic, but a Councilor At Large is questioning some initiatives. Khalid Bey is also a candidate for mayor, and says the Mayor’s budget is more of a political maneuver than a governmental one.

Vera House's White Ribbon Campaign against Domestic, Sexual and Relationship Violence just wrapped up, but their outreach efforts continue in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Special Events Coordinator Hannah Fuller says there was a dip in donations last month, but that doesn't mean the organization has slowed down its work. She says fewer large-scale events and campaigns through businesses and schools were possible due to the pandemic. " A lot of our thinking throughout the campaign is 'how can we reach people when we can't get together the way we have before.' Everything was geared toward how can we get this information to people when we are presented with that availability to actually be in community in space together." The theme of this year’s White Ribbon Campaign was “No Excuse for Abuse.” Fuller says people stuck at home due to economic shutdowns or working at home might have had a hard time seeking help. She adds that could increase stress and the chances for

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says his proposed budget positions the city for recovery from the pandemic after withstanding the first wave of damage. His nearly $265 million budget comes in about $12 million more than last year, and uses about $21 million, or one-fifth of the federal relief package.

After losing two straight, No. 9 Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse is back in the win column. SU (5-3, 1-2 ACC) never trailed Thursday against UAlbany (5-3, 3-2 America East) and won 13-8. The main takeaway for the Orange’s bounce-back win has to be the faceoffs. Syracuse was struggling mightily at the x in its previous two contests losing the faceoff battle 47-17. Against the Great Danes, that changed. SU was 60% at the faceoff-x. Jakub Phaup, who was 11.1% at faceoffs in his last two matchups, rebounded nicely winning 60% of his 15 faceoff attempts. “The past two weeks I’ve been in a mental funk and it [was] good to get out of that little rut… Phaup said. “I was able to have a pep in my step…” Syracuse also arguably played its best defense of the season. SU surrendered a season-low eight goals to UAlbany and held the Great Danes to just 30 shots. That’s what happens when a team wins its faceoffs to keep possession. As a result, the Orange led nearly the entire game. Syracuse and Albany were