WAER-FM (Syracuse, NY)

WAER is a public media organization that operates without commercials and is supported by its listeners. It is affiliated with Syracuse University and was established in 1947. WAER provides the Syracuse community with NPR programming, local news, unique music, and coverage of Syracuse University sports. The station is run by experienced professionals who mentor and guide student volunteers, helping them gain valuable skills in broadcast journalism and sports broadcasting during their academic journey.

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Air traffic overhaul obstacles

3 days ago | waer.org | Joel Rose

The fragile state of the U.S. air traffic control system was easy to see during the recent outages in Newark. But it will be a lot harder to make up for decades of underinvestment and other mistakes. Copyright 2025 NPR
Onondaga County Legislature district faces unusual three-way race

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Residents in Onondaga County’s 9th legislative district are choosing between three candidates this fall, and none are on the Democratic party line. That's only the beginning of the unusual electoral scenario unfolding on Syracuse’s north side. A case of petition fraud by incumbent Democrat Palmer Harvey set the wheels in motion for the three-way race. She dropped her reelection bid after her signatures were challenged.
Contentious Syracuse budget process reveals deep philosophical divide between mayor, council

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

The process leading up to final passage of Syracuse’s next budget revealed a sharp philosophical divide between the mayor and common council about how to fund city government. It was the most tumultuous of Mayor Walsh’s two-term tenure. The divide became abundantly clear earlier this month when the council approved more than 80 last-minute amendments slashing 16-million-dollars from the mayor’s proposed budget.
Everson Museum of Art feels the pinch of federal funding cuts

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

The Everson Museum of Art is one of the institutions feeling a funding pinch as President Trump eliminates and even rescinds federal arts grants. Director and CEO Elizabeth Dunbar told a crowd during a recent celebration of Syracuse’s museums the Everson holds many distinctions. “We are the first museum in the United States to collect American art, the first museum to ever be designed by the famous architect I.M Pei," Dunbar said.
Common council overrides mayor's vetoes, approves broad budget cuts

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

As expected, Syracuse common councilors Tuesday unanimously agreed to move forward with $16 million in budget cuts despite the mayor’s attempt to stop them. The vote overriding the mayor’s vetoes marks the end of an unusually contentious budget process. Councilors methodically plowed through 45 amendments restoring their budget cuts without public explanation. The spending plan keeps taxes flat and eliminates a proposed water rate increase.
Child hunger rises in Central New York

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Feeding America, a non-profit organization tracking food insecurity nationwide, released its latest data showing hunger climbed an average of 0.7% in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, and Herkimer counties. In Oswego County, food poverty grew slower at 0.2%. But Feeding America reports that brings its total to 20.3%, making it among the worst regions in the state for child hunger.
Erie Canal Museum among those facing federal funding cut

1 week ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Some of Syracuse’s museums are feeling the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to federal arts funding. In the The Erie Canal Museum is one of them. City Hall and the museum are just steps apart, separated by Water Street. Two centuries of history include the only weighlock building in the country and other artifacts. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens read a proclamation last week in front of city hall recognizing all four of Syracuse’s museums.
Upstate Cancer researcher says mortality rates decline but, types of cancers increasing for those under 50.

2 weeks ago | waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith

Researchers at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse say cancer mortality rates are on the decline but, over a dozen types of cancers continue to rise for those under 50 years-old. Professor of urology and associate research director Dr. Lezek said it’s partly because better diagnostic methods are helping researchers diagnose cancer earlier in younger people.
I-81 Project intensifying across the City of Syracuse and suburbs

2 weeks ago | waer.org | John Smith |JOhn Smith

With spring underway, construction season is intensifying across Central New York. Contractors are racing with the weather to meet rapid I-81 redevelopment deadlines for reshaping the highway. It’s currently moving from ‘the outer edges of Syracuse’ - inward - toward the heart of downtown. Drivers continue to deal with frequent lane shutdowns and traffic shifts in all directions. State DOT regional director David Smith said the road work is changing on a daily basis.
TCGplayer union leader calls eBay’s Syracuse closure ‘retaliation’

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

About 220 people are losing their jobs at TCG Player – the trading card company - inside the Syracuse Galleries downtown. State Senator Chris Ryan played a key role in unionizing the workers and says he’s disheartened by parent company e-bay’s plans to close the office and move operations to Kentucky. Ryan is the former president of the Communications Workers of America, which represents the workers.