Inside the FLX

The Wayne County Board of Elections office has undergone a major change. While most election offices are integrating new technologies and stress is building as the 2024 presidential election looms – this office is feeling better about how it will serve the community. Republican Election Commissioner Mindy Robinson was in-studio discussing the transition from part-time to full-time election commiss...

Today on Inside the FLX we're getting an update from Cayuga County. Sheriff Brian Schenck says the jail population there is down, to a figure he hasn't seen in more than a year. While he's not sure what the data means, it's something that has local law enforcement's attention. He also talks about a new program he hopes local residents will take advantage of called 'Yellow D...

On Monday, January 22 we were joined by Chris Lajewski from the Montezuma Audubon Center to discuss winter activities, latest migratory activity at the wetlands, and so much more.

What is nonROCaholic? It's an upstart blog and social media guide aimed at showcasing the awesome non-alcoholic craft beverages sprouting up across the Finger Lakes region. While the Finger Lakes will always be known for some of the best wine, craft beer, spirits, and cideries in the world, many are exploring non-alcoholic options as younger generations are consuming less alcohol. In fact, dat...

Northeast College in Seneca Falls is growing. Known for over a century as a graduate-level healthcare institution the College recently announced new undergrad degree programs in imaging sciences and healthcare administration. The new programs will be offered this fall and marks a major transition for the College. To discuss the changes we're joined by Dr. Michael Mestan, President of Northeast...

In March voters in the village of Wolcott will cast an important ballot about the future of their community. The dissolution process has been started after a petition with 85+ signatures made its way to village hall last month. That petition means voters will cast a ballot on whether the Village should study dissolution, a process that would end village government there. The process is complex and...

What happens now that WellNow Urgent Care, one of the most-readily available healthcare assets across Upstate New York, is out-of-network for Excellus subscribers? The two sides had been locked in contentious negotiations, and on January 1, 2024 the clock expired. WellNow was forced to stop accepting Excellus health insurance, which means for those who visit -- they will be charged an out-of-netwo...

Aphrodite Jones is a New York Times best selling and prolific true crime author. She's hosted a television series, and more than one of her books has been turned into a movie. We sit down with her upon the release of her new book documenting the crimes of Karl Karlsen, a Seneca County man who killed his first wife and son nearly two decades apart, for financial gain. For nearly two years Jones...

This week in a live episode of Inside the FLX I was joined by Chris Lajewski from the Montezuma Audubon Center. He gave us a rundown on the latest happenings at the Center in Savannah, Wayne County, as well as the 411 on Avian Flu, which made headlines this week after a possible outbreak was identified at a Webster park near the Wayne County border.

Today on Inside the FLX we are talking about anti-smoking and anti-tobacco policy efforts here in the region. Lindsay Kremers, from the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes, joined us this past week to discuss a recent report highlighting higher-than-average smoking rates across most counties here in the region. What does the data mean? How is housing connected? We discuss it on this episo...

The holiday weekend is here and for many across Upstate New York that means travel! Today on Inside the FLX we're taking a closer look at electric vehicles or EVs. Specifically, how folks go about preparing for holiday travel, or travel any time of year. One of the biggest criticisms of EVs is the lack of charging infrastructure in-between population centers in Upstate NY. To discuss that, as...

Today on Inside the FLX we get one last update for 2023 from Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck before a new year begins. He talks about a pair of retirements in the sheriff's community here in the Finger Lakes; and also talks about winter weather travel advisories. How do they work? What do they accomplish? Those questions, plus plenty more on this episode of Inside the FLX!

Electrifying school buses is going to be a major challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Billy Harvey, who works in bus sales, and talks with districts across Upstate New York about their fleet needs. He says the move to electrifying school bus fleets is one that will be immensely expensive, and one that many communities simply are not ready for yet.

Historically, there’s been a lot of focus on the decline of traditional media. Newspapers, radio, and television have had to evolved-or-shrink, with many across the U.S. shrinking or disappearing entirely. The health of the news business is something of an interesting debate, though. While digital is attributed to doing the most damage to traditional outlets like newspapers, shifting consumer habi...

This week we’re taking a deeper look at  the Pay Transparency Law, which took effect in New York on September 17, 2023 . The law mandates employers with four or more employees disclose the compensation or salary range for every advertised job listing, promotion, or transfer opportunity. The law specifies that the disclosed compensation range must be the anticipated pay for any advertised job posit...

In a matter of hours — longtime local music educator Dan Hacker will march with the Band Directors Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That appearance, nearly six years in the making, will mark a major milestone in his music journey. Hacker says the journey wouldn’t be complete or the same, if not for the impact his students had on him throughout his career. While Hacker doesn’t t...

WellNow Urgent Care has announced that it will stop accepting Excellus BlueCross BlueShield insurance starting January 1, 2024. This decision is due to ongoing dispute regarding what WellNow deems as ‘unfair rates’ offered by Excellus. The urgent care provider has indicated that this change will take effect unless Excellus agrees to pay providers a ‘fair rate’. The dispute is centered around reimb...

Newark Police Chief Richard Martin says it's been a surreal experience 'coming home' to serve as the community's law enforcement leader. It's been 22 years since Martin worked for the police department in the place he calls home, but the time was right. "It's been surreal," Martin said recently appearing on Inside the FLX. "[I] felt it was time for change." The longtime law enforcement veteran spe...

This week on Inside the FLX we take a look at a damning environmental report released by Audubon. It shows just how much enviro-tourism hotspots like the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge could be impacted if climate change is not stopped. Montezuma Audubon Director Chris Lajewski discusses the implications of the report and what's next.

What's up with the fight against HABs in the Finger Lakes? Last month, an announcement about a Nine Element Plan in the Seneca-Keuka Watershed to address phosphorus runoff made headlines. But it isn't the kind of flashy environmental news that gets a lot of attention. Especially in the Finger Lakes, where bitcoin mining, landfilling, and other issues frequently get the lead.  Today on episode...

On this episode of Inside the FLX it's all about political committees and the work they do. John Hurley from the Ontario County Democratic Committee joined Josh Durso to talk about the work committee members do, and how important it is for voters to be engaged. It's challenging -- connecting voters, candidates, and the issues they care about. But it's work that folks like Hurley take very seriousl...

Newark Mayor Jonathan Taylor talks about recent tragedy in village, future of DRI projects, and additional developments in downtown Newark. This is episode #447 of Inside the FLX.

Host Ted Baker welcomes Chris Lajewski of the Montezuma Audubon Center into the FL1 studio for his monthly appearance. Fall is here but is still a beautiful time for the Audubon Center in Savannah. Chris informs us of hurricane season and how that impacts flight paths of birds.  Also, with school being back in session, Chris informs us about school field trips and what they have to offer at t...

Many people know Ray Ciancaglini from his Second Impact Foundation, devoted to raising awareness of and preventing head injuries in young athletes.  Ray knows the issue firsthand, after suffering permanent damage from consecutive blows to the head as a professional boxer. He tours the country, talking to student-athletes about the importance of treating head injuries. He also gives talks on g...

In this episode, we talk with Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason and get our weekly City Council recap. The council finalized the distribution of $1.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for city non-profit organizations: ABC Cayuga $50,000 Booker T. Washington Community Center $84,100 Calvary Food Pantry $50,000 Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes $20,000 Cayuga Home for Children $36,000 Cay...